Enfermedades infecciosas y microbiología clínica
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Enferm. Infecc. Microbiol. Clin. · Nov 1992
[Prognostic value of plasma levels of fibronectin in septic shock].
The aim of the study was to assess possible changes in fibronectin serum levels in patients with septic shock and to analyze its usefulness as prognosis marker in this kind of shock. ⋯ The analysis of fibronectin plasma level is a good prognostic marker for predicting survival in patients with septic shock.
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Enferm. Infecc. Microbiol. Clin. · Aug 1991
Comparative Study[Usefulness of blood cultures from central venous catheters in the diagnosis of infection of the catheter tip].
Central venous blood cultures, obtained through catheters have been used for diagnosis of tip infections. We prospectively studied in a consecutive way two blood culture techniques. In a group of 23 cases, the first 5 ml of catheter solution was discarded, and in the second group of 41 cases the first 10 ml of catheter solution and blood were used. ⋯ Test validation showed for all cases, first and second groups respectively: sensitivity 60%, 50% and 62.5%; specificity 91.1%, 100% and 94.7%; positive predictive values 94.1%, 100% and 93.8%; negative predictive values 73.3%, 85% and 64%. This study had a limited utility in the diagnosis of central venous catheter tip infections. Our results show that the most sensitive technique is culture of initial samples obtained through the venous access, and that a cut-off lower than those used in previous studies should be used.