Indian journal of medical sciences
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Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome (AHS) developing to lamotrigine, a non-aromatic anticonvulsant, has rarely been reported. We present a two-year-old boy with refractory epilepsy on valproic acid and lamotrigine therapy who developed fever and a maculopapular itchy rash. Blood investigations detected lymphocytosis and thrombocytopenia. ⋯ The diagnosis was confirmed by in vitro lymphocyte toxicity assay, which not only demonstrated increased cell death following exposure to lamotrigine, but also to the three first-line aromatic anticonvulsants: phenytoin, phenobarbital and carbamazepine. The potential of first-line aromatic anticonvulsants to cause AHS should be remembered in a patient who has developed AHS on exposure to lamotrigine. Timely recognition of this rare but potentially fatal drug reaction is important.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A prospective, randomised, double-blind study of comparative efficacy of immediate versus daily cleaning of stethoscope using 66% ethyl alcohol.
Studies have demonstrated frequent contamination of stethoscope and usefulness of different disinfectants. Albeit, studies on the precise mode of cleaning and frequency of cleaning are lacking. This study was carried out to determine efficacy of 66% ethyl alcohol as disinfectant, rate of recontamination without cleaning and benefits of daily versus immediate cleaning. ⋯ 66% ethyl alcohol is an effective disinfectant. The effects of immediate cleaning and cleaning once a day on residual flora on the diaphragm of stethoscope is comparable.