Association of acute toxic encephalopathy with litchi consumption in an outbreak in Muzaffarpur, India, 2014: a case-control study

Abstract

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Lychee-associated acute hypoglycaemic encephalopathy outbreaks in Muzaffarpur, India

“…The NCDC has now provided evidence in support of our diagnosis of blocked fatty acid β-oxidation cycle, through the documentation of the evidence of organic acidaemia and aciduria in affected children. 1 Our success illustrates the importance of methodological appropriateness for the investigation of outbreaks of unknown cause. Based on the evidence, 2-4,7-9 it is our judgment that the NCDC asked, "Which virus?…”

“…Once we identified MCPG in the edible lychee fruit pulp, 4 which was named as hypoglycin G, lifesaving treatment and preventive controls. 1 A case-control study should be uncontaminated with noncases, for which specificity of case definition is sacrosanct. This error was a continuation of the NCDC's inability to arrive at a clinical diagnosis over many years.…”

“…In their research, the NCDC used children admitted to two local hospitals-Sri Krishna Medical College Hospital and Deviprasad Krishnadevi Kejriwal Hospital-but did not include a co-investigator from either hospital. 1 Neither of the hospitals were included among the 13 institutions represented by 51 authors of The Lancet Global Health paper. 1 Treating clinicians were not acknowledged and thanked by name, which we believe was highly unethical.…”

“…1 Neither of the hospitals were included among the 13 institutions represented by 51 authors of The Lancet Global Health paper. 1 Treating clinicians were not acknowledged and thanked by name, which we believe was highly unethical. We declare lychee to be a safe fruit, which is non-toxic to adults and wellnourished children.…”

Is malnutrition or litchi consumption the culprit behind Acute Encephalitis Syndrome?

“…Around 6000 children have lost their lives over the past ten years, due to outbreaks of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in India 1,2 . Interestingly, all the cases were reported during May and June, which coincided with the litchi plucking season, and most of them were stunted and wasted 3 .…”