ObjectiveWe compared the conventional ‘one-bag protocol’ of management of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) with the ‘two-bag protocol’ which utilizes two bags of fluids, one containing saline and supplemental electrolytes and the other containing the same solution with the addition of 10% dextrose.Research design and methodsA retrospective chart review and analysis was done on adult patients admitted for DKA to the Riverside University Health System Medical Center from 2008 to 2015. There were 249 cases of DKA managed by the one-bag system and 134 cases managed by the two-bag system.ResultsThe baseline patient characteristics were similar in both groups. The anion gap closed in 13.56 hours in the one-bag group versus 10.94 hours in the two-bag group (p value <0.0002). None of the individual factors significantly influenced the anion gap closure time; only the two-bag system favored earlier closure of the anion gap. Plasma glucose levels improved to <250 mg/dL earlier with two-bag protocol (9.14 vs 7.82 hours, p=0.0241). The incidence of hypoglycemic events was significantly less frequent with the two-bag protocol compared with the standard one-bag system (1.49% vs 8.43%, p=0.0064). Neither the time to improve serum HCO3 level >18 mg/dL nor the hospital length of stay differed between the two groups.ConclusionsOur study indicates that the two-bag protocol closes the anion gap earlier than the one-bag protocol in adult patients with DKA. Blood glucose levels improved faster with the two-bag protocol compared with the one-bag protocol with fewer associated episodes of hypoglycemia. Prospective studies are needed to evaluate the clinical significance of these findings.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are a high risk population for bacteremia. Derangement in the mucosal architecture of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and frequent endoscopic interventions in immunocompromised individuals are considered primary causes. Isolation of opportunistic microorganisms from the bloodstream of IBD patients has been increasingly reported in recent years. Leclercia adecarboxylata is a ubiquitous, aerobic, motile, gram-negative bacillus. The human GI tract is known to harbor this rarely pathogenic microorganism. There are only a few case reports of bacteremia with this microorganism; the majority are either polymicrobial or associated with immunocompromised patients. We describe a case of monomicrobial L. adecarboxylata bacteremia in a 43-year-old female who presented with bloody diarrhea. Colonoscopy revealed diffuse colonic mucosal inflammation with numerous ulcers, and histopathology revealed crypt abscesses. Following an episode of rectal bleeding, two sets of blood cultures grew L. adecarboxylata, which was treated with intravenous ceftriaxone. After a complicated hospital course, she was eventually diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and enteropathic arthritis, treated with intravenous methylprednisolone, mesalamine, and infliximab which resulted in resolution of her symptoms. In our previously immunocompetent patient, derangement of the gut mucosal barrier was the likely cause of bacteremia, yet performing endoscopic intervention may have contributed to bacterial translocation.

BackgroundCoxsackie B is a viral pathogen that presents with various invasive diseases in adults. Historically, the majority of adult cases with pericarditis or myocarditis have been attributed to coxsackievirus B. The presentation of this viral infection causing effusive-constrictive pericarditis, hepatitis or pancreatitis is rare. This case report is the first to describe a patient with concomitant effusive-constrictive pericarditis, hepatitis and pancreatitis from possible coxsackievirus B infection.Case presentationA 26-year old female was admitted to our hospital with the diagnosis of effusive-constrictive pericarditis complicated by tamponade and cardiac arrest. An emergent pericardiocentesis was performed successfully. Hepatitis and pancreatitis were also identified in our patient. After an extensive workup, coxsackievirus B infection was suspected by positive serum complement fixation antibody titers. Our patient made a full recovery and was discharged from the hospital.ConclusionClinical suspicion of effusive-constrictive pericarditis with tamponade from coxsackievirus B should be considered in patients presenting with chest pain, dyspnea, jugular venous distention, hypotension, ST segment elevation on electrocardiogram, and ventricular interdependence with septal shift during diastole on transthoracic echocardiogram. Initial diagnoses of effusive-constrictive pericarditis resembling cardiac tamponade, hepatitis and pancreatitis can be challenging, and this case highlights the need for healthcare professionals to be cognizant of the association between these unusual clinical presentations and coxsackievirus B infection.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-016-1752-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Patient: Female, 51Final Diagnosis: Patological skin pickingSymptoms: Aphasia • headache • hemiparesis • incontinenceMedication: —Clinical Procedure: —Specialty: DermatologyObjective:Challenging differential diagnosisBackground:Pathological skin picking (PSP) disorder is characterized by repetitive and compulsive picking of the skin resulting in tissue damage. PSP has been shown to affect 5.4% of a community sample, 4% of college students, and 2% of patients seen in a dermatology clinic. It can be associated with significant disfigurement. The diagnosis requires obtaining a careful history and high clinical suspicion.Case Report:We report a previously healthy 51-year-old Caucasian female with a history of “acne” who presented with new onset right-sided hemiparesis, mild aphasia and an episode of incontinence. She had memory loss of the prior few days. She also complained of a four-day history of intense headaches and dizziness. CT and MRI of the head showed encephalomalacia involving the left frontal and parietal lobes. Further history from the patient revealed that the patient had been picking at her forehead with a sewing needle and later with a long knitting needle.Conclusions:PSP is a prevalent disorder, which can have potentially serious health consequences. Besides potential disfigurement and scarring, PSP can have significant morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment by clinicians are essential to prevent potentially fatal consequences.