The age old Romanowsky stained thick blood smear examination for malarial parasites may fail to reveal the low parasitaemia. The commercial 'QBC' like acridine orange stained capillary tube preparation has a limitation of precise species identification and the detection of extra-erythrocytic parasites. Hence, the present study was aimed to improve malarial parasite detection by using acridine orange to stain large blood drops in the form of wet coverglass mounts. The acridine orange stained blood wet mounts over 2420 suspected malaria cases from Indore city were examined under fluorescent microscope and the results compared with the Leishman's stained thick blood smears in a blind study. The positivity of malarial parasites reported by the modified acridine orange staining was 248 against 109 by Leishman's stained thick blood smears. The modified acridine orange stained method is simple, instant and more efficient, requires less scanning time and skill, allows scanning of larger blood volume (75 ul) at lower magnification and the morphological details at higher magnification helps to make the precise species identification.

When chronic renal failure becomes advanced, the serum levels of most hormones are altered because of several interplaying mechanisms. This study was carried out to evaluate the level of total thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and thyrotropin (TSH) in 96 clinically euthyriod patient with chronic renal failure and 25 healthy individual as control. The patients were grouped into two groups, 62 patient on conservative management and 34 patients on chronic haemodialysis. The patient of both groups showed significant decrease in total T3 and T4 level as compared to normal control. Serum TSH level were similar in both groups as well as in control and were with in normal limit except 3 patients on conservative management which showed TSH level above normal chronic haemodialysis did not have positive effect in alteration of serum T3, T4 and TSH level.

Genomic library of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (SIHV) was constructed into T7 promoter based vector pBluescript II KS (+/-) in Escherichia coil. The expression of mycobacterial antigens from recombinants was detected by immunoscreening using E-coli-preabsorbed hyperimmune rabbit anti-M tuberculosis cell wall associated proteins serum. Among 980 clones tested by immunoscreening, a clone pJJ5 was found to produce mycobacterial antigen. This clone was further characterized by immunoblotting and found to produce a 36 kDa of cell wall associated antigen Detection of antibodies response to this antigen in the serum of the majority of the individuals with tuberculosis indicates that this antigen is capable of stimulating a humoral immune response.

Quality assurance in haematology laboratory is intended to ensure the reliability of the laboratory tests. A quality assurance programme has two main aspects, namely, internal quality control and external quality assessment. A two year experience of quality assurance in haematology laboratory at B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Nepal, is presented here. As a part of internal quality control, test results in the laboratory were scrutinized before release on a daily basis. Inconsistent result were checked for the given values with control material. In addition, the laboratory is a participant of the 'External Haematology Quality Assurance Programme' conducted by WHO regional reference centre at AIIMS, New Delhi, India. Variations related to errors in manual and autopipetting, calibration and inter-observer differences have been noted from time to time and rectified. The programme has helped us to deliver quality service in haematology laboratory at BPKIHS.

In a review of 79 cases of gall bladder malignancy, nineteen cases were labelled as unusual tumors while sixty were diagnosed as adenocarcinoma. Alcian blue, PAS, Grimelius' and Masson trichrome stains were done. Expression of EMA, CEA and desmin was assessed (PAP). Histological subtype was revised, in eleven cases out of 19. Five tumors initially diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma were found to be positive for mucin and CEA and hence were reclassified as adenosquamous carcinoma. Three undifferentiated carcinomas and two malignant carcinoids were labelled as adenocarcinoma and composite tumor respectively. Positive reactivity with CEA and alcian blue PAS and absence of AFP helped in differentiating one giant cell carcinoma from hepatocellular carcinoma. No definite marker could be identified in one case of malignant mesenchymal tumor. Histochemistry and immunohistochemistry also helped in confirming the diagnosis of three cases of carcinoma in situ, one of malignant carcinoid and three of clear cell carcinoma.

Five cases of hydatid disease of abdomen and thorax were diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) under ultrasound guidance. The age of patients ranged from 25-50 years, with a median age of 37 years. Male to female ratio was 2:3. None of the cases were clinically diagnosed as hydatid disease, but ultrasonography raised suspicion in two cases. The location of cyst in four cases was liver and one aspiration was done from lung. Smears from all cases showed features consistent with hydatid disease. None of the patients showed any untoward allergic reaction following FNAC.

Melanin production in medullary thyroid carcinomas is rare. The present case illustrates melanin and other atypical features of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid in a fifty year old female. The diagnosis was suggested on the cytomorphological features seen on fine needle aspiration cytology smears. On histo-pathological examination the tumor was extensively pigmented with frequent mitosis. Amyloid was conspicuously scarce. Confirmation of diagnosis was done by immunohistochemical positivity for calcitonin and HMB-45 on tissue sections. The case is being presented in view of its rarity and distinct immunoreactivity. Review of literature is done and the implications of such dual positivity in the histogenesis and divergent phenotype of this tumor are discussed.

Infective candidial endocarditis in four premature neonates is reported. These occurred as a complication of systemic candidiasis. Vegetations were present on the right side of the heart in two cases and both sides in the other two. Diagnosis requires a high degree of clinical suspicion. Mortality rate is high despite appropriate therapy.

We report a rare case of Retroperitonial teratoma containing Axial Skeleton long bone. Jaw, pelvis & scapula in a 27 yrs old male. Aberration in monozygotic twinning may rarely present as Fetus in Fetu. Rarer is presentation in Adult.