Multi-organ dysfunction due to bath salts: are we aware of this entity?

Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) is a synthetic, cathinone-derivative, central nervous system stimulant taken to produce a cocaine- or methamphetamine-like high. Physical manifestations include tachycardia, hypertension, arrhythmias, hyperthermia, sweating, rhabdomyolysis, hyperkalaemia, disseminated intravascular coagulation, oliguria and seizures. We report a patient who presented with severe metabolic acidosis, multi-organ dysfunction, rhabdomyolysis, hyperkalaemia and seizures. This case highlights that even though a urine drug screen for routine psychostimulant drugs is negative, clinicians need to be vigilant about the adverse effects of MDPV as a possible cause of multi-organ dysfunction. Substances such as this can only be detected by special tests, such as gas/liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. This is the first reported case of MDPV toxicity successfully treated in Australia to the best of our knowledge.

Hypercalcaemia preceding diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in renal transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: The overall incidence of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) in solid organ transplant recipients is 5-15%. A timely diagnosis of PJP is difficult and relies on imaging and detection of the organism. METHODS: We present a case series of four patients displaying hypercalcaemia with an eventual diagnosis of PJP and document the management of the outbreak with a multidisciplinary team approach. We discuss the underlying pathophysiology and previous reports of hypercalcaemia preceding a diagnosis of PJP. We also reviewed the evidence concerning PJP diagnosis and treatment. RESULTS: Within our renal transplant cohort, four patients presented within 7 months with hypercalcaemia followed by an eventual diagnosis of PJP. We measured their corrected calcium, parathyroid hormone (PTH), 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1,25-(OH)2D3] and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25(OH)D] levels at admission and following treatment of PJP. All four patients diagnosed with PJP were 4-20 years post-transplantation. Three of the four patients demonstrated PTH-independent hypercalcaemia (corrected calcium >3.0 mmol/L). The presence of high 1,25(OH)2D3 and low 25(OH)D levels suggest negation of the negative feedback mechanism possibly due to an extrarenal source; in this case, the alveolar macrophages. All four patients had resolution of their hypercalcaemia after treatment of PJP. CONCLUSIONS: Given the outbreak of PJP in our renal transplant cohort, and based on previous experience from other units nationally, we implemented cohort-wide prophylaxis with trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole for 12 months in consultation with our local infectious diseases unit. Within this period there have been no further local cases of PJP.