Bacterial bloodstream infection in critically ill patients with COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), have a high risk of developing bloodstream infections (BSIs). However, the characteristics of and risk factors for BSIs in these patients remain unclear. Objective: We aimed to identify prevalent causative pathogens of BSI and related factors in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Design: This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study. Methods: We analyzed the clinical characteristics and outcomes of 201 ICU patients with COVID-19. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with BSI occurrence. Furthermore, we identified the primary causative pathogens of BSIs. The study outcomes were death or ICU discharge. Results: Among the 201 included patients, 43 (21.4%) patients developed BSI. The mortality rate was non-significantly higher in the BSI group than in the BSI group (65.1% versus 58.9%, p = 0.487). There were significant between-group differences in the obesity prevalence and sex distribution, but not corticosteroid usage. BSI occurrence was significantly associated with duration of mechanical ventilation (MV), presence of ventilator-associated pneumonia, use of neuromuscular blocking agents, length of stay in ICU (ICU LOS), high body mass index (BMI), and male sex. The main causative pathogens were Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Enterococcus faecalis. Multi-drug-resistant pathogens were found in 87% of cases. Regardless of the origin, the common risk factors for BSI were ICU LOS and MV duration. All BSIs were acquired within the hospital setting, with ≈60% of the cases being primary BSIs. A small proportion of the BSI cases were catheter-related (four cases, 6.2%). Ventilator-associated pneumonia and urinary tract infections were present in 25% and 9.4% of the BSI cases, respectively. On average, the first positive blood culture appeared ≈11.4 (±9.7) days after ICU admission. Conclusion: Elucidating the risk factors for and common pathogens of BSI can inform prompt management and prevention of BSIs.

Optimization of Novel Human Acellular Dermal Dressing Sterilization for Routine Use in Clinical Practice.

Gamma rays and electrons with kinetic energy up to 10 MeV are routinely used to sterilize biomaterials. To date, the effects of irradiation upon human acellular dermal matrices (hADMs) remain to be fully elucidated. The optimal irradiation dosage remains a critical parameter affecting the final product structure and, by extension, its therapeutic potential. ADM slides were prepared by various digestion methods. The influence of various doses of radiation sterilization using a high-energy electron beam on the structure of collagen, the formation of free radicals and immune responses to non-irradiated (native) and irradiated hADM was investigated. The study of the structure changes was carried out using the following methods: immunohistology, immunoblotting, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. It was shown that radiation sterilization did not change the architecture and three-dimensional structure of hADM; however, it significantly influenced the degradation of collagen fibers and induced the production of free radicals in a dose-dependent manner. More importantly, the observed effects did not disrupt the therapeutic potential of the new transplants. Therefore, radiation sterilization at a dose of 35kGy can ensure high sterility of the dressing while maintaining its therapeutic potential.

Assessment of serum IGF-1 and adipokines related to metabolic dysfunction in HIV-infected adults.

PURPOSE: HIV/HAART associated metabolic syndrome (HAMS) seems to result from direct influence of HIV, adverse effects of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) and individual genetic predisposition. This study aimed to assess the influence of HIV infection and cART on serum concentration of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and adipokines related to metabolic abnormalities. METHODS: Seventy-two HIV infected patients including 48 HIV/HCV coinfected were enrolled in this study. Insulin resistance was evaluated by Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA) indexes. Serum concentrations of IGF-1, adiponectin, chemerin and visfatin were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Significant correlation between serum IGF-1 level and CD4 lymphocytes count was demonstrated and the lowest values were observed in subjects with CD4<200 cells/µL. Serum concentration of IGF-1 was significantly higher in patients treated with protease inhibitors based regimen compared to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and healthy subjects. A significant negative correlation between serum concentration of adiponectin and waist-hip ratio as an indicator of central obesity, was found. There were significant positive correlations between serum concentration of chemerin and HOMA1-IR and serum IGF-1 concentration. Serum chemerin was increased in patients with insulin resistance vs. those with preserved insulin sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: According to these results HAMS is associated with insulin resistance and imbalance of adipokines serum concentration, therefore identification of pathways related to HAMS development might be helpful in management of the syndrome. Serum IGF-1 largely depends on level of immunodeficiency in HIV-infection and may provide a link between immune dysfunction and development of HIV-associated lipodystrophy, AIDS wasting syndrome, diabetes and/or cardiovascular diseases in HIV-infected patients.

[Thrombolysis during cardiopulmonary resuscitation--own clinical observations--case report]. / Zastosowanie leków fibrynolitycznych podczas resuscytacji oddechowo-krazeniowej--doswiadczenia wlasne--opis przypadku.

Thrombolytic therapy is contraindicated in the course of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). If the primary cause of cardiac arrest is myocardial infarction or massive pulmonary embolism, fibrynolysis may be life-saving. We present a case report of a woman admitted to the Intensive Care Unit with cardiac arrest with symptoms suggesting myocardial infarction or pulmonary embolism. After unsuccessful conservative CPR a single dose of 500000 IU streptase was administered. Heart action returned 10 minutes later, nevertheless the patient needed mechanical ventilation and circulatory system stabilization therapy (catecholamines) in doses dependent on haemodynamic parameters. During hospitalization she regained consciousness. She presented no neurological defects and after 5 days was discharged to the Cardiology Department. Electrocardiography and echocardiography done after successful resuscitation was specific to infero-lateral myocardial infarction. Although safety and efficacy of thrombolytic therapy at resuscitation was extensively studied, this procedure is still controversial. Till now, there is no data concerning thrombolytic treatment in such clinical situations, which are based on clinical trials, and such treatment is introduced in dramatic situations, as a last, lifesaving option.

[Staphylococcal infections as an important problem in intensive therapy--own clinical observations]. / Zakazenia gronkowcowe jako istotny problem w intensywnej terapii - doswiadczenia wlasne.

The microbiological monitoring in the Intensive Care Units, in the last few years, revealed a significant increase of infections caused by Gram+ bacteria. Authors of multi-center studies focus upon the problems related to the treatment of the infections caused by the methicilline-resistant staphylococci (MRS) as well as to its spreading. The Staphylococcal infections were 26.6 % of all bacterial infections in the Intensive Care Unit of the Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care of the Medical Academy in Bialystok, during one year observation. MRS rods counted 21.4% among all pathogens isolated from the specimens collected from the patients, undergoing the treatment in the ICU, and were responsible for 83.6% of all Staphylococcal infections. The analysis revealed the significant percentage MRS rods resistant to commonly used empirical antibiotic therapy. Our experience shows that vancomycin or linezolid should be used, as an empirical antibiotic therapy, in suspected MRS-caused severe infections along with the simultaneous monitoring of changes in G+ bacteria drug resistance and strict infection-control regime.

[Assessment of the release of thyroid hormones in septic shock--prognostic significance]. / Ocena wydzielania hormonów tarczycy we wstrzasie septycznym--znaczenie prognostyczne.

UNLABELLED: Septic shock is the reason of human body organs dysfunctions including the hormonal system. There are abnormal thyroid hormones releasing as well. It is also noticed that sepsis caused serious disturbances in pituitary-thyroid axis functions. This is called euthyroid sick syndrom - (ESS). THE AIM: To qualify the prognostic value of thyroid hormones serum levels changes in patients with septic shock. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 20 patients with septic shock were included into study. Septic shock was diagnosed according to AACP/SCCM criteria. The study group was divided into two subgroups: survivors (n = 10) and nonsurvivors (n = 10). 20 healthy volunteers were the control group. Blood for analysis was taken at the moment of septic shock recognition and on the 1st, 2nd, 5th and 10th day of the observation between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. We studied thyrotropin (TSH), free triiodothyronine fraction (fT3) and free thyroxin fraction (fT4) serum levels, APACHE II and APACHE III score, acute lung injury (ALI) or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). RESULTS: During our study we noticed significant decrease of fT3 and TSH serum levels (respectively 2.36 +/- 0.79 pg/ml and 0.76 +/- 1.12mU/I) according to the control group (respectively 3.28 +/- 0.61 pg/ml and 0.95 +/- 0.46mU/l). Nonsurvivors had significantly lower TSH serum level (0.37 +/- 0.62 mU/I) in comparison to survivors (1.27 +/- 1.45 mU/I) in spite of very similar fT3 serum level (respectively 2.45 +/- 0.87 pg/ml and 2.22 +/- 0.66 pg/ml). It could mean that there were disturbances in the pituitary-thyroid axis function in patients who did not survive. Our study did not show any correlations between thyroid hormones serum levels and APACHE II score, APACHE III score, ALI or ARDS. CONCLUSIONS: This study show that low TSH serum level could be a significant prognostic factor of death in patient with septic shock especially with low fT3 serum level. The results also suggest that ESS could be a consequence of pituitary TSH releasing disturbances.

[Serum levels of luteinizing hormone, testosterone and prolactin in patients with septic shock]. / Stezenie hormonu luteinizujacego, testosteronu i prolaktyny u chorych we wstrzasie septycznym.

Many studies show important disturbances in hormonal balance in patients with severe sepsis. There are a lot of factors, which are involved in this process but the role of sex steroid hormones is unknown; especially, the role of testosterone, which is one of the anabolic hormones and a immune function modulator. We hope that sex steroid hormone mechanisms of action recognition in septic shock may help in treatment of such patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in sex hormone concentrations in septic patients and their prognostic significance. We studied serum level of luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T) and prolactin (PRL) in 20 patients with septic shock and in healthy male volunteers (n = 20). Septic patients were divided into two groups: survivors (group I, n = 10) and nonsurvivors (group II, n = 10). We noticed significant decrease of testosterone and LH serum levels in septic group vs the controls and correlation between T and LH serum levels and survival. Acute lung injury was associated with higher PRL serum level and was independent from the LH and T serum level. We also noticed incorrect pituitary down-regulation of testosterone secretion. Our study showed that sex steroid hormones can be good prognostic factors of survival and complications of septic shock.