Fulminant auricular mucormycosis in a diabetic patient

Human mucormycosis is an atypical fungal infection that commonly affects the skin, but rarely the auricular region. A 32-year-old diabetic woman, agricultural worker, was admitted with swelling, redness and mild signs of epidermolysis of the left ear, associated with intense pain, facial paralysis and septic signs. The ear cellulitis evolved into necrosis of the same region on the following day. Surgical debridement was performed and antimycotic therapy was started with poor response. The patient died in 48h. Culture was confirmatory for Rhizopus sp. (AU)

Biochemical and inflammatory aspects in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock: The predictive role of IL-18 in mortality.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a major health care problem, with a significant mortality rate in intensive care units. We evaluated biochemical and inflammatory markers in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock and its association of with mortality rates. METHODS: Critically ill patients with diagnoses of sepsis - severe sepsis group (n=23) and septic shock group (n=25), and a control group (n=17) were recruited within 24h of entry into the ICU. Serum levels of inflammatory mediators were measured (IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, IL-18 and nitric oxide). We have also collected clinical parameters and laboratorial tests to estimate severity and organ dysfunction (APACHE II, SOFA, lactate). These results were compared between survivors and no survivors. RESULTS: IL-18 was directly related to mortality independently of other inflammatory mediators, especially IL-1ß, although the inflammatory pathway is closely linked to inflammasome activation and both have simultaneous release in the infectious process. Mortality was directly proportional to IL-18 plasma levels, which did not occur with other inflammatory mediators. CONCLUSIONS: IL-18 is an important predictor of mortality in humans with both severe sepsis and septic shock, independent of IL-1ß.

Suscetibilidade genética na lesão pulmonar aguda e síndrome da angústia respiratória aguda / Genetic susceptibility in acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome

A lesão pulmonar aguda e sua forma mais grave, a síndrome da angústia respiratória aguda, são o denominador comum de várias doenças que podem provocar uma inflamação exagerada nos pulmões. Nos últimos anos, essa variabilidade tem sido atribuída, pelo menos em parte, a fatores genéticos. O presente estudo tem por objetivos revisar o papel dos principais genes envolvidos na suscetibilidade, morbidade e mortalidade na lesão pulmonar aguda e na síndrome da angústia respiratória aguda. Através de pesquisa nas bases de dados PubMed e LiLACS, empregando-se os unitermos lesão pulmonar aguda, síndrome da angústia respiratória aguda e síndrome da angústia respiratória do adulto em combinação com polimorfismos genéticos, foram selecionados 69 artigos, dos quais 38 foram incluídos nesta revisão. Foram também considerados artigos relevantes extraídos das referências bibliográficas nos artigos selecionados das bases de dados. Os polimorfismos genéticos são variantes gênicas presentes em pelo menos 1 por cento da população. A presença destas variantes genéticas pode influenciar a expressão de mediadores da resposta inflamatória, afetando diretamente a suscetibilidade à lesão pulmonar aguda, a intensidade da inflamação no parênquima pulmonar, a evolução e o desfecho destes pacientes. Estudos de associação com grandes populações e passíveis de reprodução permitirão de modo definitivo a inclusão da genômica no arsenal diagnóstico, prognóstico e terapêutico de pacientes com lesão pulmonar aguda/síndrome da angústia respiratória aguda

Acute lung injury and its most severe presentation, acute respiratory distress syndrome, are a common denominator for several diseases which can lead to exaggerated lung inflammation. In the last years this variability has been ascribed, at least partially, to genetic issues. This study aims to review the role of the main genes involved in acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome susceptibility, morbidity and mortality. By search on PubMed and LiLACS databases, using the key words acute lung injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome and adult acute respiratory distress syndrome in combination with genetic polymorphisms, 69 papers were selected, from which 38 were included in this review. Were also considered relevant articles extracted from the reference lists in the articles selected from the databases. Genetic polymorphisms are gene variations in at least 1 percent population. These gene variations may influence the inflammatory response mediators' expression, directly affecting the susceptibility to acute lung injury, the intensity of lung parenchyma inflammation, the development clinical course and outcome. Association studies reproducible in large populations will definitely allow genomics to be included into the diagnostic and therapeutic armamentarium for acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome patients.

Genetic susceptibility in acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome. / Suscetibilidade genética na lesão pulmonar aguda e síndrome da angústia respiratória aguda.

Acute lung injury and its most severe presentation, acute respiratory distress syndrome, are a common denominator for several diseases which can lead to exaggerated lung inflammation. In the last years this variability has been ascribed, at least partially, to genetic issues. This study aims to review the role of the main genes involved in acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome susceptibility, morbidity and mortality. By search on PubMed and LiLACS databases, using the key words acute lung injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome and adult acute respiratory distress syndrome in combination with genetic polymorphisms, 69 papers were selected, from which 38 were included in this review. Were also considered relevant articles extracted from the reference lists in the articles selected from the databases. Genetic polymorphisms are gene variations in at least 1% population. These gene variations may influence the inflammatory response mediators' expression, directly affecting the susceptibility to acute lung injury, the intensity of lung parenchyma inflammation, the development clinical course and outcome. Association studies reproducible in large populations will definitely allow genomics to be included into the diagnostic and therapeutic armamentarium for acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome patients.

Atualizações no manejo da sepse grave e choque séptico / Updates in the management of severe sepsis and septic shock

A Campanha Sobrevivando à Sepse (Surviving Sepsis Capaign - SSC), criada em 2004, é um conjunto de orientações para o manejo da sepse grave e choque séptico. Desenvolvido por um comitê internacional de especialistas, visa a organização e praticidade nos cuidados ao paciente, objetivando a diminuição da mobimortalidade. Após cinco anos foi realizada uma revisão desses conceitos, Baseada nos preceitos anteriores, essa nova versão é considerada o primeiro passo para se promover a melhora no desfecho desse importante grupo de pacientes críticos.