[Disseminated tuberculosis with severe multi- organ failure in a patient with AIDS]. / Tuberculose disséminée avec défaillance multiviscérale foudroyante au cours d'un sida.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis is the most common infectious complication in HIV infected patients. The incidence of tuberculosis and the proportion of disseminated disease increase with more severe immuno-suppression. Septic shock and multiple organ failure are uncommon but are of markedly bad prognostic significance. CASE REPORT: A forty-four year old HIV seropositive man was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with acute respiratory distress. The patient had been febrile for the previous two weeks. His thoracic radiograph showed a discrete interstitial infiltrate and at bronchoscopy small whitish granulations were observed in the main bronchi. All bacteriological investigations remained negative at the time of ICU admission. The patient died sixteen hours later due to multiple organ failure. Mycobacteria were identified after patient's death on the smear from BAL, from blood cultures, and in a postmortem liver biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Septic shock is an infrequent complication of disseminated tuberculosis. Mortality is very high. Treatment should be started early in cases with a high diagnostic suspicion.

Hepatitis B antigen-associated periarteritis nodosa in patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis.

Periarteritis nodosa was observed in three of 266 persistent hepatitis B antigen (HBsAg) carriers undergoing long-term hemodialysis; no cases of necrotizing vasculitis occurred among 384 other patients undergoing dialysis having either no or transient antigenemia. Circulating e antigen, but no e antibody, was found in two of these three patients. The serum level of the third component of complement (C3) was normal in two patients and low in the third. Circulating immune complexes were demonstrated in all three patients, using polyethylene-glycol (PEG) precipitation, PEG-C4, and solid phase C1q tests. HBsAg and anti-hepatitis B antibody (HBsAb) were identified in the PEG precipitates using radioimmunoassay and electron microscopy technics. Direct immunofluorescence performed on a muscle biopsy specimen from one patient was positive for HBsAg, but not for immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), C3 or C1q. These data support the hypothesis that circulating immune complexes involving HBsAg may be involved in the pathogenesis of periarteritis nodosa.

Hypothermia with indoor occurrence is associated with a worse outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To describe patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) for hypothermia, evaluate prognostic factors, and test the hypothesis that patients found indoors have a worse outcome. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective clinical investigation in a medical ICU. PATIENTS: Eighty-one consecutive patients admitted to ICU, with a body temperature of 35 degrees C or lower and rewarmed passively or with minimally invasive techniques, over a 17-year period. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Patients were analyzed by age, gender, and causes of hypothermia and split into two groups (indoors and outdoors), according to the location where hypothermia occurred. Prognostic factors were determined by univariate method and stepwise logistic regression. The major complications were acute renal failure (43 %), aspiration pneumonia (22 %), rhabdomyolysis (22 %), and acute respiratory distress syndrome (12%). Principal comorbidities in the outdoor patients (21%) were alcohol and drug intoxication, and those in the indoor patients (79 %) were sepsis and neuropsychiatric disorders. Stepwise logistic regression identified two variables predictive of death: illness severity at admission (SAPS II > or = 40) and the location where hypothermia occurred (indoors versus outdoors). CONCLUSIONS: With equivalent body temperature, patients found indoors were more severely affected and died more frequently than those found outdoors.

Evaluation of severity scoring systems in ICUs--translation, conversion and definition ambiguities as a source of inter-observer variability in Apache II, SAPS and OSF.

OBJECTIVE: To explore translation, conversion and definition ambiguities, when using severity scoring systems in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). DESIGN: A prospective study of the prognosis of acute renal failure in ICUs. SETTING: The study was conducted in 20 French ICUs. PATIENTS: 360 patients presenting with severe acute renal failure were studied during their ICU stay. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: The inter-observer variability of Apache II (acute physiology and chronic health evaluation), SAPS (simplified acute physiology score), and OSF (organ-system failure) was considered. For Apache II, we explored the uncertainty of measurements arising from conversion into SI units, the rounding procedures used for the non-inclusive intervals defined for quantitative parameters such as age, mean arterial pressure (MAP) or serum creatinine, the absence of definition of acute renal failure (ARF) and its consequence on doubling serum creatinine values, and the absence of guidelines in the case of spontaneous ventilation when arterial blood gases (ABG) and forced inspiratory oxygen (FIO2) were not measured. The resulting variability was evaluated, calculating the lowest and the highest value of the scoring system for each patient. The mean difference by patient was greater than 1.5 (p < 0.0001). Other examples were presented and discussed for SAPS and OSF. CONCLUSIONS: Translation, conversion and definition ambiguities are a source of inter-observer variability and increase the risk of classification and/or selection biases. This gives rise to particular concern in the design and analysis of multicenter trials of meta-analysis, and improvement of these scoring systems should be envisaged in the future.

Quality of life 6 months after intensive care: results of a prospective multicenter study using a generic health status scale and a satisfaction scale.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of life of intensive care survivors 6 months after discharge. DESIGN: Multicenter prospective study. SETTING: Medical-surgical intensive care units (ICUs) of four French university hospitals. PATIENTS: Among the 589 patients admitted to the four ICUs between 1 January and 31 March 1989, 329 were investigated. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: A generic scale assessing health-related quality of life, the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), a satisfaction scale, the Perceived Quality of Life scale (PQOL) and a questionnaire on professional status were sent by mail 6 months after discharge. Data concerning age, severity of acute illness (assessed by the Simplified Acute Physiology Score) and main diagnosis were recorded. A total of 223 questionnaires (67.8 %) were analysable. The professional status remained unchanged in 79.7% of the patients, despite a significant (p < 0.01) increase (15.3 vs 22.1%) in sick leave. Quality of life, assessed with NHP, was fair (50th percentile = 0.73 on a 0 to 1 scale), whereas satisfaction measured by PQOL was lower (50th percentile = 0.61). Both scales correlated well (z = 9.853; p = 0.0001) but with a large dispersion. The NHP scale showed a severe reduction in energy, sleep and emotional reactions, whereas social isolation, pain and physical handicap were infrequent. Family support was rated with the PQOL score as very good, whereas dissatisfaction concerning recreational and professional activities was expressed. Subsequent sick leave was associated with a poor quality of life (p < 0.05). Quality of life was mainly a function of the diagnosis, not of age and severity of illness: patients admitted for suicide attempt or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease fared poorly. CONCLUSIONS: Quality of life measured with a health-related quality of life scale and a satisfaction scale 6 months after an ICU stay depended on the admission diagnosis. Different dimensions of quality of life were variably affected.

Hyperchloremic acidosis during grand mal seizure lactic acidosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and the mechanism of hyperchloremic acidosis component (HClA) during lactic acidosis secondary to grand mal seizures. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Medical intensive care unit in a university hospital. PATIENTS: 35 patients admitted for grand mal seizures with lactic acidosis (pH < 7.35, TCO2 < 20 mmol/l and PaCO2 < 8 kPa). MEASUREMENTS: HClA was defined by the ratio: excess anion gap/HCO3 deficit (delta AG/delta TCO2) < 0.8. A difference in the distribution space of protons and their accompanying anion, i.e., a displacement of chloride from cells by the entering lactate, was evaluated by the ratio natremia/chloremia (Na+/Cl-). RESULTS: Immediately after seizures, a profound lactic acidosis was observed (pH = 7.22 +/- 0.17 (mean +/- SD), AG: 23.8 +/- 7.1 mmol/l, TCO2 = 14.5 +/- 5.3 mmol/l, lactate: 14.6 +/- 6.9 mmol/. HClA was present on admission in 11 patients (31.5%). Its prevalence increased to 73% after recovery. delta AG/delta TCO2 ratios were unrelated to creatinine, level and PaCO2, but dependent on the ratio Na+/Cl- (r = 0.803; p < 0.001, delta AG/delta TCO2 = 6.4 x (Na+/Cl-)-7.9). These data demonstrate that HClA is not a respiratory or renal phenomenon and suggest differences in the distribution spaces of hydrogen ions and their accompanying anions. CONCLUSION: HClA component may be associated with lactic acidosis in grand mal seizures and appears to be secondary to a lactate antiport. This phenomenon could be an immediate physiological response to a sudden metabolic acidosis.

Emergence of nosocomial Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization/infection in pregnant women with preterm premature rupture of membranes and in their neonates.

The epidemiology, risk factors, maternal and neonatal outcomes of nosocomial Pseudomonas aeruginosa acquisition in preterm premature rupture of membranes were analysed. Of 63 women receiving antibiotic prophylaxis with co-amoxiclav, 11 acquired P. aeruginosa vaginal carriage with a median delay of 15 days (6-42) i.e. an incidence of 8.94 per 1000 days of expectant management. Five neonates born to 11 positive mothers were colonized or infected, three of whom died of fulminant sepsis. The duration of antibiotic treatment and multiple pregnancy were identified as independent risk factors. The epidemiological investigation revealed a vertical transmission between mothers and neonates, and suggested selective pressure of antibiotic treatment.

[Platelets fatty acid variation in patients with atherosclerosis (author's transl)]. / Variation des acides gras plaquettaires chez des malades atherosclereux.

Plasma linoleic acid levels were found to be low in the atherosclerosis patients investigated. In contrast, platelet arachidonic acid levels were decreased only when atherosclerosis was combined with diabetes or mixed hyperlipidemia. In acute vascular thrombosis, a marked decrease in platelet arachidonic levels occurrrd, irrespective of whether the patient had atherosclerosis or not.

Predictability of clinicobiochemical scoring systems for early identification of severe gallstone-associated pancreatitis.

Early identification of severe gallstone-associated acute pancreatitis (GAAP) is a prerequisite for treatment with urgent endoscopic sphincterotomy. This study assesses the value of two clinicobiochemical scoring systems to this end. Over the 7-year period from 1983 to 1989, 100 consecutive patients with acute pancreatitis (45 related to gallstones, 36 to alcohol, and 19 of undetermined etiologies) had clinicobiochemical analysis within 48 hours of admission. The final diagnosis and outcome were retrospectively compared with the prediction achieved by the scoring systems. With regard to Blamey's criteria for early identification of gallstones, significant differences were found between the biliary and nonbiliary groups with respect to female sex, serum amylase concentration greater than or equal to 4,000 IU/L, alkaline phosphatase level greater than or equal to 300 IU/L, and alanine aminotransferase level greater than or equal to 100 IU/L (all p values less than 0.001). Age greater than or equal to 50 years was found to be significant (p less than 0.02) only in differentiating gallstone- versus alcohol-associated acute pancreatitis. When three or more positive factors were present, the sensitivity and specificity for predicting gallstones were 60% and 87%, respectively; the predictive value of a positive result was 79%, of a negative result 74%, and the overall accuracy was 75%. At a cutoff level of five, rather than three or more prognostic factors, the modified Ranson's criteria for patients known as having GAAP allowed a suitable discrimination of patients with an expected high risk of complications and mortality. When the two scoring systems (Blamey greater than or equal to 3 and Ranson greater than or equal to 3) were combined, 17 patients were predicted as having severe GAAP: 6 of these 17 patients were misdiagnosed as having biliary pancreatitis, whereas 9 patients with definite severe GAAP were not selected because of a Blamey score less than 3. More specific diagnostic tools are needed, and higher cutoff levels for prognostic scores are required for the prediction of severe GAAP, particularly in view of selecting patients for potentially dangerous approaches such as urgent endoscopic sphincterotomy.

[Acute tuberculous pancreatitis in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome]. / Pancréatite aiguë tuberculeuse chez un patient atteint d'un syndrome d'immuno-déficience acquise (SIDA).

The authors report a case of tuberculous pancreatitis in a 29 year old Zairan man. Serum antibodies against HIV were positive. T-lymphocyte analysis revealed 18/mm3 OKT4 with an OKT4/OKT8 ratio of 0.43. The initial examination suggested severe acute pancreatitis. Only the postmortem histopathological analysis revealed tuberculous pancreatitis, showing several miliary lesions with caseous necrosis and acid fast bacili (Ziehl stain). Subsequently, cultures (sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage, pleural effusion, ascitis) of bacili identified Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculous pancreatitis should be considered in subjects with acute pancreatitis according to the epidemiological context, once the most frequent causes of pancreatitis have been eliminated.

[Glomerular nephropathies and B virus: apropos of 4 cases in adults, with an immunofluorescence study and review of the literature]. / Néphropathies glomérulaires et virus B: à propos de 4 observations chez l'adulte, avec étude en immunofluorescence, et revue de la littérature.

The association of glomerulonephritis and persistent HBs antigenemia is reported in 4 adults with nephrotic syndrome: 2 cases of membranous glomerulonephritis associated with chronic persistent hepatitis and 2 cases of membrano-proliferative glomerulonephritis associated with active cirrhosis. In 3 patients, all positive for HBsAg, anti-HBc and HBeAg by radioimmunoassay, indirect immunofluorescent study was performed on kidney and liver biopsies. Glomerular deposit of HBcAg was detected in two cases. HBsAg and HBcAg were not found in the liver. The pathogenesis of such glomerulonephritis remains uncertain and the role of HBs antigen-antibody circulating immune complexes is not clearly proved. Two patients were treated with vidarabine intravenously. Vidarabine produced a transitory decrease of HBsAg concentration in 2 cases and a transitory loss of DNA-polymerase activity associated with a decrease of HBeAg concentration in one case. Neither seroconversion nor improvement of the glomerular disease were ascertained.

[Chronic lymphoid leukemia, leiomyoblastoma, thrombosing vasculitis and anticardiolipin antibodies: apropos of a case]. / Leucémie lymphoïde chronique, léiomyoblastome, vascularite thrombosante et anticorps anticardiolipine: à propos d'un cas.

The authors report a complex case in which chronic lymphoid leukaemia was associated with leiomyoblastoma of the digestive tract and cutaneous thrombosing vasculitis with serum anti-cardiolipin antibodies. They discuss a new physiopathogenetic mechanism of vasculitis in blood diseases.

[What are the advances in the treatment of acute kidney failure?]. / Quels progrès dans le traitement de l'insuffisance rénale aiguë?

Mortality due to acute renal failure has remained high over the last three decades despite a better understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanics involved and advances in the management of critically ill patients. This paradoxical situation raises many questions concerning the criteria used to assess treatment and disease severity as well as the effectiveness of certain recently proned "advances". In the 1980s, much progress was made in preventing and/or limiting the extent of acute renal failure. The use of very early and vigorous fluid administration associated with alkaline diuresis prevents traumatic rhabdomyolysis; saline hydration before and after radiocontrast administration protects against the acute decrease in renal function in high-risk patients; maintenance of an adequate intravascular volume and of blood pressure helps prevent acute renal failure. After the onset of acute failure, low-dose dopamine can increase urine output, whereas dobutamine improves creatinine clearance but there is no evidence that increasing urine output lowers morbidity or mortality. New techniques have been proposed for acute renal replacement therapy, but except for use of bicarbonate dialysis and biocompatible membranes, none have been shown to be superior. It has been claimed, on the basis of uncontrolled or retrospective studies, that continuous hemofiltration or hemodiafiltration could have a beneficial effect on survival and/or the course of infectious complications. However, convincing evidence of this beneficial effect is lacking since these techniques are incompatible with clinically pertinent removal of proinflammatory cytokines. The type of renal support may have no effect on outcome. Can further progress be expected in the future? Antagonists of NO receptors and growth factors have a protective effect on renal function in animal models, results which may be of clinical relevance. Their clinical potential should be evaluated in prospective randomized trials involving patients where severity of illness is assessed at inclusion using a multiparametric model combining a severity score and relevant prognostic factors.

[Hyperchloremic acidosis in metabolic acidosis with anion gap excess. Comparison with diabetic ketoacidosis]. / Acidose hypercholorémique au cours des acidoses métaboliques à trou anionique augmenté. Comparaison avec les acidocétoses diabétiques.

The occurrence of hyperchloremia during diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) recovery and the lack of correlation between anion gap excess (delta AG) and bicarbonate deficit (delta TCO2) on admission suggest an hyperchloremic acidosis (HCLA) component. The hypothesis that this phenomenon is not specific of DKA and can occur in other metabolic acidoses with increased anion gap was tested. HCLA component, defined by the ratio delta AG/delta TCO2 less than or equal to 0.80, was evaluated on admission and during therapy in 31 patients with DKA and 53 patients with non diabetic metabolic acidosis (ND-MA). HCLA component prevalence was similar on admission (32 p. 100 for DKA versus 41 p. 100 for ND-MA), but it increased during therapy only in DKA patients (86 p. 100 at 9 h - P less than 0.001). In view of the significant correlation (r = 0.636; P less than 0.001) observed between delta AG/delta TCO2 and creatinine, kidney acid base defense appears clearly in DKA patients: the more severe the volume depletion, the greater the ketone retention and the less prominent the HCLA. This phenomenon seems to be secondary to a large tubular excretion of ketones. In the 53 ND-MA patients no correlation between delta AG/delta TCO2 and creatinine could be found. A transfer of chloride from cells to the extracellular space secondary to intracellular diffusion of lactate ions could explain the HCLA component.

[Lactic acidosis and multi-organ failure secondary to anti-retroviral therapy in HIV-infected patients]. / Acidose lactique et défaillance multiviscérale secondaire aux thérapeutiques antirétrovirales chez les patients infectés par le VIH.

A SERIOUS COMPLICATION: Antiretroviral therapy may induce severe lactic acidosis with multiorgan failure in HIV-infected patients. CLINICAL DESCRIPTION: Patients are admitted for onset of dyspnea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, with weight loss and general fatigue over the past few days. Physical findings are usually not contributive except for constant presence of hepatomegaly. Laboratory examinations reveal severe metabolic acidosis with increased anion gap and serum lactate elevation. Perturbations of hepatic and pancreatic enzyme values may exist. Echotomography and CT scan demonstrate fatty liver, confirmed by histological examination of the biopsy. Outcome in the intensive care unit is generally multiorgan failure and death. Symptomatic treatments, mechanical ventilation, bicarbonate infusion or hemodialysis appear to be ineffective in most severe cases. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: Antiretroviral nuceloside analogs are inhibitors of mitochondrial DNA polymerase gamma. This explains the dysfunction of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, leading to inhibition of lactate metabolism in the liver and enhancement of serum lactate and acetone body levels. Elevation of lactate/pyruvate and beta-hydroxybutyrate/acetoacetate ratios suggest mitochondrial dysfunction. Many other co-factors may be associated. THERAPEUTIC APPROACH: Several therapeutic strategies (thiamine, coenzyme Q, carnitine and riboflavin) have been tried. They rely on the pathophysiological hypothesis that sustained cellular dysfunctions cause this clinical syndrome.

[Recurrent thrombocytopenic thrombotic purpura associated to prostatic cancer. A case]. / Purpura thrombocytopénique thrombotique récidivant associé à un cancer prostatique. Une observation.

The association between thrombocytopenic thrombotic purpura (TTP) and infectious or multisystem disease, pregnancy, transplantation, drugs and toxins is well known. The onset of TTP in the course of neoplasm is rarely described. The authors report one case of TTP associated with prostatic tumor. TTP preceded the discovery of neoplasm by 12 months. Moreover, TTP showed an original course with four recurrences despite antiplatelet and hormonal therapies; the successive regressions were obtained with less and less effort, as TTP was discovered at an early stage.

[Management of HELLP syndrome before 32 weeks of amenorrhea. 22 cases]. / Prise en charge du hellp syndrome avant 32 semaines d'aménorrhée. 22 observations.

OBJECTIVES: Assess expression and management of HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count) occurring before 32 weeks gestation. METHODS: Among 50 patients presenting HELLP syndrome from 1990 to 1994, 22 (44%) who developed the syndrome before 32 weeks gestation were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: Most of the patients were primiparous and HELLP syndrome recurred in 2 during a second gestation before 32 weeks gestation. Only three cases began during the post partum period. All patients had severe pre-eclampsia before discovery of the HELLP syndrome. Episodes of eclampsia also occurred in 6. The most frequent clinical manifestation was epigastric pain. Ten patients had acute severe renal failure. The 3 post partum patients had severe complications (eclampsia, renal failure, subcapsular hepatic hematoma). Obstetrical intervention was required in all cases. Cesarean section was performed within 48 hours of diagnosis. Pregnancy had to be terminated in 3 cases between 24 and 29 weeks gestation. There was one fetal death in utero and one during the neonatal period. Seventeen live infants were delivered. In the group of 11 infants born after 30 weeks gestation, only 1 had hyalin membrane disease which developed in all those born before 30 weeks, including 2 with broncho-pulmonary dysplasia. CONCLUSION: Based on the physiological mechanisms involved in HELLP syndrome, criteria for obstetrical extraction and the possibilities for conservative management in very premature pregnancies, we propose a management protocol for HELLP syndrome developing before 32 weeks gestation. Corticosteroid therapy may be given for 48 hours in cases without maternal or fetal complications in order to accelerate fetal maturation before extraction.

[Organ procurement from cardiac arrest donors: outcome of kidney grafts and recommendations]. / Prélèvements d'organes sur donneurs décédés à coeur arrêté: devenir des greffons rénaux, propositions.

OBJECTIVES: To compare literature data with results obtained with organs procured from donors who died from cardiac arrest and to make proposals for this mode of organ procurement in France. METHODS: Over the last 10 years, 10 organ donors (2%) among a series of 486 donors in a state of brain death, had died of cardiac arrest. The arrest were perfused with double-balloon catheters. The outcome of the subsequent kidney grafts was compared with data in the literature. RESULTS: Fifteen of the 18 kidneys from cardiac arrest donors were functioning 1 month after implantation compared with 17 of the 20 kidneys from braindeath donors with beating hearts. The rate of acute tubular necrosis was 55% in the cardiac arrest kidneys and 40% in the beating-heart kidneys. Serum creatinine at 1 yeart was 145 +/- 69 mumol/l 17 +/- 29 mumol/l respectively. DISCUSSION: These results and those reported in the literature demonstrate that kidney procurement from cardiac arrest donors is feasible. If intensive care and surgery units are well organized, this type of organ procurement could provide a larger number of organs for transplantation. Emergency teams must be available for preparing and transferring the organs.

[Gas acidosis and alkalosis]. / Acidose et alcalose gazeuses.

Arterial concentration of CO2 (PaCO2) is dependent of pulmonary excretion. When this excretion is lower than cellular production respiratory acid-basis occurs: rise in PaCO2 which lowers pH and produces secondary increases in bicarbonate (HCO3-) plasma concentration. Respiratory alkalosis, generated by a CO2 pulmonary excretion greater than metabolic production is characterized by a fall in PaCO2 which raises pH and induces secondary reduction of plasmatic HCO3- concentration. Attention to the possibility of serious hypoxemia, cause or consequence, should always be regarded and treated in respiratory acid-base disorders.

Solitary hypothalamopituitary toxoplasmosis abscess in a patient with AIDS.

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by an obligate intracellular protozoal parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. It is the most common cause of focal brain lesions in patients with AIDS. The imaging features and endocrine disorders of CNS toxoplasmosis in patients with AIDS are reviewed.