sTREM-1, sIL-2Rα, and IL-6, but not sCD163, might predict sepsis in polytrauma patients: a prospective cohort study.

Background: To investigate whether sTREM-1, sIL-2Rα, sCD163, and IL-6 predict septic complications following polytrauma. Prospective observational study in a university hospital intensive care unit.

Methods: Blood samples were drawn on admission, 24 and 48 h after the injury from 64 adult polytrauma patients.

Celiac disease in toddler with atypical onset. Case report.

Celiac disease is a chronic immune-mediated disorder induced in genetically susceptible individuals after ingestion of gluten proteins. An early diagnosis is of highest importance. Ultrasound might show small-bowel intussusception.

Assesment of the Duke criteria for the diagnosis of infective endocarditis after twenty-years. An analysis of 241 cases.

Background And Aims: In the absence of classical features (fever, cardiac murmur, and peripheral vascular stigmata) the diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE) may be difficult. Current clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and management of IE recommend the use of modified Duke criteria. Correct and prompt diagnosis of IE is crucial for the treatment and outcome of the patients.

The discriminative capacity of soluble Toll-like receptor (sTLR)2 and sTLR4 in inflammatory diseases.

Background: The extracellular domains of cytokine receptors are released during inflammation, but little is known about the shedding of Toll-like receptors (TLR) and whether they can be used as diagnostic biomarkers.

Methods: The release of sTLR2 and sTLR4 was studied in in-vitro stimulations, as well as in-vivo during experimental human endotoxemia (n = 11, 2 ng/kg LPS), and in plasma of 394 patients with infections (infectious mononucleosis, measles, respiratory tract infections, bacterial sepsis and candidemia) or non-infectious inflammation (Crohn's disease, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, autoinflammatory syndromes and pancreatitis). Using C-statistics, the value of sTLR2 and sTLR4 levels for discrimination between infections and non-infectious inflammatory diseases, as well as between viral and bacterial infections was analyzed.

Characterization of the Acute Inflammatory Response in Measles Infection.

Among 167 hospitalized children with measles, circulating concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, IL-1Ra, IL-4, interferon (IFN)-α, IFN-β, and T helper-17 cytokines were low, whereas leukopenia, increased lactate dehydrogenase, IL-18, and IFN-γ concentrations characterized the inflammatory response. In addition to understanding measles-induced immunologic responses, this profile may assist in differential diagnosis.

Charlson's weighted index of comorbidities is useful in assessing the risk of death in septic patients.

Purpose: We investigated the efficiency of the Charlson's weighted index of comorbidities (WIC) in predicting the risk of death in septic patients.

Materials And Methods: A single-center, 3-year analysis of all septic patients was conducted; WIC and organ failure assessed using the Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score were calculated retrospectively.

Results: Of 250 septic patients, 60 patients (34%) had WIC above 2.

Multiplex cytokine profiling in patients with sepsis.

A major goal for the clinical research in sepsis is mapping the various mediators driving the systemic manifestations of infection. Identifying relevant mediators responsible for the physiological alterations during sepsis may offer diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities. We aimed to explore the novel approach of simultaneously measuring several biomolecules using the multiplex technique and to study its relevance in diagnosing and monitoring septic patients.

Clinical aspects and cytokine response in severe H1N1 influenza A virus infection.

Introduction: The immune responses in patients with novel A(H1N1) virus infection (nvA(H1N1)) are incompletely characterized. We investigated the profile of Th1 and Th17 mediators and interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) in groups with severe and mild nvA(H1N1) disease and correlated them with clinical aspects.

Methods: Thirty-two patients hospitalized with confirmed nvA(H1N1) infection were enrolled in the study: 21 patients with nvA(H1N1)-acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and 11 patients with mild disease.

Central venous catheter colonization and catheter-related bloodstream infections in critically ill patients: a comparison between standard and silver-integrated catheters.

Background And Objective: Catheter-related bloodstream infections are one of the main complications affecting patients in intensive care units. This prospective, randomized, unblinded, controlled study investigated colonization and infection rates of standard central venous catheters in comparison with the rates for silver-integrated catheters in the intensive care unit.

Methods: Complete data were evaluated for 272 catheters inserted into 230 patients (141 standard and 131 silver-integrated central venous catheters).