Evaluation and Clinical Impact of Biofire FilmArray Pneumonia Panel Plus in ICU-Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients.

Microbiological diagnosis by using commercial multiplex quantitative PCR systems provides great advantages over the conventional culture. In this work, the Biofire FilmArray Pneumonia Panel Plus (FAPP+) was used to test 144 low respiratory tract samples from 105 COVID-19 patients admitted to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), detecting 78 pathogens in 59 (41%) samples. The molecular panel was evaluated by using the conventional culture (CC) as comparator, which isolated 42 pathogens in 40 (27.

Clinico-radiological related to early brain death factors.

Objective: To identify clinical and radiological factors associated to early evolution to brain death (BD), defined as occurring within the first 24 h.

Design: A retrospective cohort study was made covering the period 2015-2017.

Setting: An adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Epigenetic targeting of the ACE2 and NRP1 viral receptors limits SARS-CoV-2 infectivity.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 uses the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and neuropilin-1 (NRP1) receptors for entry into cells, and the serine protease TMPRSS2 for S protein priming. Inhibition of protease activity or the engagement with ACE2 and NRP1 receptors has been shown to be an effective strategy for blocking infectivity and viral spreading. Valproic acid (VPA; 2-propylpentanoic acid) is an epigenetic drug approved for clinical use.

SARS-CoV-2 analysis on environmental surfaces collected in an intensive care unit: keeping Ernest Shackleton's spirit.

Background: Intensive care unit workers are at high risk of acquiring COVID-19 infection, especially when performing invasive techniques and certain procedures that generate aerosols (< 5 μm). Therefore, one of the objectives of the health systems should implement safety practices to minimize the risk of contagion among these health professionals. Monitoring environmental contamination of SARS-CoV-2 may help to determine the potential of the environment as a transmission medium in an area highly exposed to SARS-CoV-2, such as an intensive care unit.

Clinico-radiological related to early brain death factors.

Objective: To identify clinical and radiological factors associated to early evolution to brain death (BD), defined as occurring within the first 24 hours.

Design: A retrospective cohort study was made covering the period 2015-2017.

Setting: An adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Infectious complications related to external ventricular shunt. Incidence and risk factors.

Objective: Infectious complications related to external ventricular shunt (ICREVS) are a main problem in neurocritical intensive care units (ICU). The aim of the review is to assess the incidence of ICREVS and to analyse factors involved.

Methods: Retrospective analysis, adult polyvalent ICU in a third level reference hospital.

Procalcitonin in the burn unit and the diagnosis of infection.

Objective: To determine the usefulness of procalcitonin (PCT) in decision-making when faced with suspected infection in patients with extensive burns.

Study: Retrospective, observational follow-up study.

Institution: Burn Unit of the Complexo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña (CHUAC), Spain.