Predictive factors of intensive care unit admission in patients with haematological malignancies and pneumonia

Objective To describe early signs at the onset of pneumonia occurring in the haematology ward which could be associated with a transfer to the ICU.Design A 13-month preliminary prospective observational cohort study.Setting Department of haematology and (32-bed) medical intensive care unit (ICU).Patients Fifty-three of 302 patients hospitalised in the haematology ward who developed presumptive clinical evidence of pneumonia were enrolled.Measurements and results At the onset of the clinical evidence of pneumonia (day 1), we compared variables between patients requiring an ICU admission and those who did not. Twenty-four patients (45%) required a transfer to the ICU. Factors associated with ICU admission were: numbers of involved quadrants: 2.3 vs 1, P=0.001 and oxygenation parameters (initial level of O₂ supplementation: 3.5 vs 0.9 l/min, P<0.05), the presence of hepatic failure (58% vs 10%, P<0.01), Gram-negative bacilli isolated in blood culture (7 vs 1, P=0.01). In the multivariate analysis, a decrease of 10% in the SaO₂ and the requirement of nasal supplementary O₂ at the onset of acute respiratory failure increased the risk of admission to MICU, respectively, by 18 and by 14. The overall 6-month mortality rate of the 53 patients was 28%.Conclusion Parameters of oxygenation and radiological score could be associated with this transfer on day 1 of the onset of pneumonia occurrence. A further study should evaluate an earlier selection of this type of patient, followed by an early admission to the MICU, in order to improve ICU outcome.     

Isoniazid acetylation phenotyping in Saudi Arabs

AIMS: The present study is designed to investigate the acetylator status in Saudi Arabs. METHODS: Isoniazid (INH) acetylation phenotyping was studied in 136 Saudi Arabs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, using a single plasma sample taken 3 h post-INH oral dose of 200 mg. Metabolic ratio (MR) of plasma acetyl-INH (Ac-INH) to INH was used to determine the acetylation phenotype. RESULTS: The MR had a bimodal distribution with an antimode of 1.0. The frequency distribution of slow acetylators (MR < 1.0) was 94.9% (n = 129). Using Hardy-Weinberg Law, the gene frequency (q) of the recessive allele determining slow acetylator phenotype was found to be 0.97. CONCLUSION: INH phenotyping suggests a high frequency of slow acetylators among Saudi Arabs. There was no association between the MR of plasma Ac-INH/INH and age or gender.     

Empfehlungen der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Rheumatologie zum Einsatz von Tocilizumab bei der rheumatoiden Arthritis (Februar 2010)

The humanized anti-IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody tocilizumab (TCZ) represents a new therapy approach for moderately severe to severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The IL-6 concentration in the synovial fluid and peripheral circulation of patients with RA is elevated. TCZ recognises the IL-6 binding site of human IL-6R and blocks the IL-6 signaling pathway. TCZ is capable of correcting a multitude of pathological processes in RA, as has been shown in a number of studies. TCZ treatment should be combined with methotrexate. If the latter cannot be administered, TCZ can also be used as a monotherapy. The recommended dose is 8 mg/kg once every 4 weeks; the minimum dose per infusion is 480 mg. Close monitoring, in particular for infectious complications, is necessary. Clinical effects of TCZ are usually seen several weeks following initiation of therapy. If no significant clinical response is seen within 6 months, TCZ therapy should be ceased.     

Resurgence of measles in the French military forces in 2010

Since the start of 2010 there has been a flare-up of measles in France, following on the resurgence observed in 2008. The aim of this study was to present results of the epidemiological surveillance of measles in the French armed forces and to describe the increase in incidence. Measles was surveyed from 1992 to 2010. Criteria for report were those used for French national compulsory notification. The data, concerning active military personnel, were provided by the physicians in the armed forces using anonymous data collection forms. Between 1992 and July 2010, 689 cases of measles were notified. Since 2002, the mean incidence rate was 1 case per 100,000. A significant increase has been observed for 2010 (13.9 cases per 100,000 in 2010 versus 1.8 in 2009). The 28 cases reported in 2010 involved five clusters and three isolated cases. The mean age of affected subjects was 27?years. Only 30% of cases had been vaccinated. The epidemic resurgence of measles observed in 2010 in the French armed forces follows the same pattern as that observed nationally and at European level, and can be seen as the likely consequence of inadequate vaccination cover.     

Reduced endothelial progenitor cells in European and South Asian men with atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND: Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a role in the repair and regeneration of the endothelium and may represent a novel cardiovascular risk factor. South Asian subjects have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease which is not fully explained by known risk factors. This study examined associations of EPCs with atherosclerosis and possible ethnic differences in EPCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A population sample of 58 European and South Asian adult men was enriched with the recruitment of an additional 59 European and South Asian men with known coronary disease. The coronary artery calcification score was measured by multi-slice computerized tomography (CT), carotid and femoral intima-media thickness (IMT), and femoral plaques were measured by ultrasound. The subjects were further subdivided into three categories of coronary artery disease on the basis of coronary artery calcification score and clinical history. Total EPCs and non-senescent EPCs (ns-EPCs) were quantified after 5 days cell culture and the number of late outgrowth colonies was measured over a 6-week test period. Circulating CD34+ haematopoietic precursor cells were measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Individuals with femoral plaques had reduced total and ns-EPCs. The number of ns-EPCs were reduced in individuals with the most coronary atheroma and were inversely related to the coronary calcification score and femoral IMT. These relationships persisted after multivariate adjustment for other risk factors. The numbers of late outgrowth colonies or circulating CD34+ cells were unrelated to the presence of atherosclerosis. There were no differences in the number of EPCs between European and South Asian subjects. CONCLUSION: The number of EPCs are reduced in subjects with atherosclerosis independent of other risk factors. Reduction in EPC numbers may be an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis but does not explain ethnic differences in cardiovascular risk.     

Meta-analyses of mortality and morbidity effects of an angiotensin receptor blocker in patients with chronic heart failure already receiving an ACE inhibitor (alone or with a beta-blocker)

BACKGROUND: While treatment with either angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) is clearly superior to placebo in the treatment of heart failure patients, controversy still surrounds the effects of ARBs in patients already receiving an ACEi. Even more controversial is the wisdom of administering ARBs in patients already on an ACEi and beta-blocker. METHODS: We present meta-analyses of the available randomised controlled trials to date (October 2003) of angiotensin II receptor antagonists versus placebo in patients with symptomatic chronic heart failure in which both groups received ACEi. The two largest eligible trials were CHARM-Added and Val-HeFT. We examined two endpoints: mortality and a combined endpoint of mortality and morbidity. RESULTS: In the first meta-analysis, covering all patients regardless of beta-blocker use, we found a significant reduction in the combined endpoint (odds ratio [OR]=0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.81-0.98), but no significant reduction in mortality itself (OR=0.97; CI: 0.87-1.08). In the second meta-analysis, covering patients concomitantly on beta-blockers, we found no significant effect on mortality (OR=1.08; CI: 0.90-1.29) or on the combined endpoint (OR=0.94; CI: 0.82-1.10). In the third meta-analysis, covering patients not on concomitant beta-blockers, there is clear evidence of a reduction in the combined endpoint (OR=0.83; CI: 0.73-0.94), but not on mortality (OR=0.93; CI: 0.81-1.06). CONCLUSION: There is now good evidence for the use of ARBs to prevent events in patients with heart failure on ACEi who are not suitable for beta-blockers.     

Fulminant course of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in systemic lupus erythematosus--a case report

A 31-year old male patient had suffered from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) for 21 years. During the last 8 years he exhibited no clinical symptoms and did not receive any medical SLE treatment. He was admitted with a two-day history of dyspnea and fever. Laboratory studies revealed microcytic anemia and elevated levels of inflammation markers. Chest X-ray showed pulmonary infiltrates. The respiratory status rapidly deteriorated and the patient died 16 hours after admission. An autopsy was performed and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in all parts of the lungs were seen, which was confirmed by microscopic examination. In contrast, lung histology did not show evidence of infection or inflammatory lesions. Additionally, membranous glomerulonephritis could be identified by light and electron microscopy. Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) and concomittant lupus nephritis as manifestations of the known SLE were diagnosed. Acute pulmonary hemorrhage was determined as the cause of death. DAH is a rare, but serious manifestation of SLE. The diagnosis is difficult since the occurrence is abrupt and both symptoms and histology of the lesion are non-uniform and unspecific. The present case demonstrates that DAH also develops in patients that have not had clinical symptoms for several years. Since the early diagnosis is essential for the outcome, DAH should be considered in every case of SLE patients with severe pulmonary symptoms. Corticosteroids are the recommended form of therapy for this disorder.