ABSTRACT
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare medical emergency characterized by the pentad of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, fever, renal failure, and neurological dysfunction. TTP is an infrequent condition and is a thrombotic microangiopathy. TTP is essentially a clinical diagnosis. As untreated TTP has a high mortality, diagnosis is usually presumptive and prompt treatment with plasma exchange is highly beneficial and reduces mortality significantly. Therapeutic plasma exchange with fresh frozen plasma is the standard treatment of choice for TTP. Transfusion-associated reactions may occur in some patients further complicating the disease picture and prolonging hospital stay and recovery. Transfusion-associated circulatory overload and transfusion-associated acute lung injury are the leading cause of transfusion-related mortality. We present here the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges that we faced with a young male patient who presented with fever, jaundice, and seizures.
ABSTRACT
Euglycemic ketoacidosis is defined by the triad of euglycemia, metabolic acidosis and ketonemia or ketonuria. In the current era of diabetic management, it is a serious concern with the usage of sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors potentiated by a number of precipitating agents. Empagliflozin though a novel oral hypoglycemic agent in this category may also lead to this potential complication. Here we report a 59 year old male, type 2 diabetic who was on empagliflozin and presented with euglycemic ketoacidosis after a binge of alcohol.
ABSTRACT
Background: Dengue infection is a major public health threat; early recognition is crucial to improve the survival in severe dengue. Although there are various biomarkers to predict the severity of dengue, they are not routinely used in clinical practice for prognostication. We analyzed whether serum ferritin can be used to predict the severity at an earlier stage.Methods: A hospital based prospective observational study was done involving 119 dengue cases diagnosed by positive NS1 antigen or dengue specific serology (capture ELISA). Serum ferritin was measured in all at the time of diagnosis. Clinical and platelet count monitoring was done daily; classified as severe and non-severe according to 2009 WHO criteria.Results: Out of 119, 5 developed severe dengue; patients with severe dengue had significantly lower median platelet count (p<0.0001); higher ferritin levels (p=0.03) and hospital stay (p<0.0001) than non-severe group. Age had a significant negative co-relation with platelet count (r= -0.427; p<0.0001); positive correlation with ferritin levels (r=0.16; p=0.08) and hospital stay (r= 0.26; p=0.004) indicating that elderly subjects are at risk of severe disease. Serum ferritin levels negatively correlated with the platelet count (r= -0.51 p<0.001). High ferritin levels in severe cases are noted from day 4 of clinical illness.Conclusions: Elevated serum ferritin levels can be used as a potential early prognostic marker to predict the severity of dengue infection in clinical practice.
ABSTRACT
Oesophageal ulcerations are generally rare occurrences that are most commonly associated with gastro-oesophageal reflux disorder. Other causes include medications and infections in immunocompromised patients. Among the medications used in daily practice, doxycycline is most commonly implicated. Multiple aetiologies are generally uncommon. We report a case of mid-oesophageal ulcerations secondary to doxycycline and herpes simplex virus infection in an immunocompetent patient.