Predictive model of return of spontaneous circulation among patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Thailand: The WATCH-CPR Score.

BACKGROUND: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is an emergency that requires immediate management to save lives. However, some predictive scores for the immediate outcomes of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest are difficult to use in clinical practice. AIMS: This study aimed to identify predictors of sustained return of spontaneous circulation and to develop a predictive score. METHODS: This prospective observational study evaluated sustained return of spontaneous circulation among out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients in a Thai emergency department between July 2014 and March 2018. The baseline characteristics and prehospital and hospital findings were analysed. RESULTS: Of 347 patients, 126 (36.3%) had sustained return of spontaneous circulation and 20 (5.8%) were discharged. Witnessed arrest (odds ratio = 2.9, 95% confidence interval 1.3-6.2), time from arrest to chest compression <15 min (odds ratio = 3.0, 95% confidence interval 1.3-7.0) and chest compression duration <30 min (odds ratio = 15.6, 95% confidence interval 8.7-28.0) predicted sustained return of spontaneous circulation; these were developed into the WATCH-CPR (Witnessed Arrest, Time from arrest to CHest compression-CPR duration) score. A score of ≥2 was optimal for predicting sustained return of spontaneous circulation, which provided an area under the receiver operating characteristic of 0.775 (95% confidence interval 0.724-0.825) and a sensitivity of 72.2% (95% confidence interval 63.4-79.6%) and specificity of 76.0% (95% confidence interval 69.8-81.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The factors including witnessed arrest, time from arrest to chest compression and chest compression duration were developed as the WATCH-CPR score for predicting sustained return of spontaneous circulation among patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Evaluating Extravascular Lung Water in Sepsis: Three Lung-Ultrasound Techniques Compared against Transpulmonary Thermodilution.

BACKGROUND: Excessive extravascular lung water (EVLW) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We compared three lung-ultrasound (L-US) techniques against the reference-standard transpulmonary thermodilution (TPTD) technique to access EVLW. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, single-blind, cross-sectional study. Forty-four septic patients were enrolled. EVLW index was measured by the TPTD method, and an index of ≥10 mL/kg was considered diagnostic of pulmonary edema. EVLW index was then compared to three established bedside L-US protocols that evaluate sonographic B-lines: (1) a 28-zone protocol (total B-line score [TBS]) (2) a scanning 8-region examination, and (3) a 4-point examination. RESULTS: Eighty-nine comparisons were obtained. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between L-US TBS and an EVLW index ≥10 mL/kg (r = 0.668,P < 0.001). The 28-zone protocol score ≥39 has a sensitivity of 81.6% and a specificity of 76.5% to define EVLW index ≥10 mL/kg. In contrast, the positive 4-point examination and scanning 8-regions showed low sensitivity (23.7% and 50.0%, respectively) but high specificity (96.1% and 88.2%, respectively). Ten patients with a total of 21 comparisons met criteria for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In this subgroup, only the TBS had statistically significant positive correlation to EVLW (r = 0.488,P = 0.025). CONCLUSION: L-US is feasible in patients with severe sepsis. In addition, L-US 28-zone protocol demonstrated high specificity and better sensitivity than abbreviated 4- and 8-zone protocols. In ARDS, the L-US 28-zone protocol was more accurate than the 4- and 8-zone protocols in predicting EVLW. Consideration of limitations of the latter protocols may prevent clinicians from reaching premature conclusions regarding the prediction of EVLW. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN11419081. Registered 4 February 2015 retrospectively.

Diagnostic accuracy of peripheral venous lactate and the 2009 WHO warning signs for identifying severe dengue in Thai adults: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Dengue is the most common mosquito-borne viral disease in humans. However, the sensitivities of warning signs (WSs) for identifying severe dengue in adults are low, and the utility of lactate levels for identifying severe dengue in adults has not been verified. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of using peripheral venous lactate levels (PVL), as well as WSs established by the World Health Organization, for identifying severe dengue. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated individuals hospitalized for dengue who were admitted to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Thailand between May 2013 and January 2015. Blood samples to evaluate PVL levels were collected at admission and every 24 h until the patient exhibited a body temperature of <37.8 °C for at least 24 h. Data were recorded on a pre-defined case report form, including baseline characteristics, clinical parameters, and laboratory findings. RESULTS: Among 125 patients with confirmed dengue, 105 (84.0%) patients had non-severe dengue, and 20 (16.0%) patients had severe dengue. The presence of clinical fluid accumulation as a WS provided high sensitivity (75.0%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 50.9-91.3%) and specificity (90.5%, 95% CI: 83.2-95.3%). The PVL level at admission was used to evaluate its diagnostic value, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed an area under the curve of 0.84 for identifying severe dengue. At the optimal cutoff value (PVL: 2.5 mmol/L), the sensitivity and specificity were 65.0% (95% CI: 40.8-84.6%) and 96.2% (95% CI: 90.5-99.0%), respectively. A combined biomarker comprising clinical fluid accumulation and/or PVL of ≥2.5 mmol/L provided the maximum diagnostic accuracy for identifying severe dengue, with a sensitivity of 90.0% (95% CI: 68.3-98.8%) and a specificity of 87.6% (95% CI: 79.8-93.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical fluid accumulation and/or PVL may be used as a diagnostic biomarker of severe dengue among adults. This biomarker may facilitate early recognition and timely treatment of patients with severe dengue, which may reduce dengue-related mortality and hospital burden.

Identification of clinical factors associated with severe dengue among Thai adults: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Dengue is the most common mosquito-borne viral disease in humans. Recently, there has been an epidemic shift of dengue from mainly affecting children to affecting more adults with increased severity. However, clinical factors associated with severe dengue in adults have varied widely between studies. We aimed to identify the clinical factors associated with the development of severe dengue according to the World Health Organization (WHO)'s 2009 definition. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of adults with dengue admitted to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Bangkok, Thailand, from October 2012 to December 2014. Univariate and stepwise multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Of the 153 hospitalized patients with confirmed dengue viral infections, 132 (86.3 %) patients had non-severe dengue including dengue without warning signs (7 patients, 5.3 %) and dengue with warning signs (125, 94.7 %). The rest (21, 13.7 %) had severe dengue including severe plasma leakage (16, 76.2 %), severe organ involvement (16, 76.2 %), and severe clinical bleeding (8, 38.1 %). Using stepwise multivariate logistic regression, clinical factors identified as independently associated with the development of severe dengue were: (1) being >40 years old (odds ratio [OR]: 5.215, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.538-17.689), (2) having persistent vomiting (OR: 4.817, CI: 1.375-16.873), (3) having >300 cells per µL of absolute atypical lymphocytes (OR: 3.163, CI: 1.017-9.834), and (4) having lactate levels ≥2.0 mmol/L (OR: 7.340, CI: 2.334-23.087). In addition, increases in lactate and absolute atypical lymphocyte levels corresponded with severe dengue (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study identified several clinical factors independently associated with the development of severe dengue among hospitalized adults with dengue. This can aid in the early recognition and prompt management of at-risk patients to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Cardiopulmonary monitoring in Thai ICUs (ICU-rESOURCE I Study).

OBJECTIVE: Cardiopulmonary monitoring (CPM) is rapidly progressing but data regarding CPM in Thai ICUs was unavailable. The objective of this study was to describe the situation, and gaps of CPM in Thai ICUs. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Data were retrieved from the ICU-RESOURCE I study database survey CPM was divided into two aspects of device and measurement methods. These were categorized by device availability grading (AG), device availability per bed (DPB) and numeric frequency grading scale (FGS). Device availability was compared between academic and non-academic ICUs. Gap analysis of DPB and FGS was performed. Statistical significant difference was defined as p-value < 0.05. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-five ICUs across Thailand participated in this study. Academic ICUs had significantly more devices available in new equipment with p < 0.05 (Vigilio, PiCCO, NICOM, esophageal pressure monitoring, transcutaneous PO2, electrical impedance tomography of lung) as well as measurement methods (stroke volume variation [SVV], pulse pressure variation [PPC], central venous oxygen saturation [ScvO2], lung mechanics). Most of new and higher technological devices had low density and few were available in all of Thai ICUs. However, in gap analysis, although these new devices and measurement techniques were available in ICUs, they were not frequently utilized. CONCLUSION: New technology devices of CPM had more availability in ACAD than in non-ACAD ICUs. Formal continuous training in new measurement methods should be established for reducing the availability and utilization gap (Thai Clinical Trial Registry: TCTR-201200005).

Predicting fluid responsiveness in septic shock patients by using 3 dynamic indices: is it all equally effective?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and accuracy of three dynamic indices, currently available in intensive care monitoring devices, which are pulse pressure variation (PPV), stroke volume variation (SVV) and pulse oximetry plethysmographic waveform variation (POPV) in septic patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This prospective clinical trial was conducted in 20 deeply sedated septic patients 18 years of age and older who had invasive blood pressure monitoring with an intraarterial cannula. PPV, SVV and POPV (%) were calculated using five consecutive snapshots from every patient's monitor. Statistical analysis compared using linear regression, paired t-test or student t-test, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: The authors found that, strong correlation existed of PPV for the detection of percent cardiac index change (r2 = 0.794, p < 0.001). A respiratory variation in POPV exceeding 14% (sensitivity of 72%, specificity of 90%), SVV exceeding 11% (sensitivity 90%, specificity 92%) allowed detection of PPV exceeding 12% (sensitivity 84%, specificity 96%). CONCLUSION: Comparing of PPV, SVV and POPV, PPV is the most correlate with percent change in cardiac index and the most effective dynamic index for predict fluid responsiveness in adult septic critically ill patients who are on controlled mechanical ventilator, followed by SVV and POPV.

Pulmonary pseudoaneurysm presented as a lung nodule after recovering from Covid-19 pneumonia.

Pulmonary pseudoaneurysms (PAPs) are an uncommon complication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, although they are a potentially life-threatening condition. We present this interesting condition of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pneumonia. The patient presented with abnormal lung nodule and developed massive haemoptysis after recovering from Covid-19 pneumonia. PAP was diagnosed by computed tomography angiography. Endovascular embolization was performed and the bleeding was stopped.

Sarcoidosis developing after COVID-19: A case report.

COVID-19 has been implicated in the development of a range of autoimmune diseases and medical consequences. Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease with sustained granulomatous inflammation. The possible main pathogenesis of sarcoidosis is a dysregulation between immune response and certain environmental antigens. We present a case of sarcoidosis as an interesting sequela of COVID-19. The patient was hospitalized due to SARS-CoV-2 without complication. Ten weeks after the illness, his chest computed tomography (CT) showed bilateral hilar, paratracheal and subcarinal lymph node enlargement. Endobronchial ultrasound with transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) was performed; pathologic findings were that of well-formed non-necrotizing granulomas. Complete eye examination reported panuveitis and papillitis in both eyes. On the basis of these findings, sarcoidosis was diagnosed. Therefore, sarcoidosis developing after COVID-19 was suggested as a possible link between the viral infection and dysregulation of the inflammation process. However, further studies are needed to confirm this association.

Predictors of plasma leakage among dengue patients in Thailand: A plasma-leak score analysis.

Delayed plasma leakage recognition could lead to improper fluid administration resulting in dengue shock syndrome, subsequently, multi-organ failure, and death. This prospective observational study was conducted in Bangkok, Thailand, between March 2018 and February 2020 to determine predictors of plasma leakage and develop a plasma leakage predictive score among dengue patients aged ≥15 years. Of 667 confirmed dengue patients, 318 (47.7%) developed plasma leakage, and 349 (52.3%) had no plasma leakage. Multivariate analysis showed three independent factors associated with plasma leakage, including body mass index ≥25.0 kg/m2 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.784; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.040-3.057; P = 0.035), platelet count <100,000/mm3 on fever days 3 to 4 (OR = 2.151; 95% CI = 1.269-3.647; P = 0.004), and aspartate aminotransferase or alanine aminotransferase ≥100 U/l on fever days 3 to 4 (OR = 2.189; 95% CI = 1.231-3.891; P = 0.008). Because these three parameters had evidence of equality, each independent factor was weighted to give a score of 1 with a total plasma-leak score of 3. Higher scores were associated with increased plasma leakage occurrence, with ORs of 2.017 (95% CI = 1.052-3.869; P = 0.035) for score 1, 6.158 (95% CI = 2.914-13.015; P <0.001) for score 2, and 6.300 (95% CI = 2.419-16.407; P <0.001) for score 3. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curves for predicting plasma leakage was good (0.677 [95% CI = 0.616-0.739]). Patients with a plasma-leak score ≥1 had high sensitivity (88.8%), and those with a plasma-leak score of 3 had high specificity (93.4%) for plasma leakage occurrence. This simple and easily accessible clinical score might help physicians provide early and timely appropriate clinical dengue management in endemic areas.

Evaluation of sensitivity of multiplex PCR for Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Pneumocystis jirovecii in clinical samples.

A multiplex PCR assay for the simultaneous detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Pneumocystis jirovecii was developed using IS6110-based detection for M. tuberculosis and mitochondrial large-subunit (mtLSU) rRNA gene detection for P. jirovecii. Ninety-five pulmonary blinded samples were examined using the developed multiplex PCR assay, and the results were compared with those obtained by the single nested PCRs targeting IS6110 for M. tuberculosis and mtLSU rRNA for P. jirovecii. Of the 95 pulmonary samples tested, the multiplex nested PCR developed here could detect 36 cases of M. tuberculosis infection, 35 cases of P. jirovecii infection, and 17 cases of M. tuberculosis and P. jirovecii coinfections. The sensitivities of the multiplex nested PCR in detecting M. tuberculosis and P. jirovecii were 92.1% and 81.4%, respectively, whereas the specificities in detecting M. tuberculosis and P. jirovecii were 98.2% and 100%, respectively.

Exertional heatstroke: early recognition and outcome with aggressive combined cooling--a 12-year experience.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical outcomes of an aggressive combined cooling technique for exertional heatstroke in Thailand. METHODS: We analyzed patients who were diagnosed with exertional heatstroke between 1995 and 2007. Outcomes were assessed both in hospital and at 3 months follow-up. RESULTS: Twenty-eight cases of exertional heatstroke presented to Phramongkutklao Army Hospital over 12 years. All patients developed multiorgan dysfunction and encephalopathy. Twenty-four cases had acute renal failure, 7 of whom required dialysis. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was detected in 9 patients (32.1%). In-hospital mortality was 7.1%. Most survivors recovered with nearly normal organ function. However, 9 exhibited prolonged neurologic dysfunction and 2 had chronic renal dysfunction requiring hemodialysis. At 3-month follow-up, neurologic and renal dysfunction in those patients persisted. Higher serum prothrombin time and DIC correlated to fatality. The patients whose core body temperature achieved 38 degrees C within 3 hours revealed a significantly lower DIC and twice as low in the frequency of poor outcome than the patients cooled longer than 3 hours to reduce core body temperature to 38 degrees C. CONCLUSIONS: Despite early recognition and aggressive combined cooling, exertional heatstroke remains associated with multiorgan dysfunction. However, our 7.1% in-hospital mortality rate was low compared to previous studies. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are critical.

Serum Procalcitonin and Peripheral Venous Lactate for Predicting Dengue Shock and/or Organ Failure: A Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Currently, there are no biomarkers that can predict the incidence of dengue shock and/or organ failure, although the early identification of risk factors is important in determining appropriate management to reduce mortality. Therefore, we sought to determine the factors associated with dengue shock and/or organ failure and to evaluate the prognostic value of serum procalcitonin (PCT) and peripheral venous lactate (PVL) levels as biomarkers of dengue shock and/or organ failure. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A prospective observational study was conducted among adults hospitalized for confirmed viral dengue infection at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Bangkok, Thailand between October 2013 and July 2015. Data, including baseline characteristics, clinical parameters, laboratory findings, serum PCT and PVL levels, management, and outcomes, were recorded on pre-defined case report forms. Of 160 patients with dengue, 128 (80.0%) patients had dengue without shock or organ failure, whereas 32 (20.0%) patients developed dengue with shock and/or organ failure. Using a stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis, PCT ≥0.7 ng/mL (odds ratio [OR]: 4.80; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.60-14.45; p = 0.005) and PVL ≥2.5 mmol/L (OR: 27.99, 95% CI: 8.47-92.53; p <0.001) were independently associated with dengue shock and/or organ failure. A combination of PCT ≥0.7 ng/mL and PVL ≥2.5 mmol/L provided good prognostic value for predicting dengue shock and/or organ failure, with an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.83 (95% CI: 0.74-0.92), a sensitivity of 81.2% (95% CI: 63.6-92.8%), and a specificity of 84.4% (95% CI: 76.9-90.2%). Dengue shock patients with non-clearance of PCT and PVL expired during hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: PCT ≥0.7 ng/mL and PVL ≥2.5 mmol/L were independently associated with dengue shock and/or organ failure. The combination of PCT and PVL levels could be used as prognostic biomarkers for the prediction of dengue shock and/or organ failure.

Dynamic Measurement of Hemodynamic Parameters and Cardiac Preload in Adults with Dengue: A Prospective Observational Study.

Few previous studies have monitored hemodynamic parameters to determine the physiological process of dengue or examined inferior vena cava (IVC) parameters to assess cardiac preload during the clinical phase of dengue. From January 2013 to July 2015, we prospectively studied 162 hospitalized adults with confirmed dengue viral infection using non-invasive cardiac output monitoring and bedside ultrasonography to determine changes in hemodynamic and IVC parameters and identify the types of circulatory shock that occur in patients with dengue. Of 162 patients with dengue, 17 (10.5%) experienced dengue shock and 145 (89.5%) did not. In patients with shock, the mean arterial pressure was significantly lower on day 6 after fever onset (P = 0.045) and the pulse pressure was significantly lower between days 4 and 7 (P<0.05). The stroke volume index and cardiac index were significantly decreased between days 4 and 15 and between days 5 and 8 after fever onset (P<0.05), respectively. A significant proportion of patients with dengue shock had an IVC diameter <1.5 cm and IVC collapsibility index >50% between days 4 and 5 (P<0.05). Hypovolemic shock was observed in 9 (52.9%) patients and cardiogenic shock in 8 (47.1%), with a median (interquartile range) time to shock onset of 6.0 (5.0-6.5) days after fever onset, which was the median day of defervescence. Intravascular hypovolemia occurred before defervescence, whereas myocardial dysfunction occurred on the day of defervescence until 2 weeks after fever onset. Hypovolemic shock and cardiogenic shock each occurred in approximately half of the patients with dengue shock. Therefore, dynamic measures to estimate changes in hemodynamic parameters and preload should be monitored to ensure adequate fluid therapy among patients with dengue, particularly patients with dengue shock.

Interleukin-10 haplotype associated with increased mortality in critically ill patients with sepsis from pneumonia but not in patients with extrapulmonary sepsis.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that haplotypes of the interleukin (IL)-10 gene are associated with clinical outcomes, comparing critically ill patients with sepsis from pneumonia vs those with extrapulmonary sepsis. DESIGN: Genetic association study. SETTING: Medical/surgical ICUs in a tertiary-care, university-affiliated teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Of 550 white patients with sepsis, 158 had pneumonia as the principle cause of their sepsis and 392 had an extrapulmonary source of sepsis. MEASUREMENTS: Haplotypes of the IL-10 gene were defined by measurement of haplotype tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Primary outcome was 28-day survival. Secondary outcomes were days alive and free of organ dysfunction. RESULTS: Three SNPs in the IL-10 gene (-592 C/A, +734 G/T, and +3367 G/A) identified four major haplotypes: CGG, AGG, CTA, and CTG. Patients with pneumonia who carried one or two copies of the CGG haplotype had greater 28-day mortality (51.4%) than patients who did not carry this haplotype (29.1%, p = 0.007). Carriers of CGG had significantly more cardiovascular dysfunction (and use of vasopressors), renal dysfunction (and requirement of dialysis), hepatic dysfunction, and hematologic dysfunction (p < 0.05 in each case). In contrast, in patients with an extrapulmonary source of infection there was no significant association of the CGG haplotype (or any measured IL-10 genotype) with 28-day mortality or organ dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: The IL-10 haplotype - 592C/734G/3367G is associated with increased mortality and organ dysfunction in critically ill patients with pulmonary sepsis but not in similarly ill patients with extrapulmonary sepsis. Therefore, polymorphisms within the IL-10 gene may be predictors of outcome in patients with sepsis from pneumonia.

Community-acquired pneumonia in southeast Asia: the microbial differences between ambulatory and hospitalized patients.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To determine microbial agents causing community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Southeast Asia. DESIGN: A prospective study. SETTING: Three general hospitals in Thailand. PATIENTS: Two hundred forty-five adult patients fulfilling the clinical criteria of CAP from September 1998 to April 2001. INTERVENTIONS: Investigations included sputum Gram stain and culture, blood culture, pleural fluid culture (if presented), urine antigen for Legionella pneumophila and Streptococcus pneumoniae, and serology for Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and L pneumophila. RESULTS: There were 98 outpatients and 147 hospitalized patients included in the study, and an organism was identified in 74 of 98 outpatients (75.5%) and 105 of 147 of the hospitalized patients (71.4%). C pneumoniae (36.7%), M pneumoniae (29.6%), and S pneumoniae (13.3%) were the most frequent causative pathogens found in outpatients, while S pneumoniae (22.4%) and C pneumoniae (16.3%) were the most common in hospitalized patients. There was a significantly higher incidence of C pneumoniae (36.7% vs 16.3%, respectively; p < 0.001) and M pneumoniae (29.6% vs 6.8%; p < 0.001, respectively) in the outpatients than in the hospitalized patients. The incidence of S pneumoniae, L pneumophila, and mixed infections was not different between the groups. Mixed infections were presented in 13 of 98 outpatients (13.3%) and 9 of 147 hospitalized patients (6.1%), with C pneumoniae being the most frequent coinfecting pathogen. CONCLUSIONS: The data indicate that the core organisms causing CAP in Southeast Asia are not different from those in the Western countries. The guidelines for the treatment of patients with CAP, therefore, should be the same.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae community-acquired pneumonia at three hospitals in Bangkok.

BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma pneumoniae is one of the common causes of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children and young adults. In Thailand, there has been no prospective study to evaluate the prevalence, clinical features and laboratory findings of M. pneumoniae in adult patients with CAP. METHOD: The authors prospectively investigated the cause of CAP in adult patients at three general hospitals from September 1998 to August 1999. Paired sera were tested for M. pneumoniae infection by using particle agglutination and definite diagnosis was based on a fourfold increase in antibody titer. RESULTS: Seventeen (21.3%) of 80 patients had pneumonia due to M. pneumoniae. Mean age was 28.3 years old (range 18-40). The most common clinical manifestations were cough (100% of cases), fever (82.4% of cases), and headache (47% of cases). Eighty-eight per cent of these patients were classified as class I category, according to the ATS guideline. All patients had a white blood cell count between 4,000-12,000 cells/mm3. In addition, the common radiographic manifestations were alveolar shadowing (53%), and mixed alveolar and interstitial shadowing (29.4%). Sixteen cases (94%) were treated with the appropriate antibiotic and all patients survived without complication. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that M. pneumoniae is a common cause of CAP in Bangkok, Thailand. This type of pneumonia usually occurs in young adults and can usually be treated as ambulatory patients.

Fibrinogen-beta gene haplotype is associated with mortality in sepsis.

OBJECTIVES: Fibrinogen plays a key role in coagulation and inflammation. Transcription of the fibrinogen-beta gene (FGB) is the rate-limiting step in fibrinogen production. Our aim was to determine whether haplotypes of FGB are associated with mortality and organ dysfunction in a cohort of patients with sepsis. METHODS: A prospective cohort of 631 consecutive Caucasian patients with sepsis from a tertiary care medical-surgical ICU were enrolled in a gene association study. Patients were genotyped for three polymorphisms in FGB: -854 G/A, -455 G/A, and +9006 G/A. Haplotypes were inferred using PHASE. The primary outcome was mortality. Secondary outcomes were severity of organ dysfunction as measured by days alive and free (DAF) of organ dysfunction. RESULTS: Haplotype GAA was associated with a significantly lower 28-day mortality (28.9% vs. 36.9% for all other haplotypes, p=0.03). Carriers of two copies of haplotype GAA (vs. one and zero copies) had more DAF of organ dysfunction. In a multivariate analysis, haplotype GAA was an independent predictor for lower mortality (OR=0.66, 95% CI=0.46-0.94, p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Haplotype GAA in FGB is associated with lower mortality and lower severity of organ dysfunction. Haplotype GAA encompasses a previously described haplotype -1420A/-854G/-455A/-249C/-148T/+1690G that is associated with higher fibrinogen levels.

Prevalence and clinical significance of community-acquired penicillin-resistant pneumococcal pneumonia in Thailand.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, clinical significance and outcome of community-acquired penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP) pneumonia in Thailand. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a prospective study in culture-proven pneumococcal pneumonia. Pneumococci were defined as susceptible, intermediate resistance and high resistance according to the definitions of the United States National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS). RESULTS: Forty-six consecutive patients were enrolled. Of the S. pneumoniae isolates collected, 41.3% were resistant to penicillin (37% intermediate resistance and 4.3% high resistance). Resistance to other antibiotics was 13% to ceftriaxone (8.7% intermediate resistance and 4.3% high resistance), 34.8% to erythromycin, 39.1% to tetracycline, 26.1% to chloramphenicol, and 43.5% to trimethoprim -sulfamethoxazole. Prior antibiotic use within 3 months was significantly associated with resistance to penicillin. The overall mortality of pneumococcal pneumonia was 26.1%. Multilobar involvement and requirement for mechanical ventilation proved to be associated with mortality. However, resistance to penicillin or ceftriaxone was not associated with death. CONCLUSIONS: According to the US NCCLS guidelines, we found a high prevalence of drug-resistant S. pneumoniae in Thai patients with community-acquired pneumonia. Prior antibiotic use was significantly associated with penicillin resistance. However, the outcome was not related to in vitro penicillin susceptibility of S. pneumoniae isolated from the patients.