Immunodepression, Infections, and Functional Outcome in Ischemic Stroke

Inactivation of cGAS signaling pathway mediated by TDP-43 deficiency protects microglia from hypoxia/reoxygenation induced injury

BACKGROUND

Microglia are damaged during cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). This study was performed to investigate the regulatory effect of tAR DNA-binding protein-43 (TDP-43) on microglia after cerebral I/R in vitro and in vivo.

METHOD

The hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) treated microglia and rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion surgery were constructed respectively. The TDP-43 expression in brain tissues and microglia of each group was evaluated by qPCR and western blotting methods. Cell viability and cell apoptosis were combined to evaluate the degree of cell injury. As for animal experiments, neurological score and infarct volume were obtained to evaluate neurological injury.

RESULTS

The levels of TDP-43 in the brain tissues of I/R group were higher than that in sham group. Both TDP-43 and Iba1, a typical microglia marker, were expressed in the brain tissues. TDP-43 was also elevated in microglia with H/R treatment. Inhibition of TDP-43 significantly down-regulated neurological deficit scores of rats after I/R surgery, and weakened the H/R treatment induced injury by promoting cell viability, inhibiting cell apoptosis, down-regulating IL-6 and iNOS levels, and up-regulating Arg-1 and IL-10 levels. Inactivation of cGAS pathway mediated by TDP-43 knockdown protects microglia from H/R treatment induced injury.

CONCLUSION

The highly expressed TDP-43 level is associated with cerebral I/R, and inhibition of TDP-43 protects microglia from H/R induced injury through cGAS pathway in vitro and in vivo.

Sepsis compromises post-ischemic stroke neurological recovery and is associated with sex differences

AIMS

Infection is a complication after stroke and outcomes vary by sex. Thus, we investigated if sepsis affects brain from ischemic stroke and sex involvement.

MAIN METHODS

Male and female Wistar rats, were submitted to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and after 7 days sepsis to cecal ligation and perforation (CLP). Infarct size, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial activity were quantified 24 h after CLP in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Survival and neurological score were assessed up to 15 days after MCAO or 8 days after CLP (starting at 2 h after MCAO) and memory at the end.

KEY FINDINGS

CLP decreased survival, increased neurological impairments in MCAO females. Early, in male sepsis following MCAO led to increased glial activation in the brain structures, and increased TNF-α and IL-1β in the hippocampus. All groups had higher IL-6 in both tissues, but the hippocampus had lower IL-10. CLP potentiated myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the prefrontal cortex of MCAO male and female. In MCAO+CLP, only male increased MPO and nitrite/nitrate in hippocampus. Males in all groups had protein oxidation in the prefrontal cortex, but only MCAO+CLP in the hippocampus. Catalase decreased in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of all males and females, and MCAO+CLP only increased this activity in males. Female MCAO+CLP had higher prefrontal cortex complex activity than males. In MCAO+CLP-induced long-term memory impairment only in females.

SIGNIFICANCE

The parameters evaluated for early sepsis after ischemic stroke show a worse outcome for males, while females are affected during long-term follow-up.

A novel p55PIK signaling peptide inhibitor alleviates neuroinflammation via the STAT3/NF-kB signaling pathway in experimental stroke

BACKGROUND

Ischemic stroke remains the predominant contributor to mortality and disability globally. Microglia undergo rapid activation and initiate inflammatory cascade reactions by phenotypic polarization, participating in the regulation of inflammatory injury and tissue repair post-ischemic stroke. Regulating microglia-mediated neuroinflammation is a promising therapeutic strategy for ischemic stroke. Previously, we designed and synthesized a novel p55PIK inhibitor, TAT-N15 polypeptide, which presents inhibitive activity on NF-κB signaling-mediated inflammation in acute conjunctivitis and allergic rhinitis. The present study aimed to explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of TAT-N15 on ischemia stroke.

METHODS

The mouse model of transient cerebral ischemia was made using the intraluminal filament method. After being treated with daily intraperitoneal injections of TAT-N15 (10 mg/kg) for 7 d, the neurological outcomes and the cerebral infarction volume were evaluated. Histopathology of the ischemia cerebral hemisphere was observed by H&E and Nissl staining. Neuronal survival, astrogliosis, and co-labeling of CD86/Iba1 and CD206/Iba1 were detected by immunofluorescence. The cell apoptosis was estimated by TUNEL staining. The expression levels of apoptosis-associated proteins, proinflammatory cytokines, protein markers of M1 and M2 microglia, and the phosphorylation of NF-κB and STAT3 proteins in the ischemic penumbra were detected by Western blot.

RESULTS

TAT-N15 treatment significantly decreased the infarct volume and alleviated neurological functional impairment, neuronal injury, and neuron apoptosis. Meanwhile, TAT-N15 treatment restrained the activation of microglia and astrocytes as well as the protein expression of proinflammatory cytokine in ischemic penumbra. Additionally, the administration of TAT-N15 treatment resulted in a significant reduction in the density of M1 phenotype microglia while concurrently increasing the density of M2 phenotype microglia within the ischemic penumbra. Finally, mechanical analysis unveiled that TAT-N15 exerted a substantial inhibitory effect on the protein expression of phosphorylated STAT3 and NF-κB.

CONCLUSION

TAT-N15 may inhibit neuroinflammation via regulating microglia activation and polarization through the STAT3/NF-κB pathway, which exhibits the neuroprotection effect in ischemic stroke.

Nanomaterial-Based Strategies for Attenuating T-Cell-Mediated Immunodepression in Stroke Patients: Advancing Research Perspectives

This review article discusses the potential of nanomaterials in targeted therapy and immunomodulation for stroke-induced immunosuppression. Although nanomaterials have been extensively studied in various biomedical applications, their specific use in studying and addressing immunosuppression after stroke remains limited. Stroke-induced neuroinflammation is characterized by T-cell-mediated immunodepression, which leads to increased morbidity and mortality. Key observations related to immunodepression after stroke, including lymphopenia, T-cell dysfunction, regulatory T-cell imbalance, and cytokine dysregulation, are discussed. Nanomaterials, such as liposomes, micelles, polymeric nanoparticles, and dendrimers, offer advantages in the precise delivery of drugs to T cells, enabling enhanced targeting and controlled release of immunomodulatory agents. These nanomaterials have the potential to modulate T-cell function, promote neuroregeneration, and restore immune responses, providing new avenues for stroke treatment. However, challenges related to biocompatibility, stability, scalability, and clinical translation need to be addressed. Future research efforts should focus on comprehensive studies to validate the efficacy and safety of nanomaterial-based interventions targeting T cells in stroke-induced immunosuppression. Collaborative interdisciplinary approaches are necessary to advance the field and translate these innovative strategies into clinical practice, ultimately improving stroke outcomes and patient care.

Effectiveness of acupoint stimulation combined with neurogenic bowel training on constipation in stroke patients: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the effectiveness of acupoint stimulation combined with neurogenic bowel training on constipation in stroke patients.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 89 stroke patients with constipation admitted to our hospital from July 2022 to January 2024. All patients met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The control group (n = 42) received neurogenic bowel training intervention, while the experimental group (n = 47) received finger acupoint stimulation combined with neurogenic bowel training intervention. Four outcome measures including intervention effects, bowel movements, Constipation Scoring System (CSS), and Scores on the Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QOL) were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The total intervention effective rate in the experimental group (91.49%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (73.81%) (p < 0.05). Two weeks after intervention, the experimental group had significantly better first bowel movement time, average bowel movement time, and bowel movement interval time compared to the control group (p < 0.05). One and 2 weeks after intervention, the CSS and PAC-QOL scores in the experimental group were significantly better than those in the control group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Acupoint stimulation combined with neurogenic bowel training significantly improves constipation in stroke patients. Compared to neurogenic bowel training alone, the combined application of acupoint stimulation further improves bowel movements, reduces constipation severity, and enhances the quality of life in patients. Therefore, it is worthy of clinical promotion.

A novel score for early prediction of urinary tract infection risk in patients with acute ischemic stroke: a nomogram-based retrospective cohort study

This study aimed to construct and externally validate a user-friendly nomogram-based scoring model for predicting the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). A retrospective real-world cohort study was conducted on 1748 consecutive hospitalized patients with AIS. Out of these patients, a total of 1132 participants were ultimately included in the final analysis, with 817 used for model construction and 315 utilized for external validation. Multivariate regression analysis was applied to develop the model. The discriminative capacity, calibration ability, and clinical effectiveness of the model were evaluated. The overall incidence of UTIs was 8.13% (92/1132), with Escherichia coli being the most prevalent causative pathogen in patients with AIS. After multivariable analysis, advanced age, female gender, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≥ 5, and use of urinary catheters were identified as independent risk factors for UTIs. A nomogram-based SUNA model was constructed using these four factors (Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) = 0.810), which showed good discrimination (AUC = 0.788), calibration, and clinical utility in the external validation cohort. Based on four simple and readily available factors, we derived and externally validated a novel and user-friendly nomogram-based scoring model (SUNA score) to predict the risk of UTIs in patients with AIS. The model has a good predictive value and provides valuable information for timely intervention in patients with AIS to reduce the occurrence of UTIs.

Effects of a step-by-step inpatient rehabilitation program on self-care ability and quality of life in patients with acute cerebral infarction following intravascular stent implantation: a prospective cohort study

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the influence of a step-by-step inpatient rehabilitation program (SIRP) on the self-care capability and quality of life of patients who have undergone intravascular stent implantation to treat large vessel occlusion during acute cerebral infarction (ACI).

Methods

This study included a cohort of 90 patients with ACI who received intravascular stent implantations at a tertiary hospital in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 2020 to February 2024. The patients were followed up for at least 3 months. Cohort grouping was based on the type of nursing care each patient received. The observation group participated in SIRP along with receiving routine nursing care, whereas the control group received only routine nursing care. Key outcome measures included the Barthel index, the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, the incidence of complications, length of hospital stay, and 36-item short-form survey (SF-36) scores. These parameters were compared between the two groups.

Results

At the time of admission, there were no significant differences in demographic data, NIHSS score, Barthel index, or SF-36 scores between the observation and control groups (all p > 0.05). However, at 3 months postoperatively, the observation group showed significant improvements, with higher average scores in the Barthel index (62.49 ± 7.32 vs. 53.16 ± 4.37, p < 0.001) and SF-36 scores (502.33 ± 14.28 vs. 417.64 ± 9.65, p < 0.001). Additionally, this group had significantly lower NIHSS scores (3.38 ± 1.19 vs. 10.24 ± 2.10, p < 0.001), fewer complications (3 vs. 15, p = 0.002), and shorter hospital stays (12.40 ± 1.68 vs. 15.56 ± 1.87, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Implementing SIRP notably enhanced self-care capabilities and overall quality of life, while also reducing complication rates and the length of hospital stays for patients with ACI who underwent intravascular stent implantation. This underscores the potential benefits of incorporating structured rehabilitation programs in the treatment and recovery processes of such patients.

Experimental Models of Hospital-Acquired Infections After Traumatic Brain Injury: Challenges and Opportunities

Patients hospitalized after a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) are at increased risk of nosocomial infections, including bacterial pneumonia and other upper respiratory tract infections. Infections represent a secondary immune challenge for vulnerable TBI patients that can lead to increased morbidity and poorer long-term prognosis. This review first describes the clinical significance of infections after TBI, delving into the known mechanisms by which a TBI can alter systemic immunological responses towards an immunosuppressive state, leading to promotion of increased vulnerability to infections. Pulmonary dysfunction resulting from respiratory tract infections is considered in the context of neurotrauma, including the bidirectional relationship between the brain and lungs. Turning to pre-clinical modeling, current laboratory approaches to study experimental TBI and lung infections are reviewed, to highlight findings from the limited key studies to date that have incorporated both insults. Then, practical decisions for the experimental design of animal studies of post-injury infections are discussed. Variables associated with the host animal, the infectious agent (e.g., species, strain, dose, and administration route), as well as the timing of the infection relative to the injury model are important considerations for model development. Together, the purpose of this review is to highlight the significant clinical need for increased pre-clinical research into the two-hit insult of a hospital-acquired infection after TBI to encourage further scientific enquiry in the field.

The Change in Fibrinogen is Associated with Outcome in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke Treated with Endovascular Thrombectomy

BACKGROUND

Fibrinogen has been identified as a modulator of the coagulation and inflammatory process. There is uncertainty about the relationship between the dynamic profile of fibrinogen levels and its impact on clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with endovascular thrombectomy.

METHODS

We consecutively enrolled patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent endovascular thrombectomy. Fibrinogen was measured on admission and during hospitalization. The change in fibrinogen (Δfibrinogen) was calculated as the highest follow-up fibrinogen minus admission fibrinogen, with a positive Δfibrinogen indicating an increase in fibrinogen level. Functional outcome was assessed by the modified Rankin Scale at 3 months. Poor outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale > 2.

RESULTS

A total of 346 patients were included (mean age 67.4 ± 13.6 years, 52.31% men). The median fibrinogen on admission was 2.77 g/L (interquartile range 2.30-3.39 g/L). The median Δfibrinogen was 1.38 g/L (interquartile range 0.27-2.79 g/L). Hyperfibrinogenemia (> 4.5 g/L) on admission was associated with an increased risk of poor outcome [odds ratio (OR) 5.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.44-24.41, p = 0.014]. There was a possible U-shaped association of Δfibrinogen with outcomes, with an inflection point of - 0.43 g/L (p = 0.04). When Δfibrinogen was <  - 0.43 g/L, a higher decrease in fibrinogen (lower Δfibrinogen value) was associated with a higher risk of poor outcome (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.02-2.48, p = 0.219). When Δfibrinogen was >  - 0.43 g/L, the risk of poor outcome increased with increasing fibrinogen (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.04-1.54, p = 0.016).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with endovascular thrombectomy, hyperfibrinogenemia on admission was associated with poor functional outcomes at 3 months, whereas Δfibrinogen was associated with poor 3-month outcomes in a possible U-shaped manner.

Causal effects of immune cell surface antigens and functional outcome after ischemic stroke: a Mendelian randomization study

Objective

While observational studies link immune cells with post-stroke functional outcome, the underlying immune mechanisms are not well understood. Immune cell surface antigens are actively involved in the biological behavior of immune cells, investigating immune cell surface antigens could deepen our comprehension of their role and biological processes in stroke recovery. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the immunological basis of stroke outcome by exploring the causal relationship between immune cell surface antigens and functional outcome after ischemic stroke in a Mendelian randomization study.

Methods

Genetic variants related to immune cell surface antigens and post-stroke functional outcome were selected for two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. 389 fluorescence intensities (MFIs) with surface antigens were included. Inverse variance weighted (IVW) modeling was used as the primary MR method to estimate the causal effect of exposure on the outcome, followed by several alternative methods and sensitivity analyses. Additional analysis of the association between immune cell surface antigens and risk of ischemic stroke for assessment of collider bias.

Results

We found that suggestive associations between CD20 on switched memory B cell (OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.01-1.34, p = 0.036) and PDL-1 on monocyte (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.04-1.66, p = 0.022) and poor post-stroke functional outcome, whereas CD25 on CD39+ resting Treg (OR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.62-0.96, p = 0.017) was suggestively associated with good post-stroke functional outcome.

Conclusion

The elevated CD20 on switched memory B cell, PDL-1 on monocyte, and CD25 on CD39+ resting Treg may be novel biomarkers and potential causal factors influencing post-stroke functional outcome.

Stroke in the Time of Circadian Medicine

Time-of-day significantly influences the severity and incidence of stroke. Evidence has emerged not only for circadian governance over stroke risk factors, but also for important determinants of clinical outcome. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the interplay between chronobiology and cerebrovascular disease. We discuss circadian regulation of pathophysiological mechanisms underlying stroke onset or tolerance as well as in vascular dementia. This includes cell death mechanisms, metabolism, mitochondrial function, and inflammation/immunity. Furthermore, we present clinical evidence supporting the link between disrupted circadian rhythms and increased susceptibility to stroke and dementia. We propose that circadian regulation of biochemical and physiological pathways in the brain increase susceptibility to damage after stroke in sleep and attenuate treatment effectiveness during the active phase. This review underscores the importance of considering circadian biology for understanding the pathology and treatment choice for stroke and vascular dementia and speculates that considering a patient's chronotype may be an important factor in developing precision treatment following stroke.

Visualizing Wallerian degeneration in the corticospinal tract after sensorimotor cortex ischemia in mice

Stroke can cause Wallerian degeneration in regions outside of the brain, particularly in the corticospinal tract. To investigate the fate of major glial cells and axons within affected areas of the corticospinal tract following stroke, we induced photochemical infarction of the sensorimotor cortex leading to Wallerian degeneration along the full extent of the corticospinal tract. We first used a routine, sensitive marker of axonal injury, amyloid precursor protein, to examine Wallerian degeneration of the corticospinal tract. An antibody to amyloid precursor protein mapped exclusively to proximal axonal segments within the ischemic cortex, with no positive signal in distal parts of the corticospinal tract, at all time points. To improve visualization of Wallerian degeneration, we next utilized an orthograde virus that expresses green fluorescent protein to label the corticospinal tract and then quantitatively evaluated green fluorescent protein-expressing axons. Using this approach, we found that axonal degeneration began on day 3 post-stroke and was almost complete by 7 days after stroke. In addition, microglia mobilized and activated early, from day 7 after stroke, but did not maintain a phagocytic state over time. Meanwhile, astrocytes showed relatively delayed mobilization and a moderate response to Wallerian degeneration. Moreover, no anterograde degeneration of spinal anterior horn cells was observed in response to Wallerian degeneration of the corticospinal tract. In conclusion, our data provide evidence for dynamic, pathogenic spatiotemporal changes in major cellular components of the corticospinal tract during Wallerian degeneration.

One-Year Disability Trajectories and Long-Term Cardiovascular Events, Recurrent Stroke, and Mortality After Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND

Patients with stroke are often affected by varying degrees of functional disability and have different evolution patterns in functional disability. However, little is known about the predictive usefulness of disability changes after stroke. We aimed to describe 1-year disability trajectories and to assess the associations of longitudinal disability trajectories with 24-month clinical outcomes after ischemic stroke.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 3533 patients with ischemic stroke from CATIS (China Antihypertensive Trial in Acute Ischemic Stroke) were studied. Distinct trajectories of disability were identified by the group-based trajectory model, as measured by modified Rankin Scale score within 12 months. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to examine the associations of disability trajectories with 24-month cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. We identified 4 distinct disability trajectories: no significant disability (562 participants [15.9%]), slight disability to recovery (1575 participants [44.6%]), severe to moderate disability (1087 participants [30.8%]), and persistent severe disability (309 participants [8.7%]). Compared with no significant disability trajectory, the multivariable adjusted hazard ratios (95% CIs) of patients within the persistent heavy-severe trajectory were 2.63 (1.20-5.76) for cardiovascular events, 2.55 (1.12-5.79) for recurrent stroke, and 6.10 (2.22-16.72) for all-cause mortality; notably, the hazard ratios (95% CIs) for patients within the severe to moderate disability trajectory were 1.99 (1.01-3.94) for cardiovascular events and 1.85 (1.03-3.33) for the composite outcome of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Functional disability trajectories within 12 months after stroke onset were associated with the risk of 24-month adverse outcomes. Patients with persistent severe disability or severe to moderate disability had higher risk of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01840072.

Machine learning using multimodal and autonomic nervous system parameters predicts clinically apparent stroke-associated pneumonia in a development and testing study

BACKGROUND

Stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) is a preventable determinant for poor outcome after stroke. Machine learning (ML) using large-scale clinical data warehouses may be able to predict SAP and identify patients for targeted interventions. The aim of this study was to develop a prediction model for identifying clinically apparent SAP using automated ML.

METHODS

The ML model used clinical and laboratory parameters along with heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and blood pressure (BP) values obtained during the first 48 h after stroke unit admission. A logistic regression classifier was developed and internally validated with a nested-cross-validation (nCV) approach. For every shuffle, the model was first trained and validated with a fixed threshold for 0.9 sensitivity, then finally tested on the out-of-sample data and benchmarked against a widely validated clinical score (A2DS2).

RESULTS

We identified 2390 eligible patients admitted to two-stroke units at Charité between October 2020 and June 2023, of whom 1755 had all parameters available. SAP was diagnosed in 96/1755 (5.5%). Circadian profiles in HR, HRV, and BP metrics during the first 48 h after admission exhibited distinct differences between patients with SAP diagnosis vs. those without. CRP, mRS at admission, leukocyte count, high-frequency power in HRV, stroke severity at admission, sex, and diastolic BP were identified as the most informative ML features. We obtained an AUC of 0.91 (CI 0.88-0.95) for the ML model on the out-of-sample data in comparison to an AUC of 0.84 (CI 0.76-0.91) for the previously established A2DS2 score (p < 0.001). The ML model provided a sensitivity of 0.87 (CI 0.75-0.97) with a corresponding specificity of 0.82 (CI 0.78-0.85) which outperformed the A2DS2 score for multiple cutoffs.

CONCLUSIONS

Automated, data warehouse-based prediction of clinically apparent SAP in the stroke unit setting is feasible, benefits from the inclusion of vital signs, and could be useful for identifying high-risk patients or prophylactic pneumonia management in clinical routine.

Does ICU admission dysphagia independently contribute to delirium risk in ischemic stroke patients? Results from a cohort study

BACKGROUND

Delirium is prevalent in ischemic stroke patients, particularly those in the intensive care unit (ICU), and it poses a significant burden on patients and caregivers, leading to increased mortality rates, prolonged hospital stays, and impaired cognitive function. Dysphagia, a common symptom in critically ill patients with ischemic stroke, further complicates their condition. However, the association between dysphagia and delirium in this context remains unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between dysphagia and delirium in ICU patients with ischemic stroke.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on adult patients diagnosed with ischemic stroke at a medical center in Boston. Ischemic stroke cases were identified using the ninth and tenth revisions of the International Classification of Diseases. Dysphagia was defined as a positive bedside swallowing screen performed by medical staff on the day of ICU admission, while delirium was assessed using the ICU Confusion Assessment Method and review of nursing notes. Logistic regression models were used to explore the association between dysphagia and delirium. Causal mediation analysis was employed to identify potential mediating variables.

RESULTS

The study comprised 1838 participants, with a median age of approximately 70 years, and 50.5% were female. Among the total study population, the prevalence of delirium was 43.4%, with a higher prevalence observed in the dysphagia group (60.7% vs. 40.8%, p < 0.001) compared to the non-dysphagia group. After adjusting for confounding factors including age, sex, race, dementia, depression, sedative medications, history of falls, visual or hearing deficit, sequential organ failure score, and Glasgow coma score, multifactorial logistic regression analysis demonstrated a significant association between dysphagia and an increased likelihood of delirium (odds ratio [OR]: 1.48; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-2.05; p = 0.018; E-value = 1.73). Causal mediation analysis revealed that serum albumin levels partially mediated the association between dysphagia and delirium in critically ill patients with ischemic stroke (average causal mediated effect [ACME]: 0.02, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.03; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

ICU admission dysphagia may independently contribute to the risk of delirium in patients with ischemic stroke. Early identification and intervention in ischemic stroke patients with dysphagia may help mitigate the risk of delirium and improve patient prognosis.

Development and Validation of a Dynamic Nomogram for Predicting 3-Month Mortality in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Background

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) carries a substantial risk of mortality, emphasizing the need for effective risk assessment and timely interventions. This study aimed to develop and validate a practical dynamic nomogram for predicting 3-month mortality in AIS patients with AF.

Methods

AIS patients with AF were enrolled and randomly divided into training and validation cohorts. The nomogram was developed based on independent risk factors identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis. The prediction performance of the nomogram was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC), calibration plots, decision curve analysis (DCA), and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.

Results

A total of 412 patients with AIS and AF entered final analysis, 288 patients in the training cohort and 124 patients in the validation cohort. The nomogram was developed using age, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, early introduction of novel oral anticoagulants, and pneumonia as independent risk factors. The nomogram exhibited good discrimination both in the training cohort (AUC, 0.851; 95% CI, 0.802-0.899) and the validation cohort (AUC, 0.811; 95% CI, 0.706-0.916). The calibration plots, DCA and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated that the nomogram was well calibrated and clinically useful, effectively distinguishing the 3-month survival status of patients with AIS and AF, respectively. The dynamic nomogram can be obtained at the website: https://yanxiaodi.shinyapps.io/3-monthmortality/.

Conclusion

The dynamic nomogram represents the first predictive model for 3-month mortality and may contribute to managing the mortality risk of patients with AIS and AF.

Immunothrombosis in neurovascular disease

A State of the Art lecture titled "Immunothrombosis in Neurovascular Diseases" was presented at the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis Congress in 2023. Despite significant clinical advancements in stroke therapy, stroke remains a prominent contributor to both mortality and disability worldwide. Brain injury resulting from an ischemic stroke is a dynamic process that unfolds over time. Initially, an infarct core forms due to the abrupt and substantial blockage of blood flow. In the subsequent hours to days, the surrounding tissue undergoes gradual deterioration, primarily driven by sustained hypoperfusion, programmed cell death, and inflammation. While anti-inflammatory strategies have proven highly effective in experimental models of stroke, their successful translation to clinical use has proven challenging. To overcome this translational hurdle, a better understanding of the distinct immune response driving ischemic stroke brain injury is needed. In this review article, we give an overview of current knowledge regarding the immune response in ischemic stroke and the contribution of immunothrombosis to this process. We discuss therapeutic approaches to overcome detrimental immunothrombosis in ischemic stroke and how these can be extrapolated to other neurovascular diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis. Finally, we summarize relevant new data on this topic presented during the 2023 International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis Congress.

The application of cluster nursing to prevent bacterial pneumonia in stroke patients in neurology department

The research aims to explore the intervention effect of cluster nursing methods on bacterial pneumonia in stroke patients in neurology. A retrospective analysis is conducted on 120 patients diagnosed with stroke in the hospital from 2020 to 2022, who are diagnosed as stroke patients in the neurology department by doctors. 120 patients are randomly separated into a control group (CG) and a research group (RG) for the experiment, with 60 people in each group. The CG receive normal nursing; The RG adopt cluster nursing methods. Comparison have done in the general information, nursing satisfaction, physical improvement after intervention, and oral hygiene indicators of the 2 groups of patients, and the intervention effect of the 2 nursing methods on patients suffering from bacterial pneumonia is evaluated. When the time reached the 7th day, the nutritional risk screening scores of both groups were (9.53 ± 2.29) and (8.10 ± 2.12), respectively. The serum albumin levels were (36.46 ± 4.80) g/L and (34.16 ± 3.69) g/L, respectively. After simultaneous nursing intervention, there were P < .005 in respiratory rates in the 2nd and 4th months of intervention, as well as after the completion of nursing intervention. The respiratory rates of the RG patients improved toward a larger range of normal respiratory rates, with significant statistical significance (P < .005). As time passed, the number of people with shortness of breath in the CG increased sharply to 46, while those in the RG was only 27, indicating P < .05 between the 2 groups. At the beginning of the 3rd month, the satisfaction rates of the RG and the CG were (92.33 ± 1.17)% and (78.18 ± 1.07)%, respectively, and there was P < .0.05 between the 2 groups of data. The cluster nursing strategy has a significant relieving effect on bacterial pneumonia in stroke patients in the neurology department, which can effectively reduce the probability of pneumonia, improve their physical condition, and enhance their quality of life. It has certain clinical application value.

Investigating the ID3/SLC22A4 as immune-related signatures in ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a fearful disease that can cause a variety of immune events. Nevertheless, precise immune-related mechanisms have yet to be systematically elucidated. This study aimed to identify immune-related signatures using machine learning and to validate them with animal experiments and single cell analysis.

METHODS

In this study, we screened 24 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) while identifying immune-related signatures that may play a key role in IS development through a comprehensive strategy between least absolute shrinkage and selection operation (LASSO) regression, support vector machine (SVM) and immune-related genes. In addition, we explored immune infiltration using the CIBERSORT algorithm. Finally, we performed validation in mouse brain tissue and single cell analysis.

RESULTS

We identified 24 DEGs for follow-up analysis. ID3 and SLC22A4 were finally identified as the better immune-related signatures through a comprehensive strategy among DEGs, LASSO, SVM and immune-related genes. RT-qPCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence revealed a significant decrease in ID3 and a significant increase in SLC22A4 in the middle cerebral artery occlusion group. Single cell analysis revealed that ID3 was mainly concentrated in endothelial_2 cells and SLC22A4 in astrocytes in the MCAO group. A CIBERSORT finds significantly altered levels of immune infiltration in IS patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This study focused on immune-related signatures after stroke and ID3 and SLC22A4 may be new therapeutic targets to promote functional recovery after stroke. Furthermore, the association of ID3 and SLC22A4 with immune cells may be a new direction for post-stroke immunotherapy.

Molecular chaperones in stroke-induced immunosuppression

Stroke-induced immunosuppression is a process that leads to peripheral suppression of the immune system after a stroke and belongs to the central nervous system injury-induced immunosuppressive syndrome. Stroke-induced immunosuppression leads to increased susceptibility to post-stroke infections, such as urinary tract infections and stroke-associated pneumonia, worsening prognosis. Molecular chaperones are a large class of proteins that are able to maintain proteostasis by directing the folding of nascent polypeptide chains, refolding misfolded proteins, and targeting misfolded proteins for degradation. Various molecular chaperones have been shown to play roles in stroke-induced immunosuppression by modulating the activity of other molecular chaperones, cochaperones, and their associated pathways. This review summarizes the role of molecular chaperones in stroke-induced immunosuppression and discusses new approaches to restore host immune defense after stroke.

Post-stroke immunosuppression: Exploring potential implications beyond infections

Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and disability. It occurs when cerebral blood flow is disrupted via vascular occlusion or rupture, causing tissue damage. Research has extensively examined the role of the immune response in stroke pathophysiology, focusing on infiltrated immune cells and inflammatory molecules. However, the stroke's impact on immune physiology remains underexplored. While initially stroke triggers the activation of peripheral inflammation, a subsequent profound immunosuppression occurs in a matter of hours/days. This response, potentially shielding the brain from excessive inflammation, significantly affects stroke patients. Beyond rendering patients more susceptible to infections, immunosuppression generates diverse consequences by disrupting immune system functions that are crucial for organ homeostasis. This review explores the effects of immunosuppression on stroke patients, shedding light on potential issues in immune organs such as the spleen and bone marrow, as well as non-immune organs like the small intestine, liver and heart. By synthesizing existing literature and offering additional insights, this manuscript highlights the multifaceted impact of post-stroke immunosuppression.

Temporal changes in regulatory T cell subsets defined by the transcription factor Helios in stroke and their potential role in stroke-associated infection: a prospective case-control study

BACKGROUND

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are involved in the systemic immune response after ischemic stroke. However, their role remains unclear, and the effect appears to be both neuroprotective and detrimental. Treg suppressor function may result in immunodepression and promote stroke-associated infection (SAI). Thus we assume that the bidirectional effects of Tregs may be in part attributed to the intracellular transcription factor Helios. Tregs with Helios expression (H+ Tregs) constitute 70-90% of all Treg cells and more frequently than Helios-negative Tregs (H- Tregs) express molecules recognized as markers of Tregs with suppressor abilities.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We prospectively assessed the circulating Treg population with flow cytometry in 52 subjects on days 1, 3, 10 and 90 after ischemic stroke and we compared the results with those obtained in concurrent age-, sex- and vascular risk factor-matched controls. At all studied time points the percentage of H+ Tregs decreased in stroke subjects-D1: 69.1% p < 0.0001; D3: 62.5% (49.6-76.6), p < 0.0001; D10: 60.9% (56.5-72.9), p < 0.0001; D90: 79.2% (50.2-91.7), p = 0.014 vs. controls: 92.7% (81.9-97.0) and the percentage of H- Tregs increased accordingly. In patients with SAI the percentage of pro-suppressor H+ Tregs on post-stroke day 3 was higher than in those without infection (p = 0.03). After adjustment for confounders, the percentage of H+ Tregs on day 3 independently correlated with SAI [OR 1.29; CI 95%: 1.08-1.27); p = 0.02]. Although the percentage of H+ Tregs on day 3 correlated positively with NIHSS score on day 90 (rS = 0.62; p < 0.01) and the infarct volume at day 90 (rS = 0.58; p < 0.05), in regression analysis it was not an independent risk factor.

CONCLUSIONS

On the first day after stroke the proportion of H+ vs. H- Tregs changes in favor of pro-inflammatory H- Tregs, and this shift continues toward normalization when assessed on day 90. A higher percentage of pro-suppressive H+ Tregs on day 3 independently correlates with SAI and is associated positively with NIHSS score, but it does not independently affect the outcome and stroke area in the convalescent phase of stroke.

Risk Factors, Outcomes, and Predictions of Extensively Drug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Nosocomial Infections in Patients with Nervous System Diseases

Purpose

Acinetobacter baumannii has evolved to become a major pathogen of nosocomial infections, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors, outcomes, and predictions of extensively drug-resistant (XDR)-A. baumannii nosocomial infections in patients with nervous system diseases (NSDs).

Methods

A retrospective study of patients infected with XDR-A. baumannii admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University (Luzhou, China) from January 2021 to December 2022 was conducted. Three multivariate regression models were used to assess the risk factors and predictive value for specific diagnostic and prognostic subgroups.

Results

A total of 190 patients were included, of which 84 were diagnosed with NSDs and 80% of those were due to stroke. The overall rates of all-cause mortality for XDR-A. baumannii nosocomial infections and those in NSDs were 38.9% and 40.5%, respectively. Firstly, hypertension, indwelling gastric tube, tracheotomy, deep puncture, bladder irrigation, and pulmonary infections were independent risk factors for XDR-A. baumannii nosocomial infections in patients with NSDs. Moreover, pulmonary infections, the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio, and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were significantly associated with increased mortality rates in patients with nosocomial infections caused by XDR-A. baumannii. Thirdly, NLR and cardiovascular diseases accounted for a high risk of mortality for XDR-A. baumannii nosocomial infections in patients with NSDs. The area under the curves of results from each multivariate regression model were 0.827, 0.811, and 0.853, respectively.

Conclusion

This study reveals the risk factors of XDR-A. baumannii nosocomial infections in patients with NSDs, and proves their reliable predictive value. Early recognition of patients at high risk, sterilizing medical tools, and regular blood monitoring are all critical aspects for minimizing the nosocomial spread and mortality of A. baumannii infections.

GNRI, PLR and Stroke-Associated Pneumonia: From Association to Development of a Web-Based Dynamic Nomogram

Objective

Discussing the relationship between geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) on stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients, developing and validating a web-based dynamic nomogram.

Methods

A total of 996 AIS patients admitted to the Department of General Medicine and Neurology at Xuzhou Medical University Affiliated Hospital were collected. They were divided into Non-SAP group and SAP group based on the occurrence of SAP. The data was randomly divided into training set and validation set in a ratio of 7:3. LASSO regression and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to screen for independent risk factors and develop a dynamic nomogram. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC), calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA) curve were used to validate the model's discriminative ability, calibration, and clinical value, respectively.

Results

Among AIS patients, a total of 221 cases (22.19%) developed SAP. Age, NIHSS score, comorbid atrial fibrillation, dysphagia, PLR, and GNRI were identified as independent factors influencing the occurrence of SAP in AIS patients. A web-based dynamic nomogram was developed based on these six variables. The training set showed an AUC-ROC of 0.864 (95% CI: 0.828-0.892), while the validation set showed an AUC-ROC of 0.825 (95% CI: 0.772-0.882), indicating good predictive ability and discrimination of the model. The calibration curve demonstrated good calibration of the model, and the DCA curve showed its clinical value. This model can be accessed and utilized by anyone on the website (https://moonlittledoctor.shinyapps.io/ANADPG/).

Conclusion

PLR and GNRI are independent factors influencing the occurrence of SAP in AIS patients, and a dynamic nomogram was constructed to predict the risk of SAP in AIS patients. It can guide clinical decision-making and improve patient prognosis.

Long-term functional outcome and quality of life 2.5 years after thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND

Evaluation of outcome after stroke is largely based on assessment of gross function 3 months after stroke onset using scales such as mRS. Cognitive or social functions, level of symptom burden or emotional health are not usually assessed, nor are data available on long-term functional outcomes years after stroke.

METHODS

Analysis of 1141 patients with AIS treated with IVT from two major German university hospitals between 2017 and 2020. Patient characteristics and short-term outcome were analysed from patient records. Long-term outcome of 228 patients with prior written informed consent was assessed via telephone survey using mRS and PROMs (EQ-5D-5L, EQ-VAS) 2.5 years after stroke.

RESULTS

Predictors of excellent to good long-term outcome were younger age, event to door time ≤ 2 h, NIHSS ≤ 6 on admission and NIHSS ≤ 6 after IVT. Stroke recurrence was a negative predictor. Predictors of excellent quality of life at 2.5 years included age < 73 years, lower NIHSS after IVT, absence of hypertension. Quality of life was rated in all dimensions with a medium score of 1 and a medium EQ-VAS of 70, representing the good general health status of this stroke population.

CONCLUSION

Main predictors of an excellent to good long-term outcome and excellent QoL 2.5 years after stroke are younger age, lower NIHSS, and event to door time ≤ 2 h. Research on long-term outcome after disease and treatment is of utmost importance, as it has the ability to reveal the patient true functional outcome and quality of life and to provide information on the status of independence and self-esteem.

BRAP silencing protects against neuronal inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by promoting PON1 expression

BACKGROUND

BRCA1 associated protein (BRAP) participates in the regulation of myocardial infarction and atherosclerosis. But the function of BRAP in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (CIR) injury has not been elucidated yet.

METHODS

BRAP expression in PC12 cells in response to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) treatment was examined with Western blot assay. PC12 cells underwent OGD/R-treatment and were subsequently transfected with pcDNA-BRAP or sh-BRAP, followed by determination of viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) production, apoptosis, inflammatory cytokine secretion, and oxidative stress marker protein levels. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) promoter methylation was evaluated with methylation-specific PCR assay. the effect of BRAP/PON1 axis on CIR injury was investigated by rescue experiments. Additionally, sh-BRAP was injected into a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat model, and the changes of neurological damage were evaluated.

RESULTS

BRAP overexpression exacerbated OGD/R-induced viability reduction, LDH production, apoptosis, inflammatory cytokine secretion and oxidative stress in PC12 neuronal cells. In contrast, BRAP silencing showed the opposite results. Mechanistically, BRAP reduced PON1 expression by promoting DNA methyl transferase1 (DNMT1)-mediated PON1 promoter methylation. PON1 silencing reversed BRAP-mediated neuroprotection. Additionally, BRAP silencing alleviated CIR-induced neurological damage in MCAO rats.

CONCLUSION

BRAP silencing suppressed OGD/R-induced neuronal apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress, and alleviated CIR-induced neurological damage in MCAO rats through facilitating PON1 expression.

Systemic inflammation response index as a clinical outcome evaluating tool and prognostic indicator for hospitalized stroke patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Stroke, which is the main element of cerebrovascular disease (CVD), has become the foremost reason for death and disability on a global scale. The systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), a newly developed and comprehensive indicator, has demonstrated promise in forecasting clinical results for diverse ailments. Nevertheless, the uncertainty surrounding the assessment and prediction of clinical outcomes for stroke patients by SIRI persists, and the conflicting findings from the limited studies conducted on this matter further complicate the situation. Consequently, we performed a thorough systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the correlation between SIRI and the clinical results in individuals suffering from stroke.

METHODS

This research was registered in PROSPERO and carried out following the PRISMA guidelines. A thorough investigation was carried out on PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Furthermore, we conducted a manual search in Chinese databases, such as China national Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang, VIP, and China Biology Medicine (CBM). We assessed the potential for bias in the studies included by utilizing the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) tool. Adverse clinical outcomes were the main focus of the study, with secondary endpoints including mortality, the predictive value of SIRI, SIRI values across various endpoints, and clinical parameters associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in relation to low and high SIRI group.

RESULTS

Following rigorous evaluation, a grand total of 22 investigations, encompassing a populace of 12,737 individuals, were considered suitable for incorporation in the final analysis. The findings from our meta-analysis indicate a strong and consistent correlation between elevated SIRI levels and adverse functional outcomes, irrespective of the method used to evaluate unfavorable outcomes. Furthermore, increased SIRI values have a strong correlation with mortality rates in both the short and long term. Besides, SIRI is a useful indicator of the severity of SAH. SIRI demonstrates strong predictive ability in identifying unfavorable outcomes and stroke-related pneumonia (SAP), as higher SIRI values are typically linked to negative endpoints. Nevertheless, the meta-analysis indicated that there was no significant increase in the risk of early neurological deterioration (END) and acute hydrocephalus (AHC) in high SIRI group when comparing to low SIRI.

CONCLUSION

This study could potentially pave the way for groundbreaking insights into the relationship between SIRI and stroke patient outcomes, as it appears to be the first meta-analysis to explore this association. Given the critical role of the inflammatory response in stroke recovery, closely monitoring patients with high SIRI levels could represent a promising strategy for mitigating brain damage post-stroke. Thus, further investigation into SIRI and its impact on clinical outcomes is essential. While our initial findings offer valuable insights into this area, continued research is necessary to fully elucidate the potential of SIRI, ideally through dynamic monitoring and large-scale, multi-center studies. Ultimately, this research has the potential to inform clinical decision-making and improve patient outcomes following stroke.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/ ; Identifier CRD42023405221.

Dementia, stroke, age, use of medical devices and antipsychotic drugs may increase the risk of nosocomial infections among elderly patients hospitalized at Neurology Clinics

Healthcare-acquired infections (HCAI) represent a major health problem worldwide. Stroke and dementia are considered risk factors for HCAI. Preliminary data suggest that use of antipsychotic drugs also increase the risk for HCAI. Here, we performed a retrospective study aimed at investigating the major risk and protective factors for HCAI in a cohort of elderly subjects hospitalized at an Italian tertiary Neurology Clinics. We included all patients with age ≥ 65 years hospitalized at Neurology Clinics of National Institute on Ageing, Ancona, Italy from 1st January 2018 to 31st December 2021. For each patient, the following data were collected: age, sex, use of medical devices, comorbidities, use of antipsychotic medications, development of HCAI. We included 1543 patients (41.4% males; median age 85 years [80-89]). According to multivariable analysis, age, stroke, duration of urinary catheter placement (for all p < 0.001) and midline placement (p = 0.035) resulted to be risk factors for HCAI, Diabetes resulted to be a protective factor for pneumonia (p = 0.041), while dementia and nasogastric tube were risks factor for this condition (p = 0.022 and p < 0.001, respectively). Urinary catheter was a risk factor for urinary tract infections (p < 0.001). Duration of placement of vascular catheters and use of antipsychotic drugs resulted to significantly increase the risk for bloodstream infections. Stroke, age and use of medical devices were confirmed to be risk factors for HCAI. Antipsychotic drugs resulted to increase risk for bloodstream infections. Further prospective studies will be needed to confirm these findings.

Research progress on the roles of neurovascular unit in stroke-induced immunosuppression

A complex pathophysiological mechanism is involved in brain injury following cerebral infarction. The neurovascular unit (NVU) is a complex multi-cellular structure consisting of neurons, endothelial cells, pericyte, astrocyte, microglia and extracellular matrix, etc. The dyshomeostasis of NVU directly participates in the regulation of inflammatory immune process. The components of NVU promote inflammatory overreaction and synergize with the overactivation of autonomic nervous system to initiate stroke-induced immunodepression (SIID). SIID can alleviate the damage caused by inflammation, however, it also makes stroke patients more susceptible to infection, leading to systemic damage. This article reviews the mechanism of SIID and the roles of NVU in SIID, to provide a perspective for reperfusion, prognosis and immunomodulatory therapy of cerebral infarction.

Stroke Recovery Is a Journey: Prediction and Potentials of Motor Recovery after a Stroke from a Practical Perspective

Stroke recovery is a journey. Stroke survivors can face many consequences that may last the rest of their lives. Assessment of initial impairments allows reasonable prediction of biological spontaneous recovery at 3 to 6 months for a majority of survivors. In real-world clinical practice, stroke survivors continue to improve their motor function beyond the spontaneous recovery period, but management plans for maximal recovery are not well understood. A model within the international classification of functioning (ICF) theoretical framework is proposed to systematically identify opportunities and potential barriers to maximize and realize the potentials of functional recovery from the acute to chronic stages and to maintain their function in the chronic stages. Health conditions of individuals, medical and neurological complications can be optimized under the care of specialized physicians. This permits stroke survivors to participate in various therapeutic interventions. Sufficient doses of appropriate interventions at the right time is critical for stroke motor rehabilitation. It is important to highlight that combining interventions is likely to yield better clinical outcomes. Caregivers, including family members, can assist and facilitate targeted therapeutic exercises for these individuals and can help stroke survivors comply with medical plans (medications, visits), and provide emotional support. With health optimization, comprehensive rehabilitation, support from family and caregivers and a commitment to a healthy lifestyle, many stroke survivors can overcome barriers and achieve potentials of maximum recovery and maintain their motor function in chronic stages. This ICF recovery model is likely to provide a guidance through the journey to best achieve stroke recovery potentials.

Development and validation of a nomogram model for prediction of stroke-associated pneumonia associated with intracerebral hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

We aimed to establish risk factors for stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and develop an efficient and convenient model to predict SAP in patients with ICH.

METHODS

Our study involved 1333 patients consecutively diagnosed with ICH and admitted to the Neurology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. The 1333 patients were randomly divided (3:1) into the derivation cohort (n = 1000) and validation Cohort (n = 333). Variables were screened from demographics, lifestyle-related factors, comorbidities, clinical symptoms, neuroimaging features, and laboratory tests. In the derivation cohort, we developed a prediction model with multivariable logistic regression analysis. In the validation cohort, we assessed the model performance and compared it to previously reported models. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), GiViTI calibration belt, net reclassification index (NRI), integrated discrimination index (IDI) and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to assess the prediction ability and the clinical decision-making ability.

RESULTS

The incidence of SAP was 19.9% and 19.8% in the derivation (n = 1000) and validation (n = 333) cohorts, respectively. We developed a nomogram prediction model including age (Odds Ratio [OR] 1.037, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.020-1.054), male sex (OR 1.824, 95% CI 1.206-2.757), multilobar involvement (OR 1.851, 95% CI 1.160-2.954), extension into ventricles (OR 2.164, 95% CI 1.456-3.215), dysphagia (OR 3.626, 95% CI 2.297-5.725), disturbance of consciousness (OR 2.113, 95% CI 1.327-3.362) and total muscle strength of the worse side (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.876-0.987). Compared with previous models, our model was well calibrated and showed significantly higher AUROC, better reclassification ability (improved NRI and IDI) and a positive net benefit for predicted probability thresholds between 10% and 73% in DCA.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed a simple, valid, and clinically useful model to predict SAP following ICH, with better predictive performance than previous models. It might be a promising tool to assess the individual risk of developing SAP for patients with ICH and optimize decision-making.

A blunted TH17 cytokine signature in women with mild cognitive impairment: insights from inflammatory profiling of a community-based cohort of older adults

People with dementia have an increase in brain inflammation, caused in part by innate and adaptive immune cells. However, it remains unknown whether dementia-associated diseases alter neuro-immune reflex arcs to impact the systemic immune system. We examined peripheral immune cells from a community-based cohort of older adults to test if systemic inflammatory cytokine signatures associated with early stages of cognitive impairment. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured with monocyte or T-cell-targeted stimuli, and multiplex assays quantitated cytokines in the conditioned media. Following T-cell-targeted stimulation, cells from women with cognitive impairment produced lower amounts of TH17 cytokines compared with cells from cognitively healthy women, while myeloid-targeted stimuli elicited similar amounts of cytokines from cells of both groups. This TH17 signature correlated with the proportion of circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein and neurofilament light concentrations. These results suggest that decreases in TH17 cytokines could be an early systemic change in women at risk for developing dementia. Amelioration of TH17s cytokines in early cognitive impairment could, in part, explain the compromised ability of older adults to respond to vaccines or defend against infection.

Reinventing the Penumbra - the Emerging Clockwork of a Multi-modal Mechanistic Paradigm

The concept of the ischemic penumbra was originally defined as the area around a necrotic stroke core and seen as the tissue at imminent risk of further damage. Today, the penumbra is generally considered as time-sensitive hypoperfused brain tissue with decreased oxygen and glucose availability, salvageable tissue as treated by intervention, and the potential target for neuroprotection in focal stroke. The original concept entailed electrical failure and potassium release but one short of neuronal cell death and was based on experimental stroke models, later confirmed in clinical imaging studies. However, even though the basic mechanisms have translated well, conferring brain protection, and improving neurological outcome after stroke based on the pathophysiological mechanisms in the penumbra has yet to be achieved. Recent findings shape the modern understanding of the penumbra revealing a plethora of molecular and cellular pathophysiological mechanisms. We now propose a new model of the penumbra, one which we hope will lay the foundation for future translational success. We focus on the availability of glucose, the brain's central source of energy, and bioenergetic failure as core pathophysiological concepts. We discuss the relation of mitochondrial function in different cell types to bioenergetics and apoptotic cell death mechanisms, autophagy, and neuroinflammation, to glucose metabolism in what is a dynamic ischemic penumbra.

The Potential of Gut Microbiota in Prediction of Stroke-Associated Pneumonia

BACKGROUND

Stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) is a common stroke complication, and the changes in the gut microbiota composition may play a role. Our study aimed to evaluate the predictive ability of gut microbiota for SAP.

METHODS

Acute ischemic stroke patients were prospectively enrolled and divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of SAP. The composition of gut microbiota was characterized by the 16S RNA Miseq sequencing. The gut microbiota that differed significantly between groups were incorporated into the conventional risk scores, the Acute Ischemic Stroke-Associated Pneumonia Score (AIS-APS), and the Age, Atrial fibrillation, Dysphagia, Sex, Stroke Severity Score (A2DS2). The predictive performances were assessed in terms of the area under the curve (AUC), the Net Reclassification Improvement (NRI), and the Integrated Discrimination Improvement (IDI) indices.

RESULTS

A total of 135 patients were enrolled, of whom 43 had SAP (31%). The short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing bacteria, such as Bacteroides, Fusicatenibacter, and Butyricicoccus, were decreased in the SAP group. The integrated models showed better predictive ability for SAP (AUC = 0.813, NRI = 0.333, p = 0.052, IDI = 0.038, p = 0.018, for AIS-APS; AUC = 0.816, NRI = 0.575, p < 0.001, IDI = 0.043, p = 0.007, for A2DS2) in comparison to the differential genera (AUC = 0.699) and each predictive score (AUCAISAPS = 0.777; AUCA2DS2 = 0.777).

CONCLUSIONS

The lower abundance of SCFAs-producing gut microbiota after acute ischemic stroke was associated with SAP and may play a role in SAP prediction.

Neuroinflammation in Acute Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Stroke

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review aims to provide an overview of neuroinflammation in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, including recent findings on the mechanisms and cellular players involved in the inflammatory response to brain injury.

RECENT FINDINGS

Neuroinflammation is a crucial process following acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and hemorrhagic stroke (HS). In AIS, neuroinflammation is initiated within minutes of the ischemia onset and continues for several days. In HS, neuroinflammation is initiated by blood byproducts in the subarachnoid space and/or brain parenchyma. In both cases, neuroinflammation is characterized by the activation of resident immune cells, such as microglia and astrocytes, and infiltration of peripheral immune cells, leading to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and reactive oxygen species. These inflammatory mediators contribute to blood-brain barrier disruption, neuronal damage, and cerebral edema, promoting neuronal apoptosis and impairing neuroplasticity, ultimately exacerbating the neurologic deficit. However, neuroinflammation can also have beneficial effects by clearing cellular debris and promoting tissue repair. The role of neuroinflammation in AIS and ICH is complex and multifaceted, and further research is necessary to develop effective therapies that target this process. Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) will be the HS subtype addressed in this review. Neuroinflammation is a significant contributor to brain tissue damage following AIS and HS. Understanding the mechanisms and cellular players involved in neuroinflammation is essential for developing effective therapies to reduce secondary injury and improve stroke outcomes. Recent findings have provided new insights into the pathophysiology of neuroinflammation, highlighting the potential for targeting specific cytokines, chemokines, and glial cells as therapeutic strategies.

Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Dermcidin-Containing Migrasomes enhance LC3-Associated Phagocytosis of Pulmonary Macrophages and Protect against Post-Stroke Pneumonia

Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Antibiotics fail to improve prognosis of patients with post-stroke pneumonia, albeit suppressing infection, due to adverse impacts on the immune system. The current study reports that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) downregulate bacterial load in the lungs of stroke mice models. RNA-sequencing of the lung from BM-MSC-treated stroke models indicates that BM-MSC modulates pulmonary macrophage activities after cerebral ischemia. Mechanistically, BM-MSC promotes the bacterial phagocytosis of pulmonary macrophages through releasing migrasomes, which are migration-dependent extracellular vesicles. With liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), the result shows that BM-MSC are found to load the antibacterial peptide dermcidin (DCD) in migrasomes upon bacterial stimulation. Besides the antibiotic effect, DCD enhances LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP) of macrophages, facilitating their bacterial clearance. The data demonstrate that BM-MSC is a promising therapeutic candidate against post-stroke pneumonia, with dual functions of anti-infection and immunol modulation, which is more than a match for antibiotics treatment.

Post-Stroke Infections: Insights from Big Data Using Clinical Data Warehouse (CDW)

This study analyzed a digitized database of electronic medical records (EMRs) to identify risk factors for post-stroke infections. The sample included 41,236 patients hospitalized with a first stroke diagnosis (ICD-10 codes I60, I61, I63, and I64) between January 2011 and December 2020. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the effect of clinical variables on post-stroke infection. Multivariable analysis revealed that post-stroke infection was associated with the male sex (odds ratio [OR]: 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.49-2.15), brain surgery (OR: 7.89; 95% CI: 6.27-9.92), mechanical ventilation (OR: 18.26; 95% CI: 8.49-44.32), enteral tube feeding (OR: 3.65; 95% CI: 2.98-4.47), and functional activity level (modified Barthel index: OR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.98-0.98). In addition, exposure to steroids (OR: 2.22; 95% CI: 1.60-3.06) and acid-suppressant drugs (OR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.15-1.81) increased the risk of infection. On the basis of the findings from this multicenter study, it is crucial to carefully evaluate the balance between the potential benefits of acid-suppressant drugs or corticosteroids and the increased risk of infection in patients at high risk for post-stroke infection.

Differences in the post-stroke innate immune response between young and old

Aging is associated to progressive changes impairing fundamental cellular and tissue functions, and the relationships amongst them through the vascular and immune systems. Aging factors are key to understanding the pathophysiology of stroke since they increase its risk and worsen its functional outcome. Most currently recognised hallmarks of aging are also involved in the cerebral responses to stroke. Notably, age-associated chronic low-grade inflammation is related to innate immune responses highlighted by induction of type-I interferon. The interferon program is prominent in microglia where it interrelates cell damage, danger signals, and phagocytosis with immunometabolic disturbances and inflammation. Microglia engulfment of damaged myelin and cell debris may overwhelm the cellular capacity for waste removal inducing intracellular lipid accumulation. Acute inflammation and interferon-stimulated gene expression are also typical features of acute stroke, where danger signal recognition by microglia trigger immunometabolic alterations underscored by lipid droplet biogenesis. Aging reduces the capacity to control these responses causing increased and persistent inflammation, metabolic dysregulation, and impaired cellular waste disposal. In turn, chronic peripheral inflammation during aging induces immunosenescence further worsening stroke-induced immunodepression, thus increasing the risk of post-stroke infection. Aging also alters gut microbiota composition inducing dysbiosis. These changes are enhanced by age-related diseases, such as atherosclerosis and type-II diabetes, that further promote vascular aging, predispose to stroke, and exacerbate brain inflammation after stroke. Current advances in aging research suggest that some age-associated alterations may be reversed. Future work will unravel whether such evolving anti-aging research may enable designing strategies to improve stroke outcome in the elderly.

Age- and Sex-Specific Trends in Medical Complications After Acute Ischemic Stroke in the United States

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

To test the hypothesis that the age and sex-specific prevalence of infectious (pneumonia, sepsis, and urinary tract infection [UTI]) and noninfectious (deep venous thrombosis [DVT], pulmonary embolism [PE], acute renal failure [ARF], acute myocardial infarction [AMI], and gastrointestinal bleeding [GIB]) complications increased after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) hospitalization in the United States from 2007 to 2019.

METHODS

We conducted a serial cross-sectional study using the 2007-2019 National Inpatient Sample. Primary AIS admissions in adults (aged 18 years or older) with and without complications were identified using International Classification of Diseases codes. We quantified the age/sex-specific prevalence of complications and used negative binomial regression models to evaluate trends over time.

RESULTS

Of 5,751,601 weighted admissions, 51.4% were women. 25.1% had at least 1 complication. UTI (11.8%), ARF (10.1%), pneumonia (3.2%), and AMI (2.5%) were the most common complications, while sepsis (1.7%), GIB (1.1%), DVT (1.2%), and PE (0.5%) were the least prevalent. Marked disparity in complication risk existed by age/sex (UTI: men 18-39 years 2.1%; women 80 years or older 22.5%). Prevalence of UTI (12.9%-9.7%) and pneumonia (3.8%-2.7%) declined, but that of ARF increased by ≈3-fold (4.8%-14%) over the period 2007-2019 (all p < 0.001). AMI (1.9%-3.1%), DVT (1.0%-1.4%), and PE (0.3%-0.8%) prevalence also increased (p < 0.001), but that of sepsis and GIB remained unchanged over time. After multivariable adjustment, risk of all complications increased with increasing NIH Stroke Scale (pneumonia: prevalence rate ratio [PRR] 1.03, 95% CI 1.03-1.04, for each unit increase), but IV thrombolysis was associated with a reduced risk of all complications (pneumonia: PRR 0.80, 85% CI 0.73-0.88; AMI: PRR 0.85, 95% CI 0.78-0.92; and DVT PRR 0.87, 95% CI 0.78-0.98). Mechanical thrombectomy was associated with a reduced risk of UTI, sepsis, and ARF, but DVT and PE were more prevalent in MT hospitalizations compared with those without. All complications except UTI were associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality (sepsis: PRR 1.97, 95% CI 1.78-2.19).

DISCUSSION

Infectious complications declined, but noninfectious complications increased after AIS admissions in the United States in the last decade. Utilization of IV thrombolysis is associated with a reduced risk of all complications.

Premorbid Use of Beta-Blockers or Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors/Angiotensin Receptor Blockers in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke

This study was designed to investigate the impact of the preexisting use of beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) on the cellular immune response in peripheral blood and the clinical outcomes of patients with acute ischemic stroke. We retrospectively collected clinical data from a cohort of 69 patients with premorbid beta-blockers and 56 patients with premorbid ACEIs/ARBs. Additionally, we selected a cohort of 107 patients with acute ischemic stroke to be the control of the same age and sex. We analyzed cellular immune parameters in peripheral blood 1 day after the appearance of symptoms, including the frequencies of circulating white blood cell subpopulations, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR). We found that the count of lymphocytes and the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio were significantly higher in the peripheral blood of patients treated with beta-blockers before stroke than in matched controls. However, the premorbid use of ACEIs/ARBs did not considerably impact the circulating immune parameters listed above in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Furthermore, we found that premorbid use of beta-blockers or ACEIs/ARBs did not significantly change functional outcomes in patients 3 months after the onset of stroke. These results suggest that premorbid use of beta-blockers, but not ACEIs/ARBs, reversed lymphopenia associated with acute ischemic stroke. As cellular immune changes in peripheral blood could be an independent predictor of stroke prognosis, more large-scale studies are warranted to further verify the impact of premorbid use of beta-blockers or ACEIs/ARBs on the prognosis of patients with ischemic stroke. Our research is beneficial to understanding the mechanism of the systemic immune response induced by stroke and has the potential for a therapeutic strategy in stroke interventions and treatment.

Systemic inflammation response index as a prognostic predictor in patients with acute ischemic stroke: A propensity score matching analysis

Background

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS), the most common type of stroke, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. A growing number of studies have demonstrated that inflammation is a critical mechanism in AIS. Being an easily available and effective inflammatory marker, the systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) shows a high association with mortality in patients with cancer and intracerebral hemorrhage. In this study, we evaluated the potential prognostic role of SIRI in critically ill patients with AIS.

Methods

Clinic data were extracted from the Medical Information Mart data for the Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database. The optimal cutoff value of SIRI was determined by X-tile software. The primary outcome was the 90-day all-cause mortality, and the secondary outcomes were 30-day and 1-year all-cause mortality of patients with AIS. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to assess the association between SIRI levels and all-cause mortality, and survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Furthermore, a 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) method was performed to balance the influence of potential confounding factors.

Results

A total of 2,043 patients were included in our study. X-tile software indicated that the optimal cutoff value of the SIRI for 90-day mortality was 4.57. After PSM, 444 pairs of score-matched patients were generated. Cox proportional hazard model showed that after adjusting for possible confounders, high SIRI level (≥4.57) was independently associated with the 90-day all-cause mortality in the cohort before PSM (HR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.30-1.89, p < 0.001) and the PSM subset (HR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.16-1.86, p = 0.001). The survival curves showed that patients with SIRI ≥4.57 had a significantly lower 90-day survival rate in the cohort before PSM (56.7 vs. 77.3%, p < 0.001) and the PSM subset (61.0 vs. 71.8%, p = 0.001). Consistently, AIS patients with high SIRI levels (≥4.57) presented a significantly high risk of 30-day and 1-year all-cause mortality before and after PSM.

Conclusion

A higher SIRI (≥4.57) was associated with a higher risk of 90-day, 30-day, and 1-year mortality and was an independent risk factor of mortality in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

The Biomechanical Characteristics of Swallowing in Tracheostomized Patients with Aspiration following Acquired Brain Injury: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives: Investigate the biomechanical characteristics in tracheostomized patients with aspiration following acquired brain injury (ABI) and further explore the relationship between the biomechanical characteristics and aspiration. Methods: This is a single-center cross-sectional study. The tracheostomized patients with aspiration following ABI and age-matched healthy controls were recruited. The biomechanical characteristics, including velopharynx (VP) maximal pressure, tongue base (TB) maximal pressure, upper esophageal sphincter (UES) residual pressure, UES relaxation duration, and subglottic pressure, were examined by high-resolution manometry and computational fluid dynamics simulation analysis. The penetration−aspiration scale (PAS) score was evaluated by a videofluoroscopic swallowing study. Results: Fifteen healthy subjects and fifteen tracheostomized patients with aspiration following ABI were included. The decreased VP maximal pressure, increased UES residual pressure, and shortened UES relaxation duration were found in the patient group compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the subglottic pressure significantly decreased in patients (p < 0.05), while no significant difference was found in TB maximal pressure between groups (p > 0.05). In addition, in the patient group, VP maximal pressure (rs = −0.439; p = 0.015), UES relaxation duration (rs = −0.532; p = 0.002), and the subglottic pressure (rs = −0.775; p < 0.001) were negatively correlated with the PAS score, while UES residual pressure (rs = 0.807; p < 0.001) was positively correlated with the PAS score (p < 0.05), the correlation between TB maximal pressure and PAS score (rs = −0.315; p = 0.090) did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: The biomechanical characteristics in tracheostomized patients with aspiration following ABI might manifest as decreased VP maximal pressure and subglottic pressure, increased UES residual pressure, and shortened UES relaxation duration, in which VP maximal pressure, UES relaxation duration, subglottic pressure, and UES residual pressure were correlated with aspiration.

Slightly Elevated Lymphocyte to Monocyte Ratio Predicting Favorable Outcomes in Patients with Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Objective

This study was designed to determine the association between admission lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR) values and clinical outcomes in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

Methods

We used a prospective and registry-based database, and ICH patients were consecutively recruited in Beijing Tiantan Hospital between January 2014 and September 2016. All participants were stratified by quartiles of the LMR. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were plotted to evaluate the association between LMR levels and functional outcomes. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox regression analysis were also performed to examine the relevance between different LMR quartiles and case fatality at follow-up.

Results

Six hundred and forty patients with spontaneous ICH were finally included in this study. Compared with the patients with LMR values in quartile 1 (Q1), slightly elevated LMR values showed a negative correlation with risks of poor short-term outcomes (adjusted ORs in Q2 were 0.572 [95% CI: 0.338-0.968] at 1 month, 0.515 [95% CI: 0.305-0.871] at 3 months). Patients with LMR values in Q1 had the highest cumulative death rate. A slightly elevated LMR was also independently relevant to a deduced mortality rate compared to that in Q1 (adjusted HRs in Q2 were 0.471 [95% CI: 0.274-0.809] at 1 month, 0.474 [95% CI: 0.283-0.793] at 3 months, 0.575 [95% CI: 0.361-0.917] at 1 year). Additionally, a higher LMR value was associated with a lower risk of in-hospital infections.

Conclusion

This study suggests that a lower LMR value is associated with higher risks of in-hospital infections, poor functional outcomes, and follow-up mortality in patients with ICH. However, a slightly elevated LMR value, especially in Q2, relates to a favorable prognosis, which may reflect an inner balance between inflammation and immunodepression and thus provides a promising marker for predicting ICH prognosis.

Experimental verification and validation of immune biomarkers based on chromatin regulators in ischemic stroke

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a disease characterized by rapid progression and high mortality and disability rates. Its pathophysiological process is inseparable from immune dysfunction. Recently, chromatin regulators (CRs) have been described as a class of enzymes that can recognize, form, and maintain the epigenetic state of an organism, and are closely associated with immune regulation. Nevertheless, the role of CR-related genes in IS has not been fully elucidated. In this study, seven CR-related immune biomarkers in the GSE58294 and GSE22255 datasets were identified by combining differential gene expression analysis, weighted correlation network analysis, and single sample gene set enrichment analysis. After experimental validation using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, four genes (DPF2, LMNB1, MLLT3, and JAK2) were screened as candidate immune biomarkers. These four biomarkers demonstrated good predictive power in the clinical risk model (area under the curve, 0.775). Molecular docking simulations revealed that mevastatin, WP1066, cladribine, trichostatin A, mequitazine, and zuclomiphene may be potential immunomodulatory drugs for IS. Overall, the results of this study contribute to the identification of CR-related immune therapeutics target in IS and provide an important reference for further research.

An Unexplored Role for MMP-7 (Matrix Metalloproteinase-7) in Promoting Gut Permeability After Ischemic Stroke

Poststroke infections are common complications of stroke and are highly associated with poor outcomes for patients. Stroke induces profound immunodepression coupled with alterations to autonomic signaling, which together render the body more susceptible to infection from without (nosocomial/community-acquired infection) and from within (commensal bacterial infection). Critical to the hypothesis of commensal infection is the phenomenon of poststroke gut permeability and gut dysbiosis. Few studies have provided adequate explanations for the mechanisms underlying the molecular alterations that produce a more permeable gut and perturbed gut microbiota after stroke. A dysregulation in the production of matrix MMP-7 (metalloproteinase-7) may play a critical role in the progression of gut permeability after stroke. By cleaving junctional and extracellular matrix proteins, MMP-7 is capable of compromising gut barrier integrity. Because of MMP-7's unique abundance in the small intestine and its capacity to be induced in states of bacterial invasion and inflammation, along with its unique degradative capability, MMP-7 may be crucially important to the progression of gut permeability after ischemic stroke.

Sepsis in Patients With Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke–Clinical Characteristics and Outcome

Background

Infections are an important complication after stroke and negatively affect clinical outcome. While pneumonia and urinary tract infections are well recognized after stroke, the incidence and consequences of sepsis remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and characteristics of sepsis in patients undergoing endovascular therapy for large vessel occlusion stroke, and its association with clinical outcome.

Methods

We analyzed a cohort of patients who underwent endovascular therapy at a single center between 2016 and 2020. The diagnosis and timing of infections and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores were evaluated retrospectively to identify patients with sepsis. Patients with sepsis were compared to controls regarding clinical characteristics and outcome.

Results

Fifty-four of 406 patients (13.3%) were found to have sepsis. The median onset of sepsis was 2 days after admission. The majority of cases (85.2%) was caused by pneumonia. At 3 months, 72.5% of patients with sepsis were bedridden or dead compared to 25.7 and 42.7% of controls and patients with an infection without sepsis, respectively. The adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for a poor outcome was 5.4 (1.6–17.6) for patients with sepsis vs. controls, and 2.0 (0.8–5.2) for patients with sepsis vs. patients with an infection without sepsis.

Conclusions

Sepsis is a frequent complication after large vessel occlusion stroke, and may be associated with a poor clinical outcome. More studies are needed to determine specific risk factors and measures to early recognize and reduce the possibly negative impact of sepsis on outcome after stroke.