The clinical features of severe community-acquired pneumonia presenting as septic shock. Norasept II Study Investigators

PURPOSE: The purpose of this article was to determine the outcome, clinical and prognostic features, and microbiology of a large group of patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) presenting in septic shock. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The placebo limb of the Norasept II database was examined. Data were collected on patients in septic shock with a diagnosis of CAP who presented to a participating site from home. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-eight patients met the study criteria. The 28-day survival was 53%. One hundred and four pathogens were isolated from 77 (52%) patients with 24 (16%) patients having polymicrobial infections. The most common pathogen was Streptococcus pneumoniae (19%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (18%), Haemophilus influenzae (14%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (11%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7%). Infection with P aeruginosa or Acinetobacter species carried a very high mortality (82%). The only clinical variables recorded in the database that could identify patients with pseudomonas or acinetobacter infection was a history of alcohol abuse. Comorbidities were present in 74% of patients, involving predominantly the cardiorespiratory system. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated APACHE II score and serum interleukin 6 (IL-6) concentration to be significant independent predictors of mortality. Patients with pseudomonas or acinetobacter infection had significantly higher IL-6 levels and significantly lower tumor necrosis factor alpha levels when compared with the rest of the cohort of patients. CONCLUSION: A diverse spectrum of both gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens were implicated in patients with CAP presenting in septic shock, necessitating broad spectrum empiric antimicrobial coverage. This coverage should include antipseudomonal activity, particularly in alcoholic patients. Severity of illness (APACHE II score) and IL-6 levels were important prognostic factors. Infection with P aeruginosa and Acinetobacter species carried a very high mortality.     

Plasma granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor levels in critical illness including sepsis and septic shock: relation to disease severity, multiple organ dysfunction, and mortality

OBJECTIVE: To define the circulating levels of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) during critical illness and to determine their relationship to the severity of illness as measured by the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, the development of multiple organ dysfunction, or mortality. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: University hospital intensive care unit. PATIENTS: A total of 82 critically ill adult patients in four clinically defined groups, namely septic shock (n = 29), sepsis without shock (n = 17), shock without sepsis (n = 22), and nonseptic, nonshock controls (n = 14). INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: During day 1 of septic shock, peak plasma levels of G-CSF, interleukin (IL)-6, and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), but not GM-CSF, were greater than in sepsis or shock alone (p < .001), and were correlated among themselves (rs = 0.44-0.77; p < .02) and with the APACHE II score (rs = 0.25-0.40; p = .03 to .18). G-CSF, IL-6, and UF, and sepsis, shock, septic shock, and APACHE II scores were strongly associated with organ dysfunction or 5-day mortality by univariate analysis. However, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that only septic shock remained significantly associated with organ dysfunction and only APACHE II scores and shock with 5-day mortality. Similarly, peak G-CSF, IL-6, and LIF were poorly predictive of 30-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma levels of G-CSF, IL-6, and LIF are greatly elevated in critical illness, including septic shock, and are correlated with one another and with the severity of illness. However, they are not independently predictive of mortality, or the development of multiple organ dysfunction. GM-CSF was rarely elevated, suggesting different roles for G-CSF and GM-CSF in human septic shock.     

Comparison of Predisposition, Insult/Infection, Response, and Organ dysfunction, Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation II, and Mortality in Emergency Department Sepsis in patients meeting criteria for early goal-directed therapy and the severe sepsis resuscitation bundle

Purpose

The aim of the study was to examine the performance of the Predisposition, Insult/Infection, Response, and Organ dysfunction (PIRO) model compared with the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II and Mortality in Emergency Department Sepsis (MEDS) scoring systems in predicting in-hospital mortality for patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with severe sepsis or septic shock.

Materials and Methods

This study was an analysis of a prospectively maintained registry including adult patients with severe sepsis or septic shock meeting criteria for early goal-directed therapy and the severe sepsis resuscitation bundle over a 6-year period. The registry contains data on patient demographics, sepsis category, vital signs, laboratory values, ED length of stay, hospital length of stay, physiologic scores, and outcome status. The discrimination and calibration characteristics of PIRO, APACHE II, and MEDS were analyzed.

Results

Five-hundred forty-one patients with age 63.5 ± 18.5 years were enrolled, 61.9% in septic shock, 46.9% blood-culture positive, and 31.8% in-hospital mortality. Median (25th and 75th percentile) PIRO, APACHE II, and MEDS scores were 6 (5 and 8), 28 (22 and 34), and 12 (9 and 15), with predicted mortalities of 48.5% (40.1 and 63.9), 66.0% (42.0 and 83.0), and 16.0% (9.0 and 39.0), respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves for PIRO was 0.71 (95% confidence interval, 0.66-0.75); APACHE II, 0.71 (0.66-0.76); and MEDS, 0.63 (0.60-0.70). The standardized mortality ratio was 0.70 (0.08-1.41), 0.70 (−0.46 to 1.80), and 4.00 (−8.53 to 16.62), respectively. Actual mortality significantly increased with increasing PIRO score in patients with APACHE II 25 or more (P < .01).

Conclusions

The PIRO, APACHE II, and MEDS have variable abilities to early discriminate and estimate in-hospital mortality of patients presenting to the ED meeting criteria for early goal-directed therapy and the severe sepsis resuscitation bundle. The PIRO may provide additional risk stratification in patients with APACHE II 25 or more. More studies are required to evaluate the clinical applicability of PIRO in high-risk patients with severe sepsis and septic shock.     

铜绿假单胞菌血流感染患者细菌耐药性及预后影响因素分析

目的探讨铜绿假单胞菌血流感染患者细菌耐药性及预后的影响因素。方法回顾性分析2016年1月-2018年12月浙江大学医学院附属第一医院137例确诊为铜绿假单胞菌血流感染患者的临床资料。单因素分析多重耐药(MDR)菌株感染相关因素。根据28 d预后分为死亡组(40例)和生存组(97例),多因素logistic回归分析死亡独立危险因素。结果纳入137例患者,28 d病死率29.2%。单因素分析显示外科手术、动静脉置管、导尿管留置、高白细胞计数、低白蛋白血症、起病时高急性生理与慢性健康(APACHEⅡ)评分与MDR菌株感染有关(P值分别为0.023、0.015、0.019、0.013、0.005、0.011)。logistic回归分析显示起病时高APACHEⅡ评分(OR=1.167,P=0.025)、低白蛋白血症(OR=0.785,P=0.004)、感染性休克(OR=5.434,P=0.036)是铜绿假单胞菌血流感染患者死亡的独立危险因素。MDR菌株血流感染患者抗菌治疗方案中,含有多黏菌素B的治疗组28 d病死率与不含多黏菌素B的治疗组28 d病死率相同,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论铜绿假单胞菌血流感染病死率高,起病时高APACHEⅡ评分、合并低白蛋白血症、感染性休克提示预后差。多黏菌素B治疗MDR铜绿假单胞菌血流感染有待大样本临床数据进一步研究。     

手外科专科医院感染病原菌分布及耐药性分析

目的分析江苏省无锡市第九人民医院2011年临床分离出的细菌构成及耐药性情况。方法回顾性分析医院2011年临床标本培养分离出的病原菌的分布、构成和耐药性。结果 2011年临床标本培养分离出533株病原菌,分离率位于前5位的病原菌是:金黄色葡萄球菌(25.69%),大肠埃希菌(15.20%),铜绿假单胞菌(14.63%);鲍曼不动杆菌(10.69%)和肺炎克雷伯菌(9.94%)。金黄色葡萄球菌对万古霉素、利奈唑胺敏感性较好,但对其他常用抗菌药敏感性不佳;肠杆菌科对亚胺培南和哌拉西林/他唑巴坦敏感性较好,对其他药物敏感性不佳;假单胞菌属对常用药物的敏感性高于不动杆菌属,它们对哌拉西林/他唑巴坦敏感性较好。结论手外科专科医院分离病原菌对常用药的耐药率较高,临床医师应熟悉常见分离菌的耐药情况,根据抗菌药物敏感性试验,合理选用抗菌药物,减少耐药菌株的产生。     

Outcomes for haematological cancer patients admitted to an intensive care unit in a university hospital

Background

Haematological cancer (HC) patients are increasingly requiring intensive care (ICUs). The aim of this study was to investigate the outcome of HC patients in our ICU and evaluate 5 days-full support as a breakpoint for patients’ re-assessment for support.

Bloodstream infections caused by antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacilli: risk factors for mortality and impact of inappropriate initial antimicrobial therapy on outcome

The marked increase in the incidence of infections due to antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacilli in recent years is of great concern, as patients infected by those isolates might initially receive antibiotics that are inactive against the responsible pathogens. To evaluate the effect of inappropriate initial antimicrobial therapy on survival, a total of 286 patients with antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacteremia, 61 patients with Escherichia coli bacteremia, 65 with Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteremia, 74 with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia, and 86 with Enterobacter bacteremia, were analyzed retrospectively. If a patient received at least one antimicrobial agent to which the causative microorganisms were susceptible within 24 h of blood culture collection, the initial antimicrobial therapy was considered to have been appropriate. High-risk sources of bacteremia were defined as the lung, peritoneum, or an unknown source. The main outcome measure was 30-day mortality. Of the 286 patients, 135 (47.2%) received appropriate initial empirical antimicrobial therapy, and the remaining 151 (52.8%) patients received inappropriate therapy. The adequately treated group had a 27.4% mortality rate, whereas the inadequately treated group had a 38.4% mortality rate (P = 0.049). Multivariate analysis showed that the significant independent risk factors of mortality were presentation with septic shock, a high-risk source of bacteremia, P. aeruginosa infection, and an increasing APACHE II score. In the subgroup of patients (n = 132) with a high-risk source of bacteremia, inappropriate initial antimicrobial therapy was independently associated with increased mortality (odds ratio, 3.64; 95% confidence interval, 1.13 to 11.72; P = 0.030). Our data suggest that inappropriate initial antimicrobial therapy is associated with adverse outcome in antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacteremia, particularly in patients with a high-risk source of bacteremia.     

2004年-2007年铜绿假单孢菌和鲍曼不动杆菌医院感染调查分析

目的探讨苏州地区住院患者医院感染铜绿假单孢菌和鲍曼不动杆菌感染状况及耐药特点,为预防与控制医院感染提供科学的理论依据。方法采用回顾性的调查方法,对苏州地区2004年-2007年32所医院的住院患者医院感染铜绿假单孢菌和鲍曼不动杆菌进行分析。结果2004年～2007年32所医院共发生院内感染17,668例,其中铜绿假单孢菌1,334例（7．55％）,各年度分别为190例（5．78％）、307例（6．91％）、347例（7．81％）、490例（7．55％）鲍曼不动杆菌1,187例（6．72％）,各年度分别为210例（6．38％）、275例（6．19％）、309例（6．95％）、373例（6．79％）。铜绿假单孢菌和鲍曼不动杆菌感染部位主要以下呼吸道为主,二者分别为85．01％、86．69％;感染科室则主要分布在神经外科、ICU病房、呼吸内科。从2004年至2006年铜绿假单孢菌和鲍曼不动杆菌对各种抗生素的耐药率呈逐年升高趋势,2007年有所下降。结论苏州地区院内感染铜绿假单孢菌和鲍曼不动杆菌发生率呈逐年上升趋势,对各种抗生素的耐药率在2004年～2006年呈逐年升高趋势,2007年有所下降。各医院应高度重视,进一步加强对医院感染工作的管理,采取有效措施,控制院内感染铜绿假单孢菌和鲍曼不动杆菌的发生及耐药率的升高。     

血清冷诱导RNA结合蛋白与脓毒性休克患者病情严重程度及预后的相关性

目的探讨血清冷诱导RNA结合蛋白(CIRP)与脓毒性休克患者病情严重程度及预后的相关性。方法回顾性选取2018年1月至2020年1月海南医学院第二附属医院急诊重症监护室(EICU)收治的脓毒性休克患者107例为研究对象。收集患者一般资料、急性生理和慢性健康状况评估系统Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ)评分、序贯器官衰竭估计(SOFA)评分、CIRP、血乳酸(Lac)、血清肌酐(s Cr)、血白细胞计数(WBC)、中性粒细胞百分比(NeuR)及降钙素原(PCT)。根据患者28 d预后情况将其分为死亡组和存活组。采用Pearson相关分析探讨脓毒性休克患者CIRP与SOFA评分及APACHEⅡ评分的相关性;采用Logistic回归分析探讨脓毒性休克患者28 d死亡的危险因素;绘制受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线并评估各指标对脓毒性休克患者28 d死亡的预测价值。结果随访28 d后,25例(23.4%)患者死亡(死亡组),82例(76.6%)患者存活(存活组)。死亡组APACHEⅡ评分、SOFA评分、CIRP、血Lac、s Cr及PCT水平明显高于存活组(P <0.05)。Pearson相关分析结果显示,脓毒性休克患者CIRP与SOFA评分及APACHEⅡ评分均呈正相关(r=0.337,P=0.005;r=0.249,P=0.039)。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,APACHEⅡ评分[OR=1.138,95%CI(1.066,1.214)]、SOFA评分[OR=1.326,95%CI(1.174,1.478)]、CIRP[OR=1.322,95%CI(1.141,1.502)]及PCT[OR=1.055,95%CI(1.003,1.108)]为脓毒性休克患者28 d死亡的危险因素(P <0.05)。CIRP、SOFA评分、APACHEⅡ评分、PCT预测脓毒性休克患者28 d死亡的ROC曲线下面积(AUC)分别为0.915[95%CI(0.823,0.969)]、0.834[95%CI(0.726,0.913)]、0.798[95%CI(0.684,0.885)]、0.685[95%CI(0.562,0.792)]。CIRP预测脓毒性休克患者28 d死亡的AUC大于SOFA评分、APACHEⅡ评分、PCT预测脓毒性休克患者28 d死亡的AUC(Z=2.134,P=0.041;Z=2.348,P=0.026;Z=3.64,P <0.001)。CIRP的最佳临界值为2.6μg/L时,预测脓毒性休克患者28 d死亡的敏感度为96.8%,特异度为73.7%。结论血清CIRP与脓毒性休克患者病情严重程度及预后密切相关,为28 d死亡的独立危险因素,可作为评价脓毒性休克患者预后的较好指标。     

Predictive value of procalcitonin and interleukin 6 in critically ill patients with suspected sepsis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein, leukocyte count, D-dimer, and antithrombin III at onset of septic episode and 24 h later in prediction of hospital mortality in critically ill patients with suspected sepsis. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective, cohort study in two university hospital intensive care units. PATIENTS: 61 critically ill patients with suspected sepsis. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: The outcome measure was hospital mortality. Hospital survivors ( n=41) and nonsurvivors ( n=20) differed statistically significantly on day 1 (admission) in PCT, IL-6, SOFA score, and APACHE II score, and 24 h later in PCT, IL-6, and D-dimer values. AT III, CRP, and leukocyte count did not differ. The areas under receiver operating curves showed reasonable discriminative power (>0.75) in predicting hospital mortality only for day 2 IL-6 (0.799) and day 2 PCT (0.777) values which were comparable to that of APACHE II (0.786), and which remained the only independent predictor of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Admission and day 2 IL-6, and day 2 PCT, and day 2 D-dimer values differed significantly between hospital survivors and nonsurvivors among critically ill patients with suspected sepsis. However, in prediction of hospital mortality, only the discriminative power of day 2 PCT and IL-6 values, and APACHE II was reasonable as judged by AUC analysis (>0.75).     

呼吸机相关性肺炎病原学特点及耐药性分析

目的分析呼吸科重症监护病房（RICU）中呼吸机相关性肺炎（VAP）病原菌的来源、分布特点及耐药情况,为在RICU中更好地控制VAP提供科学依据。方法回顾性分析2005年1月－2011年12月期间,医院RICU收治的行机械通气时间〉48h,住院时间〉7d的136例VAP患者病原菌分布情况和耐药性等临床资料。结果RICU中VAP的发生率为42．8％（136／318）,病死率为47．8％（65／136）。共分离出病原菌507株,其中G-菌占74．8％（379／507）,铜绿假单胞菌居首位,其次为鲍曼不动杆菌和肺炎克雷伯菌;G＋球菌占10．3％（52／507）,以金黄色葡萄球菌为主;真菌占14．9％（76／507）,以白色念珠菌为主。G-杆菌对常用抗菌药物表现出较高的耐药率,其中对青霉素类、头孢菌素类抗菌药物高度耐药,而对碳青霉烯类耐药率相对较低;耐甲氧西林的金黄色葡萄球菌对多种常见抗菌药物高度耐药,但对万古霉素敏感。结论RICU的VAP病原菌以口菌为主,耐药情况比较严重,铜绿假单胞菌、鲍曼不动杆菌和肺炎克雷伯菌为RICU中的主要致病菌。     

Amino acid alterations and encephalopathy in the sepsis syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of amino acid profiles in septic encephalopathy. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Medical wards and medical ICU of a university hospital. PATIENTS: Patients with infections and normal mental status were compared with patients with septic shock and altered sensorium. INTERVENTIONS: Plasma amino acid levels and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) scores were determined. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patients with septic shock and altered sensorium had higher circulating concentrations of ammonia (425 +/- 55 vs. 127 +/- 7 mmol/L) and the aromatic amino acids phenylalanine (122 +/- 19 vs. 74 +/- 3 mmol/L) and tryptophan (97 +/- 7 vs. 32 +/- 13 mmol/L), and lower levels of the branch-chain amino acid isoleucine (48 +/- 7 vs. 68 +/- 5 mmol/L) than patients with infections and normal sensorium (p less than .05). Aromatic amino acid levels correlated with APACHE II scores (R2 = .4, p less than .001) and mortality. APACHE II scores were higher in the septic shock patients (30 +/- 2 vs. 8 +/- 1, p less than .001), and these patients had a higher mortality rate (71% vs. 12%, p less than .01). Patients with septic shock who died had higher levels of ammonia (524 +/- 58 vs. 227 +/- 40 mmol/L, p less than .05) and sulfur-containing amino acids (172 +/- 31 vs. 61 +/- 7 mmol/L, p less than .05) than patients who survived. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma amino acid profiles appear to be important in septic encephalopathy and the severity of septic disease.     

Diagnostic value and prognostic evaluation of Presepsin for sepsis in an emergency department

Introduction

Presepsin levels are known to be increased in sepsis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the early diagnostic and prognostic value of Presepsin compared with procalcitonin (PCT), Mortality in Emergency Department Sepsis (MEDS) score and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score in septic patients in an emergency department (ED) and to investigate Presepsin as a new biomarker of sepsis.

Methods

This study enrolled 859 consecutive patients with at least two diagnostic criteria for systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) who were admitted to Beijing Chao-yang Hospital ED from December 2011 to October 2012, and 100 age-matched healthy controls. Patients were stratified into four groups: SIRS, sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock. Plasma Presepsin and serum PCT were measured, and MEDS score and APACHE II score were calculated at enrollment. Comparisons were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests.

Results

On admission, the median levels of plasma Presepsin increased with sepsis severity. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC) curves of Presepsin were greater than those of PCT in diagnosing sepsis, and predicting severe sepsis and septic shock. The AUC of Presepsin for predicting 28-day mortality in septic patients was slightly lower than that of PCT, MEDS score and APACHE II score. The AUC of a combination of Presepsin and MEDS score or APACHE II score was significantly higher than that of MEDS score or APACHE II score alone in predicting severe sepsis, and was markedly higher than that of Presepsin alone in predicting septic shock and 28-day mortality in septic patients, respectively. Plasma Presepsin levels in septic patients were significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors at 28 days’ follow-up. Presepsin, MEDS score and APACHE II score were found to be independent predictors of severe sepsis, septic shock and 28-day mortality in septic patients. The levels of plasma Presepsin were positively correlated with PCT, MEDS score and APACHE II score in every septic group.

Conclusion

Presepsin is a valuable biomarker for early diagnosis of sepsis, risk stratification, and evaluation of prognosis in septic patients in the ED.     

高容量血液滤过并容量复苏对脓毒性休克血乳酸及炎症因子清除作用的研究

目的 探讨高容量血液滤过(HVHF)联合容量复苏对难治性脓毒性休克并多器官功能障碍综合征(MODS)患者动脉血乳酸、炎症细胞因子以及急性生理学与慢性健康状况评分系统Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ)、序贯器官衰竭估计系统(SOFA)评分的影响.方法 89例难治性脓毒性休克并MODS患者随机分为容量复苏组(41例)和容量复苏并HVHF组(48例),比较两组患者治疗前后动脉血乳酸及乳酸清除率、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、降钙素原(PCT)、高敏C-反应蛋白(hs-CRP)的水平以及APACHEⅡ评分、SOFA评分的变化.结果 ①两组治疗后动脉血乳酸清除率均逐渐升高;HVHF组治疗后6、12、24 h动脉血乳酸清除率[(18.8±10.3)%、(31.6±11.4)%、(39.2±16.4)%]明显高于容量复苏组[分别为(10.7±7.5)%、(14.7±10.3)%、(16.5±10.2)%,P＜0.05或P<0.01].②两组治疗后血清IL-6、PCT、hs-CRP水平均逐渐降低,HVHF组治疗1 d、3 d时均显著低于容量复苏组(P＜0.05或P<0.01).③两组治疗后APACHEⅡ评分、SOFA评分均逐渐降低,且治疗7 d时HVHF组显著低于容量复苏组(P＜0.05和P<0.01).结论 HVHF联合容量复苏能降低难治性脓毒性休克并MODS患者动脉血乳酸、炎症细胞因子水平及APACHEⅡ评分、SOFA评分,改善患者的预后.     

Risk assessment in sepsis: a new prognostication rule by APACHE II score and serum soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Early risk assessment is the mainstay of management of patients with sepsis. APACHE II is the golden standard prognostic stratification system. A prediction rule is developed aimed to improve prognostication by APACHE II with the application of serum suPAR (soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor). METHODS: A prospective study cohort enrolled 1914 patients with sepsis including 62.2% with sepsis and 37.8% with severe sepsis/septic shock. Serum suPAR was measured in samples drawn after diagnosis by an enzyme-immunoabsorbent assay; in 367 patients sequential measurements were performed. After ROC analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis a prediction rule for risk was developed. The rule was validated in a double-blind fashion by an independent confirmation cohort of 196 sepsis patients, predominantly severe sepsis/septic shock patients, from Sweden. RESULTS: Serum suPAR remained stable within survivors and non-survivors for 10 days. Regression analysis showed that APACHE II [greater than or equal to] 17 and suPAR [greater than or equal to] 12 ng/ml were independently associated with unfavorable outcome. Four strata of risk were identified: i) APACHE II <17 and suPAR <12 ng/ml with mortality 5.5%; ii) APACHE II < 17 and suPAR [greater than or equal to] 12 ng/ml with mortality 17.4%; iii) APACHE II [greater than or equal to] 17 and suPAR <12 ng/ml with mortality 37.4%; and iv) APACHE II [greater than or equal to] 17 and suPAR [greater than or equal to] 12 ng/ml with mortality 51.7%. This prediction rule was confirmed by the Swedish cohort. CONCLUSIONS: A novel prediction rule with four levels of risk in sepsis based on APACHE II score and serum suPAR is proposed. Prognostication by this rule is confirmed by an independent cohort.     

Tumor necrosis factor,interleukin-6, endotoxin and procalcitonin in septic shock in patients with hematologic neoplasms

AIM: To study changes in proinflammatory markers and mediators in septic shock in patients with hematologic malignancy (HM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The examination of 33 patients with HM and septic shock included measurement of plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukine-6 (IL-6), endotoxin, procalcitonin (PCT) 12-24 hours before and each 12 hours after shock; registration of central hemodynamics parameters, the condition severity by APACHE II. RESULTS: Out of 33 patients 18 died of refractory shock, 15 survived the shock. Within the first shock hour TNF fell from 571.2 +/- 195 to 115.8 +/- 71.1 pg/ml (p < 0.02), later being stable. In those who died and survived TNF was the same. IL-6 fall was seen 36 hours after shock and was observed in the survivors; in those who died IL-6 was unchanged. Endotoxin in the blood was detected in 21 of 33 patients. In the survivors endotoxinemia declined after 2 days of treatment. 72 hours after beginning of the shock the survivors had no endotoxin. In shock APACH II severity of the patient's condition was graver in patients with endotoxinemia than without it (31.6 +/- 1.6 and 28.1 +/- 1.6 scores, p < 0.05). Blood endotoxin levels and APACHE II scores correlated (r = 0.24, p < 0.05) positively and negatively with deficiency of buffer bases (r = -0.29, p < 0.05) and blood pH) r = -0.3, p < 0.05), left ventricular contractility index (r = -0.46, p < 0.01) and right ventricle (r = -0.52, p < 0.01), mean AP (r = -0.22, p < 0.03). PCT concentration was lower before shock than on its hour 1 (4.2 +/- 2.9 and 6.9 +/- 1.1 ng/ml, p < 0.05). No significant changes in PCT were found later. CONCLUSION: PCT is a specific marker of a severe infection. Rapid elimination from the blood of TNF and IL-6 makes them inadequate in sepsis diagnosis. Endotoxinemia aggravates the patients condition. Positive LAL-test results were obtained in gram-negative and fungal infections.     

Etiology and outcomes of veterans with spinal cord injury and disorders hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether documentation of a causative organism for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is associated with outcomes, including mortality and length of stay (LOS), in hospitalized veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI&D). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Patients with SCI&D admitted with CAP to any Veterans Affairs medical center between September 1998 and October 2000. PARTICIPANTS: Hospital administrative data on 260 patients with SCI&D and a CAP diagnosis. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: All-cause, 30-day mortality and hospital LOS. RESULTS: An organism was documented by International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision , discharge codes in 24% of cases. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa accounted for 32% and 21%, respectively, of the identified bacterial pathogens. The overall mortality rate was 8.5%. No significant association was found between etiologic diagnosis of CAP and 30-day mortality. Lower mortality was associated with treatment at a designated SCI center (relative risk=.35; confidence interval, .12-.99). Pathogen-based CAP diagnosis was significantly associated with longer LOS (adjusted r 2 =.023, P =.024). CONCLUSIONS: There was no association between etiologic diagnosis of CAP and 30-day mortality among people with SCI&D. Documentation of CAP etiology was associated with the variance in LOS. Pneumococcal vaccination and antibiotic therapy with antipseudomonal activity may be particularly prudent in these patients given the high frequency of these pathogens among SCI&D patients with CAP.     

危重病患者分离细菌来源及分布

目的 回顾性研究重症监护治疗病房（ICU）患者分离细菌的标本来源及细菌分布情况以期指导诊疗。方法 分析1999－2000年2a内ICU患者分离所得720株细菌，总结其标本来源分布及细菌种类分布情况。结果 痰液标本占75．55％，其次血液占6．25％。分离细菌中革兰氏阴性菌占71．25％，革兰氏阳性菌占28．75％；常见细菌为不动杆菌属（16．67％）、铜绿假单胞菌（11．81％）和金黄色葡萄球菌（11．67％）。结论 呼吸道是ICU患者感染最主要部位。革兰氏阴性菌是主要病原体。常见细菌依次为不动杆菌属、铜绿假单胞菌和金黄色葡萄球菌。     

急诊医疗保健相关性肺炎与社区获得性肺炎的多中心比较研究

目的:探讨急诊医疗保健相关性肺炎（healthcare-associated pneumonia, HCAP）与社区获得性肺炎（community-acquired pneumonia,CAP）的差别,分析HCAP在我国急诊科是否为一个相对独立的肺炎类型。方法:回顾性分析首都医科大学附属北京天坛医院、首都医科大学附属北京朝阳医院和北京积水潭医院回龙观院区2018年9月至2019年5月入住急诊的HCAP及CAP患者的临床资料,采集患者一般资料、基础疾病种类、入院24 h内实验室检查、病原学检查结果、经验性抗感染治疗方案、是否机械通气、临床转归等。应用肺炎严重指数（pneumonia severity index, PSI）对肺炎严重程度进行评估。计量资料采用均数±标准差表示,两组间比较采用 t检验,计数资料比较采用 χ2检验,以 P<0.05为差异有统计学意义。 结果:纳入HCAP和CAP患者各105例。HCAP组合并两种以上基础疾病例数较多,外周血白细胞计数、血红蛋白水平异常人数及血乳酸水平两组间差异有统计学意义（均 P<0.05）;HCAP组PSI评分为（134.0±26.3）分,高于CAP组（113.0±16.4）分,Ⅳ级少于CAP组,Ⅴ级多于CAP组,差异有统计学意义（均 P<0.05）。HCAP组分离多耐药菌株73株（69.52%）,CAP组55株（52.38%）;HCAP组鲍曼不动杆菌多于CAP组,CAP组肺炎链球菌、肺炎克雷伯杆菌、大肠埃希菌多于HCAP组;HCAP组铜绿假单胞菌对亚胺培南耐药率为22.2%,高于CAP组的10.0%,鲍曼不动杆菌对头孢哌酮/舒巴坦耐药率为27.3%,低于CAP组的54.5%,其对美罗培南耐药率为45.5%,低于CAP组的72.7%;HCAP组初始经验性抗感染治疗应用碳青霉烯比例为21.00%,高于CAP组的10.48%,差异均有统计学意义（均 P<0.05）。HCAP组有创机械通气比例（21.00%）,高于CAP组（7.62%）,HCAP组病死率（21.00%）,高于CAP组（8.57%）,均 P<0.05。 结论:急诊HCAP患者合并多种基础疾病;病原菌耐药率高,初始经验性抗感染治疗需要更高级的药物;机械通气比例和病死率高。在我国急诊HCAP是一个相对独立的肺炎类型。     

急诊医疗保健相关性肺炎与社区获得性肺炎的多中心比较研究

目的:探讨急诊医疗保健相关性肺炎（healthcare-associated pneumonia, HCAP）与社区获得性肺炎（community-acquired pneumonia,CAP）的差别,分析HCAP在我国急诊科是否为一个相对独立的肺炎类型。方法:回顾性分析首都医科大学附属北京天坛医院、首都医科大学附属北京朝阳医院和北京积水潭医院回龙观院区2018年9月至2019年5月入住急诊的HCAP及CAP患者的临床资料,采集患者一般资料、基础疾病种类、入院24 h内实验室检查、病原学检查结果、经验性抗感染治疗方案、是否机械通气、临床转归等。应用肺炎严重指数（pneumonia severity index, PSI）对肺炎严重程度进行评估。计量资料采用均数±标准差表示,两组间比较采用 t检验,计数资料比较采用 χ2检验,以 P<0.05为差异有统计学意义。 结果:纳入HCAP和CAP患者各105例。HCAP组合并两种以上基础疾病例数较多,外周血白细胞计数、血红蛋白水平异常人数及血乳酸水平两组间差异有统计学意义（均 P<0.05）;HCAP组PSI评分为（134.0±26.3）分,高于CAP组（113.0±16.4）分,Ⅳ级少于CAP组,Ⅴ级多于CAP组,差异有统计学意义（均 P<0.05）。HCAP组分离多耐药菌株73株（69.52%）,CAP组55株（52.38%）;HCAP组鲍曼不动杆菌多于CAP组,CAP组肺炎链球菌、肺炎克雷伯杆菌、大肠埃希菌多于HCAP组;HCAP组铜绿假单胞菌对亚胺培南耐药率为22.2%,高于CAP组的10.0%,鲍曼不动杆菌对头孢哌酮/舒巴坦耐药率为27.3%,低于CAP组的54.5%,其对美罗培南耐药率为45.5%,低于CAP组的72.7%;HCAP组初始经验性抗感染治疗应用碳青霉烯比例为21.00%,高于CAP组的10.48%,差异均有统计学意义（均 P<0.05）。HCAP组有创机械通气比例（21.00%）,高于CAP组（7.62%）,HCAP组病死率（21.00%）,高于CAP组（8.57%）,均 P<0.05。 结论:急诊HCAP患者合并多种基础疾病;病原菌耐药率高,初始经验性抗感染治疗需要更高级的药物;机械通气比例和病死率高。在我国急诊HCAP是一个相对独立的肺炎类型。