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Background: Whatsapp, launched in the year 2009, has exploded to 400 million active users each month. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of Whatsapp to enhance medical education in Indian medical school and also investigate the impact of Whatsapp messenger in their curriculum from the perspective of students. Materials and Methods: The study population included 100 students from the second phase of Sri Muthukumaran Medical College Hospital and Research Institute (SMMCHRI). An experimental study was planned by dividing them into two groups by simple random sampling. Experimental model (Study-group) were primed through Whatsapp before the session, while the comparison group (Control-group) comprised of 50 students, who were allowed to attend the lecture without prior exposure to the session. To assess the effect of Whatsapp intervention, a multiple choice post-test was conducted using 10 MCQs pertaining to the topic and a questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey assessing their perception was conducted among the Study-group students immediately after the session. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between Study-group and Control-group students with a p-value less than 0.001. Study-group perceived the new format to be effective than traditional format which was evident by the increase in Likert scale response values. Conclusion: Students are favorably inclined to use the Whatsapp and welcome its role in enhancing their learning experience. Since we observed that it was successful in providing an interactive environment during lecture, we propose that this methodology can be used to enhance student's learning.

Background: Interactive lecture is a student centred teaching technique incorporating, multimodal strategies to create more engaging classroom settings. In our medical college, traditional lecture approach has been the core teaching method. So, we intended bringing in a change to passive way of learning by introducing first interactive lecture in Microbiology. The objective of our study was to evaluate perception of students on the usefulness of interactive lecture over traditional lecture. Methods: A session on Laboratory Diagnosis of Hepatitis B virus was selected. Anonymity of the responses was ensured to the students. Students were given overview about the study design and purpose of the study. Those who are willing to participate were enrolled for the study. A total of 112 students given consent were included. It was planned to provide traditional lecture on the selected topic followed by interactive lecture on the same topic for all 112 students. At the end of both the session, cross sectional survey was conducted using a pre validated questionnaire to assess the usefulness of interactive lecture given. Responses were to be provided on five point Likert scale with a score of 1 = strongly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neutral, 4 = Agree and 5= strongly agree. Frequencies of responses were analyzed by merging SDA & DA (Strongly disagree and Disagree) and SA & A (Strongly agree and Agree) as two groups. Percentage of responses was compared. Results: In general, 96% of them perceived interactive lecture was useful and reported that they strongly recommend it to their friends who weren"t there. Out of 112 students, 94(84%) reported interactive lecture was interesting when compared to traditional format. Conclusion: When planned meticulously interactive teaching can definitely can save time and energy. Our study emphasizes the need of interactive lecture in core curriculum for better understanding of the subject.

Background Bacterial characterization is important in clinical and epidemiological studies. We herein report the first case of gas-producing Vibrio cholera gastroenteritis with acute kidney injury. Case presentation A 30-year-old female presented to the emergency department with complaints of about ten episodes of watery diarrhea, four episodes of vomiting and elevated serum urea/creatinine levels. Although the bacteria were first misidentified as Vibrio furnissii by gas production on carbohydrate fermentation and triple sugar iron agar, it was later confirmed as Vibrio cholerae by 16 S rRNA gene sequencing and specific PCR. The treatment regimen was followed as for Vibrio species with intravenous fluids, ciprofloxacin and doxycycline. The patient recovered without relapse. Conclusions Literature survey from the PubMed database shows no gas-producing Vibrio cholerae isolate being reported in the world. Further, genotype studies are warranted to look into the gas production of Vibrio cholerae .

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