Background Dengue fever is a common mosquito borne viral infection. Severe dengue fever associated severe hepatitis carries high mortality. Based on the beneficial effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in paracetamol poisoning and non-acetaminophen induced liver failure, it is used in dengue fever associated hepatitis in clinical practice. We aim to study the reversal of liver enzymes with NAC in the setting of severe hepatitis due to severe dengue infection. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on hospitalized 30 adults with severe dengue fever with severe hepatitis. These 30 patients had aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminases (ALT) more than 500 U/L and/or PT INR (prothrombin time and international normalized ratio) more than 1.5. They were treated with NAC infusion of 100 mg/h for 3 to 5 days. Results The mean age of the group was 49.9 ± 11.46 years and 18 (60%) patients were males. Nineteen patients (63%) developed dengue shock. Of them 12 patients (40%) developed hepatic encephalopathy. Median AST on the day of administration of NAC was 1125 U/L interquartile range (IQR) 1653.25 while median ALT was 752 (IQR 459.25). There was a statistically significant reduction of both ALT (p = 0.034) and AST (p = 0.049) from day 1 to 4 after NAC infusion. Rise of platelet count between day 1 and day 4 also showed statistically significant difference (p = 0.011) but the reduction of prothrombin time and international normalized ratio (PT/INR) from 1 to day 4 did not show statistical significance difference. Mean duration of treatment with NAC was 3.61 ± 0.75 days while mean length of hospital stay was 6.2 ± 1.27 days. Only one patient died (3.3%). None of the patients reported adverse drug reaction due to NAC. Conclusion Majority of patients demonstrated marked clinical and biochemical improvements and they recovered fully. We observed faster and significant recovery of liver enzymes following administration of NAC. Based on the above findings, this study provides preliminary evidence for the beneficial effect of NAC in severe hepatitis in dengue infection with greater survival benefits.

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Background Carbon monoxide poisoning is a common emergency worldwide, which carries high morbidity and mortality. Some patients who recover from the insult of acute carbon monoxide toxicity may later develop delayed neuropsychiatric sequelae (DNS) after a lucid period in the form of cognitive impairments, a broad spectrum of neurological deficits and affective disorders. Here, we present the first case of DNS following carbon monoxide poisoning in Sri Lanka and epidemiology of the exposure of nine (9) more victims. Case presentation A 55-year-old patient and nine other people developed effects of carbon monoxide poisoning in two different occasions after sleeping few hours in the same room in their work place in Sri Lanka. These patients developed spectrum of symptoms with the acute carbon monoxide poisoning. However, one patient developed neurological deterioration pertaining to delayed neuropsychiatric sequelae (DNS) after 1 month of lucid interval. His MRI scan of the brain showed diffuse high signal intensity involving subcortical white matter, globus pallidus on FLAIR and T2W images. These areas showed high signals in DWI images with no significant changes appreciated on ADC map. There was no abnormal contrast enhancement appreciated in the above areas. EEG showed generalized slow waves. He gradually deteriorated over next 2 weeks, exhibited athetoid movements of his feet and hands and went into rigid akinetic mute state. He could not response to any stimulation and even displayed decorticated-like posture and died. Others had normal MRI brain finding at 8 weeks of acute toxicity and all were neurologically normal after 1 year. Conclusion Though, it is uncommon in a tropical country like Sri Lanka, clinicians should have high degree of suspicion with the correct circumstances, as it is a challenge for the emergency physicians, even in countries with higher rate of CO poisoning. The exact mechanisms of acute and delayed toxicity, preventive methods and the suggested treatments are yet to be elucidated and this needs further attention and studies.