Odoribacter splanchnicus bacteremia secondary to acute appendicitis: a case report with review of literature.

This report describes a rare instance of Odoribacter splanchnicus bacteremia secondary to acute appendicitis in a young man. Initially presenting with symptoms typical of appendicitis, he was diagnosed through clinical examination, laboratory tests, and computed tomography imaging, which confirmed an inflamed appendix with sealed perforation and abscess. O. splanchnicus, a Gram-negative anaerobe commonly found in the human gut, was identified as the causative agent through blood culture. The patient underwent successful laparoscopic appendectomy and was treated with intravenous amoxicillin-clavulanate, leading to a full recovery. This case highlights the potential of O. splanchnicus to act as an opportunistic pathogen in the context of intra-abdominal inflammation. It underscores the diagnostic challenges posed by O. splanchnicus, and the efficacy of advanced diagnostic tools like matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry in identifying such rare infections.

Hepatic micro-abscesses as an unusual initial presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus: A case report.

Key Clinical Message: Hepatic micro-abscesses can be a rare initial presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This case highlights the importance of considering autoimmune etiologies when infectious causes are ruled out and emphasizes the need for early recognition and appropriate treatment of atypical hepatic manifestations in SLE to achieve favorable outcomes. Abstract: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that affects multiple organs, including the liver. While hepatic involvement in SLE is typically subclinical or associated with mild liver enzyme elevations, rare manifestations such as hepatic micro-abscesses and hepatic vasculitis have been reported. We report the case of a 27-year-old female who presented with persistent high-grade fever, bilateral exudative lymphocytic pleural effusion, hepatic micro-abscesses, anemia, and lymphopenia. Despite extensive investigations and antibiotic therapy, the patient's condition continued to worsen. The diagnosis of hepatic vasculitis, a rare manifestation of SLE, was ultimately made based on clinical suspicion, positive autoimmune markers, and negative septic workup. The patient responded well to high-dose corticosteroid therapy and intravenous immunoglobulin, with resolution of liver lesions and clinical improvement. Hepatic involvement in SLE is diverse, and atypical presentations can pose diagnostic challenges. Hepatic vasculitis, although rare, should be considered in SLE patients presenting with liver lesions. The management involves immunosuppressive therapy, and prompt diagnosis is crucial to prevent further vascular damage. Hepatic micro-abscesses, another rare manifestation of SLE, are thought to result from immune complex deposition. The exact pathogenesis remains unclear. Hepatic micro-abscesses can have both infectious and non-infectious causes, and it is very important to rule out common microbial pathogens. Treatment focuses on managing the underlying SLE activity with immunosuppressive agents. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges and management considerations in atypical hepatic manifestations of SLE. Awareness of rare presentations and collaboration among multiple specialties are essential for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Endogenous Purulent Pericarditis Due to Klebsiella aerogenes in a Patient With Traumatic Chest Injury: A Case Report.

Purulent pericarditis is a rare but serious medical condition caused by an infection that spreads to the pericardial space surrounding the heart. Gram-positive organisms are the most common pathogens associated with purulent pericarditis. However, there has been a shift in recent years toward gram-negative bacteria. Klebsiella aerogenes is a rare pathogen that has never been linked to purulent pericarditis. In this report, we describe the case of a 40-year-old male patient with chronic bronchiectasis who, two months after suffering an injury, developed purulent pericarditis due to an uncommon organism, K. aerogenes. During his stay in the hospital, the patient developed several infections caused by K. aerogenes. These included bacteremia and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Beta-lactamase-inducible K. aerogenes was grown in pericardial fluid culture following an emergency pericardiocentesis. The organism was resistant to carbapenems in a sputum culture, even though it was sensitive to meropenem in a blood culture. The patient had hypotension, requiring inotropes, and continued persistent bacteremia due to K. aerogenes. The patient had a heart attack with no pulse or electrical activity and died despite getting the best care possible. In light of this example, it is crucial to think about K. aerogenes and other rare organisms as possible pathogens in purulent pericarditis, especially in people who do not normally have known risk factors for this condition. Multidrug resistance patterns can make treatment more complicated, and aggressive care may be necessary in critically ill patients with chronic bacteremia.

Factors associated with immediate postoperative pulmonary complications after Appendectomies under general anesthesia: A retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC) include any complication that affects the respiratory system after anesthesia and surgery and are a significant cause of postoperative mortality and morbidity. OBJECTIVES: To describe the risk factors for immediate postoperative pulmonary complications after appendectomy under general anesthesia and to determine if rapid sequence induction decreases the risk. DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective analysis of perioperative medical records of patients who underwent appendectomy under general anesthesia over a year, from January 1st, 2014, to December 31st, 2014, at Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar, was done. RESULTS: Of the 1005 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 27 (3.7%) had PPC. The incidence of PPC had a significant positive association with diabetes mellitus (DM), bronchial asthma (BA), number of intubation attempts, laparoscopic approach, and longer surgeries (>2 h). Hypertension, recent or ongoing upper respiratory tract infections, and smoking were not associated with an increased risk of PPC. Non-rapid sequence intubation (RSI) was not associated with an increased risk of PPC compared with RSI. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of immediate PPC in ASA 1 and 2 appendectomy patients aged between 15 and 50 is significant. There is an increased risk among asthmatics, diabetics, and those with difficult airways. The RSI technique does not offer protection.

Endogenous endophthalmitis due to Serratia marcescens secondary to late-onset empyema Post-Cardiac surgery in an End-Stage renal disease patient on peritoneal dialysis.

Endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis results from bacterial seeding of the eye during bacteremia. A diagnosis of endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis requires clinical findings such as vitritis or hypopyon along with positive blood cultures. Serratia marcescens is the second most common pathogen causing hospital-acquired ocular infections. This report describes a case of endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis caused by S. marcescens in an older adult with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on peritoneal dialysis, who had late-onset pleural empyema secondary to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). A 61-year-old gentleman presented with a two-day history of cloudy vision, black floaters, pain, swelling, and gradual vision loss in his right eye. There was no history of trauma, ocular surgeries, or previous similar episodes. He had myocardial infarction treated with CABG 3 months back. Examination showed a 3 mm hypopyon in the anterior chamber. He had classic signs of endophthalmitis with positive blood cultures for S. marcescens. He was treated with high-dose intravenous meropenem and intravitreal ceftazidime without vitrectomy. Endophthalmitis progressed to complete vision loss in his right eye, requiring evisceration. Endophthalmitis caused by S. marcescens is rare, but long-term outcomes can be severe, causing complete vision loss in about 60% of the patients. It is usually hospital-acquired, and the source can be late-onset empyema several months after cardiac surgery, in an immunocompromised patient. Systemic antibiotics should be supplemented with intravitreal agents with or without pars plana vitrectomy.

Disseminated tuberculosis masquerading as Tolosa-Hunt syndrome in initial presentation: A case report with literature review.

Tolosa-Hunt syndrome (THS) is a painful ophthalmoplegia due to non-specific granulomatous inflammation in the cavernous sinus region. It is diagnosed by the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD)-3 criteria. We report the case of a young lady who presented with a right-sided headache for 2 weeks, followed by right-sided diplopia for 4 days. Clinical examination revealed right trochlear nerve palsy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of her brain showed abnormal thickening and postcontrast enhancement of the right orbital apex and superior orbital fissure, suggesting THS. Examination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) ruled out intracranial infection. The initial presentation satisfied the ICHD-3 criteria. Further imaging revealed cervical, axillary, and intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy with granulomatous lesions in the spleen and right kidney. Ultrasound (US)-guided axillary lymph node biopsy was positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. QuantiFERON TB gold plus test from serum was positive. Based on radiological and histopathological findings, a diagnosis of disseminated tuberculosis involving lymph nodes, kidneys, spleen, and lungs was made. THS is a diagnosis of exclusion. This case signifies that patients diagnosed with THS based on ICHD-3 criteria should be extensively evaluated to rule out granulomatous infections such as tuberculosis. Typical THS symptoms with granulomatous inflammation can give false reassurance to clinicians and prevent investigation for more dangerous etiologies. As painful ophthalmoplegia can arise secondary to a myriad of pathologies, diagnostic workups for all possibilities should be exhausted before arriving at a diagnosis of THS. Regardless of MRI findings, workups for tuberculosis and fungal infections should be completed.

Intrauterine infection and postpartum bacteremia due to Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp gallolyticus: An emerging concern.

Streptococcus gallolyticus is a gram-positive coccus belonging to the family Streptococcus bovis/Streptococcus equinus complex (SBSEC). Most cases of SBSEC bacteremia are reported in elderly males with underlying hepatobiliary disease and associated with infective endocarditis (IE) or colonic malignancy. The gastrointestinal tract is the most common portal of entry, followed by the urinary tract and hepatobiliary tree. We present 5 cases of intrapartum bacteremia caused by S. gallolyticus subsp gallolyticus reported from the labor unit of our hospital from 2019 to 2021. There was histopathological or microbiological evidence of chorioamnionitis in each case. All the mothers were below the age of 35 years, and none of them had underlying hepatobiliary or colonic disease. All maternal antenatal screenings for group B streptococci (GBS) were negative. All the isolates were susceptible to penicillins, ceftriaxone, carbapenems, and vancomycin. Three of them were treated with ceftriaxone and two with aminopenicillins. Duration of treatment varied from 8 days to 14 days. None of the babies were low birth weight or pre-term. All but one baby had clinical sepsis requiring neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay, with one having evidence of meningitis and three respiratory distress syndromes (RDS). None of the babies had S. gallolyticus bacteremia. All mothers and babies made a complete recovery without any complications. These cases suggest that S. gallolyticus subsp gallolyticus can be a rare but emerging cause of intrauterine infection complicated by post-partum bacteremia. There is possibility of colonization of maternal genital tract with S. gallolyticus causing neonatal infection.

Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Associated Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Qatar: A Retrospective Study.

Background Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a rapidly emerging nosocomial pathogen with intrinsic or acquired resistance mechanisms to several antibiotic classes. It can cause life-threatening opportunistic pneumonia, particularly among hospitalized patients. Incidence of infections by S. maltophilia has been reported as 0.07-0.4% of hospital discharges, but its mortality is 20 -60%. This is the first study from Qatar indexing the clinical and epidemiological characteristics and antibiotic susceptibility of S. maltophilia. Materials and methods This retrospective descriptive epidemiological study was conducted in 6 tertiary care hospitals under Hamad Medical Corporation in Doha, Qatar, analyzing inpatient respiratory isolates of S. maltophilia during 2016-17. Out-patients, children below 14 years, and non-respiratory samples except blood cultures in patients with pneumonia were excluded. Clinical records were reviewed to identify possible risk factors. Infection and colonization were identified using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) algorithm for clinically defined pneumonia and statistically analyzed using the chi-square test and Pearson's correlation. Results S. maltophilia was isolated from 2.07% (317/15312) of all respiratory samples received in the microbiology lab during our study period. Three hundred seventeen patients studied had a mean age of 60 ± 20 years, and 68% were men. Most of the isolates were from sputum (179), followed by tracheal aspirate (82) and bronchoscopy (42). Fourteen blood culture samples from patients diagnosed with pneumonia were also included. 67% were hospitalized for more than two weeks, 39.1% were on mechanical ventilators, and 88% had received a broad-spectrum antibiotic before the event. 29.1% were deemed to have an infection and 70.9% colonization. Incidence of infection in those with Charlson's Co-morbidity Index (CCI) ≥ 3 was 36.5% compared to 24.2% in those with CCI < 3 (Relative Risk (RR)=1.52; 95% CI: 1.04,2.18; p=0.01). Patients with recent chemotherapy, immunosuppressant, or steroid use had a significantly higher infection risk than those without (69.2% v/s 23.3% RR=2.96; 95% CI:2.2,3.9; p<0.005). The most common symptoms in patients with infection were fever (96%) and expectoration (61.9%). The most common radiological finding was lobar consolidation (71.6%). Mean CRP and procalcitonin were 106.5±15.5 mg/l and 12.3 ± 14 ng/ml. Overall mortality was 16.3%. Patients on mechanical ventilator with IBMP-10 score ≥ 2 had 22.8% mortality compared to 5.7% in those with score < 2 (RR=3.9;95%CI:0.9,16.6; p<0.015). As per The US Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CSLI) breakpoint values, Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) showed the highest sensitivity (97.8%), followed by levofloxacin (71.6%). 0.3% of samples were pan-drug resistant. Conclusions S. maltophilia is a frequent nosocomial colonizer, but it can cause nosocomial pneumonia in almost one-third of cases, specifically in immunocompromised and patients with CCI ≥ 3 with a high risk of mortality due to ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in those with IBMP-10 ≥ 2. Prolonged hospital stay is a risk factor for colonization by S. maltophilia, while recent chemotherapy, immunosuppressant, or steroid use are risk factors for hospital-acquired pneumonia due to S. maltophilia. TMP-SMX and levofloxacin are the only reliable agents for monotherapy of respiratory infections due to S. maltophilia in Qatar.

Myasthenia Gravis and Myeloproliferative Neoplasms - Mere Association or Paraneoplastic Neurologic Syndrome: A Mini-Review.

Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is a rare neurological condition characterized by muscle weakness that worsens after use. Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs) are disorders due to stem-cell hyperplasia characterized by an increased peripheral blood cell count, overactive bone marrow, and proliferation of mature hematopoietic cells. MPNs may be Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome-positive or Negative .A systematic review of case reports was conducted by searching PubMed, Scopus, and Google scholar to identify case reports in which there is an association between MG and MPN and know whether MG can be considered a possible neurological paraneoplastic syndrome in patients with MPNs. A total of 13 cases of MPNs associated with MG were identified. The most common type of MPN associated with MG was chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) (10 out of 13 patients).  In most of the patients, MG symptoms appeared after a diagnosis of MPN was made. Considering that 10 out of the 13 patients in our cohort had positive auto-antibodies though only 4 of them had thymic hyperplasia, we hypothesize that bone marrow proliferation was responsible for the production of autoantibodies in these patients.As the clonal cell population cannot be eliminated entirely in the bone marrow even after treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in Ph +ve MPNs and JAK2 inhibitors in Ph -ve MPNS, MG can occur even in patients who are treated with these agents. A high index of suspicion is needed to diagnose it early, and treatment should be initiated immediately with steroids and anticholinergic agents.

Time for change in practice of in-patient oxygen therapy: a period-limited, multidimensional approach to improve oxygen prescription compliance: quality improvement project at Hamad General Hospital, Qatar.

Prescription of oxygen therapy has traditionally poor compliance across the globe and mostly given to patients on verbal orders leading to under or overuse. The British Thoracic Society (BTS) guidelines (2017) recommend that oxygen therapy must be prescribed. Our study aimed to assess the prescription practice of oxygen therapy for patients admitted to acute medical assessment unit and general medical wards at Hamad General Hospital, Qatar and to achieve 80% compliance of valid oxygen therapy prescription implementing the quality improvement model against the BTS guidelines.The prescription practice of oxygen therapy was audited between April 2019 and August 2019. Using a Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) model of improvement and multiple interventions was performed in the eight PDSA cycles, including (1) educational sessions for residents/fellows/nurses, (2) introduction of electronic prescription, (3) emails, posters/flyers, (4) nurse-led reminders and (5) re-enforced teaching for new residents. Data were then collected using a questionnaire assessing electronic prescriptions and documentation. Our baseline study regarding oxygen therapy showed limited awareness of BTS guidelines regarding the documentation of initiation and further adjustment of oxygen therapy. There was a lack of compliance with oxygen prescription; none of the patients had a valid prescription on our computer-based prescription (Cerner). The duration, target range and indications of Oxygen therapy were documented in 25% (18/72), 45.8% (33/72) and 42% (30/72) patients, respectively. Oxygen was initiated by communication order only. In a total of 16 weeks period, the repeated PDSA cycles showed significant improvement in safe oxygen prescription practices. Following intervention, oxygen electronic prescription, documentation of indications for oxygen therapy, target oxygen saturation and wean-off plan improved to 93%, 85%, 86 % and 80 %, respectively.We concluded that poor compliance to oxygen therapy Orders is a universal issue, which can be successfully managed using small-scale PDSA cycles to ensure sustained improvement through multidimensional interventions, continuous reinforcement and frequent reassessments.

Increased Fracture Risk After Bariatric Surgery: a Case-Controlled Study with a Long-Term Follow-Up.

PURPOSE: Bariatric surgeries are common procedures due to the high prevalence of obesity. This study aimed to investigate whether bariatric surgery increases fracture risk. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It was a case-controlled study. Patients who underwent bariatric surgery during 2011 and 2012 were matched for age (± 5 years) and gender to patients on medical weight management during the same period with a ratio of 1:2. The index date was defined as the date of bariatric surgery for both groups. The subject's electronic medical records were reviewed retrospectively to identify fractures documented by radiology during January 2020. RESULTS: Randomly selected 403 cases were matched to 806 controls with a median age of 36.0 years (IQR 14.0) and 37.0 years (IQR 14.0), respectively. Seventy per cent of the cohort were females. Eighty per cent received sleeve gastrectomy, and the remaining (17%) underwent gastric bypass. The mean duration of follow-up was 8.6 years. The fracture rate was higher in the surgical group as compared to the controls (9.4% vs 3.5%) with a crude odds ratio of 2.71 (95% CI 1.69-4.36). The median duration for time to fracture was 4.17 years for the surgical group and 6.09 years for controls (p-value = 0.097). The most common site of fractures was feet, followed by hands. Apart from a few wrist fractures, there was no typical osteoporotic sites fracture. CONCLUSION: Subjects who underwent bariatric procedures had more non-typical osteoporotic site fractures affecting mainly feet and hands, and fractures tend to occur earlier as compared to controls.

Isolated facial diplegia: A rare presentation of Guillain-Barre syndrome.

The paper presents a case of bilateral facial nerve palsy and its unique presentation. It discusses the etiologies of bilateral facial nerve palsy. We aim to provide awareness to its presentation, diagnosis, and management.

Case Report: Prolonged Viral Shedding in Six COVID-19 Patients.

COVID-19 has surfaced as a multi-organ disease predominantly affecting the respiratory system. Detection of the viral RNA through reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) from a nasopharyngeal or throat sample is the preferred method of diagnosis. Recent evidence has suggested that COVID-19 patients can shed the SARS-CoV-2 for several weeks. Herein, we report six cases of COVID-19 who had persistently positive SARS-CoV-2 on repeat RT-PCR testing reaching up to 9 weeks. The spectrum of cases described ranges from asymptomatic infection to severe COVID-19 pneumonia. A full understanding of the virus's transmission dynamics needs further research. Prolonged viral shedding currently has unclear implications on the management and isolation decisions-the role of the cycle threshold (Ct) value in guiding therapeutic decisions is yet to be clarified. More data on the relationship between Ct values and viral cultivation are needed, especially in patients with prolonged viral shedding, to understand the virus's viability and infectivity.

Association of polycythemia vera with positive JAK2V617F mutation and myasthenia gravis: A report of two cases.

Screening for MG in patients with PV positive for JAK2V617F mutation can help in early diagnosis and treatment, resulting in a significant reduction in morbidity and mortality.

Thyrotoxicosis Presenting With Acute Cholecystitis: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Hyperthyroidism primarily presents with the symptoms and signs of thyrotoxicosis. However, many cases might present with a precipitating factor that unmasks the hyperthyroid status of the patients. These factors are associated with a stress condition, with infections being the most common factors, diabetic ketoacidosis, acute coronary syndrome, and pulmonary embolism. We present a case of hyperthyroidism masqueraded as acalculous cholecystitis.

Primary Hypoparathyroidism Mimicking Ankylosing Spondylitis in a Young Man with Fahr's Syndrome: A Case Report.

Patients with chronic idiopathic hypoparathyroidism may develop neurological complications, including calcification of the basal ganglia and other areas of the brain. In Fahr's syndrome, intracranial calcification is associated with an underlying disorder such as hypo or hyperparathyroidism. We report the case of a 37-year-old gentleman, with a history of bilateral cataract surgery and seizures, who presented with a new episode of seizure and was found to have severe hypocalcemia and bilateral symmetric intracranial calcification due to previously diagnosed primary hypoparathyroidism. He had symptoms and signs mimicking ankylosing spondylitis (AS), but with negative radiological and serological findings, not fitting into the diagnosis of axial spondyloarthropathies (SpA), as per standard criteria. Patients with long-standing idiopathic hypoparathyroidism can have severe calcification of soft tissues and bones, including vertebrae and paravertebral soft tissues, causing inflammatory back pain and stiffness. It is vital to report such cases as their occurrence is rare, and physicians should be aware of the possibility while evaluating patients with inflammatory back pain. Treatment in these cases is directed towards hypocalcemia and underlying primary pathology rather than spondyloarthropathy.

Prevalence, clinical manifestations, and biochemical data of type 2 diabetes mellitus versus nondiabetic symptomatic patients with COVID-19: A comparative study.

BACKGROUND: There is a scarcity of data regarding the effect of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and associated comorbidities on the clinical presentation and outcome of symptomatic patients with -COVID-19 infection in comparison with non-diabetic patients. AIM OF THE STUDY: We described and compared the clinical presentation and radiological and hematological data of a cohort of symptomatic COVID19 positive T2DM diabetic patients (n = 59) versus another cohort of non-diabetic symptomatic COVID19 positive patients (n =244) diagnosed at the same time from January 2020 to May 2020. Associated comorbidities were -assessed, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index was calculated. The outcomes including duration of hospitalization, duration of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, and duration of O2 -supplementation were assessed. RESULTS: Prevalence of T2DM in symptomatic COVID19 positive patients was 59/303 (=19.5%).  Diabetic patients had higher prevalence of hypertension, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiac dysfunction [coronary heart disease (CHD)], and congestive heart failure (CHF). Charlson Comorbidity score was significantly higher in the T2DM patients (2.4± 1.6) versus the non-diabetic -patients (0.28 ± 0.8; p: < 0.001). Clinically and radiologically, T2DM patients had significantly higher percentage of pneumonia, severe pneumonia and ARDS versus the non-diabetic patients. Hematologically, diabetic patients had significantly higher C-reactive protein (CRP), higher absolute neutrophilic count (ANC) and lower counts of lymphocytes and eosinophils compared to non-diabetic patients. They had significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures, longer duration of hospitalization, ICU stay, mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy. CRP was correlated significantly with the duration of stay in the ICU and the duration for oxygen supplementation (r = 0.37 and 0.42 respectively; p: <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: T2DM patients showed higher inflammatory response to COVID 19 with higher absolute neutrophilic count (ANC) and CRP with lower lymphocytic and eosinophilic counts. Diabetic patients had more comorbidities and more aggressive course of the disease with higher rate of ICU admission and longer need for hospitalization and oxygen use.

Epidemiological characteristics of de novo hepatitis B infection in liver transplant recipients-An experience from a tertiary care centre in Qatar.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of hepatitis B surface antigen in a patient with previously negative hepatitis B virus (HBV) serology post-orthotropic liver transplant (OTLX) is known as de novo hepatitis B (DNHB). As there are no data on patients with DNHB available from Qatar, we aim to do a pioneer study indexing their clinical profile and epidemiology of patients with DNHB in Qatar. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive epidemiological study was done by retrospectively reviewing records of 159 post-OTLX patients. HBV serology of these patients post-OTLX was reviewed, and 17 were identified as DNHB cases. Baseline epidemiological characteristics were defined and compared between DNHB cases and the rest. DNHB cases were analyzed statistically using the chi-square test and Kaplan-Meier curve. RESULTS: The majority of the subjects were men (65%) and Qataris (40%). Mean age was 57.4 ± 12.5 years. Bulk of them underwent OTLX in China (44%). The overall incidence of DNHB was 10.7%, with transplants in China having significantly higher incidence than transplants from all other countries. The mortality rate was 23.5% in DNHB cases compared to 2.8% in non-DNHB. 67% of patients survived at least 64 months after the diagnosis of DNHB. Five-year survival did not vary significantly between those with DNHB and those without. CONCLUSION: Orthotropic liver transplant in centers selecting donors liberally without screening for HBV poses the risk of DNHB. We recommend having protective levels of HBs antibodies before OTLX. Prophylactic antiviral treatment should be considered until peri-operative HBV transmission has been excluded by screening hepatic tissue for HBV DNA.

A Case of Acquired von Willebrand Disease Secondary to Myeloproliferative Neoplasm.

Acquired von Willebrand Disease (AVWD) is a rare disorder in which qualitative or quantitative defects in von Willebrand factor (VWF) occur secondary to other conditions. AVWD occurs in patients with myeloproliferative disorders due to formation of autoantibodies against VWF and development of excessive shear stress causing disruption of VWF multimers. AVWD is different from congenital VWD in its acute onset and absence of family history. We report a 42-year-old gentleman with essential thrombocythemia, who was on cytoreductive therapy with hydroxyurea, and presented with an acute history of gum bleeding with hemoptysis, without any antecedent trauma or infections. His platelet count was very high, and prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were prolonged. The VWF ristocetin cofactor assay (VWF: RCo) was low, but VWF antigen level (VWF: Ag) was normal. Their ratio (VWF: RCo/VWF: Ag) was much lower than the acceptable lower limit. Treatment in AVWD is focused on addressing the underlying disorder. Early recognition of AVWD and its primary cause is mandatory in providing adequate therapy and achieving a cure.