Journal/Magazine Articles
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This collection contains original research articles, review articles and case reports published in local and international peer reviewed journals by the staff members of the Faculty of Medicine
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Item Tuberculous monoarthritis of the wrist in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report(Biomed Central, 2017) Luke, W.A.N.V.; Gunathilake, M.P.M.L.; Munidasa, D.; de Silva, S.T.BACKGROUND: Unusual forms of tuberculosis are common among immune-suppressed patients, leading to challenges in diagnosis and management. We present a Sri Lankan patient with systemic lupus erythematosis, investigated for chronic wrist pain with low inflammatory markers and without systemic symptoms, who was subsequently diagnosed to have tuberculosis of the joint. CASE PRESENTATION: A 31-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosis in remission was evaluated for chronic left wrist pain without significant examination findings on presentation. She did not have any constitutional symptoms. Basic investigations did not reveal any significant abnormalities. She was treated with increasing immunosuppression as for lupus related arthritis. Subsequently she developed a wrist effusion with high inflammatory markers, and was treated as septic arthritis. Synovial biopsy features suggested tuberculosis. The patient's symptoms improved with surgical intervention and anti-tuberculosis treatment. CONCLUSION: Tuberculosis should be considered in patients with systemic arthritis with unusual symptoms. Delayed diagnosis along with continuing immunosuppression can lead to extensive tissue damage. Clinically detectable effusions should be analyzed along with synovial biopsy in order to exclude concurrent infections. Radiography of the joint has poor sensitivity to detect early joint damage, but changes may be evident early on magnetic resonance imaging, sothis should be considered in patients with unusual features.Item Extended spectrum beta lactamase producing organisms causing urinary tract infections in Sri Lanka and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern -A hospital based cross sectional study(BioMed Central, 2017) Fernando, , M.M.P.S.C.; Luke, W.A.N.V.; Miththinda, J.K.N.D.; Wickramasinghe, R.D.S.S.; Sebastiampillai, B.S.; Gunathilake, M.P.M.L.; Silva, F.H.; Premaratna, R.BACKGROUND: Extended Spectrum Beta- Lactamase producing organisms causing urinary tract infections (ESBL-UTI) are increasing in incidence and pose a major burden to health care. While ESBL producing Klebsiella species seem to account for most nosocomial outbreaks, ESBL-producing E. coli have been isolated from both hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients. Although 95-100% ESBL organisms are still considered sensitive to meropenem, rapid emergence of carbapenem resistance has been documented in many countries. The objective of this study was to evaluate urinary tract infections caused by ESBL producers and the antibiotic susceptibility patterns in Sri Lanka. METHODS: Patients with confirmed ESBL-UTI admitted to Professorial Medical Unit, Colombo North Teaching Hospital from January - June 2015 were recruited to the study. Their urine culture and antibiotic susceptibility reports were evaluated after obtaining informed written consent. RESULTS: Of 61 culture positive ESBL-UTIs, E. coli caused 53 (86.8%), followed by Klebsiella in 8 (13.1%).30 (49.1%) had a history of hospitalization within the past three months and included 6/8(75%) of Klebsiella UTI and 24/53(45.2%) of E.coli UTI. Antibiotic susceptibility of ESBL organisms were; Meropenem 58 (95%), Imipenem 45 (73.7%), Amikacin 37 (60.6%) and Nitrofurantoin 28(45.9%). In 3(4.9%), E.coli were resistant to Meropenem. These three patients had received multiple antibiotics including meropenem in the recent past for recurrent UTI. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a higher percentage of E. coli over Klebsiella as ESBL producing organisms suggesting most ESBL-UTIs to be community acquired, Carbapenems seem to remain as the first line therapy for majority of ESBL-UTIs in the local setting. However 4.9% prevalence of meropenem resistance is alarming compared to other countries. Although prior antibiotic utilization and hospitalization may contribute to emergence of ESBL producing Klebsiella and E.coli in Sri Lanka, high prevalence of community acquired ESBL-E. coli needs further investigations to identify potential causes . Being a third world country with a free health care system, observed alarming rate of carbapenem resistance is likely to add a significant burden to health budget. We feel that treatment of infections in general needs a careful approach adhering to recommended antibiotic guidelines in order to prevent emergence of multi drug resistant organisms.Item Thyrotoxic crisis presenting with jaundice(Biomed Central, 2016) Wickramasinghe, R.D.S.S.; Luke, W.A.N.V.; Sebastiampillai, B.S.; Gunathilake, M.P.M.L.; Premaratna, R.BACKGROUND: Thyrotoxic crisis is a medical emergency requiring early diagnosis and urgent management, which can be challenging due to its diverse clinical presentations. While common presentations include fever, sweating, palpitations, tremors and confusion, presence of jaundice is rare. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 35-year-old male who presented with jaundice due to cholestasis along with other features of thyrotoxic crisis due to Graves' disease. He had a good clinical recovery with resolution of cholestasis following treatment for thyrotoxic crisis. CONCLUSION: Jaundice can be a rare manifestation of thyrotoxic crisis, and should be considered in the differential diagnosis when other clinical features of thyrotoxic crisis are present. However secondary causes of jaundice should be looked into and excluded.