Infection markers as predictors of bacteremia in an intensive care unit: a prospective study

Objective: Although several biomarkers have been evaluated for the diagnosis and prognosis of sepsis, the gold standard biomarker has not yet been found. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of neutrophilto- lymphocyte count ratio [NLCR], neopterin, pro-adrenomedullin [pro-ADM] and the other infection markers to predict bacteremia in patients with SIRS, sepsis and severe sepsis/septic shock

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted on septic patients in a tertiary referral hospital between December 2014- July 2015. A total of 156 patients diagnosed with SIRS, sepsis and severe sepsis/ septic shock in Anesthesia intensive care unit [ICU] were included in the study

Results: A total of 156 patients who had been diagnosed as SIRS[10.9%], sepsis [44.2%] and severe sepsis/septic shock [44.9%] were included. Positive blood cultures were obtained in 64 patients. NLCR, neopterin and pro-ADM levels were insignificant in predicting bacteremia [p>0.05]. The mortality rate was significantly higher in bacteremic sepsis [43.9%] compared to non-bacteremic patients [20.8%] [p=0.001]. Only procalcitonin levels were significant predictor of mortality [p<0.001]

Conclusion: NLCR, CRP, procalcitonin, neopterin and pro-ADM levels were insignificant in diagnosis of bacteremia in critically ill patients. The gold standard method in predicting bacteremia is still blood culture positivity

effects of combined use of glutamine and growth hormone on the bacterial translocation associated with obstructive jaundice

To investigate the effects of combined use of glutamine and growth hormone on bacterial translocation. The study was performed at the laboratories of the Department of Physiology at Ataturk University Medical School, Erzurum, Turkey between June and September 2007. Forty rats divided into 5 groups of 8, were included in the study. In the study groups, the common bile duct was ligated to obtain obstructive jaundice. The rats in the control group CG were given sodium chloride, in the glutamine group GLG they were given glutamine, in the growth hormone group GHG, growth hormone, and in the glutamine + growth hormone group GLGHG glutamine + growth hormone at equal doses by the same methods. Blood, spleen, liver, lymph node, and cecal content samples were obtained. Total bilirubin TB, alkaline phosphates ALP, and gamma glutamine transferase GGT activities were evaluated. In the CG, cecal contents were higher than in the GLG, and cecal contents and BT were higher than in the GHG and the GLGHG. The BT rate was the lowest in the GLGHG, with a borderline difference with the values of the GLG and GHG. We found that in preventing BT, combined use of glutamine, and growth hormone was more effective than using each of these agents alone

Histopathologic evaluation of neurogenic pulmonary edema after subarachnoid hemorrhage in rabbits

To investigate the effects of subarachnoid hemorrhage [SAH] on lung tissue. We conducted this study on 20 rabbits in the Ataturk University Medical Faculty, Erzurum, Turkey in 2005. Experimental SAH was applied to all animals under general anesthesia. After 20 days, all animals were sacrificed. Their lungs were examined histopathologically. Foamy hemorrhagic parenchymal lesions, alveolar rupture, and subintimal fluid collection in the pulmonary vasculature were observed in the lungs of the non-surviving animals. However, minimal changes were found in the lungs of the surviving animals [p<0.01]. Our results suggest that luminal narrowing of the lung vessels due to subintimal fluid collection plays an important role in the development of pulmonary hypertension and neurogenic pulmonary edema in SAH