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Case Reports
. 2022 Mar;26(3):387-389.
doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10071-24137.

Tropical Fever: Unveiling an Asymptomatic Case of Polycythemia Vera

B Kishansing Naik  1 , Sulakshana Sulakshana  2 , Justin Aryabhat Gopaldas  3 , Sai Devvrat  4
Affiliations
Case Reports

Tropical Fever: Unveiling an Asymptomatic Case of Polycythemia Vera

B Kishansing Naik et al. Indian J Crit Care Med. 2022 Mar.

Abstract

We report a case of fulminant hepatic failure due to the Budd-Chiari syndrome following preservation with a tropical fever. A young lady came with fever, altered mental status, jaundice, and renal failure. Following tropical workup, it was diagnosed as a case of leptospirosis (WHO Faine's criteria) with multi-organ dysfunction. Despite adequate antimicrobial cover, she progressed to hepatic coma (hyperammonemia) and was noted to have worsening conjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Following history review and evaluation for other causes of hepatic failure, hepatic vein thrombosis was detected in addition to the presence of antibodies against Leptospira antigen. Further studies into the causes of thrombosis and persistent hemoconcentration despite aggressive fluid resuscitation led to the diagnosis of polycythemia vera (cytometric analysis). During her stay, she further worsened despite aggressive organ support including dialysis but she succumbed to gram-negative sepsis that occurred during her stay in ICU. This is an interesting and rare case of leptospirosis that unveiled a case of previously asymptomatic polycythemia vera.

How to cite this article: Naik BK, Sulakshana S, Gopaldas JA, Devvrat S. Tropical Fever: Unveiling an Asymptomatic Case of Polycythemia Vera. Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(3):387-389.

Keywords: Budd–Chiari syndrome; Fulminant hepatic failure; Leptospirosis; Polycythemia vera; SPiRO.

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Conflict of interest statement

Source of support: Nil Conflict of interest: None

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