Flow Cytometry of CD64, HLA-DR, CD25, and TLRs for Diagnosis and Prognosis of Sepsis in Critically Ill Patients Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit: A Review Article

The use of neutrophil CD64 and monocyte HLA-DR sepsis index in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis

Background

Neonatal septicemia remains one of the main causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality. However, there are challenges hindering the early diagnosis.

Results

nCD64 percent and MFI were not of statistical significance between the confirmed sepsis, clinical sepsis, and control groups (p = 0.453 and 0.149, respectively); meanwhile, the mHLA-DR percent and MFI were both of statistical significance (p = 0.001, 0.0001, respectively) with lower values in the proven sepsis group. Calculating the sepsis index, its value was 74.1% ± 45 SD in the control, 105.5% ± 73 SD probable sepsis group, and 180.6% ± 143 SD in the proven sepsis group; this was of a high statistical significance (p = 0.0001).

Conclusion

HLA-DR expression on monocytes and nCD64/mHLA-DR sepsis index are reliable indices for the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. The sepsis index could be feasibly analyzed by automated flow cytometry even in developing countries. In the future, these markers should be widely assessed as their results are rapid, reliable, and of low cost.

Longitudinal assessment of the inflammatory response: The next step in personalized medicine after severe trauma

Infections in trauma patients are an increasing and substantial cause of morbidity, contributing to a mortality rate of 5-8% after trauma. With increased early survival rates, up to 30-50% of multitrauma patients develop an infectious complication. Trauma leads to a complex inflammatory cascade, in which neutrophils play a key role. Understanding the functions and characteristics of these cells is important for the understanding of their involvement in the development of infectious complications. Recently, analysis of neutrophil phenotype and function as complex biomarkers, has become accessible for point-of-care decision making after trauma. There is an intriguing relation between the neutrophil functional phenotype on admission, and the clinical course (e.g., infectious complications) of trauma patients. Potential neutrophil based cellular diagnostics include subsets based on neutrophil receptor expression, responsiveness of neutrophils to formyl-peptides and FcγRI (CD64) expression representing the infectious state of a patient. It is now possible to recognize patients at risk for infectious complications when presented at the trauma bay. These patients display increased numbers of neutrophil subsets, decreased responsiveness to fMLF and/or increased CD64 expression. The next step is to measure these biomarkers over time in trauma patients at risk for infectious complications, to guide decision making regarding timing and extent of surgery and administration of (preventive) antibiotics.

Effect of Nebulized Heparin on Weaning off Intubated Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) Admitted to Intensive Care Unit (ICU): A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) treatment is based on supportive care such as mechanical ventilation, prophylaxis of stress ulcer, prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), nutritional support, and treatment of underlying disease. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the effects of nebulized heparin on weaning off intubated ARDS patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: In this double-blind clinical trial study, 60 patients with ARDS receiving routine care according to the ARDS protocol were randomly assigned into two groups: intervention group (receiving nebulized heparin 5000 u/BD for one week) and control group (receiving nebulized sterile water 2 cc/BD for one week). The respiratory index (PaO2/FiO2), pulmonary shunt percentage (measured by ABG), tidal volume, minute ventilation, admission duration in the ICU, and days of mechanical ventilation required were recorded for each patient for one week. Results: There was no significant difference in demographic data between the two groups. Inhaled heparin in patients with ARDS could significantly increase the respiratory index (PaO2/FiO2) and decrease pulmonary shunt percentage, minute ventilation, and tidal volume. It also significantly reduced the number of admission days in the ICU and the need for mechanical ventilation. Conclusions: The result of the present study showed that inhaled heparin in intubated ARDS patients admitted to the ICU improved respiratory and pulmonary status and reduced the need for mechanical ventilation and admission days in the ICU. Nebulizing heparin, as an anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant agent, is an effective and safe medication for ARDS patients on mechanical ventilation.

Evaluation of the Effect of Atorvastatin Administration on the Outcomes of Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Double-blinded Randomized Clinical Trial

Background

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the common causes of long-term disabilities and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of atorvastatin administration on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), and Disability Rating Scale (DRS) in patients with TBI.

Methods

This double-blinded randomized clinical trial included 60 patients with TBI in Golestan Hospital of Ahvaz, Iran. After obtaining an informed consent from all patients, the patients were randomly assigned into two groups. For the intervention group, atorvastatin with a daily dose of 20 mg was used. The control group was administered the same amount of placebo for 10 days. Changes in the level of consciousness were measured using the GCS, and functional recovery rate in patients was measured by GOS and DRS in the third follow-up month.

Results

According to the obtained results, compared with the control group, the atorvastatin administration significantly increased the level of GCS and DRS within 2 - 3 months post-intervention and improved GOS since the tenth day after the study (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The results revealed the positive effect of atorvastatin on the improvement of outcomes measurements such as GCS, DRS, and GOS in patients after moderate and severe TBI.

Flow Cytometric Analyses of Lymphocyte Markers in Immune Oncology: A Comprehensive Guidance for Validation Practice According to Laws and Standards

Many anticancer therapies such as antibody-based therapies, cellular therapeutics (e.g., genetically modified cells, regulators of cytokine signaling, and signal transduction), and other biologically tailored interventions strongly influence the immune system and require tools for research, diagnosis, and monitoring. In flow cytometry, in vitro diagnostic (IVD) test kits that have been compiled and validated by the manufacturer are not available for all requirements. Laboratories are therefore usually dependent on modifying commercially available assays or, most often, developing them to meet clinical needs. However, both variants must then undergo full validation to fulfill the IVD regulatory requirements. Flow cytometric immunophenotyping is a multiparametric analysis of parameters, some of which have to be repeatedly adjusted; that must be considered when developing specific antibody panels. Careful adjustments of general rules are required to meet legal and regulatory requirements in the analysis of these assays. Here, we describe the relevant regulatory framework for flow cytometry-based assays and describe methods for the introduction of new antibody combinations into routine work including development of performance specifications, validation, and statistical methodology for design and analysis of the experiments. The aim is to increase reliability, efficiency, and auditability after the introduction of in-house-developed flow cytometry assays.

Biomarkers and Associated Immune Mechanisms for Early Detection and Therapeutic Management of Sepsis

Sepsis is conceptually defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction that is caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Although there has been significant advancement in recent decades in defining and understanding sepsis pathology, clinical management of sepsis is challenging due to difficulties in diagnosis, a lack of reliable prognostic biomarkers, and treatment options that are largely limited to antibiotic therapy and fundamental supportive measures. The lack of reliable diagnostic and prognostic tests makes it difficult to triage patients who are in need of more urgent care. Furthermore, while the acute inpatient treatment of sepsis warrants ongoing attention and investigation, efforts must also be directed toward longer term survival and outcomes. Sepsis survivors experience incomplete recovery, with long-term health impairments that may require both cognitive and physical treatment and rehabilitation. This review summarizes recent advances in sepsis prognosis research and discusses progress made in elucidating the underlying causes of prolonged health deficits experienced by patients surviving the early phases of sepsis.