Uncommon triggers of insulin autoimmune syndrome: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Insulin autoantibody syndrome (IAS), or Hirata disease, is caused by high concentrations of insulin autoantibodies, which result in spontaneous, mainly post-prandial, hypoglycemic episodes. We report a case of a previously healthy 67-year-old man presenting with recurrent fasting hypoglycemia culminating in a diagnosis of insulin autoimmune syndrome linked to omeprazole and probably spices, namely, coriander, and ginger. CASE PRESENTATION: A previously healthy 67-year-old Sinhalese man presented with recurrent syncopal attacks for 3 months, which were found to be hypoglycemic episodes. He experienced mainly fasting hypoglycemic attacks, at a frequency gradually increasing to daily attacks. His cardiovascular, respiratory, abdominal, and neurologic examinations were normal. He was found to have insulin levels > 6000 mU/L and a post-polyethylene glycol insulin recovery of less than 9.5%. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the pancreas was normal. The diagnosis of insulin autoantibody syndrome was confirmed by testing for the insulin autoantibody level, yielding a level of > 300 U/mL. With regard to a possible trigger, he had a history of omeprazole intake for 2 weeks, 4 weeks prior to the onset of symptoms. He also consumed an herbal supplement containing coriander and ginger extracts daily for a period of 1 year, approximately 2 years prior to the onset of hypoglycemic attacks. He was commenced on prednisolone 30 mg daily, and hypoglycemic episodes responded dramatically, and thus he was tapered off corticosteroids. CONCLUSION: Omeprazole-induced insulin autoantibody syndrome is likely in this patient; however, the known hypoglycemic effects of coriander and ginger make it worthwhile to consider a possible association with insulin autoantibody syndrome. In addition, this case report highlights the need to consider insulin autoantibody syndrome even in patients presenting with fasting hypoglycemic attacks.

A rare presentation of Takayasu's arteritis- unilateral finger clubbing - case report.

BACKGROUND: Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a granulomatous, large vessel vasculitis with a preponderance for young women. The inflammation results in disruption of the arterial endothelium causing stenosis, endoluminal thrombosis and aneurismal dilatation. Early disease presentation is with nonspecific general symptoms, and in such instances, the diagnosis can be missed. Unilateral clubbing is a manifestation of myriad of diseases, but is not a common sign of TA. In medical literature, only three such cases have been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a 24-year-old female who presented with multiple constitutional symptoms such as arthralgia, malaise, poor appetite and two episodes of syncope over 3 months' duration. On examination, unilateral finger clubbing was observed in the right hand, with very low volume radial, ulnar and brachial artery pulses on the ipsilateral side. Her blood pressure measured on the unaffected arm, was normal. Inflammatory markers were elevated and magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) confirmed TA. CONCLUSION: Although rare, unilateral clubbing may be a manifestation of TA. Therefore, detection of unilateral clubbing should raise a strong clinical suspicion of TA and prompt early diagnosis and initiation of treatment.

Staphylococcal endocarditis in a quadricuspid aortic valve following uncomplicated dengue infection: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Dengue fever is endemic and a leading health problem in Sri Lanka. Increased incidence of concurrent bacteremia in patients with dengue infection is a recognized complication. However, Staphylococcal endocarditis following dengue fever is uncommon. Quadricuspid aortic valve (QAV) is a rare congenital anomaly and few cases of infective endocarditis have been reported in QAV. CASE PRESENTATION: A 32-year-old Sri Lankan male presented to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka with recurrence of fever and acute left hemiplegia following an uncomplicated recovery of dengue fever. He was diagnosed to have Staphylococcal infective endocarditis of quadricuspid aortic valve, with septic emboli to brain and spleen. He was managed with intravenous vancomycin initially, however, due to inadequate response, intravenous linezolid was added. He developed rhabdomyolysis with very high creatine phosphokinase leading to acute kidney injury, which settled with the cessation of linezolid. The patient succumbed to his illness despite aggressive antimicrobial therapy and maximum supportive care while being assessed for aortic valve replacement. CONCLUSIONS: This case illustrates three clinical issues that a clinician should be aware of. Firstly, the possibility of a serious secondary bacterial infection as a cause for recurrence of fever following dengue infection. Secondly, this case highlights the importance of identifying QAV as a cause for complicated infective endocarditis of increased severity. The report also denotes the value of being vigilant of linezolid induced rhabdomyolysis which had a causal relationship with the commencement of the drug and its cessation.

Success of malaria chemoprophylaxis for outbound civil and military travellers in prevention of reintroduction of malaria in Sri Lanka.

BACKGROUND: Sri Lanka was certified as malaria-free in September 2016. However, the continuous presence of the malaria vector poses serious risks of reintroduction of the disease. Chemoprophylaxis and advice on malaria preventive behaviour for international travellers is a key strategy adopted to reduce the risk of imported malaria. METHODS: We conducted an efficiency study of malaria chemoprophylaxis for civilian and military travellers who requested travel advice from the Anti Malaria Campaign (AMC) prior to departure. The AMC is the only agency that can issue malaria chemoprophylaxis to travellers and hence this sample is representative of all such individuals seeking travel advice in Sri Lanka. RESULTS: A total of 544 (400 civilians and 144 military) travellers were interviewed prior to departure and after return. The majority travelled to African destinations (516/544 [94.8%]) and were prescribed mefloquine (517/544 [95%]). Chemoprophylaxis was well tolerated and discontinuation due to adverse events was minimal. Regular chemoprophylaxis was reported by 505 (92.8%) participants while overseas. The protective efficacy of chemoprophylaxis was 100% among those who complied with the full course. CONCLUSIONS: The compliance with chemoprophylaxis and its protective efficacy were satisfactory in this study. It is an effective tool in preventing imported malaria to post-elimination Sri Lanka.