Tubo-ovarian abscess in postmenopausal patients.

We retrospectively reviewed 20 surgically confirmed tubo-ovarian abscesses in postmenopausal women for the period 1973 to 1989. Pain and bleeding were the two most common presenting symptoms. Nine of the 20 patients (45%) had recently had endometrial instrumentation. Fever and the presence of a pelvic mass and elevated white blood cell count, without evidence of peritonitis, were frequent findings on admission. At surgery, seven abscesses were already ruptured or leaking, 12 of 18 patients with both ovaries had unilateral abscesses, and dense adhesions were found in 11 patients. A common intraoperative complication was inadvertent bowel injury. Postoperative complications included fascial dehiscence, enterocutaneous fistula, deep venous thrombosis, and need for prolonged ventilatory support. Eight patients had a coexisting gynecologic malignancy. A high index of suspicion is required for early recognition of postmenopausal tubo-ovarian abscess. Prompt surgical exploration should be done to avoid occult rupture or sepsis.     

Following severe injury, hypocholesterolemia improves with convalescence but persists with organ failure or onset of infection

IntroductionOur primary objective was to determine the impact of traumatic injury, onset of infection, organ/metabolic dysfunction, and mortality on serum cholesterol.MethodsDuring 676 surgical intensive care unit (SICU) days, 28 ventilated trauma patients underwent daily measurement of white blood cell (WBC) count and differential, cholesterol, arterial oxygen tension/fractional inspired oxygen, bilirubin, glucose, creatinine, and bicarbonate. With the onset of infection, WBC response was considered positive if the WBC count was 16.0 or greater, immature neutrophils were 10% or greater, or WBC count increased by 20%. Cholesterol response was considered positive if cholesterol decreased or failed to increase by 10%.ResultsInjury Severity Score was 30.6 ± 8.6 and there were 48 infections. Initial cholesterol was decreased (119 ± 44 mg/dl) compared with expected values from a database (201 ± 17 mg/dl; P < 0.0001). The 25 survivors had higher cholesterol at SICU discharge (143 ± 35 mg/dl) relative to admission (112 ± 37 mg/dl; P < 0.0001). In the three patients who died, the admission cholesterol was 175 ± 62 mg/dl and the cholesterol at death was 117 ± 27 mg/dl. The change in percentage of expected cholesterol (observed value divided by expected value) from admission to discharge was different for patients surviving (16 ± 19%) and dying (-29 ± 19%; P = 0.0005). With onset of infection, the WBC response was positive in 61% and cholesterol response was positive in 91% (P = 0.001). Percentage of expected cholesterol was decreased with each system dysfunction: arterial oxygen tension/fractional inspired oxygen < 350, creatinine > 2.0 mg/dl, glucose > 120 mg/dl, bilirubin > 2.5 mg/dl, and bicarbonate ≥ 28 or ≤ 23 (P < 0.01). Percentage of expected cholesterol decreased as the number of dysfunctions increased (P = 0.0001).ConclusionHypocholesterolemia is seen following severe injury. Convalescing patients (ready for SICU discharge) have improved cholesterol levels, whereas dying patients appear to have progressive hypocholesterolemia. Decreasing or fixed cholesterol levels suggest the development of infection or organ/metabolic dysfunction. Cholesterol responses are more sensitive for the onset of infection than are WBC responses. Sequential cholesterol monitoring is recommended for patients with severe trauma.     

Diagnosis and follow-up of infections in intensive care patients: value of C-reactive protein compared with other clinical and biological variables

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate diagnostic and prognostic values of C-reactive protein (CRP) dosage in critically ill patients. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. SETTING: Medical intensive care unit (ICU) in a university hospital. PATIENTS: A consecutive series of 74 patients admitted to the ICU. INTERVENTION: CRP measurements at admission and every 4 days thereafter. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: At admission, 28 patients (38%) had microbiologically proven infections. Compared with uninfected patients, their mean +/- SD CRP level was 191 +/- 123 vs. 83 +/- 91 mg/L (p < .0001), respectively, white blood cell count was 15.3 +/- 7.5 vs. 11.4 +/- 5.3 G/L (p = .01), and the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) was present for 96% vs. 67% (p = .008). No threshold value could be identified to discriminate between these two populations. Multivariate analysis retained CRP and SIRS as the only variables independently associated with the presence of an infection. The combination of CRP > or = 50 mg/L with SIRS was identified as the best model to diagnose infection at admission. This multivariate model performed better than temperature, CRP alone, and white blood cell count. Among the 28 infected patients, 10 recovered; CRP values decreased significantly in this population as compared with patients with persistent infection (-130 +/- 110 vs. 12 +/- 97 mg/L, respectively; p = .004). A CRP decrease > or = 50 mg/L between admission and day 4 was the best cutoff value to diagnose recovery (sensitivity 89%, specificity 79%). CONCLUSION: CRP in combination with SIRS was useful to diagnose infection in ICU patients; a CRP decrease > or = 50 mg/L between admission and day 4 was the best predictor of recovery.     

Inadequacy of Temperature and White Blood Cell Count in Predicting Bacteremia in Patients with Suspected Infection

Background

Early treatment of sepsis in Emergency Department (ED) patients has lead to improved outcomes, making early identification of the disease essential. The presence of systemic inflammatory response criteria aids in recognition of infection, although the reliability of these markers is variable.

Study Objective

This study aims to quantify the ability of abnormal temperature, white blood cell (WBC) count, and bandemia to identify bacteremia in ED patients with suspected infection.

Methods

This was a post hoc analysis of data collected for a prospective, observational, cohort study. Consecutive adult (age ≥ 18 years) patients who presented to the ED of a tertiary care center between February 1, 2000 and February 1, 2001 and had blood cultures obtained in the ED or within 3 h of admission were enrolled. Patients with bacteremia were identified and charts were reviewed for presence of normal temperature (36.1–38°C/97–100.4°F), normal WBC (4–12 K/μL), and presence of bandemia (> 5% of WBC differential).

Results

There were 3563 patients enrolled; 289 patients (8.1%) had positive blood cultures. Among patients with positive blood cultures, 33% had a normal body temperature and 52% had a normal WBC count. Bandemia was present in 80% of culture-positive patients with a normal temperature and 79% of culture-positive patients with a normal WBC count. Fifty-two (17.4%) patients with positive blood cultures had neither an abnormal temperature nor an abnormal WBC.

Conclusion

A significant percentage of ED patients with blood culture-proven bacteremia have a normal temperature and WBC count upon presentation. Bandemia may be a useful clue for identifying occult bacteremia.     

中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值与新型冠状病毒肺炎短期不良预后的相关性

目的 探讨中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值(NLR)对新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19)短期不良预后的预测价值.方法 选取2020年1月28日—2月20日华中科技大学同济医学院附属同济医院收治的302例COVID-19患者作为COVID-19组,以2020年1月7日57名健康体检者作为对照组.COVID-19患者根据入院时临...     

光滑念珠菌血流感染20例临床分析

目的探讨光滑念珠菌血流感染的临床特点。方法收集苏州大学附属第一医院2004年1月-2017年12月确诊的光滑念珠菌血流感染20例,分析其临床表现、易感因素、治疗及预后。结果20例患者的平均年龄(67±15)岁;主要症状为发热(n=19,95.0%),未见其他特异性表现;大部分患者(n=19,95.0%)在就诊时存在至少1种基础疾病;入住重症监护室(ICU)者10例(50.0%),有侵袭性操作者19例(95.0%),应用广谱抗生素≥1周者16例(80.0%);确诊时急性生理与慢性健康状况评分(APACHEⅡ评分)(15.3±6.3)分、全身性感染相关性器官功能衰竭评分(sepsisrelated organ failure assessment,SOFA评分)(7.0±4.6)分;20例患者中治愈11例,死亡9例。结论高APACHEⅡ评分和SOFA评分与预后不良有关;对于年龄>60岁、长期使用广谱抗生素、入住ICU、合并有恶性肿瘤等基础疾病及各种侵袭性操作的患者,若出现发热时,应积极留取血培养,以便尽早明确诊断,开始有效的抗真菌治疗。     

空腹血糖与TG/HDL-C 对非糖尿病患者并发COVID-19 的预测价值研究

目的　探究空腹血糖与三酰甘油/ 高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(triglyceride/high density lipoprotein cholesterol, TG/HDL-C) 比值在对糖尿病患者并发新型冠状病毒肺炎(coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19) 的预测价值。方法　连续收集2021 年12 月～ 2022 年1 月西安市第四医院收治的非糖尿病并发COVID-19 患者39 例,通过倾向性评分匹配同期西安交通大学第二附属医院健康体检者34 例( 健康对照组),比较两组间临床特征与实验室检验指标,Logistic 回归及受试者工作特征(receiver operating characteristic, ROC) 曲线分析空腹血糖与TG/HDL-C 对非糖尿病患者并发COVID-19 的预测价值。结果　COVID-19 患者均为轻型(30 例) 或普通型(9 例),整体症状较轻,中位年龄29.0 (20.0, 49.0) 岁,男性24 例(61.5%),临床预后较好。COVID-19 患者入院时空腹血糖(4.30±0.47 mmol/L) 与HDL-C[1.07(0.86, 1.30) mmol/L]较健康对照组[5.15±0.70 mmol/L, 2.24(1.77, 3.05) mmol/L] 显著降低,差异具有统计学意义(t=6.277, P ＜ 0.001;Z =-6.026,P＜0.001),而低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(low density lipoprotein cholesterol, LDL-C) [2.40(1.81, 2.91) mmol/L] 与TG/HDL-C [0.91(0.54, 1.52)] 较健康对照组[1.11 (0.99, 1.30) mmol/L, 0.54 (0.33, 0.90)] 显著升高,差异具有统计学意义(Z=-6.271, -2.801,均P ＜ 0.005)。Logistic 回归分析显示入院时空腹血糖可能是非糖尿病患者感染COVID-19 的独立保护因素(OR :0.020,95% CI: 0.003 ～ 0.150),TG/HDL-C 升高可能是COVID-19 发病的独立危险因素(OR :4.802, 95% CI: 1.249 ～ 18.460)。ROC 曲线结果显示,空腹血糖与TG/HDL-C 能较好地预测COVID-19 发病风险,曲线下面积(area under curve, AUC) 分别为0.871 和0.708,二者联合诊断的AUC 为0.895。结论　空腹血糖降低与TG/HDL-C 升高可能是非糖尿病人群并发COVID-19 的危险因素,对COVID-19 发病具有较好的预测价值。     

Occult hepatitis B virus infection in Thai blood donors

BACKGROUND: An evaluation by the National Blood Center, the Thai Red Cross Society, of two commercial multiplex nucleic acid tests (NATs; the Chiron PROCLEIX ULTRIO test and the Roche Cobas TaqScreen MPX test) for screening Thai blood donors for hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus Type 1 identified 175 HBV NAT–reactive/hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)‐negative donors. The classification of the HBV infection of these donors was confirmed by follow‐up testing. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Index samples were tested for HBV serologic markers and HBV viral loads were determined. Donors were followed for up to 13 months and samples were tested with both NAT assays and for all HBV serological markers. RESULTS: Of 175 HBV NAT–yield donors, 72 (41%) were followed. Based on the follow‐up results, the majority of donors who were followed had an occult HBV infection (66.7%), followed by donors with a primary, acute infection (26.4%). The majority of donors in this latter group (20.8%) were in the window period. Three donors (4.2%), who were anti‐HBs positive, had a reinfection or breakthrough infection. CONCLUSION: The majority of donors detected during routine screening, who were HBsAg negative and NAT reactive, had an occult HBV infection, thus validating the decision to introduce NAT for blood donations in Thailand.     

A cluster study of predictors of severe West Nile virus infection

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of multifocal chorioretinitis and of clinical manifestations and biologic parameters in the diagnosis of West Nile virus (WNV) infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective, controlled case series study during an outbreak of WNV infection between August 15 and October 24, 2003, of 64 consecutive patients who presented with clinical manifestations consistent with WNV disease. In each patient, standardized clinical and biologic data were collected. An ophthalmologic examination searching particularly for multifocal chorioretinitis was performed. RESULTS: Of 64 patients who presented primarily with meningitis and/or encephalitis, 36 had IgM antibodies against WNV. The WNV-infected patients tended to be older (median age of 54 years vs 46 years in WNV infection and control groups, respectively) and more frequently had diabetes (30% vs 7% in WNV infection and control groups, respectively; P = .03). Multifocal chorioretinitis was found in 75% of WNV-infected patients but in no patient in the control group (P = .001). Blood glucose and amylase levels were higher in WNV-infected patients, whereas serum sodium levels were lower. The cerebrospinal fluid leukocyte count and protein levels were significantly higher in WNV meningitis or encephalitis. Overall, multifocal chorioretinitis had 100% specificity and 73% sensitivity (88% when only patients with meningitis or encephalitis were analyzed) for the diagnosis of WNV. Multivariate analysis disclosed multifocal chorioretinitis as the only predictor of WNV infection (odds ratio, 62; 95% confidence interval, 6-700; P = .001). CONCLUSION: Multifocal chorioretinitis appears to be a specific marker of WNV infection, particularly in patients who present with meningoencephalitis. An ophthalmologic examination should be part of the routine evaluation of such patients.     

365例COVID-19患者血常规分析

目的探讨新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19)患者外周血细胞的变化规律,为治疗和防范提供指导意义。方法对365例COVID-19患者在住院当天、住院3~7 d、住院14~21 d的白细胞、淋巴细胞等指标分别检测,对3个不同时间的检测结果进行比较,观察COVID-19患者随病程进展血细胞的动态改变。结果365例COVID-19患者在住院3~7 d时白细胞计数最低,均值为4.78×10^9/L,中性粒细胞百分比均值为67.77%,与住院当天和住院14~21 d比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),与正常对照比较,差异也均有统计学意义(P<0.01);COVID-19患者住院3~7 d的淋巴细胞计数均值为1.07×10^9/L,百分比均值为22.75%,与住院当天和住院14~21 d比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),与正常对照比较,差异也均有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论365例COVID-19患者在住院3~7 d白细胞计数最低,而淋巴细胞计数的降低更为明显。经过综合治疗14~21 d后,白细胞和淋巴细胞计数较住院3~7 d及住院当天均有上升,但仍未恢复至正常水平。     

闽南地区无偿献血者隐匿性乙型肝炎病毒感染研究

目的研究闽南地区无偿献血者中隐匿性乙型肝炎病毒感染(OBI)情况,探讨现有输血传播乙肝病毒(HBV)的检测方法的有效性。方法依据多种与HBV相关血清学指标的检测情况对献血者标本进行HBV携带风险评价分级,对较高携带风险的标本做单份多区段巢式-PCR检测其HBV DNA,对低携带风险的标本做10份混合的巢式-PCR检测。采用这一方案,对闽南地区19 360例HBsAg阴性的无偿献血者标本做检测分析。结果闽南地区HBsAg阴性献血者中的HBV DNA阳性检出率为0.21%(40/19 360,95%CI:0.15%—0.28%),属于OBI;其中抗-HBc阳性检出率85%(34/40),但阳性预测值仅为3.4%(34/995,95%CI:2.4%—4.7%);HBV NRAg阳性预测值30%(6/20),但灵敏度为15%(6/40)。结论现有筛查体系下无偿献血者中仍存在一定比例的OBI,需要寻求更为有效的检测方法。     

C-reactive protein, leukocyte count and D-dimer monitoring after orthopedic surgery: early diagnosis of infectious or thromboembolic complications. Part one: C-reactive protein and leukocyte count as an aid in diagnosing postoperative infection]

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the usefulness of monitoring C-reactive protein (CRP) level and leukocyte count for early diagnosis of infection following orthopedic surgery. METHOD: A cohort of 179 patients was followed: group 1 comprised 128 patients undergoing lower limb arthroplasty, group 2 comprised 29 patients undergoing lower limb surgery without implant, and group 3 comprised 22 patients undergoing spinal or upper limb surgery. CRP level and leukocyte count were systematically measured on admission and then once a week for 4 weeks. Wound infections, other infections, wound disconnection without infection and hematoma were noted. CRP level and leukocyte count were monitored postoperatively in patients with and without complications. RESULTS: CRP level was 4- to 8-fold above the normal range at the first postoperative measurement but normalized within the next 3 weeks (reaching normal levels by the 30th postoperative day, on average). In the 7 cases of wound infection (WI), the CRP level rose to 28-fold above normal and was significantly different from that in without infection or with intercurrent infection (P<0.01). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was established for CRP level, and for a value of 60 (12-fold above the normal range) the sensitivity was 100%, the specificity 83.6% and the negative predictive value 100%. The variation in leukocyte count was minor, with a significant difference noted between only patients not infected or those with WI (P<0.05). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of CRP level can be used for early diagnosis of wound infection. In the case of strong clinical suspicion or in the presence of high risk factors, when the level is at 12-fold or more above the normal range, the diagnosis of infection is highly probable.     

获得性免疫缺陷综合征合并真菌性血流感染临床特点及预后分析

目的了解获得性免疫缺陷综合征(AIDS)合并真菌性血流感染的临床特点及预后。方法回顾性分析西南医科大学附属医院感染科2013年1月-2019年5月收治的AIDS合并真菌性血流感染患者的临床资料,分析28 d内死亡的危险因素。结果①58例AIDS患者血培养获真菌58株,其中马尔尼菲篮状菌26株(44.8%),隐球菌31株(53.4%),白念珠菌1株(1.7%),多数真菌对常见抗真菌药物敏感。②58例患者死亡30例,生存28例,两组间年龄、体质量指数、血红蛋白、淋巴细胞计数、血小板计数、白蛋白、降钙素原、C反应蛋白,贫血、血小板减少、肝肾功能不全发生率比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);性别、病原菌分布、CD4+T细胞计数等无明显差异。马尔尼菲篮状菌与隐球菌血流感染患者相比,前者易出现特征性皮疹(7/26),后者易合并脑膜脑炎(17/31)。③logistic回归分析显示白蛋白降低(OR=1.426,95%CI:1.094~1.858,P=0.009)是AIDS合并真菌性血流感染患者预后不良的独立危险因素。白蛋白区分预后的受试者工作特征曲线下面积(AUC)为0.936,临界诊断值为31.75 g/L(灵敏度为85.7%,特异度为86.7%)。结论该院AIDS合并真菌性血流感染患者病原菌以马尔尼菲篮状菌和隐球菌为主,预后差。血清白蛋白水平可较为准确地评估患者预后。     

Sequential changes in plasma cytokine and endotoxin levels in cirrhotic patients with bacterial infection

To delineate the clinical roles of plasma cytokine or endotoxin levels in the natural course of infection in patients with decompensated cirrhosis, 66 cirrhotic patients were studied within a 1.5-year period. Plasma levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, IL-8 and endotoxin were determined on days 1, 4 and 7 after admission when hospital infection was suspected and 4 months later. A total of 24 patients (36.4%) were proven to be infected during hospitalization (group A), while 42 others were not infected (group B). Fever occurred in a very high proportion (22/24) of group A patients. Baseline levels of TNF-alpha (37.7+/-15.2 compared with 8.7+/-1.2 pg/ml; P<0.01) and IL-6 (180.5+/-20.5 compared with 24.6+/-7.5 pg/ml; P<0.0001) were higher in group A patients, while IL-1beta, IL-8 and endotoxin levels were not significantly different between the two groups. For patients with hospital infection, IL-6 levels determined during the episode were significantly higher than baseline levels. Using IL-6 >80 pg/ml as a baseline cut-off level to diagnose bacterial infection, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 87.5, 100 and 95.5% respectively. The one-year cumulative probability of mortality (61.1% compared with 23.7%; P<0.001) and of bacterial re-infection (72.2% compared with 18.4%; P<0.0001) was higher in group A than in group B. Plasma TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels determined at 4 months were not different between the two groups. In conclusion, fever or elevated plasma IL-6 levels in patients with decompensated cirrhosis calls for early antibiotic treatment to prevent life-threatening bacterial infection. Bacterial infection is likely to recur in those patients with increased IL-6 levels, while severe episodes of infection occur in patients with increased TNF-alpha levels.     

Diagnostic implications of markedly elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate: a reevaluation

To reevaluate the diagnostic significance of a markedly elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), the clinical diagnosis associated with an ESR of 100 mm/hr or greater was retrospectively analyzed in 200 patients at the Massachusetts General Hospital. In contrast to previously reported experiences in the the American literature suggesting a high frequency (58 percent) of malignant disease in such patients, the present study found infections to be the most frequently associated diseases (35 percent), while malignant disease accounted for only 15 percent of the patients. Review of the foreign literature similarly suggested infection rather than malignancy as a major association with markedly elevated ESRs. It is concluded that an ESR greater than or equal to 100 mm/hr has little diagnostic specificity and should not of itself dictate evaluation for occult malignancy in most patients.     

Elevated carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) in patients with Echinococcus infection.

The carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), a determinant (sialylated lacto-N-fucopentaose 119) of a circulating oligosaccharide antigen, is a frequently used tumor marker. Echinococcus spp. infects humans throughout the world and may be able to synthesize closely related molecules which could interfere with the measurement and interpretation of CA 19-9 concentration. The main objective of the present study was to determine the range of CA 19-9 levels in the sera of patients infected by E. granulosus (cystic hydatide disease; CYSHD) or E. multilocularis (alveolar hydatide disease; ALVHD). Serum samples were collected from patients (aged 10-85 years) over a period of 5 years: from 19 patients with CYSHD and from 20 patients with ALVHD. Infection was confirmed by positive Echinococcus serology and clinical evidence provided by imaging and/or histopathological findings. CA 19-9 was detectable in 13 patients with CYSHD (13.5 +/- 8.5 kU/l) and 13 patients with ALVHD (30.0 +/- 21 kU/l; p < 0.05). Thus ALVHD patients exhibited a significantly higher plasma level of CA 19-9 than CYSHD patients. The serum level of CA 19-9 assessed with an increased cut-off value (> 22 kU/l) was elevated in nine (45%) of 20 ALVHD patients compared to two (11%) of 19 CYSHD patients (p < 0.05). Sera from patients with Echinococcus multilocularis infection contain substances which cross-react with CA 19-9. These substances originate either from the parasite or are synthesized by the host in response to the infection, and possibly bear the Lewis-a antigen or closely related structures which are recognized by anti-CA 19-9 antibodies. Our findings are relevant to the investigation of patients presenting with cystic lesions for which the differential diagnosis includes an infectious or neoplastic origin.     

Predictive significance of neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte and platelet‐to‐lymphocyte for cytomegalovirus infection in infants less than 3 months: A retrospective study

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of the hematological parameters in the identification of human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in infants less than 3 months.MethodsA single‐center, observational study of infants with CMV infection was conducted retrospectively. Routine blood parameters were analyzed in CMV‐infected infants and controls with no differences of birthweight, sex, gestational age at birth, and date of admission. Furthermore, receiver‐operating curve was used to assess the predictive value of the hematological parameters for CMV infection.ResultsOne hundred ninety cases with CMV infection were studied retrospectively. Compared with the control group, there were significant differences in the white blood cell count, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, platelet count, hemoglobin, neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte (NLR), platelet‐to‐lymphocyte (PLR), and lymphocyte‐to‐monocyte (LMR) for the patients with CMV infection (all p < 0.001). The best predicted values for CMV infection based on the area under the curve (AUC) were NLR and PLR with the optimal cut‐off value of 0.28 and 65.36. NLR‐PLR score of 0, 1, or 2 based on an elevated NLR (>0.28), an elevated PLR (>65.36), or both. NLR‐PLR score for CMV infection prediction yielded higher AUC values than NLR or PLR alone (0.760 vs. 0.689, 0.689; p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe NLR combined with PLR is potentially useful as a predictor of CMV infection in infants less than 3 months.     

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in palliative care

Our objective was to assess the impact of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in palliative care. The study was conducted at three hospices in south London, totalling 118 beds, and the following two methods were used. Firstly, a retrospective review of the notes of patients who were known to be MRSA positive at admission or were subsequently found to be MRSA positive was taken. Secondly, a prospective study of factors influencing bed occupancy in one hospice was conducted. The proportion of admissions who were MRSA positive ranged from 4% to 8% in the three hospices. Seven of the 43 patients who had MRSA suffered clinically significant infections. Risk factors for colonization and bacteraemia were similar to the general population. Sites of infection were variable and multiple and treatment regimes for eradication were variable, with varying outcomes. MRSA infection appeared to delay admission because of the need for single rooms, of which there are few Time spent cleaning rooms after discharge or death also reduced the number of available beds. It was concluded that MRSA infection is associated with significant morbidity in a small number of palliative care patients. Beds unavailable because of MRSA should be considered in bed occupancy figures, otherwise bed occupancy may appear artificially low. The psychological and financial impact of the infection in palliative care patients needs further evaluation.     

原发性脊柱感染的分析和治疗

目的 探讨原发性化脓性脊柱感染(PSI)、结核性脊柱感染(TSI)和布氏杆菌性脊柱感染(BSI)临床特征。方法 回顾性分析河北医科大学第三医院从2016年1月至2020年12月收治的79例原发性脊柱感染患者的临床资料并对其进行统计学分析。结果 PSI组入院时中性粒细胞百分比,C反应蛋白,降钙素原高于TSI组与BSI组,PSI组白细胞计数高于BSI组;TSI组较PSI组起病时间时间长,红细胞沉降率低,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);原发性脊柱感染最常见的临床症状是颈或背部疼痛69例(87.3%),其次为发热或寒颤39例(49.4%)。PSI组出现发热或寒颤症状的患者比例高于TSI组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.017);3组中最常累及的部位均为腰骶部,分别为28例(87.5%)、16例(57.1%)和16例(84.2%)。然而,颈胸段受累在TSI组较PSI组中更为常见,差异有统计学意义(P<0.017)。TSI组出现椎旁脓肿和腰大肌脓肿的比例高于PSI组和BSI组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.017)。结论 出现发热或寒颤、非特异性炎症指标大幅升高,起病急提示PS...     

Elevated cardiac troponin levels in critically ill patients: prevalence, incidence, and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Levels of cardiac troponin, a sensitive and specific marker of myocardial injury, are often elevated in critically ill patients. OBJECTIVES: To document elevated levels of cardiac troponin I in patients in a medical-surgical intensive care unit and the relationship between elevated levels and electrocardiographic findings and mortality. METHODS: A total of 198 patients expected to remain in the intensive care unit for at least 72 hours were classified as having myocardial infarction (cardiac troponin I level >or=1.2 microg/L and ischemic electrocardiographic changes), elevated troponin level only (>or=1.2 microg/L and no ischemic electrocardiographic changes), or normal troponin levels. Events were classified as prevalent if they occurred within 48 hours after admission and as incident if they occurred 48 hours or later after admission. Factors associated with mortality were examined by using regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 171 patients had at least one troponin level measured in the first 48 hours. The prevalence of elevated troponin level was 42.1% (72 patients); 38 patients (22.2%) had myocardial infarction, and 34 (19.9%) had elevated troponin level only. After the first 48 hours, 136 patients had at least 1 troponin measurement. The incidence of elevated troponin level was 11.8% (16 patients); 7 patients (5.1%) met criteria for myocardial infarction, and 2 (1.5%) had elevated troponin level only. Elevated levels of troponin I at any time during admission were associated with mortality in the univariate but not the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated levels of cardiac troponin I in critically ill patients do not always indicate myocardial infarction or an adverse prognosis.