Impact of organ dysfunction on mortality in ICU patients with hematologic malignancies.

Purpose: To compare evolution in organ dysfunction (OD) between hematologic malignancy patients with and without bacterial infection (BI) precipitating intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and to assess its impact on mortality.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was performed. Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores from day 1 to 5 were calculated in all consecutive hematologic malignancy patients admitted to the ICU (2000-2006).

Dynamics of C-reactive protein and white blood cell count in critically ill patients with nosocomial Gram positive vs. Gram negative bacteremia: a historical cohort study.

Background: Nosocomial bacteremia is associated with a poor prognosis. Early adequate therapy has been shown to improve outcome. Consequently, rapid detection of a beginning sepsis is therefore of the utmost importance.

New and re-emerging infectious diseases: epidemics in waiting.

Purpose Of Review: New and emerging diseases, combined with the rapid spread of pathogens resistant to antibiotics and of disease-carrying insects resistant to insecticides, are daunting challenges to human health.

Recent Findings: The new diseases of recent months are West Nile virus conquering the American continent, the introduction of monkeypox in the USA, the emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome worldwide, and avian influenza which crossed the species barrier again to claim several victims.

Summary: Emerging infectious diseases are almost instantaneously a global concern because of the speed with which people, animals and products move around the world.

Documented and clinically suspected bacterial infection precipitating intensive care unit admission in patients with hematological malignancies: impact on outcome.

Objective: To assess the impact of documented and clinically suspected bacterial infection precipitating ICU admission on in-hospital mortality in patients with hematological malignancies.

Design And Setting: Prospective observational study in a 14-bed medical ICU at a tertiary university hospital.

Patients: A total of 172 consecutive patients with hematological malignancies admitted to the ICU for a life-threatening complication over a 4-year period were categorized into three main groups according to their admission diagnosis (documented bacterial infection, clinically suspected bacterial infection, nonbacterial complications) by an independent panel of three physicians blinded to the patient's outcome and C-reactive protein levels.