Background and Aims. This study was conducted to investigate intestinal parasitic infections among diabetes patients compared to nondiabetic (control) individuals and examine the intensity of parasitosis in both groups. Even though diabetes poses a risk for parasitic infections, similarly, few recent studies suggest that parasitic infections, especially toxoplasmosis, and cysticercosis affecting pancreatic cells, can cause a decrease in insulin secretion, thus leading to diabetes. A retrospective study was carried out to find intestinal parasite infections among diabetics and nondiabetics in tertiary care hospitals. The records were collected from Microbiology Laboratory for five years. Out of 625 patients included in the study, two hundred twenty-seven (36.7%) were diabetic. Of these, most of the intestinal infections were caused by Hookworm (26.58%), followed by Blastocystis hominis (23.2%), and Entamoeba histolytica (12.23%). The risk factors involved in increased intestinal parasitosis were HIV and anemia. The most common parasite isolated among HIV patients was Isospora belli (30.23%). In anemic patients, Hookworm (4.04%) was the most frequently isolated parasite. This study also highlights the risk factors for acquiring intestinal parasites in diabetic patients, especially among patients with other comorbidities such as HIV.

A 63-year-old diabetic woman presented to the outpatient clinic with a 1-week history of abdominal pain. On complete evaluation, she was diagnosed to have essential thrombocythemia. Abdominal imaging revealed portal vein thrombosis with a large splenic infarct. The patient was started on anticoagulant, antiplatelet and cytoreductive therapy. In view of persistent high platelet count, plasma apheresis was done, following which the patient’s platelet counts were reduced. Essential thrombocythemia has a high rate of complications, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Few cases of this disease and its treatment have been described in the literature, especially pertaining to the Indian scenario. Further studies are needed to establish a multidisciplinary algorithm for its diagnosis and to elucidate the guidelines for the successful treatment of the condition.

Background Aneurysms and atheromatous processes are prominent pathological features that are commonly associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Objectives This cadaveric study was conducted to evaluate the morphometric and histological aspects of atheromatous plaque formation in abdominal aortas and their branches and their associated morphological variations, if present, characterized by loops, kinking, or tortuosity. Methods The study was performed using 30 human cadavers (approx. 65-75 years). Frequency of occurrence of calcified plaques in the abdominal aorta and its branches and their morphometric measurements were noted and histological features were observed with the aid of Hematoxylin & Eosin staining. Results Variations in the abdominal aorta and the common iliac artery were observed in 16.6% of specimens. Atheromatous plaque formation was seen in 2 specimens (1 specimen was associated with kinking) while in 3 other specimens only variation in normal structure (kinking/ tortuous artery) was observed. Histological analysis showed foamy macrophages and dense calcification, giving an atheromatous appearance. Conclusions Cadaveric reports of the location, nature, and degree of plaque formation in the abdominal aorta and its branches are extremely important in clinical settings and for choosing treatment options.