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Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Apr 20. Epub 2019 Apr 20.

Department of Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.

Sepsis is an uncommon occurrence after appendectomy, but the morbidity and mortality of patients who develop sepsis after appendectomy remains exceedingly high. The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors and adverse post-operative outcomes associated with sepsis after appendectomy in adults. The American College of Surgery National Surgical Quality Improvement Program participant user database was queried from 2012 to 2015. Read More

J Nephrol 2019 Apr 20. Epub 2019 Apr 20.

Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, St Bortolo Hospital, International Renal Research Institute Vicenza, Via Rodolfi, 37, 36100, Vicenza, Italy.

Background: Cardiorenal syndrome type 1 (CRS type 1) is characterized by a rapid worsening of cardiac function leading to acute kidney injury. In this study, we evaluate the role of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and various inflammatory markers in the developing acute kidney injury (AKI) in acute heart failure (AHF) patients.

Methods: We enrolled 31 AHF patients and 20 CRS type 1 (the cause of AKI was presumed to be related to cardiac dysfunction) and 17 healthy volunteers without AHF, AKI or CKD, as control group (CTR). Read More

Pediatrics 2019 Apr 18. Epub 2019 Apr 18.

University of Turin, Turin, Italy; and.

Capillary leak syndrome is a critical condition occasionally occurring posttransplant and is characterized by acute endothelial hyperpermeability leading to systemic protein-rich fluid extravasation and consequent hypovolemia, hypoperfusion, and acute kidney injury. Treatment is merely supportive and is based on osmotic drugs, diuretics, continuous renal replacement therapy, and surgical drainage. However, removal of the underlying inflammatory cause is mandatory to achieve stable resolution. Read More

Australas Emerg Care 2019 Mar 15;22(1):13-21. Epub 2018 Dec 15.

Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Introduction: An emergency department (ED) is often the first point of medical contact for sepsis patient, which plays an important role in early identification and management of high-risk septic patients. The present study was aim to evaluate emergency personnel's knowledge and attitude toward identification and management of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and sepsis.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary teaching hospital and recruited all emergency personnel. Read More

Open Forum Infect Dis 2019 Apr 21;6(4):ofz084. Epub 2019 Feb 21.

Division of Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester Minnesota.

Background: Generator pocket infection is the most frequent presentation of cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) infection. We aim to identify predictors of underlying bloodstream infection (BSI) in patients presenting with CIED pocket infection.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all adults with CIED pocket infection cared for at our institution from January 2005 through January 2016. Read More

Braz J Med Biol Res 2019 15;52(4):e8595. Epub 2019 Apr 15.

Disciplina de Infectologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.

Sepsis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with increased burden in low- and middle-resource settings. The role of the inflammatory response in the pathogenesis of the syndrome has supported the modern concept of sepsis. Nevertheless, a definition of sepsis and the criteria for its recognition is a continuous process, which reflects the growing knowledge of its mechanisms and the success and failure of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Read More

Exp Ther Med 2019 May 4;17(5):3598-3606. Epub 2019 Mar 4.

Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, P.R. China.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a critical syndrome that is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. The activation of the Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) signaling pathway may be an important pathophysiological mechanism during ALI development. Penehyclidine hydrochloride (PHC) has been revealed to exhibit anti-apoptotic properties and may attenuate the observed systemic inflammatory response. Read More

Int J Surg 2019 Apr 12;65:147-153. Epub 2019 Apr 12.

Department of General Surgery, Xuchang Central Hospital, Henan, China. Electronic address:

Background: Fatty liver (FL) has been positively associated with the risk of acute pancreatitis (AP), but whether FL is associated with the severity of AP remains unknown. To this, a meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effect of FL on severity and outcomes of AP.

Method: We searched PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane library to identify all eligible studies (up to June 2017). Read More

J Hosp Med 2019 Apr 8;14:E1-E9. Epub 2019 Apr 8.

Department of Medicine, Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine, Hempstead, New York.

Background: Differences between hospital-presenting sepsis (HPS) and emergency department-presenting sepsis (EDPS) are not well described.

Objectives: We aimed to (1) quantify the prevalence of HPS versus EDPS cases and outcomes; (2) compare HPS versus EDPS characteristics at presentation; (3) compare HPS versus EDPS in process and patient outcomes; and (4) estimate risk differences in patient outcomes attributable to initial resuscitation disparities.

Design: Retrospective consecutive-sample cohort. Read More

Fed Pract 2019 Mar;36(Suppl 2):S21-S24

is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at the Columbia VA Health Care System in South Carolina. and are Clinical Pharmacy Specialists; and are Clinical Pharmacists; and is an Infectious Diseases Physician; all at the Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System in Iowa. Shannon Heintz is an Adjunct Associate Professor; Brett Heintz and Jason Egge are Adjunct Associate Professors; all at the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy in Iowa City. Daniel Livorsi is an assistant professor at the Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Iowa College of Medicine in Iowa City. Brian Lund is an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Iowa College of Public Health in Iowa City.

The quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment lacks sensitivity to be an effective replacement for the Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome criteria for sepsis screening. Read More

J Affect Disord 2019 Apr 8;252:68-73. Epub 2019 Apr 8.

Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Electronic address:

Background: The inflammation and oxidative stress are thought to play an important role in the etiopathogenesis of some psychological disorders. We aimed to assess the potential relationships between serum fat soluble vitamins (Vitamins A and E), antibody titers to Hsp27 (anti-Hsp27) and hematological markers of inflammation, with mood disorders in a population of adolescent girls.

Methods: A total of 563 adolescent girls (Age 12-18 years) were included in the study. Read More

Clin J Gastroenterol 2019 Apr 12. Epub 2019 Apr 12.

Department of Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA.

Liver cirrhosis is associated with multiple vascular syndromes affecting almost all body systems. Many of these syndromes are directly related to impaired liver function and sometimes reversible after liver transplantation while others arise secondary to portal hypertension and ascites. Altered expression of angiogenic and vasoactive compounds (most importantly nitric oxide), endothelial dysfunction, dysregulated neurohormonal control, and systemic inflammatory state play differential roles in mediating homeostatic instability and abnormal vasogenic response. Read More

J Neurosurg Pediatr 2019 Apr 12:1-12. Epub 2019 Apr 12.

1Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland; and.

OBJECTIVESThe goal of this study was to evaluate clinical predictors of abnormal preoperative laboratory values in pediatric neurosurgical patients.METHODSData obtained in children who underwent a neurosurgical operation were extracted from the prospective National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatrics (NSQIP-P, 2012-2013) registry. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated predictors of preoperative laboratory values that might require further evaluation (white blood cell count < 2000/μl, hematocrit < 24%, platelet count < 100,000/μl, international normalized ratio > 1. Read More

J Burn Care Res 2019 Apr 12. Epub 2019 Apr 12.

Department of Plastic Surgery, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL.

Burn patients are often plagued by fever due to the inflammatory nature of their injuries as well as the normal post-operative Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome. One etiology for fever, often not initially considered, is drug-induced fever. A rare cause of drug-induced fever is heparin with only one documented case reported in the literature. Read More

Acute Med Surg 2019 Apr 5;6(2):131-137. Epub 2019 Feb 5.

Department of International Medical Cooperation Kumamoto University Graduate School of Medical Sciences Kumamoto Japan.

Aim: The quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA) score, shock index (SI), and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria are simple indicators for the mortality of patients in the emergency department (ED). These simple indicators using only vital signs might be more useful in prehospital care than in the ED due to their quick calculation. However, these indicators have not been compared in prehospital settings. Read More

Sci Rep 2019 Apr 11;9(1):5936. Epub 2019 Apr 11.

Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Korea.

Sepsis, a systemic inflammatory response syndrome caused by infection, is the most common disease in patients treated in intensive care units. Endotoxic shock, the most critical form of sepsis, is caused by gram-negative bacterial infection. However, the detailed mechanism of endotoxic shock remains unclear. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2019 Apr 11;19(1):317. Epub 2019 Apr 11.

Department of Paediatric Surgery, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 26 Chris Hani Road, Johannesburg, ZA-1860, South Africa.

Background: Necrotising fasciitis is a rapidly progressing soft-tissue infection with a low incidence that carries a relevant risk of morbidity and mortality. Although necrotising fasciitis is often fatal in adults, its case fatality rate seems to be lower in children. A highly variable clinical presentation makes the diagnosis challenging, which often results in misdiagnosis and time-delay to therapy. Read More

J Biol Regul Homeost Agents 2019 Mar-Apr;33(2):525-530

Department of Nephrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Mudanjiang Medical University, MudanJiang, Heilongjiang, China.

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response that can further develop into severe sepsis (septic shock), which eventually leads to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). This study aimed to assess the effects of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) on acute renal injury caused by severe sepsis by monitoring biochemical parameters. A total of 60 patients with septic shock and acute kidney injury were included. Read More

Front Med (Lausanne) 2019 27;6:54. Epub 2019 Mar 27.

SomaLogic Inc., Boulder, CO, United States.

Severe sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and traumatic brain injury are frequently associated with hyperglycemia in non-diabetic patients. In patients suffering from any of these conditions, hyperglycemia at admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) is directly correlated with increased mortality or morbidity. Although there was initial enthusiasm for insulin treatment to blood glucose levels below 110 mg/dL in these patients, recent understanding suggests that the potential for hypoglycemic complications make this approach potentially dangerous. Read More

Perfusion 2019 Apr;34(1_suppl):5-14

1 Critical Care Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland and The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a life-saving support for heart and/or lung failure patients. Despite technological advancement, abnormal physiology persists and has been associated with subsequent adverse events. These include thrombosis, bleeding, systemic inflammatory response syndrome and infection. Read More

JAMA 2019 04;321(14):1408-1409

Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.

JAMA 2019 04;321(14):1409

Department of Critical Care Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

JAMA 2019 04;321(14):1409-1410

Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Liouying, Tainan, Taiwan.

Lipids Health Dis 2019 Apr 9;18(1):93. Epub 2019 Apr 9.

Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, No. 386 Hanjiang Media Road, Yangzhou, 225000, Jiangsu, China.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a simple visceral obesity phenotype, known as the hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype and its quantitative indicator waist circumference index on the severity of acute pancreatitis.

Materials And Methods: Diagnosis and severity analysis of acute pancreatitis were determined according to the Atlanta classification guidelines, revised in 2012. We considered the hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype as characterized by increased waist circumference and elevated triglyceride concentrations. Read More

J Cardiothorac Surg 2019 Apr 8;14(1):70. Epub 2019 Apr 8.

Department of Cardiac Surgery, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, the Daoshan road 18, Gulou District, Fuzhou, 350001, People's Republic of China.

Background: Transthoracic device closure of ventricular septal defect (VSD) is widely used in the clinic, especially in China. Changes in inflammatory marker levels after transthoracic device closure of VSD in pediatric patients have not been reported.

Methods: We retrospectively collected clinical data for 85 pediatric patients in our hospital from September 2017 to January 2018. Read More

J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2019 Apr 8:271678X19841443. Epub 2019 Apr 8.

1 Department of Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Growing evidences suggest that stroke is a systemic disease affecting many organ systems beyond the brain. Stroke-related systemic inflammatory response and immune dysregulations may play an important role in brain injury, recovery, and stroke outcome. The two main phenomena in stroke-related peripheral immune dysregulations are systemic inflammation and post-stroke immunosuppression. Read More

Immun Inflamm Dis 2019 Apr 7. Epub 2019 Apr 7.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.

Introduction: Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common form of primary glomerulonephritis worldwide. It is well known that upper respiratory tract infections, particularly acute tonsillitis, often worsen IgAN. Recent many clinical studies clearly show that tonsillectomy with steroid pulse therapy is the effective treatments for IgAN patients. Read More

Med Sci Monit 2019 Apr 8;25:2561-2566. Epub 2019 Apr 8.

Department of Pediatrics, The Second People's Hospital of Kashgar, Kashgar, Xinjiang, China (mainland).

BACKGROUND This study investigated the changes in plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels in pediatric patients with sepsis, and explored their relationships with serum inflammatory factors in pediatric patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 120 pediatric patients with sepsis admitted to and treated at our hospital from 2013 to 2017 were divided into 4 groups: a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) group (n=28), a sepsis group (n=35), a severe sepsis group (n=27), and a septic shock group (n=30). Plasma BNP, cTnI, and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) levels in pediatric patients in the 4 groups were measured, and the correlations of BNP and cTnI with plasma inflammatory factors C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were investigated. Read More

Clin Liver Dis 2019 May 8;23(2):221-232. Epub 2019 Mar 8.

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, 19-046 Arkes Building, 676 North Saint Clair, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.

Critically ill patients frequently present with the systemic inflammatory response syndrome, which is largely a reflection of the liver's response to injury. Underlying hepatic congestion is a major risk factor for hypoxic liver injury, the most common cause for hepatocellular injury. Cholestatic liver injury often occurs in critically ill patients due to inhibition of farnesoid X receptor (FXR), the main regulator of bile acid handling, particularly in the liver and intestines. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Apr;98(14):e14940

School of Nursing of Lanzhou University.

Purpose: The purpose of our study is to carry out a Bayesian network meta-analysis comparing the efficacy of different antimicrobial dressings for prevention of catheter-related blood infections (CRBSI) and rank these antimicrobial dressings for practical consideration.

Methods: We searched the PubMed, Cochrane library, Embase, earlier relevant meta-analysis and reference lists of included studies for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared dressings for prevention of CRBSI. Two authors independently extracted data from each included RCT according to a predesigned Excel spreadsheet and assessed the methodological quality of included RCTs using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Read More

Pancreas 2019 04;48(4):574-578

Shalamar Medical & Dental College, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.

Objectives: We compared outcomes of acute alcoholic pancreatitis (AAP), acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP), and post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP).

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted at a tertiary care center between June 2007 and June 2012.

Results: A total of 300 (68%) patients were diagnosed with AAP, 88 (20%) with ABP, and 55 (12%) with PEP. Read More

Clin Exp Emerg Med 2019 Mar 28;6(1):77-83. Epub 2019 Mar 28.

Department of Emergency Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that the quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score, derived from vital signs taken during triage and recommended by current sepsis guidelines for screening patients with infections for organ dysfunction, is not sensitive enough to predict the risk of mortality in emergency department (ED) sepsis patients.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with severe sepsis and septic shock using the old definition between May 2014 and April 2015 were retrospectively reviewed in three urban tertiary hospital EDs. The sensitivities of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria, qSOFA, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores ≥2 were compared using McNemar's test. Read More

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019 Apr 3;116(16):7932-7940. Epub 2019 Apr 3.

Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093

A subset of genes in the human genome are uniquely human and not found in other species. One example is CHRFAM7A, a dominant-negative inhibitor of the antiinflammatory α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR/CHRNA7) that is also a neurotransmitter receptor linked to cognitive function, mental health, and neurodegenerative disease. Here we show that CHRFAM7A blocks ligand binding to both mouse and human α7nAChR, and hypothesized that CHRFAM7A-transgenic mice would allow us to study its biological significance in a tractable animal model of human inflammatory disease, namely SIRS, the systemic inflammatory response syndrome that accompanies severe injury and sepsis. Read More

J Immunother Cancer 2019 Apr 3;7(1):97. Epub 2019 Apr 3.

Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University, School of Medicine, South 1, West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8556, Japan.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have provided more options in the treatment of lung cancer. However, ICIs can cause several unfavorable reactions generally referred to as immune-related adverse effects.

Case Presentation: In this report, we present the case of a 52-year-old woman with successful regression of pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung following nivolumab therapy. Read More

N Engl J Med 2019 Apr;380(14):1369-1371

World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2019 Apr 2;35(4):65. Epub 2019 Apr 2.

Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario La Paz, IdiPAZ, Paseo de La Castellana, 261, 28046, Madrid, Spain.

Early detection and identification of pathogens in bloodstream infections (BSI) is important to initiate or adjust antibiotic therapy as soon as possible. The current gold standard for diagnostic of BSI infection is the blood culture, that has a turnaround time of one to few days. Molecular tests performed directly in blood samples have promised faster diagnostics, with response times of a few hours, but their implementation into the clinical routine has been hampered by critical technical and procedural problems. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2019 Mar 25;20(6). Epub 2019 Mar 25.

Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, via H Dunant 5, 21100 Varese, Italy.

A complex bidirectional communication system exists between the gastrointestinal tract and the brain. Initially termed the "gut-brain axis" it is now renamed the "microbiota-gut-brain axis" considering the pivotal role of gut microbiota in maintaining local and systemic homeostasis. Different cellular and molecular pathways act along this axis and strong attention is paid to neuroactive molecules (neurotransmitters, i. Read More

Sci Rep 2019 Apr 1;9(1):5398. Epub 2019 Apr 1.

INRA, Commensal and Probiotics-Host Interactions Laboratory, Micalis Institute, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France.

The gut barrier plays an important role in human health. When barrier function is impaired, altered permeability and barrier dysfunction can occur, leading to inflammatory bowel diseases, irritable bowel syndrome or obesity. Several bacteria, including pathogens and commensals, have been found to directly or indirectly modulate intestinal barrier function. Read More

Eur J Case Rep Intern Med 2019 25;6(3):001034. Epub 2019 Feb 25.

Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital São Francisco Xavier, Occidental Lisbon Hospital Centre, Portugal.

Autoimmune/autoinflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA) is a new entity in which exposure to an adjuvant triggers an aberrant autoimmune response. Metallosis is a rare condition characterized by the deposition and build-up of metal debris in the soft tissues of the body associated with metal-on-metal (MOM) prosthetic devices. It can present with local/systemic symptoms and signs due to a chronic inflammatory host response. Read More

Mediators Inflamm 2019 25;2019:7537649. Epub 2019 Feb 25.

Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University Magdeburg, Leipzigerstrasse 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany.

Liver cirrhosis yearly causes 1.2 million deaths worldwide, ranking as the 10th leading cause of death in the most developed countries. High susceptibility to infections along with a significant risk for infection-related mortality justifies the description of liver cirrhosis as the world's most common immunodeficiency syndrome. Read More

Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019 May 27;512(4):770-778. Epub 2019 Mar 27.

First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Translational Research of TCM Prescription and Syndrome, Tianjin, China. Electronic address:

Cholestasis, which is characterized by bile acid (BA) overload within the hepatocytes, is a major contributor to liver injury. The dysregulation of bile acid homeostasis, such as excessive bile acid synthesis and defected secretion, leads to intracellular retention of hydrophobic bile acid which undermines the physiological function of hepatocytes. Cholestasis can further develop into hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis, and eventually life-threating liver failure. Read More

Int J Surg Case Rep 2019 Mar 19;57:81-83. Epub 2019 Mar 19.

General Surgery, Rockingham General Hospital, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address:

Introduction: Abdominal pain after colonoscopy is a relatively common symptom and usually benign. Colonoscopy-induced pancreatitis is an extremely rare phenomenon that can sometimes be missed leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.

Presentation Of Case: A 53 year old woman presented to the Emergency Department with abdominal pain, a significantly raised lipase and a CT scan revealing pancreatitis. Read More

Front Physiol 2019 14;10:251. Epub 2019 Mar 14.

Applied Surgery and Metabolism Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.

Renal lymphatics are abundant in the cortex of the normal kidney but have been largely neglected in discussions around renal diseases. They originate in the substance of the renal lobule as blind-ended initial capillaries, and can either follow the main arteries and veins toward the hilum, or penetrate the capsule to join capsular lymphatics. There are no valves present in interlobular lymphatics, which allows lymph formed in the cortex to exit the kidney in either direction. Read More

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2019 Mar 29;68(12):285-288. Epub 2019 Mar 29.

Candidemia, a bloodstream infection caused by Candida species, is typically considered a health care-associated infection, with known risk factors including the presence of a central venous catheter, receipt of total parenteral nutrition or broad-spectrum antibiotics, recent abdominal surgery, admission to an intensive care unit, and prolonged hospitalization (1,2). Injection drug use (IDU) is not a common risk factor for candidemia; however, in the context of the ongoing opioid epidemic and corresponding IDU increases, IDU has been reported as an increasingly common condition associated with candidemia (3) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (4). Little is known about the epidemiology of candidemia among persons who inject drugs. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Mar;98(13):e15070

Department of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Echocardiography and cardiac biomarkers, such as cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP) are useful tools to evaluate cardiac dysfunction. Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) is common in pediatric severe sepsis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic value of LVSD, cTnI, and NT-pro BNP for pediatric severe sepsis. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Mar;98(13):e14937

Department of Respiratory Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University.

Bloodstream infection caused by Acinetobacter baumannii has become a major clinical concern, especially multidrug-resistant A baumannii (MDRAB). The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors of nosocomial acquired MDRAB bacteremia and to determine the risk factors related to the mortality of patients with MDRAB bacteremia. Patients with nosocomial acquired A baumannii bacteremia were enrolled between January, 2013 and December, 2017 at the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University. Read More

Am J Dermatopathol 2019 Apr 1. Epub 2019 Apr 1.

Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI.

Palisaded neutrophilic granulomatous dermatitis (PNGD) presents as skin-colored to erythematous papules symmetrically distributed on extensor extremities. Histologically, interstitial and/or palisaded granulomatous infiltrates are present with neutrophils and leukocytoclasis. Together with interstitial granulomatous dermatitis (IGD), PNGD is considered a reactive granulomatous dermatitis to a systemic trigger including connective tissue disease, infection, medication reaction, and less commonly malignancy. Read More

Biomark Med 2019 Mar 28. Epub 2019 Mar 28.

Faculty of Medicine, Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, & Prevention of Thrombosis, University of Novi Sad, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Laboratory Medicine Center,  Novi Sad, Serbia.

Aim: The aim of our study was to compare usefulness of endothelial biomarkers for severity and outcome prediction in patients with positive Sepsis-3 criteria with traditionally used biomarkers.

Methods: A total of 150 patients were included in our study. Patients were divided into two groups: patients with sepsis and those with infectious systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2019 Mar 28. Epub 2019 Mar 28.

Section for Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Leukocytosis, namely a markedly elevated white blood cell (WBC) count, occurs in 1.3-17.0% of infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units and can be induced by infection, inflammation, stress or medication. Read More