Repeatedly negative PCR results in patients with COVID-19 symptoms: Do they have SARS-CoV-2 infection or not?

OBJECTIVE: To point out possible infection with SARS-CoV-2 in symptomatic patients despite repeated negative nasopharyngeal swab tests for SARS-CoV-2. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study carried out at the Na Bulovce Hospital from the beginning of the pandemic until November 2020 included patients (1) who had symptoms compatible with COVID-19; (2) whose nasopharyngeal swab PCR tests in the presence of acute respiratory infection symptoms yielded two consecutive negative results; (3) in whom SARS-CoV-2 infection was subsequently confirmed by serology. Basic demographic and epidemiological data, symptoms, laboratory test results, X-ray findings and timing of virological tests were analysed for these patients. RESULTS: Seventeen patients met the inclusion criteria, 14 men and three women, aged 19-84 years with a median of 59 years, of whom 14 were hospitalized and three were treated as outpatients. Only seven patients were aware of the previous contact with an infected person. The main symptoms were fever, cough, headache, weakness, fatigue and shortness of breath. Pneumonia was found in 12 patients, four of whom developed respiratory insufficiency requiring ventilatory support. Most patients showed a uniform combination of haematological, biochemical and radio-logical findings: absence of eosinophils and increased polymorphonuclear/lymphocyte ratio; elevation of serum lactate dehydrogenase; elevation of CRP without rise of procalcitonin; typical chest CT or X-ray findings. All patients recovered. Coronavirus antigen test was performed in six patients, with all of them testing negative. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed serologically by the detection of specific IgG and IgA in all 17 patients and also IgM in six patients, not before day 8 of the onset of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that some patients with acute COVID-19 may test repeatedly negative by nasopharyngeal swab PCR. These cases should be interpreted as a low viral load in the upper respiratory tract rather than false negativity of PCR. Such alternative is not envisaged in the algorithms used. Considering our results, the following recommendation can be made: If, despite negative PCR tests, COVID-19 is still suspected based on clinical symptoms and epidemiological evidence, preliminary diagnosis can be made on the basis of comprehensive assessment of the laboratory test and X-ray findings. Final confirmation of the aetiology relies on serological tests performed two weeks after the onset of symptoms.

Invasive pneumococcal diseases in adults admitted to the Na Bulovce Hospital: Serotype replacement after the implementation of general childhood pneumococcal vaccination.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyse epidemiological and clinical characteristics of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in adults before and after the introduction of the general childhood conjugate pneumococcal vaccination programme in the Czech Republic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The retrospective observational sentinel study included adults with IPD admitted to the Na Bulovce Hospital in Prague from 1/2000 through 12/2019. A case of IPD was defined as isolation of Streptococcus pneumoniae from a primarily sterile site. RESULTS: A total of 304 IPD cases were diagnosed during the study period, with a male to female ratio of 1.49:1 and age median of 58 years (IQR 43-73). The most prevalent clinical forms were bacteraemic pneumonia (185 cases; 60.9%) and purulent meningitis (90; 29.6%). A total of 157/293 patients (53.6%) required intensive care, and the case fatality rate was 25.3% (n = 77). The serotype was determined in 292 (96.0%) isolates, the most prevalent being serotypes 3 (38; 12.5%), 4 (28; 9.2%), 7F (24; 7.9%), 8 (21; 6.9%), and 1 (18; 5.9%). Both clinical and epidemiological characteristics of IPD caused by the most prevalent serotypes differed considerably. Patients diagnosed with serotype 3 were older, more frequently required intensive care, and showed higher mortality. The proportion of IPD caused by non-PCV13 serotypes increased from 28.8% (19/66) in 2000-2005 to 54.8% (40/70) in 2015-2019 (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that invasive diseases caused by the most prevalent pneumococcal serotypes differ in their epidemiological and clinical characteristics and case fatality rate. During the study period, there was a significant increase in IPD caused by non-PCV 13 serotypes, limiting the effect of vaccination in adults.

[Surgical Treatment of Cervical Spondylodiscitis]. / Operacní lécba krcní spondylodiscitidy.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The purpose of the retrospective study is to analyse a group of patients surgically treated for cervical spondylodiscitis. The first hypothesis states that the removal of infected intervertebral disc without its anterior column reconstruction in the acute phase of infection results in worse clinical and radiological evaluation of the patient. The second hypothesis defines that the use of titanium implant in anterior column reconstruction in the chronic phase of infection increases the risk of recurrent infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS The evaluated group of patients who underwent surgery includes a total of 21 patients (8 females, 13 males) with the mean age of 57.6 years. 12 patients in the acute phase of infection were treated by anterior debridement without disc space reconstruction, of whom four patients were completed by posterior instrumented fusion in the second stage. In 9 patients in the chronic phase of infection radical anterior debridement was completed by anterior titanium implant reconstruction, of whom in five patients posterior instrumented fusion was performed in the second stage. All patients were clinically evaluated by mJOA, VAS and Frankel score preoperatively, at 6 months and at 1 year postoperatively. The radiologic evaluation assessed the instrumentation failure, spinal fusion and kyphosis progression measured by sagittal Cobb angle. RESULTS The mJOA values improved from the mean preoperative value of 1.6 to 13.15 (6M) and 13.3 (1Y) postoperatively (p = 0.055). The VAS score increased from the mean value of 8.5 preoperatively to 2.15 (6M) and 1.35 (1Y) postoperatively (p < 0.001). No patient reported worse neurological finding postoperatively. The kyphosis progression measured by sagittal Cobb angle from the preoperative +6.7 decreased to +3.2 degrees at 1 year after surgery. The group of 12 patients treated in the acute phase of infection by anterior debridement without anterior column reconstruction showed worsening of kyphosis from +1.1 before surgery to +1.6 degrees at 1 year after surgery. The group of eight patients treated in the chronic phase by anterior debridement and reconstruction of the anterior column by implant changed from +15.9 before surgery to +6.1 degrees at 1 year after surgery. In two out of 12 patients with neurological deficit, the T2-weighted MRI finding of signal hyperintensity showed no improvement of the neurological deficit. DISCUSSION In the group of all operated patients, neither the worsening in the clinical evaluation using the mJOA or VAS score, nor kyphosis progression measured by Cobb angle in the sagittal plane, or failure of instrumentation in the anteroposterior procedure were reported postoperatively. In a total of nine patients operated on during the chronic phase of infection, in whom titanium implant was used to reconstruct the anterior column defect, no recurrent deep infection was observed. CONCLUSIONS In the acute phase we prefer anterior debridement with epidural abscess evacuation without anterior column reconstruction and posterior instrumented fusion in case of kyphosis progression in the second stage. In the chronic phase, radical anterior debridement with titanium implant reconstruction, eventually with posterior instrumented fusion is preferred. Key words: cervical spondylodiscitis, epidural abscess, anterior debridement, bacterial biofilm.

Air flight barotrauma and meningitis: causality seems real.

BACKGROUND: Barotrauma to the middle-ear cavity and paranasal sinuses is a relatively common flight-related health problem. Occasionally, it may result in severe mechanical or infectious intracranial complications; these have been rarely reported to date. OBJECTIVE: Four cases of acute bacterial meningitis following air travel are presented, and its pathogenesis is briefly described. CONCLUSION: Neurological symptoms occurring after air flight should prompt proper investigation. Otitis media and sinusitis are common primary focuses of bacterial meningitis. Severe complications of air flight barotrauma may be underreported.

Severe community-acquired pneumonia in intensive care.

AIM: To describe the characteristics of patients with severe pneumonia treated in Czech intensive care units (ICU) and to compare this study group with the available European and world literature data. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The prospective observational study launched on 1 September 2017 includes adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia from three Czech ICUs. It focuses on demographic data, chronic comorbidity, clinical and laboratory parameters, X-ray findings, microbiological findings, therapeutic procedures, and treatment outcomes.  Results: As of 31 May 2019, 74 patients, 21 females and 53 males, were included in the study. Fifty-three (71.6%) patients had an underlying chronic disease. Only one patient was vaccinated against influenza and pneumococcal infections. The main symptoms were cough and dyspnea, in 63 (85.1%) patients, pathology on auscultation, in 64 (86.5%) patients, and fever, in 23 (31.1%) patients. Bilateral pathology on X-ray was observed in 34 (45.9%) patients. The most commonly detected pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae, in 22 (29.7%) patients, and influenza virus, in 16 (21.6%) patients. The etiology was not established in 23 (31.1%) patients. Third-generation cephalosporins and potentiated aminopenicillin as the most common initial empirical therapies were used in 39 (52.7%) and 20 (27%) patients, respectively. The initial therapy turned out to be effective in 59 (79.7%) patients. Forty-six (62.2%) patients required mechanical ventilation, 40 (54.1%) patients required vasopressors, and 10 (13.5%) patients required the use of renal replacement therapy. The average length of ICU stay was 15.5 days. Forty-seven (63.5%) patients were discharged home, 17 (23%) patients were transferred to long-term care facilities, and 10 (13.5%) patients died. CONCLUSIONS: The study presents the first results characterizing patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia in the Czech Republic. For most indicators, the characteristics of the Czech patients are comparable with the data from other countries, but differences were found in the pneumococcal and influenza vaccine coverage rates, which were low in the Czech Republic. Despite the appropriate empirical antibiotic therapies, severe pneumonia was associated with high mortality and prolonged morbidity.

Serious imported infections: A focus on Chromobacterium violaceum.

The authors report on the main threats in the Czech Republic connected with travel and migration. The spectrum of diseases differs in the group of Czech citizens departing abroad, especially in the tropics and subtropics, from infections detected in foreigners, in particular from developing countries.A case report of sepsis caused by the exotic bacteria Chromobacterium violaceum is added to illustrate the potential severity of imported infection. A 54-year-old man acquired the infection during a diving holiday in Thailand. The disease began as a local ear infection, and progressed to septic shock with multiple organ failure and ischemic necrosis of all extremities. The original infection was cured but the patient eventually died due to subsequent complications. In order to properly diagnose and treat such rare diseases, we feel useful to study their pathogenesis (Tab. 2, Ref. 16). Keywords: imported infections, Chromobacterium violaceum, sepsis.

[Pyogenic Spinal Infections in Adults: A 5-Year Experience from a Tertiary Care Centre]. / Hnisavé infekce pátere a prilehlých tkání: výsledky petileté studie.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY To describe epidemiological and clinical features of pyogenic spinal infections in patients treated at the Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Tropical Diseases of the Hospital Na Bulovce in 2010-2014, and to analyse a predictive significance of selected variables. MATERIAL AND METHODS A single-centre retrospective cohort study carried out from 1.1.2010 to 31.12.2014 enrolled adult patients with septic spondylitis, discitis and facet joint infections. Recorded parameters included: demographics, chronic comorbidities, time to diagnosis, radiological work-up, anatomical level of spinal infection, source of infection, etiological agent, complications, treatment and outcomes. RESULTS Fifty-four patients were enrolled, 35 men (65%) and 19 women (35%), age range 33-90, mean age 63 years. Forty patients (74.1%) had a chronic comorbidity, 20 patients (37%) were obese. Time to diagnosis ranged between 1-90 days, mean 16.3 days. The diagnosis was assessed with MRI in 41 (75.9%) and CT in 11 patients (20.4%). Lumbosacral spine was affected in 38 (70.4%), thoracic in 14 (25.5%), cervical in 8 patients (14.8%), and 6 patients (11.1%) had a multilevel disease. Epidural abscess developed in 28 (51.9%), paravertebral oedema or abscess in 41 patients (75.9%). Endocarditis was diagnosed in 8 patients (14.8%). Aetiology was identified in 45 patients (83.3%), with Staphylococcus aureus isolated in 29 patients (53.7%). Twenty-two patients (40.7%) were treated surgically in addition to antibiotics. The mean length of hospital stay, parenteral antibiotic treatment and total antibiotic treatment was 48.7, 38.2 and 71.5 days, respectively. Thirty-six patients (66.6%) recovered with no or mild sequelae, 7 (13%) with severe sequelae, and 11 patients (20.4%) died. None of the analysed variables proved to be a statistically significant predictive factor of clinical outcome. DISCUSSION In accordance with previous studies pyogenic spinal infections were diagnosed mainly in elderly with chronic internal comorbidities, mostly with magnetic resonance imaging, they were often localized in lumbar spine, with staphylococci being the leading agents. In spite of unavailable CT-navigated biopsy, the aetiology was discovered in majority of patients. In contrast, this study found a more frequent posterior segments involvement, a shorter time to treatment, no tuberculous cases, a relatively high case fatality ratio, but less sequelae and no relapse. CONCLUSIONS The study confirmed an increasing incidence of pyogenic spinal infections, known predisposing factors, importance of MRI in diagnostics, disease predilection in lumbar spine, staphylococcal predominance in causative pathogens, and a relatively high case fatality ratio. Although time to treatment was not proved to be a negative predictive factor of clinical outcome, it is an imperative to strive for an early diagnosis and treatment. Predictors of clinical outcome have to be evaluated in a more extensive cohort of patients. Key words: spinal infection, discitis, spondylitis, spondylodiscitis, epidural abscess, psoas muscle abscess.

[A case of tuberculous meningitis associated with persistently reduced CD4+ T lymphocyte counts]. / Prípad tuberkulózní meningitidy provázené perzistujícím snízením CD4+ T lymfocytu.

A case history is presented of a 35-year-old man admitted to the hospital with tuberculous meningitis complicated by caseous necrosis of cervical lymph nodes and thrombosis of the left jugular vein. Another complication, malignant brain edema, appeared more than one year after discharge from hospital and was managed at the neurosurgery department. The most probable cause was a post-inflammatory obstruction of the cerebrospinal fluid pathways. A challenging finding, observed repeatedly while in hospital and at follow ups after discharge, was medium significant CD4+ T cell lymphopenia, with the lowest CD4+ T cell count of 308 cells/µl of peripheral blood. For this reason, the patient was screened several times for anti-HIV antibodies, but always with a negative result. Active tuberculous infection was considered as another possible reason behind persistent CD4+ T cell lymphopenia. However, imaging and laboratory analyses were not suggestive of tuberculosis. The patient is currently in good condition and his CD4+ T lymphocyte counts returned to normal at seven years of follow-up. It is underlined that patients after tuberculous meningitis need a long-term follow-up.

Targeted mass spectrometry analysis of neutrophil-derived proteins released during sepsis progression.

Early diagnosis of severe infectious diseases is essential for timely implementation of lifesaving therapies. In a search for novel biomarkers in sepsis diagnosis we focused on polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). Notably, PMNs have their protein cargo readily stored in granules and following systemic stimulation, an immediate increase of neutrophil-borne proteins can be observed into the circulation of sepsis patients. We applied a combination of mass spectrometry (MS) based approaches, LC-MS/MS and selected reaction monitoring (SRM), to characterise and quantify the neutrophil proteome in healthy or disease conditions. With this approach we identified a neutrophil-derived protein abundance pattern in blood plasma consisting of 20 proteins that can be used as a protein signature for severe infectious diseases. Our results also show that SRM is highly sensitive, specific, and reproducible and, thus, a promising technology to study a complex, dynamic and multifactorial disease such as sepsis.

[Phylogenetic and molecular analysis of A/H1N1pdm influenza viruses isolated in the epidemic season 2012/2013 from hospitalised patients with -symptoms of influenza-like illness]. / Fylogenetická a molekulární analýza viru chripky A/H1N1pdm izolovaných v epidemické sezone 2012/2013 od pacientu hospitalizovaných s príznaky ILI.

AIM: To perform phylogenetic and molecular analysis of A/H1N1pdm influenza viruses isolated in the epidemic season 2012/2013 from hospitalised patients with symptoms of influenza-like illness (ILI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study set included 34 strains of the A/H1N1pdm influenza virus isolated in the Czech Republic in the epidemic season 2012/2013. The strains were analysed by partial or whole-genome sequencing. The genome segments were compared at the nucleotide and amino acid levels, absolute and percentage sequence identity were determined, and phylogenetic relations were identified. The last steps were the comparison of the H1 molecule with that of the most recent vaccine strain and identification of the genotypic structure and molecular markers linked to the pathogenicity and antiviral resistance. RESULTS: Phylogenetic analysis of the H1 molecule suggested that all 34 A/H1N1pdm isolates from the 2012/2013 season in the Czech Republic should be assigned to H1 group 6 divided into sublineages 6A and 6B. The comparison of the known antigenic regions of the H1 molecule with those in the most recent vaccine strain revealed two stable changes in antigenic regions Sb and Ca1. Furthermore, sporadic mutations were identified in antigenic regions Ca2, Cb, and Sb. Genotyping revealed co-circulation of two related but clearly distiguishable genotypes of A/H1N1pdm. All isolates showed sensitivity to oseltamivir. One strain consisted of two N1 sub-populations, one oseltamivir sensitive and the other oseltamivir resistant, in nearly equimolar proportions. CONCLUSION: All A/H1N1pdm isolates from the epidemic season 2012/2013 in the Czech Republic formed a phenotypically uniform group. At the nucleotide level, the divergence was relatively more pronounced and H1 sublineages and discrete genotypes were possible to identify. H1 molecules were highly identical to those of the vaccine strain A/California/7/2009 (H1N1) which showed that the current vaccine was protective enough. All strains were sensitive to oseltamivir; however, the selection of oseltamivir resistant N1 subpopulations was observed.

[Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients hospitalized with severe influenza in the season 2012-2013]. / Klinické a epidemiologické charakteristiky pacientu hospitalizovaných pro tezký prubeh chripky v sezone 2012-2013.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To characterize the clinical and epidemiological features of patients hospitalized with moderate to severe influenza infection at the infec-tious diseases department of a tertiary care hospital in the epidemic season 2012-2013. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective observational study of patients hospitalized with influenza infection in the season 2012-2013 was carried out at the Infectious Diseases Department, Na Bulovce Hospital in Prague. Influenza infection was diagnosed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in nasopharyngeal swab or tracheal aspirate specimens. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were recorded along with the disease course and outcome. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-nine patients, 85 females and 114 males (age median 47, range 1-87 years), were hospitalized with confirmed influenza in the epidemic season 2012-2013. Only seven of them got the influenza vaccine. Altogether 136 patients were diagnosed with influenza type A (91 with H1N1pdm, 33 with H3N2, and 12 with an unknown subtype), 66 patients with type B, and three patients with both types A and B. One hundred and eight patients (54%) had an underlying chronic disease, most often cardiovascular or pulmonary. The main symptoms of influenza were fever, cough, headache, myalgia, and arthralgia. Pneumonia was the most common complication: twenty-one patients suffered from primary viral pneumonia and 35 from bacterial pneumonia. Twenty-three patients (12%) needed intensive care. Six patients died and the leading cause of death was heart failure. CONCLUSION: During the epidemic influenza season 2012-2013, more patients were hospitalized than in the pandemic season 2009-2010. Also the proportions of complicated cases and case fatality ratios were fully comparable in both seasons. The fact that most patients were not vaccinated clearly supports the recommendation to vaccinate every year both the individuals at high risk of complications due to comorbidities and the healthy population.

[Treating diphtheria in the 21st century]. / Lécba záskrtu v 21. století

The existing recommendations for treatment of diphtheria involve the use of a hyperimmune serum neutralizing diphtheria toxin and subsequent penicillin therapy killing the pathogen. Unfortunately, diphtheria antitoxin is no longer available in the Czech Republic and this condition seems to remain permanent. Thus, the whole strategy for diphtheria treatment must be changed. Instead of penicillin, antibiotics inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis such as clindamycin or linezolid should be administered. Macrolides could be appropriate in mild to moderate disease.

[Scoring systems to evaluate prognosis of community-acquired pneumonias]. / Skórovací systémy hodnotící prognózu komunitních pneumonií

Several expert systems were developed for assessment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and its severity in individual patients. Scoring systems PSI, CURB-65, and CRB-65 are widely used. They were primarily designed for easier decision on need of CAP patients hospitalization. Newer scoring systems evaluate especially severity of CAP and need of intensive care. This group of systems comprise ATS/IDSA recommendations, CURXO-8O, SMART-COP, and SMRT-CO. The last one appears to be the most appropriate for common practice but more studies are necessary to confirm this opinion. Regardless of the scoring systems the authors recommend more extensive usage of pulse oxymetry in the care of CAP patients.

Cortisol kinetics in cerebrospinal fluid during bacterial meningitis.

Bacterial meningitis (BM) remains an infectious disease with a significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to describe the kinetics of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cortisol levels during BM and to assess its relationship to disease severity and etiology. A total of 55 patients with BM were enrolled in the study. Elevated CSF cortisol upon admission and its rapid decrease after starting therapy were associated with increased BM severity as assessed by the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, Glasgow Coma Scale score and the Glasgow Outcome Scale score. The comparison of CSF cortisol according to BM etiology revealed a trend toward higher concentrations in meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae compared to Neisseria meningitidis. Our results demonstrate that the initially elevated CSF cortisol concentrations decrease rapidly after administration of BM therapy (i.e. antibiotics and dexamethasone). Moreover, this rapid reduction of CSF cortisol was found in patients with high severity scores.

[Endocarditis 2007: Results of a multicentric study on occurrence and characteristics of infective endocarditis]. / Endokarditidy 2007: Výsledky multicentrické studie o výskytu a vlastnostech infekcní endokarditidy.

AIM: To recognize incidence and epidemiological characteristics of infective endocarditis (IE) in the Czech Republic. METHODS: A prospective multicentre observational study on occurrence and characteristics of IE in 29 hospitals within one year. A cooperative physician in every hospital reported all cases of IE that occurred in pre-defined hospital attraction area in 12 consecutive months. A unified anonymous form was used for reporting. Only patients fulfilling the modified Duke criteria were enrolled. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-four cases of IE were reported. Thus, crude incidence of IE appeared 3.4 cases/100,000/year. Vegetations were found on aortic valves in 45.5% and on mitral valves in 40.3%. The most common etiological agent was Staphylococcus aureus (29.9%). Etiology was not established in 45 cases (33.6%), mostly due to previous antibiotic treatment. The most frequent predisposing conditions were purulent infections, namely in lower extremities, and previous invasive cardiac procedures (cardiac surgery, permanent pacemaker/defibrillator etc.). Heart surgery within antibiotic treatment was performed in 36 patients (26.9%). Overall mortality was also 26.9%. Mortality was significantly higher in hospitals that did not dispose of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). CONCLUSION: We assume the real incidence of IE was slightly higher than we had found. The possible causes of such discreapance are discussed.

[Epidemiological, clinical and laboratory characteristics of bacterial meningitis in adult patients]. / Epidemiologické klinické a laboratorní charakteristiky purulentní meningitidy u dospelých pacientu.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To determine the epidemiological, clinical and laboratory characteristics of adult bacterial meningitis in the Czech Republic, including complications and causes of death. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A longitudinal observational study of adult patients treated for community-acquired or hospital-acquired bacterial meningitis at a specialized unit. Demographic data, clinical signs, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) test results, bacterial aetiology, complications and clinical outcome were recorded. RESULTS: In 1997-2006, 296 adult patients (128 women, 168 men) with acute bacterial meningitis (age range: 16-85 years; median age: 51 years) were hospitalized. Community- and hospital-acquired meningitis was diagnosed in 278 and 18 cases, respectively. The triad of fever, mental status change and meningism was present in 64 % of patients. Mental status was changed in 74 % of patients, 30 % of patients were comatose. The CSF cytological and biochemical findings were both positive for purulent inflammation in 76 % of patients. The most frequent pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae (28 %) and Neisseria meningitidis (25 %). The aetiology was unknown in 24 % of patients. Neurological or systemic complications were revealed in 205 patients (69 %). Fifty-nine patients died (case fatality ratio: 20 %) and 54 patients (18 %) survived with sequelae. Intracranial and systemic complications caused death in 28 patients (47 %) and 31 patients (53 %), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that in the majority of patients, both clinical and laboratory signs were sufficiently clear to suggest bacterial meningitis and the need for immediate diagnostics and treatment. It is necessary to increase the identification rate of bacterial meningitis, mainly by means of rigorous implementation of CSF and blood culture in the initial diagnostic procedures as well as increased availability of molecular genetic techniques.

Sequential analysis of biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid and serum during invasive meningococcal disease.

The aim of the present study was to determine the profile of different inflammatory molecules in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) during invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). Their relationship with IMD severity was also assessed. A cohort of 12 patients with IMD was investigated. Paired serum and CSF samples were obtained at the time of diagnostic and follow-up lumbar puncture and were examined using Luminex analysis. IMD severity correlated with serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1 ra) on admission. Furthermore, the CSF levels of IL-1 beta, IL-1 ra, IL-6, IL-8, macrophage inflammatory protein-1 beta (MIP-1 beta), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were significantly higher than their respective serum levels. The strongest correlations were found between serum concentrations of IL-1 beta and IL-1 ra, IL-6, IL-8, and MIP-1 beta, whereas the strongest correlations in CSF were found between endotoxin and IL-8, IL-17, MIP-1 beta, and MCP-1. As was expected, the concentrations of inflammatory molecules in both serum and CSF significantly decreased after antibiotic treatment. With regard to kinetics, a severe course of IMD correlated positively with rapid declines of CSF IL-6 and cortisol levels. Sequential multiple analyses revealed patterns of inflammatory responses that were associated with the severity of IMD, as well as with the compartmentalization and kinetics of the immune reaction.

[Infectious complications of surgically treated musculoskeletal injuries: review of risk factors and etiological agents in years 2000-2005]. / Infekcní komplikace operacní lécby poranení pohybového aparátu: prehled rizikových faktoru a eiologických agens za roky 2000-2005.

PURPOSE: Infection is considered one of the most serious complications of the surgical treatment of musculoskeletal injuries. The aim of the study was to evaluate known risk factors and etiological agents of infectious complications in patients surgically treated for musculoskeletal injuries within 6 years. METHODS: In a group of 5 234 patients followed in 2000-2005 the early or delayed infectious complication developed in 65 patients (26 women, 39 men, age 22-83 years). In every patient with infectious complication the important risk factors related to personal history, type of the injury, surgery and other treatment were recorded and microbiological culture results were collected. RESULTS: In 60 patients (92.3%) at least one of the following risk factors was registered: diabetes mellitus, age above 75 years, abuse of alcohol and drugs, distant infectious focus or severe skin disease at the time of surgery, polytrauma requiring long-termed stay in intensive care unit, extensive soft tissue injury associated with closed or opened fracture. In 27 patients (41.5%) grampositive cocci and in 17 patients (26.2%) gramnegative bacteria were isolated, in 12 patients (18.5%) mixed bacterial flora was identified and 9 patients (13.8%) had negative cultures. The most severe findings from microbiological view occurred in patients with extensive soft tissue injury associated with fracture, diabetes or long-termed stay in intensive care unit. CONCLUSION: The infectious complications after the surgical treatment of musculoskeletal injuries occurred predominantly in patients with risk factors. The extensive soft tissue injury associated with fracture, diabetes and long-termed stay of the polytrauma patient in intensive care unit were identified as the most frequent risk factors. The patients of these risk groups also presented with the most serious microbiological findings.