Splenic Syndrome due to Sickle Cell Trait amongst Indian Soldiers Serving in Kashmir

Background

Heterozygous transmission of gene for Haemoglobin S leads to sickle cell trait. Mostly the trait remains silent with no additional morbidity or mortality. When these persons migrate to higher altitudes, in times of high oxygen demand, some of them develop splenic infarction. This is a rare phenomenon and only 47 such cases had been reported till 2005.

Methods

This study was conducted at an Indian military hospital serving the troops deployed in Kashmir valley at altitudes ranging from 5500 ft to 13000 ft. When two consecutive splenectomies for splenic abscesses, turned out to be sickling induced infarction histopathologically, we reviewed splenectomy specimens received in last six years for evidence of sickling.

Result

Out of 33 splenectomies performed during the period of study, 22 were due to trauma (gun shot injury 11; splinter injury one and blunt injury 10). Of the rest eleven, who presented without any history of trauma, seven had evidence of vascular occlusion with aggregates of sickled red blood cells. In none, Gram stain or Periodic Acid Schiff stain revealed any bacterial or fungal colonies. One patient of splenic syndrome was found to have unrecognised sickle cell trait and he was managed conservatively.

Conclusion

Sickle cell trait should be excluded before considering splenectomy in ethnically vulnerable patients presenting with splenic syndrome. An uncomplicated splenic infarction can be managed conservatively.Key Words: Sickle cell trait, Splenic infarction, Splenic syndrome     

Prior outpatient antibiotic use as predictor for microbial aetiology of community-acquired pneumonia: hospital-based study

OBJECTIVE: The causative micro-organism in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is often difficult to predict. Different studies have examined chronic morbidity and clinical symptoms as predictors for microbial aetiology of pneumonia. The aim of our study was to assess whether prior outpatient antimicrobial treatment is predictive for determining the microbial aetiology of CAP. METHODS: This was a hospital-based prospective observational study including all patients admitted with CAP between 1 October 2004 and 1 August 2006. Microbial investigations included sputum, blood culture, sputum PCR, antigen testing and serology. Exposure to antimicrobial drugs prior to hospital admission was ascertained through community pharmacy dispensing records. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess whether prior outpatient antimicrobial treatment is a predictor of microbial aetiology. Patient demographics, co-morbidities and pneumonia severity were considered to be other potential predictors. RESULTS: Overall, 201 patients were included in the study. The microbial aetiology was determined in 64% of the patients. The five most prevalent pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae, Heamophilus influenzae, Legionella spp., Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Influenza virus A+B. Forty-seven of the patients (23%) had received initial antimicrobial treatment as outpatients. Multivariate analyses revealed that initial outpatient beta-lactam treatment was associated with a threefold increased chance of finding atypical pathogens and a threefold decreased probability of pneumococcal infection; the corresponding odds ratios were 3.51 (95% CI 1.25-9.99) and 0.30 (95% CI 0.10-0.90), respectively. Patients who received macrolides prior to hospitalisation had an increased probability of viral pneumonia. CONCLUSION: Prior outpatient antimicrobial therapy has a predictive value in the diagnostic workup aimed at identifying the causative pathogen and planning corresponding antimicrobial treatment in patients hospitalised for pneumonia.     

人工耳蜗术后客观调机过程中电诱发听觉脑干反应、电诱发听神经复合动作电位和电诱发蹬骨肌反射的指导作用

目的:探讨使用电诱发听觉脑干反应、电诱发听神经复合动作电位和电诱发蹬骨肌反射指导人工耳蜗术后客观调机的可行性。方法:测试于2002-07/2004-06在郑州大学第一附属医院测听室进行。①对53例Nucleus24型人工耳蜗植入者进行主观阈值以及最大舒适阈值测试,同一天进行电诱发听觉脑干反应、电诱发听神经复合动作电位和电诱发蹬骨肌反射测试。②将主观阈值和最大舒适阈值与电诱发听觉脑干反应、电诱发听神经复合动作电位阈值间进行相关性分析;同时将根据电诱发听觉脑干反应、电诱发听神经复合动作电位阈值推测得出的主观阈值和最大舒适阈值与实际值进行相关性分析。结果:53例受试者均进入结果分析。①电诱发听觉脑干反应阈值和电诱发听神经复合动作电位阈值与主观阈值和最大舒适阈值相关(r=0.585,0.555,0.592,0.630,P<0.001)。②3种检测的阈值在不同患者间变异均较大。但所有电诱发听觉脑干反应阈值和电诱发听神经复合动作电位阈值均大于主观阈值,所有电诱发蹬骨肌反射阈值均低于不舒适阈值。③由电诱发听觉脑干反应、电诱发听神经复合动作电位阈值推测得出的主观阈值和最大舒适阈值与实际值均显著相关(r=0.918,0.924,0.934,0.883,P<0.001)。结论:电诱发听觉脑干反应、电诱发听神经复合动作电位和电诱发蹬骨肌反射测试可用于指导人工耳蜗植入者主观阈值和最大舒适阈值的调试。     

Anaphylatoxins in fresh-frozen plasma

BACKGROUND: Fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) is widely used in patients with coagulation disorders and simultaneous complement activation. Complement activation in FFP itself is poorly investigated. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The concentration of anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a, the complement precursors C1q and factor B, and complement function were measured in 40 consecutively administered FFP units in two pediatric neonatal intensive care units. In 12 samples, the measurements were also performed after incubation with inulin. RESULTS: In 15 of 40 FFP units, both anaphylatoxin concentrations were below the upper cutoff levels reported for healthy humans (C3a, 500 microg/L; C5a, 5 microg/L). Anaphylatoxin levels were higher in FFP units produced by apheresis than in those from blood donation. Complement activation of FFP by inulin increased anaphylatoxin concentration, whereas C1q and factor B levels, and complement function remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: Elevated concentrations of anaphylatoxin are frequently found in FFP units produced by apheresis. Studies are necessary to investigate the reasons for complement activation and the possibilities of prevention during apheresis. As the concentrations of complement precursors and complement function did not change with activation in FFP, these studies should include measurement of the anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a.     

CONGENITAL ABSENCE OF THE GALLBLADDER: WAYS OF AVOIDING LAPAROTOMY

SUMMARY Two cases of congenital absence (agenesis) of the gallbladder seen at one hospital over a 5-year period are presented. One patient presented with ascending cholangitis due to choledocholithiasis, while the other presented with right upper quadrant abdominal pain and equivocal findings on ultrasound and oral cholecystography. Although diagnosis was made at laparotomy in both cases, it is likely that the arrival of laparoscopic cholecystectomy will avoid laparotomy in the future. The place of laparoscopy in establishing the presence of this anomaly is discussed.     

−141C insertion/deletion polymorphism of the dopamine D2 receptor gene is associated with schizophrenia in Chinese Han population: Evidence from an ethnic group‐specific meta‐analysis

Accumulate evidence has implicated dopamine D2 receptor gene polymorphisms in the etiology of schizophrenia. A single nucleotide polymorphism, ?141C insertion/deletion (Ins/Del) (rs1799732), in the promoter region of the dopamine D2 receptor gene has been linked to schizophrenia; however, the data are inconclusive. This study investigated whether the ?141C polymorphism is associated with the risk of schizophrenia in different ethnic groups by performing a meta‐analysis. A total of 24 case–control studies examining the association between ?141C Ins/Del polymorphism and schizophrenia were identified according to established inclusion criteria. Significant association was revealed between ?141C Ins/Del polymorphism and schizophrenia risk in dominant genetic model (Ins/Ins + Ins/Del versus Del/Del) (odds ratio = 0.33, 95% confidence interval = 0.14–0.81, z = 2.41, P = 0.02) in Chinese Han but not in Caucasian, Japanese or India populations. Our results indicate that ?141C Ins/Del polymorphism might be a susceptibility factor for schizophrenia in Chinese Han population.     

Sonographic diagnosis of splenogonadal fusion in a 2‐year‐old boy

Splenogonadal fusion (SGF) is a rare congenital abnormality. It is typically identified during orchiectomy for a suspected testicular tumor or during orchiopexy. We describe the sonographic findings in a case of SGF that could help with correct diagnosis preoperatively. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 45 :179–182, 2017