Sepsis due to Yersinia enterocolitica in an aborted equine fetus: case report / Sepse por Yersinia enterocolitica em um feto equino abortado: relato de caso

Yersinia enterocolitica is a bacterium with zoonotic potential and there are no previous records of this bacteria being isolated from aborted foals. This report aims to describe a case of sepsis due to Y. enterocolitica in a seven month old aborted equine. The fequinoetus was submitted to necropsy and samples of all the organs were collected for the histological exam. Samples of liver, lung, placenta, and stomach contents were collected for bacterial culture. Macroscopically, the liver was enlarged with yellowish heterogeneous color, heart with pale myocardial areas; lungs not collapsed, heavy and shiny, thickened umbilical cord covered with fibrin and pus. Histopathologically, there was moderate multifocal necrosuppurative myocarditis and thrombosis, moderate diffuse suppurative bronchopneumonia, mild multifocal fibrinonecrotic hepatitis, and moderate diffuse necrosuppurative omphalitis with intralesional bacterial myriads and thrombosis. Mild multifocal suppurative placentitis, nephritis, myositis, cystitis, and dermatitis were also observed, in addition to mild diffuse lymphoid rarefaction. The microbiological evaluation identified Y. enterocolitica in the liver, lung, and stomach fluid. This is the first report of sepsis due to Y. enterocolitica causing an abortion in a horse. This bacterium has zoonotic importance; therefore, it should be investigated in abortion in this species, serving as a differential diagnosis in reproductive disorders.(AU)

Yersinia enterocolitica é uma bactéria com potencial zoonótico, e não há informações desse agente como causa de abortamento em equinos. O objetivo deste relato é descrever um caso de sepse por Y. enterocolitica em um feto equino abortado aos sete meses. O feto foi submetido à necropsia, e amostras de todos os órgãos foram processadas para histopatologia. Para microbiologia, foram coletadas amostras de fígado, pulmão, placenta e conteúdo estomacal. Macroscopicamente, observou-se fígado aumentado com coloração amarelada heterogênea; coração com áreas pálidas no miocárdio; pulmões não colabados, pesados e brilhantes; e cordão umbilical espessado e recoberto por fibrina e pus. Na análise histopatológica, havia miocardite necrossupurativa multifocal moderada e trombose, broncopneumonia supurativa difusa moderada, hepatite fibrinonecrótica multifocal discreta e onfalite necrossupurativa difusa moderada com miríades bacterianas intralesionais e trombose. Observou-se também placentite, nefrite, miosite, cistite e dermatite supurativa multifocal discreta, além de rarefação linfoide difusa discreta. A avaliação microbiológica identificou Y. enterocolitica no fígado, no pulmão e no líquido estomacal. Este é o primeiro relato de sepse por Y. enterocolitica causando abortamento na espécie equina. Essa bactéria tem importância zoonótica, portanto deve ser investigada em casos de abortamento nessa espécie, servindo como diagnóstico diferencial em tal distúrbio reprodutivo.(AU)

Cystic Crypt Changes in Midgestational Human Vermiform Appendix: An Unrecognized Transient Histologic Feature.

INTRODUCTION: Lewis and Huff briefly described the presence of "microcystic cryptitis" in some of fetal vermiform appendices (VA) at autopsy. We further characterized these crypt changes (CC), their timing of occurrence, and tested their association with infection/inflammatory conditions. METHODS: Hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides of 345 VA were evaluated for the presence or absence of CC and their different morphologies. Autopsy reports were reviewed for evidence of amniotic fluid or fetal systemic infection and placental inflammatory conditions. RESULTS: Crypt dilatation with or without irregularity of the lumen, crypt dilatation with semiattenuated epithelium, intraluminal apoptotic debris and inflammatory cells, especially eosinophils, and foci of swirled spindled cells with calcifications or multinucleated giant cells were observed, either alone or in combination, in at least 58.5% (202/345) of the VA. CC began to appear at 17 weeks, peaked at 20 to 25 weeks (with up to 82% of VA exhibiting CC during this time), and followed by a steady decline beyond 28 weeks gestation. χ2 test of independence showed no significant association (P = .435; >0.05) between the presence and absence of CC and infection status of the fetus or placenta. CONCLUSION: The underrecognized CC of the developing fetal vermiform appendix (VA) showed distinct temporal pattern of occurrence and did not seem to be affected by the presence or absence of infection, which so far favored their being a part of the normal gut developmental process.

Beat to beat variability of embryonic chick heart cells under septic conditions: application and evaluation of entropy as well as fractal measures.

Extracardiac factors of heart rate variability have commonly been investigated using linear and nonlinear methods for a long time. Recently, intracardiac mechanisms on an electrophysiological basis have been found to be also important. This work is focused on the evaluation of complex measures of temporal signals gained with microelectrode measurements of embryonic chick heart aggregates. Septic conditions were mimicked in vitro by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration in order to investigate the influence on beat to beat variability. Surrogate data analysis revealed high statistical significances for normalized complexity measures.

Sepsis: factores de riesgo en recién nacidos pretérmino / Sepsis: risk factors preterm newborn

La sepsis es un síndrome inflamatorio tóxico sistémico con proliferación de microorganismos en sangre y respuesta mediada por síntesis y liberación de productos celulares que causan hipotensión, shock y muerte en el recién nacido pretérmino. Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo estudiar factores incriminados en la aparición de la sepsis en 60 neonatos y sus respectivas madres atendidas entre marzo y mayo de 2005 en la Maternidad "Concepción Palacios". Utilizamos sistema prospectivo, descriptivo, transversal. Se calculó media y desviación estándar a variables numéricas; porcentajes a las nominales, Chi cuadrado a las asociaciones, intervalos de confianza se consideraron significativos si P< 0,05 y altamente significativo si P<0,01. Los resultados mostraron edad gestacional inferior a 34 semanas 85,0 por ciento; peso al nacer menor a 2000 g 68,0 por ciento; predominio del sexo masculino 65,0 por ciento; disfunción cardiorrespiratoria 100 por ciento; enterobacterias aisladas de hemocultivos 47,8 por ciento, Staphylococcus coagulasa negativo, Pantoea agglomerans, Candida sp. y Serratia sp. 17,4 por ciento; Streptococcus agalactiae 8,7 por ciento. Infección urinaria materna 46,7 por ciento, preeclampsia 25,0 por ciento, embarazo mal controlado 70,0 por ciento, madre soltera 30 por ciento, rotura prematura de membranas > 18 horas 35,0 por ciento, corioamnionitis 23,3 por ciento, adolescentes 34,93 por ciento, multiparidad 63,33 por ciento, nivel socioeconómico y cultural bajos 63,74 por ciento, hábitos tabáquicos y alcohólicos 36,66 por ciento. La morbilidad fue 41,66 por ciento y mortalidad 58,33 por ciento lo cual reafirma el carácter grave de la sepsis. La tasa de morbilidad concuerda con Naciones Unidas quienes estiman 300 000 nuevos casos de sepsis por año en pa¡ses en vías de desarrollo.

Sepsis is an inflammatory, toxic and systemic syndrome with proliferation of microorganisms in blood and response by syntesis and cellular product liberation that cause hypotension, shock and death in preterm newborns. The objective of this investigation was to study factors related with caractheristics in 60 septic newborn and its respective mothers between March - May 2005 at Concepcion Palacios Maternity. We use a prospective, descriptive, cross- sectional system. Average and Standar deviation calculated to numerics variables; percentage to the nouns, Chi square to the associations, intervals of significant confidence considered if P < 0.05 and highly significant if P < 0.01. The results showed inferior gestational age (34 weeks) in 85.0 percent; weight when being born smaller to 2 000 g in 68 percent; predominance of masculine sex 65.0 percent; cardiorrespiratory disfunction 100 percent; enterobacteries isolated of blood cultures 47.8 percent, negative Staphylococcus coagulasa, Pantoea agglomerans, Candida sp and Serratia sp. 17.4 percent; Streptococcus agalactiae 8.7 percent. Maternal urinary infection 46.7 percent, preeclampsy 25.0 percent, pregnancy badly controlled 70.0 percent, single mother 30.0 percent, premature membrane rupture > 18 hours 35.0 percent; chorioamnionitis 23.3 percent; adolescency 34.93 percent; multiparity 63.33 percent; socioeconomic and low cultural level 63,74 percent; tabaquic and alcoholic habits 36.66 percent. The morbidity was 41.66 percent and mortality 58.33 percent which reaffirms the serious character of the sepsis. The rate of morbidity agrees with United Nations consideration of 300 000 new cases of sepsis per year in not development countries.

Incidence of intrapartum maternal risk factors for identifying neonates at risk for early-onset group B streptococcal sepsis: A prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: In mid-1996 and early 1997, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Academy of Pediatrics all published guidelines outlining 2 potential strategies for the purpose of preventing neonatal sepsis caused by group B Streptococcus. One of these approaches involves treating pregnant women intrapartum with antibiotics if any of the following risk factors develop: delivery at <37 weeks' gestation, membrane rupture for >/=18 hours' duration, or temperature during labor of >/=38 degrees C. However, to date there have been no population-based studies that have ascertained the percentage of pregnant women eligible to receive intrapartum antibiotic chemoprophylaxis if these risk factors were used. Our objective was to perform a large patient-based study at >1 institution evaluating all deliveries for the presence of maternal risk factors by using the definitions of the current guidelines. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective cohort study was initiated in 1995 at 3 private community hospitals and 1 private referral center. The study population was composed of 5410 consecutively delivered patients from the 4 different hospitals. Every pregnancy was analyzed for gestational age at delivery, duration of membrane rupture, temperature during labor, and use of intrapartum antibiotic chemoprophylaxis. RESULTS: Of the 5410 patients, a total of 455 (8. 4%) were delivered of their neonates before 37 weeks' gestation, 421 (7.8%) had rupture of membranes for at least 18 hours' duration, and 378 (7.0%) had an intrapartum temperature of >/=38 degrees C. Overall, 1071 pregnant women (19.8% of the population studied) had >/=1 of the defined risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that, if the current risk factor strategy is used, 19.8% of the delivering population would potentially be candidates for intrapartum antibiotic chemoprophylaxis.

Administration of antibiotics to patients with rupture of membranes at term: a prospective, randomized, multicentric study. Collaborative Group on PROM.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether antibiotic administration changes the rate of materno-fetal infectious morbidity in premature rupture of membranes occurring later than 35 weeks of gestation. METHODS: A prospective, randomized and multicentric study in the Perinatology Units of eleven hospitals in Spain. Women were randomized to either antibiotic administration or control group. All were induced, if labor had not started spontaneously after 12 hours of ruptured membranes. Main outcome measures were maternal infection (chorioamnionitis and endometritis) and neonatal infectious morbidity (neonatal sepsis, meningitis and bronchopneumonia). RESULTS: Seven hundred and thirty-three patients were enrolled in the study, 371 in the antibiotics group and 362 in the control group. The incidence of chorioamnionitis and puerperal endometritis were reduced but the differences are statistically nonsignificant. However, the incidence of neonatal sepsis was significantly lower in newborns to mothers who had received antibiotics, 1 vs. 7 cases (Fisher's exact test, p<0.007). CONCLUSION: The study strongly suggests that prophylactic use of antibiotics in premature rupture of membranes occurring at 36 or more weeks of gestation reduces the risk of neonatal sepsis and probably maternal endometritis.

Fetal Candida sepsis at midgestation: a case report.

A patient presented with intrauterine fetal death at 21 weeks. A Candida vaginitis was treated at 18 weeks of gestation. Fatal fetal Candida sepsis caused by Candida albicans can occur in the absence of known risk factors such as prolonged rupture of membranes, the presence of an intrauterine contraceptive device or cervical cerclage.

[Phospholipase A2--from basic research to clinical reality]. / Phospholipase A2--von der Grundlagenforschung zur klinischen Realität.

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) is a group of secretory as well as intracellular enzymes that release phospholipids as an early step in inflammation and play a physiologic role in digestion. In humans, the group of secretory, low-molecular-weight PLA2 (sPLA2) is differentiated from the cytosolic, high-molecular-weight PLA2 (cPLA2). The two known cPLA2 mediate the intracellular response to inflammation by releasing arachidonic acid from membrane phospholipids. Secretory pancreatic PLA2 (sPLA2-I) is a digestive zymogen secreted from pancreatic acinar cells in its inactive form. Activated by trypsin in the duodenum, it is an important digestive enzyme. In acute pancreatitis, circulating sPLA2-I indicates pancreatic injury but is mostly inactive. Synovial-type secretory PLA2 (sPLA2-II), first isolated from synovial fluid of arthritis patients, is increased in inflammation, after surgery or trauma, and in various inflammatory diseases. Unlike sPLA2-I, its catalytic activity is held responsible for mediating the systemic inflammatory reaction and its complications by regulating the synthesis of prostaglandins, leukotrienes and platelet activating factor. Clinically, sPLA2-II offers new possibilities as an early marker for severe inflammation and predicting systemic complications in severely ill patients.