Background: Dengue infection is a major public health threat; early recognition is crucial to improve the survival in severe dengue. Although there are various biomarkers to predict the severity of dengue, they are not routinely used in clinical practice for prognostication. We analyzed whether serum ferritin can be used to predict the severity at an earlier stage.Methods: A hospital based prospective observational study was done involving 119 dengue cases diagnosed by positive NS1 antigen or dengue specific serology (capture ELISA). Serum ferritin was measured in all at the time of diagnosis. Clinical and platelet count monitoring was done daily; classified as severe and non-severe according to 2009 WHO criteria.Results: Out of 119, 5 developed severe dengue; patients with severe dengue had significantly lower median platelet count (p<0.0001); higher ferritin levels (p=0.03) and hospital stay (p<0.0001) than non-severe group. Age had a significant negative co-relation with platelet count (r= -0.427; p<0.0001); positive correlation with ferritin levels (r=0.16; p=0.08) and hospital stay (r= 0.26; p=0.004) indicating that elderly subjects are at risk of severe disease. Serum ferritin levels negatively correlated with the platelet count (r= -0.51 p<0.001). High ferritin levels in severe cases are noted from day 4 of clinical illness.Conclusions: Elevated serum ferritin levels can be used as a potential early prognostic marker to predict the severity of dengue infection in clinical practice.

Background: Dapsone is a sulfone derived drug used in the treatment of leprosy and several chronic inflammatory dermatological diseases. Dapsone Hypersensitivity Syndrome (DHS) is characterized by fever, hepatitis, generalized exfoliative dermatitis and lymphadenopathy. It is rare and potentially fatal. Case Report: We present a case report of a 52 years old female with a recent history of antecedent dapsone exposure of 100 mg daily for 2 weeks. She developed fever 10 days after exposure to dapsone therapy and was treated in various primary and tertiary centers for features of sepsis. When she presented to us, clinical features of multi-organ dysfunction and intractable sepsis was evident. She was successfully managed with intravenous corticosteroids and other supportive therapy. This case of DHS is unique due to pulmonary, hepatic and colonic involvement in addition to secondary bacterial and fungal infection, which is associated with an increased risk of mortality. Conclusion: As dapsone is mainstay in the treatment several infections and inflammatory conditions, further research is needed to characterize markers to diagnose DHS and to develop screening policies prior to initiation of dapsone therapy.

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Objective To evaluate whether a fixed dose combination (FDC) with remogliflozin and vildagliptin as an add-on therapy can improve the glycemic control in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus and also the non-glycemic effects on physical profile, blood pressure, lipids, and insulin resistance. Materials and Methods An observational study that included 50 poorly controlled diabetics from April 2021 to September 2021. Patients were divided into two groups – those who were prescribed this FDC by their treating physician as an add-on drug were formed as group 1 ( n = 28). Comparison group was age-matched patients who received other standard anti-diabetic medications, categorized as group 2 ( n = 22). Fasting and postprandial sugars were done at baseline, the third and sixth month; glycated hemoglobin, body mass index, blood pressure, and lipids were done at baseline and the sixth month. Changes in blood sugar levels and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) at the third and sixth month from the baseline were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. P-value less than 5% was considered statistically significant. Results A statistically significant reduction in mean HbA1c was noted in group 1 [–1.80 (−3.20, −0.15)] when compared to group 2 [0.50 (0.05, 0.80)] at the end of the third month. At the end of the sixth month, a significant reduction in the HbA1c level was noted in group 1 [(7.83 ± 0.87 %) when compared to baseline (10.3 ± 1.75%)]. Change in PPBS value at the third month from baseline was also statistically significant between groups 1 and 2 (−62.0 mg%, 19.0, P = 0.003). With respect to the body mass index and blood pressure, we did not find any significant difference. Conclusion The fixed drug combination improves glycemic control by significantly reducing mean HbA1c at the third and sixth month from baseline and there was no significant effect on body mass index, blood pressure, and lipids.

Euglycemic ketoacidosis is defined by the triad of euglycemia, metabolic acidosis and ketonemia or ketonuria. In the current era of diabetic management, it is a serious concern with the usage of sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors potentiated by a number of precipitating agents. Empagliflozin though a novel oral hypoglycemic agent in this category may also lead to this potential complication. Here we report a 59 year old male, type 2 diabetic who was on empagliflozin and presented with euglycemic ketoacidosis after a binge of alcohol.

Dengue fever, which is transmitted by the mosquito Aedes aegypti is a common acute viral febrile illness, affecting 390 million people worldwide every year. It is endemic in several countries. Although the usual presentation is that of a self-limiting illness, its complications are protean. Infection Associated with Hemophagocytic Syndrome (IAHS) is a rare and fatal complication of dengue fever. It should be suspected in a patient with fever beyond seven days, associated with hepatosplenomegaly, hyperferritinemia, worsening cytopenias and development of multiorgan dysfunction(MOD). We report a 19-year-old female, who presented with an acute febrile illness and was diagnosed with primary dengue fever. Despite appropriate supportive therapy, she worsened clinically during the course of hospitalisation. A disproportionately high ferritin level and persistent bicytopenia prompted investigations for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Further evaluation revealed features of HLH, as per the diagnostic criteria laid down by the Histiocyte Society. She was successfully treated with glucocorticoids, etoposide and intravenous immunoglobin and other supportive therapy. She had severe cytopenia and cardiac dysfunction during the course of her illness and its management. This case adds to the limited adult cases of dengue-associated hemophagocytic syndrome and shows its difficulty in management due to associated extra complications.

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