Hospital-acquired intestinal toxemia botulism in a newly diagnosed adult colon cancer patient.

This manuscript reports a case of intestinal toxemia botulism in an adult with recently diagnosed metastatic colon cancer in whom botulism symptoms began 23 days after hospital admission. Representing the rarest form of botulism presentation in clinical practice, this infectious disease may have developed due to a cluster of predisposing factors that favored Clostridium botulinum colonization and the endogenous production of neurotoxins, among which are previous use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and colon changes related to the development of the neoplasia. This case highlights the importance of considering intestinal toxemia botulism in the differential diagnosis of a patient presenting with symmetrical descending flaccid paralysis, since immediate treatment with botulinum antitoxin may improve clinical outcomes.

A childhood-onset intestinal toxemia botulism during chemotherapy for relapsed acute leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Botulism is a potentially fatal infection characterized by progressive muscle weakness, bulbar paralysis, constipation and other autonomic dysfunctions. A recent report suggested that cancer chemotherapy might increase the risk for the intestinal toxemia botulism in both adults and children. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 5-year-old boy, who developed general muscle weakness, constipation, ptosis and mydriasis during the third induction therapy for relapsed acute myeloid leukemia. He had recent histories of multiple antibiotic therapy for bacteremia and intake of well water at home. Repeated bacterial cultures identified Clostridium botulinum producing botulinum neurotoxin A. Botulinum toxin A was isolated from his stools at 17, 21, and 23 days after the onset. Symptoms were self-limiting, and were fully recovered without anti-botulinum toxin globulin therapy. CONCLUSION: This is the second report of a pediatric case with cancer chemotherapy-associated intestinal toxemia botulism. Our case provides further evidence that the immunocompromised status due to anti-cancer treatments increases the risk for the development of botulism at all ages in childhood.

[METABOLIC INTOXICATION IN THERMIC TRAUMA].

In 76 injured persons with deep and superficial burns, having area from 3 to 65% of the total body surface and ageing 5-16 yrs old, there was investigated the impact of early surgical treatment on the metabolic intoxication severity in accordance to content of the oxidatively modified proteins carbonyl groups in the blood serum, and of a ceruloplasmin, what was considered as integral express-index of the organism antioxidant system state. Changes of these indices in ambustial disease of middle severity have witnessed a sufficiently compensated reaction of organism: of severe and extremely severe one--there were noted a deficiency of the organism antioxidant defense; and in stages of toxemia and septicotoxemia--attrition of the organism oxidant reserves and danger of the septic complications occurrence. Conduction of early surgical intervention have guaranteed maintenance of a ceruloplasmin content in stages of toxemia and septicotoxemia on the level of healthy persons, relief of the ambustial disease course, absence of critical metabolic intoxication and carbonyl stress, reduction of the septic complications rate in 1.5 times.

Oxacillin or cefalotin treatment of hospitalized children with cellulitis.

Cellulitis is an important cause of hospitalization in pediatrics. Because Staphylococcus aureus is the main pathogen of cellulitis, medicinal therapeutics should take the changing resistance profile of this organism into consideration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the progression and outcomes of children hospitalized for cellulitis and treated with oxacillin or cefalotin. This retrospective cohort study enrolled 218 children, hospitalized between 2001 and 2008 in Salvador, Northeast Brazil. All were diagnosed with cellulitis and treated with oxacillin or cefalotin (≥100 mg/kg/day). The median age was 2 years and 56.9% were males. Frequencies of signs and symptoms used in the clinical diagnoses were as follows: swelling (91.3%), redness (81.7%), warmth (47.2%), and tenderness (31.7%). All patients were discharged due to clinical recovery and the mean length of hospitalization was 7 ± 4 days. None of the patients died, needed intensive care, or had sequelae. By comparing the daily frequency of clinical findings during hospitalization, significant decreases were found in the frequencies of fever (admission day [42.2%], first day [20.8%], second day [12.9%], third day [8.3%], fourth day [6.1%]), toxemia, irritability, somnolence, vomiting, tachycardia, and need for intravenous hydration. In conclusion, oxacillin or cefalotin remain the drugs of choice for treating uncomplicated cellulitis in regions where community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus is infrequent (<10%).

Acid-base and electrolyte status during early induced pregnancy toxaemia in goats.

Eleven Murciano-Granadina goats in late pregnancy were separated into two groups (1) control (n=6) and (2) fasting for 72 h to induce pregnancy toxaemia (n=5). Venous blood was taken daily to determine acid-base and electrolyte parameters. Significant decreases in blood pH, bicarbonate concentration and base excess, and a significant increase in anion gap were observed after 24h of fasting. These changes were significantly correlated with non-esterified fatty acid concentration. No significant changes were observed in pCO(2), and electrolyte or lactate concentrations. Clinical signs of pregnancy toxaemia in fasted goats appeared by 72h post-fasting. These signs and the changes in acid-base balance disappeared once feed was reintroduced. Blood pH, bicarbonate concentration, base excess and anion gap could be indicators of early pregnancy toxaemia in goats.

[The investigation of HEV epidemiology, inferior clinical infection and viral-toxemia in blood donors in Quzhou area].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the infection of HEV in Quzhou area of Zhejiang Province. METHODS: All sera from blood donors in the central blood bank of Quzhou from April 2006 to April 2007 were used. Anti-HEV IgG and anti-HEV IgM were measured by EIA. RT-PCR was also performed to the samples with positive anti-HEV IgM. Genotype and sequence homology were analyzed after sequencing. RESULTS: The positive ratio of anti-HEV IgG was 40.60%, in which the male infection ratio was higher than the female significantly (43.09% VS 36.09%; chi2=22.6; P < 0.01). The infection ratio was increased with age. The positive ratio of anti-HEV IgM was 0.43%. The positive ratio of anti-HEV IgG and the titers of antibody were higher in the inferior clinical infectors with positive anti-HEV IgM than the negative ones (P < 0.05). Two samples were positive in HEV PCR among 21 samples with positive anti-HEV IgM. The toxemia ratio was 0.4% of all the donors. And the genotype of the two samples with toxemia were both HEV-IV. CONCLUSION: The HEV infection was correlation with age and sex significantly and the infection occurred in the adults mainly in Quzhou area. HEV toxemia was not infrequency in the blood donors.

Preeclampsia, pregnancy-related hypertension, and breast cancer risk.

Pregnancy conditions accompanied by high blood pressure, such as preeclampsia and pregnancy-related hypertension, have been associated with a lower risk of breast cancer in several epidemiologic studies. It is unknown whether length of gestation or multiple occurrence of these conditions alters the association with breast cancer. It is also unknown whether the inverse association between preeclampsia and breast cancer risk is modified by menopausal status at breast cancer diagnosis. Using data from a large, population-based case-control study of breast cancer conducted on Long Island, New York, during 1996-1997, the authors examined these questions among ever-parous women (1,310 cases and 1,385 controls) using multivariate logistic models. Preeclampsia was inversely associated with breast cancer (odds ratio = 0.7, 95% confidence interval: 0.5, 1.0); this association was even stronger among women who had multiple occurrences of preeclampsia (odds ratio = 0.3, 95% confidence interval: 0.1, 0.9). The risk reduction was more pronounced among postmenopausal women. Gestation length did not substantially alter the relation between preeclampsia and breast cancer risk. Pregnancy-related hypertension was also inversely associated with breast cancer risk, but the relations were not statistically significant after adjustment for preeclampsia. These data suggest that pregnancy conditions related to hypertension, particularly preeclampsia, play a role in reducing breast cancer risk. Possible biologic mechanisms underpinning these associations should be further explored.

Kraepelin's 'lost biological psychiatry'? Autointoxication, organotherapy and surgery for dementia praecox.

Kraepelin believed that a chronic metabolic autointoxication, perhaps arising from the sex glands, eventually caused chemical damage to the brain and led to the symptoms of dementia praecox. The evolution of Kraepelin's autointoxication theory of dementia praecox is traced through the 5th to 8th (1895 to 1913) editions of his textbook, Psychiatrie. The historical context of autointoxication theory in medicine is explored in depth to enable the understanding of Kraepelin's aetiological assumption and his application of a rational treatment based on it--organotherapy. A brief account of the North American reception of Kraepelin's concept of dementia praecox, its autotoxic basis, and the preferred American style of rational treatment--surgery--concludes the discussion.

Sublethal exposure from microcystins to renal insufficiency patients in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In November 2001, a cyanobacterial bloom dominated by Microcystis and Anabaena occurred in the Funil Reservoir and the Guandu River, both of which supply drinking water to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Using ELISA, microcystins were detected at a concentration of 0.4 microg/L in the drinking water, whereas a concentration of 0.32 microg/L was detected in activated carbon column-treated water for use at the renal dialysis center of Clementino Fraga Filho Hospital (HUCFF) at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. A total of 44 hemodialysis patients who received care at this center were believed to be exposed. Initial ELISA analyses confirmed the presence of serum microcystin concentrations > or = 0.16 ng/mL in 90% of serum samples collected from these patients. Twelve patients were selected for continued monitoring over the following 2-month period. Serum microcystin concentrations ranged from < 0.16 to 0.96 ng/mL during the 57 days after documented exposure. ELISA-positive samples were found throughout the monitoring period, with the highest values detected 1 month after initial exposure. ESI LC/MS analyses indicated microcystins in the serum; however, MS/MS fragmentation patterns typical of microcystins were not identified. LC/MS analyses of MMPB for control serum spiked with MCYST-LR. and patient sera revealed a peak at retention time of 8.4 min and a mass of 207 m/z. These peaks are equivalent to the peak observed in the MMPB standard analysis. Taken together ELISA, LC/MS, and MMPB results indicate that these renal dialysis patients were exposed to microcystins. This documents another incident of human microcystin exposure during hemodialysis treatment.

Trombose do seio cavernoso: revisão da literatura e relato de caso / Cavernous sinus thrombosis: review of the literature and case report

A trombose séptica do seio cavernoso é uma complicação encefálica decorrente de infecções faciais ou cranianas como sinusites, otites, infecções odontogênicas, oftalmológicas, entre outras. Apesar de rara, apresenta grande importância devido ao alto percentual de óbitos e seqüelas. As infecções odontogênicas, embora não ocupem posição destacada entre os fatores etiológicos dessa doença, podem atuar como focos primários situando o cirurgião-dentista entre os profissionais capazes de elaborar não só o diagnóstico, como sua profilaxia e o correto encaminhamento para tratamento médico especializado. O diagnóstico clínico dessa condição é dificultado pela semelhança com algumas infecções da órbita como a celulite orbital. Esse trabalho revisa a literatura e procura atualizar conceitos que facilitam o diagnóstico, a profilaxia e o tratamento da trombose do seio cavernoso. O trabalho também relata um caso dessa grave doença, originada de uma acne na região do mento, cuja rápida evolução levou o paciente ao óbito em três dias de tratamento. Após essa revisão, podemos afirmar que o diagnóstico dessa condição é clínico, com confirmação em exames de imagem, e quanto mais precoce o tratamento, melhor a chance de sobrevida. Infere-se também a importância da profilaxia antibiótica em cirurgias orais e faciais, atribuindo a ela redução significativa dessa infecção nos últimos tempos.

[Experimental approach to the prophylaxis and treatment of acute lung injury syndrome with proteinase inhibitors and corvitin]. / Eksperymental'ni pidkhody do profilaktyky ta likuvannia syndromu hostroho ushkodzhennia lehen' z vykorystanniam inhibitoriv proteïnaz i korvitynu.

The results of a combined study of the proteolysis on a model of post-ischemic toxemia in rats showed a decrease in antiproteinase potential and an activation of proteolysis. The activation of proteolysis and inhibition of antiproteinases was observed not only in the blood, but also in the bronchoalveolar secretion. Those changes were accompanied with the changes in the morphological structure of the lungs. The data obtained have shown a high effectiveness of proteinase inhibitor (contrical) and an antioxidant of flavonoid group (corvetine). Those drugs decreased the morphological changes in the lungs and prevented the development of imbalance in proteinase-inhibitor system. The prophylactic effect was more considerable when both drugs were used in a combined way.

[Endogenic intoxication in patients with acute general peritonitis and problems of its correction]. / Endogennaia intoksikatsiia u bol'nykh s ostrym rasprostranennym peritonitom i problemy ee korrektsii.

This study was carried out for improvement of extracorporeal detoxication results. Distribution of middle-mass molecules (MM) in various media and vascular beds in patients with acute general peritonitis (AGP) and correlation between central hemodynamics (CH) and level of MM-intoxication were studied. Results of treatment were analyzed in 72 patients with AGP. Ultraviolet irradiation of autoblood (UVIA) had negative influence on circulation in patients with AGP in terminal stage who had more severe primary disorders of CH. Therefore, UVIA without hemosorption (HS) in these patients is potentially dangerous because of undesirable hemodynamic effects due to increase of MM-concentration in blood plasma. HS was performed 1.5-2 hours after UVIA and resulted in decrease of MM-concentration in caval system blood by 28.1% with subsequent slow increase, MM-level restored 24 hours after HS. If HS and UVIA were carried out simultaneously, MM-concentration in caval system blood decreased by 13.9% only, an in 3 of 7 cases MM-concentration didn't change. Combination of UVIA and HS with 1.5-2 h interval is most effective.

Intestinal toxemia botulism in two young people, caused by Clostridium butyricum type E.

Two unconnected cases of type E botulism involving a 19-year-old woman and a 9-year-old child are described. The hospital courses of their illness were similar and included initial acute abdominal pain accompanied by progressive neurological impairment. Both patients were suspected of having appendicitis and underwent laparotomy, during which voluminous Meckel's diverticula were resected. Unusual neurotoxigenic Clostridium butyricum strains that produced botulinum-like toxin type E were isolated from the feces of the patients. These isolates were genotypically and phenotypically identical to other neurotoxigenic C. butyricum strains discovered in Italy in 1985-1986. No cytotoxic activity of the strains that might explain the associated gastrointestinal symptoms was demonstrated. The clinical picture of the illness and the persistence of neurotoxigenic clostridia in the feces of these patients suggested a colonization of the large intestine, with in vivo toxin production. The possibility that Meckel's diverticulum may predispose to intestinal toxemia botulism may warrant further investigation.

Dystonia and chorea in acquired systemic disorders.

Dystonia and chorea are uncommon accompaniments, but sometimes the presenting features of certain acquired systemic disorders that presumably alter basal ganglia function. Hypoxia-ischaemia may injure the basal ganglia through hypoperfusion of subcortical vascular watershed regions and by altering striatal neurotransmitter systems. Toxins interfere with striatal mitochondrial function, resulting in cellular hypoxia. Infections may affect the basal ganglia by causing vasculitic ischaemia, through the development of antibodies to basal ganglia epitopes, by direct invasion of the basal ganglia by the organism, or through cytotoxins causing neuronal injury. Autoimmune disorders alter striatal function by causing a vasculopathy, by direct reaction of antibodies with basal ganglia epitopes, or by stimulating the generation of a cytotoxic or inflammatory reaction. Endocrine and electrolyte abnormalities influence neurotransmitter balance or affect ion channel function and signalling in the basal ganglia. In general, the production of chorea involves dysfunction of the indirect pathway from the caudate and putamen to the internal globus pallidus, whereas dystonia is generated by dysfunction of the direct pathway. The time of the onset of the movement disorder relative to the primary disease process, and course vary with the age of the patient and the underlying pathology. Treatment of dystonia or chorea associated with a systemic medical disorder must initially consider the systemic disorder.

Endotoxin temporarily impairs canine colonic absorption of water and sodium.

Diarrhea is a common manifestation of sepsis. We hypothesized that endotoxin may impair colonic absorption of water and electrolytes, an effect which may be related to altered liquid transit in the colon. Five dogs underwent construction of 50-cm colonic Thiry-Vella fistulas (TVF). Following recovery, absorption studies were performed by perfusing the TVF with an isotonic solution at 2.9 ml/min containing polyethylene glycol (5 g/L). Fasting and postprandial colonic absorption of water, electrolytes, and glucose were determined. Liquid transit was assessed by bolus of a nonabsorbable marker (PSP) instilled into the proximal end of the TVF. Following completion of the baseline studies, each dog was given a single dose of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide 200 micrograms/kg i.v. and the studies were repeated daily for the next 3 days. Following endotoxin bolus, colonic absorption of water and sodium were decreased during fasting, while postprandial colonic absorption of water was also decreased. Colonic absorption of water and sodium returned to baseline values on postendotoxin day 2. Colonic secretion of potassium was decreased on postendotoxin days 1 and 3 in both the fasting and the fed periods. Fasting and postprandial liquid transit was also rapid on postendotoxin day 1, which correlated with the decreased absorption seen on that day. Liquid transit returned to baseline values on postendotoxin day 2. We conclude that endotoxin temporarily impairs postprandial colonic absorption, which may be due to the rapid liquid transit that occurs. These effects may contribute to the diarrhea seen during and after septic episodes.

Increased oxygen consumption after cardiac surgery is associated with the inflammatory response to endotoxemia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether the increase in post-operative oxygen consumption (delta VO2) in cardiac surgery patients is related to endotoxemia and subsequent cytokine release and whether delta VO2 can be used as a parameter of post-perfusion syndrome. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Operating room and intensive care unit of a university hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty-one consecutive male patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery without major organ dysfunction and not receiving corticosteroids. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Plasma levels of endotoxin, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured before, during and for 18 h after cardiac surgery. Oxygen consumption, haemodynamics, the use of IV fluids and dopamine, body temperature and the time of extubation were also measured. Measurements from patients with high delta VO2 (> or = median value of the entire group) were compared with measurements from patients with low delta VO2 (< median). Patients with high delta VO2 had higher levels of circulating endotoxin (P = 0.004), TNF (P = 0.04) and IL-6 (P = 0.009) received more IV fluids and dopamine while in the ICU, and were extubated later than patients with low delta VO2. Several hours after delta VO2 the patient's body temperature rose. Forward stepwise regression analysis showed that circulating endotoxin and TNF explained 50% of the variability of delta VO2. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that patients with high post operative oxygen consumption after elective cardiac surgery have higher circulating levels of endotoxin, TNF and IL-6 and also have more symptoms of post-perfusion syndrome. Early detection of high VO2 might be used as a clinical signal to improve circulation in order to meet the high oxygen demand of inflammation. In addition, continuous measurement of VO2 provides us with a clinical parameter of inflammation in interventional studies aiming at a reduction of endotoxemia or circulating cytokines.

Schizophrenia, bacterial toxins and the genetics of redundancy.

The hypothesis proposed is that episodes of bacterial toxaemia occurring early in life cause subtle brain damage which predisposes to schizophrenia. The damage is most likely to occur in individuals who have one or more mutations in a large set of genes controlling aspects of the immune response to infection. These genes, numbering several hundreds or even thousands, control a vital but highly redundant system. Schizophrenia, by reducing fertility, causes selective pressure against the mutations which would otherwise accumulate in the genome and degrade our ability to fight infection. This hypothesis is consistent with the key features of the disease which include a strong genetic component, neuroanatomical abnormalities, a seasonal influence, lack of association with HLA subtypes and the observation that the frequency of schizophrenia is similar in widely different populations. If bacterial toxins also have a role in precipitating acute psychosis, then the age incidence of schizophrenia can be explained.