Articles: sepsis.
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We reviewed 149 episodes of septicemia caused by X. maltophilia and Pseudomonas spp. occurring over a 15-year period. The incidence of septicemia caused by these organisms increased in recent years and was most frequently associated with central venous catheterization. ⋯ Although the survival rate was superior to that seen with septicemia caused by other gram-negative organisms, recurrence of infection was significantly more frequent. Removal of central venous catheters is an essential component of therapy of this infection.
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Coagulase-negative staphylococci are now the chief cause of bacteremia in neonatal intensive care units. To investigate potential risk factors for this nosocomial infection, we conducted a case--control study among 882 infants treated in two neonatal intensive care units during 1982. ⋯ The risk of coagulase-negative staphylococcal bacteremia in infants in neonatal intensive care units can be attributed primarily to the intravenous administration of lipid emulsions. Since lipids are critical for the nutritional support of premature infants, further studies are needed to examine the pathogenesis and prevention of lipid-associated bacteremia.
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To examine the incidence of bacteremia associated with emergent nasotracheal intubation. ⋯ The risk of bacteremia associated with emergency nasotracheal intubation is substantial and is accompanied by organisms that may produce serious morbidity in the patient with valvular heart disease or compromised immunity. Our findings suggest that, whenever possible, the nasotracheal route should be avoided for emergency intubation in patients with valvular heart disease and if used, prophylactic antibiotics should be strongly considered.
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Infection of a central venous thrombus is a serious but rarely recognized complication of the use of central venous catheters in children. We report the cases of seven children with persistent bacteremia or fungemia in which central venous thrombosis was demonstrated by ultrasonography after removal of the catheter. All patients had signs and symptoms of infection, but only one had clinical evidence of central venous stasis. ⋯ Two patients died; neither death was directly attributable to infection. Central venous thrombosis should be suspected in patients with persistent catheter-related bacteremia. Optimal treatment of this problem is not yet known.
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In this prospective study of 45 patients, we tested the hypothesis that markedly elevated levels of plasma von Willebrand antigen (vWf-Ag) a marker of endothelial cell injury, might predict the development of acute lung injury in patients with nonpulmonary sepsis syndrome. Acute lung injury was quantified on a four-point scoring system. At the time of entry into the study, none of the 45 patients had evidence of lung injury. ⋯ In addition, the combination of a plasma vWf-Ag greater than 450 and nonpulmonary organ failure at the time of entry into the study had a positive predictive value of 80% for acute lung injury. Also, a plasma vWf-Ag level greater than 450 had a positive predictive value of 80% for identifying nonsurvivors. Thus, in patients with nonpulmonary sepsis, an elevated level of plasma vWf-Ag is a useful, early biochemical marker of endothelial injury and it has both predictive and prognostic value.