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Introduction Mean platelet volume (MPV) measures platelet size in the blood, which is important because dengue fever often leads to low platelet counts, especially during the critical phase. However, predicting when a patient's platelet count will recover is challenging due to the lack of clinical data. MPV may offer a solution as it tends to rise when platelet counts fall, suggesting a possible link to bone marrow activity. This study aims to understand how MPV changes during the three phases of dengue fever and how it relates to platelet count recovery. Successful results could provide valuable markers for clinicians, helping improve patient care and management. Material The study was carried out in the Department of Medicine, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. The patients who were admitted with dengue fever/dengue haemorrhagic fever in the month of July 2023 were analysed. Observations A total of 130 patients were analysed. The average (avg) MPV on day one was 10.85 ± 1.56, on day three was 10 ± 1.48, and on day five was 9.80 ± 1.30. The avg. total platelet on day one was 119476.92 ± 78,107.78, on day three was 119000 ± 59962.52, and on day five was 169200 ± 100839.84. The correlation between MPV and platelet on day one was r= -0.22, p=0.011, which was statistically significant; on day three was r= -0.32, p=0.0001, which was statistically significant, and on day five was r= -0.30, p= 0.0004, which was statistically significant. Conclusion These findings suggest that as dengue fever progresses, MPV tends to increase as platelet counts decline. This information can be beneficial in clinical practice as it highlights the potential utility of MPV as a predictive marker for platelet recovery, aiding healthcare providers in the timely management of dengue patients to mitigate bleeding risks.
RESUMO
Across the globe, snake envenomation causes significant morbidity and mortality. Although many clinical presentations and complications are observed in different types of snake bites, the incidence of leukoencephalopathy is rare. Although most cases of leukoencephalopathy are seen in viper bites, they are rarely seen in neurotoxic snake bites. In this report, we present a unique case of snake bite-induced leukoencephalopathy following a neurotoxic snake bite. The case highlights the importance of considering this rare complication in cases of snake bites presenting with neurological symptoms, particularly in those affecting higher mental functions.
RESUMO
Melioidosis is an infection in tropical regions, caused by Gram-negative bacillus Burkholderia pseudomallei and carries very high case fatality rates. Diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor for melioidosis, and Odisha with its current trends in urban prevalence of diabetes and a tropical coastal climate seems to be emerging as a hub of melioidosis. We herein describe two cases of melioidosis encountered within a month. Case 1 is a 35-year-old male recently diagnosed with diabetes, presenting with fever and altered sensorium for 5 days. Case 2 is a 40-year-old female who complained of fever, cough, and generalised weakness for 2 months, and was subsequently found to be diabetic on routine investigations. Both the patients were subjected to imaging modalities which showed solid organ (liver and spleen) abscesses. On further investigations, Burkholderia pseudomallei was isolated from their blood cultures. Diagnosis of such cases within a short period of time points to the fact that Odisha indeed serves as a hidden hotspot of melioidosis. The case report throws light on the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of melioidosis, which is under-reported in the state, and it also aims to impress upon physicians to have a strong clinical suspicion so as to decrease the mortality associated this neglected tropical disease.