Procalcitonin Elevation Suggests a Septic Source

2014 ◽  
Vol 80 (9) ◽  
pp. 906-909 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kara E. Friend ◽  
Jessica N. Burgess ◽  
Rebecca C. Britt ◽  
Jay N. Collins ◽  
Leonard N. Weireter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bloodstream Infection ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Infection Type ◽  
Causative Organism ◽  
Patient Records ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Good Marker ◽  
Infection Source ◽  
Antibiotic Duration ◽  
Reason For Admission

Procalcitonin is used as a marker for sepsis but there is little known about the correlation of the procalcitonin elevation with the causative organism in sepsis. All patients aged 18 to 80 years who were admitted to the surgery service from June 2010 to May 2012 and who had a procalcitonin drawn were evaluated. Culture data were reviewed to determine the causative organism. Infections analyzed included pneumonia, urinary tract infection (UTI), bloodstream infection, and Clostridium difficile. Other parameters assessed included reason for admission, body mass index, pressor use, antibiotic duration, and disposition. Two hundred thirty-two patient records were reviewed. Patients without a known infection/source of sepsis had a mean procalcitonin of 3.95. Those with pneumonia had a procalcitonin of 20.59 ( P = 0.03). Those with a UTI had a mean procalcitonin of 66.84 ( P = 0.0005). Patients with a bloodstream infection had a mean procalcitonin of 33.30 ( P = 0.003). Those with C. difficile had a procalcitonin of 47.20 ( P = 0.004). When broken down by causative organisms, those with Gram-positive sepsis had a procalcitonin of 23.10 ( P = 0.02) compared with those with Gram-negative sepsis at 32.75 ( P = 0.02). Those with fungal infections had a procalcitonin of 42.90 ( P = 0.001). These data suggest that procalcitonin elevation can help guide treatment by indicating likely causative organism and infection type. These data may provide a good marker for initiation of antifungal therapy.

Serum biomarkers to differentiate Gram-negative, Gram-positive and fungal infection in febrile patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 70 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongguang Niu ◽  
Qian Huang ◽  
Fan Yang ◽  
Weiliang Tian ◽  
Chen Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bloodstream Infection ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Serum Biomarker ◽  
Diagnostic Efficiency ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi

Introduction. Contamination of specimens and overuse of broad spectrum antibiotics contribute to false positives and false negatives, respectively. Therefore, useful and applicable biomarkers of bacteremia are still required. Hypothesis/Gap Statement. IL-6 can be used as a serum biomarker to discriminate among bacterial infections and fungal infections in febrile patients with a bloodstream infection. Aim. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), procalcitonin (PCT) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in discriminating Gram-negative (G−) bacteria from Gram-positive (G+) bacteria and fungi in febrile patients. Methodology. A total of 567 patients with fever were evaluated. Serum levels of IL-6, PCT, NLR and CRP were compared among a G− group (n=188), a G+ group (n=168), a fungal group (n=38) and a culture negative group (n=173). Sensitivity, specificity, Yuden’s index and area under the Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) were obtained to analyse the diagnostic abilities of these biomarkers in discriminating bloodstream infection caused by different pathogens. Results. Serum IL-6 and PCT in the G− group increased significantly when compared with both the G+ group and fungal group (P <0.05). AUC of IL-6 (0.767, 95 % CI:0.725–0.805) is higher than AUC of PCT (0.751, 95 % CI:0.708–0.796) in discriminating the G− group from G+ group. When discriminating the G− group from fungal group, the AUC of IL-6 (0.695, 95 % CI:0.651–0.747) with a cut-off value of 464.3 pg ml−1 was also higher than the AUC of PCT (0.630, 95 % CI:0.585–0.688) with a cut-off value of 0.68 ng ml−1. Additionally, AUC of NLR (0.685, 95 % CI:0.646–0.727) in discriminating the fungal group from G+ group at the cut-off value of 9.03, was higher than AUC of IL-6, PCT and CRP. Conclusion. This study suggests that IL-6 could be used as a serum biomarker to discriminate among bacterial infections and fungal infections in febrile patients with a bloodstream infection. In addition, NLR is valuable to discriminate fungal infections from Gram-positive infections in febrile patients with a bloodstream infection.

scholarly journals Investigation of Anti-Infection Mechanism of Lactoferricin and Splunc-1

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yung An Tsou ◽  
Hung-Jin Huang ◽  
Wesley Wen Yang Lin ◽  
Calvin Yu-Chian Chen
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Innate Immune System ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
The Body ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Epithelial Tissue ◽  
Defense System ◽  
First Line ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Infection Source

The innate immune system is the first line in the defense system and prevents the body from further bacteria, virus, or fungal infections. Most of the innate immune system is relevant to mucosa immunity. Lactotransferrin is secreted from the human mammal breast duct epithelial tissue and strengthens infant immunity to defense with regard to outward pathogens. Splunc-1 is also an innate material secreted from the soft palate, lung, nasal cavity epithelium, and mucosa. It helps with mucosa defense against bacterial, virus, and even fungus. LPS is the main etiology of Gram-negative bacilla infection source. And studies of lactoferricin and slpunc-1 both can combine with LPS and subsequently cause insults to the mucosa. Although, we know that both of them partake in an important role in innate immunity, we do not know the effects when they work together. In this study, we just overview silicon stimulation to examine the combination of Lactoferricin and Splunc-1 and the effect with regard to LPS.

scholarly journals 284. Evaluation of Oral Step-Down Therapy for Enterobacteriaceae Bloodstream Infection

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S143-S143
Author(s):  
Sara Utley ◽  
Dawn Bouknight ◽  
Radha Patel ◽  
Kent Stock
Keyword(s):  
Bloodstream Infection ◽  
Oral Therapy ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Oral Antibiotic ◽  
Beta Lactam ◽  
Hospital System ◽  
Source Of Infection ◽  
Complete Treatment ◽  
Antibiotic Duration ◽  
Alternate Source

Abstract Background Oral antibiotic stepdown therapy for Gram-negative (GN) bloodstream infection (BSI) appears to be a safe option, though high bioavailability drugs like fluoroquinolones (FQ) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole are often recommended without clear evidence demonstrating superiority. Due to increasing concerns of FQ resistance and collateral damage with an increasing community C. difficile rate, our organization sought to reduce overall FQ use and a shift toward oral beta-lactams (BL) was observed. A review was conducted to assess the outcomes of this shift. Methods This retrospective cohort included all patients within our 3-hospital system who had a positive GN blood culture and were transitioned to oral therapy to complete treatment outpatient for bacteremia between Jan 2017-Sept 2019. The primary outcome was recurrent BSI within 30 days of completing initial treatment. Secondary outcomes included 30-day mortality, 30-day recurrence of organism at an alternate source, 30-day readmission, and 90-day BSI relapse. Results Of 191 GN BSIs, 77 patients were transitioned to oral therapy. The mean age was 68 years, 60% were female. The most common source of infection was described as urine (39/77), intra-abdominal (16/77), unknown (13/77). Mean total antibiotic duration (IV plus PO) was 14 days (range 7–33). Patients received an average of 5 days IV prior to transitioning to PO therapy. The most common PO class was a 1st gen cephalosporin (29/77), followed by BL/BL inhibitor (16/77), and a FQ (13/77). There were no 30-day relapse BSIs observed in this cohort. There was 1 patient discharged to inpatient hospice, and no other 30-day mortality observed. There were 4 recurrent UTIs observed within 30 days, none of which required readmission. Of the twelve 30-day readmissions, 1 was considered by the investigators to be related to the initial infection. Conclusion An opportunity for education regarding duration of therapy was identified. Oral beta lactam use in our limited population appears to be a reasonable option to facilitate discharge. Results should be confirmed in additional, larger studies. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals Community-acquired and hospital-acquired respiratory tract infection and bloodstream infection in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirstine K. Søgaard ◽  
Veronika Baettig ◽  
Michael Osthoff ◽  
Stephan Marsch ◽  
Karoline Leuzinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Tract Infection ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infection ◽  
Bloodstream Infection ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Icu Patients ◽  
Hospital Acquired Infections ◽  
Hospital Acquired

Abstract Objectives SARS-CoV-2 may cause acute lung injury, and secondary infections are thus relevant complications in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. However, detailed information on community- and hospital-acquired infections among patients with COVID-19 pneumonia is scarce. Methods We identified 220 SARS-CoV-2-positive patients hospitalized at the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland (between 25 February and 31 May 2020). We excluded patients who declined the general consent (n = 12), patients without clinical evidence of pneumonia (n = 29), and patients hospitalized for < 24 h (n = 17). We evaluated the frequency of community- and hospital-acquired infections using respiratory and blood culture materials with antigen, culture-based, and molecular diagnostics. For ICU patients, all clinical and microbial findings were re-evaluated interdisciplinary (intensive care, infectious disease, and clinical microbiology), and agreement reached to classify patients with infections. Results In the final cohort of 162 hospitalized patients (median age 64.4 years (IQR, 50.4–74.2); 61.1% male), 41 (25.3%) patients were admitted to the intensive care unit, 34/41 (82.9%) required mechanical ventilation, and 17 (10.5%) of all hospitalized patients died. In total, 31 infections were diagnosed including five viral co-infections, 24 bacterial infections, and three fungal infections (ventilator-associated pneumonia, n = 5; tracheobronchitis, n = 13; pneumonia, n = 1; and bloodstream infection, n = 6). Median time to respiratory tract infection was 12.5 days (IQR, 8–18) and time to bloodstream infection 14 days (IQR, 6–30). Hospital-acquired bacterial and fungal infections were more frequent among ICU patients than other patients (36.6% vs. 1.7%). Antibiotic or antifungal treatment was administered in 71 (43.8%) patients. Conclusions Community-acquired viral and bacterial infections were rare among COVID-19 pneumonia patients. By contrast, hospital-acquired bacterial or fungal infections were frequently complicating the course among ICU patients.

scholarly journals Impact of follow up blood cultures on outcomes of patients with community-onset gram-negative bloodstream infection

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
pp. 100811
Author(s):  
Rajiv Amipara ◽  
Hana Rac Winders ◽  
Julie Ann Justo ◽  
P. Brandon Bookstaver ◽  
Joseph Kohn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bloodstream Infection ◽  
Blood Cultures ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Community Onset

#43: Monotherapy Experience in Pediatric Patients with High-risk Febrile Neutropenia

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S19-S19
Author(s):  
Valentina Gutiérrez ◽  
Ximena Claverie
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Febrile Neutropenia ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Empiric Therapy ◽  
Fourth Generation ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Third Line ◽  
Clinical Worsening

Abstract Background Fever during neutropenia is a common occurrence in children with cancer. In a systematic review of RCTs of pediatric febrile neutropenia, compared monotherapy with aminoglycoside-containing combination therapy found no significant differences in failure rates, infection-related mortality, or overall mortality. The updated pediatric-specific guidelines recommend initiation of empirical antibiotic monotherapy using an antipseudomonal β-lactam, a fourth-generation cephalosporin, or a carbapenem for pediatric high-risk febrile neutropenia. However, local epidemiology and resistance patterns should be evaluated regularly. Our local hospital epidemiology does not have Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, therefore, we used ceftriaxone as monotherapy in patients with high-risk febrile neutropenia without other risk factors. The goal of our investigation is to describe the experience of using third-generation cephalosporins in these patients. Methods Descriptive study of high-risk febrile neutropenia episodes in patients admitted to the Pediatric Oncology Unit of Hospital Dr. Sótero del Río, Santiago, Chile. We included patients ≤15 years from June 2016 until November 2019. Results We found a total of 133 high-risk febrile neutropenia episodes corresponding to 50 patients, 78% were leukemia and 22% were solid tumor patients. Of the 133 episodes, 92 (69%) had clinical signs at admission, mostly respiratory in 46 (50%) of the cases, 18 (29%) had mucositis and 13 (14%) had diarrhea. Of 133 episodes, 41 (31%) did not have any source at clinical examination. Eighty-six (65%) cases started ceftriaxone at admission, 28 (33%) maintained ceftriaxone for 7 days of treatment with good clinical response. Of this group 58 (67%) patients changed treatment: 32 (37%) cases started second-line antibiotics for clinical worsening, 19 (22%) cases required second- and third-line antibiotics for persistent fever and clinical worsening, and 7 (8%) received third-line antibiotics from the start for past microbiological history. Sixteen (12%) cases of total evolved with sepsis requiring intensive care unit management. We had 30 (23%) episodes with positive blood culture, 11 (37%) due to gram-positive bacteria, 16 (53%) gram-negative bacteria, and 3 (10%) cases of fungal infections. Of the gram-negative bacteria, 7 (44%) were ESBL producers, without P. aeruginosa isolates. One case died (0.7%) for refractory sepsis due to gram-negative bacteria. Conclusion Although we did not have P. aeruginosa isolates, due to the spread of ESBL strains, monotherapy with ceftriaxone is not a good option as initial therapy for high-risk febrile neutropenia patients. The empiric therapy has to be evaluated regularly and should always be based on local epidemiology.

Atypical Pharyngitis In Suppurative Otitis Media Cases

2008 ◽  
Vol 139 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. P98-P99
Author(s):  
Alaa A Abou-Bieh ◽  
Mona F Salama
Keyword(s):  
Middle Ear ◽  
Causative Organism ◽  
Isolation And Identification ◽  
Middle Ear Mucosa ◽  
Suppurative Otitis Media ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Middle Ear Infection ◽  
Gram Negative Organisms ◽  
Micro Organisms ◽  
Middle Ear Cleft

Problem Unexplained persistent or recurrent bacterial pharyngitis in some patients who suffer from infected middle ear cleft. Methods Bacteriological swabs were obtained from both the ears and the pharynx of 37 cases with chronic otorrhea and perforation, whom complain of recurrent or persistent sore-throat. Then isolation and identification of the micro-organisms were done. This included examination of direct Gram stained films and cultures. Isolated Gram negative bacilli were subjected to further identification by the biochemical reactions and antibiotyping. Identical isolates from the same patient (ear and pharyngeal swabs) were subjected to further identification by genotyping using the pulsed field gel electrophoresis technique. Results 6 cases (16%) showed identity in phenotypes and genotypes for ear and pharyngeal samples from the same patient. All pharyngeal isolates were Gram negative organisms. 4 of them were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 1 was Proteus sp., and 1 was Escherichia coli. All of these 3 species are not known to be among the primary organisms which may cause pharyngitis. Conclusion Bacterial pharyngitis in patients with chronically infected middle ear cleft may be attributed to the same organism invaded the middle ear mucosa. Also this study highlights some organisms as a pharyngeal invaders although they are not among the previously documented causatives of bacterial pharyngitis. But the study do not confirm the method of spread of these organisms and whether this was directly via the eustachian tube. Significance The study correlates the causative organism of the middle ear infection and that infected the pharyngeal mucosa utilizing the advanced bacteriological identification and genotyping techniques.

Predictive Factors for the Development of Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infection Due to Gram-Negative Bacteria in Intensive Care Unit Patients After Surgery

2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pranavi V. Sreeramoju ◽  
Jocelyn Tolentino ◽  
Sylvia Garcia-Houchins ◽  
Stephen G. Weber
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Bloodstream Infection ◽  
Predictive Factors ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Central Line ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria

Objectives.To examine the relative proportions of central line-associated bloodstream infection (BSI) due to gram-negative bacteria and due to gram-positive bacteria among patients who had undergone surgery and patients who had not. The study also evaluated clinical predictive factors and unadjusted outcomes associated with central line-associated BSI caused by gram-negative bacteria in the postoperative period.Design.Observational, case-control study based on a retrospective review of medical records.Setting.University of Chicago Medical Center, a 500-bed tertiary care center located on Chicago's south side.Patients.Adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients who developed central line-associated BSI.Results.There were a total of 142 adult patients who met the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System definition for central line-associated BSI. Of those, 66 patients (46.5%) had infections due to gram-positive bacteria, 49 patients (34.5%) had infections due to gram-negative bacteria, 23 patients (16.2%) had infections due to yeast, and 4 patients (2.8%) had mixed infections. Patients who underwent surgery were more likely to develop central line-associated BSI due to gram-negative bacteria within 28 days of the surgery, compared with patients who had not had surgery recently (57.6% vs 27.3%; P = .002). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, diabetes mellitus (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 4.6 [95% CI, 1.2-18.1]; P = .03) and the presence of hypotension at the time of the first blood culture positive for a pathogen (adjusted OR, 9.8 [95% CI, 2.5-39.1]; P = .001 ) were found to be independently predictive of central line-associated BSI caused by gram-negative bacteria. Unadjusted outcomes were not different in the group with BSI due to gram-negative pathogens, compared to the group with BSI due to gram-positive pathogens.Conclusions.Clinicians caring for critically ill patients after surgery should be especially concerned about the possibility of central line-associated BSI caused by gram-negative pathogens. The presence of diabetes and hypotension appear to be significant associated factors.

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