scholarly journals Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of bacteremic brucellosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 030006052093682
Author(s):  
Chunhua Qie ◽  
Junwen Cui ◽  
Yamin Liu ◽  
Ying Li ◽  
Hongzhang Wu ◽  
...  

Objective To retrospectively investigate the epidemiological features, clinical manifestations and laboratory characteristics of bacteremic brucellosis. Methods Brucellosis patients admitted to our clinic from January 2015 to December 2017 were included in the study. Patient electronic medical records were reviewed for epidemiological features, clinical manifestations, and laboratory findings. Results A total of 132 brucellosis patients were analyzed (64 cases with bacteremic brucellosis and 68 cases with nonbacteremic brucellosis). The median duration from exposure to onset of symptoms was 6.9 weeks (range: 1 day to 32 weeks) and 21.9 weeks (range: 1–76 weeks) in patients with bacteremic and nonbacteremic brucellosis, respectively. More bacteremic than nonbacteremic patients presented with fever and chills. Arthritis was observed in 34 (25.8%) patients, and was more commonly observed in nonbacteremic patients. Using C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) as serological markers, the areas under the receiving operating characteristic curves were 0.64 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.54–0.73] and 0.61 (95% CI: 0.51–0.70), respectively, for distinguishing bacteremic from non-bacteremic brucellosis. Conclusion Fever and chills were frequently observed in bacteremic brucellosis patients, whereas arthritis was more common in nonbacteremic brucellosis patients. Serum CRP and PCT can be used as potential serological markers for diagnosing bacteremic brucellosis.

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1962 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 443-449
Author(s):  
Tehila R. Shapiro ◽  
Ernest N. Ehrenfeld

A series of 19 cases of recurrent polyserositis is presented. All but one child were of Oriental Jewish parentage, and the disease sometimes showed a familial occurrence. The average age of onset was 4 years. The symptoms consisted of fever; abdominal, chest, and joint pains; and skin eruptions. The clinical manifestations often simulated those of acute rheumatic fever, particularly since cardiac murmurs occurred in more than half of the patients. The laboratory findings were those accompanying nonspecific inflammations such as leukocytosis, accelerated enythrocyte sedimentation rate, elevated antistreptolysin titer, and positive C-reactive protein. Though some patients showed transitional albuminunia, no cases of amyloidosis were found. The difference in the clinical manifestations in children as compared with adults, and possible etiological factors are discussed.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sahar Sobhani ◽  
Reihaneh Aryan ◽  
Elham Kalantari ◽  
Salman Soltani ◽  
Nafise Malek ◽  
...  

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first discovered in December 2019 in China and has rapidly spread worldwide. Clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and their association with the outcome of patients with COVID-19 can be decisive in management and early diagnosis. Data were obtained retrospectively from medical records of 397 hospitalized COVID-19 patients between February and May 2020 in Imam Reza hospital, northeast of Iran. Clinical and laboratory features were evaluated among survivors and non-survivors. The correlation between variables and duration of hospitalization and admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) was determined. Male sex, age, hospitalization duration, and admission to ICU were significantly related to mortality rate. Headache was a more common feature in patients who survived (p = 0.017). It was also related to a shorter stay in the hospital (p = 0.032) as opposed to patients who experienced chest pain (p = 0.033). Decreased levels of consciousness and dyspnea were statistically more frequent in non-survivors (p = 0.003 and p = 0.011, respectively). Baseline white blood cell count (WBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were significantly higher in non-survivors (p < 0.001). Patients with higher WBC and CRP levels were more likely to be admitted to ICU (p = 0.009 and p = 0.001, respectively). Evaluating clinical and laboratory features can help clinicians find ways for risk stratifying patients and even make predictive tools. Chest pain, decreased level of consciousness, dyspnea, and increased CRP and WBC levels seem to be the most potent predictors of severe prognosis.


Author(s):  
Makoto Asakawa ◽  
Mayuko Fukuzawa ◽  
Midori Goto Asakawa ◽  
James A. Flanders

Abstract OBJECTIVE To determine whether serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration could be used to detect gallbladder rupture (GBR) prior to surgery in dogs undergoing cholecystectomy for treatment of gallbladder mucocele (GBM). ANIMALS 45 dogs that underwent cholecystectomy because of GBM at a companion animal referral hospital from 2017 to 2020. PROCEDURES Electronic medical records were reviewed, and dogs were included if serum CRP concentration had been measured within 24 hours prior to cholecystectomy. Dogs were grouped as to whether the gallbladder was found to be ruptured or intact during surgery. Accuracy of using preoperative CRP concentration to predict GBR was compared with accuracy of abdominal ultrasonography and other preoperative blood tests. RESULTS GBR was present in 15 dogs at the time of surgery. Median preoperative CRP concentration was significantly higher in dogs with GBR (15.1 mg/dL; interquartile range, 7.4 to 16.8 mg/dL) than in dogs with an intact gallbladder (2.65 mg/dL; interquartile range, 0.97 to 13.4 mg/dL). Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of using preoperative CRP concentration to predict GBR were 100%, 67%, and 78%, respectively. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Measurement of preoperative CRP concentration provided excellent sensitivity and moderate specificity for detection of GBR in dogs undergoing cholecystectomy because of GBM. Accuracy of using preoperative CRP concentration for detection of GBR was not superior to the accuracy of preoperative abdominal ultrasonography. However, when CRP concentration was combined with results of ultrasonography, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for detection of GBR were 100%, 93%, and 96%, respectively.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabetta Straface ◽  
Isabella Tarissi De Jacobis ◽  
Rosa Vona ◽  
Camilla Cittadini ◽  
Alessandra Marchesi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Since December 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan and spread rapidly worldwide. Despite the high number of people affected, data on clinical features and prognostic factors in children and adolescents are limited. We propose a retrospective study aimed to evaluate clinical characteristics of children infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Italy, taking into account gender differences. Methods: A pediatric population admitted with COVID-19 to Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital of Rome (Italy) in the period from the end of February to May 2020 has been studied taking into account sex differences. Medical history, comorbidities, symptoms and laboratory findings were obtained from patients' electronic medical records. Results: In 41 patients (21 males and 20 females) we found that: i) fever and cough were the dominant symptoms, while gastrointestinal symptoms were rare; and ii) all ages of childhood were susceptible to COVID-19. Moreover, we found that females with COVID-19, although not significantly, were older than males and required more days of hospitalization (p = 0.01). Conversely, males had, although not significantly, higher values of C reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate than females. Conclusions: Based on the data listed above, sex differences were detected in an Italian pediatric COVID-19 positive population. Compared to the adults we found that COVID-19 infection in children is a non-severe inflammatory disease in both males and females. In any case, many detailed studies should be conducted.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabetta Straface ◽  
Isabella Tarissi De Jacobis ◽  
Rosa Vona ◽  
Camilla Cittadini ◽  
Alessandra Marchesi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Since December 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan and spread rapidly worldwide. Despite the high number of people affected, data on clinical features and prognostic factors in children and adolescents are limited. We propose a retrospective study aimed to evaluate clinical characteristics of children infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Italy.Methods: A pediatric population admitted with COVID-19 to Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital of Rome (Italy) in the period from the end of February to May 2020 has been studied taking into account gender. Medical history, comorbidities, symptoms and laboratory findings were obtained from patients' electronic medical records. Results: In 41 patients (21 males and 20 females) we found that: i) fever and cough were the dominant symptoms, while gastrointestinal symptoms were rare; and ii) all ages of childhood were susceptible to COVID-19. Moreover, we found that females with COVID-19, were significantly (p = 0.04) older than males and required more days of hospitalization (p = 0.01). Moreover, compared to females, a greater number of males had high values of C reactive protein (3 males vs 1 female) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (2 males vs 1 female).Conclusions: Compared to the adults we found that COVID-19 infection in children is a non-severe inflammatory disease in both males and females. In any case, many detailed studies should be conducted.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Sadeghi-Haddad-Zavareh ◽  
Masomeh Bayani ◽  
Mehran Shokri ◽  
Soheil Ebrahimpour ◽  
Arefeh Babazadeh ◽  
...  

While some biomolecules have been explored to identify potential biomarkers for the prognosis of COVID-19 patients, there is no reliable prognostic indicator of the disease progression and severity. We aimed to evaluate the ability of the C-reactive protein (CRP) to predict COVID-19 infection outcome. This retrospective study was conducted on 429 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between March 30, 2020, and April 30, 2020. The study population was divided into severe (n = 175) and nonsevere cases (n = 254). Data on demographic characteristics, clinical features, and laboratory findings on admission were collected. The proportion of patients with increased CRP levels was significantly higher in severe cases than in nonsevere patients. Analysis of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve found that CRP could be used as an independent factor in predicting the severity of COVID-19. Also, patients with CRP >64.75 mg/L were more likely to have severe complications. In conclusion, CRP serum levels can predict the severity and progression of illness in patients with COVID-19.


2021 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabella Tarissi De Jacobis ◽  
Rosa Vona ◽  
Camilla Cittadini ◽  
Alessandra Marchesi ◽  
Laura Cursi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Since December 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan and spread rapidly worldwide. Despite the high number of people affected, data on clinical features and prognostic factors in children and adolescents are limited. We propose a retrospective study aimed to evaluate clinical characteristics of children infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Italy. Methods A pediatric population admitted with COVID-19 to Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital of Rome (Italy) in the period from the end of February to July 2020 has been studied. Medical history, comorbidities, symptoms and laboratory findings were obtained from patients’ electronic medical records. Results In 66 patients (35 males and 31 females) we found that: i) fever and cough were the dominant symptoms, while vomit and convulsions were rare symptoms; and ii) all ages of childhood were susceptible to COVID-19. Furthermore, we found that, compared to females, males with COVID-19, although not significantly, had higher values of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and ESR. Conversely, we found that COVID-19 positive females were older than males and required more days of hospitalization. Both males and females COVID-19 positives had procalcitonin values within the normal range and D-Dimer values slightly higher than the normal range. With regard to this latter marker, the value measured in females, although not significant, was higher than that measured in males. Interestingly, the presence of leukopenia was found in both sexes. Conclusions Compared to the adults we found that COVID-19 infection in children is a non-severe inflammatory disease in both males and females. In any case, many detailed studies should be conducted.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Ning Dai ◽  
Wei Zheng ◽  
Qing-Qing Wu ◽  
Tian-Chen Hui ◽  
Nan-Nan Sun ◽  
...  

AbstractNovel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) has been widely spread in China and several other countries. Early finding of this pneumonia from huge numbers of suspects gives clinicians a big challenge. The aim of the study was to develop a rapid screening model for early predicting NCP in a Zhejiang population, as well as its utility in other areas. A total of 880 participants who were initially suspected of NCP from January 17 to February 19 were included. Potential predictors were selected via stepwise logistic regression analysis. The model was established based on epidemiological features, clinical manifestations, white blood cell count, and pulmonary imaging changes, with the area under receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve of 0.920. At a cut-off value of 1.0, the model could determine NCP with a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 82.3%. We further developed a simplified model by combining the geographical regions and rounding the coefficients, with the AUROC of 0.909, as well as a model without epidemiological factors with the AUROC of 0.859. The study demonstrated that the screening model was a helpful and cost-effective tool for early predicting NCP and had great clinical significance given the high activity of NCP.


i-Perception ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 204166952110099
Author(s):  
Ingrid Ekström ◽  
Davide Liborio Vetrano ◽  
Goran Papenberg ◽  
Erika J. Laukka

Importance Olfactory deficits are common in aging and associated with several conditions linked to inflammation. A few studies suggest that increased concentration of pro-inflammatory biomarkers may be related to olfactory deficits, but these associations are understudied in population-based samples. Objective To investigate the association between serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and olfactory identification level as well as rate of change in aging. Methods We included 1,721 participants (mean age 70.5 years; 61.9% female) with at least two olfactory assessments across the 12-year follow-up. Baseline level and change in odor identification were estimated with linear mixed models as a function of CRP levels, derived from blood plasma at baseline. Results Results indicated a negative dose–response association between CRP level and odor identification scores at baseline, after adjustment for demographic, cognitive, health, and lifestyle factors. CRP levels ranging between 11 and 20 mg/L were significantly related to lower olfactory ability (β = −0.811, 95% confidence interval [CI] [−1.503 to −0.118]; p = .022). Likewise, CRP values above 20 mg/L were related to lower olfactory scores, an association that approached statistical significance (β = −0.996, 95% CI [−2.045 to 0.054]; p = .063). We found no associations between CRP and olfactory change ( ps > .368). Sensitivity analyses showed that associations between CRP and olfaction were confined to younger participants (age ≤72 years) and men ( ps < .034). Conclusions Our findings suggest a negative association between serum CRP levels and olfactory identification ability in aging that may be dependent on age and sex.


2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 030006052098839
Author(s):  
Zhongping Ning ◽  
Xinming Li ◽  
Xi Zhu ◽  
Jun Luo ◽  
Yingbiao Wu

Objective To investigate the association between serum angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) levels and recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after catheter ablation. Methods This retrospective study recruited patients with AF undergoing catheter ablation and they were divided into two groups (new-onset AF group and recurrent AF group). Demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters were collected. Results A total of 192 patients with AF were included, including 69 patients with recurrence of AF. Serum ANGPTL4 levels were lower in patients with recurrent AF than in those with new-onset AF. Serum ANGPTL4 levels were positively correlated with superoxide dismutase and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, and negatively correlated with the CHA2DS2-VASC score, left atrial diameter, and levels of brain natriuretic peptide, malondialdehyde, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and interleukin-6. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the best cut-off for recurrent AF was serum ANGPTL4 levels  < 19.735 ng/mL, with a sensitivity and specificity of 63.9% and 74.5%, respectively. Serum ANGPTL4 levels were significantly associated with recurrence and new onset of AF (odds ratio, 2.241; 95% confidence interval, 1.081–4.648). Conclusions Serum ANGPTL4 levels are lower in patients with recurrent AF than in those with new-onset AF, and are associated with cardiac hypertrophy, oxidative stress, and inflammation.


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