International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
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The objective of this study was to predict the diagnosis of bacteraemia as a function of the time at which the automated BacT/Alert system continuously detects microorganism growth. ⋯ Knowing the time to detection of microorganism growth can help to distinguish between true bacteraemia and bacterial contamination, thus allowing more timely clinical decisions to be made, before definitive microorganism identification.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Nov 2015
Elevated miR-155 expression induces immunosuppression via CD39(+) regulatory T-cells in sepsis patient.
An altered microRNA profile exists in many infectious diseases, including sepsis. CD39(+) regulatory T-cells (Tregs) have a remarkable immunosuppressive effect and play an important role in the regulation of immune balance in sepsis. However, the correlation between microRNA changes and the ratio of CD39(+) Tregs in sepsis patients has not yet been reported. The altered microRNA expression profile in sepsis patients was analyzed in this study. Moreover, the correlation between microRNAs and disease severity and prognosis was investigated. Furthermore, the correlation between microRNAs and the percentage of peripheral blood CD39(+) Tregs was investigated and further verified in an animal model. ⋯ A higher level of miR-155 indicated a more severe condition and poorer prognosis in sepsis patients. The possible underlying mechanism could be that miR-155 induces an increased percentage of CD39(+) Tregs and thus immunosuppression.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Oct 2015
Observational StudyExtended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) infections: are carbapenem alternatives achievable in daily practice?
To avoid the use of carbapenems, alternatives such as cephamycin, piperacillin-tazobactam, and others are suggested for the treatment of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and the feasibility of antimicrobial de-escalation for ESBL-PE-related infections. ⋯ In clinical practice, less than 50% of patients with ESBL-PE-related infections were de-escalated after empirical treatment with carbapenems.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Sep 2015
Review Meta AnalysisThe role of serum procalcitonin in the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Clinically, it is often difficult to differentiate between bacterial and viral aetiologies in adults with suspected meningitis. Several studies have demonstrated the potential use of serum procalcitonin (PCT) in making this differentiation. The aim was to pool these studies into a meta-analysis to determine the diagnostic accuracy of PCT. ⋯ Serum PCT is a highly accurate diagnostic test that can be used by physicians for rapid differentiation between bacterial and viral causes of meningitis in adults.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Sep 2015
Multicenter StudyMortality among severe community-acquired pneumonia patients depends on combinations of 2007 IDSA/ATS minor criteria.
The individual 2007 Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA)/American Thoracic Society (ATS) minor criteria for severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) are of unequal weight in predicting mortality. It is not clear whether the combinations of predictive findings might imply diverse severities or different mortalities. ⋯ Different combinations of 2007 IDSA/ATS minor criteria for severe CAP were associated to diverse severities and different mortalities. The combination of PaO2/FiO2 ≤ 250mm Hg, confusion and uraemia predicted more severity and higher mortality compared with others.