Prediction of long-term prognosis of age-related macular degeneration treated by hemorheologic therapy using baseline laboratory indicators - Experimental-clinical model.

BACKGROUND + OBJECTIVE:Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of practical blindness in people over 60 years of age in industrialised countries. We formulated a hypothesis that a group of initial laboratory parameters would be suitable for prediction of prognosis of AMD, allowing for individual modifications in treatment intensity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 66 patients with dry form of AMD were treated using rheohaemapheresis with an individual follow-up period of more than 5 years. The patients' initial laboratory data was split in two subgroups based on treatment success and analysed using discriminant analysis (analysis of the linear and quadratic models using the automated and interactive step-wise approach) by means of the Systat 13 software. RESULTS: Prediction of prognosis based on the initial laboratory parameters was correct in 79% of unsuccessfully treated patients, allowing for early detection of high-risk patients. With the use of a quadratic model, the prediction was correct in 100% of unsuccessfully treated patients and in 75% of successfully treated patients. CONCLUSION: Implementation of discriminant analysis is a promising method for prediction of prognosis, especially when the patient is at risk of AMD progression, which allows for early and more intensive monitoring and treatment.

BAL fluid analysis in the identification of infectious agents in patients with hematological malignancies and pulmonary infiltrates.

The present study aims to evaluate the diagnostic yield of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in patients with hematological malignancies and describe the most common pathogens detected in BAL fluid (BALF.) An analysis of 480 BALF samples was performed in patients with hematological malignancies over a period of 7 years. The results of culture methods, PCR, and immunoenzymatic sandwich microplate assays for Aspergillus galactomannan (GM) in BALF were analyzed. Further, the diagnostic thresholds for Aspergillus GM and Pneumocystis jiroveci were also calculated. Microbiological findings were present in 87% of BALF samples. Possible infectious pathogens were detected in 55% of cases; 32% were classified as colonizing. No significant difference in diagnostic yield or pathogen spectrum was found between non-neutropenic and neutropenic patients. There was one significant difference in BALF findings among intensive care units (ICU) versus non-ICU patients for Aspergillus spp. (22% versus 9%, p = 0.03). The most common pathogens were Aspergillus spp. (n = 86, 33% of BAL with causative pathogens) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 46, 18%); polymicrobial etiology was documented in 20% of cases. A quantitative PCR value of > 1860 cp/mL for Pneumocystis jirovecii was set as a diagnostic threshold for pneumocystis pneumonia. The absorbance index of GM in BALF of 0.5 was set as a diagnostic threshold for aspergillosis. The examination of BAL fluid revealed the presence of pathogen in more than 50% of cases and is, therefore, highly useful in this regard when concerning pulmonary infiltrates.

Reduction of Thymoglobuline from 7.5 mg/kg to 6 mg/kg in conditioning regimen extended time to the first cytomegalovirus detection after allogenic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: The optimal dosage of anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) may influence the outcome of patients after allogenic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The aim of our study was to analyse human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection data, incidence of graft-versus-host disease and other clinical endpoints comparing two patients cohorts that were administered two different Thymoglobuline Genzyme doses as part of the HSCT conditioning regimen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total of 65 adult patients received ATG (7.5 mg/kg or 6 mg/kg) as a part of the fludarabine/busulfan/ATG conditioning regimen. CMV DNAemia was monitored after HSCT using quantitative real-time PCR and preemptive treatment was started for viral loads above 1000 cp/ml. RESULTS: The mild ATG dose reduction extended the time to the first CMV detection after transplantation (28 days for 7.5 mg/kg dose vs. 40 days for 6 mg/kg dose, p = 0.04). But it did not reduce the incidence or influence first anti-CMV treatment onset, the initial viral load, peak viral load in whole blood or the antiviral therapy parameters (all p 0.18). No impact of ATG dose reduction on incidence of graft-versus-host-disease, relapse of underlying disease or mortality within first year after transplantation (all p 0.32) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The reduced ATG dosages can allow lower toxicity of conditioning regimen while keeping the performance.

Locally advanced colorectal cancer in pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To highlight the issue of diagnostics and treatment management in colorectal cancer of pregnant women. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pardubice Hospital. CASE REPORT: We present a case of a 24-year-old secundigravida, diagnosed as colorectal cancer in week 34 of pregnancy, manifesting as a diarrhoea and a stomach ache. The diagnosis was made in an advanced stage due to underestimation of clinical symptoms. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of the colorectal cancer in pregnancy can be difficult because the presenting symptoms are easily attributable to pregnancy. Therefore the advanced disease is diagnosed more frequently in pregnant patients than in the general population. Colorectal cancer should be managed by multidisciplinary team with regard to gestation.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis data from the CELESTE multinational registry. Part I: Epidemiology and general microbiological characteristics.

INTRODUCTION: Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a rare, life-threatening autoimmune disease predominantly manifested in the skin and mucous membranes. Today, infectious complications have the dominant share in mortality of TEN patients. Due to the nature of the therapy and administration of immunosuppressive medications, a wide range of potentially pathogenic microorganisms, which cause infectious complications in different compartments in these patients, is not surprising. MATERIAL AND METHODOLOGY: This is a multicentric study, which included all patients with TEN hospitalized between 2000-2015 in specialized centres in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The total catchment area was over 12.5 million inhabitants. The actual implementation of the project was carried out using data obtained from the registry CELESTE (Central European LyEll Syndrome: Therapeutic Evaluation), when specific parameters relating to epidemiological indicators and infectious complications in patients with TEN were evaluated in the form of a retrospective analysis. RESULTS: In total, 39 patients with TEN were included in the study (12 patients died, mortality was 31%), who were hospitalized in the monitored period. The median age of patients in the group was 63 years (the range was 4-83 years, the mean was 51 years), the median of the exfoliated area was 70% TBSA (total body surface area) (range 30-100%, mean 67%). SCORTEN was calculated for 38 patients on the day of admission. Its median in all patients was 3 (range 1-6; mean 3). Any kind of infectious complication in the study group was recorded in 33 patients in total (85%). In total, 30 patients (77%) were infected with gram-positive cocci, 27 patients (69%) with gram-negative rods, and yeast cells or fibrous sponge were cultivated in 12 patients (31%). A total of 32 patients (82%) were found to have infectious complications in the exfoliated area, 15 patients (39%) had lower respiratory tract infections, 18 patients (46%) urinary tract infections and 15 patients (39%) an infection in the bloodstream. The most common potentially pathogenic microorganism isolated in our study group was coagulase neg. Staphylococcus, which caused infectious complications in 24 patients. Enterococcus faecalis/faecium (19 patients), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17 patients), Staphylococcus aureus (11 patients) and Escherichia coli (11 patients) were other most frequently isolated micro-organisms. CONCLUSION: The published data were obtained from the unique registry of TEN patients in Central Europe. In the first part, we have succeeded in defining the basic epidemiological indicators in the group of patients anonymously included in this registry. The study clearly confirms that infectious complications currently play an essential role in TEN patients, often limiting the chances of survival. The study also shows a high prevalence of these complications in the period after 15days from the start of hospitalization, when most patients already have completely regenerated skin cover.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis data from the CELESTE multinational registry. Part II: Specific systemic and local risk factors for the development of infectious complications.

The aim of the study was to identify the most important systemic and local risk factors for the development of infectious complications in patients with toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). MATERIAL AND METHODOLOGY: This is a multicentric study that included all patients with TEN who were hospitalized between 2000-2015 in specialized centres in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The total catchment area included a population of over 12.5 million inhabitants. The actual implementation of the project was carried out using data obtained from the CELESTE (Central European LyEll Syndrome: Therapeutic Evaluation) registry, wherein specific parameters related to epidemiological indicators and infectious complications in patients with TEN were evaluated as a retrospective analysis. RESULTS: A total of 38 patients (97%) of the group were treated with corticosteroids. The comparison of patients with different doses of corticosteroids did not exhibit a statistically significant effect of corticosteroid administration on the development of infectious complications (p=0.421). There was no effect of the extent of the exfoliated area on the development of infectious complications in this area. The average extent of the exfoliated area was 66% TBSA (total body surface area) in patients with reported infectious complications and 71% TBSA (p=0.675) in patients without infectious complications. In the case of the development of an infectious complication in the bloodstream (BSI), the increasing effect of the SCORTEN (SCORe of Toxic Epidermal Necrosis) value was monitored during hospitalization. Within 5days from the beginning of the hospitalization, the average SCORTEN value was 2.7 in 6 patients with BSI and 3.0 in 32 patients without BSI (p=0.588). In the period after the 15th day of hospitalization, 7 patients with BSI had an average SCORTEN value of 3.4, and 16 patients without BSI had an average SCORTEN value of 2.5 (p=0.079). In the case of low respiratory tract infection (LRTI), the effects of the necessity for artificial pulmonary ventilation and the presence of tracheostomy were monitored. The statistically significant effect of mechanical ventilation on the development of LRTI occurred only during the period of 11-15days from the beginning of the hospitalization (p=0.016). The effect of the tracheostomy on the development of LRTI was proven to be more significant. CONCLUSION: We did not find any statistically significant correlation between the nature of immunosuppressive therapy and the risk of developing infectious complications. We failed to identify statistically significant risk factors for the development of BSI. Mechanical ventilation and tracheostomy increase the likelihood of developing LRTIs in patients with TEN.

[Spontaneous rupture of the uterine artery in connection with pregnancy]. / Spontánní ruptura uterinní arterie v souvislosti s tehotenstvím.

OBJECTIVE: To present two cases of spontaneous uterine artery rupture in connection with pregnancy, accompanied by life endangering bleeding. In the first case we talk about a thirty-three years old primigravida nullipara in the 20th week of pregnancy. In the second case there is a woman, who gave spontaneous birth in the 36th week of pregnancy. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pardubice Hospital. METHODS: Own observation. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous rupture of the uterine artery in connection with pregnancy is a rare complication that can be fatal for mother and fetus. Clinical symptoms are often nonspecific, diagnostics is difficult, and diagnosis is often made during the surgery. It is necessary to include this rare complication in the differential diagnosis in pregnant women with abdominal pain and haemoperitoneum of unknown etiology and in postpartal women with an unknown source of bleeding.

Primary malignant melanoma of the vagina, case report and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: Presentation of primary malignant melanoma of the vagina. Summary of clinical findings and management. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Nemocnice Pardubického kraje a.s., Porodnicko-gynekologická klinika, Pardubice. OBSERVATION: We report a case of primary malignat melanoma in a 44 year old woman, with symptoms of abnormal vaginal bleeding and painful intercourse. CONCLUSION: Primary malignant melanoma of the vagina is rare disease. Goal of therapy is complete removal of primary tumor.

[Suburethral sling removal due to chronic pain]. / Exstirpace suburetrální pásky z duvodu chronických bolestí.

OBJECTIVE: To point out one possible complication after suburethral tape insertion. To present methods of treatment, especially partial or total removal of the tape. Few successful cases of treatment are shown in case reports. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Department of obstetrics and gynecology, Pardubice hospital. OBSERVATION: Chronic pain after insertion of suburethral tape is a rare complication. There are several possible causes, such as tape erosion with chronic inflamation, post-colposuspension syndrome, myo-fascial syndrome, nerve damage during tape implantation or due to overproduction of fibrous tissue. Partial or total tape removal is needed when the conservative treatment fails. Patients may remain continent or a new tape is placed. Pain relief is usually complete but there are times when additional treatment is needed. CONCLUSION: Sling removal is a successful method of treating chronic pain after suburethral tape insertion. Patients describe plain relief and improvement of quality of life.

[Ganciclovir treatment failure in adult allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients with cytomegalovirus infection--a single centre experience]. / Klinická rezistence lidského cytomegaloviru pri lécbe gancyklovirem u pacientu po alogenní transplantaci hematopoetických bunek--zkusenosti jednoho centra.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of infection with ganciclovir-resistant cytomegalovirus (CMV) in adult allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. Clinical resistance or treatment failure was defined as persistent DNAemia or increasing viral load in peripheral blood after 2 weeks of virostatic treatment. The association between the treatment failure and viral resistance was analysed. The presence of ganciclovir-resistant CMV strains was confirmed by genotypic testing able to detect mutations conferring resistance. METHODS: In 2012 and 2014, 40 patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT for hematologic malignancies and were treated for human CMV reactivation/disease were followed up prospectively. In patients with treatment failure, CMV DNA was isolated and analysed by nucleotide sequence analysis of the UL 97 and UL 54 genes conferring resistance to the virostatic agent. RESULTS: The treatment failure occurred in seven patients, but ganciclovir resistance conferring mutations were only detected in two of them (mutations L595F and M460I in the UL 97 gene). Another mutation in the UL 97 gene (N510S) was found in a patient with recurrent CMV replication who needed to be retreated but did not meet the criteria for treatment failure. CONCLUSION: The low incidence of genetically confirmed ganciclovir-resistant CMV isolates in HSCT recipients with relatively common clinical treatment failure suggests that the mechanism underlying slower viral clearance is often other than mutations conferring ganciclovir resistance to the virus.

The Effects of Suburethral Tape on the Symptoms of Overactive Bladder.

Suburethral tension-free vaginal tape is used for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence with a high success rate. Often patients report having stress incontinence, as well as co-existing micturition problems which are attributable to overactive bladder syndrome (OAB). The present study examines the effect of suburethral tape on the symptoms of OAB. In the study, we used the transobturator vaginal tape inside-out technique (TVT-O). Materials and Methods: 53 patients were included in the study, all had proven urodynamic stress incontinence and symptoms of overactive bladder. The patients were examined preoperatively and 3 months after the TVT-O placement. Results: The individual OAB symptoms improved significantly, with urinary frequency and urge incontinence improving more than nocturia. The frequency of micturition decreased on average from 16.1 to 10.1 episodes/24 hours, while nocturnal frequency of micturition decreased from 2.2 to 1.1. Not a single patient experienced the simultaneous worsening of all three measured variables, however 19 % of patients did report their simultaneous disappearance. Their quality of life that had been affected by OAB was measured on the basis of validated questionnaires, and found to have improved significantly. Only 28 % of patients reported a desire for drug treatment of OAB symptoms following tape placement. Conclusions: TVT-O placement leads to a significant improvement of the symptoms of overactive bladder syndrome. Patient quality of life - which was affected by OAB - was also enhanced by the tape placement. This accounts for a substantial share of the overall success of the suburethral tape.

[Lipid and lipoprotein levels in normal and complicated pregnancies]. / Zmeny lipidu a lipoproteinu provázející fyziologická a riziková tehotenství

OBJECTIVE: Lipid and lipoprotein levels during pregnancy and postpartum were compared in healthy pregnant women and in high risk pregnancy groups including women with pre-existing metabolic syndrome. The second half of a normal pregnancy is accompanied by hyperlipidaemia and glucose intolerance. Physiological response to pregnancy represents a transient excursion into a metabolic syndrome. DESIGN: Clinical study. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Regional Hospital Pardubice, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Pardubice. METHODS: Fasting plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels were studied in 54 women during pregnancy and postpartum at the Regional Hospital Pardubice. The group of patients consisted of 25 healthy pregnant women,11 women with gestational diabetes, 9 women with diabetes type 1 and 9 women with pre-existing metabolic syndrome. The results were compared to measurements in 30 non-pregnant healthy controls. RESULTS: Total triglyceride levels in late gestation were at least but significantly (p < 0.001) elevated above those in non-pregnant controls in the group of patients with pre-existing metabolic syndrome. In the same group, in contrast with other groups, no changes in plasma cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were found in late pregnancy. However, significant decline in HDL-cholesterol, when compared to non-pregnant controls, was observed 6 and 24 months postpartum only in the group of women with pre-existing metabolic syndrome (p < 0.01, p < 0.001 respectively). CONCLUSION: The gynaecologist may be the first physician that a woman of reproductive age and with a metabolic syndrome encounters, it is important to suspect the presence of this syndrome and inform the woman about the most notable clinical implications.

[Hyperlipidaemia in pregnancy]. / Hyperlipidémie v tehotenství

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the degree of pregnancy - induced hyperlipidaemia in normal and complicated pregnancies. Under the "stress of pregnancy" supraphysiologic increase in lipid and lipoprotein levels may delevop (similar to changes in carbohydrate metabolism). DESIGN: Clinical study. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Regional Hospital Pardubice, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Pardubice. METHODS: Fasting plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels were studied in 26 healthy pregnant women, in 30 women with high risk pregnancy and in 30 nonpregnant healthy controls. The results were compared to reference values given in percentiles to find those exceeding the 95th percentile of the reference values for the third trimester. RESULTS: Two subjects (3.6%) with supraphysiologic increase in plasma lipids in late pregnancy were identified among the 56 women studied. The details are reviewed in the study as well as the rare forms of extreme hyperlipoproteinaemia during pregnancy in women with pre-existing disorder of lipid metabolism. CONCLUSION: The measurement of lipid and lipoprotein levels cannot be recommended in all pregnant women in late pregnancy. Hovewer, in subjects with family history of dyslipidaemia or premature atherosclerosis in the first - degree relatives and without hyperlipidaemia outside pregnancy, supraphysiologic increase in lipid and lipoprotein levels developed under the "stress of pregnancy" might indentify women at risk of dyslipidaemia in future life.

The decrease of mean platelet volume after extracorporeal LDL-cholesterol elimination.

OBJECTIVE: Mean platelet volume is arousing increasing interest as a new independent cardiovascular risk factor. Large platelets are likely to be more reactive. If mean platelet volume would drop after LDL-lowering therapy, decreased MPV could be one of the markers of successful therapy. Therefore, we investigated mean platelet volume after extracorporeal LDL-cholesterol elimination. METHODS: Mean platelet volume was investigated in patients with severe familial hypercholesterolemia long-term treated (3-12 years) by LDL-apheresis (immunoapheresis) or cascade filtration. Plasma was obtained by centrifugation. Adsorbers Lipopak 400 were used for immunoapheresis and filters Evaflux 4A were used for cascade filtration. 95 pair samples were measured (before and after the procedures) in a group of 12 patients--each patient 8 times in 4 years. RESULTS: Mean platelet volume before the procedures was 10.891 fl, CI 10.25-11.53. Mean platelet volume after the procedures decreased--10.478 fl, CI 09.84-11.11. The difference is statistically significant (p = 0.036). Mean platelet volume did not correlate with age, sex, platelet count, duration of therapy. At the same time, we used rheohemapheresis in the therapy of 40 patients with age-related macular degeneration. But mean platelet volume was not changed. CONCLUSION: Mean platelet volume is easily available and is often disregarded, and sometimes may suggest the need for a careful assessment in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia. Mean platelet volume could be one of the markers of therapeutic efficacy in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia treated by extracorporeal LDL-cholesterol elimination that is simple and inexpensive.

Long-term outcomes of patients with cerebral vein thrombosis: a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Little information is available on the long-term clinical outcome of cerebral vein thrombosis (CVT). OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: In an international, retrospective cohort study, we assessed the long-term rates of mortality, residual disability and recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in a cohort of patients with a first CVT episode. RESULTS: Seven hundred and six patients (73.7% females) with CVT were included. Patients were followed for a total of 3171 patient-years. Median follow-up was 40 months (range 6, 297 months). At the end of follow-up, 20 patients had died (2.8%). The outcome was generally good: 89.1% of patients had a complete recovery (modified Rankin Score [mRS] 0-1) and 3.8% had a partial recovery and were independent (mRS 2). Eighty-four per cent of patients were treated with oral anticoagulants and the mean treatment duration was 12 months. CVT recurred in 31 patients (4.4%), and 46 patients (6.5%) had a VTE in a different site, for an overall incidence of recurrence of 23.6 events per 1000 patient-years (95% confidence Interval [CI] 17.8, 28.7) and of 35.1 events/1000 patient-years (95% CI, 27.7, 44.4) after anticoagulant therapy withdrawal. A previous VTE was the only significant predictor of recurrence at multivariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR] 2.70; 95% CI 1.25, 5.83). CONCLUSIONS: The long-term risk of mortality and recurrent VTE appears to be low in patients who survived the acute phase of CVT. A previous VTE history independently predicts recurrent events.

[3D MRI-based brachytherapy in patients with locally advanced cervical carcinoma - early clinical results]. / 3D MR-based brachyterapie v lécbe lokálne pokrocilého karcinomu delozního hrdla - casné klinické výsledky.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the clinical benefit of MRI-based brachytherapy using CT and MRI data fusion. DESIGN: Clinical trial. SETTING: Oncology Centre, Multiscan and Pardubice Regional Hospital, Pardubice. METHODS: Thirty six patients with locally advanced cervical cancer were treated with MRI-based brachytherapy (MRI-based preplanning 15 patients, MRI approximation 21 patients). All patients were continuously followed during and after treatment. Tumor control and toxicity were evaluated at each visit. Late gastrointestinal and genitourinary symptoms were recorded, using Fox Chase (FC) modification of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) and Late Effects Normal Tissue Task Force (LENT) toxicity criteria. RESULTS: We observed no complications during the entire MRI procedure at the radiology department. The cumulative incidence of grade 2 late genitourinary and gastrointestinal toxicity at median follow up of 30.3 months was 4.8% and 9.5% for MRI approximation, respectively 0% and 13.3% for MRI-based preplanning. Local control was 86.7% for MRI-based preplanning and 76.2% for MRI approximation. CONCLUSION: 3D MRI-based brachytherapy with consecutive CT/MRI data fusion yields excellent local control with minor toxicity.

[Pregnancy after uterine artery embolization in uterine myoma]. / Tehotenství po embolizaci uterinních arterií pro delozní myom.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of successful pregnancy outcome after embolization treatment of symptomatic leiomyoma. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of University Hospital, Hradec Králové. SUBJECT AND METHOD: A 41-year old primigravida who had previously undergone uterine artery embolization and myomectomy had successful course of the spontaneously conceived pregnancy terminated per sectionem cesarean. An analysis of the 50 published cases of pregnancy after uterine artery embolization revealed the following complications: spontaneous abortion (22%), malpresentation (17%), hypotrophy (7%), premature delivery (28%), caesarean section (58%) and postpartum hemorrhage (13%). CONCLUSION: Whether this procedure is safe for women desiring future fertility is controversial. There are very few data regarding the outcomes of pregnancies after embolization.