A Common Neurological Presentation With an Unusual Etiology: Dense Hemiplegia Due to Pneumococcal Meningitis.

Acute hemiplegia is a common neurological presentation that usually occurs due to a cerebrovascular accident. A similar presentation may also be seen in several other conditions such as postictal (Todd's) paralysis, hemiplegic migraine, brain abscess, and extradural or subdural hemorrhage. We present the case of a 32-year-old South Indian female who was brought to the emergency department with acute hemiplegia and decreased responsiveness for one day. She was provisionally diagnosed with an ischemic stroke at presentation; however, contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) of the brain with CT angiography and venography revealed no focal lesions or filling defects. CSF examination showed gram-positive cocci in pairs, concerning brain abscess. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain was suggestive of multiple evolving abscesses in the right frontal and parietal lobes. Her hemiplegia was attributed to the abscess, and she was given six weeks of intravenous (IV) antibiotics, after which she recovered completely. Maintaining a high index of clinical suspicion enabled the correct diagnosis in a patient who did not have any typical features of acute meningitis.

Comparison of Heart Rate Variability, QTc, and JT Interval Between Diabetic Patients and Healthy Controls: Role of Gender and Phases of Menstrual Cycle.

Background and objectives Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a heterogeneous group of metabolic disorders with variable degrees of insulin resistance and altered glucose metabolism. Increased attention in studying the role of gonadal hormones in diabetes is not only due to their relation to insulin sensitivity, and glucose tolerance but also to the gender-specific nature of the prevalence of various diabetic complications. The cyclical change in the hormone level in females will make it necessary to consider the menstrual cycle while analyzing the risk factors for diabetes. Hence, the role of gender and menstrual cycle in T2DM are analyzed here using the simple non-invasive cardiovascular risk indices like heart rate variability (HRV), QT interval corrected for heart rate (QTc), and JT interval. Materials and methods In this analytical study, T2DM patients in the age group of 18-45 years with less than five years duration from diagnosis and taking not more than two anti-hyperglycemic drugs were included. Time and frequency domains of HRV analysis, QTc, and JT intervals were compared with age and BMI matched control group. The comparison of these parameters was also made between two genders in the diabetic group and they were analyzed across different phases of the menstrual cycle in female diabetic patients when physiological variation in the gonadal hormones occurred as a natural phenomenon. Results HRV parameters were reduced and the QTc and JT intervals were prolonged in diabetic patients of both genders. Reduction in low-frequency (LF) band power and high-frequency (HF) band power of HRV analysis in diabetic females were statistically significant in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle in comparison with age and BMI-matched healthy controls. There was no significant difference in the HRV parameters, QTc, and JT interval between the male and female diabetic groups. HF band power is significantly reduced in the menstrual phase and relatively higher in the follicular phase when compared to the luteal phase among female diabetic patients. Conclusion The reduced sympathetic and parasympathetic activity were observed in diabetic patients of both genders and they were significant in the luteal phase of diabetic females compared to the healthy control group. Vagal activity is relatively higher in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle in female diabetic patients.

A Clinical Retrospective Study on the Transmission of COVID-19 From Mothers to Their Newborn and Its Outcome.

Introduction India is the second most populated country in the world. The declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant morbidity and mortality in pregnant women and newborns. Due to the decreased lung volume and immunocompromised state, pregnant women are more prone to rapid clinical deterioration. Regarding the transmission of COVID-19 infection to newborns, there is no clear-cut evidence regarding the intrauterine or vertical transmission of COVID-19 from the affected pregnant women to their neonates. Aim This study aimed to assess the outcome of neonates born to mothers with COVID-19 in a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry, India. Methods This retrospective case record-based study was conducted among all neonates born to COVID-19-positive mothers at a tertiary care institution in Puducherry from April 2020 to June 2020. All the newborns born to COVID-19-positive mothers during the specified period of time were included in the study. Results A total of 98 COVID-positive mothers were included in the study. Of these, 13.27% showed mild upper respiratory infection, and one had a moderate category. The mean gestational age was 38.4+1.12 weeks. About 53.06% of COVID-19-positive mothers had C-sections, 45.92% had a normal vaginal delivery, and only one had an instrumental vaginal delivery. All the mothers gave birth to singleton neonates; of 98 newborns, 51 were female, and 47 were male with the mean birth weight of 3.1 ± 0.4 kg. Among the 98 neonates, only six developed COVID-19 infection. Among the six, four acquired infections during the first to second week of the postnatal period and two acquired infections during the fourth week. Three neonates born by normal vaginal delivery only had a fever; two neonates manifested fever, cough, and increased respiratory rate; and only one neonate developed hypoxia. Conclusion The study showed that vertical transmission from the mother to the newborn is extremely minimal. In our study, six neonates acquired infection mostly due to the close contact of the newborn with the mother during rooming-in and breastfeeding.

Attitudes and beliefs of patients and primary caregivers towards deprescribing in a tertiary health care facility.

BACKGROUND: Good prescribing practices form the essence of drug therapy for better patient care. The major aim of better prescribing is to improve rational prescribing. Deprescribing gained momentum in recent decades. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the attitude and beliefs of deprescribing among patients and their caregivers forming dyads in a tertiary health care facility. METHODS: Cross-sectional, questionnaire-based prospective study done for two months. Attitude towards deprescribing was assessed by using validated rPATD (revised Patient attitude towards deprescribing) questionnaire. Cohen's kappa coefficient was used to measure the agreement between the views of people and their caregivers forming dyads about medication cessation. RESULTS: 312 patients and caregivers (156 forming dyads) participated in the study. Among 156 patients, 25.6% were hypertensives & 21.2% had diabetes. 41.7% were between 36-50 years of age. Only 16.7% belong to the elderly age group. 2.5% were taking >5 medications. 43.6% of patients and 62.2% of caregivers were female. 51.3% of the patients were willing to stop one or more of their regular medicine(s) under the treating physician's advice, but 62% were satisfied with their current medicine(s). 33.4% were reluctant to stop taking medicines for a long time. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, more than 50% of people and their caregivers were willing to try medication cessation under their physician's recommendation. There was moderate agreement between patients and their caregivers in the trial of medication cessation. Thus, the results obtained from this study may help towards improving rationalized prescribing practices in the institutional setup.

Attitudes and beliefs of patients and primary caregivers towards deprescribing in a tertiary health care facility

Background: Good prescribing practices form the essence of drug therapy for better patient care. The major aim of better prescribing is to improve rational prescribing. Deprescribing gained momentum in recent decades. Objective: This study aimed to explore the attitude and beliefs of deprescribing among patients and their caregivers forming dyads in a tertiary health care facility. Methods: Cross-sectional, questionnaire-based prospective study done for two months. Attitude towards deprescribing was assessed by using validated rPATD (revised Patient attitude towards deprescribing) questionnaire. Cohen's kappa coefficient was used to measure the agreement between the views of people and their caregivers forming dyads about medication cessation. Results: 312 patients and caregivers (156 forming dyads) participated in the study. Among 156 patients, 25.6% were hypertensives & 21.2% had diabetes. 41.7% were between 36-50 years of age. Only 16.7% belong to the elderly age group. 2.5% were taking >5 medications. 43.6% of patients and 62.2% of caregivers were female. 51.3% of the patients were willing to stop one or more of their regular medicine(s) under the treating physician's advice, but 62% were satisfied with their current medicine(s). 33.4% were reluctant to stop taking medicines for a long time. Conclusions: In our study, more than 50% of people and their caregivers were willing to try medication cessation under their physician's recommendation. There was moderate agreement between patients and their caregivers in the trial of medication cessation. Thus, the results obtained from this study may help towards improving rationalized prescribing practices in the institutional setup (AU)

Guillain-Barré Syndrome Following Chickenpox With Multiple Cranial Nerve Palsies and Cerebrospinal Fluid Pleocytosis.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare complication of chickenpox. All cases of post-varicella GBS published in the literature have been associated with the classical albuminocytological dissociation. We report the case of a 48-year-old male with flaccid areflexic quadriparesis and bilateral seventh, ninth, tenth, and twelfth cranial nerve palsies 10 days after chickenpox. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis done in the second week showed marked lymphocytic pleocytosis. Electroneurographic studies were suggestive of acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculopathy. He had near-total neurological recovery with intravenous immunoglobulin. Our case demonstrates that GBS can occur after primary varicella infection, and marked CSF pleocytosis can be an additional feature.

Chloroquine induced urticaria: A newer adverse effect.

Malaria an endemic disease of India caused by plasmodium species. Chloroquine, a member of quinolone group of drugs is used to treat malaria. Although it has a very safety profile as it is used during pregnancy, many adverse effects have also been reported. Here we report a case of 30-year-old male admitted with fever diagnosed to be having malaria, who developed urticaria immediately after being treated with first dose of chloroquine which was treated successfully. This is the first case reported ever in an adult having chloroquine induced urticaria.

An interesting case of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis following E. coli infection.

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a rare inflammatory demyelinating disease of central nervous system (CNS), characterized by multifocal white matter involvement with neurological deficits and accompanied by encephalopathy. ADEM is thought to be caused by autoimmune etiology. CNS autoantigens are produced by molecular mimicry triggered by an environmental stimulus, mostly infection (viral/bacterial) or post vaccination, in genetically susceptible individuals. ADEM is sometimes referred to as post/para-infectious or post-immunization ADEM. ADEM is characterized by multifocal neurological signs and occasionally it rapidly progresses to coma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to confirm the diagnosis. The treatment is based on intravenous high-dose methylprednisolone, which usually leads to a rapid improvement. Recently, the use of intravenous immunoglobulins and plasma exchange (PLEX) has also been suggested. We report a case of a 6-year-old girl who was admitted for urinary tract infection but developed neurological complications which was treated successfully.

Combined ST Elevation in a Case of Acute Myocardial Infarction: How to Identify the Infarct-related Artery?

Combined ST elevation in anterior and inferior ECG leads in acute myocardial infarction is not a rarity. It is both interesting and challenging to indentify the infarct related culprit artery. We report the case of a middle aged male with acute myocardial infarction whose admission ECG shows ST elevation in lead II, III, aVF as well as from V1-V3. 90% of such cases are due to single vessel occlusion - majority due to proximal RCA occlusion and the remaining due to mid to distal LAD occlusion. ECG features to differentiate between these two vascular occlusions are discussed. In this case at hand, lead III ST elevation of 2.5 mm and V2/V3≥ 1 indicates proximal RCA as the IRA and the same has been confirmed by pre-discharge coronary angiogram .

Rumpel-leede phenomenon in a hypertensive lady on amlodipine.

We are describing a 60-year-old hypertensive lady who developed Rumpel-Leede phenomenon following the use of a tourniquet to obtain a blood sample. History revealed that she was on amlodipine therapy and that spontaneous sun-exposure related purpura was often seen since amlodipine was prescribed. Examinations and investigations provided normal results. She refused consent for a skin biopsy. Symptoms resolved after its substitution with enalapril and dihydrochlorothiazide, without any further recurrence.

Henoch-Schonlein purpura presenting sequentially as nodular rash, erythema nodosum, and palpable purpura.

We describe a 26-year-old woman who presented with a nodular rash on the elbows following an insect bite. Two days later, she developed erythema nodosum. Both these lesions were treated symptomatically. One week later, she had purpura, abdominal pain, hematuria, and arthralgias, following which steroids were administered. Her investigations revealed only microscopic hematuria that disappeared with therapy. This pattern of sequential appearance of rash and a nodular morphology are both unique features not previously reported.

Rare cause of seizures, renal failure, and gangrene in an 83-year-old diabetic male.

We report an 83-year-old diabetic male who presented with acute-onset renal failure, seizures, psychosis, pneumonia, and right foot gangrene. Investigations revealed thrombocytopenia, CSF lymphocytosis, ANA and dsDNA positivity, hypocomplementemia, and pneumonitis following which he was treated with pulse methylprednisolone. He was treated for Pseudomonas-related ventilator-associated pneumonia, candiduria, and E. coli-related bedsore infection prior to discharge. He was discharged at request and died 17 days later due to a respiratory infection.