Microfilariae and adult filarial worms have occasionally been detected in association with neoplastic lesions in cytological smears. The presence of microfilariae along with neoplasms is generally regarded as a chance association, yet some authors suggest that such parasitic infestations may be a causative factor for tumourigenesis. There are only a few reported cases in cytology literature documenting this association. We report the presence of microfilariae in routine cytology smears from one benign and four malignant tumours. Microfilariae could not be identified on histopathology available in four of these cases.

Tuberculosis is a major public health problem in India and other developing countries and has formed a lethal partnership with AIDS. It often presents a diagnostic challenge especially when clinical presentation is suggestive but bacteriological proof is lacking. The objective of this study was to compare the various diagnostic techniques in clinically suspected cases of tubercular lymph nodes and to find a suitable, cost-effective but sensitive and specific method for diagnosis. A total of 100 cases were recruited for the study. Fine needle aspiration cytology was done in all cases and the smears prepared were processed for Giemsa, Ziehl-Neelsen's, Kinyoun and Papanicolaou stains. Parts of the aspirated materials were assessed by fluorescent staining, culture and PCR. Seventyfour percent of aspirates were positive by fluorescent stain while only 22 % were positive by culture. PCR could be performed in 55 cases, out of which 22 (40 %) were positive. When compared to culture, the sensitivity and specificity of PCR were found to be 89 . 5 % and 86 . 1 %, respectively. Fluorescent stain was found to be the most sensitive (81 . 8 %) of the conventional methods but showed poor specificity (28 . 2 %). Interestingly, PCR detected 80 % of smear-negative but culturepositive cases.

Tuberculosis as a causative factor for dysphagia should be considered in developing countries with high incidences of tuberculosis and in immunocompromised hosts. Detection of these cases by careful examination of cytological smears and biopsies and treatment with standard antitubercular therapy appear effective.

Two treatment regimens are biologically equivalent in terms of hematological response. Two high doses of intramuscular iron can be a good substitute to meet iron requirement in pregnancy.