scholarly journals Erysipelas Complicated with Acute Exudative Pericarditis

Medicina ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (11) ◽  
pp. 571
Author(s):  
Akvilė Gečaitė ◽  
Aušra Vainalavičiūtė ◽  
Daiva Emilija Rekienė ◽  
Laima Jankauskienė ◽  
Albinas Naudžiūnas

Erysipelas is a common skin infection of the upper dermis. Its most common complications are local; these include abscess formation, skin necrosis, etc. In the present article, we introduce a case of a 75-year-old patient with erysipelas of the face complicated with acute exudative pericarditis. The patient came to Kaunas Clinical Hospital complaining of extreme fatigue and fever, oedema of the left side of the face, and erythema typical for erysipelas. The patient also felt sternum and epigastric pain, especially during breathing, and dyspnoea. Heart work was rhythmic 100 bpm; blood pressure was 142/70 mmHg. Pericardial friction rub was heard over the left sternal border. There were no alterations in other systems. In the electrocardiogram, concave ST segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF was identified. In addition, during hospitalisation, the patient experienced atrial fibrillation paroxysm, which was treated with amiodarone intravenously. The blood test showed C-reactive protein: 286 mg/L; white blood cells: 20 × 109/L; troponin I was within the normal range. During echocardiography, pericardial fluid in pericardial cavity was identified. As no changes in troponin I were observed, according to the ST segment elevation, the woman was diagnosed with erysipelas of the left side of the face complicated with acute exudative pericarditis. Antibacterial treatment of cephalosporins was administered. After the treatment, C-reactive protein decreased to 27.8 mg/L; whereas, in the electrocardiogram, the return of the ST segment to the isoline was observed, and pericardial fluid resorbed from the pericardial cavity. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this case is a rare combination of erysipelas complicated with acute exudative pericarditis.

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
R.A Montone ◽  
M Camilli ◽  
M Russo ◽  
M Del Buono ◽  
F Gurguglione ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophine that plays a key role in the regulation of both central and peripheral nervous system. Moreover, BDNF is secreted in multiple tissues and exerts systemic, autocrine, and paracrine effects in the cardiovascular system. Of importance, BDNF expression was enhanced in macrophages and smooth muscle cells in atherosclerotic coronary arteries and may be involved in thrombus formation. Thus, BDNF has been suggested as an important link between inflammation and thrombosis, potentially involved in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Purpose In our study we aimed at assessing serum levels of BDNF in patients with ACS, evaluating differences according to clinical presentation [ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) vs. Non-ST-segment elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS)]. Moreover, we assessed the presence of optical coherence (OCT)-defined macrophage infiltrates (MØI) in the culprit vessel of ACS patients and evaluated their relationship with BDNF levels. Methods ACS patients were prospectively selected. Blood samples were collected at admission and serum levels of BDNF were subsequently assessed. Presence of OCT-defined MØI along the culprit vessel was assessed. Results 166 ACS patients were enrolled [mean age 65.3±11.9 years, 125 (75.3%) male, 109 STEMI, 57 NSTE-ACS]. Serum levels of BDNF were higher among STEMI patients compared with NSTE-ACS [median (IQR) 2.48 pg/mL (1.54–3.34) vs. 2.12 pg/mL (1.34–2.47), p=0.007], while C-reactive protein levels did not differ between the two groups. OCT assessment was performed in 53 patients and MØI were detected in 27 patients. Of importance, patients with MØI in the culprit vessel had higher levels of BDNF compared with patients without MØI [median (IQR) 2.23 pg/mL (1.38–2.53) vs. 1.41 pg/mL (0.93–2.07), p=0.023], while C-reactive protein levels did not differ between the two groups. Of note, at multivariate regression analysis BDNF levels were independent predictor of MØI [OR: 2.20; 95% CI (1.02–4.74), p=0.043]. Conclusions Serum levels of BDNF may reliable identify the presence of local macrophage inflammatory infiltrates in patients with ACS. Moreover, BDNF levels are higher in patients with STEMI compared with NSTE-ACS. Taken together, these data suggest that BDNF may represent an interesting link between local inflammatory activation and enhanced thrombosis in ACS. BDNF serum levels Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 17-24
Author(s):  
Valeriia Vataha

The aim is to study the conditions of appearance and the features of course of the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in patients with normal rates of lipid metabolism and to assess the influence of additional risk factors (uinary acid, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen) on the development of atherosclerotic process by assessment of surrogate markers of atherosclerosis the thickness of intima-media complex (TIMC) of carotid arteries (СА), the presence of atherosclerotic plaque (AP) in CA, the value of ankle-brachial index (ABI)) in patients with ACS without dyslipidemia (DLP). Materials and methods. The study included 66 patients without DLP (50 men and 16 women, the mean age - 53,7±10,6 years) with ACS, divided in groups depending on its forms: 1 group – patients with instable angina (IA), 2 group – patients with myocardium infraction (MI) without ST segment elevation and 3 group – patients with MI with ST segment elevation. The level of serum acid, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen in blood serum were detected and ultrasound examination of СА with detection of CA TIMC, presence of atherosclerotic plaque and measuring of arterial pressure on upper and low extremities with ABI calculation was carried out. Results. Among examined patients MI with ST segment elevation was diagnosed in 33 persons (50,0%); MI without ST segment elevation – in 18 (27,3%) and IA – in 15 (22,7%). The complicated ACS was observed in 20 (30,30%) persons. The value of CA TIMC among patients with MI with ST segment elevation was reliably higher than in patients with MI without ST segment elevation (р<0,001), and ABI was reliably lower in persons with MI and ST segment elevation (р<0,05) and IA (р<0,05) than in patients with MI without ST segment elevation. Correlative analysis demonstrated the interconnection between the levels of inflammation indicators (C-reactive protein, fibrinogen) in the blood serum and the value of CA TIMC and ABI. Conclusions. The persons without DLP need additional examination (detection of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen levels in blood serum, ultrasound of CA and detection of ABI) for more precise evaluation of ACS risk.


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