Septic shock sera containing circulating histones induce dendritic cell-regulated necrosis in fatal septic shock patients.

Objectives: Innate immune system alterations, including dendritic cell loss, have been reproducibly observed in patients with septic shock and correlated to adverse outcomes or nosocomial infections. The goal of this study is to better understand the mechanisms behind this observation in order to better assess septic shock pathogenesis.

Design: Prospective, controlled experimental study.

Prevalence and incidence rates of pressure ulcers in an Emergency Department.

Older patients represent an increasing population in emergency department (ED) with underlying diseases and longer ED length of stay, which are potential risk factors of pressure ulcers (PUs). The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and incidence rates of PUs in an Emergency Department and to analyse variables related to PUs occurrence. The study was carried out in the Emergency Department of Bordeaux (France), and included 602 patients from 1 to 15 June 2010.

A Lemierre syndrome variant caused by Staphylococcus aureus.

Lemierre syndrome is a rare clinical entity, characterized by thrombosis of the internal jugular vein that develops after an oropharyngeal infection. We report the case of a 22-year-old woman hospitalized initially for cellulitis of the face. In view of the aggravation of the clinical state (septic shock and multiple organ failure), a computed tomography of the neck was performed and revealed a thrombosis of the right internal and external jugular veins.

Life-threatening adverse drug reactions at admission to medical intensive care: a prospective study in a teaching hospital.

Objective: To assess the characteristics of life-threatening adverse drug reactions in patients admitted to medical intensive care unit and to define those that could facilitate early identification.

Design: A prospective 6-month observational study.

Patients: Of the 436 admissions to the teaching hospital medical intensive care unit, all patients aged over 15 years and who had received documented drug treatment were included (n = 405).

Psychotropic drugs use and risk of heat-related hospitalisation.

Objective: To assess if use of psychotropic drugs is associated with an increased risk of admission for heat-related pathologies during a heat wave period.

Method: We conducted a matched case-control study. Cases were defined as subjects admitted to an emergency department for heat-related pathology (hyperthermia or heat stroke) over the August 2003 heat wave.

Decrease in circulating dendritic cells predicts fatal outcome in septic shock.

Objective: Biomarkers allowing accurate early staging of septic shock patients are lacking despite their obvious interest for patient management. Experimental models of septic shock in mouse previously noted a decrease in dendritic cell numbers. The aim of the study was to find a rapid reproducible biological test for an assessment of disease severity.