Host response biomarkers in sepsis: the role of procalcitonin

Bacterial profile, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, and associated factors among bloodstream infection suspected patients attending Arba Minch General Hospital, Ethiopia

Bacterial bloodstream infections are of great concern globally. Of late, the emergence of drug resistant bacteria worsen the related morbidity and mortality. This study was aimed to determine the bacterial profile, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, and associated factors among the blood stream infection (BSI) suspected patients attending the Arba Minch General Hospital (AMGH), southern Ethiopia, from 01 June through 31st August, 2020. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 225 BSI suspected patients. Systematic random sampling method was used to select patients. Blood culture was done to isolate bacterial pathogens. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed by employing the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analysis were done by Statistical Package for Social Service (SPSS) version 22. The rate of prevalence of bacteriologically confirmed cases was 22/225 (9.8%). Majority of BSI were caused by Gram-positive cocci, 13/22 (59.1%), particularly the isolates of S. aureus, 7/22 (31.8%) followed by Enterococci species, 4/22 (18.2%) and coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS), 2/22 (9.1%). Among the Gram-negative bacteria 9/22 (41.1%), Klebsiella species 4/22 (18.2%) was the prominent one followed by Escherichia coli 2/22 (9.1%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 2/22 (9.1%), and Enterobacter species 1/22 (4.5%). All the isolates of Gram-negative bacteria were susceptible to meropenem whereas 69.2% of the isolates of Gram-positive counterparts were susceptible to erythromycin. Slightly above two third (68.2%) of the total isolates were multidrug resistant. Insertion of a peripheral intravenous line was significantly associated with BSI [p = 0.03; Adjusted Odds Ratio = 4.82; (Confidence Interval: 1.08-21.46)]. Overall results revealed that eventhough the prevalence of BSI in Arba Minch is comparatively lower (9.8%), multidrug resistance is alarmingly on the rise, which is to be addressed through effective surveillance and control strategies.

PCT Kinetics in the First Week Postburn for Sepsis Diagnosis and Death Prognosis-An Accuracy Study

Despite continuous advances in burn care, sepsis is still the main cause of death in burn patients. Procalcitonin (PCT) has been reported as an accurate sepsis biomarker and also as a fair predictor of death. The aim of this study was to assess PCT kinetics in the first week postburn regarding sepsis diagnosis and death prognosis. Sample included 142 patients with ≥15% TBSA, admitted from January 2011 to December 2014 at Coimbra Burns Unit, Portugal. Sepsis diagnosis was done according to American Burn Association criteria. PCT range and median values in the first 7 days after burns were statistically analyzed for its potential for sepsis diagnosis and death prognosis. A subanalysis was done regarding TBSA, sex, age, and inhalation injury. First week PCT range and median were significant for sepsis diagnosis and death prognosis, but the median area under the curve was greater in the last case. TBSA influenced PCT accuracy, which was greater for TBSA less than 40% either for diagnosis or prognosis. Age was inversely related to the accuracy, being better in younger than 40 years in both cases. PCT diagnostic accuracy was not affected by sex, opposing to the prognostic one which is better in women. Inhalation injury had no effect on diagnostic accuracy, but it happens with prognostic accuracy. PCT levels' variation is related to sepsis evolution and outcome. Its median performs better than its range. Always coupled with clinical examination, monitoring PCT levels kinetics may help early sepsis detection, potentially reducing morbidity and mortality, being also useful for death prognosis.

The Future of Biomarkers

Numerous compounds have been tested as potential biomarkers for multiple possible applications within intensive care medicine but none is or will ever be sufficiently specific or sensitive for the heterogeneous syndromes of critical illness. New technology and access to huge patient databases are providing new biomarker options and the focus is shifting to combinations of several or multiple biomarkers rather than the single markers that research has concentrated on in the past. Biomarkers will increasingly be used as part of routine clinical practice in the future, complementing clinical examination and physician expertise to provide accurate disease diagnosis, prediction of complications, personalized treatment guidance, and prognosis.

Procalcitonin kinetics after burn injury and burn surgery in septic and non-septic patients - a retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Early sepsis diagnosis is crucial for the correct management of burn patients, and it clearly influences outcomes. The systemic inflammatory response triggered by burns mimics sepsis presentation and complicates early sepsis diagnosis. Biomarkers were advocated to aid the diagnosis of early sepsis. Serum procalcitonin (PCT) exhibits fair accuracy and good correlation with sepsis severity, being used in diverse clinical settings. However, few studies have evaluated perioperative changes in PCT levels in burn patients. The present study evaluated PCT kinetics during the first days after burn injury and subsequent surgical interventions to assess PCT utility in distinguishing septic from non-septic inflammatory responses.

METHODS

This study was a retrospective observational study of all burn patients admitted to the Coimbra Burns Unit (Portugal) between January 2011 and December 2014 who presented with a total burn surface area ≥ 15% and who underwent subsequent surgery. PCT kinetics were investigated a) during the first five days after burn injury and b) preoperatively during the five days after surgery in three subsets of patients, including those with no preoperative and no postoperative sepsis (NN), no preoperative but postoperative sepsis (NS), and preoperative and postoperative sepsis (SS). A total of 145 patients met the selection criteria and were included in the analysis.

RESULTS

PCT levels in the first five days after burn injury were significantly higher in patients who developed at least one sepsis episode (n = 85) compared with patients who did not develop sepsis (n = 60). PCT values > 1.00 ng/mL were clearly associated with sepsis. Study participants (n = 145) underwent a total of 283 surgical interventions. Their distribution by preoperative/postoperative sepsis status was 142 (50.2%) in NN; 62 (21.9%) in NS; and 79 (27.9%) in SS. PCT values exhibited a parallel course in the three groups that peaked on the second postoperative day and returned to preoperative levels on the third day or later. The lowest PCT values were found in NN, and the highest values were observed in SS; the NS values were intermediate.

CONCLUSIONS

PCT kinetics coupled with a clinical examination may be helpful for sepsis diagnosis during the first days after burn injury and burn surgery.

Interpreting Laboratory Tests in Infection: Making Sense of Biomarkers in Sepsis and Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome for Intensive Care Unit Patients

Sepsis and severe sepsis are leading causes of death in the United States and the most common causes of death among critically ill patients in noncoronary intensive care units. Diagnosis of infection and sepsis is a subjective clinical judgment based on the criteria for systemic inflammatory reaction, which is highly sensitive, not specific, and often misleading in intensively treated patients. Biomarkers are emerging as adjuncts to traditional diagnostic measures. No biomarkers have sufficient specificity or sensitivity to be routinely used in clinical practice, but they can aid in the diagnosis and treatment of infection versus inflammation.