Critical care clinics
-
Infections have plagued humans since the beginning of recorded history. Huge segments of the human population were episodically wiped out by epidemic infectious diseases in past centuries. ⋯ Much of this work has involved the elderly because that group is uniquely predisposed to morbidity and mortality from infection. It is hoped that continued research will result in a decrease in infection morbidity and mortality in elderly.
-
Critical care clinics · Jul 2013
ReviewToxic shock syndrome: major advances in pathogenesis, but not treatment.
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is primarily the result of a superantigen-mediated cytokine storm and M protein-mediated neutrophil activation, resulting in the release of mediators leading to respiratory failure, vascular leakage, and shock. Mortality for streptococcal TSS still hovers at 50%. There is evidence to support a role for intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in the treatment of streptococcal TSS. An observational study suggests that an initial conservative surgical approach combined with the use of immune modulators, such as IVIG, may reduce the morbidity associated with extensive surgical exploration in hemodynamically unstable patients without increasing mortality.
-
Acute liver failure (ALF) is a condition wherein the previously healthy liver rapidly deteriorates, resulting in jaundice, encephalopathy, and coagulopathy. There are approximately 2000 cases per year of ALF in the United States. ⋯ Given the ease of spread of viral hepatitis and the high morbidity and mortality associated with ALF, a systematic approach to the diagnosis and treatment of FVH is required. In this review, the authors describe the viral causes of ALF and review the intensive care unit management of patients with FVH.
-
Nosocomial pneumonia remains a significant cause of hospital-acquired infection, imposing substantial economic burden on the health care system worldwide. Various preventive strategies have been increasingly used to prevent the development of pneumonia. It is now recognized that patients with health care-associated pneumonia are a heterogeneous population and that not all are at risk for infection with nosocomial pneumonia pathogens, with some being infected with the same organisms as in community-acquired pneumonia. This review discusses the risk factors for nosocomial pneumonia, controversies in its diagnosis, and approaches to the treatment and prevention of nosocomial and health care-associated pneumonia.
-
Critical care clinics · Jul 2013
ReviewSevere meningococcal infection: a review of epidemiology, diagnosis, and management.
Neisseria meningitidis, also known as meningococcus, is a relatively uncommon cause of invasive infection, but when it occurs it is frequently severe and potentially life threatening. Meningococcus should be considered and investigated promptly as a potentially etiologic pathogen in any patient with meningitis, or sepsis accompanied by a petechial rash. ⋯ Vaccines have reduced the incidence of infection with certain non-B meningococcal serogroups, and new serotype B vaccines are on the horizon. This article reviews the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of severe meningococcal infections.