Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic debilitating infectious disease affecting more than one third of the global population. This study was designed to investigate different peripheral blood parameters and risk factors in TB patients. Methods: A total of 600 (Male, 238 and Female, 362) aging 20-80 Years patients with clinical signs of prolonged cough, chest pain and fever, were evaluated for peripheral blood parameters using hematology analyzer. All the informations related to the disease were collected from the patients and recorded using predesigned questionnaire. Results: Erythrocytic Sedimentation Rate (ESR), Hemoglobin (Hb) and lymphocytes were markedly changed in both sexes. Hemoglobin was recorded lower than normal value in 55% and 53% of male and female population respectively. Total leukocyte count was also lower than normal values in 8% and 6% of male and female respectively. Similarly neutropenia was observed in 5% and 8% cases, while neutrophilia was recorded as 60% and 64% in male and female patients respectively. Lymphocytopenia was also observed in 59% and 43% patients in male and female respectively. Illiteracy, smoking habits, overcrowding and living in shared houses were the main associated risk factors contributing in the enhancement of the disease. Conclusion: The disease was present significantly more in females and was relatively higher in older patients. Different hematological parameters like Erythrocytic sedimentation Rate (ESR), platelets and leukocytes work as hallmark and help the clinicians in early diagnosis of the disease. Malnutrition, smoking tobacco, living in shared houses, illiteracy and poverty were the common risk factors contributing to the dissemination of the tuberculosis in the target area population.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a rising epidemic in Pakistan. It is a major public health problem in the country especially alongside regions bordering the neighboring Afghanistan and cities that have had the maximum influx of refugees. The purpose of our paper is to highlight the diverse clinical manifestations of the disease seen along with the geographic areas affected, where the hosts are particularly susceptible. This would also be helpful in presenting the broad spectrum of the disease for training of health care workers and help in surveillance of CL in the region. The increased clinical diversity and the spectrum of phenotypic manifestations noted underscore the fact that the diagnosis of CL should be not only considered when dealing with common skin lesions, but also highly suspected by dermatologists and even primary care physicians even when encountering uncommon pathologies. Hence, we would strongly advocate that since most of these patients present to local health care centers and hospitals, primary care practitioners and even lady health workers (LHWs) should be trained in identification of at least the common presentations of CL.

Pituitary gland involvement in Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) occurs most commonly in the form of central diabetes insipidus (CDI). However, CDI as a presenting manifestation of WG is very rare. We report two such cases; one of them had multi-organ involvement at presentation, while other developed it during follow-up. CDI was reversible following cytotoxic drug therapy in one of them.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major contagious disease caused by

. It benefited from input from many people, including former and current staff working across the WHO TB network and in external partner agencies. Particular thanks are due to Jaap Broekmans and Paul Nunn for helping to describe the history of the development of the HBC lists in use in the years leading up to 2015; to Regional TB Advisers (or equivalent) and their teams in WHO Regional Offices and inter-country support teams, and to colleagues from FIND, the Global Fund, KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, UNITAID and USAID, for their comments on earlier drafts; and to the more than 300 people who provided feedback via an online survey. Particular thanks are also due to Ibrahim Abubakar and Frank Cobelens, the two STAG-TB members who served as discussants on the topic of HBC lists during the June 2015 STAG-TB meeting, for their very constructive comments and recommendations.