Sepsis Related Mortality Associated with an Inflammatory Burst in Patients Admitting to the Department of Internal Medicine with Apparently Normal C-Reactive Protein Concentration.

Background: Patients who are admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine with apparently normal C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration impose a special challenge due the assumption that they might not harbor a severe and potentially lethal medical condition. Methods: A retrospective cohort of all patients who were admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine with a CRP concentration of ≤31.9 mg/L and had a second CRP test obtained within the next 24 h. Seven day mortality data were analyzed. Results: Overall, 3504 patients were analyzed with a mean first and second CRP of 8.8 (8.5) and 14.6 (21.6) mg/L, respectively. The seven day mortality increased from 1.8% in the first quartile of the first CRP to 7.5% in the fourth quartile of the first CRP (p < 0.0001) and from 0.6% in the first quartile of the second CRP to 9.5% in the fourth quartile of the second CRP test (p < 0.0001), suggesting a clear relation between the admission CRP and in hospital seven day mortality. Conclusions: An association exists between the quartiles of CRP and 7-day mortality as well as sepsis related cause of death. Furthermore, the CRP values 24 h after hospital admission improved the discrimination.

Frequency and Clinical Features of Candida Bloodstream Infection Originating in the Urinary Tract.

The urinary tract is considered an uncommon source of Candida bloodstream infection (CBSI). We aimed to determine the source of CBSI in hospitalized patients, and to compare clinical and microbiological features of CBSI originating in the urinary tract (U-CBSI) and non-urinary CBSI (NU-CBSI). Of 134 patients with CBSI, 28 (20.8%) met criteria for U-CBSI, 34 (25.3%) had vascular catheter-related CBSI and 21 (15.6%) had a gastrointestinal origin. Compared to NU-CBSI patients, patients with U-CBSI were older with higher rates of dementia. Bladder catheterization for urinary retention and insertion of ureteral stents or nephrostomies were risk factors for U-CBSI. Fifty percent of U-CBSI cases occurred within 48 h of hospital admission, versus 16.9% of NU-CBSI (p < 0.0001). The mortality rate was lowest for CBSI originating in the urinary tract and highest for CBSI of undetermined origin. CBSI of undetermined origin remained associated with higher mortality in a Cox regression model that included age, Candida species, Pitt bacteremia score and neutropenia as explanatory variables. U-CBSI may be increasing in frequency, reflecting extensive use of bladder catheters and urologic procedures in elderly debilitated patients. Distinct clinical features are relevant to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of U-CBSI.