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A 20-year-old male patient presented with an alleged history of consumption of 80 mL of paraphenylenediamine (PPD) hair dye. At initial presentation, throat pain, anasarca and reduced urine output were evident. On general physical examination, tachycardia and tachypnoea were evident; blood pressure was 130/80 mm Hg. Oxygen saturation measured with a pulse oximeter (SpO2) on ambient air was 98%. Laboratory investigations revealed haemoglobin (Hb) 14.7 g/dL, platelets 250,000/mm3, neutrophilic leucocytosis, total leucocyte count 23,600/mm3, 86% neutrophils) elevated serum creatinine (6.8 mg/dL), creatine phosphokinase levels (1466 IU/L), hyperkalaemia (6.2 mEq/L) and myoglobinuria. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed normal-sized kidneys and grade 2 renal parenchymal disease changes with maintained corticomedullary differentiation indicating acute kidney injury. Laboratory investigations done on day 7 of admission revealed anaemia Hb 9 g/dL, thrombocytopenia platelets 73,000/mm3, haemoglobinuria and elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase levels (3005 IU/L) with a negative direct and indirect Coombs test and schistocytes (5%) on peripheral smear suggesting microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia. Serum calcium, magnesium and phosphorous were within normal limits. Urinalysis showed plenty of red blood cells with dysmorphia. Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) was diagnosed and 15 sessions of haemodialysis as well as 7 sessions of plasma exchange were instituted. Clinical improvement was noted with improvement in urinary output; normalisation of laboratory parameters occurred over the next 3 weeks. He was discharged in a haemodynamically stable state. The present case highlights the unusual occurrence of HUS secondary to a hair dye (PPD) poisoning which responded to plasma exchange treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multiorgan deleterious effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) disease (COVID-19) are now well known. Although COVID-19 disease is a hypercoagulable state and thrombotic complications occur in about one-third of critically ill patients with COVID-19, thrombosis is not typically a presenting symptom. We report the case of a patient presented with the complaints of abdominal pain due to renal vein thrombosis as the first feature of the COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 54-year-old man with hypertension, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who was receiving thrice-weekly haemodialysis for the past 3 years, developed breathlessness after a session of haemodialysis. Oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry (SpO2) was 88% and he was admitted for evaluation. Nasopharyngeal swab real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. He was started on intravenous azithromycin, dexamethasone 8 mg, and subcutaneous heparin. On the 8th day after admission, he had painful swelling, redness and watering of the left eye. Within hours, he also complained swelling of the left half of the face, diminished vision and reduced eye movements of the left eye. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography of the brain revealed left orbital cellulitis. angioinvasive fungal sinusitis. Laboratory testing confirmed the diagnosis. The patient was treated with intravenous ammphotericin B and surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drugs associated with gingival overgrowth fall into three broad categories - anticonvulsants, immune suppressants and calcium channel blockers. Amlodipine is a third-generation dihydropyridine. The prevalence of amlodipine-induced gingival hyperplasia is 4.2%. We report two patients with the amlodipine-induced gingival hyperplasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even though a small number of published single patient reports have more recently reported pulmonary cavitation in COVID-19 disease, it is still considered a rare radiology feature. We report a 45-year-old man with COVID 19 disease and a pulmonary cavity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Compared to the developed world, the pattern of acute kidney injury (AKI) is different in tropics. The present study was undertaken to study the epidemiological profile and outcomes in AKI. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital in South India. Demographic details, detailed medical history, aetiological factors, comorbid conditions, prognostic factors and outcomes were studied. Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores were calculated at admission for every patient to know the prognosis. Results: A total of 193 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. Majority of the patients were in their sixth decade of life. The mean age was 52.1 ± 14.8 years (male:female = 1.7:1). Hypertension (41.5%; n = 80) and diabetes mellitus (33.7%; n = 65) were the most common comorbid illnesses in our patients. The average duration of hospital stay was 8 days. AKI was secondary to medical causes in 69.4% (134/193), surgical causes in 25.4% (49/193) and obstetric is 5.18% (10/193). Renal replacement therapy was required in 56.4% (n = 109) of the study population. The mortality rate observed in our study was 21.8% (n = 42). The mean APACHE II score and mean SOFA score were found to be significantly higher in the non survivors compared to the survivors. Conclusions: Patients with AKI who have higher APACHE II or SOFA score should be carefully monitored and aggressively treated to reduce mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scrub typhus caused by organism Orientia tsutsugamushi and transmitted to humans by the bite of a leptotrombidium mite (chigger). Although eschar formation is one of the important signs that aid in diagnosis, multiple eschar formation is a rare presentation. Although scrub typhus causes multiple organ dysfunction, the pancreas involvement is rare. Here, we describe a patient with scrub typhus with multiple eschars complicated with acute pancreatitis and acute kidney injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal infections are a common cause of morbidity and mortality among patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). We present the clinical manifestations, and management of five CAPD patients with fungal peritonitis seen during the last seven years. Microscopy and culture of the peritoneal fluid tested positive for fungus in all patients. Filamentous fungi were identified as the causative fungi among four patients and Candida nonalbicans was the cause in one patient. Catheter was removed and appropriate antifungal therapy was given to all the patients. Four patients recovered and one died due to ventilator associated infection. Previously treated bacterial infections, old age more than 50 years, diabetes and hypertension were recognised as the risk factors leading to fungal infection among CAPD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strongyloides stercoralis, an intestinal parasitic nematode, infects more than 100 million people worldwide. Strongyloides are unique in their ability to exist as a free-living and autoinfective cycle. Strongyloidiasis infection usually remains asymptomatic, but in immunocompromised hosts hyperinfection and dissemination can occur, which has a high mortality. We report a 30-year-old male patient with membranous nephropathy who was receiving oral corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide who presented with disseminated strongyloidiasis. Larvae of S. stercoralis were isolated from the stool and the sputum specimens. Seven days later despite anti-helminthic therapy and intensive care support the patient died. Early detection and diagnosis of this condition is based on a high index of clinical suspicion, especially in immunocompromised hosts. Screening for Strongyloidiasis infection before the initiation of immunosuppressive therapy can be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]