Tubercular pseudoaneurysm of aorta: a rare association with vertebral tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Pseudoaneurysm of the aorta in association with vertebral tuberculosis is a rare phenomenon. With the resurgence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and associated resistant tuberculosis, this life-threatening complication requires greater awareness. PURPOSE: Our purpose is to report the rare presentation and successful management of tubercular pseudoaneurysm of the aorta in association with vertebral tuberculosis, and to highlight the clinicoradiological features for early and prompt diagnosis of this potentially fatal, but treatable, disease. STUDY DESIGN: A single case report and overview of the disease comprises the design of this study. PATIENT SAMPLE: The patient, already surgically intervened, is a 27-year-old male with increasing abdominal and back pain, upper motor neuron signs, and constitutional signs and symptoms. OUTCOME MEASURES: At 33 months follow-up, there is complete resolution of the signs and symptoms, and the patient is back to his previous vocation. METHODS: The diagnosis was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging and contrast computed tomography. Endoaneurysmorrhaphy of the pseudoaneurysm along with a complete course of antitubercular treatment was given to the patient, and he has presently been followed up for 33 months. RESULTS: The patient's signs and symptoms have been completely resolved without any recurrence. CONCLUSION: Despite the use of modern chemotherapy and imaging techniques, this disastrous complication still occurs and reinforces the need for early suspicion, diagnosis, surgical resection, and antitubercular therapy along with close postoperative follow-up to prevent recurrence. With the resurgence of HIV (and other immunocompromised states) associated and resistant tuberculosis, we should be more alert than ever to this life-threatening complication.     

Ossifying fibroma of nose in a two year old child

We report a cast of ossifying fibroma of the nose, arising from the bony septum and extending into the nasophaynx in a 2 yrs. old child presenting with features of obstructed nose.     

Effects of interferon in malaria infection

Earlier, we reported that prophylactic treatment with human interferon gamma (rHuIFN-gamma) protected monkeys against Plasmodium cynomolgi B malaria infection. We have tested the efficacy of rHuIFN-gamma on relapsing stage of experimental P. cynomolgi B malaria infection in rhesus monkeys. No effect of rHuIFN-gamma was seen against experimental relapsing stage compared with controls; however, it appears that chloroquine (CHL) may have interfered with the antimalarial effect of IFN, since treatment with CHL inhibits the antiviral activity of mouse alpha/beta IFN and polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) against Semliki forest virus (SFV) in mice. These results may have clinical implications especially with the use of IFN against virus infection, cancer and in parasitic infections in malaria endemic areas where CHL is one of the most widely used antimalarial drugs. Our result also shows that CHL treatment enhances the virus replication in mice and suggest a possible connection between AIDS and malaria infection, since the spread of AIDS has been rapid in parts of tropical Africa that have a high incidence of malaria, and chloroquine has been frequently used in the chemotherapy of malaria.