Monocyte distribution width (MDW): a useful biomarker to improve sepsis management in Emergency Department

Objectives Sepsis is a time-dependent and life-threating condition. Despite several biomarkers are available, none of them is completely reliable for the diagnosis. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic utility of monocyte distribution width (MDW) to early detect sepsis in adult patients admitted in the Emergency Department (ED) with a five part differential analysis as part of the standard clinical practice. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted on 985 patients aged from 18 to 96 and included in the study between November 2019 and December 2019. Enrolled subjects were classified into four groups based on sepsis-2 diagnostic criteria: control, Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS), infection and sepsis. The hematology analyzer DxH 900 (Beckman Coulter Inc.) provides the new reportable parameter MDW, included in the leukocyte 5 part differential analysis, cleared by Food and Drug administration (FDA) and European Community In-Vitro-Diagnostic Medical Device (CE IVD) marked as early sepsis indicator (ESId). Results MDW was able to differentiate the sepsis group from all other groups with Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.849, sensitivity of 87.3% and specificity of 71.7% at cut-off of 20.1. MDW in combination with white blood cell (WBC) improves the performance for sepsis detection with a sensitivity increased up to 96.8% when at least one of the two biomarkers are abnormal, and a specificity increased up to 94.6% when both biomarkers are abnormal. Conclusions MDW can predict sepsis increasing the clinical value of Leukocyte 5 Part Differential analysis and supporting the clinical decision making in sepsis management at the admission to the ED.

Sepsis-Induced Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) in Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adult (LADA)

Backgrounds. Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) is a slowly progressive form of autoimmune diabetes mellitus characterized by older age at diagnosis, presence of pancreatic autoantibodies, and lack of absolute insulin requirement at diagnosis. Patients with LADA had better β-cell function than patients with classic Type 1 DM (T1DM). Overtime, LADA tends to experience rapid and progressive loss of beta cell function that requires intensive insulin therapy. This case report aims to describe a case of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) in a patient with latent autoimmune diabetes in adult (LADA) induced by sepsis (urinary tract infection/UTI). Case Presentations. A woman, 28 years-old, came to the Emergency Department (ED) RSMH Palembang with chief complaints of decreased consciousness and shortness of breath. Patient had a history of frequent urination, pain when urinating, and fever. Urinalysis examination were glycosuria, proteinuria, hematuria. Hb-A1c level was 10.7%, C-Peptide 0.11 ng/dL, Anti GAD65 qualitative positive, and Islet cell antibody (ICA) negative. Patient was diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), LADA, and sepsis due to urinary tract infection (UTI). Patients were managed with DKA and sepsis management algorithm. Conclusion. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in LADA caused by sepsis is an emergency in the metabolic endocrine and diabetes fields. Prompt and appropriate management can improve outcome prognosis in this case.

The timing of use of risk stratification tools affects their ability to predict mortality from sepsis. A meta-regression analysis.

Background: Risk stratification tools (RSTs) are used in healthcare settings to identify patients at risk of sepsis and subsequent adverse outcomes. In practice RSTs are used on admission and thereafter as ‘trigger’ tools prompting sepsis management. However, studies investigating their performance report scores at a single timepoint which varies in relation to admission. The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine if the predictive performance of RSTs is altered by the timing of their use. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-regression analysis of studies published from inception to 31 October 2018, using EMBASE and PubMed databases. Any cohort studies investigating the ability of an RST to predict mortality in adult sepsis patients admitted to hospital, from which a 2x2 table was available or could be constructed, were included. The diagnostic performance of RSTs in predicting mortality was the primary outcome. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and area under the receiver-operating curve (AUROC) were the primary measures, enabling further meta-regression analysis. Results: 47 studies were included, comprising 430,427 patients. Results of bivariate meta-regression analysis found tools using a first-recorded score were less sensitive than those using worst-recorded score (REML regression coefficient 0.57, 95% CI 0.07-1.08). Using worst-recorded score led to a large increase in sensitivity (summary sensitivity 0.76, 95% CI 0.67-0.83, for worst-recorded scores vs. 0.64 (0.57-0.71) for first-recorded scores). Scoring system type did not have a significant relationship with studies’ predictive ability. The most analysed RSTs were qSOFA (n=37) and EWS (n=14). Further analysis of these RSTs also found timing of their use to be associated with predictive performance. Conclusion: The timing of any RST is paramount to their predictive performance. This must be reflected in their use in practice, and lead to prospective studies in future.

Predictor of Early Administration of Antibiotics and a Volume Resuscitation for Young Infants with Septic Shock

(1) Background: It is critical to administer antibiotics and fluid bolus within 1 h of recognizing sepsis in pediatric patients. This study aimed to identify the predictor of the successful completion of a 1-h sepsis bundle for infants with suspected sepsis. (2) Methods: This is an observational study using a prospective registry including febrile young infants (aged < 90 days) who visited a pediatric emergency department with a core body temperature of 38.0 °C or higher and 36.0 °C or lower. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the predictor (s) of successful sepsis bundle completion. (3) Results: Of the 323 registered patients, 118 patients with suspected sepsis were analyzed, and 38 patients (32.2%) received a bundle-compliant treatment. Among potential variables, such as age, sex, and vital sign parameters, the logistic regression analysis showed that heart rate (odds ratio: OR 1.02; 95% confidence interval: 1.00–1.04) is a significant predictor of the completion of a 1-h sepsis bundle. (4) Conclusions: We found that tachycardia facilitated the sepsis recognition and promoted the successful completion of a 1-h sepsis bundle for young infants with suspected septic shock and a possible indicator for improving the quality of the team-based sepsis management.

L-carnitine: Searching for New Therapeutic Strategy for Sepsis Management

: In this review, we discussed the biological targets of carnitine, its effects on immune function, and how L-carnitine supplementation may help critically ill patients. L-carnitine is a potent antioxidant. L-carnitine depletion has been observed in prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stays, while L-carnitine supplementation has beneficial effects in health promotion and regulation of immunity. It is essential for the uptake of fatty acids into mitochondria. By inhibiting the ubiquitin-proteasome system, down-regulation of apelin receptor in cardiac tissue, and reducing β-oxidation of fatty acid, carnitine may decrease vasopressor requirement in septic shock and improve clinical outcomes of this group of patients. We also have an overview of animal and clinical studies that have been recruited for evaluating the beneficial effects of L-carnitine in the management of sepsis/ septic shock. Additional clinical data are required to evaluate the optimal daily dose and duration of L-carnitine supplementation.

Sepsis Awareness at the University Hospital Level: A Survey-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Sepsis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Prompt recognition and management are critical to improved outcomes. In 2019, the Lausanne University Hospital (LUH) launched a quality of care project aiming to improve sepsis management. As part of this effort, we aimed to assess sepsis awareness among nurses and physicians of the LUH and among the local paramedics. Methods: We conducted a survey on nurses and physicians at our institution and local paramedics between January and October 2020 representing over 1,000 professionals distributed over all hospital departments. The survey assessed professionals’ knowledge of sepsis epidemiology, definition, recognition and initial evaluation (nurses and paramedics) or sepsis epidemiology, diagnosis, and management (physicians). Pediatrics and the neonatal unit were excluded. Results: A total of 1,116 of 1,216 contacted persons among the 4417 targeted population participated and completed the survey (participation rate 91.8%). This included 619 of 2,463 (25.1%) of hospital nurses, 348 of 1,664 (20.9 %) of physicians and 149 of 290 (51.4%) of canton paramedics. Our nurse and physician sample was slightly imbalanced for sex and age. Thirteen percent of participants (28.4% of physicians, 5.9% of nurses, 6.8% of paramedics) correctly identified the Sepsis-3 consensus definition. Similarly, 48.6% of physicians and 10.0% of nurses identified the SOFA (sequential organ failure assessment) score as a sepsis defining score for infected patients. Furthermore, 24% of participants identified the Quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score as a predictor of increased mortality; 6% identified correctly the components of the score. For a patient with suspected sepsis, 96.1%, 91.6% and 75.8% of physicians respectively identified blood cultures, broad-spectrum antibiotics and fluid resuscitation as required interventions; 76.4% and 18.2% of physicians requested these initial measures within 1 and 3 hours, respectively. For physicians, recent training correlated with awareness regarding definitions, SOFA score and qSOFA score use and components: ORs (95%CI) 2.2 (1.4-3.6), 4.3 (2.7-6.7), 3.4 (2.2-5.2), and 2.6 (1.5-4.6), respectively).Conclusions: We identify a deficit of awareness among physicians, nurses and paramedics at LUH correlating with a lack of sepsis-specific training. Enhanced sepsis-specific educational efforts could significantly improve early identification and treatment of affected patients.

Serum procalcitonin as a biomarker of sepsis

Background: The overlap of clinical presentation between sepsis and SIRS has presented diagnostic difficulty in these two close common scenarios. Blood culture remains the gold standard for detection of specific micro-organism, the non-availability of culture report early and difficulty in culture of many organisms is a challenge in differentiation of sepsis from its mimickers. Keeping this background, a simple tool is needed to guide sepsis management while awaiting the culture report. Therefore, the present study is conducted to determine the procalcitonin level in the setting suspicious of sepsis and to differentiate it from SIRS. The objective of the study was to determine Serum procalcitonin level as a biomarker of early diagnosis of sepsis and also to differentiate sepsis from severe inflammatory response syndrome.Methods: Cross sectional study on 79 patients aged above 18 years with suspected sepsis admitted in medicine ward. Serum procalcitonin levels were measured and analysed to look for any association with sepsis.Results: Culture was positive in 41 patients and 38 patients were procalcitonin positive. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive values of serum procalcitonin were found as 96.68%, 94.74%, 95% and 92.30% respectively.Conclusions: There was a significant association between serum procalcitonin and culture positivity. Procalcitonin levels was found to have high sensitivity and high positive predictive value which may aid in the early diagnosis and guide initiation of anti-microbial therapy in sepsis.