Scandinavian journal of infectious diseases
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Sepsis is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients in many intensive care units. The pathophysiology of organ failure and death in patients with sepsis remain elusive. This review focuses on recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms of cell death in sepsis, the types of cells that are dying and the consequences on immunity. ⋯ Peripheral circulating lymphocyte apoptosis is also increased in patients with sepsis and correlates with the severity of the disease. In addition, recent evidence indicates that uptake of apoptotic cells impairs the immune function of surviving cells and contributes to immunosuppression. This new understanding of sepsis may lead to novel therapeutic approaches including pharmacological agents that block apoptosis.
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Scand. J. Infect. Dis. · Jan 2002
Review Case ReportsPichia ohmeri prosthetic valve endocarditis and review of the literature.
Fungal prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) is a serious complication of valve replacement surgery. We report the first case of documented Pichia ohmeri PVE in an immunocompetent man who was successfully treated with valve replacement and antifungal therapy with amphotericin B.
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Scand. J. Infect. Dis. · Jan 2002
Review Case ReportsRat-bite fever in children: case report and review.
We report 2 cases of rat-bite fever (RBF), a multisystem zoonosis, in children and review the literature. RBF is caused by I of 2 Gram-negative organisms: Streptobacillus moniliformis or, less commonly, Spirillum minus. ⋯ An additional 10 cases from a MEDLINE review (1960-2000) are reviewed. RBF must be included in the differential diagnosis of febrile patients with rashes and a history of exposure to rats.
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Scand. J. Infect. Dis. · Jan 2001
ReviewThe syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone and fluid restriction in meningitis--how strong is the evidence?
In patients with meningitis, fluid restriction is recommended to counter the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) and to reduce cerebral oedema. However, any effects of an increased plasma level of ADH upon cerebral oedema would be due not to fluid retention but to hypoosmolality. In a literature review of fluid and electrolyte disturbances and the effect of fluid therapy in bacterial/tuberculous meningitis, the prevalence of hyponatraemia, hypoosmolality and SIADH varied considerably; apparently, non-osmotic stimuli for the secretion of ADH, e.g. intracranial hypertension and hypovolaemia, were present in most patients. ⋯ Furthermore, compared with maintenance therapy, fluid restriction did not improve outcome in a randomized controlled study. Thus, we find no evidence to support the use of fluid restriction in patients with meningitis. Fluid therapy in acute bacterial meningitis should aim at avoiding hypovolaemia and hypoosmolality based on the assumptions that (i) ADH is increased by non-osmotic stimuli; (ii) elevated ADH is less important for cerebral oedema than severe hypoosmolality, which may in itself induce or aggravate oedema; (iii) maintenance fluid therapy aiming at isoosmolality will not worsen neurological outcome; and (iv) hypovolaemia is difficult to detect, and detrimental for cerebral perfusion, in these patients.
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Scand. J. Infect. Dis. · Jan 2001
Review Case ReportsMeasles-associated appendicitis: two case reports and literature review.
We report 2 cases of appendicitis associated with measles. Four previously reported cases are reviewed. In all 6 patients typical measles rash appeared after removal of the appendix, which showed Warthin-Finkelday giant cells.