Male genitourinary tuberculosis--13 years experience at a tertiary care center in India.

We conducted a retrospective study of genitourinary tuberculosis (TB) among males attending a hospital in the northern Himalayan region of India. Records from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2009 were reviewed for clinical history, relevant radiological findings laboratory data, histopathology and treatment. Of the 1,113 male urogenital non-neoplastic specimens received at the histopathology laboratory of the hospital, tuberculosis was diagnosed in 25 cases (2.2%). Urinary bladder and prostate were the most common organs involved. Thirty-six percent of cases had a previous history of TB; 12% of cases presented with no symptoms. Ziehl-Neelsen staining was positive in 72% of cases. Cultures were positive for TB in 42.8% of cases and polymerase chain reaction was positive in two cases in which it was performed. Antituberculosis treatment was required for up to 12 months in some cases and surgery was required in 32% of cases. Genitourinary TB in this study had varying presentations. Cases having strong clinical and radiological findings and suggestive histopathology for tuberculosis, even without demonstration of mycobacteria may be considered for TB treatment, particularly in endemic areas. Patients living in more remote areas may have more specific and severe symptoms due to late presentation. Histopathology plays a crucial role in diagnosis due to lack of sophisticated techniques. The emphasis should be on early detection followed by prompt treatment to avoid further complications.

Histopathological changes in gastric mucosa colonized by H. pylori.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), infection has been linked to acute and chronic gastritis, non-ulcer-dyspepsia, peptic ulcer, gastric adenocarcinoma and gastric non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). The epithelial changes in H. pylori colonized gastric mucosa are easy to recognize in routine Haematoxylin & Eosin stained sections and are so distinctive that they can serve as a helpful histological indicator for the presence of H. pylori in gastric biopsies. The histopathology of seventy-five gastric biopsies showing colonization by H. pylori was studied. Histologically, the H. pylori colonized gastric epithelium showed characteristic changes that were topographically related to the bacteria. These changes included irregular surface, epithelial pits, individual cell dropout and microerosion, which were specific for H. pylori colonization. These were absent in areas not colonized by H. pylori and in 20 consecutive H. pylori negative gastric biopsies seen during the same study period. As specific treatment for H. pylori infection is available, identification of H. pylori colonization in gastric biopsies should be attempted in all cases of gastritis, peptic ulcers and non-ulcer-dyspepsia.

Alcohol intake and cigarette smoking: impact of two major lifestyle factors on male fertility.

CONTEXT: Lifestyle factors, like alcohol intake and cigarette smoking, have been reported to affect male fertility. AIMS: To find out the specific impact of alcohol and smoking on semen quality of male partners of couples seeking treatment for primary infertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From the semen samples analyzed in our andrology laboratory, results of 100 alcoholics and 100 cigarette smoker males were studied following WHO guidelines and compared with 100 strict nonalcoholic and nonsmoker males for presence of asthenozoospermia, oligozoospermia and teratozoospermia. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data was analyzed by F- test using Microsoft Office Excel 2003. RESULTS: Only 12% alcoholics and six per cent smokers showed normozoospermia compared to 37 % nonalcoholic nonsmoker males. Teratozoospermia, followed by oligozoospermia dominated alcoholics. Overall impact of asthenozoospermia and teratozoospermia, but not of oligozoospermia, was observed in smokers. Light smokers predominantly showed asthenozoospermia. Heavy alcoholics and smokers showed asthenozoospermia, teratozoospermia as well as oligozoospermia. CONCLUSIONS: Asthenozoospermia, the most common semen variable in our study, can be an early indicator of reduction in quality of semen. Alcohol abuse apparently targets sperm morphology and sperm production. Smoke-induced toxins primarily hamper sperm motility and seminal fluid quality. Progressive deterioration in semen quality is related to increasing quantity of alcohol intake and cigarettes smoked.

Utilization of blood and components in a tertiary care hospital.

PURPOSE: Blood transfusion is an important part of patient management. Indications for blood use must be clear in the mind of ordering clinicians, to avoid its misuse and also to avoid unnecessary exposure of the patient to donor blood antigens, adverse reactions and transfusion transmissible diseases. METHODS: In a retrospective pilot study, details of whole blood and components transfused were noted and correlated with the patient's diagnosis and indications for transfusion, during 1 month. RESULTS: The blood units supplied were 720. Whole blood was the most utilized product; followed by packed red blood cells. Supply of blood was maximum to the surgical wards. The patients of trauma followed by malignancy and surgery required whole blood mostly. Anemia was the most common indication for blood products. CONCLUSIONS: Periodic review of blood component usage is very important to assess the blood utilization pattern in any hospital.