Search

Here we are presenting a case of dengue fever presented with an atypical symptom of “oculogyric crisis” with features of multi organ dysfunction syndrome. Increased vascular permeability, plasma leakage, haemorrhagic manifestations, and thrombocytopenia are charecteristics of dengue fever. A 19 year old male patient, with no co-morbidity came to Dhiraj hospital with chief complaints of fever which was high grade & intermittent, it is associated with chills & rigours for 5 days. Also complain of abdominal pain over epigastric region, dull aching non radiating associated with decreased appetite since 5 days. Dengue infection has a wide range of clinical features. Neurological complications can occur in any spectrum of dengue infection. The diagnosis of oculogyric crisis is majorly clinical and it requires a focused detailed history and detailed physical examination to find out possible triggers for the crisis and to rule out other reasons for abnormal eye movements.

ObjectiveLarge data on the clinical characteristics and outcome of COVID-19 in the Indian population are scarce. We analysed the factors associated with mortality in a cohort of moderately and severely ill patients with COVID-19 enrolled in a randomised trial on convalescent plasma.DesignSecondary analysis of data from a Phase II, Open Label, Randomized Controlled Trial to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Convalescent Plasma to Limit COVID-19 Associated Complications in Moderate Disease.Setting39 public and private hospitals across India during the study period from 22 April to 14 July 2020.ParticipantsOf the 464 patients recruited, two were lost to follow-up, nine withdrew consent and two patients did not receive the intervention after randomisation. The cohort of 451 participants with known outcome at 28 days was analysed.Primary outcome measureFactors associated with all-cause mortality at 28 days after enrolment.ResultsThe mean (SD) age was 51±12.4 years; 76.7% were males. Admission Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score was 2.4±1.1. Non-invasive ventilation, invasive ventilation and vasopressor therapy were required in 98.9%, 8.4% and 4.0%, respectively. The 28-day mortality was 14.4%. Median time from symptom onset to hospital admission was similar in survivors (4 days; IQR 3–7) and non-survivors (4 days; IQR 3–6). Patients with two or more comorbidities had 2.25 (95% CI 1.18 to 4.29, p=0.014) times risk of death. When compared with survivors, admission interleukin-6 levels were higher (p2/FiO2 ratio 10 (9.97, 3.65–27.13, p1.0 mg/L (2.50, 1.14–5.48, p=0.022), ferritin ≥500 ng/mL (2.67, 1.44–4.96, p=0.002) and lactate dehydrogenase ≥450 IU/L (2.96, 1.60–5.45, p=0.001) were significantly associated with death.ConclusionIn this cohort of moderately and severely ill patients with COVID-19, severity of illness, underlying comorbidities and elevated levels of inflammatory markers were significantly associated with death.Trial registration numberCTRI/2020/04/024775.

ObjectivesConvalescent plasma (CP) as a passive source of neutralizing antibodies and immunomodulators is a century-old therapeutic option used for the management of viral diseases. We investigated its effectiveness for the treatment of COVID-19.DesignOpen-label, parallel-arm, phase II, multicentre, randomized controlled trial.SettingThirty-nine public and private hospitals across India.ParticipantsHospitalized, moderately ill confirmed COVID-19 patients (PaO2/FiO2: 200-300 or respiratory rate > 24/min and SpO2 ≤ 93% on room air).InterventionParticipants were randomized to either control (best standard of care (BSC)) or intervention (CP + BSC) arm. Two doses of 200 mL CP was transfused 24 hours apart in the intervention arm.Main Outcome MeasureComposite of progression to severe disease (PaO2/FiO2< 100) or all-cause mortality at 28 days post-enrolment.ResultsBetween 22ndApril to 14thJuly 2020, 464 participants were enrolled; 235 and 229 in intervention and control arm, respectively. Composite primary outcome was achieved in 44 (18.7%) participants in the intervention arm and 41 (17.9%) in the control arm [aOR: 1.09; 95% CI: 0.67, 1.77]. Mortality was documented in 34 (13.6%) and 31 (14.6%) participants in intervention and control arm, respectively [aOR) 1.06 95% CI: −0.61 to 1.83].InterpretationCP was not associated with reduction in mortality or progression to severe COVID-19. This trial has high generalizability and approximates real-life setting of CP therapy in settings with limited laboratory capacity. A priori measurement of neutralizing antibody titres in donors and participants may further clarify the role of CP in management of COVID-19.Trial registrationThe trial was registered with Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI); CTRI/2020/04/024775.

Background: Stroke is the 3rd commonest cause of death in the world. It is a group of diseases that are of abrupt onset and causing neurologic damage due to vascular cause. Aims &Objectives: The study conducted to establish the value of the Brain Imaging (Computerized Tomography scan) and its advantages over traditional methods of clinical diagnosis of stroke. Hence its correlation with radiological findings helps in deciding the treatment guidelines. Material &Methods: 100 cases of Cerebrovascular accidents (excluding traumatic) were studied at Sir Takhatsinghji hospital, Bhavnagar from May 2006- April 2007. All cases were primarily diagnosed by clinical examination and further Evaluated by CT scan. Result: Out of 100 cases clinically diagnosed as a case of Cerebrovascular accident (CVA), diagnosis was confirmed by CT Scan in 84 cases (84%)[ infarct and hemorrhage] and in 16 cases (16%) had diagnosis other than Cerebrovascular accident. Potentially treatable conditions like hematoma, intracranial mass, meningitis or intracranial infections can be missed if we do not do Brain Imaging. Conclusion: CT scan (Brain Imaging Modalities) is better than clinical method (including scoring system) in diagnosis of Cerebrovascular accident and other stroke mimicking conditions. So it must be done in all cases whenever feasible for deciding the treatment guideline and for better outcome.

Background: Neurologic manifestations affecting the nervous system at all levels and stages of HIV infection are common and increasing with the extended survival of HIV-positive persons. Neurological manifestations occur due to either primary pathologic process of HIV or secondary to opportunistic infection. The neurological manifestations of HIV disease are likely to be different in Indian patients because of prevailing endemic infections, malnutrition, poverty and illiteracy. The present study was conducted to study various neurological manifestations in HIV positive patients presenting to tertiary care teaching institute. Methods: This was observational study of 100 HIV infected patients with clinical evidence of CNS involvement. A detailed clinical history and CNS examination was carried out. CD4 counts were measured and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), brain/electromyography, nerve conduction studies and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination were done as required for diagnosis. Results were analysed by using percentage and proportions whenever necessary. Results: HIV induced primary illness was present in about 27% cases, while 73% associated with secondary CNS manifestations were mainly due to opportunistic infection. The most common primary illness was distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (17%) followed by myopathy (6%). On the other hand, the most common secondary CNS infection was tuberculous meningitis (TBM; 30%), followed by cryptococcal meningitis (7%), and cerebral toxoplasmosis (4%). The commonest neurological presenting symptoms were headache (38%) whereas the commonest abnormal neurological finding was presence of signs of meningeal irritation (46.5%). The commonest abnormality found on neuroimaging was meningeal enhancement (32%). Conclusions: High index of suspicion of neurological involvement in HIV patients in all stages helps in early diagnosis and timely institution of specific therapeutic treatment which in turn may considerably reduce the morbidity and mortality due to the disease.

Background: Aim was to study prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.Methods: The present study was a cross sectional observational study, which focused on cases of diabetes mellitus. Study was conducted in Departments of Medicine, SBKS MI & RC, a tertiary care centre for a period of 6 months. All the patients of T2DM were included. Total of 263 patients were enrolled which involved indoor, outpatient and diabetic clinic attending patients. A detailed history taking, clinical examination and relevant investigations (Hb%, Total count, platelet count, serum creatinine, FBS, PP2BS, HbA1C, S.TSH, F.T3 and F.T4). Appropriate statistical analytics were used and important correlations and conclusions were drawn.Results: A study of thyroid dysfunction (TD) in T2DM patients which included 263 diabetic patients, out of them 67 had thyroid dysfunction. Out of these 67 patients 43 were female and 24 were male. This suggests that female was more prone to thyroid dysfunction than males. Out of 67 TD patients, 42 were above the age of 50 year. So, as the age increases the prevalence of TD also increases thyroid dysfunction also depends on the glycaemic control of the patients. Out of 67 patients 22 patients had>8.0 HbA1C level. In our study we found that as the glycaemic control became poorer the prevalence of TD increase in hypothyroid but not in hyperthyroidism.Conclusions: Following conclusions were drawn from this study TD is more common in female than male, more after the age of 50 year, in T2DM patients. Hypothyroidism is more common with poor glycaemic control and long duration of T2DM patients. But for hyperthyroidism data which we evaluated was not significant and further conclusion bigger study is needed.

We report a case of isoniazid induced convulsions in 35 years old male alcoholic and smoker patient receiving intensive phase therapy for pulmonary tuberculosis. A case was confirmed by accidental positive de-challenge and rechallenge as well as ruled out other conditions. Use of isoniazid in alcoholic and smoker patient required a caution for prevention of neurological adverse reactions. Pyridoxine should always be prescribed to such patients for the prevention of such adverse reaction.