Objective:To analyze the profile of pulmonary tuberculosis patients with respect to gender and its implications in tuberculosis control. Setting: DOTS center at a tertiary, teaching hospital in South India.Materials and Methods:A retrospective study was undertaken by screening medical records of 446 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Data studied included age, gender, and sputum smear status. Patients with comorbid conditions were excluded. No other data were considered.Results:The male to female ratio in patients of pulmonary tuberculosis was 2:1, which was also maintained when smear positive and smear negative were studied separately. The ratio of smear positive to smear negative patients was statistically significant at 4.4:1. A large proportion of patients (65–68%) were in the young and reproductive age group. Approximately, one-fifth patients were in the geriatric age group.Conclusion:The observation that two-thirds of all female smear-positive patients were found in the young and reproductive age group has strong implications in tuberculosis control strategies because of higher chances of mother to child transmission and higher probability of complications because of attendant antenatal and postnatal morbidity. Geriatric patients comprise another significant group because of higher chances of default, complications, inconvenience, and existence of other comorbid conditions.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) remain among the most significant and intriguing unsolved problems in obstetrics. In India, the prevalence of HDP was 7.8% with pre-eclampsia in 5.4% of the study population. The anaesthetic problems in HDP may be due to the effects on the cardiovascular, respiratory, neurologic, renal, haematologic, hepatic and uteroplacental systems. The basic management objectives should be facilitating the birth of an infant who subsequently thrives and completes restoration of health to the mother, or the termination of pregnancy with the least possible trauma to mother and foetus in severe pre-eclampsia. This comprises obstetric management, adequate foetal surveillance, antihypertensive management, anticonvulsant therapy, safe analgesia for labour and management of anaesthesia for delivery.

Introduction: Patients with deep neck infections present challenging airways for an anesthesiologist. Patients with Ludwig's angina may die as a result of the inability to effectively manage the airway.

Objectives:To assess relevance of spot morning spot (SMS) method of smear microscopy in tuberculosis control by directly observed treatment short course (DOTS).Materials and Methods:Screening of smear microscopy results of 546 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis at our DOTS centre.Results:Among 546 cases, 82% had all three samples positive for AFB, 98% had either morning sample or spot and morning sample positive. 2% had second spot sample positive.Conclusion:Examination of third sample, especially second spot sample, does not add significantly to the diagnostic yield. Examination of one spot and early morning samples were able to correctly diagnose 98% cases. This has strong implications in DOTS strategies.

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Malignant mesothelioma is one of the rare tumors of pleura. One such case in a 57-year-old male, who presented with hemorrhagic pleural effusion and had no history of asbestos exposure, is reported here. The rarity, unusual presentation, and implications are discussed.

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