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Phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of Candida albicans isolates from bloodstream and mucosal infections. Mandelblat Marina,Frenkel Michael,Abbey Darren,Ben Ami Ronen,Berman Judith,Segal Esther Mycoses The interaction of Candida albicans with the host is of a complex nature involving fungal factors and host's response. In this study, we concentrated on the phenotypic expression of virulence attributes and genotypic characteristics of C. albicans isolates from two distinct clinical entities of candidiasis-blood stream and vaginal infections, and the possible role of these factors. Hence, we conducted a comparative in vitro assessment of virulence characteristics, including adhesion to epithelial cells and HaCat cell line, biofilm formation, aspartic proteinases and phospholipase activity of 20 C. albicans isolates from patients with C. albicans bloodstream infection and 22 isolates from patients with C. albicans vaginitis. Further, we studied the epigenetic phenotypic switching of the strains and their ploidy, by flow cytometry and CHEF techniques. These studies indicated that although no overall differentiation between the isolates of the two groups (bloodstream infection and vaginitis) could be demonstrated, several characteristics were more specific to one of the groups than the other. While the strains from vaginal infection had higher capacity to adhere, the strains from patients with bloodstream infection had higher activity of phospholipase. Differences were also noted in phenotypic switching, with the strains from bloodstream infection revealing primarily the "white" type colonies, known to be more virulent, and had higher DNA content. This study is unique considering the concurrent comparison of isolates from different clinical entities, at the phenotypic and genotypic level. 10.1111/myc.12623
Increased presepsin levels are associated with the severity of fungal bloodstream infections. Bamba Yuuki,Moro Hiroshi,Aoki Nobumasa,Koizumi Takeshi,Ohshima Yasuyoshi,Watanabe Satoshi,Sakagami Takuro,Koya Toshiyuki,Takada Toshinori,Kikuchi Toshiaki PloS one BACKGROUND:Presepsin is a widely recognized biomarker for sepsis. However, little is known about the usefulness of presepsin in invasive fungal infection. The aim of this study was to determine the plasma levels of presepsin in fungal bloodstream infections and to investigate whether it reflects the disease severity, similar to its utility in bacterial infections. METHODS:We prospectively measured presepsin in plasma samples from participants with fungemia from April 2016 to December 2017. The associations of C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and presepsin concentrations with the severity of fungemia were statistically analyzed. In vitro assay was performed by incubating Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, and lipopolysaccharide to whole blood cells collected from healthy subjects; after 3 h, the presepsin concentration was measured in the supernatant and was compared among the bacteria, fungi, and LPS groups. RESULTS:Presepsin was increased in 11 patients with fungal bloodstream infections. Serial measurement of presepsin levels demonstrated a prompt decrease in 7 patients in whom treatment was effective, but no decrease or further increase in the patients with poor improvement. Additionally, presepsin concentrations were significantly correlated with the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (r = 0.89, p < 0.001). In vitro assay with co-incubation of C. albicans and human whole blood cells indicated that the viable cells of C. albicans caused an increase in presepsin, as seen with E. coli. CONCLUSIONS:Plasma presepsin levels increased in patients with fungal bloodstream infection, with positive association with the disease severity. Presepsin could be a useful biomarker of sepsis secondary to fungal infections. 10.1371/journal.pone.0206089
Expression and Significance of Th17 and Treg Cells in Pulmonary Infections with Gram-Negative Bacteria. Liu Ying,Sun Jia-Kui,Qi Xiang,Chen Yong-Ming,Li Jing,Chen Shang-Yu,Liu Han Immunological investigations The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and significance of T helper type 17 (Th17) and regulatory T (Treg) cells in severe pulmonary infection with gram-negative bacteria (GNB). The peripheral venous blood (PVB) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected from patients receiving mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU) owing to: (1) pulmonary GNB infection (group I) and (2) nonpulmonary infection (group NI). Patients from the two groups were matched based on their Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) scores and were recruited in the same period. The levels of Th17 and Treg cells in the PVB and BALF were measured by flow cytometry. (1) The levels of Th17 and Treg cells in the PVB and BALF of the infection group (I) were significantly higher than those of the noninfection group (NI) (p < 0.01), and the levels decreased significantly after treatment (p < 0.01). (2) The Treg/Th17 cell ratio in the PVB and BALF of group I was significantly lower than those of group NI and after treatment (p < 0.01). (3) The levels of Th17 and Treg cells in the PVB and BALF could not predict the 28-day mortality (p > 0.05). The expression of Th17 and Treg cells was abnormal in patients with severe pulmonary GNB infection. Our data suggest an overactive immune response in the early stages of inflammation, but the levels of Treg and Th17 cells failed to predict the 28-day mortality. 10.1080/08820139.2017.1360338
Eosinopenia as a diagnostic marker of bloodstream infection in a general internal medicine setting: a cohort study. Hirosawa Takanobu,Harada Yukinori,Morinaga Kohei,Takase Hiroshi,Nin Michihiro,Shimizu Taro BMC infectious diseases BACKGROUND:Little is known about the potential use of the eosinophil count as a predictive marker of bloodstream infection. In this study, we aimed to assess the reliability of eosinopenia as a predictive marker of bloodstream infection. METHODS:This retrospective cohort study was performed in the outpatient department and general internal medicine department of a tertiary university hospital in Japan. A total of 189 adult patients with at least 2 sets of blood cultures obtained during the period January 1-December 31, 2018, were included; those with the use of antibiotic therapy within 2 weeks prior to blood culture, steroid therapy, or a history of haematological cancer were excluded. The diagnostic accuracies of each univariate variable and the multivariable logistic regression models were assessed by calculating the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs). The primary outcome was a positive blood culture indicating bloodstream infection. RESULTS:Severe eosinopenia (< 24.4 cells/mm) alone yielded small but statistically significant overall predictive ability (AUROC: 0.648, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.547-0.748, P < 0.05), and only moderate sensitivity (68, 95% CI: 46-85%) and specificity (62, 95% CI: 54-69%). The model comprising baseline variables (age, sex), the C-reactive protein level, and neutrophil count yielded an AUROC of 0.729, and further addition of eosinopenia yielded a slight improvement, with an AUROC of 0.758 (P < 0.05) and a statistically significant net reclassification improvement (NRI) (P = 0.003). However, the integrated discrimination index (IDI) (P = 0.284) remained non-significant. CONCLUSIONS:Severe eosinopenia can be considered an inexpensive marker of bloodstream infection, although of limited diagnostic accuracy, in a general internal medicine setting. 10.1186/s12879-020-4814-5
Catheter Related Escherichia hermannii Sepsis in a Haemodialysis Patient. Rank Cecilie Utke,Lommer Kristensen Peter,Schrøder Hansen Dennis,Brandi Lisbet The open microbiology journal Escherichia hermannii is an extremely rare etiological agent of invasive infection, and thus, the bacterium was initially considered non-pathogenic. However, in five previously reported case reports E. hermannii has been implicated as the sole pathogen. Our case report describes blood stream infection with E. hermannii in a haemodialysis patient with persisting symptoms, high fever and inflammatory markers despite appropriate antibiotic treatment until replacement of the dialysis catheter. We suspect biofilm formation to be a crucial pathogenic feature for E. hermannii in the maintenance of an infection, which stresses the necessity of antibiotic treatment along with catheter replacement in bloodstream- and catheter-related infection with E. hermannii. 10.2174/1874285801610010001
Association of plasma neutrophil elastase levels with other inflammatory mediators and clinical features in adult patients with moderate and severe pneumonia. Matsuse Hiroto,Yanagihara Katsunori,Mukae Hiroshi,Tanaka Kenji,Nakazato Masamitsu,Kohno Shigeru Respiratory medicine BACKGROUND:Plasma levels of neutrophil elastase (NE) are elevated in several inflammatory diseases and thus this enzyme might be a critical inflammatory marker. However, the role of NE in the pathogenesis of pneumonia has not been determined. The association between the severity of pneumonia and blood levels of inflammatory markers could be relevant to developing a useful indicator of severity and new therapeutic strategies for pneumonia. METHODS:We searched for a useful predictive marker and a new therapeutic strategy against pneumonia, using a prospective, multicenter, population-based investigation. Several inflammatory markers in the circulation including NE, cytokines, defensins, C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell (WBC) counts as well as clinical features were prospectively monitored in 28 adult patients with moderate (n=11) and severe pneumonia (n=17) over a period of 14 days. RESULTS:The value of plasma NE was the highest at entry and significantly declined 2 days later. Trends of cytokines, defensins, CRP and WBC counts were similar but blunter. Microorganisms and the outcome of initial treatment did not significantly affect plasma NE levels. Baseline values of plasma NE were significantly higher in severe, than in moderate pneumonia and this difference between the two types of pneumonia persisted longer than those of any other markers. CONCLUSIONS:Neutrophil elastase appears to play a critical role in severe pneumonia and determination of its concentration in blood could be a useful indicator of severity. Furthermore, clinical trials of anti-NE drugs in patients with severe pneumonia should be promising. 10.1016/j.rmed.2007.01.001
[Inflammatory response in elderly patients with bacteremia]. Martí Luis,Cervera Carlos,Filella Xavier,Marín José Luis,Almela Manel,Gatell José M,Moreno Asunción Enfermedades infecciosas y microbiologia clinica OBJECTIVE:To evaluate inflammatory markers (C reactive protein [CRP], interleukina-1beta [IL-1beta], IL-6 and tumoral necrosis factor [TNF-alpha]) as predictors of bloodstream infection in elderly patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). METHODS:Blood cultures and markers were performed at admission and on day 4. RESULTS:Eighty-two patients were included, 34% with positive blood cultures. TNF-alpha and IL-6 values at admission were higher in patients with positive blood cultures (84.5 vs. 28.5 pg/mL [P = .001] and 192.5 vs. 113, [P = .017], respectively). TNF-alpha values on day 4 were higher in patients with positive cultures (50.5 vs. 30; P = .017). CONCLUSIONS:High TNF-alpha and IL-6 values at admission, and TNF-alpha values on day 4 correlated with bloodstream infection.
S. aureus endocarditis: Clinical aspects and experimental approaches. Hoerr V,Franz M,Pletz M W,Diab M,Niemann S,Faber C,Doenst T,Schulze P C,Deinhardt-Emmer S,Löffler B International journal of medical microbiology : IJMM Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening disease, caused by septic vegetations and inflammatory foci on the surface of the endothelium and the valves. Due to its complex and often indecisive presentation the mortality rate is still about 30%. Most frequently bacterial microorganisms entering the bloodstream are the underlying origin of the intracardiac infection. While the disease was primarily restricted to younger patients suffering from rheumatic heart streptococci infections, new at risk categories for Staphylococcus (S.) aureus infections arose over the last years. Rising patient age, increasing drug resistance, intensive treatment conditions such as renal hemodialysis, immunosuppression and long term indwelling central venous catheters but also the application of modern cardiac device implants and valve prosthesis have led to emerging incidences of S. aureus IE in health care settings and community. The aetiologic change has impact on the pathophysiology of IE, the clinical presentation and the overall patient management. Despite intensive research on appropriate in vitro and in vivo models of IE and gained knowledge about the fundamental mechanisms in the formation of bacterial vegetations and extracardiac complications, improved understanding of relevant bacterial virulence factors and triggered host immune responses is required to help developing novel antipathogenic treatment strategies and pathogen specific diagnostic markers. In this review, we summarize and discuss the two main areas affected by the changing patient demographics and provide first, recent knowledge about the pathogenic strategies of S. aureus in the induction of IE, including available experimental models of IE used to study host-pathogen interactions and diagnostic and therapeutic targets. In a second focus we present diagnostic (imaging) regimens for patients with S. aureus IE according to current guidelines as well as treatment strategies and surgical recommendations. 10.1016/j.ijmm.2018.02.004
[Host inflammatory and anti-inflammatory response during sepsis]. Adib-Conquy M,Cavaillon J-M Pathologie-biologie Sepsis still remains the major complication for patients admitted in intensive care units (ICU), and is responsible for numerous deaths. ICU patients admitted after sepsis, hemorrhagic shock, severe trauma, severe burns or major surgery show a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). This syndrome is characterized by an exacerbation of inflammation, with increased levels of pro- (IL-1β, TNFα, IL-6, IL-8) as well as anti-inflammatory (IL-10, IL-1Ra, TGFβ) cytokines into their bloodstream. During sepsis, the bacteria release microbial motifs such as peptidoglycan, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and DNA that initiate the inflammatory response, and are involved in the onset of multiple organ failure. The same microbial motifs can also be found in patients with a SIRS of non-infectious origin, following the translocation of bacteria from their digestive tract. This translocation is certainly contributing to the difficulty of discriminating between septic and SIRS patients using biological markers. Furthermore, the host response is accompanied by an alteration of the ex vivo response of circulating leukocytes, particularly monocytes. This hyporesponsiveness to LPS is associated with a decreased activation of the transcription factor NF-κB (required for the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines) and an increased expression of negative regulators of the NF-κB pathway. However, the leukocyte hyporesponsiveness is not a global phenomenon, it depends on the type of patient, on the receptor-activator pair, on the timing, and on the cytokine. 10.1016/j.patbio.2012.03.011
Human bancroftian filariasis: immunological markers of morbidity and infection. Satapathy Ashok K,Sartono Erliyani,Sahoo Prakash K,Dentener Mieke A,Michael Edwin,Yazdanbakhsh Maria,Ravindran Balachandran Microbes and infection Induction of host cytokines plays a critical role in infection as well as disease in human filariasis. Measurements of such molecules in plasma could be used as windows of markers both for understanding the pathogenesis of the disease and for identifying markers of morbidity. Eight inflammatory and non-inflammatory host molecules in circulation were quantified in 207 subjects in filariasis endemic area of Orissa, India. IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-alpha, TNFR-I, TNFR-II, LBP and sICAM-1 were quantified by immunoassays and were analyzed by multivariate exploratory data analysis methods followed by multivariate analysis of variance. Raised levels of IL-6 and IL-8 emerged as markers of acute as well as chronic disease, while increased TNF-alpha was a feature found only in acute filariasis. Decreased sICAM-1 was a feature found only in asymptomatic subjects with filarial infection. There was a dichotomy in plasma levels of two TNF receptors between infected subjects and patients with filarial disease. Since plasma levels of these cytokines are often determined by host genetics, studies on cytokine genetic polymorphisms could offer new insights into the relationship between infection and disease in human lymphatic filariasis. 10.1016/j.micinf.2006.05.003
Clinical and inflammatory response to bloodstream infections in octogenarians. BMC geriatrics BACKGROUND:Given the increasing incidence of bacteraemia causing significant morbidity and mortality in older patients, this study aimed to compare the clinical features, laboratory findings and mortality of patients over the age of 80 to younger adults. METHODS:This study was a retrospective, observational study. Participants were taken to be all patients aged 18 and above with confirmed culture positive sepsis, admitted to a large metropolitan hospital in the year 2010. Measurements taken included patient demographics (accommodation, age, sex, comorbidities), laboratory investigations (white cell count, neutrophil count, C-reactive protein, microbiology results), clinical features (vital signs, presence of localising symptoms, complications, place of acquisition). RESULTS:A total of 1367 patient episodes were screened and 155 met study inclusion criteria. There was no statistically significant difference between likelihood of fever or systolic blood pressure between younger and older populations (p-values of 0.81 and 0.64 respectively). Neutrophil count was higher in the older cohort (p = 0.05). Higher Charlson (J Chronic Dis 40(5):373-383, 1987) comorbidity index, greater age and lower systolic blood pressure were found to be statistically significant predictors of mortality (p-values of 0.01, 0.02 and 0.03 respectively). CONCLUSION:The findings of this study indicate older patients are more likely to present without localising features. However, importantly, there is no significant difference in the likelihood of fever or inflammatory markers. This study also demonstrates the importance of the Charlson Index of Comorbidities (J Chronic Dis 40(5):373-383, 1987) as a predictive factor for mortality, with age and hypotension being less important but statistically significant predictive factors of mortality. 10.1186/1471-2318-14-55
Report: Distribution and clinical characteristics of pathogenic bacteria causing catheter-related bloodstream infections. Li Hong-mei Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences This paper on analysis pathogenic bacterial distribution of central veins Catheter-related Blood-Stream infection (CRBS) and clinical features of different infection. Ninety-one patients with CRBSI were selected, to analyze and research for etiological distribution, clinical characteristics, inflammatory markers and prognosis.Among the 91 cases, 31 cases were infected by Candida, accounting for 34.1%; 31 cases were infected by Gram-negative bacilli, accounting for 34.1%; 29 cases were infected by Gram-positive cocci, accounting for 31.8%. The CRBSI clinical features of Candida and Gram-negative bacilli high fever and chills, and Gram-positive coccal` moderate fever, chills. The pathogens CRBSI inflammatory markers in these 3 groups all were increased, but, the CRBSI inflammatory reaction of Candida and Gram-negative bacilli were more severe, the CRBSI fatality rate by Candida was high (P<0.05). Candida, Gram-negative bacilli and Gram-positive cocci were all the CRBSI common pathogenic bacterium. It shall pay attention to etiology research, at the same time, it shall take empiric therapy to decrease CRBSI fatality rate based on clinical features.
Diagnosis and management of catheter-related bloodstream infections in patients on home parenteral nutrition. Bond Ashley,Chadwick Paul,Smith Trevor R,Nightingale Jeremy M D,Lal Simon Frontline gastroenterology Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) commonly arise from a parenteral nutrition catheter hub. A target for a Nutrition Support Team is to have a CRBSI rate of less than 1 per 1000. The diagnosis of CRBSI is suspected clinically by a temperature shortly after setting up a feed, general malaise or raised blood inflammatory markers. It is confirmed by qualitative and quantitative blood cultures from the catheter and peripherally. Treatment of inpatients may involve central venous catheter removal and antibiotics for patients needing short-term parenteral nutrition, but catheter salvage is generally recommended for patients needing long-term parenteral nutrition, where appropriate. 10.1136/flgastro-2018-101094
Changes in the cellular immune system and circulating inflammatory markers of stroke patients. Jiang Chao,Kong Weixia,Wang Yuejuan,Ziai Wendy,Yang Qingwu,Zuo Fangfang,Li Fangfang,Wang Yali,Xu Hongwei,Li Qian,Yang Jie,Lu Hong,Zhang Jiewen,Wang Jian Oncotarget This study was designed to investigate dynamic changes in the cellular immune system and circulating inflammatory markers after ischemic stroke. Blood was collected from 96 patients and 99 age-matched control subjects for detection of lymphocyte subpopulations and inflammatory markers. We observed decreases in B cells, Th cells, cytotoxic T cells, and NK cells and an increase in regulatory T (Treg) cells in stroke patients on days 1, 3, and 7. Serum levels of TNF-α, C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, IL-23, and TGF-β increased, whereas serum level of IFN-γ decreased at all time points after stroke. Stroke patients with infection exhibited a similar tendency toward changes in some lymphocyte subpopulations and inflammatory markers as stroke patients without infection. After controlling for NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS), we observed no differences in lymphocyte subpopulations between patients with anterior circulation stroke and those with posterior circulation stroke at any time point. The splenic volume correlated positively with the percentages of B cells, Th cells, and cytotoxic T cells, but negatively with Treg cells on day 3 after stroke. Infections were associated with splenic volume, leukocyte counts, percentage of Treg cells, and serum levels of CRP, IL-10, and IFN-γ on day 3. Lesion volume correlated positively with CRP, IL-6, and IL-23, but negatively with IFN-γ on day 3. The NIHSS showed a positive relation with IL-6 and IL-10 on day 3. Ischemic stroke has a profound effect on the systemic immune system that might explain the increased susceptibility of stroke patients to infection. 10.18632/oncotarget.12201
Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, catheter-related, bloodstream infections and their association with acute phase markers of inflammation in the intensive care unit: An observational study. Rewa Oleksa,Muscedere John,Reynolds Steve,Jiang Xuran,Heyland Daren K The Canadian journal of infectious diseases & medical microbiology = Journal canadien des maladies infectieuses et de la microbiologie medicale OBJECTIVE:To examine the relationship between the isolation of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus in blood cultures and acute phase markers of inflammation. METHODS:The present study was a prospective observational analysis conducted at three medical/surgical intensive care units (ICUs) involving adult patients with an expected ICU stay of more than 24 h duration. RESULTS:Of the 598 patients enrolled, 573 developed suspected bloodstream infection and 434 (72.6%) had blood cultures sent 24 h after ICU admission; 142 were excluded due to positive cultures from other sites. Of the remaining 292 patients, 31 (10.7%) grew coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, 59 (20.2%) grew known pathogenic organisms and 202 (69.2%) did not grow any organisms in their blood cultures. Twenty-five patients without suspicion of infection served as the control group. Interleukin (IL)-6, procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were highest among the known pathogen group (IL-6 271.8 U/L, PCT 4.6 U/L and CRP 164 mg/L), were similar between the coagulase-negative Staphylococcus and negative culture groups (IL-6 67.0 U/L versus 61.4 U/L [P=1.00]; PCT 1.0 U/L versus 0.9 U/L [P=0.80]; and CRP 110 mg/L versus 103 mg/L [P=0.75]), and were lowest in the control group (IL-6 31.0 U/L, PCT 0.2 U/L and CRP 41.0 mg/L). In the coagulase-negative Staphylococcus group, patients who died by day 28 had increased inflammatory bio-marker levels compared with survivors, although the differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS:Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus isolated from blood cultures were associated with lower levels of inflammation compared with bloodstream infections due to known pathogens and were comparable with levels in patients with negative cultures. 10.1155/2012/198383
Species differences in circulation and inflammatory responses in children with common respiratory adenovirus infections. Nakamura Haruna,Fujisawa Takao,Suga Shigeru,Taniguchi Kiyosu,Nagao Mizuho,Ito Masahiro,Ochiai Hitoshi,Konagaya Masami,Hanaoka Nozomu,Fujimoto Tsuguto Journal of medical virology Human adenoviruses (HAdVs) cause severe inflammatory respiratory infections, but previous epidemiological studies lacked analysis of the characteristics of the inflammation. Consecutive patients <13 years old with acute febrile illness during a 2-year period were tested. HAdV strains were isolated from nasopharyngeal swabs, and molecular identification was performed by hexon, fiber, and species-specific PCR methods. Blood inflammatory markers, including the white blood cell (WBC) count, CRP, and 29 cytokines, were measured. A total of 187 patients were enrolled, and HAdV types were identified from 175 patients (93.5%). Species C (types 2, 1, 5, and 6, in order of frequency) was most common at 37.1%, followed by B (type 3) at 30.9% and E (type 4) at 26.9%. Species C was detected predominantly in 1-year-old, whereas B and E were in older ages. Species C and B had seasonal circulation patterns, but E was found in only one season during the 2-year study period. The WBC count was highest in patients with species C. Eleven of the 29 tested serum cytokines were detected. Seven kinds, including G-CSF, IL-6, and TNF-α, were elevated in species C infections, whereas IL-10 was lowest in species C. Species differences in inflammatory responses, especially regarding serum cytokines were described in common pediatric HAdV infections. Species C causes the strongest inflammatory responses in young children. 10.1002/jmv.25032
Plasma concentrations of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) differ depending on etiology and severity in community-onset bloodstream infection. Lange Anna,Cajander Sara,Magnuson Anders,Sundén-Cullberg Jonas,Strålin Kristoffer,Hultgren Olof European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology The severity of bloodstream infections (BSI) depends on pathogen, source, and host factors. Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) counteracts tissue damage, balances inflammation, and is increased in pneumonia and sepsis. We aimed to evaluate whether SLPI production differs depending on etiology, disease severity, and sex in BSI and to correlate SLPI with markers of inflammation and immunosuppression. Of the adult patients with BSI, 109 were included and sampled repeatedly, from hospital admission through day 28. Controls (blood donors) were sampled twice. SLPI in plasma was measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus etiology were associated with higher SLPI than Escherichia coli on days 1-2 and 3. On day 1-2, subjects with sepsis had higher SLPI concentrations than those with non-septic BSI. Pneumonia was associated with higher SLPI than a non-pulmonary source of infection. SLPI co-varied with inflammatory markers. SLPI concentrations did not differ with regard to sex in the full cohort, but men with pneumonia had higher SLPI than women on day 1-2. S. pneumoniae and S. aureus BSI were associated with higher SLPI, when compared to E. coli. Severity and pneumonia, as well as male sex in the pneumonia sub-cohort, were factors independently associated with higher SLPI. 10.1007/s10096-019-03567-2
Bloodstream infections during the onset of necrotizing enterocolitis and their relation with the pro-inflammatory response, gut wall integrity and severity of disease in NEC. Heida F H,Hulscher J B F,Schurink M,van Vliet M J,Kooi E M W,Kasper D C,Pones M,Bos A F,Benkoe T M Journal of pediatric surgery INTRODUCTION:Bacterial involvement is believed to play a pivotal role in the development and disease outcome of NEC. However, whether a bloodstream infection (BSI) predisposes to NEC (e.g. by activating the pro-inflammatory response) or result from the loss of gut wall integrity during NEC development is a longstanding question. OBJECTIVE:We hypothesize that the occurrence of a BSI plays a complementary role in the pathogenesis of NEC. The first aim of the study was to correlate the occurrence of a BSI during the early phase of NEC with intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) levels, as a marker for loss of gut wall integrity owing to mucosal damage, and Interleukin (IL)-8 levels, as a biomarker for the pro-inflammatory cascade in NEC. The second aim of the study was to investigate the relation between the occurrence of a BSI and disease outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS:We combined data from prospective trials from two large academic pediatric surgical centers. Thirty-eight neonates with NEC, 5 neonates with bacterial sepsis, and 14 controls were included. RESULTS:BSIs occurred in 10/38 (26%) neonates at NEC onset. No association between the occurrence of BSIs and I-FABP levels in plasma (cohort 1: median 11ng/mL (range 0.8-298), cohort 2: median 6.8ng/mL (range 1.3-15)) was found in NEC patients (cohort 1: p=0.41; cohort 2: p=0.90). In addition, the occurrence of BSIs did not correlate with IL-8 (median 1562pg/mL (range 150-7,500); p=0.99). While the occurrence of a BSI was not correlated with Bell's stage (p=0.85), mortality was higher in patients with a BSI (p=0.005). CONCLUSION:The low incidence of BSIs and the absent association of both the markers for loss of gut wall integrity and the pro-inflammatory response during the early phase of NEC, support the hypothesis that the presence of a BSI does not precede NEC. 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2015.07.009
Variation of Circulating Inflammatory Mediators in Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli Bloodstream Infection. Duan Jinyan,Xie Yinjing,Yang Jiyong,Luo Yanping,Guo Yuni,Wang Chengbin Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research BACKGROUND:The aim of this study was to examine the behavior of circulating inflammatory mediators and to exclude gram-positive from gram-negative bloodstream infections. Results may be helpful in selection of optimal specific antibiotic therapies. MATERIAL/METHODS:Mice (25-27 g) were randomized to 3 groups infected with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) ATCC 25923, Escherichia coli (E. coli) ATCC 25922, or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The white blood cell count (WBC) and the concentrations of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α) were detected in blood samples at different time intervals after intravenous tail injection. RESULTS:The results showed that compared to the control mice, infected animals exhibited significantly higher levels of all mediators after bacterial infection. Moreover, compared to the mice that received S. aureus, animals with E. coli infection showed significantly greater increases in serum IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, MCP-1, and MIP-1α levels. CONCLUSIONS:These results suggest that the use of the analyzed serum markers at an early stage of bloodstream infection may give useful information for the clinician to distinguish gram-negative from gram-positive infections. 10.12659/msm.896576
Clinical characteristics, organ failure, inflammatory markers and prediction of mortality in patients with community acquired bloodstream infection. BMC infectious diseases BACKGROUND:Community acquired bloodstream infection (CABSI) in low- and middle income countries is associated with a high mortality. This study describes the clinical manifestations, laboratory findings and correlation of SOFA and qSOFA with mortality in patients with CABSI in northern Vietnam. METHODS:This was a retrospective study of 393 patients with at least one positive blood culture with not more than one bacterium taken within 48 h of hospitalisation. Clinical characteristic and laboratory results from the first 24 h in hospital were collected. SOFA and qSOFA scores were calculated and their validity in this setting was evaluated. RESULTS:Among 393 patients with bacterial CABSI, approximately 80% (307/393) of patients had dysfunction of one or more organ on admission to the study hospital with the most common being that of coagulation (57.1% or 226/393). SOFA performed well in prediction of mortality in those patients initially admitted to the critical care unit (AUC 0.858, 95%CI 0.793-0.922) but poor in those admitted to medical wards (AUC 0.667, 95%CI 0.577-0.758). In contrast qSOFA had poor predictive validity in both settings (AUC 0.692, 95%CI 0.605-0.780 and AUC 0.527, 95%CI 0.424-0.630, respectively). The overall case fatality rate was 28%. HIV infection (HR = 3.145, p = 0.001), neutropenia (HR = 2.442, p = 0.002), SOFA score 1-point increment (HR = 1.19, p < 0.001) and infection with Enterobacteriaceae (HR = 1.722, p = 0.037) were independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS:Organ dysfunction was common among Vietnamese patients with CABSI and associated with high case fatality. SOFA and qSOFA both need to be further validated in this setting. 10.1186/s12879-018-3448-3