Arvind Kumar Vaish

Physiological changes in hematological parameters during pregnancy.

Pregnancy is a state characterized by many physiological hematological changes, which may appear to be pathological in the non-pregnant state. The review highlights most of these changes along with the scientific basis for the same, as per the current knowledge, with a special reference to the red blood and white blood cells, platelets and hemostatic profile.

Hypokalaemic quadriparesis: an unusual manifestation of dengue fever

Dengue is the most common and widespread arthropod borne arboviral infection in the world today. Recent observations indicate that the clinical profile of dengue fever is changing with neurological manifestations being reported more frequently. A patient with dengue fever presented to us with symptoms suggestive of acute flaccid paralysis, and on subsequent investigation he was diagnosed as a case of hypokalaemic quadriparesis. Clinicians in the endemic area should be aware of such association of acute pure motor reversible quadriparesis with dengue fever.

Cardiac abnormalities in HIV-positive patients: results from an observational study in India.

Background: The clinical presentation of cardiac abnormalities in HIV-infected patients may be atypical or masked by concurrent illnesses that lead to misdiagnosis or they remain undiagnosed; therefore, this study was aimed to determine the frequency of cardiac abnormalities in HIV-infected patients. Material and Methods: Consecutive HIV-infected patients of age >13 years were studied for 3 months, after obtaining their consent. After clinical assessment, chest x-ray, electrocardiogram, 2-dimensional echocardiography and serum Troponin T levels were done. Results: A total of 100 patients were studied, cardiomegaly was observed in the x-ray of 15% of them, abnormal electrocardiogram was seen in 18%, 2-dimensional echocardiography was abnormal in 67%; and diastolic dysfunction (42.8%) was the commonest abnormality followed by dilated cardiomyopathy (17.6%). Serum troponin T was elevated in 8%. The variables, opportunistic infections (OIs), antiretroviral therapy (ART), stage of HIV disease, and CD4 counts, did not affect the frequency of diastolic dysfunction. Conclusion: The diastolic dysfunction is the most common cardiac abnormality observed in HIV-infected patients.

Accidental phosgene gas exposure: A review with background study of 10 cases

Here, authors present a review on clinical presentation and management of exposure of phosgene gas after reviewing the literature by searching with keywords phosgene exposure on Google, Cochrane, Embase and PubMed with a background of experience gained from 10 patients who were admitted to our institute after an accidental phosgene exposure in February 2011 nearby a city in India. Phosgene is a highly toxic gas, occupational workers may have accidental exposure. The gas can also be generated inadvertently during fire involving plastics and other chemicals and solvents containing chlorine, which is of concern to emergency responders. Phosgene inhalation may cause initially symptoms of respiratory tract irritation, patients feel fine thereafter, and then die of choking a day later because of build up of fluid in the lungs (delayed onset non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema). Phosgene exposure is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Patients with a history of exposure should be admitted to the hospital for a minimum of 24 h for observation because of the potential for delayed onset respiratory failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Effect of vitamin E on thrombocytopenia in dengue fever

Context: Dengue fever frequently causes thrombocytopenia for which there is no satisfactory treatment. Aim: To evaluate the effect of vitamin E on thrombocytopenia in dengue fever. Settings and Design: A tertiary teaching hospital during a recent outbreak of dengue fever in the area. Materials and Methods: Patients of dengue fever (as per WHO criteria) with thrombocytopenia and platelet counts between 10 × 10 3 /mm 3 and 100 × 10 3 /mm 3 seen during September 1, 2010 to November 30, 2010 were enrolled. After detailed history and clinical evaluation, the patients were randomized to two groups - group I which received vitamin E 400 mg (Evion, Merck) once daily along with standard treatment and group II which received standard treatment only. The platelet counts, bleeding manifestations, requirement for platelet transfusion were serially monitored for up to 1 week in these cases. Statistical Analysis Used: Percentage, mean, standard error of mean, Mann-Whitney U test, and Chi-square test. Results: We enrolled 66 cases (group I - 33 and group II - 33). Mean platelet count at baseline in both the groups was similar (group I - 28.39 ± 1.61 × 10 3 /mm 3 and group II - 27.64 ± 1.65 × 10 3 /mm 3 ) ( P > 0.05). We observed that the mean platelet count on day 4 in group I (vitamin E) was significantly higher (Mean - 122.19 ± 9.98 × 10 3 /mm 3 ; CI 95% -102.63 × 10 3 /mm 3 - 141.76 × 10 3 /mm 3 ) than in group II (Mean - 92.57 ± 7.93 × 10 3 /mm 3 ; CI 95% - 77.03 × 10 3 /mm 3 - 108.11 × 10 3 /mm 3 ) ( P = 0.0436). Similar findings were also observed on day 7 in the two groups. Platelet transfusion was required in less cases in group I [2 out of 33 (6.06%)] as compared to group II [5 out of 33 (15.15%)]. Conclusion: We conclude that vitamin E is beneficial in thrombocytopenia in dengue fever and results in faster increase in the platelet counts.

Atypical rabies with MRI findings: clue to the diagnosis

Rabies is known for most as a fatal infectious disease, mainly transmitted to both humans and animals through bites by rabid animals. In its classical form, rabies is well recognised, but when it presents atypically in paralytic form, it may become difficult to distinguish from Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) or myelitis, particularly where history is not forthcoming or concealed. The authors report here an atypical case of paralytic rabies presenting with descending paralysis followed by furious form where clue to suspicion was MRI findings. Imaging in rabies is seldom done. MRI findings of rabies encephalitis are well known, but in myelitis these need to be further characterised. The authors present MRI findings in a confirmed case of rabies myelitis. The differential diagnosis of the imaging findings as well as the role and the relevance of imaging in the diagnosis of this disease are discussed.

An atypical case of dengue haemorrhagic fever presenting as quadriparesis due to compressive myelopathy

Dengue haemorrhagic fever is a serious presentation of dengue viral infection. Case reports of cerebral haemorrhage due to dengue are rare. The authors report a rare case of dengue haemorrhagic fever presenting with fever and acute onset progressive quadriparesis of the upper motor neuron type. Rare cases of quadriparesis in dengue fever have been reported in the literature due to myositis, Guillain–Barre syndrome, myelitis and hypokalaemia. This case on investigations was found to have extramedullary compression due to haematoma in the cervical region as the cause of quadriparesis.

Prognostic Significance of Estimation of Pseudocholinesterase Activity and Role of Pralidoxime Therapy in Organophosphorous Poisoning

Background: Organophosphorous (OP) poisoning is one of the most common poisonings seen in India. OP compounds act through inhibition of enzyme acetylcholinesterase and estimation of pseudocholinesterase (PCE) activity strengthens the diagnosis in clinically uncertain cases of OP poisoning. The role of pralidoxime (PAM) therapy in OP poisoning has been controversial. Study Objectives: This study was aimed to determine the prognostic significance of estimation of PCE activity and also to assess the role of PAM therapy in OP poisoning. Materials and Methods: Patients of suspected OP poisoning of age >12 years admitted to emergency unit at a tertiary healthcare center of north India were enrolled. Patients were categorized into two groups; group A who were given intravenous atropine and group B who were given injectable PAM along with atropine. Serum PCE level was estimated at the time of admission in all patients and severity of OP poisoning was assessed according to PCE level. Requirement of atropine, oxygen inhalation, intubation and ventilatory support, total hospital stay, and mortality were compared between different classes of severity and also between Groups A and B. Results: This study included a total of 70 subjects, 35 in each group with mean age of 24.99 ± 8.7 years. Out of 70 subjects 49 (70%) were male and 21 (30%) were female. Forty nine patients (70%) of OP poisoning were with suicidal intent while 21 (30%) cases were accidentally poisoned. In all suicidal cases route of poisoning was ingestion whereas in all the accidental cases route of exposure was inhalational. PCE levels were reduced in all the cases and the mean level was 3,154.16 ± 2,562.40 IU/L. The total dose of atropine required, need for oxygen inhalation and need for intubation and ventilatory support, mean duration of hospital stay and mortality rate (P = 0.003) were higher in moderate to severe cases and did not have significant difference between Groups A and B. Conclusion: The study recommends estimation of PCE level at admission to classify severity of OP poisoning and to estimate prognosis. This study did not find any beneficial role of PAM therapy in reducing morbidity as well as mortality.

Schwannoma in anterior mediastinum with massive pericardial effusion.

Schwannoma is a benign nerve sheath neoplasm of schwann cell origin. Mediastinum is the second most common site of schwannoma with majority originating in the posterior medistinum. Mediastinal schwannoma is slow growing and mostly asymptomatic in presentation. We present a case of schwannoma arising in the anterior mediastinum, an unusual location, complicated by massive haemorrhagic pericardial effusion. We recommend an aggressive approach in such cases with pericardiectomy to prevent reaccumulation of the pericardial fluid.

An unusual case of DRESS syndrome due to leflunomide.

The DRESS (drug rash, eosinophilia and systemic symptoms) syndrome, is a type of drug hypersensitivity syndrome, is a severe idiosyncratic reaction to several drugs, mainly antiepileptics and antibiotics, which can occasionally produce acute hepatic failure. In this article, the authors report a case of DRESS syndrome with severe exfoliative dermatitis with acute hepatitis associated with intake of leflunomide. Rapid diagnosis with withdrawal of offending agent is crucial for survival of these cases.