Clinical significance of cerebrospinal fluid presepsin as adjunctive biomarker for postneurosurgical meningitis: A single-center prospective observational study.

Background: Postneurosurgical meningitis (PNM) is a serious complication in neurocritical care patients, leading to clinical deterioration and worsening outcomes. Accurate diagnosis of PNM is often difficult due to the lack of definitive diagnostic criteria. This study investigates the potential utility of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) presepsin (PSP), blood PSP, and the CSF/blood PSP ratio as adjunctive biomarkers for the diagnosis of PNM. Methods: We conducted a single-center prospective observational study at Nara Prefecture General Medical Center in Nara, Japan, from April 2020 to March 2022. The postoperative neurosurgical patients with suspected PNM were included in the study and divided into PNM and non-PNM groups. We evaluated the sensitivity, specificity, area under curves (AUCs), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for the diagnosis of PNM with CSF PSP, blood PSP, and CSF/blood PSP ratio compared in the two groups. Results: We screened 241 consecutive patients with postoperative neurosurgery. Diagnosis of PNM was suspected in 27 patients, and the clinical diagnosis was confirmed in nine patients. The results of CSF PSP (cutoff: 736 pg/mL) for the diagnosis of PNM were sensitivity 89%, specificity 78%, PPV 67%, NPV 93%, AUC 0.81 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.60-1.00), blood PSP (cut-off: 264 pg/mL) was 56%, 78%, 56%, and 78%, 0.65 (95% CI, 0.42-0.88), and those of CSF/blood PSP ratio (cutoff: 3.45) was 89%, 67%, 57%, and 92%, 0.83 (95% CI, 0.65-1.00). Conclusion: Elevated CSF PSP and CSF/blood PSP ratio may be associated with PNM and could serve as valuable adjunctive biomarkers for improving diagnostic accuracy.

Recurrent Guillain-Barré Syndrome Associated with the Second Episode of Campylobacter jejuni Infection.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) cases are generally monophasic, and recurrence is rare. However, the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of recurrent GBS remain to be fully elucidated. There are few detailed reports of patients who have been infected twice with Campylobacter jejuni and have developed GBS twice. We herein report a case of recurrent GBS in a 21-year-old man with a history of GBS caused by C. jejuni infection at 19 years old. Although our patient was reinfected with C. jejuni, several different anti-ganglioside antibodies were identified, and the clinical manifestations were more severe than those in the first GBS episode. We compared the anti-ganglioside antibodies and nerve conduction studies findings between the two GBS episodes. This case suggested that different antibodies are involved and produce different symptoms even when C. jejuni infection is the trigger in recurrent episodes.

The Efficacy of Acute Myocardial Infarction Intensive Care Unit Management with a Collaborative Intensivists and Cardiologists in Japan: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Objective Dedicated intensive care unit (ICU) physician staffing is associated with a reduction in ICU mortality rates in general medical and surgical ICUs. However, limited data are available on the role of intensivists in ICU for cardiac disease, especially in Japan. This study investigated the association of collaborative intensivists and cardiologist care with clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) admitted to the ICU. Methods This study analyzed 106 patients admitted to the ICU at Nara Prefecture General Medical Center in Nara, Japan, from April 2017 to April 2019. Eligible patients were divided into either the high-intensity ICU management group (n=51) or the low-intensity ICU management group (n=55). The primary outcome of in-hospital mortality was compared in the two groups. Results The high-intensity ICU group was found to be associated with a lower mortality rate in a multivariate analysis than the low-intensity group [7.8% vs. 16.4%; odds ratio (OR): 0.07; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.01-0.54; p=0.01]. There were no significant differences in the length of either the ICU stay or hospital stay or the hospital costs between the two groups. A subgroup analysis revealed that the in-hospital mortality rate was lower in the high-intensity ICU group than in the low-intensity ICU group among patients with Killip class IV (16.7% vs. 34.6%; OR, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.01-0.67; p=0.02). Conclusion The presence of dedicated intensivists in high-intensity ICU collaborating with cardiologists might reduce in-hospital mortality in patients with Killip class IV AMI who require critical care.

Impact of Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction Test in Patients With Meningitis or Encephalitis.

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the FilmArray meningitis/encephalitis panel (FAME) on length of stay (LOS) and duration of antimicrobial treatment in children and adults in a Japanese community hospital. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in Japan between January 2016 and December 2022. We included hospitalized patients with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples and those aged <2 months or who had 5 or more white blood cells/µL in the CSF. To compare the days of therapy (DOT) and LOS between the pre-FAME and FAME periods, multivariate Poisson regression analyses were conducted without an offset term. Results: The number of cases undergoing pathogen-specific polymerase chain reaction increased from 3.7% in the pre-FAME period to 57.5% in the FAME period (P < .001). The pathogen identification rate also increased during the FAME period, from 0.4% to 18.7% (P < .001). While the antibacterial DOT was not statistically different between the 2 periods (adjusted rate ratio [aRR], 1.06 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.00-1.13]; P = .063]), the antiviral DOT was significantly shorter in the FAME period (aRR, 0.80 [95% CI, .71-.89]; P < .001). Conclusions: This study revealed a significant reduction in antiviral use during the FAME period, whereas LOS and antibacterial use did not decrease. Given the possibility of factors (eg, the COVID-19 pandemic) affecting the epidemiology of meningitis and encephalitis, the indications and impact of the FAME test should be evaluated with continuous monitoring of the epidemiology of meningitis and encephalitis and its clinical impact.

Pediatric Advance Care Planning for a Patient with a Severe Motor and Intellectual Disorder through Cooperation between an Acute Care Hospital and a Residential Facility.

Background: With the rapid progress of medical technology, the number of children with medical complexities who require advanced medical care, including mechanical ventilators, has been increasing steadily in Japan. Accordingly, the issue of how to provide holistic care and support for the entire life of the children with severe motor and intellectual disabilities (SMID) who live at home has become a new challenge. Case Presentation: We present the case of a three-year-old boy with SMID due to HHV-6B-induced hemorrhagic shock encephalopathy who was cared for at home by the home visit medical team of Osaka Developmental Rehabilitation Center (ODRC; residential facilities with the department of home medical treatment and care). He developed septic shock triggered by an urinary tract infection and was admitted to Osaka General Medical Center (OGMC; acute care facility not directly affiliated with ODRC), where he deteriorated to a terminal stage. After discussing advance care planning (ACP) with his parents, along with the medical team, an ACP document with parental wishes was created through collaboration between the two facilities. The document was approved by the Ethics Committee at OGMC and the parents signed the document. Special end-of-life care planning was given by nurses at OGMC based on the best interests of the patient and the family. The patient passed away peacefully surrounded by his family in a private room of OGMC according to the ACP, despite special limitations caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Conclusions: ACP provides a good opportunity to think about the best total care for a child with SMID, for whom it is too difficult to express his or her wishes, together with the parents, who are the legal representatives. The collaboration between two institutions with different roles brought out the best of each, and the resulting ACP was beneficial to the patient and their family.

Concomitant acute pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke due to paradoxical embolism from a patent foramen ovale: a case report.

A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a cause of paradoxical embolism. Although most patients with a PFO are asymptomatic, various clinical manifestations may be associated with PFO. The most important is a cryptogenic stroke. Concomitant acute pulmonary embolism (APE), acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to paradoxical embolism from a PFO are extremely rare. We describe a 77-year-old woman with a past medical history of hypertension who was transferred due to a sudden onset of dyspnea followed by cardiopulmonary arrest. Based on the patient's medical history, transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, coronary angiography, and a whole-body contrasted computed tomography, we diagnosed concomitant APE, AMI and AIS caused by a paradoxical embolism from a PFO. Appropriate knowledge of the pathophysiology of this rare critical illness is important for prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Early detection of large-vessel occlusion stroke after cardiac surgery using CT angiography leading to early recanalization with endovascular thrombectomy.

CT angiography may be useful for early diagnosis of ischemic stroke after cardiac surgery. When patients diagnosed with large-vessel occlusion, endovascular thrombectomy may be a therapeutic option and may improve their neurological complications.

Factors associated with high care burden of primary caregivers of children with medical complexity after completing a discharge-support program in a recovery center.

INTRODUCTION: Recently, many seriously ill children requiring medical equipment are being recommended to transition from hospital to home care in Japan. Since 2011, our recovery center has provided a support program for the transfer process from hospital to home for ill children and their families. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors related to high care burden after completing the discharge-support program. METHODS: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted on all primary caregivers whose children received the program in our center and moved from hospital to home (30 children and 29 families) from May 2011 to May 2018. Fifteen children came from the neonatal intensive care unit. The questionnaire consisted of three parts: characteristics of children and families and life after the program; the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI); and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). RESULTS: Twenty-three primary caregivers responded (79% response rate). All children received tracheostomy and 71% received home mechanical ventilation. Primary caregivers were all mothers. High ZBI score was not related to the severity and type of medical equipment. There were relationships between high ZBI score and following factors: 'unimproved relationship between patients and family members without primary caregivers' and 'additional medical equipment after discharge'. The result of PANAS showed that positive attitude was not different between those with high and low ZBI scores. CONCLUSION: It is crucial to reach out to family members without a primary caregiver. Additional medical care/equipment after the program is related to the care burden of primary caregivers.

Infected thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm related to an implanted long-term arterial catheter for chemotherapy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: An infected aortic aneurysm is a rare and life-threatening vascular condition with a high incidence of arterial rupture and recurrence even after treatment. One of the most common causes of an infected aortic aneurysm is catheter-related bloodstream infection. Although infection due to indwelling catheters is possible, the incidence of this is rare, especially for long-term implanted arterial catheters. CASE PRESENTATION: A 78-year-old Japanese man with a past medical history of rectal cancer with metastasis to the liver presented to our hospital as a result of low back pain. Remission had been achieved following surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy via an implanted catheter for arterial infusion. However, the original catheter that was inserted from the femoral artery to the hepatic artery via the celiac artery was still present more than 10 years after diagnosis, without being replaced, in case of a recurrence. On the day of admission, computed tomography scan of the chest and abdomen with contrast revealed an irregularly shaped aortic aneurysm at the origin of the celiac artery and a partially expanded common hepatic artery with disproportionate fat stranding along the implanted arterial catheter without extravasation. Although the initial impression was an impending rupture of the acute thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm, a catheter-related infection was considered as a differential diagnosis. Surgery was performed, which revealed a catheter-related infected aortic aneurysm based on images along the catheter, pus cultures, and tissue pathology examination results. CONCLUSIONS: This is an extremely rare case of an infectious aneurysm caused by prolonged implantation of an arterial catheter for chemotherapy. It should be noted that an indwelling arterial catheter not only causes bloodstream infections but can also cause an infection of a thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm.

Thyroid storm associated with type 2 amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis due to long-term administration: a case report.

BACKGROUND: There are two types of amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT). Type 1 AIT is increased synthesis of thyroid hormone, whereas type 2 AIT is excess release of thyroid hormone due to a destructive thyroiditis. However, cases leading to amiodarone-induced thyroid storm are rare. CASE PRESENTATION: A 75-year-old man with a history of chronic heart failure, nonsustained ventricular tachycardia, and atrial fibrillation was treated with amiodarone from age 72. He was presented to the emergency department with edema of the legs and dyspnea on exertion for 3 weeks. He was diagnosed with thyroid storm associated with type 2 AIT on the basis of no pre-existing thyroid disease and long-term amiodarone administration without appropriate medical attention and thyroid function tests. CONCLUSION: This case report suggests that amiodarone can cause not only AIT but also thyroid storm. Regular medical appointment and thyroid function tests can avoid this critical illness.

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome associated with a traditional Japanese training method under a waterfall named Takigyo: a case report.

CASE: Takigyo is a traditional Japanese training method for psychosomatic conditions in which individuals meditate under a waterfall. A 55-year-old man presented with a mild headache and visual loss that occurred following Takigyo. On the day of admission, acute ischemic stroke was suspected based on brain magnetic resonance imaging examination. However, subsequent brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed reversible vasoconstriction of the cerebral diffuse segmental arteries. OUTCOME: We diagnosed reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome caused by Takigyo on the basis of his clinical course and image findings. He was treated with nifedipine and his clinical condition improved without recurrence. CONCLUSION: We experienced a unique RCVS associated with Takigyo. It is important to accurately assess the etiology of headache with unusual circumstances and differential diagnosis including reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome.

Challenges in management of unusual acquired factor V deficiency: A case report.

RATIONALE: Acquired inhibitors of coagulation are antibodies that either inhibit the activity or increase the clearance of a clotting factor. Acquired factor V deficiency is a rare coagulation disorder, and it can sometimes be life threatening. PATIENT CONCERNS: We describe a case of a 90-year-old Japanese male with acquired factor V deficiency. He was previously misdiagnosed with congenital factor V deficiency when he presented with hemoptysis and a negative factor V inhibitor test result at a different hospital 5 years earlier. Coagulopathy recurred with ecchymosis when he sustained a bruise after falling on a bush. DIAGNOSIS: Although the factor V inhibitor test result was negative and a mixing study suggested a deficiency pattern, we diagnosed the patient with acquired factor V deficiency on the basis of no history of bleeding diathesis, a lack of response to multiple fresh frozen plasma transfusion, and clinical response to corticosteroid therapy. INTERVENTIONS: Intravenous methylprednisolone was administered at 500 mg/day for 3 days, followed by oral prednisolone at 1 mg/kg/day. OUTCOMES: Coagulation test results improved and symptoms resolved 2 weeks after corticosteroid administration. LESSONS: This case report suggests that clearance-facilitating antibodies exist without the presence of neutralizing inhibitors. When patients present with coagulation factor V deficiency in the absence of coagulation inhibitors, acquired factor V deficiency should also be considered.

Microarray analysis of 50 patients reveals the critical chromosomal regions responsible for 1p36 deletion syndrome-related complications.

OBJECTIVE: Monosomy 1p36 syndrome is the most commonly observed subtelomeric deletion syndrome. Patients with this syndrome typically have common clinical features, such as intellectual disability, epilepsy, and characteristic craniofacial features. METHOD: In cooperation with academic societies, we analyzed the genomic copy number aberrations using chromosomal microarray testing. Finally, the genotype-phenotype correlation among them was examined. RESULTS: We obtained clinical information of 86 patients who had been diagnosed with chromosomal deletions in the 1p36 region. Among them, blood samples were obtained from 50 patients (15 males and 35 females). The precise deletion regions were successfully genotyped. There were variable deletion patterns: pure terminal deletions in 38 patients (76%), including three cases of mosaicism; unbalanced translocations in seven (14%); and interstitial deletions in five (10%). Craniofacial/skeletal features, neurodevelopmental impairments, and cardiac anomalies were commonly observed in patients, with correlation to deletion sizes. CONCLUSION: The genotype-phenotype correlation analysis narrowed the region responsible for distinctive craniofacial features and intellectual disability into 1.8-2.1 and 1.8-2.2 Mb region, respectively. Patients with deletions larger than 6.2 Mb showed no ambulation, indicating that severe neurodevelopmental prognosis may be modified by haploinsufficiencies of KCNAB2 and CHD5, located at 6.2 Mb away from the telomere. Although the genotype-phenotype correlation for the cardiac abnormalities is unclear, PRDM16, PRKCZ, and RERE may be related to this complication. Our study also revealed that female patients who acquired ambulatory ability were likely to be at risk for obesity.