Central nervous system manifestations of dengue infection: data from a tertiary care Centre in South India

BACKGROUND

Dengue fever is the second most common mosquito-borne disease affecting human beings and neurological manifestations (NMs) of this arboviral infection are increasingly being reported.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, conducted in a tertiary care centre in south India, we sought to describe the spectrum of NMs of dengue fever. The records of all patients admitted in the Department of Internal Medicine over 8 years, with a diagnosis of dengue-based on clinical symptoms and the detection of dengue IgM antibodies or detection of NS1 antigen or nucleic acid by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); with Glasgow coma score (GCS) ≤14, neck stiffness, focal neurological signs, seizures, or visual disturbances-were explored.

RESULTS

Of 1121 patients admitted with dengue fever, 341 (30%) had severe dengue and 23 (2%) had NMs. Encephalopathy was seen in 9 patients (39%), encephalitis in 6 (27%), cerebellitis in 4 (17%), acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) in 2 (9%), ischaemic stroke in 1 (4%) patient, and neuro-ophthalmological manifestations in 1 (4%) patient. The median duration of hospital stay was 7 days. Nine (39% of) patients required intensive care unit (ICU) admission and 5 (22%) had fatal outcomes. There was no association between thrombocytopenia, metabolic acidosis, transaminitis, hyponatremia, the type of dengue infection, and the various NMs described.

CONCLUSIONS

The NMs of dengue infection are varied, and a high index of suspicion is needed to identify them in patients who present with lethargy or altered sensorium on the background of an acute febrile illness suggestive of dengue.

Trends in the Epidemiology and Outcomes of Pneumocystis Pneumonia among Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Hospitalizations

Introduction: Pneumocystis Pneumonia (PCP) is a common opportunistic infection among people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This study’s objective was to assess temporal trends in PCP epidemiology among hospitalized patients with HIV/AIDS in the US and to compare data for hospitalizations with HIV with PCP to those without PCP. Methods: The national inpatient sample (NIS) data were analyzed from 2002−2014. The discharge coding identified hospitalized patients with HIV or AIDS and with or without PCP. Results: We identified 3,011,725 hospitalizations with HIV/AIDS during the study period; PCP was present in 5% of the patients with a diagnosis of HIV. The rates of PCP progressively declined from 6.7% in 2002 to 3.5 % in 2014 (p < 0.001). Overall mortality in patients with HIV was 3.3% and was significantly higher in those with PCP than without PCP (9.9% vs. 2.9%; p < 0.001). After adjusting for demographics and other comorbidities, PCP had higher odds of hospital mortality 3.082 (OR 3.082; 95% CI, 3.007 to 3.159; p < 0.001). Conclusion: From 2002 to 2014, the rate of PCP in HIV patients has decreased significantly in the United States but is associated with substantially higher mortality.

Thromboelastograph:A prognostic marker in sepsis with organ dysfunction without overt bleeding

BACKGROUND

Coagulation abnormalities are not infrequent in sepsis. It is unclear if abnormalities in thromboelastogram (TEG) are associated with mortality in patients with severe sepsis without overt bleeding.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this prospective study, patients were categorised as those with normal coagulation, hypercoagulable or hypercoagulable state based on admission TEG parameters (R time, K time, Maximum amplitude (MA), α angle). Their association with mortality was explored using Fisher's exact and Mann-Whitney U test as appropriate.

RESULTS

The study cohort (n = 87; 49 male) with median (IQR) age 51 (42-60) years and admission SOFA score 8 (6-11) included scrub typhus (24.1%), pneumonia (22.6%) and urosepsis (10.3%). Non-invasive and invasive ventilation and vasopressors were required in 28.1%, 68.9% and 74%, respectively. Mortality was 24.1%. Based on R time, K time and α angle, 3.5% to 9.3% had a hypercoagulable state and 26.7 to 29.9% were hypocoagulable. Prolonged R time (p = 0.04) and reduced alpha angle (p = 0.01) in patients with hypocoagulable state was associated with mortality. K time, α angle and MA were significantly different in patients requiring transfusion (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

A subset of patients with severe sepsis without overt bleeding are hypocoagulable. Hypocoagulability is associated with mortality and need for transfusion.

Point-of-care program in HIV, tuberculosis, and associated conditions: A virtual global technical assistance platform to strengthen HIV and tuberculosis workforce capacity

A global multi-disciplinary faculty was established to work collaboratively and provide virtual technical assistance, using a point-of-care continuing education model, to clinicians across the world engaged in the care of patients with either HIV infection or tuberculosis. Ancillary offerings included live or virtual lectures, case-based conferences, and courses. In spite of the considerable disruption of the program due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we engaged and assisted a substantial number of clinicians across the world and provided meaningful contributions to their continuous professional development and patient care. In light of the ongoing pandemic, virtual technical assistance models such as this should be scaled to continue essential high-quality HIV/TB services.

Neuromelioidosis: A Single-Center Experience with Emphasis on Imaging

Introduction  Infection with Burkholderia pseudomallei , a gram-negative bacterium found in soil and surface water, is termed melioidosis and is commonly reported to occur in Southeast Asia and Northern Australia, where it is endemic. It is being increasingly reported in India, and transmission occurs through inhalation, inoculation, and ingestion. The neuroparenchyma, the adjacent soft tissue, and bone are known to be affected in both the acute and chronic disease forms. Involvement of these structures is rare but causes significant mortality and morbidity.

Material and Methods  Eighteen culture-proven cases of neuromelioidosis were identified between January 2008 and December 2019. The patients were retrospectively identified via search of the hospital’s electronic database.

Results  Cranial disease was in the form of parenchymal abscesses ( n = 4), cerebritis/encephalitis ( n = 5), and extradural ( n = 4) and dural disease ( n = 1). Acute myelitis ( n = 1) and spondylodiscitis ( n = 3) were seen in the spinal disease form. Neuroparenchymal involvement ranged from cerebritis/encephalitis to early and mature parenchymal abscesses. Extradural involvement was in the form of extradural abscesses and/or thick irregular enhancement in the extradural region. Early diagnosis and initiation of appropriate therapy had favorable outcomes in 15 out of 18 patients. Two patients with parenchymal abscesses and one with myelitis succumbed to the illness.

Conclusion  Neuromelioidosis is a rare manifestation of melioidosis with significant morbidity and mortality, necessitating a high index of clinical suspicion, especially if there has been travel to endemic regions. Imaging plays a key role in facilitating early diagnosis and initiation of therapy.

Intramuscular lymphoma: uncommon presentation of Hodgkin's disease

Extranodal presentation in lymphoproliferative disorders is a well-recognised entity. However, musculoskeletal involvement is extremely rare. We describe the case of a 64-year-old farmer who presented to us with constitutional symptoms of fever, loss of weight and loss of appetite for 2 years and physical examination revealing generalised lymphadenopathy with hepatosplenomegaly. Biopsy of an axillary lymph node showed mixed cellularity variant of Hodgkin's lymphoma. CT of the thorax and abdomen revealed a collection in the right psoas muscle. Guided biopsy of the psoas deposit was suggestive of Hodgkin's lymphoma. PCR and cultures for Mycobacterium tuberculosis tested negative. Here we describe a rare presentation of Hodgkin's lymphoma with intramuscular involvement.

Clinical Profile and Outcome of Patients with Cerebral Venous Thrombosis Secondary to Bacterial Infections

Background:

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) secondary to infectious aetiology has become rare in the antibiotic era, but is still encountered in clinical practice occasionally. In this study, we describe the clinical profile, diagnosis, and management of patients with CVT secondary to an infectious aetiology.

Methods:

This retrospective study included all adult patients over 15 years (1 January 2002 to 1 January 2017). Adult patients with a diagnosis of infective CVT secondary to bacterial infections were included in the study.

Results:

Totally, 22 patients were identified with CVT complicating bacterial infections. The focus of infection in 12 (54.54%) patients was pyogenic meningitis, 9 (40.9%) patients had a parameningeal focus and one patient developed CVT secondary to bacterial sepsis from a remote focus. Fever was the most common symptom seen in 77.3% followed by headache and depressed sensorium in 72.7% and 63.6%, respectively. The most common organism in the meningitis group was Streptococcus species, and in the parameningeal group was Staphylococcus aureus. At presentation MRI identified CVT in all 7 patients as compared to CT brain with contrast in 2/3 (66.6%). Transverse sinus was the most commonly involved sinus in meningitis. All patients were treated with appropriate antibiotics and anticoagulation was used in 50% of the patients. The in hospital, mortaility was 9%.

Conclusion:

Septic CVT, though rare can be a complication of bacterial meningitis and facial infections. Clinical symptoms that suggest a co-existing CVT should be identified and diagnosed at the earliest. The mainstay of treatment is antibiotics; the role of anticoagulation is controversial.

Post-treatment mortality after definitive chemoradiotherapy versus resection for esophageal cancer

In efforts to better characterize incidence and predictors of 30- and 90-day mortality following operative versus nonoperative approaches for locally advanced esophageal cancer (EC), we conducted a novel investigation of a large, contemporary US database. The National Cancer Database was queried for newly-diagnosed T1-3N0-1 squamous cell or adenocarcinoma receiving surgical-based therapy (esophagectomy alone or preceded by chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy) versus definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT). Statistics included graphing cumulative incidences of mortality before and following propensity score matching (PSM), based on age-based intervals. Cox regression determined factors independently predictive of 30- and 90-day mortality. Of 15,585 patients, 9,278 (59.5%) received surgical-based therapy and 6,307 (40.5%) underwent dCRT. In the unadjusted population, despite nonsignificant differences at 30 days (3.3% dCRT, 3.6% surgical-based), the dCRT cohort experienced higher 90-day mortality (11.0% vs. 7.5%, P < 0.001). Following PSM, however, dCRT patients experienced significantly lower 30-day mortality (P < 0.001), with nonsignificant differences at 90 days (P = 0.092). Surgical-based management yielded similar (or better) mortality as dCRT in ≤70-year-old patients; however, dCRT was associated with reduced mortality in subjects > 70 years old. In addition to the intervention group, factors predictive for 30- and 90-day mortality included age, gender, insurance status, facility type, comorbidity index, tumor location, histology, and T/N classification. In summary, surgical-based therapy for EC is associated with higher 30-day mortality, which becomes statistically similar to dCRT by 90 days. Differences between surgery and dCRT were most pronounced in patients > 70 years of age. These data may better inform shared decision-making between multidisciplinary providers and patients.

Predictors of mortality, strategies to reduce readmission, and economic impact of acute decompensated heart failure: Results of the Vellore Heart Failure Registry

AIM

Heart failure is a global problem that is increasing in prevalence. We undertook the initiative to compile the Vellore Heart Failure Registry (VHFR) to assess the clinical profile, mortality, risk factors and economic burden of heart failure by conducting a prospective, observational, hospital-based cohort study in Vellore, Tamil Nadu.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study was a prospective observational cohort study conducted at the Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, between January 2014 and December 2016. A total of 572 patients who satisfied the Boston criteria for "definite heart failure" were included and the primary outcome was all-cause mortality. The median duration of hospital stay was eight days and the in-hospital, one, three and six month mortalities were 13.25%, 27.3%, 32.53% and 38.15%, respectively. The median duration of survival was 921 days. Readmission for heart failure constituted 42%, and the most common cause of decompensation was an infection(31.5%). The presence of cyanosis at admission, history of previous stroke or transient ischemic attack, and American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) stage D at the time of discharge were independently associated with mortality at six months. The median total direct cost of admission was INR 84,881.00 ($ 1232.34) CONCLUSION: The VHFR cohort had younger, more diabetic, and fewer hypertensive subjects than most cohorts. Admission for heart failure is a catastrophic health expenditure. Attempts should be made to ensure a reduction in readmission rates by targeting goal-directed therapy. As the most common cause of acute decompensation is pneumonia, vaccinating all patients before discharge may also help in this regard.

Clinical Manifestations, Antimicrobial Drug Susceptibility Patterns, and Outcomes in Melioidosis Cases, India

We studied the clinical manifestations and outcomes of 114 patients with culture-confirmed melioidosis treated at a tertiary hospital in southern India. Diabetes mellitus is the main risk factor, and chronic melioidosis mimicking tuberculosis was more common than acute disease. Septicemia and respiratory involvement were associated with poor outcomes.

Arterial thrombosis as primary presentation of endogenous Cushing’s syndrome

Cushing’s syndrome is known to present with a characteristic set of clinical manifestations and complications, well described in literature. However, hypercoagulability remains an under recognised entity in Cushing’s syndrome. A 31-year-old woman from Southern India presented with history of fever, left upper quadrant pain and progressive breathing difficulty for 3 weeks. Clinical examination revealed discriminatory features of Cushing’s syndrome. Laboratory investigations showed biochemical features of endogenous ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome. Imaging of the abdomen revealed splenic collection, left-sided empyema and extensive arterial thrombosis. Gadolinium enhanced dynamic MRI of the pituitary gland revealed no evidence of an adenoma while a Ga-68 DOTATATE positron emission tomography CT scan ruled out an ectopic Cushing’s. A diagnosis of endogenous Cushing’s syndrome causing a prothrombotic state with extensive arterial thrombosis was made. She was initiated on oral anticoagulation and oral ketoconazole for medical adrenal suppression. She subsequently underwent bilateral adrenalectomy and was well at follow-up.

Genitourinary melioidosis: a descriptive study

Melioidosis is the disease caused by the soil and water bacterium, Burkholderia pseudomallei. Our study aimed to delineate its genitourinary manifestations. Over a 10-year period (2006-2016), 20 adults with culture-confirmed genitourinary melioidosis were identified. The patients were all men with a mean age of 45.3 ± 12.3 years. The common risk factors were diabetes mellitus (65%) and alcoholism (25%); a majority of patients (90%) had chronic melioidosis. Most had disseminated disease (n = 17) and 55% were bacteraemic. The prostate was the organ most frequently involved (60%, n = 12), followed by the kidney, bladder and seminal vesicles. Diagnosis was established by blood and urine cultures and imaging. Patients were successfully treated with ceftazidime intensive therapy followed by eradicative therapy, with surgical debridement and guided aspiration, when deemed necessary. There was one case fatality and no relapses. Melioidosis is an important differential to be considered in chronic genitourinary infections in the appropriate setting.

Antinuclear antibodies in scrub typhus: Transient occurrence during acute illness

Background & objectives

The pathological hallmark of scrub typhus infection is focal or disseminated vasculitis. As with other infections, antinuclear antibodies (ANA) have been previously described in scrub typhus. However, the underlying mechanisms and implications of this immunological phenomenon is not well understood. In the present work it was assessed whether ANA is associated with illness severity and outcomes.

Methods

In this prospective study spanning one year, patients fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for scrub typhus were recruited. Patients with other acute infective febrile illnesses were taken as controls. ANA positivity was compared between the cases and controls. ANA in scrub typhus was assessed for correlation with disease severity, organ dysfunction and outcomes.

Results

The cohort comprised of 149 patients (scrub 89; controls 60) with mean age 46.5 (SD=16.9) yr; 48.3% were female. ANA was detected in 48 (53.9%) patients with scrub typhus and 9(15%) controls (p < 0.001). The ANA pattern was predominantly speckled (93.8%) in both scrub typhus patients and controls. In patients with scrub typhus, ANA positivity was associated with increasing APACHE-III score [Odds ratio (OR) 1.01; 95% CI 0.99-1.03; p = 0.09]. On bivariate analysis, ANA tended to be correlated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (OR 2.32; 95% CI 0.98-5.46; p = 0.06), hepatic dysfunction (OR 2.25; 95% CI 0.94-5.39, p = 0.06) and aseptic meningitis (OR 6.83; 95% CI 0.80-58.05, p = 0.08). The presence of these antibodies did not correlate with duration of hospitalization or mortality. Convalescent sera on 31 ANA positive scrub typhus patients demonstrated persistence of ANA in only 5 (16.1%) patients.

Interpretation & conclusion

The disappearance of ANA during the convalescent phase suggests that ANA is expressed during the acute phase of scrub typhus infection. Its association with organ dysfunction warrants further study of the mechanisms and impact of autoantibody formation in scrub typhus.

Chronic multifocal osteomyelitis: A rare presentation of melioidosis

A 45-year-old gentleman presented with fever, weight loss, and painful swelling of both knees. His history was significant for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Blood cultures grew Burkholderia pseudomallei, and imaging revealed osteomyelitis of bilateral distal femura and proximal tibiae, with no involvement of the joint space. He underwent debridement and was initiated on ceftazidime followed by eradication therapy with trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole. He recovered well with no further complications. Melioidosis is a rare cause of multifocal osteomyelitis and is a differential to be considered in an appropriate clinicoepidemiological setting.

A rare case report of Strychnos nux-vomica poisoning with bradycardia

Strychnine poisoning is a rare method of deliberate self-harm in adults. Poisoning with strychnine leaves is a rare form of strychnine poisoning, as the usual plant parts used are nuts, bark, and seeds. Although the common cardiac manifestations of strychnine positioning include tachycardia and hypertension, we report a patient with mild strychnine poisoning with bradycardia.

The impact of postmastectomy and regional nodal radiation after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for clinically lymph node-positive breast cancer: a National Cancer Database (NCDB) analysis

BACKGROUND

Following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), the optimal strategies for postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) and regional nodal irradiation (RNI) after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) are controversial. In this analysis, we evaluate the impact of these radiotherapy (RT) approaches for women with clinically node-positive breast cancer treated with NAC in the National Cancer Database (NCDB).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Women with cT1-3 cN1 M0 breast cancer treated with NAC were divided into four cohorts by surgery [Mastectomy (Mast) versus BCS] and post-chemotherapy pathologic nodal status (ypN0 versus ypN+). Overall survival (OS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and RT approaches were analyzed using the log-rank test, multivariate Cox models, and propensity score-matched analyses.

RESULTS

From 2003 to 2011, 15 315 cases were identified including 3040 Mast-ypN0, 7243 Mast-ypN+, 2070 BCS-ypN0, and 2962 BCS-ypN+ patients. On univariate analysis, PMRT was associated with improved OS for both Mast-ypN0 (P = 0.019) and Mast-ypN+ (P < 0.001) patients. On multivariate analyses adjusted for factors including age, comorbidity score, cT stage, in-breast pathologic complete response, axillary surgery, ypN stage, estrogen receptor status and hormone therapy, PMRT remained independently associated with improved OS among Mast-ypN0 [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.729, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.566-0.939, P = 0.015] and Mast-ypN+ patients (HR = 0.772, 95% CI 0.689-0.866, P < 0.001). No differences in OS were observed with the addition of RNI to breast RT for BCS-ypN0 or BCS-ypN+ patients. Propensity score-matched analyses demonstrated identical patterns of significance. On subset analysis, OS was improved with PMRT in each pathologic nodal subgroup (ypN0, ypN1, and ypN2-3) (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In the largest reported analysis of RT for cN1 patients treated with NAC, PMRT was associated with improved OS for all pathologic nodal subgroups. No OS differences were observed with the addition of RNI to breast RT.

Dengue fever complicated by hemophagocytosis

Dengue is a common acute viral febrile illness in the tropics. Although the usual presentation is that of a self-limiting illness, its complications are protean. We report a 29-year-old man who presented with an acute febrile illness and was diagnosed with dengue hemorrhagic fever. Despite appropriate supportive therapy, the patient initially improved, but subsequently had clinical deterioration. Evaluation revealed features of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. He was successfully treated with glucocorticoids and had an uneventful recovery. This case adds to the limited adult cases of virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome in the literature and the need for prompt recognition and treatment of this rare complication.

Natural history of asymptomatic gallstones: differential behaviour in male and female subjects

OBJECTIVE

The natural history of asymptomatic (silent) gallstones has been inadequately studied. Existing information derives from studies based on oral cholecystography or relatively small sample sizes. We planned a retrospective cohort study in subjects with gallstones to determine conversion rates from asymptomatic to symptomatic.

METHODS

We extracted data from computerised databases of one government hospital and two private clinics in Malaysia. Files were scrutinised to ensure that criteria for asymptomatic gallstones were fulfilled. Patients were called on telephone, further questioned to confirm that the gallstones at detection were truly asymptomatic, and asked about symptoms that were consistent with previously defined criteria for biliary colic. Appropriate ethical clearances were taken.

RESULTS

213 (112 males) patients fulfilled the criteria for asymptomatic gallstones and could be contacted. 23 (10.8%) developed pain after an average follow up interval of 4.02 years (range 0.1-11 years). Conversion rates from asymptomatic to symptomatic gallstones were high in the first two years of follow up, averaging 4.03±0.965 per year. Over time the conversion rates slowed, and by year 10 the annual conversion rate averaged only 1.38±0.29. Conversion rates were much higher for females compared to males (F:M hazard ratio 3.23, SE 1.54, p>z 0.014). The lifetime risks for conversion approached 6.15% for males, and 22.1% for females.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, asymptomatic gallstones are much more likely to convert to symptomatic in females than in males. Males in whom asymptomatic stones are discovered should be advised conservative treatment. Surgery may be preferable to conservative management if the subject is a young female.

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

We report a rare case of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), a 22-year-old Malay woman who presented initially with minor soft tissue injury due to a cycling accident. She was then incidentally found to have severe xanthelasma and hypercholesterolemia (serum TC 15.3 mmol/L and LDL-C 13.9 mmol/L). She was referred to the Specialized Lipid Clinic and was diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) based on the Simon Broome (SB) diagnostic criteria. There was a family history of premature coronary heart disease (CHD) in that three siblings had sudden cardiac death, and of consanguineous marriage in that her parents are cousins. DNA screening of LDLR and APOB genes was done by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), followed by Denaturing High Performance Liquid Chromatography (DHPLC). Homozygous mutation C255S in Exon 5 of her LDLR gene was found. There was no mutation was found in Exon 26 and Exon 29 of the APOB gene. This report is to emphasize the importance of identifying patients with FH and cascade screening through established diagnostic criteria and genetic studies in order to ensure early detection and early treatment intervention to minimize the risk of developing CHD and related complications.