Rhodotorula species have been reported as a causative agent of opportunistic mycoses in immunocompromised hosts. We report a case of sepsis and meningoencephalitis caused by Rhodotorula glutinis in a 20-year-old female patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which was diagnosed at autopsy. The patient presented with longstanding fever. She was diagnosed with SLE after admission to the hospital and died on day 5 of the hospital stay. Autopsy was performed to confirm the presence of infection. Sepsis and meningoencephalitis due to Rhodotorula glutinis was confirmed by postmortem blood cultures and histopathological examination of biopsies taken from the brain at autopsy. Infection by Rhodotorula spp. is rare but can be fatal in immunocompromised hosts. Infections by such uncommon yeasts may often be difficult to diagnose, especially in the setting of febrile neutropenia. This report also emphasizes the value of autopsy as a powerful educational tool.

‘Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM)’ or ‘stress cardiomyopathy’ is a reversible cardiomyopathy that is precipitated by intense emotional or physical stress. This syndrome is characterised by symptoms mimicking acute coronary syndrome with transient systolic dysfunction associated with regional wall motion abnormalities, which extend beyond a single coronary vascular bed in the absence of obstructive coronary vascular disease. The presentation of TCM and myocardial infarction is similar with sudden onset of chest pain, breathlessness as well as abnormalities in both the electrocardiogram and cardiac enzymes. It is difficult to differentiate between the two until cardiac catheterisation establishes the diagnosis. We report a case of TCM in a post-menopausal female, precipitated by negative pressure pulmonary oedema following total thyroidectomy in whom timely cardiac catheterisation established the diagnosis and influenced the management. Heightened awareness of this unique cardiomyopathy is essential to have a high index of suspicion in at-risk population for the prompt diagnosis of stress-related cardiomyopathy syndromes occurring in the perioperative period.

Background: Numerous topical agents are used for chronic diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) care and healing. In most of the hospitals in India povidone iodine is used topically for DFU dressing, however few other agents are more efficacious; the present study was aimed to compare the effect of povidone iodine and normal saline dressing in healing of DFU.Methods: A total of 50 patients (25 patients in each arm of povidone Iodine and Saline dressing group) with complaints of chronic DFU attending surgery outpatient department of Rajarajeswari Medical College and Hospital were considered in this prospective comparative study from July 2017 to December 2018. Dressings were done on daily basis for a period of 6 weeks, and the results were compared on 2nd, 4th and 6th week, using reduction in surface area of chronic DFU as parameter of healing process.Results: The mean surface area of wound in povidone iodine group was: baseline- 12.2 sq.cm, 2nd week- 11.7 sq.cm, 4th week- 10.6 sq.cm, 6th week- 9.8 sq.cm; While in saline group was: baseline- 13.3 sq.cm, 2nd week- 11.6 sq.cm, 4th week- 10.8 sq.cm, 6th week- 9.6 sq.cm. After 6 weeks, the mean reduction in surface area of wound is more in the saline dressing group compared with the povidone iodine dressing group and the results are statistically significant at a p<0.05.Conclusions: Saline dressing is more effective than povidone iodine dressing in achieving complete healing, reducing wound surface area, and increasing comfort in subjects with chronic DFU.

Rectal foreign bodies represent a unique and challenging field of surgical management which includes a careful history, physical examination and a high index of suspicion for complications. Foreign bodies are rarely seen in lower GI or rectum, inserted either accidently or for sexual satisfaction or to inflict harm. We have 3 case scenarios of unusual foreign body in rectum with varied clinical presentation, findings and three different methods of management/extraction done in our Institution. Patients present with common complaints of rectal or abdominal pain, constipation or obstipation, bright red blood per rectum, or incontinence. Initial step is to assess for peritonitis which is suggestive a perforation with intraperitoneal contamination and requires emergency exploratory. Erect Xray abdomen can reveal the presence of free air and the location of the object relative to the pelvic floor. A careful digital rectal examination is the most informative component of the evaluation process. Impacted foreign bodies may result in complications like intestinal obstruction, perforation of gut and peritonitis. Rectal foreign body is a diagnostic and management dilemma due to the delayed presentation owing to associated social stigma. Patients require a detailed examination and radiographic evaluation with resuscitation. Surgical intervention should be planned based on hemodynamic stability and presence/absence of perforation. Patient has to be referred to the psychiatrist for his perversion disorder, which is also mandatory for preventing recurrences.