Inflammatory mediators in intra-abdominal sepsis or injury - a scoping review

The role of procalcitonin as a risk stratification tool of severity, prognosis, and need for surgery in patients with acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis

BACKGROUND

Imaging-based classifications do not always reflect the clinical severity and prognosis of acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis. This study aims to investigate the role of an early procalcitonin assessment in the emergency department as a risk stratification tool for severity, prognosis, and need for surgery in patients with acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, all adult patients consecutively admitted from January 2015 to September 2020 for acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis and having a procalcitonin determination at admission were enrolled. The following data were collected: age, sex, comorbidities, laboratory parameters, level of urgency, clinical presentation, type of treatment, complications, and post-management outcomes. The association between the procalcitonin value at admission and the following endpoints was analyzed: type of treatment, classification of acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis, mortality, and type of surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 503 consecutive patients were enrolled. Procalcitonin >0.5 ng/mL emerged as an independent risk factor for complicated acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis (P = .007). Procalcitonin >0.5 ng/mL (P = .033), together with a history of complicated acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis (P < .001), abdominal pain (P = .04), bowel perforation (P < .001), and peritonitis (P < .001), was a significant risk factor for surgery. Procalcitonin >0.5 ng/mL (P = .007) and peritonitis (P = .03) emerged as independent risk factors for sigmoidectomy without colorectal anastomosis. Procalcitonin >0.5 ng/mL (P = .004), a higher level of urgency at admission (P = .005), Hartmann's procedure (P = .002), and the necessity of mechanical ventilation (P = .004) emerged as independent risk factors for mortality.

CONCLUSION

Procalcitonin >0.05 ng/mL at emergency department admission is a useful risk stratification tool for severity, prognosis, and need for surgical treatment in patients with acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis.

The Role of Serum and Peritoneal Biomarkers in Predicting Sepsis and Septic Multiorgan Failure in Patients With Secondary Peritonitis

Purpose Secondary peritonitis is still one of the most important causes of severe sepsis in the world; therefore, it is of utmost importance to identify biomarkers that could be employed for the purpose of selecting patients at high risk for developing life-threatening complications after emergency surgery. In view of this quest, our study seeks to reveal the possible role for serum and peritoneal concentrations of selected biomarkers, specifically presepsin, procalcitonin, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB-1) and interleukins (IL-6, -8, -10), in early prediction of sepsis and septic multiorgan failure for patients with secondary peritonitis. Methods We prospectively observed 32 selected patients with secondary peritonitis that underwent emergency surgery. Blood and peritoneal fluid samples were drawn at the time of surgery (T0), and after that, blood samples were taken at 24 (T1) and 48 (T2) hours postoperatively. Cytokines concentrations were determined using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), a non-competitive variant, both in peritoneal fluid and serum. For determining whole blood concentration of presepsin and procalcitonin, PATHFAST™ assays (Polymedco, Cortlandt, New York) were used, based on the principle of non-competitive chemiluminescent enzyme immune-assay (CLEIA). The study was conducted according to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Ethics Committee of University Emergency Hospital Bucharest (no. 40325/6 April 2023). Results We found significant elevations in the peritoneal concentrations of interleukins 6, 8, 10, HMGB-1, and MCP-1 in all patients with secondary peritonitis at the moment of surgery; however, no clear correlation could be made based on this data with patient evolution. With regards to blood concentrations of the aforementioned serum cytokines and presepsin, procalcitonin (as already established markers of sepsis), our results showed good predictive value of presepsin for developing sepsis and septic multiorgan failure from the first hours in this patient category. All other biomarkers, despite having higher concentrations than baseline, in particular at 24-48 hours after surgery, had unpredictable dynamics that couldn't be correlated with the severity of the disease. Conclusion Cytokine production is the mainstay in developing sepsis and septic multiorgan failure in patients with secondary peritonitis; therefore, studying the dynamics of said cytokines seems of interest in finding tools to predict the development of sepsis or sepsis-related mortality. However, at the time, there seemed to be no clear correlation between the values of these cytokines and the development of complications.

Investigation of Serum Interleukin 6, High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and White Blood Cell Levels during the Diagnosis and Treatment of Paediatric Appendicitis Patients Before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction

In this study, we prospectively investigated changes in serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and full white blood cell (WBC) counts during the diagnosis and treatment of paediatric patients with appendicitis. We also investigated the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis and treatment processes of paediatric appendicitis patients.

Materials and Methods

A non-perforated appendicitis group (n = 110), a perforated appendicitis group (n = 35) and an appendicitis + COVID-19 group (n = 8) were formed. Blood samples were taken upon admission and every day until the three studied parameters returned to normal values. To investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric appendicitis patients, the perforated appendicitis rates and the times from the onset of the first symptoms to the operation before and during the pandemic were compared.

Results

WBC, IL-6, and hsCRP dropped below the upper limits on the second postoperative day in the non-perforated appendicitis group, four to six days postoperatively in the perforated appendicitis group, and three to six days postoperatively in the appendicitis + COVID-19 group. These parameters were not within normal range in patients who developed complications during follow-up. The time from the onset of abdominal pain to the surgery was significantly longer during than before the pandemic in both the non-perforated appendicitis group and the perforated appendicitis group.

Conclusions

Our results show that WBC, IL-6, and hsCRP are useful laboratory parameters that can complete clinical examinations in the diagnosis of appendicitis in paediatric patients and the identification of complications that may develop postoperatively.

Evaluation of Biomarkers from Peritoneal Fluid as Predictors of Severity for Abdominal Sepsis Patients Following Emergency Laparotomy

Purpose

Intra-abdominal infection is considered the second most common cause of sepsis and results in localized or diffused inflammation of the peritoneum. The main treatment for abdominal sepsis is an emergency laparotomy for source control. However, surgical trauma also causes inflammation, and patients become susceptible to postoperative complications. Therefore, it is necessary to identify biomarkers that can be used to distinguish sepsis from abdominal infection. This prospective study investigated whether cytokine levels in the peritoneum could predict complications and indicate severity of sepsis following emergency laparotomy.

Methods

We prospectively observed 97 patients with abdominal infection admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). After emergency laparotomy,SEPSIS-3 criteria were used for the diagnosis of sepsis or septic shock. Blood and peritoneal fluid samples were drawn at postoperative admission to the ICU and cytokine concentrations were measured by flow cytometry.

Results

Fifty-eight postoperative patients were enrolled. We found significant elevations in the peritoneal concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-17, and IL-2 in patients with sepsis or septic shock compared to the patients without sepsis after surgery. Positive correlations between levels of these peritoneal cytokines with APACHE II scores were found: IL-6, in particular, had the highest correlation coefficient of 0.833. Meanwhile, IL-10 in blood, MCP-1 and IL-8 in both blood and peritoneum were simultaneously increased in patients with sepsis and septic shock, and also positively correlated with disease severity.

Conclusion

The cytokine storm that occurs in the abdominal cavity after emergency laparotomy may be the main mechanism leading to sepsis. It may be valuable to measure IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α,IL-17, IL-2, MCP-1, and IL-8 in the peritoneal fluid, combined with serum IL-10, MCP-1 and IL-8, in a panel of cytokines, to assess the severity of sepsis and predict mortality from abdominal infection after emergency laparotomy.

Interrelationship between endotoxicosis and syndrome of intraabdominal hypertension in pathogenesis of abdominal sepsis

Objective. Studying of mutual role of the main pathogenetic factors of abdominal sepsis – the inflammation origin and intraabdominal hypertension, from the one side, endotoxicosis and the abdominal compression syndrome (ACS), from the other side. Materials and methods. Into the investigation 196 patients with abdominal sepsis were included, in whom after the certain preliminary preparation the operative procedure was done. The levels of neutrophils, macrophages, interleukin–6, interleukin–10 in peritoneal exudate were studied as indices of the inflammation source for abdominal cavity. These indices were characteristic for systemic answer on general reaction, the degree of which have determined the abdominal sepsis course and result. Determination of intraabdominal pressure was applied for estimation the intraabdominal hypertension role in abdominal sepsis. Results. The ratio of the endotoxicosis and the ACS indices in the complications structure, not dependent on some differences due to the complication type present, was practically similar. Conclusion. The results of the investigation conducted, witnesses the presence of interrelationship of roles of endotoxicosis and the abdominal compression syndrome in pathogenesis of abdominal sepsis, their indices changes are characterized by mutual activity strengthening, accompanied by clinical manifestations of the organs dysfunction, determining the severity of course and result of pathological process in the organism.

Proteomic changes associated with racial background and sepsis survival outcomes

Intra-abdominal infection is a common cause of sepsis, and intra-abdominal sepsis leads to ∼156 000 U.S. deaths annually. African American/Black adults have higher incidence and mortality rates from sepsis compared to Non-Hispanic White adults. A limited number of studies have traced survival outcomes to molecular changes; however, these studies primarily only included Non-Hispanic White adults. Our goal is to better understand molecular changes that may contribute to differences in sepsis survival in African American/Black and Non-Hispanic White adults with primary intra-abdominal infection. We employed discovery-based plasma proteomics of patient samples from the Protocolized Care for Early Septic Shock (ProCESS) cohort (N = 107). We identified 49 proteins involved in the acute phase response and complement system whose expression levels are associated with both survival outcome and racial background. Additionally, 82 proteins differentially-expressed in survivors were specific to African American/Black or Non-Hispanic White patients, suggesting molecular-level heterogeneity in sepsis patients in key inflammatory pathways. A smaller, robust set of 19 proteins were in common in African American/Black and Non-Hispanic White survivors and may represent potential universal molecular changes in sepsis. Overall, this study identifies molecular factors that may contribute to differences in survival outcomes in African American/Black patients that are not fully explained by socioeconomic or other non-biological factors.

A Focus on Intra-Abdominal Sepsis with Biomarkers: A Literature Review

Sepsis is defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection according to the Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock definitions. It is a clinical condition with high morbidity and mortality due to its complex pathophysiology and lack of a complete treatment. It constitutes a significant economic burden because it constitutes a substantial part of intensive care patients, and the treatment process is lengthy and costly. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of the disease are essential. After pneumonia, an essential source of sepsis is intra-abdominal infection. Due to the presence of multiple and polymicrobial sources of infection, abdominal sepsis progresses more seriously. The effective treatment of intra-abdominal infection consists of early recognition of the disease, control of the source, appropriate antibiotic therapy, and stabilization in the intensive care setting with an excellent surgical approach. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library. Two authors reviewed all identified abstracts and selected articles for full-text review. We included original studies assessing mediators in intraabdominal sepsis. Inflammatory and protein mediators such as acute phase protein and chemokine cytokines play an essential role in intra-abdominal sepsis. In clinical practice, white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin are the most used parameters in the definition of abdominal infection. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, high-mobility group protein B1, and presepsin are other markers with high diagnostic efficiency, even though they are not used routinely. Despite everything, there is a need for highly effective markers that can be used in the diagnosis and follow-up of sepsis. Great hope is attached to these markers. This review aims to discuss the importance of the most used markers in the diagnosis and follow-up of abdominal sepsis and the markers on which there are essential studies in light of current literature.

MCPIP-1-Mediated Immunosuppression of Neutrophils Exacerbates Acute Bacterial Peritonitis and Liver Injury

Monocyte chemotactic protein-1-induced protein-1 (MCPIP-1) is highly expressed in activated immune cells and negatively regulates immune responses, while the mechanisms underlying the immunoregulation of neutrophils in acute bacterial infection and liver injury remain elusive. Here, we examined the role of MCPIP-1 in regulating neutrophil functions during acute bacterial peritonitis and liver injury. Mice with myeloid cell-specific overexpression (McpipMye-tg) or knockout (McpipΔMye) of MCPIP-1 were generated. We found that reactive oxygen species and myeloperoxidase production, formation of neutrophil extracellular traps, and migratory capacity were deficient in McpipMye-tg neutrophils but enhanced in McpipΔMye neutrophils. The recruitment of neutrophils and pathogen clearance were markedly suppressed in McpipMye-tg mice following intraperitoneal infection with Salmonella typhimurium while intensified in McpipΔMye mice. Severe acute S. typhimurium-infected peritonitis and liver injury occurred in McpipMye-tg mice but were alleviated in McpipΔMye mice. RNA sequencing, RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation and qPCR analysis revealed that MCPIP-1 downregulated the protective functions of neutrophils via degrading the mRNA of cold inducible RNA-binding protein. Consistently, MCPIP-1 was highly expressed in neutrophils of patients with acute infectious diseases, especially in those with liver injury. Collectively, we uncover that MCPIP-1 negatively regulates the antibacterial capacities of neutrophils, leading to exacerbating severe acute bacterial peritonitis and liver injury. It may serve as a candidate target for maintaining neutrophil homeostasis to control acute infectious diseases.

Postoperative Ileus with the Topical Application of Tongfu Decoction Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation

Objective

Postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction is a common and important complication of surgery. This study aimed to explore the key pharmacological mechanisms of Tongfu decoction in treating postoperative ileus (POI).

Methods

The active ingredients of Tongfu decoction and their targets were screened using the TCMSP database and STITCH and SwissTargetPrediction databases, respectively. The GeneCards and DisGeNET databases were used to obtain POI dysfunction-related therapeutic targets. After screening, a drug-active-ingredient-therapeutic target network was constructed and the key target functional enrichment analysis was carried out. The Sprague–Dawley rats with POI were used for in vivo experimental verification. The serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ, and MCP-1 were measured after surgery using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The Western blot analysis was used to determine the expression of key proteins of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway in colon tissues.

Results

An interaction network was constructed containing 7 Chinese medicine components, 36 compounds, and 85 target proteins. The functional enrichment analysis showed that the target proteins mainly acted on the POI through the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. In in vivo experiments, Tongfu decoction had a promoting effect on the serum level of IL-10, an inhibitory effect on the serum levels of IL-1β and CCL2, and an inhibitory effect on the local expression of PI3K, pAkt, and mTOR in colon tissue. In addition, the Tongfu decoction increased the intestinal ink advancing rate.

Conclusion

Nonoral Tongfu decoction can also be used to treat POI; its mechanism is affected by IL-10 and IL-1β.The inhibition of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway affected the treatment with Tongfu decoction by inducing an immune-inflammatory storm in POI.

WSES guidelines on blunt and penetrating bowel injury: diagnosis, investigations, and treatment

The aim of this paper was to review the recent literature to create recommendations for the day-to-day diagnosis and surgical management of small bowel and colon injuries. Where knowledge gaps were identified, expert consensus was pursued during the 8th International Congress of the World Society of Emergency Surgery Annual (September 2021, Edinburgh). This process also aimed to guide future research.

Composite Inflammatory Indicators as Early Predictor of Intra-abdominal Infections after General Surgery

Objective

To identify rapid and accurate early diagnostic indicators for intra-abdominal infection (IAI) after general surgery.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 3,810 general surgical patients in our hospital from August 2017 to July 2018. The predictive value of PCT, CRP, TNFα, and IL6 on postoperative days (PODs) 1 and 3 and composite indicators for complicated IAIs among surgical patients was clarified.

Results

There were 271 patients in the infected group and 614 patients in the uninfected group using IAI diagnostic criteria in this study. CRP, PCT, TNFα, and IL6 in the infected group were significantly higher than the uninfected group on POD1 and POD3. In the infected group, the composition of the four indicators on POD1 (AUC 0.819) and POD3 (AUC 0.848) showed higher predictive efficiency than the individual indicators (AUC 0.670-0.805).

Conclusion

The composite of CRP, PCT, TNFα, and IL6 can be used as a predictor of postoperative abdominal infectious complications with high sensitivity and specificity on POD1 and POD3, which can provide a basis for early diagnosis of postoperative abdominal infectious complications.

MiR-195-5p represses inflammation, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and endoplasmic reticulum stress in sepsis-induced myocardial injury by targeting activating transcription factor 6

Myocardial injury (MI) is a common complication of sepsis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been suggested as potential biomarkers of MI; however, their mechanisms in sepsis-induced MI remain unclear. A sepsis rat model was constructed by use of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The levels of miR-195-5p and activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) expression were determined by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and cytokine levels were detected by ELISA. The levels of oxidative stress (OS)-related indicators and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-related proteins were examined, and the regulatory effect of miR-195-5p on ATF6 was determined by using the luciferase reporter assay. Our results showed that miR-195-5p expression was downregulated and ATF6 expression was upregulated in lipopolysaccharide-induced cardiomyocytes and mice with CLP-induced sepsis. We also found that miR-195-5p could markedly attenuate the inflammation, apoptosis, OS, and ERS associated with sepsis-induced MI. Additionally, we verified that miR-195-5p could relieve sepsis-induced MI by targeting ATF6. This study identified potential targets for treating MI after sepsis.

Synapomorphic features of hepatic and pulmonary vasculatures include comparable purinergic signaling responses in host defense and modulation of inflammation

Hepatosplanchnic and pulmonary vasculatures constitute synapomorphic, highly comparable networks integrated with the external environment. Given functionality related to obligatory requirements of "feeding and breathing," these organs are subject to constant environmental challenges entailing infectious risk, antigenic and xenobiotic exposures. Host responses to these stimuli need to be both protective and tightly regulated. These functions are facilitated by dualistic, high-low pressure blood supply of the liver and lungs, as well as tolerogenic characteristics of resident immune cells and signaling pathways. Dysregulation in hepatosplanchnic and pulmonary blood flow, immune responses, and microbiome implicate common pathogenic mechanisms across these vascular networks. Hepatosplanchnic diseases, such as cirrhosis and portal hypertension, often impact lungs and perturb pulmonary circulation and oxygenation. The reverse situation is also noted with lung disease resulting in hepatic dysfunction. Others, and we, have described common features of dysregulated cell signaling during liver and lung inflammation involving extracellular purines (e.g., ATP, ADP), either generated exogenously or endogenously. These metabokines serve as danger signals, when released by bacteria or during cellular stress and cause proinflammatory and prothrombotic signals in the gut/liver-lung vasculature. Dampening of these danger signals and organ protection largely depends upon activities of vascular and immune cell-expressed ectonucleotidases (CD39 and CD73), which convert ATP and ADP into anti-inflammatory adenosine. However, in many inflammatory disorders involving gut, liver, and lung, these protective mechanisms are compromised, causing perpetuation of tissue injury. We propose that interventions that specifically target aberrant purinergic signaling might prevent and/or ameliorate inflammatory disorders of the gut/liver and lung axis.

Tertiary peritonitis: considerations for complex team-based care

Peritonitis, as a major consequence of hollow visceral perforation, anastomotic disruption, ischemic necrosis, or other injuries of the gastrointestinal tract, often drives acute care in the emergency department, operating room, and the ICU. Chronic critical illness (CCI) represents a devastating challenge in modern surgical critical care where successful interventions have fostered a growing cohort of patients with prolonged dependence on mechanical ventilation and other organ supportive therapies who would previously have succumbed much earlier in the acute phase of critical illness. An important subset of CCI patients are those who have survived an emergency abdominal operation, but who subsequently require prolonged open abdomen management complicated by persistent peritoneal space infection or colonization, fistula formation, and gastrointestinal (GI) tract dysfunction; these patients are described as having tertiary peritonitis (TP).The organ dysfunction cascade in TP terminates in death in between 30 and 64% of patients. This narrative review describes key—but not all—elements in a framework for the coordinate multiprofessional team-based management of a patient with tertiary peritonitis to mitigate this risk of death and promote recovery. Given the prolonged critical illness course of this unique patient population, early and recurrent Palliative Care Medicine consultation helps establish goals of care, support adjustment to changes in life circumstance, and enable patient and family centered care.

Procalcitonin Levels in Post TACE Infection

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the value of serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels in the diagnosis of abscess and sepsis following transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) therapy among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Patients and Methods

In this study, a retrospective review of patient charts was performed in 2221 patients who suffered from hepatocellular carcinoma and had undergone 8656 TACE procedures from January 2012 to January 2018. According to the diagnosis of infection and abscess after TACE, these participants were divided into infection group (group A, n=48) and abscess group (group B, n=35). Group B included subgroup B1 (suffered from liver abscess but no sepsis, n=16) and subgroup B2 (suffered from liver abscess and sepsis, n=19). The main observational indexes included sociodemographic characteristics and laboratory and clinical parameters.

Results

The results showed that the mean PCT and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were higher in group B, but receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed low sensitivity and specificity. Only the mean PCT level was higher in subgroup B2 than in subgroup B1 (P<0.001); the ROC analysis had high sensitivity and specificity. However, all other data such as NEUT (neutrophil count) and NEUTP (neutrophil percentage) showed no significant differences.

Conclusion

Serum PCT level was a promising inexpensive marker for the diagnosis of liver abscess and sepsis following TACE therapy among patients with primary liver cancer. A cutoff level of 5.1 ng/mL for PCT had high sensitivity and specificity in predicting liver abscess with sepsis.

Interleukin-1β Protection Against Experimental Sepsis in Mice

The inflammatory response involving interleukin-1β (IL-1β) has been thought to play an important role in the development of late-phase sepsis. However, in this study, we wanted to explore the possibility of using IL-1β to improve the prognosis of sepsis by triggering local differentiation of bone marrow cells (BMCs) into regulatory dendritic cells (DCs) in vivo, thereby reversing the immune paralysis in late-phase sepsis. Sepsis mouse models were induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and lethal Escherichia coli O18 infection. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with IL-1β after CLP and after the lethal infection. Septic BMCs and liver immune cells were isolated at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 14 days post-CLP. BMCs and liver cells isolated from septic mice treated with IL-1β were adoptively transferred into CLP mice. GFP⁺-C57BL/6 parabiosis models were established. Serum IL-1β levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit, and the number, ratio, and phenotype of immune cells were observed by flow cytometry. IL-1β treatment improved the survival of sepsis and increased the numbers of BMCs and liver immune cells in septic mice. Moreover, IL-1β stimulation increased the number and the percentage of CD11c⁻CD45RB^high DCs in septic BM and liver. Adoptive transfer of septic BMCs, liver immune cells, and CD11c⁻CD45RB^high DCs treated with IL-1β into CLP mice attenuated sepsis. IL-1β triggered the redistribution of CD11c⁻CD45RB^high DCs as well as BMCs in parabiosis models. IL-1β protects against sepsis by stimulating local proliferation and differentiation of BMCs into CD11c⁻CD45RB^high DCs at immune organs and non-immune organs.

DC-SIGN Expression in Intestinal Epithelial Cells Regulates Sepsis-Associated Acute Intestinal Injury Via Activating ERK1/2-NF-κB/P65 Signaling

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to investigate the role of dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule 3-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN) in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) in regulating sepsis-induced acute intestinal injury and systemic inflammatory response.

METHODS

To induce sepsis condition, Male C57BL/6 mice were exposed to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in vivo, whereas a normal human IECs line (FHs74Int) was stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro. DC-SIGN siRNA pretreatment was used to knock down DC-SIGN expression both in vivo and in vitro. The expression of DC-SIGN was detected by western blot and immunohistochemistry. The expression of total and phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and NF-κB/p65 was examined by western blot. The levels of cytokines in serum and culture supernatant were measured by ELISA. The survival rate and organ injures of septic mice were also assessed.

RESULTS

In vivo, DC-SIGN expression in mouse IECs was time-dependently upregulated by CLP. CLP-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and NF-κB/p65 was effectively inhibited by DC-SIGN siRNA pretreatment, leading to the decrease of systemic inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-γ), which alleviated multiple organ injuries and increased the survival rate of septic mice. In vitro, DC-SIGN expression in FHs74Int was significantly upregulated by LPS stimulation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. DC-SIGN knockdown abolished LPS-induced ERK1/2 and NF-κB/p65 phosphorylation, resulting in the decrease of cytokines release by FHs74Int.

CONCLUSIONS

Sepsis-induced DC-SIGN expression in IECs plays a significant role in regulating acute intestinal injury and systemic inflammatory response. The inhibition of DC-SIGN exhibited protective effects on sepsis-associated organ injury and systemic inflammation.

The Positive Effects of the Human Amniotic Membrane on the Healing of Staple Line After Sleeve Gastrectomy Applied Long-Evans Rat Model

BACKGROUND

The staple line leakage is a dangerous complication of sleeve gastrectomy. Various strategies have been tried to reduce the leakage risk. The amniotic membrane (AmM) is the inner layer of the placental membranes and has anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrosis, and anti-scarring effects, and it also has lower immune characteristics which are another essential characteristic of AmM concerning its utility for grafting. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of AmM on the staple line healing process of sleeve gastrectomy model in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used twenty-eight Long-Evans rats in this study. Sleeve gastrectomy was performed with tristapler. Fourteen rats served as controls, AmM was applied staple line of the other fourteen. Fourteen animals were sacrificed (seven from the AmM applied group and the other seven from the control group) on the third postoperative day. And, the other fourteen animals were sacrificed (seven from the AmM applied group and seven from the control group) on the seventh postoperative day. The tissue around the staple line was evaluated microscopically and macroscopically, bursting pressures and hydroxyproline levels were also measured.

RESULTS

The bursting pressure and hydroxyproline measurements of the AmM applied group was significantly higher on the seventh postoperative day (p = 0.015, p = 0.012) Fibroblast activity and neoangiogenesis of the AmM applied group was also significantly higher on the seventh postoperative day (p = 0.004, p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

This study showed that covering of staple line of sleeve gastrectomy model in rats significantly provided higher bursting pressures and increased hydroxyproline levels, fibroblast activity, and neoangiogenesis which may potentially lead a better staple line healing. We think further investigations are needed on this issue.

Usefulness of procalcitonin clearance to predict mortality in abdominal sepsis

To evaluate the plasma levels and clearance of procalcitonin (PCTc) as prognostic biomarkers for patients with abdominal sepsis. A retrospective study of 103 patients with abdominal sepsis was conducted in our intensive care unit (ICU) from 2016 to 2018. Procalcitonin (PCT) plasma levels were measured at the time of diagnosis of abdominal sepsis and daily over the next 5 days. PCTc was calculated from day 3 to day 5. The prognostic accuracy of PCTc was expressed as the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). The Kaplan–Meier method was used to compare the survival curves by log-rank test. Logistic regression analysis was used to predict the 28-day mortality. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality since admission to ICU. Serum PCT levels from day 1 to day 5 did not differ significantly between survivors and non-survivors, while PCTc on day 5 was statistically significantly higher in survivors than that in non-survivors (86.4% vs 38.7%, P < 0.001). The cutoff value for PCTc-day 5 was 70%, with AUROC of 0.726, sensitivity of 64.6%, and specificity of 78.3%. The 28-day mortality was significantly lower among those with PCTc-day 5 >70% compared with those with PCTc-day 5 <70% (9.1% vs 38.3%, log-rank test, P < 0.001), and odds ratio (OR) was 0.16 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.05–0.48, P < 0.001). The ability to decrease PCT by at least 70% on day 5 was an independent predictor of 28-day mortality after admission to ICU with moderate accuracy.

The prognostic value of serum procalcitonin measurements in critically injured patients: a systematic review

Background

Major trauma is associated with high incidence of septic complications and multiple organ dysfunction (MOD), which markedly influence the outcome of injured patients. Early identification of patients at risk of developing posttraumatic complications is crucial to provide early treatment and improve outcomes. We sought to evaluate the prognostic value of serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels after trauma as related to severity of injury, sepsis, organ dysfunction, and mortality.

Methods

We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Database, and references of included articles. Two investigators independently identified eligible studies and extracted data. We included original studies that assessed the prognostic value of serum PCT levels in predicting severity of injury, sepsis, organ dysfunction, and mortality among critically injured adult patients.

Results

Among 2015 citations, 19 studies (17 prospective; 2 retrospective) met inclusion criteria. Methodological quality of included studies was moderate. All studies showed a strong correlation between initial PCT levels and Injury Severity Score (ISS). Twelve out of 16 studies demonstrated significant elevation of initial PCT levels in patients who later developed sepsis after trauma. PCT level appeared a strong predictor of MOD in seven out of nine studies. While two studies did not show association between PCT levels and mortality, four studies demonstrated significant elevation of PCT levels in non-survivors versus survivors. One study reported that the PCT level of ≥ 5 ng/mL was associated with significantly increased mortality (OR 3.65; 95% CI 1.03–12.9; p = 0.04).

Conclusion

PCT appears promising as a surrogate biomarker for trauma. Initial peak PCT level may be used as an early predictor of sepsis, MOD, and mortality in trauma population.

Serum Interleukin-8 in Patients with Different Origin of Intra-Abdominal Infections in Perioperative Period

Intra-abdominal infections (IAI) are associated with high levels of pro-inflammatory serum IL-8 and poor outcomes, but data on IL-8 levels in various inflammatory reactions are contradictory. A better understanding of the diagnostic role of IL-8 is important, since the clinical relevance remains unclear. Methods: That was a single-center observational longitudinal cross-sectional study included 56 patients with various origins of intra-abdominal infections: 24 patients with postoperative abscesses, 12 patients with primary intra-abdominal abscesses, and 20 patients with diffuse peritoneal collection. Perioperative serum concentrations of interleukin-8 IL-8 were investigated at the day before surgery, on the 2nd–3rd day, and on the 5th–7th day after surgery. The hypothesis suggested that there was a difference in serum IL-8 in patients with IAI of different origin in the perioperative period. Results: The study showed that the level of serum IL-8 in patients with intra-abdominal infections of different origins is lower in comparison with healthy individuals. Despite the fact that we did not detect any statistically significant differences in the level of IL-8 in serum in IAI of different origin in the perioperative period, its lowest index was observed in the patients with postoperative abscesses on the 5th–7th days after surgical intervention. The levels of serum IL-8 ≤49.71 pg/mL and ≤48.88 pg/mL may serve as diagnostic markers for primary and postoperative abscesses with significant sensitivity and specificity. Conclusions: Our results differ from previous studies that showed high serum IL-8. High-quality clinical trials are needed to better comprehend the role of inflammatory mediators in IAI with different origin.

The Association Between Intra-abdominal View and Systemic Cytokine Response in Complicated Intra-abdominal Infections

BACKGROUND

There is a wide variety of disease severity in patients with complicated intraabdominal infection (cIAI). The prognostic role of intraabdominal view (IAV) was recently studied, and an IAV score was introduced. The aim of this study was to analyze the associations between the preoperative levels of eight relevant circulating cytokines and IAV components, the IAV score, as well as outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a single-center prospective study. The study cohort consisted of operatively managed adult patients with a cIAI. Preoperative plasma levels of eight cytokines were determined. The operating surgeon filled a form describing IAV. Outcomes analyzed were 30-day mortality and the development of organ dysfunctions requiring intensive care unit admission.

RESULTS

A total of 131 patients with cIAI were analyzed, 30-day mortality was 9.9% (n = 13), and 28 (21.4%) patients had postoperative organ dysfunctions. All components of IAV, the IAV score, and outcomes were associated with various cytokine levels. Interleukin-8 was the most competent marker associating with all the variables assessed in this study: diffuse peritonitis (P < 0.001), substantial diffuse redness (P = 0.012), substantial diffuse fibrin (P = 0.003), fecal or bile as exudate (P = 0.001), nonappendiceal source of infection (P < 0.001), IAV Score groups (P < 0.001), organ dysfunctions (P < 0.001), and 30-day mortality (P = 0.035).

CONCLUSIONS

Various cytokines associate with the IAV and outcome. IL-8 showed the best overall performance. The results emphasize the role of the surgeons' perception of the IAV. IAV provides an approximation of the magnitude of the systemic inflammatory response.

Novel Chitohexaose Analog Protects Young and Aged mice from CLP Induced Polymicrobial Sepsis

In Gram-negative bacterial sepsis, production of excess pro-inflammatory cytokines results in hyperinflammation and tissue injury. Anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 inhibit inflammation and enhance tissue healing. Here, we report a novel approach to treat septicemia associated with intra-abdominal infection in a murine model by delicately balancing pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. A novel oligosaccharide compound AVR-25 selectively binds to the TLR4 protein (IC₅₀ = 0.15 µM) in human peripheral blood monocytes and stimulates IL-10 production. Following the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) procedure, intravenous dosing of AVR-25 (10 mg/kg, 6-12 h post-CLP) alone and in combination with antibiotic imipenem protected both young adult (10-12 week old) and aged (16-18 month old) mice against polymicrobial infection, organ dysfunction, and death. Proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, MIP-1, i-NOS) were decreased significantly and restoration of tissue damage was observed in all organs. A decrease in serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and bacterial colony forming unit (CFU) confirmed improved bacterial clearance. Together, these findings demonstrate the therapeutic ability of AVR-25 to mitigate the storm of inflammation and minimize tissue injury with high potential for adjunctive therapy in intra-abdominal sepsis.

Bowel injury following gynecological laparoscopic surgery

Background

Bowel injury remains a serious complication of gynecological laparoscopic surgery. We aimed to review the literature on this topic, combined with personal experiences, so as to give recommendations on how to avoid and manage this complication.

Methods

We performed a narrative review on bowel injury following gynecological laparoscopic surgery using PubMed covering prevention, diagnosis, and management. Search terms used were laparoscopy, gynaecology, injury, bowel, prevention, treatment.

Results

Important principles of prevention include proper pre-operative evaluation and increased laparoscopic surgical skills and knowledge. High clinical suspicion is crucial for early diagnosis. Diagnostic workup of suspected cases includes serial abdominal examination, measuring inflammatory markers, and performing imaging studies including abdominal ultrasound and CT scan. When bowel injury is recognized during the first laparoscopic procedure then laparoscopic primary suturing could be tried although laparotomy may be needed. When diagnosis is delayed, then laparotomy is the treatment of choice. The role of robotic surgery and three-dimensional laparoscopic gynecological surgery on bowel injury needs to be further assessed.

Conclusion

Early recognition of bowel injury is crucial for a favorable clinical outcome. A combined collaboration between gynecologists and general surgeons is important for timely and proper decisions to be made.

Unmet needs in the management of intra-abdominal infections

INTRODUCTION

Intra-abdominal infections remain a leading cause of death, morbidity and resource use in surgical wards and intensive care units. The growing complexity of their management has led to new paradigms and unresolved issues in anti-infective therapy described in the current review. Areas covered: We analyzed the literature, recent guidelines, and expert opinions published over the last decade. Expert commentary: Prospective randomized trials are difficult to perform and observational studies or database analyses should be encouraged. Epidemiologic and microbiologic reports should be promoted, especially in developing/resource-limited countries and in specific subpopulations such as children, older people and patients with underlying diseases. The diagnostic process, including imaging procedures, could be improved. The value of biomarkers for diagnosis, monitoring and discontinuation of therapy should be clarified and improved. New microbiologic techniques are needed to speed up the diagnostic process and to improve the adequacy of anti-infective therapy. Very little progress has been made in the detection of clinical failures. Many aspects of anti-infective management, both for bacteria and fungi, remain unresolved, such as the high inoculum, the type of microorganisms to be treated, the timing of therapy, the value of de-escalation, drug monitoring and duration of therapy. New antibiotics are expected.

Therapeutic targeting of HMGB1 during experimental sepsis modulates the inflammatory cytokine profile to one associated with improved clinical outcomes

Sepsis remains a significant health burden and a major clinical need exists for therapeutics to dampen the excessive and uncontrolled immune activation. Nuclear protein high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) is released following cell death and is a late mediator in sepsis pathogenesis. While approaches targeting HMGB1 have demonstrated reduced mortality in pre-clinical models of sepsis, the impact of HMGB1 blockade on the complex septic inflammatory milieu and the development of subsequent immunosuppression remain enigmatic. Analysis of plasma samples obtained from septic shock patients established an association between increased HMGB1 and non-survival, higher APACHE II scores, and increased pro-inflammatory cytokine responses. Pre-clinically, administration of neutralising ovine anti-HMGB1 polyclonal antibodies improved survival in murine endotoxaemia and caecal ligation and puncture-induced sepsis models, and altered early cytokine profiles to one which corresponded to patterns observed in the surviving patient cohort. Additionally, anti-HMGB1 treated murine sepsis survivors were significantly more resistant to secondary bacterial infection and exhibited altered innate immune cell phenotypes and cytokine responses. These findings demonstrate that anti-HMGB1 antibodies alter inflammation in murine sepsis models and reduce sepsis mortality without potentiating immunosuppression.

Management of intra-abdominal infections: recommendations by the WSES 2016 consensus conference

This paper reports on the consensus conference on the management of intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) which was held on July 23, 2016, in Dublin, Ireland, as a part of the annual World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) meeting. This document covers all aspects of the management of IAIs. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation recommendation is used, and this document represents the executive summary of the consensus conference findings.

High Mobility Group Box-1 Protein and Outcomes in Critically Ill Surgical Patients Requiring Open Abdominal Management

Background. Previous studies assessing various cytokines in the critically ill/injured have been uninformative in terms of translating to clinical care management. Animal abdominal sepsis work suggests that enhanced intraperitoneal (IP) clearance of Damage-Associated Molecular Patterns (DAMPs) improves outcome. Thus measuring the responses of DAMPs offers alternate potential insights and a representative DAMP, High Mobility Group Box-1 protein (HMGB-1), was considered. While IP biomediators are being recognized in critical illness/trauma, HMGB-1 behaviour has not been examined in open abdomen (OA) management. Methods. A modified protocol for HMGB-1 detection was used to examine plasma/IP fluid samples from 44 critically ill/injured OA patients enrolled in a randomized controlled trial comparing two negative pressure peritoneal therapies (NPPT): Active NPPT (ANPPT) and Barker's Vacuum Pack NPPT (BVP). Samples were collected and analyzed at the time of laparotomy and at 24 and 48 hours after. Results. There were no statistically significant differences in survivor versus nonsurvivor HMGB-1 plasma or IP concentrations at baseline, 24 hours, or 48 hours. However, plasma HMGB-1 levels tended to increase continuously in the BVP cohort. Conclusions. HMGB-1 appeared to behave differently between NPPT cohorts. Further studies are needed to elucidate the relationship of HMGB-1 and outcomes in septic/injured patients.

Vendor effects on murine gut microbiota influence experimental abdominal sepsis

BACKGROUND

Experimental animal models are indispensable components of preclinical sepsis research. Reproducible results highly rely on defined and invariant baseline conditions. Our hypothesis was that the murine gut microbiota varies among different distributors of laboratory animals and that these variations influence the phenotype of abdominal sepsis derived from a bacterial inoculum model (intraperitoneal stool injection).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male C57BL/6 mice (8-wk old) purchased from Charles River (CR), Janvier (J), and Harlan (H) were sacrificed, and the bacterial composition of feces was analyzed using CHROMagar orientation medium. Stool was injected intraperitoneally into CR mice, followed by clinical observation and gene expression analysis. Experiments were repeated 16 mo later under the same conditions.

RESULTS

Stool analysis revealed profound intervendor differences in bacterial composition, mainly regarding Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus licheniformis. Mice challenged with CR as well as H feces developed significantly higher severity of disease and died within the observation period, whereas stool from J mice did not induce any of these symptoms. Real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed corresponding results with significant upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines and vascular leakage-related mediators in CR and H injected animals. Sixteen months later, the bacterial fecal composition had significantly shifted. The differences in clinical phenotype of sepsis after intraperitoneal stool injection had vanished.

CONCLUSIONS

We are the first to demonstrate vendor and time effects on the murine fecal microbiota influencing sepsis models of intraabdominal stool contamination. The intestinal microbiota must be defined and standardized when designing and interpreting past and future studies using murine abdominal sepsis models.

Prognostic value of presepsin for outcomes and complications in enterocutaneous fistula complicated by abdominal sepsis

BACKGROUND

Enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) poses a supreme challenge for the surgeons associated with abdominal sepsis, fluid electrolyte imbalance and undernutrition. Individual prognostic stratification is pivotal in the clinical management. Presepsin is a novel biomarker showing diagnostic and prognostic value in sepsis. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of presepsin in ECF.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with ECF were enrolled if diagnosed as abdominal sepsis from June 2014 to June 2015. Serum concentration of presepsin at admission was measured, and medical records including demographics, medical history, treatment modalities, complications and outcomes were collected. Kaplan-Meier curves was drawn to demonstrate the cumulative incidence of source control of infection and fistula closure, and Cox regression analysis was performed to identify independent factors. Association between presepsin and other markers was evaluated by Pearson's correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

71 patients were included with the median presepsin concentration of 726 pg/mL at admission. Baseline presepsin levels showed predictive potential in successful source control of intra-abdominal infection but not in fistula closure. Patients with higher presepsin had more severe intra-abdominal infection as denoted by higher levels of WBC, CRP and PCT, as well as high risks of complications and failure of fistula closure compared with those having lower presepsin (≤726 pg/mL). Presepsin concentration was positively associated with APACHE II score, CRP and PCT.

CONCLUSIONS

Presepsin shows prognostic values for source control of abdominal sepsis and clinical courses of ECF. This index may help stratify patients, facilitating the monitoring and adjustment of the therapeutic regimen at an early stage.

Could Biomarkers Direct Therapy for the Septic Patient?

Sepsis is a serious medical condition caused by a severe systemic inflammatory response to a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection that most commonly affects neonates and the elderly. Advances in understanding the pathophysiology of sepsis have resulted in guidelines for care that have helped reduce the risk of dying from sepsis for both children and older adults. Still, over the past three decades, a large number of clinical trials have been undertaken to evaluate pharmacological agents for sepsis. Unfortunately, all of these trials have failed, with the use of some agents even shown to be harmful. One key issue in these trials was the heterogeneity of the patient population that participated. What has emerged is the need to target therapeutic interventions to the specific patient's underlying pathophysiological processes, rather than looking for a universal therapy that would be effective in a "typical" septic patient, who does not exist. This review supports the concept that identification of the right biomarkers that can direct therapy and provide timely feedback on its effectiveness will enable critical care physicians to decrease mortality of patients with sepsis and improve the quality of life of survivors.

Antimicrobials: a global alliance for optimizing their rational use in intra-abdominal infections (AGORA)

Intra-abdominal infections (IAI) are an important cause of morbidity and are frequently associated with poor prognosis, particularly in high-risk patients. The cornerstones in the management of complicated IAIs are timely effective source control with appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Empiric antimicrobial therapy is important in the management of intra-abdominal infections and must be broad enough to cover all likely organisms because inappropriate initial antimicrobial therapy is associated with poor patient outcomes and the development of bacterial resistance. The overuse of antimicrobials is widely accepted as a major driver of some emerging infections (such as C. difficile), the selection of resistant pathogens in individual patients, and for the continued development of antimicrobial resistance globally. The growing emergence of multi-drug resistant organisms and the limited development of new agents available to counteract them have caused an impending crisis with alarming implications, especially with regards to Gram-negative bacteria. An international task force from 79 different countries has joined this project by sharing a document on the rational use of antimicrobials for patients with IAIs. The project has been termed AGORA (Antimicrobials: A Global Alliance for Optimizing their Rational Use in Intra-Abdominal Infections). The authors hope that AGORA, involving many of the world's leading experts, can actively raise awareness in health workers and can improve prescribing behavior in treating IAIs.