Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome presenting with spontaneous hypoglycemia in a chronic hemodialysis patient: pathophysiological mechanisms

Intern Med. 2003 May;42(5):421-3. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.42.421.

Abstract

Hypoglycemia is fatal if associated with sepsis in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. We report a hemodialysis patient of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome presenting with hypoglycemia. She was found to be severely hypoglycemic with a plasma glucose level of 16 mg/dl. Immunoreactive insulin levels were undetectable throughout the clinical course. Several factors including reduced renal gluconeogenesis, reduced hepatic glucose output and excessive peripheral glucose utilization may account for the hypoglycemia in this patient. In conclusion, we would like to draw attention to the fact that septic ESRD patients without diabetes are prone to develop profound hypoglycemia with serious consequences.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Glucose / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemia / etiology
  • Hypoglycemia / metabolism*
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / complications
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / metabolism*
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / therapy
  • Renal Dialysis
  • Shock, Septic / metabolism*
  • Shock, Septic / microbiology
  • Streptococcal Infections / complications*

Substances

  • Glucose