Satyendra Kumar Sonkar

Three unusual presentations of plasmodium vivax malaria.

We present three cases of unusual and complicated malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax. Parenteral artemisinin derivatives or quinine should be used, irrespective of chloroquine sensitivity, for treatment of severe malaria.

Clinical Profile of Neurological Manifestation in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-positive Patients.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection is a global pandemic. According to the data released by UNAIDS in 2007, India had 2.5 million people living with HIV infection.[1] Next to sub-Saharan Africa, it has the second largest burden of HIV-related illness. Though the main targets of HIV infection are the cells of the immune system, the nervous system is often damaged during the course of infection, not only by disease processes that are secondary to immune dysfunction but also by more fundamental effects of the retrovirus.

Heat stroke presented with disseminated intravascular coagulation and bilateral intracerebral bleed

Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition which is characterised by nausea, vomiting, confusion, disorientation and coma. Aggressive treatment in the form of intravenous fluids along with other symptomatic management can be life saving. Here we present an unusual case of heat stroke followed by disseminated intravascular coagulation, multiple organ dysfunction with bilateral intracerebral bleed who survived with judicious management and recovered without any neurological sequeale.

Plasma Homocysteine level and its clinical correlation with type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications

Homocysteine (Hcys) has been implicated to be associated with diabetes and its complications. To study the association of plasma Hcys with diabetes complications (cardiovascular disease [CVD], cerebrovascular disease [CBVD], peripheral vascular disease [PVD], nephropathy, retinopathy and neuropathy). 316 type 2 diabetic patients were enrolled for the study. Plasma Hcys was done by Chemiluminescence Micropart assay. Elevated plasma Hcys correlated significantly with duration of the disease, CVD, CBVD, PVD, Nephropathy, Retinopathy and Neuropathy showed significant association with abnormal plasma Hcys level. Total cholesterol and triglyceride was significantly associated with abnormal plasma Hcys level. However Hb1Ac, LDL and HDL did not show significant correlation. Plasma Hcys level can be considered as an early marker of progression of diabetes and its complications.

Unusual manifestation of dengue fever

Dengue fever is an important public health problem in India and has various serious manifestations, which if not identified and treated at appropriate time can lead to dire consequences. Quadriparesis during the course of dengue infection is quite unusual and rarely reported. The authors hereby report a case of acute motor quadriparesis due to Guillain–Barre syndrome during the course of dengue infection, who showed gradual response to conservative treatment.

Chronic hyper-leptinemia induces insulin signaling disruption in adipocytes: Implications of NOS2

Leptin, following its discovery, has developed a formidable interest in the scientific community to delineate its contribution towards overall metabolic homeostasis. Contradictory reports have been published on leptin administration effects on whole body insulin sensitivity. Following late reports, we surveyed human serum leptin levels along with other metabolic parameters including BMI and HOMA-IR. We found a positive correlation between leptin levels and insulin resistance parameters. Considering the presence of the long form of leptin receptor on adipocytes, we explored the effects of chronic physiological hyper-leptinemic exposure on adipocyte insulin sensitivity. Chronic leptin (50ng/ml) treatment in 3T3-L1 adipocytes decreased insulin-induced phosphorylation of nodal insulin signaling proteins along with reduced glucose uptake. Metabolic flux studies indicated mitochondrial dysfunction and reduced oxygen consumption rate. Leptin treatment also increased both cellular and mitochondrial superoxide levels concomitant to increased expression of nitric oxide synthase-2 (NOS2). Further, pharmacological depletion of NOS2 reversed leptin mediated effects on insulin signaling. In-vivo implantation of leptin osmotic pumps in C57BL/6 mice also decreased insulin responsiveness. Interestingly, these effects were lacking in NOS2 knockout strain. In conclusion, our studies put forward a potential link between leptin and adipocyte insulin responsiveness in an NOS2 dependent manner.

Thyrotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis

Hypokalemia is a serious and life-threatening clinical condition. We present a case of a 45-year-old male, with known hyperthyroidism presenting with profound tremor, irritability, quadriparesis, and labored breathing since morning, on the day of admission. Arterial blood gas analysis showed severe hypokalemia. Patients vital was stabilized and patients oxygen saturation was maintained on oxygen inhalation. Intravenous potassium chloride infusion was administered with regular monitoring of vitals and electrolytes. Patients symptoms improved. Thyroid function testing showed high free T3 (tri-iodothyronine) and free T4 (thyroxine) with low thyroid-stimulating hormone concentration in the serum, indicating thyrotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis. Treatment with antithyroid drug carbimazole resulted in an improvement during the follow-up visit. Hypokalemia is believed to be a consequence of a massive shift due to increased sodium–potassium–adenosine triphosphatase (Na+K+ATPase) pump activity in the presence of elevated thyroid hormones.Hypokalemia is a serious and life-threatening clinical condition. We present a case of a 45-year-old male, with known hyperthyroidism presenting with profound tremor, irritability, quadriparesis, and labored breathing since morning, on the day of admission. Arterial blood gas analysis showed severe hypokalemia. Patients vital was stabilized and patients oxygen saturation was maintained on oxygen inhalation. Intravenous potassium chloride infusion was administered with regular monitoring of vitals and electrolytes. Patients symptoms improved. Thyroid function testing showed high free T3 (tri-iodothyronine) and free T4 (thyroxine) with low thyroid-stimulating hormone concentration in the serum, indicating thyrotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis. Treatment with antithyroid drug carbimazole resulted in an improvement during the follow-up visit. Hypokalemia is believed to be a consequence of a massive shift due to increased sodium–potassium–adenosine triphosphatase (Na+K+ATPase) pump activity in the presence of elevated thyroid hormones.

Agenesis of dorsal pancreas in a young adult: a rare cause of diabetes mellitus

Dorsal pancreatic agenesis is an extremely rare entity characterised by absence of body and tail of pancreas, while there are so many other developmental anomalies of the pancreas that have been reported. Here we report a 25-year-old young man who presented with pain in the abdomen, recurrent loose stools and hyperglycaemia. On radiological imaging study, there was complete agenesis of the dorsal pancreas except for thin stripe of tissue at the level of the uncinate process. Both exocrinedysfunction and endocrine dysfunction were present in this patient. Patient was supplemented with pancreatic enzyme preparation and insulin.

Validity of Indian Diabetes Risk Score and its association with body mass index and glycosylated hemoglobin for screening of diabetes in and around areas of Lucknow

Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the validity of Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS) and its association with body mass index (BMI) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) for screening of diabetes and obesity. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was designed, and samples were randomly enrolled from Lucknow and its adjoining areas. Totally, 405 subjects were included in the study. We used diabetes risk factors (age, waist circumference, physical activity, and family history of diabetes) for screening of diabetes and abdominal obesity (AO) and BMI for screening of general obesity. HbA1c was used for confirming the diabetes patients in this population. Statistical analysis was applied to all data using SPSS software (version 20.0). P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: All 405 subjects were assessed for diabetic risk factors, BMI, and glycated hemoglobin. Of these, 56.3% subjects were aged ≥50 years. 1° and 2° AO was found in 47.9% and 40% subjects, respectively. About 27.1% subjects were found to have sedentary lifestyle, and 72.6% were found to have no family history of diabetes. According to IDRS, 272 subjects (67.2%) were found at high risk of diabetes (score ≥60). Based on BMI calculation, 198 subjects were obese, of which 79.3% were found at high risk for diabetes. A significant association was found between subjects with higher risk score and BMI (P < 0.001). Assessment of HbA1c showed that 97 (23.9%) were prediabetic and 204 (50.4%) were diabetic, of which 63.9% and 77%, respectively was at high risk for diabetes as per IDRS. A significant association was found between subjects with higher risk score and HbA1c (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Our study fully supports the validity of IDRS, as it can be used as a cost-effective tool for primary mass screening of diabetes. Moreover, its combination with BMI value and HbA1c can be used for strict monitoring for diabetes and obesity at primary health care centers to reduce the early development of diabetes complications and severe obesity comorbidities.