Tetanus in adults: results of the multicenter ID-IRI study.

Tetanus is an acute, severe infection caused by a neurotoxin secreting bacterium. Various prognostic factors affecting mortality in tetanus patients have been described in the literature. In this study, we aimed to analyze the factors affecting mortality in hospitalized tetanus patients in a large case series. This retrospective multicenter study pooled data of tetanus patients from 25 medical centers. The hospitals participating in this study were the collaborating centers of the Infectious Diseases International Research Initiative (ID-IRI). Only adult patients over the age of 15 years with tetanus were included. The diagnosis of tetanus was made by the clinicians at the participant centers. Izmir Bozyaka Education and Research Hospital's Review Board approved the study. Prognostic factors were analyzed by using the multivariate regression analysis method. In this study, 117 adult patients with tetanus were included. Of these, 79 (67.5%) patients survived and 38 (32.5%) patients died. Most of the deaths were observed in patients >60 years of age (60.5%). Generalized type of tetanus, presence of pain at the wound area, presence of generalized spasms, leukocytosis, high alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) values on admission, and the use of equine immunoglobulins in the treatment were found to be statistically associated with mortality (p < 0.05 for all). Here, we describe the prognostic factors for mortality in tetanus. Immunization seems to be the most critical point, considering the advanced age of our patients. A combination of laboratory and clinical parameters indicates mortality. Moreover, human immunoglobulins should be preferred over equine sera to increase survival.

The outcome of non-carbapenem-based empirical antibacterial therapy and VRE colonisation in patients with hematological malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Febrile neutropenia (FN) is generally a complication of cancer chemotherapy. OBJECTIVES: We retrospectively evaluated the febrile neutropenia episodes and their outcomes with respect to modification rates of non-carbapenem-based empirical antibacterial therapy and vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) colonisation that caused to VRE bacteremia in patients with hematological malignancies. METHODS: All consecutive patients, who were older than 14 years of age and developed febrile neutropenia episodes due to hematological malignancies from September 2010 to November 2011 at the hematology department were included into the study. RESULTS: In total, 86 consecutive neutropenic patients and their 151 febrile episodes were evaluated. The mean MASCC prognostic index score was 18,72 ± 9,43. Among 86 patients, 28 patients experienced a total of 30 bacteremia episodes of bacterial origin. Modification rates of both, empirical monotherapy and combination therapies, were found similar, statistically (P = 0,840). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that initiating of non-carbapenem based therapy does not provide high response rates in the treatment of febrile neutropenia attacks. Furthermore, non-carbapenem-based empirical therapy provides benefit in regard to cost-effectiveness and antimicrobial stewardship when local antibiotic resistance patterns of gram-negative bacteria are considered. Patients who are colonized with VRE are more likely to develop bacteremia with VRE strains as a result of invasive procedures and severe damage of mucosal barriers observed in this group of patients.

Is timely and appropriate antifungal drug enough for survival of adult cases with candidaemia? Five-year experience / ¿Es el uso oportuno y adecuado de antimicóticos suficiente para la supervivencia de casos de adultos con candidemia? Cinco años de experiencia

OBJECTIVE: Candidaemia is the fourth most common cause of nosocomial bloodstream infections. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the risk factors associated with mortality in patients with candidaemia with respect to Candida species and their susceptibilities, retrospectively. METHODS: All consecutive patients who developed candidaemia at an 800-bed training and research hospital were enrolled in this retrospective, observational, single centre study during the period June 2006 to December 2011. RESULTS: A total of 97 candidaemia episodes were identified in 97 patients during the study period with an overall incidence of four episodes/10 000 admissions in adults. Crude 30-day mortality rates among patients with candidaemia were 56% (55 of 97 cases). Urinary catheterization, immunosuppressive therapy, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score (>16) and hypoal-buminaemia were found to be independent risk factors for fatal candidaemia. CONCLUSIONS: Adult cases with candidaemia who have risk factors associated with mortality are more likely to have poor prognosis despite appropriate and timely initiated antifungal drug treatment. Empiric antifungal drug should be tailored according to the severity of the patients ' conditions and local antifungal susceptibility.

OBJETIVO: La candidemia es la cuarta causa más común de infecciones nosocomiales del flujo sanguíneo. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar los factores de riesgo asociados con la mortalidad en pacientes con candidemia con respecto a las especies de Candida y sus susceptibilidades, de manera retrospectiva. MÉTODOS: Todos los pacientes consecutivos que desarrollaron candidemia en un hospital de capacitación e investigación de 800 camas, fueron inscritos en este estudio retrospectivo, observacional, monocéntrico, durante el período de junio de 2006 a diciembre de 2011. RESULTADOS: Se identificaron un total de 97 episodios de candidemia en 97 pacientes durante el período de estudio con una incidencia general de cuatro episodios/10 000 ingresos en adultos. Las tasas brutas de mortalidad de 30 días entre los pacientes con candidemia fueron 56% (55 de 97 casos). Se halló que la cateterización urinaria, la terapia inmunosupresiva, y la puntuación (> 16) de la escala de Evaluación de la fisiología aguda y salud crónica (APACHE II) así como la hipoalbuminemia, constituyen factores de riesgo para una candidemia fatal. CONCLUSIONES: Los casos adultos con candidemia que tienen factores de riesgo asociados con mortalidad son más propensos a tener un pronóstico pobre a pesar del tratamiento apropiado y oportuno con medicamentos antimicóticos. Los antimicóticos empírico se deben adaptar según la severidad de las condiciones de los pacientes y la susceptibilidad antifúngica local.

Effect of heparin on neuroprotection against spinal cord ischemia and reperfusion in rats.

BACKGROUND: Paraplegia due to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury of the spinal cord is a devastating and undesired complication of thoraco-abdominal aortic surgery. Unidentified clots cause a variety of thromboembolic events and deteriorate the severity of ischemia. We investigated the effect of the degree of anticoagulation on spinal cord I/R injury and whether heparin is protective against I/R injury beside its anticoagulant properties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n=7 per group) as G1 (no aortic occlusion and heparin administration), G2 (45 min aortic occlusion; no heparin administration), G3 (45 min aortic occlusion; 400 IU/kg heparin to keep activated clotting time (ACT) level around 200 sec), and G4 (45 min aortic occlusion; 800 IU/kg heparin to keep ACT level around 600 sec). After neurologic evaluation at the 48th hour of reperfusion, lumbar spinal cords were removed for histopathologic evaluation and immunohistochemical staining for HSP70 (heat shock protein 70), interleukin-6 and myeloperoxidase (MPO). RESULTS: The Motor Deficit Index (MDI) scores were lowest in G1 group (p < 0.05) and the MDI scores of G3 and G4 were significantly lower than G2 group (p < 0.05). The neuronal degeneration in G3 was significantly lower than the other groups, respectively (p = 0.03). Histopathological evaluation showed no significant intergroup differences in terms of the degree of edema and inflammatory response. There was no statistically significant difference found among the groups in terms of HSP70 staining, IL-6 staining or the degree of MPO staining. CONCLUSIONS: Protection of spinal cord from I/R injury requires a multimodal management. We should not miss out the importance of adequate anticoagulation in thoraco-abdominal surgical procedures. Furthermore, the recently discovered anti-inflammatory property of glycosaminoglycans, including heparin, deserves to be investigated.

Is Timely and Appropriate Antifungal Drug Enough for Survival of Adult Cases with Candidaemia? Five-year Experience.

OBJECTIVE: Candidaemia is the fourth most common cause of nosocomial bloodstream infections. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the risk factors associated with mortality in patients with candidaemia with respect to Candida species and their susceptibilities, retrospectively. METHODS: All consecutive patients who developed candidaemia at an 800-bed training and research hospital were enrolled in this retrospective, observational, single centre study during the period June 2006 to December 2011. RESULTS: A total of 97 candidaemia episodes were identified in 97 patients during the study period with an overall incidence of four episodes/10 000 admissions in adults. Crude 30-day mortality rates among patients with candidaemia were 56% (55 of 97 cases). Urinary catheterization, immunosuppressive therapy, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score (≥ 16) and hypoalbuminaemia were found to be independent risk factors for fatal candidaemia. CONCLUSIONS: Adult cases with candidaemia who have risk factors associated with mortality are more likely to have poor prognosis despite appropriate and timely initiated antifungal drug treatment. Empiric antifungal drug should be tailored according to the severity of the patients' conditions and local antifungal susceptibility.

Colistin against colistin-only-susceptible Acinetobacter baumannii-related infections: Monotherapy or combination therapy?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of the patients who were infected with colistin-only-susceptible (COS) Acinetobacter baumannii and treated with either colistin monotherapy or colistin combined therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective case-control study was conducted in the training and research hospital with an 800 beds between August 2008 and December 2011. The patients, who were infected with COS A. baumannii and received either colistin monotherapy or colistin combined therapy, were included into the study. RESULTS: In total, 51 patients fulfilling study criteria were evaluated. Colistin monotherapy was found effective as much as colistin combined therapy in terms of clinical and microbiological responses in patients with ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) and also in patients with blood stream infections. CONCLUSION: Although there is no randomised controlled study yet, colistin monotherapy and colistin combined therapy are likely to achieve similar treatment responses rates. Heteroresistant strains can emerge in patients who receive colistin monotherapy.

Tuberculous meningitis: a report of 60 adult cases / Meningitis tuberculosa: reporte de 60 casos adultos

OBJECTIVE: This was to evaluate the history, clinical and laboratory findings, outcome and prognosis of patients with tuberculous meningitis (TBM). METHOD: Between 1998 and 2009, 60 patients with TBM were evaluated, retrospectively. RESULT: Overall, 60 patients were selected, of which 33 (55%) were male. The patients' ages ranged from 14 to 62 years. In the majority of the patients, disease was in an advanced stage on admission (66% in stage III according to the British Research Council neurological criteria). The rate of complications was highest among patients in stages II and III with an overall mortality rate of 6.6% (n= 2 of stage II patients and n= 2 of stage III patients). CONCLUSIONS: Earlier admission of the patients with TBM could provide better outcomes with regard to sequelae and mortality. Fatal cases presented with rapid deterioration and were refractory to treatment.

OBJETIVO: El propósito de este trabajo fue evaluar la historia, los hallazgos clínicos y de laboratorio, la evolución, y la prognosis de pacientes con meningitis tuberculosa (MTB). MÉTODO: Entre 1998 y 2009, se evaluaron 60 pacientes con TBM, retrospectivamente. RESULTADOS: En general, se seleccionaron 60pacientes, de los cuales 33 (55%) fueron varones. La edad de los pacientes osciló de 14 a 62 años. En la mayoría de los pacientes, la enfermedad se encontraba en etapa avanzada al momento del ingreso (66% en la etapa III de acuerdo con los criterios neurológicos del Consejo Británico de Investigación). La tasa de complicaciones fue más alta entre los pacientes en las etapas IIy III con una tasa de mortalidad general de 6.6% (n = 2 en los pacientes de etapa IIy n = 2 en los pacientes de etapa III). CONCLUSIONES: El ingreso temprano de los pacientes con MTB podría proporcionar mejores resultados con respecto a las secuelas y la mortalidad. Los casos fatales se presentaron con deterioro rápido y fueron refractarios al tratamiento.

Does antimicrobial use increase the rate of antimicrobial resistance? A one year experience.

Antimicrobial resistance has been a challenge in all countries. The aim of this study is to ascertain the risk factors that predispose patients to infections with extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL)-producing gram-negative bacteria and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Patients who were treated in the secondary care hospital due to infections in 2009 and their isolates were evaluated retrospectively. In total, 174 patients and their 189 isolates, which contained 36 ESBL-producing gram-negative bacteria, 112 non-ESBL-producing gram-negative bacteria, and 41 gram-positive bacteria were evaluated retrospectively. Hospitalisation in the previous 3 months, comorbidity, and usage of amoxicillin-clavulanate in the previous 3 months were determined to be the risk factors associated with infections by the ESBL-producing gram-negative bacteria. Hospitalisation was found to be a risk factor for infection with MRSA. Hospitalisation and underlying conditions increase the colonisation with resistant bacteria and resistance rates in the patients, hospitals and communities. An infection control programme should be contemplated not only for hospitals, but also for the greater community.

Tuberculous meningitis: a report of 60 adult cases.

OBJECTIVE: This was to evaluate the history, clinical and laboratory findings, outcome and prognosis of patients with tuberculous meningitis (TBM). METHOD: Between 1998 and 2009, 60 patients with TBM were evaluated, retrospectively. RESULTS: Overall, 60 patients were selected, of which 33 (55%) were male. The patients' ages ranged from 14 to 62 years. In the majority of the patients, disease was in an advanced stage on admission (66% in stage III according to the British Research Council neurological criteria). The rate of complications was highest among patients in stages II and III with an overall mortality rate of 6.6% (n = 2 of stage II patients and n = 2 of stage III patients). CONCLUSIONS: Earlier admission of the patients with TBM could provide better outcomes with regard to sequelae and mortality. Fatal cases presented with rapid deterioration and were refractory to treatment.

Fungal pathogens and primary antifungal prophylaxis in patients with hematological malignancies: one year experience.

BACKGROUND: Febrile neutropenia (FN) is generally a complication of cancer chemotherapy in patients with hematological malignancies. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the febrile neutropenia episodes of hematological patients and their outcomes with respect to fungal pathogens, primary antifungal prophylaxis antifungal therapy. METHODS: All consecutive patients older than 14 years of age and who developed febrile neutropenia episodes from September 2010 to November 2011 were incorporated into this study. RESULTS: In total, we retrospectively evaluated 86 consecutive patients and their 148 neutropenic episodes. Of the 86 patients, 45 were male and the mean age was 47,65±15,06 years (range: 17-82 years). The mean MASCC score was 18,72 ± 9,43. Systemic antifungal drug was initiated to 17 patients with probable fungal infection and 12 patients with possible fungal infection. Of seven patients who received posaconazole prophylaxis, five were treated with systemic fungal infection due to possible fungal infection. CONCLUSIONS: It is obvious that more studies focused on primary prophylaxis are needed and primary or secondary antifungal prophylaxis should be evaluated in terms of provided benefits and disadvantages. Timely and appropriately initiated antifungal treatment is one of the most important factors for a good prognosis for recovery from a neutropenic phase.

Pulmonary involvement of Brucellosis: a report of six cases.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary involvement of brucellosis rarely occurs due to inhalation of infected aerosol or hematogenous overspreading. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to reveal the pulmonary manifestations of brucellosis that occur rarely in Brucella infections in the context of six cases in this report. METHODS: Between 1998-2008, 82 patients with brucellosis treated and followed up at infectious diseases clinic have been retrospectively studied in relation to their clinical and laboratory findings and treatment results. RESULTS: Patients' (n=6) age ranged from 48 to 59 years and they showed equal gender distribution. All patients presented with fever and cough. Radiological examination showed pneumonic patches and consolidation in two cases, bilateral glass round opacity in four cases, perivascular and peribronchial thickness increase in two cases, pleural effusion in two cases, sentri-acinar emphysematous images in one patient, and athelectasis in one patient. Blood cultures of three patients grew Brucella spp. All patients responded to treatment containing doxycycline, rifampicin and streptomycin (for only one patient) within seven to 10 days and were treated for six weeks except for one patient for who was treated eight weeks due to hepatosplenic brucellosis. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary involvement of brucellosis has good prognosis with combined antimicrobial therapy.

The effect of thermocycling on peel strength of six soft lining materials.

The bond strength of two heat-cured and four cold-cured soft lining materials was compared using a peeling test method before and after thermocycling. Tested soft lining materials were Molloplast B, Mollosil, Ufigel P, Ufigel C, Permaquick and Permaflex. Six specimens, 6.5 x 2 x 0.3 cm, for each group were prepared according to the manufacturers' instructions. Control groups were stored in a humidor for 24 h, whereas the others were thermocycled in a water bath between the 5 and 55 degrees C for 5000 cycles. Peel strength of samples were measured using an Instron Universal testing machine at a cross-head speed of 5 mm min-1. The types of failure were observed using an electron microscope. The highest peel bond strength values were calculated for Permaflex and Permaquick before and after thermocycling, respectively. Molloplast B, Mollosil, Ufigel P and Permaquick demonstrated an increase in peel strength after thermocycling, with Permaquick lining material having statistically significant increase. However, decrease in peel strength was observed for Ufigel C and Permaflex after thermocycling. Failure mode within the control groups was cohesive for Molloplast B, Permaquick and Permaflex, whereas adhesive for Ufigel P and Ufigel C. Mollosil demonstrated a mixed mode of failure for both thermocycled and control groups.