Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Staphylococcus aureus is a gram-positive bacterium that is present in the nostrils of a quarter of the general population without causing any apparent disease. However, S. aureus can also act as a pathogen to cause severe infections. The factors determining the balance between its commensal and pathogenic states are not understood. ⋯ The latter is in part the result of recognition of specific molecules embedded in the peptidoglycan layer of the staphylococcal cell wall that bind to TLR2 on host antigen-presenting cells and induce a strong IL-10 response that down regulates the adaptive T cell response. This mechanism can partially explain the duality of interactions between S. aureus and the human immune system by favoring nasal colonization instead of staphylococcal diseases. In this review, we discuss the molecular and cellular basis of this mechanism and explore its clinical implications.
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Review Meta Analysis
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in burn and smoke inhalation injury.
A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess the level of evidence for the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in hypoxemic respiratory failure resulting from burn and smoke inhalation injury. We searched any article published before March 01, 2012. Available studies published in any language were included. ⋯ The role of ECMO in burn and smoke inhalation injury is therefore unclear. However, ECMO technology and expertise have improved over the last decades. Further research on ECMO in burn and smoke inhalation injury is warranted.
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Case Reports
Flow-through anterolateral thigh flap for reconstruction in electrical burns of the severely damaged upper extremity.
Many surgeons have to face the challenge of the sophisticated management of catastrophic high-voltage injuries to upper extremities. These patients present with both vast soft tissue defects and varied segmental main artery defects with compromised circulation of the distal limb. This study is a first attempt to analyze the outcome of the flow-through anterolateral thigh flap for reconstruction in acute electrical burns of the severely traumatized upper extremity. ⋯ In electrical injuries of the severely damaged upper extremity, flow through anterolateral thigh flaps provide for reconstruction of both the vessels and soft tissue simultaneously. Although the risk of flap failure is higher than with other etiologies of burn, the data shows that the above reconstruction technique is useful for upper extremity salvage.
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The kerosene stove is a common cooking appliance in lower and middle income households in Kenya and if it explodes, life threatening thermal burn injuries may be sustained by those using the appliance. Women tend to be victims more frequently since traditionally they are the ones who are involved in cooking. ⋯ Young females from poor socioeconomic background were found to be at a higher risk for kerosene stove explosion burns. The wick stove is a common cause of burns especially when users unwittingly refill it with kerosene when already lit resulting in an explosion. Prevention can be done through evidence based public health education targeting the groups at risk and enactment of relevant laws.