Imbalance of TH17/TREG cells in Tunisian patients with systemic sclerosis.

Fibrosis is a pathological manifestation in which connective tissue replaces normal one. It can affect many tissues from the skin to internal organs such as the lungs. Manifestations of pulmonary involvement can be pulmonary arterial hypertension or pulmonary fibrosis.

Bacteremia due to Serratia rubidaea in intensive care unit: a case series.

Introduction: Bacteremia caused by Serratia rubidaea is seldom mentioned in comparison with other Enterobacteriaceae species. It primarily affects immunocompromised patients undergoing invasive procedures. Furthermore, the incidence, clinical features, and microbiological profile of this pathogen in the intensive care unit are rarely described.

COVID-19-induced acute kidney injury in critically ill patients: epidemiology, risk factors, and outcome.

Background: The kidney represents a potential target for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Clinical data about acute kidney injury (AKI) during SARS-CoV-2 infection are lacking. We aimed to investigate the proportion, risk factors, and prognosis of AKI in critical patients affected with SARS-CoV-2.

TH17 cells expressing CD146 are significantly increased in patients with Systemic sclerosis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by vascular damage, excessive fibrosis and abnormal T cells immune-regulation. CD146 is an adhesion molecule essentially expressed in the vascular system, but also on TH17 lymphocytes. In view of the recently described role of CD146 in SSc, we hypothesized an involvement of CD146 positive TH17 cells in this disease.

Appropriateness of empiric antimicrobial therapy with imipenem/colistin in severe septic patients: observational cohort study.

Background: Empiric antimicrobial therapy (EAMT) using imipenem/colistin is commonly prescribed as a first line therapy in critically ill patients with severe sepsis. We aimed to assess the appropriateness of prescribing imipenem/colistin as EAMT in ICU patients.

Methods: A 3-year observational prospective study included ICU patients that required imipenem/colistin as EAMT.

Ultrasound stroke volume variation induced by passive leg raising and fluid responsiveness: An observational cohort study.

Objective: To assess the performance of the ultrasound measurement of stroke volume (SV) coupled to passive leg raising (PLR) in predicting fluid responsiveness (FR).

Design: A prospective cohort study was carried out in patients requiring volume expansion (VE). A transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTE) device was used for the measurement of SV.

Efficacy and toxicity of aerosolised colistin in ventilator-associated pneumonia: a prospective, randomised trial.

Background: Cases of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) gram-negative bacilli (GNB) mainly Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and enterobacteria are common in hospitalised patients of Tunisian intensive care units (ICUs). Parenteral colistin has been used for the therapy of VAP caused by MDR GNB at Tunisian hospitals over the past few years with a favourable clinical response. However, its use fell out of favour because of the reported drug-related nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity.