Central venous catheter-associated bloodstream infection and colonisation of insertion site and catheter tip. What are the rates and risk factors in haematology patients?

Skin colonisation is an important source for central venous catheter (CVC) colonisation and infection. This study intended to identify risk factors for skin colonisation prior to CVC placement (baseline colonisation) and within 10 days after CVC insertion (subsequent colonisation), for CVC-tip colonisation and for bloodstream infection (BSI). Within a randomised clinical trial, data of 219 patients with haematological malignancies and inserted CVC (with a total of 5,501 CVC-days and 4,275 days at risk) in two university hospitals were analysed. Quantitative skin cultures were obtained from the insertion site before CVC placement and at regular intervals afterwards. CVC-tip cultures were taken on CVC removal and data collection was performed. Statistical analysis included linear and logistic regression models. Age was an independent risk factor for colonisation prior to CVC placement (baseline colonisation). Independent risk factors for subsequent colonisation were baseline colonisation and male gender. High level of subsequent skin colonisation at the insertion site was a predictor of CVC-tip colonisation, and a predictor of BSI. High level of skin colonisation predicts catheter tip colonisation and possibly subsequent infection. Sustained reduction of bacterial growth at the CVC insertion site is therefore indispensable. Male patients are at particular risk for skin colonisation and may be a target population for additional insertion-site care before and during catheterisation.     

Phenotypic characterization and functional analysis of human tumor immune infiltration after mechanical and enzymatic disaggregation

Multi-parametric flow cytometry analysis is a reliable method for phenotypic and functional characterization of tumor infiltrating immune cells (TIIC). The isolation of infiltrating leukocytes from solid tumors can be achieved through various methods which can be both enzymatic and mechanical; however, these methods may alter cell biology. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of three tissue disaggregation techniques on TIIC biology in breast, kidney and lung tumor specimens. We therefore compared two enzymatic treatments using either collagenase type IA alone or in combination with collagenase type IV and DNase I type II, and one mechanical system (Medimachine?). We evaluated the impact of treatments on cell viability, surface marker integrity and proliferative capacity. We show that cell viability was not significantly altered by treatments. However, enzymatic treatments decreased cell proliferation; specifically collagenases and DNase provoked a significant decrease in detection of surface markers such as CD4, CD8, CD45RA and CD14, indicating that results of phenotypic studies employing these techniques could be affected. In conclusion, mechanical tissue disaggregation by Medimachine? appears to be optimal to maintain phenotypic and functional TIIC features.     

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome after treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

BACKGROUND: We report the case of a patient who experienced a severe neurologic complication after treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. CASE REPORT: A 62-year old patient was diagnosed with a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone under prophylactic G-CSF substitution. After the second cycle she developed severe neurologic complications with generalized seizures and soporous condition. The MRI showed bilateral areas of signal hyperintensity in the subcortical and cortical regions in both hemispheres, consistent with the diagnosis of a reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome. The patient was under surveillance in intensive care, and a meticulous control of the blood pressure was performed. She fully recovered within a few days, and MRI changes normalized. Antineoplastic treatment had to be continued, and we chose a combination of rituximab, doxorubicin, etoposide, and prednisone. CONCLUSIONS: The reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome is believed to be the result of altered cerebral autoregulation with impaired blood flow control and resultant endothelial damage caused by different situations and agents. Several chemotherapy agents have been described in association with the syndrome. However, little is known about the prevalence of the syndrome and the follow-up of these patients, especially their further treatment.     

Patient-based evaluations of primary care for cardiovascular diseases: a comparison between conventional and complementary medicine

Background Patients with chronic diseases, including cardiovascular conditions, increasingly rely on complementary and alternative medical (CAM) therapies. Objectives The Swiss Program for Complementary Medicine Evaluation offers a unique opportunity to analyse cardiovascular patients’ satisfaction with CAM and conventional medical (COM) therapies. The treatment choices of doctors certified in conventional as well as complementary therapies also could be studied. Methods A national observational evaluation on treatment satisfaction of patients consulting COM or CAM doctors. Out of this evaluation project, data related to patients with cardiovascular diseases were specifically analysed for patient satisfaction with treatment and outcome when treated by COM or CAM doctors. Results Of 199 included doctors (78 COM, 121 CAM) treating cardiovascular patients, COM doctors treated twice as many cardiovascular patients per doctor than CAM doctors. CAM doctors treated less than 1/3 of their cardiovascular patients solely by CAM, while they treated 42% exclusively by COM therapies. Patients seeing a CAM doctor had a significantly longer consultation and were more likely to be highly satisfied with overall treatment outcome and patient‐practitioner communication. Moreover, patients seeing a CAM doctor and being treated solely by a CAM therapy more often report ‘complete fulfilment of outcome expectation’ and ‘high overall satisfaction with treatment’, although their symptoms less often disappear totally than those of COM therapy‐treated patients. Conclusion CAM therapies are not the first treatment choice for cardiovascular diseases. However, even though CAM doctors preferentially apply COM therapies, cardiovascular patients treated by CAM doctors are more likely to be satisfied with the overall treatment outcome, possibly because of the longer and better patient–practitioner interaction.     

Neurotrophin-induced trk receptor phosphorylation and cholinergic neuron response in primary cultures of embryonic rat brain neurons.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of trk type neurotrophin receptors in primary cultures of embryonic rat brain cells was studied by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting. In cultures containing basal forebrain cholinergic neurons, but not in cultures of cerebral cortex, nerve growth factor (NGF) treatment for 4 min induced tyrosine phosphorylation of trk family proteins. Stimulation with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), resulted in a very robust phosphorylation signal in basal forebrain and cortical cultures, suggesting actions of these neurotrophins not only on cholinergic cells but probably on most embryonic brain neurons. Trk tyrosine phosphorylation was completely abolished by 5 microM K-252b. Inhibition was rapid, being evident by 30 s following addition of the drug. Corresponding stimulatory and inhibitory effects were seen for phospholipase-C gamma 1 (PLC gamma 1) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (Erk1), two enzymes involved in second messenger mechanisms. Our findings indicate involvement of trk receptor activation in the NGF response of basal forebrain cholinergic cells and provide evidence for widespread presence of BDNF and NT-3 responsive neurons in the embryonic brain.