Purpose: In the acute setting of endocarditis it is very important to assess both the vegetation itself, as well as potential life-threatening complications, in order to decide whether antibiotic therapy will be sufficient or urgent surgery is indicated. A single whole-body scan investigating inflammatory changes could be very helpful to achieve a swift and efficient assessment.
Methods: In this study we assessed whether (18)F-FDG can be used to detect and localize peripheral embolism or distant infection. Twenty-four patients with 25 episodes of endocarditis, enrolled between March 2006 and February 2008, underwent (18)F-FDG PET/CT imaging on a dedicated PET/CT scanner.
Results: PET/CT imaging revealed a focus of peripheral embolization and/or metastatic infection in 11 episodes (44%). One episode had a positive PET/CT scan result for both embolism and metastatic infection. PET/CT detected seven positive cases (28%) in which there was no clinical suspicion. Valve involvement of endocarditis was seen only in three patients (12%).
Conclusion: PET/CT may be an important diagnostic tool for tracing peripheral embolism and metastatic infection in the acute setting of infective endocarditis, since a PET/CT scan detected a clinically occult focus in nearly one third of episodes.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00259-010-1380-x | DOI Listing |
JAMA Surg
January 2025
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.
Importance: Fracture-related infection (FRI) is a serious complication following fracture fixation surgery. Current treatment of FRIs entails debridement and 6 weeks of intravenous (IV) antibiotics. Lab data and retrospective clinical studies support use of oral antibiotics, which are less expensive and may have fewer complications than IV antibiotics.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Tat protein is a trans-activator of HIV-1 genome transcription, with additional functions including the ability to induce the chronic inflammatory process. Natural amino acid polymorphisms in Tat may affect its functional properties and the course of HIV infection. The aim of this work is to analyze the marks of Tat consensus sequences in non-A6 HIV-1 variants characteristic of the Russian Federation, as well as study natural polymorphisms in Tat CRF63_02A6 and subtype B variants circulating in Russia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAntimicrob Agents Chemother
January 2025
Argentinian Society for Critical Care (SATI), Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Unlabelled: Data from low and middle-income countries (LMICs) on multidrug-resistant microorganisms (MDROs) in intensive care units (ICUs) are scarce. Working in several ICUs in Argentina, we sought to estimate the prevalence and characteristics of MDRO infections and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) colonization. Mortality associated with MDRO infection was also evaluated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHead Neck
January 2025
Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Frisius Medical Center, Leeuwarden, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.
Background: Chronic lingual tonsillitis (CLT) entails persistent inflammation of the lingual tonsils (LT), presenting in recurrent infections, throat discomfort, dyspnea, dysphagia, and LT hypertrophy.
Methods: A retrospective observational study at a nonacademic general hospital described outcomes of CLT patients undergoing base of tongue (BOT) reduction via transoral robotic surgery (TORS). Primary outcomes were changes in patient-reported quality of swallowing and life and were assessed at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months post-TORS.
Recent Pat Biotechnol
January 2025
Chemical Science and Engineering Research Team (ERSIC), Department of Chemistry, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Beni Mellal (FPBM), Sultan Moulay Slimane University (USMS), P.O. Box 592 Mghila, Beni Mellal 23000, Morocco.
Aim: This research concerns the patentability of carvacrol; it could be helpful for researchers to easily identify any innovation in the biotechnological application of this monoterpene as well as other similar compounds.
Background: Like thyme or oregano, several plants in the Lamiaceae family produce carvacrol. It is one of the secondary metabolites with several biological activities, including the improvement in plants' resistance and their protection.
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