Background: Epidemiological surveys in malaria-endemic regions with permanent transmission require a simple, rapid, and cost-effective method to evaluate parasitemia. Objective: To develop and validate a method for measuring parasite density using micro-hematocrit red blood cell counts on smears. Methods: Procedure: The parasite density was measured by counting the number of red blood cells in micro-hematocrit smears. Microscopy: Parasitemia was assessed by reading 75 to 100 microscopic fields at 100x magnification. Statistical Analysis: The formula for determining parasitemia was statistically justified and explained. Results: Participants: 1,163 healthy individuals and 534 consultants were included. Age Groups: Analysis was conducted across different age groups. Thresholds for Harmful Parasitemia: Children: Harmful parasitemia threshold ranged between 3,000 and 6,000 trophozoites per milliliter of blood. Adults: Threshold was lower than 1,000 trophozoites per milliliter of blood. Conclusion: The method developed for evaluating parasitemia is effective for epidemiological surveys in malaria-endemic regions. Maintaining the diagnosis of malaria at the established parasitemia thresholds is crucial to prevent morbidity.

Neurofibromas are rare benign tumors of the peripheral nerve sheath, predominantly associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Isolated colorectal neurofibromas that arise in patients without clinical manifestations of NF1 are extremely rare and are frequently identified inadvertently during endoscopic examinations. The rarity of these conditions complicates diagnosis, necessitating histopathologic and immunohistochemical validation. We report a case of an incidental rectal submucosal neurofibroma found during a colonoscopy performed to evaluate chronic constipation in a patient with no previous diagnosis of neurofibromatosis.

Hepatobiliary disorders during pregnancy represent a significant cause of maternal and fetal morbidity, requiring careful differentiation between physiological adaptations of pregnancy and true hepatic pathology. This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of three major hepatobiliary conditions encountered during pregnancy: gallstone disease, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), and viral hepatitis (HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, and HEV). Pregnancy-induced hormonal and immunological changes influence disease pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnostic interpretation, and therapeutic decision-making. Gallstone disease remains the most common non-obstetric surgical condition in pregnancy, with contemporary evidence supporting timely laparoscopic intervention when indicated. ICP is characterized by pruritus and elevated serum bile acids and is associated with increased risks of preterm birth, fetal distress, and stillbirth, necessitating close surveillance and individualized delivery planning. Viral hepatitis poses unique challenges because of the potential for vertical transmission, maternal complications, and adverse neonatal outcomes. Universal antenatal screening for hepatitis B and C is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone of care. For HBV, maternal antiviral prophylaxis combined with neonatal immunoprophylaxis has reduced mother-to-child transmission to below 1%, whereas the role of direct-acting antivirals for HCV during pregnancy continues to evolve. HEV remains the most severe viral hepatitis in pregnancy, carrying disproportionately high maternal mortality in endemic regions. Across all conditions, multidisciplinary management involving hepatologists, gastroenterologists, obstetricians, maternal–fetal medicine specialists, surgeons, and neonatologists is essential to optimize outcomes. This review synthesizes current evidence, highlights pregnancy-specific diagnostic and therapeutic considerations, and identifies emerging areas of research that may further improve maternal and neonatal outcomes.