Circulating Inflammatory Biomarkers in Early Prediction of Stroke-Associated Infections.

(1) Background: Patients with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) are at high risk for stroke-associated infections (SAIs). We hypothesised that increased concentrations of systemic inflammation markers predict SAIs and unfavourable outcomes; (2) Methods: In 223 patients with AIS, blood samples were taken at ≤24 h, 3 d and 7d after a stroke, to determine IL-6, IL-10, CRP and LBP. The outcome was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale at 90 d.

Endogenous Deoxyribonuclease Activity and Cell-Free Deoxyribonucleic Acid in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Cohort Study.

Background: Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and endogenous deoxyribonuclease activity are opposing mediators and might influence the inflammatory response following acute ischemic stroke. In this cohort study, we investigated the relation between these markers, circulating inflammatory mediators and clinical course including occurrence of stroke-associated infections (SAI) in patients with acute stroke.

Methods: Ninety-two patients with stroke due to large vessel occlusion undergoing mechanical thrombectomy were prospectively recruited at Hannover Medical School from March 2018 to August 2019.

Autoantibodies against the NMDAR subunit NR1 are associated with neuropsychiatric outcome after ischemic stroke.

Background And Purpose: Preexisting autoantibodies against N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor subunit NR1 (NMDAR1-AB) in acute ischemic stroke patients with previously intact blood-brain-barrier were associated with smaller evolution of lesion size. Effects of chronic exposure to NMDAR1-AB long after stroke, however, have remained unclear. We investigated in a prospective follow-up study whether long-term neuropsychiatric outcome after stroke differs depending on NMDAR1-AB status.

Early Post-Stroke Infections Are Associated with an Impaired Function of Neutrophil Granulocytes.

To investigate whether neutrophil granulocytes' function relates to post-stroke infections and clinical outcome after stroke, we prospectively recruited 95 patients after ischemic stroke and tested them for their microbiocidal neutrophil functions in this exploratory study. Additionally, 24 age-adjusted controls were examined regarding neutrophil function. Phagocytic capacity and the ability of the neutrophil granulocytes to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as CD11b and CD16 receptor expression profile were measured by flow cytometry at days 1, 3, 7, and 90 after symptom onset.

Plasma Dimethylarginine Levels and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness are related to Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Embolic Stroke.

A relevant part of embolic strokes of undetermined source (ESUS) is assumed to be due to non-detected atrial fibrillation (AF). In this study, we aimed to investigate if markers of endothelial dysfunction and damage may indicate AF risk in embolic stroke. Eighty-eight patients with ischemic stroke confirmed by imaging were assigned to one of three groups: ESUS, AF, or micro-/macroangiopathy.