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.

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.

OLEOGEL-S10 TO ACCELERATE HEALING OF DONOR SITES: MONOCENTRIC RESULTS OF PHASE III CLINICAL TRIAL.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Oleogel-S10, an ointment containing betulin-rich triterpene dry extract from birch bark was tested in an open, blindly evaluated, prospective, controlled, randomized multicentre study to improve wound healing in donor sites. The primary endpoint was time to wound closure, and secondary endpoints were scar related measurements at the time of wound closure, and 3 and 12 months after wound closure (POSAS, laser speckle contrast analysis, viscoelastic analysis). RESULTS: We report the results from a single centre (Department of Burns and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Brno) of this phase III clinical trial. A total of 32 patients (25 men and 7 women) were included with the mean patient age of 41.8 years (SD, ±11.66). The mean extent of patients donor sites in the study was 56.77cm2 (SD, ±20.39). Median healing time of the verum group (Oleogel-S10) was 7 days (95% Confidence Interval 7-8 days) and for controls 8 days (95% CI 7-10 days). Comparison of POSAS data from the verum group revealed significantly lower values at all three time points as compared to the controls. Perfusion of scars of the verum group reached on average of 115 perfusion units at the end of treatment; the average was 69.8 perfusion units at the 3-month follow-up and 50.2 perfusion units at the 12-month follow-up. Control sites displayed significantly higher values at all time points (122.2 perfusion units, 73.9 perfusion units, 52.2 perfusion units). Significant differences were detected in the skins viscoelastic properties, with sites treated with Oleogel-S10 displaying more favourable values. CONCLUSION: In our results, we demonstrate the significant effectiveness of Oleogel-S10 in donor sites healingKeywords: Donor site, Triterpenes, Oleogel-S10, wound closure.

Fatal progression of multifocal infection of Aspergillus sp. and multi-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a patient with toxic epidermal necrolysis and renal cancer.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis is an autoimmune disease expressed predominantly on the skin and mucous membranes. It is a serious bullous disease manifesting itself by induction of apoptosis in the dermo-epidermal junction. In most cases,it is attributable to the use of some drug. The basic approach to stopping progression of the disease is immunosuppression. Unfortunately, patients with such extensive loss of epidermis and defective mucosa are confronted by a variety of opportunistic, potentially pathogenic microorganisms. Unsurprisingly, infectious complications are today a predominant cause of death in patients thusly affected. Despite thorough review of the literature, we found no comprehensive case report concerning the development of multifocal Aspergillus infection in patients with this disease.

OUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE USE OF 40% BENZOIC ACID FOR NECRECTOMY IN DEEP BURNS.

INTRODUCTION: Chemical necrectomy of deep burns using 40% benzoic acid has been used extensively by the Department of Burns and Reconstructive Surgery at the University Hospital since its establishment in 1982. In spite of definite advantages for the patient and medical staff, hard data concerning benzoic acid absorption through skin necrosis and patient safety was missing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We examined 22 burn patients in collaboration with the University Hospital Brno, Department of Clinical Biochemistry. The plasmatic levels of benzoic acid, hippuric acids and glycine, which is consumed during the metabolism of benzoic acid, were measured. Urine samples were collected to determine the total amount of hippuric acid that is excreted. We were able to determine the total amount of absorbed and excreted benzoic acid from these values. RESULTS: We consistently found that there was a rapid and short-term increase of plasmatic levels of benzoic acid (maximum 1.3 mmol/l). This value is about 5 times lower than the minimum toxic level of this acid (6.5 mmol/l). The same course has been observed in hippuric acid. The level of glycine dropped slightly, but was still within the normal range. DISCUSSION: Typical and atypical courses of the levels of both acids were discussed as well as the correlation of the dynamics of elimination with the extent of benzoic acid application in relationship with the clinical status of the patient. The effectiveness and safety of this method was evaluated. CONCLUSION: After summarizing the observations, it was demonstrated that chemical necrectomy using 40% benzoic acid is a selective method comparable with other types of sharp necrectomy. Chemical necrectomy is inexpensive, easy to perform and also reduces blood loss. Toxicity of absorbed benzoic acid is clinically negligible. Furthermore, benzoic acids antimycotic and antibacterial properties prevent the development of wound infection.

MICROMYCETES INFECTION IN PATIENTS WITH THERMAL TRAUMA.

GOAL: Determination of basic epidemiological parameters of burn patients with micromycetes infection. Identification of the most important micromycetes in burn patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Monocentre retrospective study enrolling all adult burn patients who were hospitalized between 2007 and 2015 and in whom micromycetes were isolated during hospitalization. ABSI index (Abbreviated Burn Severity Index) was used to evaluate severity of thermal trauma. Results were statistically analysed. RESULTS: There were 61 patients with thermal trauma identified in total during the period of observation, and there were yeast or fibrous fungi isolated. There were 37 males and 24 females (M:F ratio - 1.5:1) in this group. The average age of patients was 57.3 years (29 patients were aged up to 60 years, 32 patients were over the age of 60 years, inclusive). 6 patients died (lethality was 9.8%). The average extent of the burn area was 21.6% TBSA (median 14.0%). There were 90 strains of micromycetes cultured in total in these patients (79 yeasts, 11 fibrous fungi). Micromycetes were isolated from burn area in 30 patients, from the lower airways in 19 patients, from the urogenital area in 15 patients and from blood culture in 7 patients. Non-albicans Candida species were predominant among yeasts (60 strains); Candida albicans was isolated 16 times in total. Aspergillus fumigatus (4 isolations) and Fusarium species (2 isolations) were predominant species among fibrous fungi. CONCLUSION: We successfully identified the basic epidemiological parameters in burn patients with micromycetes infection, similarly to the most important yeasts and fibrous fungi causing infection in these patients.

[History, Present State and Perspectives of Czech Burns Medicine.] / HISTORIE, SOUCASNOST A PERSPEKTIVY CESKÉ POPÁLENINOVÉ MEDICÍNY.

Care for burn patients is defined in most developed countries as an independent multidisciplinary specialty (burn medicine) and it is concentrated to specialized units, which are sufficiently staffed with appropriate space area and equipment. Since the 50s of the previous century in the former Czechoslovakia, there were five such units, three of which were in the Czech Republic (Prague, Ostrava, Brno). The specialty successfully developed and achieved prestige also abroad, mainly due to uninterrupted contacts with the foreign units. Until approximately mid 90s of the previous century, an increasing trend of development accelerated (new technologies, better space area and equipment, acquisition of new knowledge from abroad, etc.). On the other hand, two negative tendencies occurred. These were negative economic balance of care for burn patients, which was due to the current system of financing healthcare, and a completely inappropriate system of postgraduate education for burn medicine specialty. These two factors cause that young doctors are not interested in the specialty and there is a risk of its stagnation in case that the units will not be at least in an even economical balance and will not be able to offer young doctors anything in terms of financial rewards and further professional growth.

[Stenotrophomonas maltophilia as the cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia in a female patient with toxic epidermal necrolysis and Clostridium colitis: time for off-label tigecycline?] / Stenotrophomonas maltophilia jako puvodce ventilátorové pneumonie u pacientky s toxickou epidermální nekrolýzou a klostridiovou kolitidou: cas na off-label podání tigecyklinu?

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is an autoimmune disease which is usually caused by a reaction to drugs. It affects mainly the skin and mucous membranes. It is a rare condition with a high mortality rate. Fatal outcomes in patients with TEN are mostly due to infectious complications. As antimicrobial drugs may induce this syndrome, the management of this condition is very complicated. Tigecycline is still a relatively new antibiotic approved in Europe for use in complicated intra-abdominal infections and complicated skin and soft tissue infections. Among major advantages of tigecycline in patients with TEN are its good penetrability into tissues, wide spectrum of activity that makes it suitable for use as monotherapy, and last but not least, in comparison with other antimicrobials, a very low potential for exacerbation of the severity of the underlying disease by further stimulation of the immune system. A case report is presented of a successful management of an 81-year-old woman with TEN and multiple infectious complications in different anatomic locations, the most serious of which was ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Her general condition was further aggravated by Clostridium colitis. Tigecycline was used as the therapeutic option for ventilator-associated pneumonia, although prescribed off-label.Key words: toxic epidermal necrolysis - tigecycline - off-label indications - Clostridium colitis.

Prevalence of infectious complications in burn patients requiring intensive care: data from a pan-European study.

UNLABELLED: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of infectious complications in burn patients requiring intensive care in a one-day multicenter study encompassing burn centers in various European countries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The European Burns Association database identified 87 centers in Western and Eastern Europe, 27 of which agreed to cooperate. American Burn Association recommendations were used for diagnosis of various infectious complications in patients with thermal trauma. RESULTS: From those centers, we randomly assigned 134 patients (44 women) to the analysis. Mean age of the group was 40.39 ± 22.17(SD) years. Mean abbreviated burn severity index was 7.5±2.54, mean size of burned area was 30.49 ± 20.14% of total body surface area. Mean length of hospitalization to date was 24.32 ± 30.64 days. Infectious complications were observed in 92 patients (68.7%), 76 (56.7%) of whom met the criteria for infection of the burned area, 26 patients (19.4%) for bloodstream infection, 21 (15.7%) for pneumonia, and 13 (9.7%) for urinary system infection. Multifocal infections were found in 29 patients (21.6%). Gram-positive bacterial strains as potentially pathogenic microorganisms were identified in 67 patients (50.0%), Gram-negative bacterial strains in 73 (54.5%), and yeasts in 18 (13.4%) patients. Filamentous fungi were not isolated from any patient in the group. CONCLUSION: Cornerstone future standards in individual burn centers should be to monitor the occurrence of infectious complications in burn patients, prevent the spread of these complications, and report resistant pathogens. This work constitutes an important project in this area.

[The past and present of thumb reconstruction]. / Historie a soucasnost rekonstrukce palce ruky.

The thumb is the most important digit for hand function. Its role is not only functional, but also aesthetic, the hand being a very exposed part of the body. Loss of the thumb can lead to life-long physical and mental stigma. With regard to this experience, early reconstruction of the thumb in order to return patients to normal life as soon as possible is clearly preferred. When using early thumb reconstruction, the patient does not gain wrong stereotypes in hand-grip manoeuvres. The paper presents an overview of current options for non-microsurgical and microsurgical thumb reconstruction techniques.

High voltage electrical injury: an 11-year single center epidemiological study.

The aim of our study was to retrospectively evaluate the epidemiological characteristics of patients with high voltage electrical injury from 1999 to 2009. The Clinic of Burns and Reconstructive Surgery, Faculty Hospital Brno is located in a region of 2,505,000 inhabitants. In total 13,911 patients (including both children and adults, and outpatients as well as hospitalized patients) were treated at our burn center during the period of study. Of these patients, 1,030 were hospitalized for burns treatment. For the purposes of this study, we have included only patients with high voltage electrical trauma, of which there were 58, 2 of whom were female. Basic epidemiological indicators were gathered on these patients, including age, gender, place of accident, extent of trauma, mortality and whether the injury was occupational or non-occupational. Electrical burns (caused by both low-voltage and high-voltage electric current) made up 1.10% of all burns treated in our burn center and high voltage electrical injuries represented 0.42% of all burn injuries. The average incidence of high voltage electrical trauma was 0.21 cases/100,000 inhabitants. The average age of the patients was 28.59 years. Nine patients died and the mortality was fixed at 15.52%. The average length of hospitalization was 53.43 days. The average extent of burnt area was 35.01% TBSA. In our study, we were able to define the basic epidemiological parameters in 58 patients with high voltage electrical trauma. We also have to highlight the still disappointingly high number of non-occupational electrical injuries affecting those in the lower age groups, especially children. However, preventive programmes for educating specific risk groups have shown positive results.

Le but de notre étude était d'évaluer rétrospectivement les caractéristiques épidémiologiques des patients présentant les lésions électriques causées par la haute tension de 1999 à 2009. La Clinique de « Burns and Reconstructive Surgery ¼, Faculty Hospital Brno, est située dans une région de 2.505.000 habitants. Au total, 13 911 patients (y compris les enfants et les adultes, et ambulatoires ainsi que les patients hospitalisés) ont été traités dans notre centre pendant la période d'étude. Parmi ces patients, 1.030 ont été hospitalisés pour le traitement des brûlures. Aux fins de cette étude, nous avons inclus seulement les patients avec un traumatisme électrique à haute tension, il y en avait 58, dont 2 étaient des femmes. Des indicateurs épidémiologiques de base ont été recueillies sur ces patients, dont l'âge, le sexe, le lieu de l'accident, l'ampleur du traumatisme, de la mortalité et si la blessure était liée ou non au travail. Les brûlures électriques (causée par une basse tension et le courant électrique à haute tension) représentaient 1,10% de toutes les brûlures traitées dans notre centre, et des blessures électriques à haute tension représenté 0,42% de toutes les brûlures. L'incidence moyenne de traumatisme électrique à haute tension est de 0,21 cas pour 100,000 habitants. L'âge moyen des patients était de 28,59 années. Neuf patients sont décédés et la mortalité a été fixée à 15,52%. La durée moyenne d'hospitalisation était de 53,43 jours. La moyenne surface corporelle brûlée était 35.01% de la SCT. Dans notre étude, nous avons pu définir les paramètres épidémiologiques de base chez 58 patients atteints de traumatismes électrique à haute tension. Nous devons également mettre en évidence le nombre toujours élevé de blessures électriques non-professionnelles affectant ceux dans les groupes d'âge inférieures, surtout les enfants. Toutefois, les programmes de prévention pour sensibiliser les groupes à risque spécifiques ont montré des résultats positifs.

Effect of timing of tracheostomy on changes in bacterial colonisation of the lower respiratory tract in burned children.

OBJECTIVE: The study aims to evaluate the impact of early and late tracheostomy on microbiological changes in the airways in severely burned children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Early tracheostomy is sometimes performed within 3 days after the start of mechanical ventilation regular microbiological surveillance of the respiratory tract was done in all patients. From each sputum, tracheobronchial aspirate and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), a microscopic slide was made and the material was seeded in a culture medium. The standard culture media used for the growth of respiratory pathogens are blood agar, McConkey agar, VL agar and chocolate agar. The obtained values were statistically analysed. RESULTS: In the observed period, a total of 68 children underwent mechanical ventilation in our department. A total of 31 (45.59%) children had undergone surgical tracheostomy (18 patients with early tracheostomy and 13 patients with late tracheostomy). The most common bacterium isolated from the lower respiratory tract in patients with early and late tracheostomy was Acinetobacter baumannii (31.53% resp. 44.30% of all bacterial strains). In patients with early tracheostomy, the ratio of G+/G- during the 6-7th day of mechanical ventilation was 1.29:1 and during the 8-10th day, 1:1.43. In patients with late tracheostomy the G+/G- ratio was 1:2.25 and during the 8-10th day, 1:2.25. There was not any statistically significant deviation in the G+/G- ratio in patients with early and late tracheostomy in any of the monitored periods. CONCLUSION: The main reasons for performing early tracheostomy are: extent, localisation and depth of the burn. Difficult weaning in an uncooperative patient, failure of extubation with subsequent reintubation and other complications may be an indication for late tracheostomy. The study confirms that the use of appropriately indicated early tracheostomy provides a microbiological benefit for burned children.

[Epidemiology of critical burns in southern Moravia]. / Epidemiologie kritických popálenin na jizní Morave

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to define the principal and additional characteristics of critical burns and to evaluate the effect of an increasing Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI) on mortality in burn patients admitted to the Department of Burns and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital in Brno. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective monocentric study included all patients older than 18 years with critical burns involving more than 40% of the total body surface area (TBSA) who were admitted to the Department of Burns and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital in Brno, in the period from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2010. The epidemiological data evaluated included: age, gender, size of burn injury, mechanism of injury, required surgical intervention, mortality, length of hospital stay and the presence of inhalation injury. The results were statistically analysed. RESULTS: A total of 2 479 adult patients were admitted to the Department in the period under study, and 112 (4.5%) of them had critical burns. In this patient group, the average age was 48.7 years, the average burned surface area was 62.8% TBSA, and the average length of hospital stay was 37.2 days. The male-to-female ratio was 2.39:1. Inhalation injury was diagnosed in 92 patients (82.1%). Of the 112 patients with burn injury, 59 died (52.7%). The lowest mortality rate was in the age category of 31 to 40 years (21.1%) and the highest rate in the patients aged over 71 years. No patient with the ABSI . 8 died while, amongst the patients with the ABSI .13, the mortality rate was 87.8%. DISCUSSION: No study dealing comprehensively with this topic in a patient group of this size has so far been published in the Czech Republic. Our results showed that the patients with critical burns accounted for about 5% of all patients with thermal trauma. The ABSI has proved to be a valuable and reliable predictor of survival in patients with critical burns. The extent of burned area and age were risk factors affecting mortality. On the other hand, the effect of inhalation injury on mortality, as a single risk factor, is disputable because this develops with an increasing burned surface area. CONCLUSIONS: The most important epidemiological data on patients with critical burns were evaluated. The study shows that although the number of patients annually admitted to hospital with severe burns is still high, it has nevertheless decreased recently.

The epidemiology of pediatric burns undergoing intensive care in Burn Centre Brno, Czech Republic, 1997-2009.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to determine the basic epidemiological characteristics of severely burned children who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), Department of Burns and Reconstructive Surgery Faculty Hospital Brno, Czech Republic in the years 1997-2009. METHODS: We collected and evaluated epidemiological data such as age, sex, burn etiology, length of hospitalization, duration of the ICU stay, surgical or conservative therapeutic strategies, the use of mechanical ventilation and its duration, day and month of injury and the extent of burned area. RESULTS: In total 383 children (253 boys, 130 girls) aged 0-14 years, underwent intensive care for at least 48h. Male to female ratio was 1.95:1. The average range of burn area in the group was 16.43±12.86% TBSA (total body surface area). During the reporting period, 16 children were admitted with burns over 50% TBSA. 328 children suffered burns indoors, with 55 children being burned outdoors. Indoor/outdoor ratio was set at 5.96:1. The most frequent etiological agent was scalding (hot water, soup, coffee, oil, tea). The total number of scalded children in this group was 312 (81.46%). Mechanical ventilation was used in 96 cases (25.07% of all the admitted patients). The duration of mechanical ventilation in these patients was 8.03±5.67 days in average. The average length of stay in ICU was 10.71±10.92 days and total length of hospital stay was an average of 21.55±14.55 days. A total of 184 patients (48.04%) were treated surgically and therefore required necrectomy and skin grafting. The other 199 (51.96%) patients were treated conservatively. During the reporting period 3 children died (0.78%). CONCLUSION: In our report we identify basic epidemiological data defined in the aim of this study for burned children requiring intensive care.

Epidemiology of ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis and vantilator-associated pneumonia in patients with inhalation injury at the Burn Centre in Brno (Czech Republic).

Aim. The aim of this work is to determine the incidence of ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (VAT) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and to define the define the most important respiratory pathogens in patients with inhalation injury. Introduction. Infectious complications in severely burned patients present serious problems. Patients with inhalation injuries are exposed to greater risk owing to the possible development of infectious complications in the lower respiratory tract. VAP is the predominant cause of death in these patients. This is due to the increasing resistance of strains of Gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Design. Retrospective, monocentric. Setting. A five-bed burn intensive care unit. Material and methods. Between 2004 and 2009, 348 adult patients were hospitalized in the intensive care unit of the Department of Burns and Reconstructive Surgery, Brno University Hospital, Czech Republic. Of these, 127 (36.49%) were diagnosed by bronchoscopy as having inhalation injury. The prerequisite for inclusion in the cohort was an inhalation injury requiring artificial ventilation for at least 48 h. The lower airway microbiological condition was monitored regularly by sampling biological material for cultures (sputum, tracheobronchial aspirates, etc.). For the diagnosis of VAP and VAT we used the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria and the Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score. Results. The average age of the 127 patients (31 women/96 men) included in the study was 38.4 yr (range, 21-69 yr) and the average total body surface area (TBSA) burned was 29.3% (range, 2-75%). The average length of hospital stay was 49.4 days (range, 4-150 days) and the duration of mechanical ventilation 8.7 days; 18 patients (14.2%) died. In patients with inhalation injury, 309 strains of bacteria were cultivated from the lower respiratory tract, of which 234 were Gram-negative. All of these bacterial strains were isolated in significant quantities for lower respiratory tract infection. The most common bacteria isolated from the lower respiratory tract was Klebsiella pneumoniae (78 times), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (49x), and Acinetobacter baumannii (28x). VAT was diagnosed in 109 patients (85.8%) in the cohort. The incidence of VAT was calculated to be 98.8 per 1000 days of mechanical ventilation. VAP was diagnosed in 34 patients in the cohort (26.8%). The incidence of VAP was calculated as being 30.8 cases per 1,000 days of mechanical ventilation. In eight patients (23.5%), VAP was diagnosed within 5 days of initiation of mechanical ventilation (early onset) and in 26 patients (76.5%) after a longer period (late onset). The most common aetiological agent of VAT and VAP was Klebsiella pneumoniae (respectively 41.3% and 35.3%). Conclusion. In this study we were able to determine the incidence of VAP and VAT in patients with inhalation injury. In spite of the advances in diagnostics and therapy, inhalation injury is still burdened with disappointingly high morbidity and mortality rates. For this reason, the treatment of VAP remains a major challenge for all physicians caring for patients with inhalation injury.

[Changes in the bacterial spectrum in severe burn wounds]. / Zmena bakteriálního spektra na ranných plochách u tezce popálených pacientu.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the time axis for increase in Gram negative bacterial strains in burn wounds during hospitalization. STUDY TYPE: Retrospective. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty-five patients hospitalized at the Clinic of burns and reconstructive surgery between 2006 and 2008 were enrolled in the study. The major criteria for enrolment were more than 15% of total body surface area (TBSA) burned, hospital stay of 1 month or more and age over 18 years. Specimens for microbiological examination were collected on days 2, 6, 10, 14 and 20 after admission. RESULTS: A total of 777 bacterial strains were isolated from the study patients, with 64.6% of these strains being Gram positive and 35.4% Gram negative. The most frequently isolated Gram positive pathogens were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (260 strains) and Bacillus sp. (113 strains), while the most common Gram negative pathogens were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (81 strains), Escherichia coli (63 strains) and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii complex (57 strains). CONCLUSION: The study provided data that supports the assumption of increase in Gram negative bacterial strains in burn wounds during hospitalization. Nevertheless, even on day 20 after admission, such strains did not predominate.

Evaluation and comparison of composite and split-thickness skin grafts using cutometer mpa 580.

BACKGROUND: In our preliminary experiments we found that composite skin grafts consisting of allogeneic acellular dermis and thin epidermal autologous grafts applied to the excised burn wound in one stage led to better results in terms of viscoelastic properties than autologous split-thickness skin grafts. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In ten burn patients we applied composite skin grafts consisting of allogeneic acellular dermis and thin epidermal autologous grafts and followed the quality of the reconstructed skin cover with a special device, Cutometer MPA 580, over a period of four years. RESULTS: The cutometric curves demonstrated better viscoelastic properties in composite skin grafts than in conventional split-thickness skin grafts after four years. We found Cutometer MPA 580 to be an advantageous device for the objectification of improved quality of reconstructed skin cover. DISCUSSION: Among the various methods the cutometer showed the advantage of being a non-invasive, precise, and objective method of measuring skin's viscoelastic properties. The Vancouver Scar Score is a subjective evaluation of skin viscoelasticity. CONCLUSION: Our prospective clinical study clearly demonstrated that cutometric measurement produced objective results in contrast to clinical evaluation, the Vancouver Scar Score, and other non-quantitative methods. Our hypothesis that composite skin grafts consisting of allogeneic acellular dermis and thin epidermal autologous grafts applied onto the excised burn wound in one stage led to better results in terms of viscoelastic properties than autologous split-thickness skin grafts was fully confirmed.

Prevalence and resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in severely burned patients: a 10-year retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Infection complications caused by gram-negative bacteria nowadays constitute the dominant mortality cause in severely burned patients. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most feared nosocomial pathogen among burn centers worldwide, with the highest mortality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved adult patients hospitalized at the Intensive Care Unit at the Department of Burns and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Brno, between the years 2000 and 2009. These patients were hospitalized for thermal injuries. Retrospectively we have evaluated the extent of the burned areas, ages, depth of injury at admission and at discharge or in dissection (histology) and length of hospitalization on the Intensive Care Unit. By completing regular swabs we monitored and evaluated the microbiological situation not only at the burned areas but also in the lower respiratory system, in the urinary tract and in the blood stream. RESULTS: The study involved a total of 640 adults hospitalized at the Intensive Care Unit at the Department of Burns and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Brno, for burn trauma between the years 2000 and 2009. The average extent of the burned area in patients was 36.2% TBSA (2-97% TBSA), average age was 36.7% years (18-92 years), average length of hospitalization at the Intensive Care Unit was 27.1 days (1-151 days). We isolated a total of 2,958 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (including repeated isolation of pseudomonas strains in the same patients) in these patients. The most frequently found of these was Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from the burned area (1,301 strains), from the lower respiratory system (651) and from the urinary tract (592 strains). During the monitored period the number of strains isolated in our patients increased (146 strains in 2000, 521 strains in 2009). Furthermore, we noticed increased resistance to all available antibiotics except Polymyxins. All of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains in the monitored years maintained 100% sensitivity to Colistin. Of the routinely used antibiotics Meropenem showed the greatest increase of resistance (in 2000 this comprised a total of 18% of the resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, and in 2009 58% of the strains). Ceftazidime shows similar results (in 2000 12%, in 2009 39% of resistant strains). Amikacin displayed a relatively good effect against pseudomonas infections; in 2009 we registered total of 34% of the resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to this aminoglycoside. In 2000 there were 13 multiresistant strains (i.e. 8.9%) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in 2009 the figure was 171 strains (i.e. 32.82%). CONCLUSION: In our study we point to the increasing trend not only in the prevalence but also in the resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. This limits our choices for suitable antibiotic therapy. This is why infection complications play such a significant role in morbidity and mortality in severely burned patients.

[Perspectives of surgical treatment of vitiligo]. / Prehled chirurgické lécby vitiliga.

The absence of causal and poor results of conservative treatment of vitiligo in many cases leads to the search for different treatment possibilities such as surgical treatment. All techniques of surgical treatment of vitiligo are based on autologous melanocytes grafting into the achromatic skin lesions. Individual surgical methods for such treatment differ in the preparation of recipient skin site, in harvesting and processing of autologous melanocytes before their grafting. The surgical treatment is useful for patients with stabile achromatic skin lesions up to 30% of total body surface area in cases in which medical treatment has failed. This article is a review of different surgical techniques in surgical treatment of vitiligo.