Clinical and hemostatic responses to treatment in ventilator-associated pneumonia: Role of bacterial pathogens*

Background/Aims: The prognostic role of serum procalcitonin level in critically ill patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia was unclear. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between serum procalcitonin level and mortality risk in critically ill patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia. Methods: Data of critically ill patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia were retrospectively collected. Demographics, comorbidities, and serum procalcitonin level were extracted from electronic medical records. The primary outcome was mortality within two months after diagnosis. Multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to assess the prognostic role of serum procalcitonin level in those patients. Results: A total of 115 critically ill patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia were enrolled in our study. Serum procalcitonin level was not associated with age, gender, or other comorbidities. Univariate Cox regression model showed that high serum procalcitonin level was associated increased risk of morality within 2 months after diagnosis (OR = 2.32, 95% CI 1.25-4.31, P = 0.008). Multivariable Cox regression model showed that high serum procalcitonin level was independently associated increased risk of morality within 2 months after diagnosis (OR = 2.38, 95% CI 1.26-4.50, P = 0.008). Conclusion: High serum procalcitonin level is an independent prognostic biomarker of mortality risk in critically ill patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia, and it's a promising biomarker of prognosis in critically ill patients.

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The role of companion animals in the environmental circulation of tick-borne bacterial pathogens

Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine ◽

10.26444/aaem/93381 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 473-480 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Bogumiła Skotarczak

Keyword(s):

Bacterial Pathogens ◽

Companion Animals

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The complex, bidirectional role of extracellular vesicles in infection

Biochemical Society Transactions ◽

10.1042/bst20200788 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Joni Renee White ◽

Priscila Dauros-Singorenko ◽

Jiwon Hong ◽

Frédérique Vanholsbeeck ◽

Anthony Phillips ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Extracellular Vesicles ◽

Bacterial Pathogens ◽

Host Cells ◽

Signalling Molecules ◽

Host Pathogen ◽

Domains Of Life

Cells from all domains of life release extracellular vesicles (EVs), packages that carry a cargo of molecules that participate in communication, co-ordination of population behaviours, virulence and immune response mechanisms. Mammalian EVs play an increasingly recognised role to fight infection, yet may also be commandeered to disseminate pathogens and enhance infection. EVs released by bacterial pathogens may deliver toxins to host cells, signalling molecules and new DNA to other bacteria, and act as decoys, protecting infecting bacteria from immune killing. In this review, we explore the role of EVs in infection from the perspective of both the pathogen and host, and highlight their importance in the host/pathogen relationship. We highlight proposed strategies for EVs in therapeutics, and call attention to areas where existing knowledge and evidence is lacking.

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