Hyperammonemia: an unusual presenting feature of multiple myeloma.

A 76 year old lady presented with altered sensorium and was found to have hyperammonemia on evaluation. She had no evidence of liver disease. For her symptomatology of backache, evaluation by bone marrow study showed evidence of multiple myeloma. She was given chemotherapy for multiple myeloma, which resulted in improvement in her sensorium, along with this there was also a rapid decline in serum ammonia levels. Hyperviscosity and hypercalcemia are common causes of altered sensorium in a patient with myeloma but in this case hyperammonemia was the likely cause.

Iron deficiency amongst nursing students.

CONTEXT: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is widely prevalent in India. IDA is preceded by a stage of latent iron deficiency (ID) where serum ferritin is reduced but hemoglobin is normal. AIMS: Present study was undertaken (1) to find prevalence of IDA and ID amongst nursing students; (2) to observe effect of hematinic therapy on Hb and red cell indices. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Nursing students were taken up for study after they gave a written consent. METHODS AND MATERIAL: Subjects were given a written questionnaire to elicit anemia related symptoms. Blood counts were done on electronic counter and serum ferritin was assayed by Elisa. Hematinic capsule was given once at bedtime for a period of three months, after which, participants again answered the same questionnaire and blood count was done. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Students' t test was used to compare the results. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in Hb, MCV and MCH of normal and ID group. Differences in Hb, MCV and MCH between normal and IDA groups and between IDA and ID groups were highly significant (p < 0.001). Symptom score did not show significant difference in three groups. Ferritin levels of ID and IDA groups were significantly lower than that of normal group (p < 0.001) whereas there was no significant difference in ferritin levels of ID and IDA groups. IDA group showed highly significant improvement in Hb, MCV and MCH as a result of treatment. ID and normal groups did not show increase in Hb level after treatment but increase in MCV and MCH in both groups were highly significant. CONCLUSIONS: IDA and ID were found in 20.3% and 27.5% subjects respectively. Significant rise in MCV and MCH in normal group indicated that even this apparently normal group had iron deficient erythropoiesis.

Iron hydroxide polymaltose--cause of persistent iron deficiency anemia at delivery.

Ironhydroxide polymaltose (IPC) preparations were used to treat four pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia. Despite patient compliance for sufficient length of time, hemoglobin failed to rise. By the time this was noticed, pregnancy was well advanced and delivery was only few weeks away. Patients were switched over to ferrous fumarate/succinate/parenteral iron. Although hemoglobin increased, women were still iron deficient at the time of delivery. Besides exposing women to hazards of iron deficiency at the time of delivery, their new borns are exposed to the risks intrauterine growth retardation and its consequences in childhood and later life. It would be advisable to avoid the use IPC preparations in patients with iron deficiency anemia, especially pregnant women.

Tetanus: study of 8,697 cases.

Records of 8,697 cases of tetanus seen over a period of 14 years are analysed. Overall mortality was 48.0%. Mortality in neonatal group was 86.38% whereas that in non-neonatal group it was 40.18%. Disease was seen more frequently in male than in female. Mortality in male was lower than in female. Incidence was highest in the first decade of life. Mortality was lowest (about 33%) in first two decades (excluding neonatal group). Mortality in neonatal group was highest (86.38%). Mortality was inversely related to length of incubation period. In cases with incubation period of 7 days or less, mortality was 58.26% in non-neonates and 94.15% in neonates. Mortality was very low (2.14%) in 2,100 cases who did not develop spasms. In cases with spasms mortality was inversely related to the length of period of onset. Temperature of 100 degrees F within first 24 hours of admission was an adverse factor and these cases had higher mortality. Cases were divided into five grades according to the severity. Mortality in each grade was significantly different from that in the other. Mortality was lower in otogenic tetanus while it was higher in post-abortion and post-injection tetanus. Tetanus following penetrating injury carried higher mortality whereas tetanus following abrasions had lower mortality. With head and face as the site of infection, mortality was low while it was high when the site of infection was a trunk. Results were similar with dose of A.T.S. ranging between 5,000 and 60,000 i.u. and tetanus immune globulin, whereas mortality was high with higher and lower dose of A.T.S. or with no A.T.S. Respiratory spasms, respiratory failure, respiratory complications and circulatory failure were the common causes of death.

Anti-idiotype antibodies and circulating immune complexes after immunisation with tetanus-toxoid.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if anti-idiotype antibodies and circulating immune complexes in individuals before and after immunisation with tetanus toxoid play a role in the immune response. DESIGN: A study of individuals who were administered a single dose of tetanus toxoid (TT) and who were unimmunized. SETTING: Out patient departments of a large public hospital in Bombay, India. SUBJECTS: Thirty eight individuals pre-immunisation and forty five individuals post-immunisation with tetanus toxoid, tested at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Development of anti-tetanus anti-idiotype antibodies and circulating immune complexes. RESULTS: Pre-immunisation cases did show presence of anti-tetanus antibodies but in lower titres than post-immunisation up to six months, after which there was a reduction. Specific anti-idiotype antibodies were detected in 19 cases. One and three months after immunisation more cases had high titre antibodies and circulating immune complexes, though after six months, there was a fall in anti-tetanus antibody titres. Circulating immune complexes were seen in those samples having anti-idiotype antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: Though a significant rise in anti-tetanus antibody anti-idiotype antibodies, protective levels in mice and circulating immune complexes are seen after immunisation with TT it lasts for six months. When followed up for a period of one year it is observed that in cases having auto anti-idiotype antibodies, the anti-tetanus antibodies are maintained for a longer period.

Autoantibodies in thalassaemia major: relationship with oral iron chelator L1.

Ninety patients with thalassaemia major were investigated for the occurrence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA), and those with ANA were tested for antibodies to histones (AHA). ANA were detected in 7 of 27 thalassemics on oral iron chelator L1, and in 2 of 63 thalassaemics not on L1 (p < 0.01). AHA were seen in 4 of 7 thalassemics receiving L1 with positive ANA, and in none of the 2 not receiving L1 (p < 0.03). Joint pains were seen in patients receiving L1, but in none of the patients not receiving L1. There was no correlation between hepatitis B or HIV positivity and presence of ANA or joint pains. While some amount of background ANA-positivity was found in patients with thalassaemia major, it was significantly more in patients receiving L1. Laboratory evidence of drug-induced lupus-like reaction was seen only in patients who received L1. In view of serious concerns about the safety of L1 and wide variations in the incidence and severity of adverse reactions reported by different sources, an urgent regulatory audit of all trial centres is essential.

Aplastic crisis and leg ulceration: two rare complications of hereditary sideroblastic anaemia.

Aplastic crisis as a result of parvovirus infection is seen in a number of haematologic disorders characterized by decreased red cell survival, and leg ulceration due to unknown causes is seen in a number of haemolytic anaemias. Neither of the two has been reported in a case of sideroblastic anemia. We report one case with each of these complications in association with sideroblastic anaemia.