Clinico-bacterial and prognostic factors in patients with suspected blood stream infection and elevated serum procalcitonin levels.

This study determined prognostic factors by comparing clinico-bacterial factors based on significant elevated serum procalcitonin levels in patients with suspected bloodstream infection (BSI). We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 1,052 patients (age ≥16 years) with fever (temperature ≥38°C) and serum procalcitonin levels of ≥2.0 ng/mL, and blood culture results. The optimal cutoff value of the significant elevation of procalcitonin was determined using the minimum P-value approach. Clinico-bacterial factors were analyzed per the procalcitonin levels, and significant independent factors for short-term survival were investigated in 445 patients with BSI. Patients with suspected BSI were aged, on average, 72.3 ± 15.1 years, and the incidence of positive blood culture was 42.3%; and the 14-day survival was 83.4%. Procalcitonin ≥100 ng/mL was the most significant predictor for survival. Multivariate analysis in patients with suspected BSI showed that estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 and procalcitonin ≥100 ng/mL were significant independent unfavorable prognostic factors. Microorganisms were similar between patients with procalcitonin level 2-99 ng/mL (n=359) and those with ≥100 ng/mL (n=86). Multivariate analysis in patients with BSI showed that eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2, procalcitonin ≥100 ng/mL, and primary infectious foci were significant independent prognostic factors. Patients with foci in the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory system had unfavorable 14-day survival. In conclusions, eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 and procalcitonin ≥100 ng/mL were significant independent unfavorable prognostic factors for suspected BSI. Primary infectious foci (gastrointestinal tract and respiratory system) were associated with unfavorable short-term survival in patients with positive blood culture.

[Leukemic pulmonary infiltration diagnosed by sputum Giemsa-staining].

A 54-year-old man with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from a human leukocyte antigen-matched unrelated donor in nonremission status. Bone marrow aspiration performed on day 14 showed that the patient had achieved complete remission; however, he relapsed on day 28. The patient developed a wet cough, and chest computed tomography performed on day 27 revealed pneumonia. Because pneumonia developed along with the leukemic relapse, we suspected that it was due to pulmonary leukemic infiltration (PLI). Giemsa-stained sputum showed some blast cells and fluorescence in situ hybridization indicated that the patient had monosomy 7, which was also detected in bone marrow blasts. Though we prescribed hydroxycarbamide and decreased tacrolimus rapidly, AML progressed and led to the patient's death on day 45. Histopathological findings of the autopsy performed the next day showed diffuse alveolar damage in both lungs. The blast cells were packed in blood vessels of alveolar septa and were also seen in alveoli. PLI was diagnosed pathologically. In conclusion, our case demonstrates that Giemsa stain of sputum is useful in quick diagnosis of PLI without invasive examination.