Effect of intravenous fluid therapy for acute alcohol intoxication on length of time from arrival at the emergency department until awakening: A prospective observational cohort study.

Aim: To evaluate the association of intravenous fluid (IVF) therapy on the length of time from arrival at the emergency department (ED) until awakening in cases of acute alcohol intoxication. Methods: This single-center, prospective, observational study was conducted in the ED of the Self-Defense Forces Central Hospital during October 1, 2018 to July 31, 2019. Patients with 1,000 mL bolus of lactated Ringer's solution and those without bolus were compared. The primary outcome was the length of time until awakening. Secondary outcomes were the length of stay in the ED and occurrence of conditions requiring extra care. Predictors of the occurrence of any event requiring extra care were identified. Results: We included 201 patients, of whom 109 received IVF and 92 did not. No significant difference existed in the baseline characteristics between the groups. The median length of time until awakening did not significantly differ between the groups (P = 0.77). Multivariable regression analysis adjusted by age, sex, hemoglobin, blood alcohol concentration, and initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score demonstrated that the regression coefficient of IVF for length of time until awakening was -9.55 (95% confidence interval [CI], -36.2 to 17.2). Hemoglobin (regression coefficient, 10.1; 95% CI, 0.38-19.9) and initial GCS score (regression coefficient, -7.51; 95% CI, -10.8 to -4.21) were significantly associated with length of time. Conclusion: IVF therapy was not associated with the length of time until awakening in patients with acute alcohol intoxication in the ED. Routine IVF administration was unnecessary.

Snakebite and local envenomation by Boiruna maculata treated without antivenom.

BACKGROUND: When snake breeders are bitten by rare snakes, deciding whether to administer snake antivenom can be challenging. CASE PRESENTATION: A 50-year-old man was bitten on the right finger by Boiruna maculata. The next day, his right upper limb exhibited pronounced local manifestations of envenomation. At the first consultation, a dark purple bleeding spot and a necrotic site were present under the fang marks at the bitten finger and his affected limb showed extensive swelling and redness. Snake antivenom was not administered because it was difficult to identify the snake and obtain the antivenom. We performed the pressure immobilization technique to his limb. The patient's symptoms peaked in severity on the second day of illness. He was discharged with marked improvement. CONCLUSIONS: We have experienced a case of snakebite envenomation by Boiruna maculata.

Fulminant pseudomembranous enterocolitis caused by Klebsiella oxytoca: an autopsy case report.

CASE: We describe a rare case of antibiotic-associated fulminant pseudomembranous enterocolitis caused by Klebsiella oxytoca. A 79-year-old man with a history of antibiotic therapy was admitted to our emergency department, complaining of consciousness disturbance. Initially, we suspected septic shock and diabetic ketoacidosis caused by intestinal infection. Although we administered sufficient extracellular fluid, his blood pressure was not elevated and his abdomen gradually swelled. OUTCOME: The patient died of shock and abdominal compartment syndrome. Autopsy revealed widespread jejunal necrosis in conjunction with colitis, suggesting fulminant pseudomembranous enterocolitis caused by K. oxytoca infection. CONCLUSION: As the clinical features of pseudomembranous enterocolitis caused by K. oxytoca resemble the features of colitis caused by Clostridium difficile, conservative therapy is applied first. However, fulminant pseudomembranous enterocolitis is a lethal disease, necessitating early operation for resection of the necrotic lesion. This report highlights the need for better surgical criteria at an early stage.