We studied 424 adults with falciparum malaria admitted over 28 months. They were divided into three groups: cerebral malaria (n = 214); severe non-cerebral malaria (n = 58); and uncomplicated malaria (n = 152). Fundus examination was done daily from admission to discharge, and weekly thereafter in those with persistent changes. All patients were treated by a protocol based on WHO guidelines. Ophthalmoscopic abnormalities were: retinal haemorrhages, 40 (9.43%) (25 cerebral malaria, 10 severe non-cerebral and five uncomplicated malaria); papilloedema, 17 (7.94%) cerebral malaria and two uncomplicated malaria; blurring of disc margins, 25 (11.68%) cerebral and seven non-cerebral; retinal oedema, six (2.80%) cerebral and five non-cerebral malaria; disc pallor, five patients all with cerebral malaria; vitreous haemorrhage and hard exudate in one patient each, both cerebral malaria. Retinal haemorrhage was associated with cerebral malaria and severe non-cerebral malaria, especially with severe anaemia (p < 0.001), as compared to uncomplicated malaria (p < 0.01). The association of papilloedema and cerebral malaria was highly significant compared to severe non-cerebral malaria (p < 0.001). None of these findings was associated with statistically significant mortality, except disc pallor in cerebral malaria (p < 0.05).

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Background: Tobacco consumption in the form of chewing and smoking is one of the biggest addictions. It causes various oral pre-malignant lesions which mainly include oral sub-mucous fibrosis (OSMF) caused by betel nut consumption and tobacco quid lesion, leukoplakia, erythroplakia and smoker's palate caused by chewing and smoking tobacco.Methods: The data about the past and present consumption of tobacco was collected from 909 individuals. Based on the tobacco habits, the oral cavity findings were assessed and the statistical analysis was carried out to find the significance of associations observed between tobacco consumption and lesions.Results: Out of 909 subjects, 537 were consuming tobacco, out of which 284 were chewers, 65 were smokers and 76 were consuming in both forms. Out of the 284 tobacco chewers, 43% had oral lesions (19.4% had OSMF and 21.5% had tobacco quid) as compared to just 1% of workers having oral lesions (OSMF) amongst those who had no addiction. There was a high prevalence of lesion in tobacco chewers (p<0.005). Out of total smokers, 15.8% had smoker's palate whereas no lesion was seen in the non-addicted workers. The odds of developing oral pre-malignant lesion are 43.62 times higher in exposed individuals.Conclusions: The tobacco consumption in any form is hazardous. Betel nut exposure causes more harmful effect which goes unnoticed. Awareness should be created about various lesions caused by tobacco as well as betel nut and special steps should be taken for early diagnosis and its treatment.

Background: Industrial workers working in various industries have exposure to different kind of pollutants. Exposure to various types of dust causes pneumoconiosis, a rising cause of impairment in factory workers. This study sought to analyze the effect of quantity and quality of dust variety and the duration of exposure on the pulmonary function test of the workers.Methods: Pulmonary function testing (PFT) was done using PC based spirometer in 4 different industries of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar cities. The PFT values obtained were compared with normal values and the number of workers with impaired PFT was found. Associations were observed between types and amount of exposure with pulmonary impairment.Results: Out of 909 workers, 408 (44.88%) had pulmonary impairment of which 330 (80.88%) presented with restrictive lung function. It was found that maximum restrictive lung functions were found in workers exposed to metallic dust (51.4%) followed by metallic gases (43.8%). Whereas office administrative workers not having any direct exposure were having less impairment (p<0.005). Also, with increased duration of work in the industry, pulmonary impairment was also increasing. (χ2=119.89; p<0.005).Conclusions: Exposure to various types of dust impairs lung functions. The severity increases with the increase in the amount and duration of exposure. Proper protective measures should be taken by the workers and regular check-ups should be done to know any pulmonary impairment. The workers with impairment should be removed from exposure and relocated.

Introduction: Tobacco use is a major public health problem globally. According to the WHO, tobacco is the second most important cause of death in the world. Tobacco is used in different forms: smoke and smokeless. In India, people also consume beetle nut along with tobacco, causing more harmful effects. The present study was done to determine prevalence of tobacco use in industrial workers and associate it with the prevalence of oral premalignant lesions. Methodology: A cross-sectional observational study of 909 industrial workers working in 4 industries was undertaken from March 2014 to October 2014. Cases who had consumed tobacco in either form for over a year were included. Sociodemographic history and the history of current and past tobacco consumption were recorded. The oral cavity was examined for premalignancy. Results: Of 909 subjects, 537 (59.1%) had a history of consuming tobacco; of which, 360 (39.6%) were consumers of smokeless tobacco (SLT) and 141 (15.5%) were smokers. Oral premalignant lesions were present in around 52% of the study population that was exposed to tobacco, amongst which tobacco quid lesion was the most common (10.9%) followed by oral submucous fibrosis (9.8%). OSMF was seen more in beetle nut chewers. The odds of developing an oral premalignant lesion as a result of exposure to tobacco are 43.62 times more than the odds of acquiring a lesion without exposure. Conclusion: Tobacco consumption in any form is hazardous and causes various kinds of oral premalignant lesions. Beetle nut exposure causes more harmful effect which goes unnoticed. Awareness should be created about various lesions caused by tobacco as well as beetle nut and special steps should be taken for early diagnosis and its treatment.