Saurabh Saigal

Metabolic profiling in human lung injuries by high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF)

We present a method for identifying biomarkers in human lung injury. The method is based on high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy applied to bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) collected from lungs of critically ill patients. This biological fluid can be obtained by bronchoscopic and non-bronchoscopic methods. The type of lung injury in acute respiratory failure presenting as acute lung injury (ALI) and its severe form, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), continues to challenge critical care physicians. We characterize different metabolites in BAL fluid by non-bronchoscopic method (mBALF) for better diagnosis and understanding of ALI/ARDS by NMR spectroscopy. NMR spectra of mBALF collected from 30 patients (9 controls, 10 ARDS and 11 ALI) were analyzed for the identification of biomarkers. Statistical methods such as principal components analysis and partial least square discriminant analysis were carried out on 1H NMR spectrum of mBALF to identify biomarker responsible for separation among different lung injuries classes (ALI and ARDS) and normal lungs. The corresponding correlation of biomarkers with metabolic cycle has given insight into metabolism of lung injuries in critically ill patients. Our study shows statistically significant differentiation of various metabolites concentration in mBALF collected from lungs of ALI, ARDS and healthy control patients, making NMR spectroscopy as a possible new method of characterizing human lung injury.

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter ventilator-associated pneumonia: Clinical characteristics and outcome.

Objective: To study the clinical characteristics and 28-days mortality in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) due to carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter (CRA). Design: Retrospective, observational, cohort study. Setting: Intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital. Materials and Methods: Microbiologically confirmed VAP due to CRA infection. Intervention: None. Results: Out of 87 patients with VAP due to CRA, 60 (69%) were male; whose median age was 51 years; 73 (84%) patients were medical; 26 (30%) had history of hospitalization in last 3 months; median acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II was 15 and median SOFA 9 at admission; primary reason for ICU admission was respiratory failure (34%); 46 (53%) patients had more than 2 organ failure at ICU admission; median length of ICU stay was 19 days; 66 (76%) patients need vasoactive agents during ICU stay, whereas 55 (63%) patients had renal failure; median duration of mechanical ventilation was 17 days; 22 (25%) patients had acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) during ICU stay; 72 (83%) patients had exposure to carbapenem before inclusion in the study; 33 (38%) patients had same organism at other sites. In the follow-up, 47 (54%) patient survived at 28 days after having VAP; whereas only 40 (46%) patients were discharged from the hospital. Conclusions: CRA-VAP has high crude mortality. Advanced age; severity of illness and presence of pneumonia at ICU admission; and presence of shock, ARDS and renal failure have impact on outcome in these patients.

Clinical manifestations of co-infection with malaria and leptospirosis

Though both malaria and leptospirosis are frequent in the tropics, co-infections are under-recognized due to overlapping of clinical features. Here, we reviewed clinical manifestations of published co-infection along with our three cases. Out of a total of 18 patients, nine patients (50%) required ICU admission. Almost all patients had prodromal symptoms in the form of fever, headache and myalgia. Seven patients (37%) had altered sensorium, three patients (17%) had hypotension at admission, and 11 patients (61%) had acute kidney injury (AKI). Pulmonary manifestations in the form of pulmonary bleeding were present in four cases (22%). Three (17%) patients had acute lung injury/ acute respiratory distress syndrome. Almost 55% patients had DIC in the form of altered prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and low fibrinogen level. Four patients (22%) had subconjuctival suffusion, two of them had haematuria, while one presented with nasal bleeding. All patients had altered liver function tests. Of all the 18 patients, 17 (94%) survived, while one died.

Acute Pancreatitis-Induced Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

CONTEXT Acute pancreatitis due to thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is a well recognized condition. Here, we are reporting a rare converse phenomenon, in which thrombocytopenic purpura occurred secondary to acute pancreatitis. CASE REPORT A 19-year-old male referred to our intensive care unit with diagnosis of acute pancreatitis with multi-organ dysfunction. He had history of severe abdominal pain and recurrent vomiting about one month ago, requiring hospital admission. There, on diagnostic work-up at admission, abdominal ultrasonography was suggestive of pancreatitis. His serum amylase and lipase were 1,900 and 1,582 U/L, respectively. Other laboratory parameters were within normal limits. He was managed conservatively with intravenous fluids, antibiotics and analgesics; and discharged after about 2 weeks One week after discharge he was readmitted in same hospital with abdominal pain, multiple episodes of bilious vomiting and abdominal distention. Later on he was referred to our intensive care unit; having classical pentad of thrombocytopenic purpura, i.e., thrombocytopenia, micro-angiopathic hemolytic anemia, renal failure, encephalopathy, and fever. His condition improved with plasma exchange therapy and transferred out from our ICU to ward after 10 days of stay. CONCLUSION Thrombocytopenic purpura may be precipitate by acute pancreatitis due to multiple mechanisms. A high clinical suspicion is required to make an early diagnosis and allow early initiation of plasma exchange therapy, resulting in a good prognosis.

Acute methotrexate toxicity presenting as multiorgan failure and acute pneumonitis: A rare case report

Acute methotrexate toxicity rarely presents as medical emergency in form of multiorgan failure. Acute pneumonitis following low-dose methotrexate is rarely reported in literature. It is important to recognize this, as the drug must be discontinued immediately and rescue measures in form of folinic acid and hydration instituted promptly.

Community acquired pneumonia with shock, severe hypoxemia and leucopenia: Is the etiology methicillin resistant Staphylococci?

A young, male presented to the emergency department with respiratory signs and symptoms along with shock and leucopenia. The suspected diagnosis of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) necrotizing pneumonia was confirmed later radiographically and microbiologically. This entity is common in childhood, but rarely reported in adults. This form of pneumonia affects young individuals without any comorbid illness. This is the first reported case of necrotizing pneumonia caused by community acquired-MRSA from Indian subcontinent. The probability to predict etiology of pneumonia from clinical signs is low; yet in the presence of shock, severe hypoxemia and leucopenia suspicion of MRSA should be kept high and hence that prompt initiation of appropriate antimicrobials may reduce mortality.

Diagnosis of congenital broncho-esophageal fistula in a 62-year-old male

Congenital broncho-esophageal fistula (BEF) may go unrecognized in infancy and childhood and present later in life, due to non specific signs and symptoms. We report an adult case of congenital BEF which was diagnosed after massive aspiration precipitated by raised intra abdominal pressure due to severe acute pancreatitis.