Procalcitonin and qSOFA as a Marker of Mortality in Sepsis.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. The qSOFA and procalcitonin are currently used for both diagnostic as well as prognostic purposes. OBJECTIVE: To explore the combined use of day one procalcitonin level and qSOFA scores for prognostication of sepsis-related mortality Design: This was a prospective observational study. PARTICIPANTS: All patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria for sepsis with an age of more than 16 years were enrolled in the study Results: In this study of 211 patients, 15 patients died (7.1%) during hospital stay. Among the 15 patients who died, the highest mortality of 29.4% qSOFA of "2" had a mortality of 12.8%),qSOFA of "1" had a mortality of 1% and qSOFA of "0" had zero mortality. In this study, procalcitonin had a statistically significant positive correlation/association with both qSOFA and mortality. CONCLUSION: The qSOFA and procalcitonin at presentation to the emergency department in septic patients have a significant correlation with mortality in patients hospitalized with sepsis. Obtaining these two parameters at presentation will help in managing aggressively these patients who at presentation have higher qSOFA and procalcitonin levels.

Mixed Connective Tissue Disease: The Two Cases Report Representing the Range of this Illness.

INTRODUCTION: Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is defined as a systemic rheumatic disease characterized by the presence of high titer anti-U1 ribonucleoprotein (U1 RNP) antibodies in combination with clinical features commonly seen in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and polymyositis (PM). CASE PRESENTATION: The annual incidence of MCTD is 1.9 per 100,000 adults. Any organ system can be involved in MCTD however four clinical features that suggest the presence of MCTD rather than another systemic rheumatic disease are Raynaud phenomenon with swollen hands or puffy fingers, absence of severe kidney disease and central nervous system (CNS) disease at first presentation generally, insidious onset of pulmonary hypertension and presence of autoantibodies anti-U1 ribonucleoprotein (U1 RNP), especially antibodies to the 68 kD protein. MCTD, although initially thought to be a disease with a benign course is not considered a valid argument at present. This connective tissue disorder can present with life-threating organ involvement with rapid progression of disease. CONCLUSION: We report two cases of MCTD, one with mild disease and another with life-threatening illness, describing the range of severity at presentation of this disorder.

Biochemical and haematological abnormalities in severe acute organophosphorus poisoning / Anomalías bioquímicas y hematológicas en la intoxicación grave por organofosforados. Estudio prospectivo en un solo centro

Background: Organophosphorus insecticides are considered one of the commonest causes of morbidity and mortality due to poisoning worldwide. Severe organophosphorus poisoning can lead to multiple sometimes lethal metabolic and haematological abnormalities. Methods: A total of 141 OP poisoning patients were admitted during the study period and their blood samples were collected on admission and analysed for the biochemical abnormalities. Results: Out of 141 patients 76 were males (53.9%) and 65 were females (46.1%). Bradycardia with Pulse rate of less than 60 was seen in in 21 patients (14.7). Hypoxemia with oxygen saturation of less than 94% was seen in 32 (22.7%). leucocytosis with TLC o 11000 or more was seen in 19 patients (13.5%).101 patients (83.5%) had low serum choline esterase levels less than 1.5kU/L. Hypokalaemia with K+ of less than 3.5 was seen in 16 patients (9.9%). Five patients died out of 141 (3.5%). Hypoxemia Spo2 of less than 90% was seen in 3 (60%) patients who died and hypoglycaemia with blood glucose of less than 70mg/dl was seen in 2 out of 5 Patients (40%). Conclusions: low choline esterase levels less than 1.5kU/L was the most common abnormality indicating severe poisoning followed by hypoxemia. Both Hypoxemia and low acetylcholine esterase levels are bad prognostic signs and result in high mortality in organophosphorus poisoning. (AU)

Introducción: De entre todos los procesos de intoxicación, el envenenamiento por organofósforados se considera una de las causas más comunes de morbilidad y mortalidad en todo el mundo. La intoxicación grave por organofósforo puede provocar múltiples anomalías metabólicas y hematológicas, a veces letales. Métodos: Un total de 141 pacientes intoxicados por organofósforados fueron ingresados durante el periodo de estudio y sus muestras e sangre fueron recogidas al ingreso y analizadas para detectar las anomalías bioquímicas. Resultados: De los 141 pacientes, 76 eran varones (53,9%) y 65 mujeres (46,1%). Se observó bradicardia con una frecuencia de pulso inferior a 60 en 21 pacientes (14,7). Se observó hipoxemia con una saturación de oxígeno inferior al 94% en 32 (22,7%). Leucocitosis con un recuento total de leucocitos de 11.000 o más en 19 pacientes (13,5%). 101 pacientes (83,5%) tenían niveles bajos de colina esterasa sérica inferiores a 1,5 kU/L. Se observó hipopotasemia con K+ inferior a 3,5 en 16 pacientes (9,9%). Cinco pacientes fallecieron de un total de 141 (3,5%). Se observó hipoxemia Spo2 inferior al 90% en 3 (60%) pacientes que fallecieron e hipoglucemia con glucemia inferior a 70 mg/dl en 2 de 5 pacientes (40%). Conclusiones: Los niveles bajos de colinesterasa inferiores a 1,5 kU/L fueron la anomalía más frecuente que indicaba intoxicación grave, seguida de hipoxemia. La hipoxemia, la hipoglucemia y los niveles bajos de acetilcolinesterasa son signos de mal pronóstico y dan lugar a una elevada mortalidad en la intoxicación por organofosforados. (AU)

Systemic lupus erythematosus with Sjögren's syndrome and renal tubular acidosis presenting as nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presenting as diabetes insipidus (DI) is a rare association; there is a case report of neurogenic DI in patients of SLE; however, SLE and nephrogenic DI has not been reported in literature. We present a case of SLE presenting as nephrogenic DI. We report a case who presented with DI (nephrogenic) and fulfilled criteria for SLE and Sjögren's syndrome with renal tubular acidosis.

Aerococcus viridans infection presenting as cutaneous vasculitis in an immunocompetent patient.

BACKGROUND: Aerococcus viridans organisms are Gram-positive cocci that are widely distributed in hospital environments and room air. These bacteria have infrequently been encountered as human pathogens causing bacteremia, endocarditis and urinary tract infections. The significance of these bacteria may be overlooked due to their fastidious growth, and they are often confused with other strains of streptococci or staphylococci. CASE REPORT: We present a case of Aerococcus viridans manifesting as cutaneous vasculitis in an immunocompetent patient. A 30-year-old female patient was admitted to hospital after two weeks history of fever, chills and papular rash over the limbs and trunk. The clinical diagnosis of vasculitis was made. Investigations revealed elevated leucocytosis (21.7 × 109/l) with 81% of neutrophils, and an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate or 60 mm/h. Serum anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) were not found. Blood culture showed growth of Aerococcus viridans. Histopathological assessment of skin biopsy revealed cutaneous vasculitis. CONCLUSIONS: To date, no clinical case report of this kind has been reported implicating Aerococcus viridans in cutaneous vasculitis. Increased awareness and more studies of this genus should lead to the identification of its potential role in human infections.