The autopsy pathology of sepsis-related death

Guidelines for Scrutiny of Death Associated With Surgery and Anesthesia

The death of a patient in the operating room frequently causes great distress to the patient's family, and the surgical team members who performed the procedure typically feel uneasy about it afterward. Anesthetic death is characterized as a death that happens 24 hours after anesthesia is administered and is caused by anesthetic-related factors. However, death can come much later because of its complications. This review thoroughly explains mortality resulting from surgery and anesthesia, including autopsy reports, investigative data, analytical techniques, and conclusions. Following surgery and anesthesia-related death, in case of death after surgery, an autopsy determines the cause of death and if the procedure had any impact on it. Individuals who pass away during or after surgery may do so for a wide range of reasons, such as a generally natural condition, an early or late surgical complication, an anesthetic problem, or an error during the operation or anesthesia. The pathologist should take the results of the examination into account while looking into an anesthetic death. In the majority of anesthesia-related deaths, autopsies reveal little diagnostic information with the absence of an underlying cause of death. The analyses help determine and estimate the dosage of medication given, as well as the amount of anesthetic agent overdose provided before death. The best consensus opinion to provide the investigative authorities and courts of law for the cause of death investigation may come from a discussion amongst forensic pathologists, surgeons, and anesthetists. In conclusion, the family and friends of the deceased are greatly affected by an unexpected or unexplained death, and the organizations entrusted with determining the cause of death bear a great deal of responsibility. Science and technology are becoming more and more important in death investigations. Following precise and well-founded procedures is one of the science's defining characteristics.

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived small extracellular vesicles alleviate the immunometabolic dysfunction in murine septic encephalopathy

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection that results in high mortality and long-term sequela. The central nervous system (CNS) is susceptible to injury from infectious processes, which can lead to clinical symptoms of septic encephalopathy (SE). SE is linked to a profound energetic deficit associated with immune dysregulation. Here, we show that intravenous administration of adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) in septic mice improved disease outcomes by reducing SE clinical severity, restoring aerobic metabolism, and lowering pro-inflammatory cytokines in the cerebellum, a key region affected by SE. Our high throughput analysis showed that MSC-derived sEVs partially reversed sepsis-induced transcriptomic changes, highlighting the potential association of miRNA regulators in the cerebellum of MSC-derived sEV-treated mice with miRNAs identified in sEV cargo. MSC-derived sEVs could serve as a promising therapeutic agent in SE through their favorable immunometabolic properties.

Exploration of sepsis assisting parameters in hospital autopsied-patients: a prospective study

Although Sepsis-3 doesn't require evidence of bacteremia to diagnose sepsis, clinicians often want to identify the causative pathogen at autopsy. In principle, if the blood cultures are the same at ante- and postmortem, the cause of death is obvious. However, interpretations of postmortem blood cultures are often difficult due to discordance, negativity, mixed infection, and contamination, of pathogens occupying ≥ 50% of the tests. To increase specificity identifying agonal phase sepsis in the situations where blood cultures are discordant, multiple or negative at postmortem, we established a scoring system using blood cultures, procalcitonin (PCN) showing highest sensitivity and specificity for postmortem serum, and bone marrow polyhemophagocytosis (PHP). Histological sepsis showed significantly higher levels of culture score (2.3 ± 1.5 vs. 0.4 ± 0.5, p < 0.001), PHP score (2.5 ± 0.8 vs. 1.0 ± 1.1, p < 0.001), and PCN score (1.8 ± 0.8 vs. 0.8 ± 0.6, p < 0.01) than non-septic patients. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that estimation of three scores was the most reliable indicator for recognizing agonal phase sepsis. These findings suggest that the combination of these three inspections enables to determine the pathological diagnoses of sepsis even it is not obvious by discordant, mixed or negative blood cultures.

Streptococcus pasteurianus-induced valvular endocarditis and sepsis in a puerperal emperor tamarin (Saguinus imperator)

Streptococcus pasteurianus is associated with endocarditis and sepsis in humans. A puerperal emperor tamarin died, and necropsy showed a bacterial endocarditis with sepsis. DNA sequencing from the paraffinized heart tissue was compatible with S. pasteurianus. S. pasteurianus could be an important agent associated with sepsis in tamarins.

Renal Considerations in COVID-19: Biology, Pathology, and Pathophysiology

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has emerged into a worldwide pandemic of epic proportion. Beyond pulmonary involvement in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a significant subset of patients experiences acute kidney injury. Patients who die from severe disease most notably show diffuse acute tubular injury on postmortem examination with a possible contribution of focal macro- and microvascular thrombi. Renal biopsies in patients with proteinuria and hematuria have demonstrated a glomerular dominant pattern of injury, most notably a collapsing glomerulopathy reminiscent of findings seen in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in individuals with apolipoprotein L-1 (APOL1) risk allele variants. Although various mechanisms have been proposed for the pathogenesis of acute kidney injury in SARS-CoV-2 infection, direct renal cell infection has not been definitively demonstrated and our understanding of the spectrum of renal involvement remains incomplete. Herein we discuss the biology, pathology, and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and associated renal involvement. We discuss the molecular biology, risk factors, and pathophysiology of renal injury associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. We highlight the characteristics of specific renal pathologies based on native kidney biopsy and autopsy. Additionally, a brief discussion on ancillary studies and challenges in the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 is presented.

Evaluating small vessel neutrophils as a marker for sepsis

A retrospective case-control study of 100 sepsis autopsy cases and 103 controls over a 9-year period was conducted to analyze patterns of neutrophils in small caliber vessels of the liver, heart, and lungs in relation to sepsis as the cause of death. Data extracted included demographics of the decedent, cause of death, presence of conditions that could interfere with an inflammatory response, history of hospitalization, and results of microbiology cultures. Histologic sections of the liver, heart, and lungs were assessed. Organs were scored for neutrophilic inflammation based upon a predetermined grading system. Scores of 0, 1, and 2 were assigned according to mild, moderate, and florid neutrophilic presence, respectively; a total score was also assigned based on the sum of the scores from all three organs. Comparing the histologic grading between cases and controls found a statistical difference with the neutrophil grading in the liver (p < 0.001), lung (p < 0.001), and heart (p < 0.001) and between the combined total scores (p < 0.001). Combined neutrophilic scores of 4 and greater showed high specificities (90% to 100%) for sepsis-related deaths. Examining the percentage of sepsis cases as the histologic neutrophilic score increased found a positive slope in all three organs. However, only the linear regression looking at the lung (p = 0.03) and the combined score (p = 0.001) were statistically significant. Despite the above results, sepsis cases with low scores and controls with moderate and florid neutrophilic infiltrates were also seen.

Immunohistochemistry in the Postmortem Diagnosis of Sepsis: A Systematic Review

It is not uncommon for the forensic pathologist to question whether a deceased person had experienced sepsis that could have either been the cause of or contributed to the person's death. Often, the missing typical pathologic factors or lack of clinical and circumstantial information on the death render the autopsy of a sepsis-related death a difficult task for the forensic pathologist. Several authors emphasize on how an immunohistochemical analysis could help in diagnosing death related to sepsis. The research we carried out analyzes the main scientific studies in the literature, primarily the tracing of 21 immunohistochemical antigens evaluated to help diagnose death related to sepsis. The purpose of this review was to analyze and summarize the markers studied until now and to consider the limitations of immunohistochemistry that currently exist with regard to this particular field of forensic pathology. Immunohistochemistry provided interesting and promising results, but further studies are needed in order for them to be confirmed, so that they may be applied in standard forensic practice.

Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis and Microvascular Occlusion: Key Concepts for the Working Pathologist

Although clinicians often put vasculitis and microvascular occlusion in the same differential diagnosis, biopsy findings often are either vasculitis or occlusion. However, both vasculitis and occlusion are present in some cases of levamisole-associated vasculopathy and certain infections. Depth of dermal involvement and vessel size should be reported, because superficial and deep small vessel leukocytoclastic vasculitis and/or involvement of medium-sized vessels may be associated with systemic disease. Microvascular occlusion of vessels in the fat should prompt consideration of calciphylaxis. Clues to ultimate clinical diagnosis can be garnered from depth of involvement, size of vessels affected, and presence of both vasculitis and occlusion.

How often is autopsy contributory in cases of sepsis?

This study sought to determine how often a medico-legal (coronial) autopsy contributes by identifying the source of infection when there has been a clinical diagnosis of sepsis prior to death. Autopsy reports were retrieved in which it was documented there had been a clinical diagnosis of sepsis preceding death. The autopsy report was reviewed to determine if a source for sepsis had been identified. It was found the autopsy was contributory in this respect in less than one fifth of all cases (35 of 198, 18%). It was also determined if there was a post-autopsy diagnosis of sepsis or if sepsis was excluded by a definite alternative diagnosis. During the study, of the 198 cases, sepsis was excluded by an alternative diagnosis in 78 (39%). Thus, the autopsy may be of more application to confirming or excluding a diagnosis of sepsis than identifying a source for sepsis.

MicroRNAs: An Update of Applications in Forensic Science

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs containing 18–24 nucleotides that are involved in the regulation of many biochemical mechanisms in the human body. The level of miRNAs in body fluids and tissues increases because of altered pathophysiological mechanisms, thus they are employed as biomarkers for various diseases and conditions. In recent years, miRNAs obtained a great interest in many fields of forensic medicine given their stability and specificity. Several specific miRNAs have been studied in body fluid identification, in wound vitality in time of death determination, in drowning, in the anti-doping field, and other forensic fields. However, the major problems are (1) lack of universal protocols for diagnostic expression testing and (2) low reproducibility of independent studies. This review is an update on the application of these molecular markers in forensic biology.

Pulmonary hair embolism in a rescued free-ranging Eurasian otter Lutra lutra in Kinmen, Taiwan

Eurasian otters Lutra lutra are listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List and are imperiled by habitat loss, water pollution, and poaching. Harassment and attacks by stray animals are also recognized threats to the health of wild Eurasian otters. Pulmonary hair embolism is a possible complication in animals with deep traumatic injury, but to date no cases have been reported in wildlife. A free-ranging, adult male Eurasian otter was rescued due to severe emaciation and multiple bite wounds. The otter died 3 d after rescue and was necropsied. Grossly, a 1.5 × 1.5 × 1.5 cm firm nodule was observed in the left cranial lung lobe. Histologically, a fragment of hair shaft surrounded by multinucleated foreign body giant cells was observed in a medium-sized vein, and extensive eosinophilic infiltration was noted in the adjacent vascular wall and lung parenchyma. Based on the gross and histological findings, the pulmonary lesion was consistent with eosinophilic pneumonia and vasculitis induced by hair embolism. The presence of well-formed multinucleated foreign body giant cells and eosinophils may imply a late stage of foreign body reaction, and thus the presumptive source of hair embolism is an animal bite. This is the first report of pulmonary hair embolism associated with animal bite in a rescued free-ranging Eurasian otter.

Healthcare-Associated Infections: Not Only a Clinical Burden, But a Forensic Point of View

BACKGROUND

Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) occur when patients receiving treatment in a health care setting develop an infection. They represent a major public health problem, requiring the integration of clinical medicine, pathology, epidemiology, laboratory sciences, and, finally, forensic medicine.

METHODS

The determination of cause of death is fundamental not only in the cases of presumed malpractice to ascertain the causal link with any negligent behavior both of health facilities and of individual professionals, but also for epidemiological purposes since it may help to know the global burden of HCAIs, that remains undetermined because of the difficulty of gathering reliable diagnostic data. A complete methodological approach, integrating clinical data by means of autopsy and histological and laboratory findings aiming to identify and demonstrate the host response to infectious insult, is mandatory in HCAIs related deaths.

RESULTS

Important tasks for forensic specialists in hospitals and health services centers are the promotion of transparency and open communication by health-care workers on the risk of HCAIs, thus facilitating patients' engagement and the implementation of educational interventions for professionals aimed to improve their knowledge and adherence to prevention and control measures.

CONCLUSION

HCAIs are a major problem for patient safety in every health-care facility and system around the world and their control and prevention represent a challenging priority for healthcare institution and workers committed to making healthcare safer. Clinicians are at the forefront in the war against HCAIs, however, also forensic pathologists have a remarkable role.

B Lymphocytes and Macrophages in the Perivascular Adipose Tissue Are Associated With Coronary Atherosclerosis: An Autopsy Study

Background

Macrophages and T lymphocytes in the perivascular adipose tissue (PvAT) were previously linked to coronary artery disease. However, the role of these cells and B lymphocytes in the human PvAT adjacent to unstable atherosclerotic plaques has not been investigated. Moreover, previous studies were inconclusive on whether PvAT inflammation was restricted to the surroundings of the atheroma plaque.

Methods and Results

Coronary arteries were freshly dissected with the surrounding PvAT. Atherosclerotic plaques were classified according to the internationally accepted anatomopathological criteria. Immune cells in the PvAT were detected using immunohistochemistry and then quantified. We used linear and logistic regressions with robust standard errors, adjusted for possible confounding factors. In 246 atherosclerotic plaques (205 stable and 41 unstable plaques) from 82 participants (mean age=69.0±14.4 years; 50% men), the percentage of arterial obstruction was positively correlated with the densities of CD68⁺ macrophages (P=0.003) and CD20⁺ B lymphocytes (P=0.03) in the periplaque PvAT. The number of cells was greater in the periplaque PvAT than in the distal PvAT (macrophages, P<0.001; B lymphocytes, P=0.04). In addition, the density of macrophages in the periplaque PvAT was greater in the presence of unstable plaques (P=0.03) and was also greater near unstable plaques than in the distal PvAT (P=0.001). CD3⁺ T lymphocytes were not associated with percentage of obstruction and stable/unstable plaque composition.

Conclusions

The density of CD20⁺ B lymphocytes and CD68⁺ macrophages in periplaque PvAT was increased with plaque size, and the CD68⁺ macrophages were greater near unstable atherosclerotic plaques than near stable lesions. This inflammation was more intense in the periplaque PvAT than in the PvAT distal to the atherosclerotic plaques.

Understanding Infection-Induced Thrombosis: Lessons Learned From Animal Models

Thrombosis is a common consequence of infection that is associated with poor patient outcome. Nevertheless, the mechanisms by which infection-associated thrombosis is induced, maintained and resolved are poorly understood, as is the contribution thrombosis makes to host control of infection and pathogen spread. The key difference between infection-associated thrombosis and thrombosis in other circumstances is a stronger inflammation-mediated component caused by the presence of the pathogen and its products. This inflammation triggers the activation of platelets, which may accompany damage to the endothelium, resulting in fibrin deposition and thrombus formation. This process is often referred to as thrombo-inflammation. Strikingly, despite its clinical importance and despite thrombi being induced to many different pathogens, it is still unclear whether the mechanisms underlying this process are conserved and how we can best understand this process. This review summarizes thrombosis in a variety of models, including single antigen models such as LPS, and infection models using viruses and bacteria. We provide a specific focus on Salmonella Typhimurium infection as a useful model to address all stages of thrombosis during infection. We highlight how this model has helped us identify how thrombosis can appear in different organs at different times and thrombi be detected for weeks after infection in one site, yet largely be resolved within 24 h in another. Furthermore, we discuss the observation that thrombi induced to Salmonella Typhimurium are largely devoid of bacteria. Finally, we discuss the value of different therapeutic approaches to target thrombosis, the potential importance of timing in their administration and the necessity to maintain normal hemostasis after treatment. Improvements in our understanding of these processes can be used to better target infection-mediated mechanisms of thrombosis.

Sepsis and Nosocomial Infections: The Role of Medico-Legal Experts in Italy

Sepsis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is defined as the presence of a Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, and it represents a significant burden for the healthcare system. This is particularly true when it is diagnosed in the setting of nosocomial infections, which are usually a matter of concern with regard to medical liability being correlated with increasing economic costs and people's loss of trust in healthcare. Hence, the Italian governance promotes the clinical risk management with the aim of improving the quality and safety of healthcare services. In this context, the role of medico-legal experts working in a hospital setting is fundamental for performing autopsy to diagnose sepsis and link it with possible nosocomial infections. On the other hand, medico-legal experts are party to the clinical risk management assessment, and deal with malpractice cases and therefore contribute to formulating clinical guidelines and procedures for improving patient safety and healthcare providers' work practices. Due to this scenario, the authors here discuss the role of medico-legal experts in Italy, focusing on sepsis and nosocomial infections.

Postmortem microbiology sampling following death in hospital: an ESGFOR task force consensus statement

Postmortem microbiology (PMM) is a valuable tool in the identification of the cause of death and of factors contributory to death where death has been caused by infection. The value of PMM is dependent on careful autopsy planning, appropriate sampling, minimisation of postmortem bacterial translocation and avoidance of sample contamination. Interpretation of PMM results requires careful consideration in light of the clinical history, macroscopic findings and the histological appearances of the tissues. This consensus statement aims to highlight the importance of PMM in the hospital setting and to give microbiological and pathological advice on sampling in deaths occurring in hospital.

Characteristics of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa induced porcine sepsis model for multi-organ metabolic flux measurements

Survival of sepsis is related to loss of muscle mass. Therefore, it is imperative to further define and understand the basic alterations in nutrient metabolism in order to improve targeted sepsis nutritional therapies. We developed and evaluated a controlled hyperdynamic severe sepsis pig model that can be used for in vivo multi-organ metabolic studies in a conscious state. In this catheterized pig model, bacteremia was induced intravenously with 109 CFU/h Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) in 13 pigs for 18 h. Both the PA and control (nine) animals received fluid resuscitation and were continuously monitored. We examined in detail their hemodynamics, blood gases, clinical chemistry, inflammation, histopathology and organ plasma flows. The systemic inflammatory response (SIRS) diagnostic scoring system was used to determine the clinical septic state. Within 6 h from the start of PA infusion, a septic state developed, as was reflected by hyperthermia and cardiovascular changes. After 12 h of PA infusion, severe sepsis was diagnosed. Disturbed cardiovascular function, decreased portal drained viscera plasma flow (control: 37.6 ± 4.6 mL/kg body weight (bw)/min; PA 20.3 ± 2.6 mL/kg bw/min, P < 0.001), as well as moderate villous injury in the small intestines were observed. No lung, kidney or liver failure was observed. Acute phase C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels did not change in the PA group. However, significant metabolic changes such as enhanced protein breakdown, hypocalcemia and hypocholesterolemia were found. In conclusion, PA-induced bacteremia in a catheterized pig is a clinically relevant model for acute severe sepsis and enables the study of complex multi-organ metabolisms.

Perivascular Adipose Tissue Inflammation and Coronary Artery Disease: An Autopsy Study Protocol

Background

Perivascular adipose tissue (PAT) inflammation may have a role in coronary artery disease (CAD) pathophysiology. However, most evidence has come from samples obtained during surgical procedures that may imply in some limitations. Moreover, the role of B lymphocytes and inflammation in PAT that is adjacent to unstable atheroma plaques has not been investigated in humans using morphometric measurements.

Objective

The objective of this study is to investigate the inflammation in PAT, subcutaneous, and perirenal adipose tissues (SAT and PrAT) among chronic CAD, acute CAD, and control groups in an autopsy study.

Methods

Heart, SAT, and PrAT samples are collected from autopsied subjects in a general autopsy service, with the written informed consent of the next-of-kin (NOK). Sociodemographic and clinical data are obtained from a semistructure interview with the NOK. Coronary arteries are dissected and PAT are removed. Sections with the greatest arterial obstruction or unstable plaques, and the local with absence of atherosclerosis in all coronary arteries are sampled. PAT are represented adjacent to these fragments. Adipose tissues are fixed in 4% buffered paraformaldehyde solution and analyzed immunohistochemically for macrophages (CD68), macrophage polarization (CD11c for proinflammatory and CD206 for anti-inflammatory), B lymphocytes (CD20), and T lymphocytes (CD3). Slides will be scanned, and inflammatory cells will be quantified in 20 random fields. Participants will be categorized in CAD groups, after morphometric measurement of arterial obstruction and plaque composition analysis in accordance with American Heart Association classification. Three study groups will be investigated: acute CAD (at least one unstable plaque); chronic CAD (≥50% arterial obstruction); and controls (<50% arterial obstruction). Inflammatory cells in PAT, SAT, and PrAT will be counted and compared between groups using multivariate linear regression, adjusted for age, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, alcohol use, and smoking.

Results

We present the methods of our study that was developed from 2 pilots. Currently, data collection and tissue processing are ongoing. Data collection, histology and immunochemistry procedures, and quantification of all inflammatory cells are expected to be concluded within 1 year.

Conclusions

This study will contribute for the understanding of the mechanisms of CAD pathophysiology because it will help to clarify the role of inflammation both in chronic and acute CAD.

Autopsy Prevalence of Tuberculosis and Other Potentially Treatable Infections among Adults with Advanced HIV Enrolled in Out-Patient Care in South Africa

Background

Early mortality among HIV-positive adults starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains high in resource-limited settings, with tuberculosis (TB) the leading cause of death. However, current methods to estimate TB-related deaths are inadequate and most autopsy studies do not adequately represent those attending primary health clinics (PHCs). This study aimed to determine the autopsy prevalence of TB and other infections in adults enrolled at South African PHCs in the context of a pragmatic trial of empiric TB treatment (“TB Fast Track”).

Methods and Findings

Adults with CD4 ≤150 cells/μL, not on ART or TB treatment, were enrolled to TB Fast Track and followed up for at least six months. Minimally invasive autopsy (MIA) was conducted as soon as possible after death. Lungs, liver, and spleen were biopsied; blood, CSF, and urine aspirated; and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained. Samples underwent mycobacterial, bacterial, and fungal culture; molecular testing (including Xpert® MTB/RIF); and histological examination. 34 MIAs were conducted: 18 (53%) decedents were female; median age was 39 (interquartile range 33–44) years; 25 (74%) deaths occurred in hospitals; median time from death to MIA was five (IQR 3–6) days. 16/34 (47%) had evidence of TB (14/16 [88%] with extrapulmonary disease; 6/16 [38%] not started on treatment antemortem); 23 (68%) had clinically important bacterial infections; four (12%) cryptococcal disease; three (9%) non-tuberculous mycobacterial disease; and two (6%) Pneumocystis pneumonia. Twenty decedents (59%) had evidence of two or more concurrent infections; 9/16 (56%) individuals with TB had evidence of bacterial disease and two (13%) cryptococcal disease.

Conclusions

TB, followed by bacterial infections, were the leading findings at autopsy among adults with advanced HIV enrolled from primary care clinics. To reduce mortality, strategies are needed to identify and direct those at highest risk into a structured pathway that includes expedited investigation and/or treatment of TB and other infections.

A Pathophysiological Insight into Sepsis and Its Correlation with Postmortem Diagnosis

BACKGROUND

Sepsis is among the leading causes of death worldwide and is the focus of a great deal of attention from policymakers and caregivers. However, sepsis poses significant challenges from a clinical point of view regarding its early detection and the best organization of sepsis care. Furthermore, we do not yet have reliable tools for measuring the incidence of sepsis. Methods based on analyses of insurance claims are unreliable, and postmortem diagnosis is still challenging since autopsy findings are often nonspecific.

AIM

The objective of this review is to assess the state of our knowledge of the molecular and biohumoral mechanisms of sepsis and to correlate them with our postmortem diagnosis ability.

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis of sepsis-related deaths is an illustrative example of the reciprocal value of autopsy both for clinicians and for pathologists. A complete methodological approach, integrating clinical data by means of autopsy and histological and laboratory findings aiming to identify and demonstrate the host response to infectious insults, is mandatory to illuminate the exact cause of death. This would help clinicians to compare pre- and postmortem findings and to reliably measure the incidence of sepsis.

Immunohistochemical expression of inflammatory markers in sudden infant death; ancillary tests for identification of infection

Aims

Sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) investigation requires extensive ancillary investigations, the results of which, such as postmortem microbiology, can be difficult to interpret. Markers of an inflammatory response, including interleukin 6 (IL-6), c-reactive protein (CRP) and cellular adhesion molecules are elevated in infections, yet little attention has been paid to their assessment after death. This study investigates the role of inflammatory markers in SUDI autopsies for determining cause of death.

Methods

Cases of SUDI over a 14 year period were identified from an autopsy database and 100 cases were selected for immunohistochemical staining of heart and liver for IL-6, CRP, P-selectin, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 (CD54), with staining patterns compared between five groups, including infectious and unexplained SUDI.

Results

There were significant differences between groups. Cases of histological infection demonstrated strongly positive hepatocyte CRP and ICAM-1 expression and increased myocardial staining for CRP. Half of trauma-related deaths demonstrated diffuse hepatic CRP expression but without myocardial CRP staining. Staining of unexplained SUDI cases were predominantly negative, apart from a subgroup in whom Escherichia Coli was identified, who had increased expression of hepatic IL-6.

Conclusions

There were distinct patterns of organ-specific CRP and ICAM-1 expression in SUDI by cause of death. These markers of inflammation were rarely present in unexplained SUDI suggesting either a non-inflammatory cause of death or a failure to mount an effective acute phase response. Immunohistochemical staining offers potential to identify infection-related deaths and provides insight into SUDI mechanisms.

Sepsis: multiple abnormalities, heterogeneous responses, and evolving understanding

Sepsis represents the host's systemic inflammatory response to a severe infection. It causes substantial human morbidity resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths each year. Despite decades of intense research, the basic mechanisms still remain elusive. In either experimental animal models of sepsis or human patients, there are substantial physiological changes, many of which may result in subsequent organ injury. Variations in age, gender, and medical comorbidities including diabetes and renal failure create additional complexity that influence the outcomes in septic patients. Specific system-based alterations, such as the coagulopathy observed in sepsis, offer both potential insight and possible therapeutic targets. Intracellular stress induces changes in the endoplasmic reticulum yielding misfolded proteins that contribute to the underlying pathophysiological changes. With these multiple changes it is difficult to precisely classify an individual's response in sepsis as proinflammatory or immunosuppressed. This heterogeneity also may explain why most therapeutic interventions have not improved survival. Given the complexity of sepsis, biomarkers and mathematical models offer potential guidance once they have been carefully validated. This review discusses each of these important factors to provide a framework for understanding the complex and current challenges of managing the septic patient. Clinical trial failures and the therapeutic interventions that have proven successful are also discussed.

A clinically applicable porcine model of septic and ischemia/reperfusion-induced shock and multiple organ injury

BACKGROUND

Although many sepsis treatments have shown efficacy in acute animal models, at present only activated protein C is effective in humans. The likely reason for this discrepancy is that most of the animal models used for preclinical testing do not accurately replicate the complex pathogenesis of human sepsis. Our objective in this study was to develop a clinically applicable model of severe sepsis and gut ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) that would cause multiple organ injury over a period of 48 h.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Anesthetized, instrumented, and ventilated pigs were subjected to a "two-hit" injury by placement of a fecal clot through a laparotomy and by clamping the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) for 30 min. The animals were monitored for 48 h. Wide spectrum antibiotics and intravenous fluids were given to maintain hemodynamic status. FiO(2) was increased in response to oxygen desaturation. Twelve hours following injury, a drain was placed in the laparotomy wound. Extensive hemodynamic, lung, kidney, liver, and renal function measurements and serial measurements of arterial and mixed venous blood gases were made. Bladder pressure was measured as a surrogate for intra-peritoneal pressure to identify the development of the abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). Plasma and peritoneal ascites cytokine concentration were measured at regular intervals. Tissues were harvested and fixed at necropsy for detailed morphometric analysis.

RESULTS

Polymicrobial sepsis developed in all animals. There was a progressive deterioration of organ function over the 48 h. The lung, kidney, liver, and intestine all demonstrated clinical and histopathologic injury. Acute lung injury (ALI) and ACS developed by consensus definitions. Increases in multiple cytokines in serum and peritoneal fluid paralleled the dysfunction found in major organs.

CONCLUSION

This animal model of Sepsis+I/R replicates the systemic inflammation and dysfunction of the major organ systems that is typically seen in human sepsis and trauma patients. The model should be useful in deciphering the complex pathophysiology of septic shock as it transitions to end-organ injury thus allowing sophisticated preclinical studies on potential treatments.

Severe malaria - a case of fatal Plasmodium knowlesi infection with post-mortem findings: a case report

BACKGROUND

Zoonotic malaria caused by Plasmodium knowlesi is an important, but newly recognized, human pathogen. For the first time, post-mortem findings from a fatal case of knowlesi malaria are reported here.

CASE PRESENTATION

A formerly healthy 40 year-old male became symptomatic 10 days after spending time in the jungle of North Borneo. Four days later, he presented to hospital in a state of collapse and died within two hours. He was hyponatraemic and had elevated blood urea, potassium, lactate dehydrogenase and amino transferase values; he was also thrombocytopenic and eosinophilic. Dengue haemorrhagic shock was suspected and a post-mortem examination performed. Investigations for dengue virus were negative. Blood for malaria parasites indicated hyperparasitaemia and single species P. knowlesi infection was confirmed by nested-PCR. Macroscopic pathology of the brain and endocardium showed multiple petechial haemorrhages, the liver and spleen were enlarged and lungs had features consistent with ARDS. Microscopic pathology showed sequestration of pigmented parasitized red blood cells in the vessels of the cerebrum, cerebellum, heart and kidney without evidence of chronic inflammatory reaction in the brain or any other organ examined. Brain sections were negative for intracellular adhesion molecule-1. The spleen and liver had abundant pigment containing macrophages and parasitized red blood cells. The kidney had evidence of acute tubular necrosis and endothelial cells in heart sections were prominent.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall picture in this case was one of systemic malaria infection that fit the WHO classification for severe malaria. Post-mortem findings in this case were unexpectedly similar to those that define fatal falciparum malaria, including cerebral pathology. There were important differences including the absence of coma despite petechial haemorrhages and parasite sequestration in the brain. These results suggest that further study of knowlesi malaria will aid the interpretation of, often conflicting, information on malaria pathophysiology in humans.

Acute Lung Injury:Apoptosis and Signaling Mechanisms

Acute lung injury (ALI) has been documented clinically following several pathological states such as trauma, septic shock and pneumonia. The histopathological characteristics, paired with the production of a number of cellular pro-inflammatory mediators, play a crucial role in the progression of ALI. During ALI, polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN)-mediated apoptosis is delayed by macrophages, possibly via effects on the Fas/FasL mediated pathway, leading to the accumulation of these cells at the site of injury and inflammation. The transcriptional regulation of NFκB, CREB, and AP-1 also regulates the pathogenesis of ALI. During sepsis and septic shock, we found evidence of infiltrating leukocytes in the alveolar spaces along with an increased number of TUNEL-positive cells in the lung sections. We also observed an increased expression of TRADD and Bax/Bcl2 ratio at 7 days post-sepsis. In contrast, the NFκB/IκB ratio increased at 1 day post-sepsis. Together, these data provide evidence illustrating the induction of apoptosis in lung tissues subsequent to the onset of polymicrobial sepsis. The results support the concept that the upregulation of apoptosis following lung inflammation plays a crucial role in the development of acute lung injury and related disorders such as ARDS.