Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is seldom associated with Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) or thiamine deficiency. While thiamine deficiency and repletion are often considered prior to dextrose infusions in patients with chronic alcohol abuse to prevent WE, they are often overlooked in non-alcoholic patients who are also at risk for malnutrition. In this paper we describe a case of a non-alcoholic 28-year-old female status post-sleeve gastrectomy who developed SNHL in the setting of thiamine deficiency and WE, with ongoing hearing impairment requiring hearing aids despite thiamine repletion.

Aspergillus is a fungal genus found worldwide, which causes infection most commonly in the respiratory system and in other systems, including the central nervous system. Fungal species, such as Aspergillus fumigatus or flavus, are more common in immunocompromised patient populations, such as those taking immunosuppressants post-transplantation, those on long-term corticosteroids, or those with immunodeficiencies such as AIDS. In this paper, we describe a rare case of aspergillosis that occurred due to a history of taking corticosteroids to treat arthritis pain in a patient with type 2 diabetes. Given the rise in antifungal-resistant species and environmental changes, it is noteworthy for further research to be conducted on new treatment plans and the management of such fungal infections to prepare against opportunistic infections caused by Aspergillus in the future.

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