BACKGROUND: Trichomonas vaginalis is sometimes seen in Papanicolaou stained smears, but because emphasis is placed on malignant cells in Papanicolaou stained smears, not much is done to search for this parasite in smears. In this study, cervical and vaginal specimens were examined by conventional Papanicolaou method for the presence of Trichomonas vaginalis microscopically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five hundred high vaginal swabs collected from gynaecology OPD were stained with Papanicolaou stain. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty (30%) out of 500 Papanicolaou stained smears screened, were positive for Trichomonas vaginalis. Out of them 76.67% of positive smears were from asymptomatic females. Presumptive diagnosis based on perinuclear halo and complete T. vaginalis had the highest sensitivity of 69.33%, while diagnosis based on perinuclear halo alone was 50.66% and 41.33% for diagnosis based on identification of complete organisms in Pap smear.

ABSTRACT:INTRODUCTION:Dengue is an acute viral infection with potential fatal complications. Rapid and easy diagnosis of dengue can help in patient triage and caremanagement. The detection of dengue virus NS1 antigen by rapid lateral flow tests offers a faster method to a presumptive diagnosis in the peripheral centers of developing countries like India where the laboratory has no great technological backup. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 351 sera from patients suspected of having dengue virus infection were tested for dengue NS1 antigen and dengue IgM and IgG antibodies by both ELISA and immunochromatographic test (ICT). RESULTS: From the 351 samples tested, 249 (70.94%) of the sera were found to be positive for DENV infection based on the IgM antibody or IgG antibody or NS1 antigen. Of the 249 samples 105 (42.16%) were positive for only IgM or only IgG or both antibodies by ELISA and 101 (40.56%) by ICT. Based on dengue NS1 antigen along with IgM and/or IgG tests, 144 (57.8%) were positive for dengue infections by ELISA and 139 (55.8%) by ICT. Among these 144 samples, only dengue NS1 antigen was detected in 67 (26.90%) by ELISA and 65 (26.10%) by ICT. CONCLUSIONS: Inclusion of NS1 in the diagnosis of dengue increases the detection rate significantly. The sensitivity of ICT for both antigen and antibody detection are almost equal to ELISA. Thus, the potential use of the NS1 antigen along with antibody tests in an ICT could increase the diagnostic efficiency for early diagnosis of dengue infection.

Infection with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in occupationally exposed health care workers (HCWs) should be accepted as a realistic possibility. This study aimed at estimating prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infections among health care workers with the final goal to encourage HBV vaccination of the non-immune Indian health care worker in a tertiary hospital. A total of 219 samples were screened from November 2012 to October 2013. They were screened for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag), and anti-HCV antibodies by the third generation ELISA. The HBsAg prevalence was 1.37%. Anti-HCV antibody was not detected in any of the health care worker screened. 63.47% of health care workers were not immunised. All HCWs who were positive for HBsAg were non-immunised. A moderate HBV infection rate and low HBV vaccination coverage were found in the study. India is a tropical country still endemic for HBV infection and new strategies to promote HBV vaccinations are to be adopted. KEYWORDS: Hepatitis B & C, Health care workers, Vaccination INTRODUCTION:Approximately three million health care workers (HCW) are exposed to percutaneous blood each year. 1 The risk of HBV infections among HCWs is four times higher than in the general population and depends on the prevalence of HBV infected patients, nature and frequency of contact with blood and body fluids, duration of employment and immunization status. A high prevalence of these infections in the general population, the large capacity of infectious virus and daily contact with biological fluids and potentially contaminated instruments are key risk factors for HCWs for the transfer of HBV and HCV infection. 2 Infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in occupationally exposed health care workers (HCWs) should be accepted as a realistic possibility. 3 Blood contains the highest HBV titres and is the most important vehicle of transmission in the health-care setting. HBV is relatively stable in the environment, remains viable for at least 7 days on environmental surfaces at room temperature. 4 Screening for hepatitis B & C is still not being performed in many health setups. Due to tremendous increase in surgical workload, operation theaters could be one of the main sources of transmission of hepatitis B & C 5 . Preoperative screening for hepatitis B & C in patients is not routinely performed even for elective surgery in our country because of multiple factors and this may pose a major risk to health care workers. Major factors are, lack of public awareness about the disease, inadequate funding for health care and poor health facilities throughout the country. Whereas the literature on hepatitis B virus infection in India is growing, there is still paucity of information on HBV and HCV among HCWs. This paper contributes to this discourse by presenting the prevalence estimates for hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infections among health care workers.

BACKGROUND: Of all the tissues in the human body, perhaps the salivary glands have the most histologically heterogenous group of tumors and the greatest diversity of morphologic features among their cells and tissues. This diversity combined with the fact that most surgical pathologists have limited opportunity for experience with salivary glands is the primary reason behind the difficulty caused by these diseases for many pathologists. Therefore, present study was undertaken to study the relative incidence and spectrum of histomorphological features of various salivary gland neoplasms. AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relative frequencies, types, site distribution and the histomorphology of salivary gland neoplasms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The material for this study comprised of incisional biopsies and resected specimens of salivary gland neoplasms received in the department of pathology, J.J.M.Medical College, Davangere. In cases of parotid gland lesions, superficial parotidectomy and total parotidectomy without neck dissection was done and specimens were sent for histopathological examination. Gross examination and subsequent microscopic examination was done after staining with hematoxylin and eosin. 53 cases diagnosed histopathologically as salivary gland neoplasms were included in this two year prospective study. RESULTS: During the two years of study period 53 salivary gland neoplasms were seen. 38 cases were benign neoplasms and 15 cases were malignant. Among all neoplasms, pleomorphic adenoma was the commonest. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma was the most common malignant neoplasm. The mean age of presentation of all neoplasms was 42.74 years. The male to female ratio was 1:1.2. Most common site of occurrence was parotid gland. No intraparotid lymph nodes were observed. In all the neoplasms studied, typical histomorphological features were seen. Surgical margins were free in all the cases. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that some of our results are in harmony with those of other authors.. On the other hand, some of our results are different from published literature. Further nationwide population based survey is needed to define the epidemiology of salivary gland neoplasms.

1 Parenteral low molecular weight heparins like enoxaparin, dalteparin, tinzaparin, synthetic heparin derivatives fondaparinux, direct thrombin inhibitors like lepirudin, bivalirudin, argatroban, oral anticoagulants like Dabigatran, Rivaroxiban are newer anticoagulants. The emergence of new oral anticoagulants has the advantage over old drugs is their predictable pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics properties, adverse effects clinically less relevant and their different mechanism of action.Clinically these new anticoagulant drugs are preferred for prophylaxis of patients undergoing hip or knee surgery to prevent deep vein thrombosis, after the replacement of heart valve, open-heart surgery to prevent clot formation and for therapy of pulmonary embolism (synthetic derivatives). Also as an alternative in patients diagnosed with heparin induced thrombocytopenia who require anticoagulation 2 .