The association between serum YKL-40 levels, mean platelet volume, and c-reactive protein in patients with cellulitis.

Background: Lower limb cellulitis is an infectious disease that has serious complications unless it is treated. Objectives: In this pilot study, we evaluated whether levels of YKL-40, an acute-phase reactant, and mean platelet volume (MPV), which occurs secondary to infl ammation in cellulitis, increase compared to healthy subjects. We also aimed to investigate the association between YKL-40 and MPV in the prognosis of the patients. Material and Methods: A total of 55 patients with cellulitis (23 men and 32 women) and a similar age group of 46 healthy individuals (22 men and 24 women) were included in the study. Cellulitis was diagnosed according to guideline. Serum YKL-40 levels, MPV, C-reactive protein (CRP), and other biochemical values of both groups were compared. Results: YKL-40 levels (52.2 ± 34.5 ng/mL vs 34.6 ± 18.0 ng/mL, P = 0.004), MPV (7.7 ± 1.0 fL vs 6.9 ± 0.7 fL, P < 0.001), and CRP (9.5 ± 8.2 mg/dL vs 0.7 ± 0.6 mg/dL, P < 0.001) were signifi cantly higher in the patients with cellulitis than the control. The mean recovery time (RT) of the patients was 22.6 ± 6.9 days. We found that YKL-40 (odds ratio [OR] 0.1, confi dence interval [Cl] 0.028–0.191, P = 0.009) and MPV (OR 2.4, Cl 0.254-4.578, P = 0.029) have an independent association with RT. Conclusion: YKL-40 and MPV values were correlated with higher CRP in the cellulitis group than in controls. According to these results, increased YKL-40 and MPV levels might be a prognostic factor for cellulitis in patients.

Granulomatosis linfomatoide cerebral primaria en paciente VIH positivo: Caso clínico / Primary cerebral lymphomatoid granulomatosis in a HIV-positive patient: Case report

We report a 34-years-old male, with a history of hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection that was admitted to the hospital with malaise, weight loss, frontal behavior and chest pain. Imaging studies showed two frontal cortical/subcortical nodules. A stereotactic cerebral biopsy showed reactive gliosis and a prominent atypical angiocentric and angiodestructive lymphoid infiltrate containing large pleomorphic CD20 and EBV-positive cells consistent with Lymphomatoid granulomatosis. Other studies were negative. The patient was lost from follow up.

Antipyretic effect of ketoprofen.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and side effect profile of ketoprofen as well as compliance with respect to the taste of the drug and compare these parameters with those of acetaminophen and ibuprofen. METHODS: A total of 301 patients between 1-14 years of age who applied to emergency rooms of three medical centers with the complaint of fever that required antipyretic therapy were included in the study. Fever was measured with the aid of a tympanic thermometer (Braun Kronberg 6014) and followed for 4-6 hours. The measurement was repeated at 30, 60, 120 minutes, and again 4-6 hours after the initial assessment. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 47.8+/-41.1 months. The patients randomly received 15 mg/kg/dose of acetaminophen (n=112 group 1), 0.5 mg/kg/dose of ketoprofen (n=105, group 2), or 10 mg/kg/dose of ibuprofen (n=84, group 3). Fever was 38.4+/-0.7 degrees C, 38.4+/-0.7 degrees C, and 38.5+/-0.5 degrees C at 30 minutes; 38.0+/-0.7 degrees C, 37.9+/-0.7 degrees C, and 38.0+/-0.6 degrees C at 60 minutes (p>0.05), 37.7+/-0.6 degrees C, 37.6+/-0.7 degrees C, and 37.7+/-0.5 degrees C at 120 minutes (p>0.05); 37.5+/-0.7 degrees C, 37.3+/-0.6 degrees C, and 37.4+/-0.6 degrees C at 4-6 hours after admission (p>0.05). The fever was significantly lower at 30, 60, and 120 minutes in all group s (p<0.05). Early vomiting after medication (<6 hours) was observed in 3.8%, 13.5%, and 9.6% whereas late vomiting (6-48 hours) occurred in 1.3%, 2.7%, and 5.8% respectively (p>0.05). Bad taste was expressed by 5.1%, 12.2%, and 5.8% early (<6 hours), and 3.9%, 8.1%, and 3.8% late (6-48 hours) (p>0.05). There were no differences between age groups for antipyretic effect, taste and adverse effect in three drugs (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: All three drugs were similar in terms of efficacy, adverse effects, and compliance within 48 hours of therapy. These results suggest that ketoprofen may be used for antipyresis as an alternative to acetaminophen and ibuprofen.