Paediatrics: how to manage septic shock

Potential of oligonucleotide- and protein/peptide-based therapeutics in the management of toxicant/stressor-induced diseases

Exposure to toxicants/stressors has been linked to the development of many human diseases. They could affect various cellular components, such as DNA, proteins, lipids, and non-coding RNAs (ncRNA), thereby triggering various cellular pathways, particularly oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and apoptosis, which can contribute to pathophysiological states. Accordingly, modulation of these pathways has been the focus of numerous investigations for managing related diseases. The involvement of various ncRNAs, such as small interfering RNA (siRNA), microRNAs (miRNA), and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA), as well as various proteins and peptides in mediating these pathways, provides many target sites for pharmaceutical intervention. In this regard, various oligonucleotide- and protein/peptide-based therapies have been developed to treat toxicity-induced diseases, which have shown promising results in vitro and in vivo. This comprehensive review provides information about various aspects of toxicity-related diseases including their causing factors, main underlying mechanisms and intermediates, and their roles in pathophysiological states. Particularly, it highlights the principles and mechanisms of oligonucleotide- and protein/peptide-based therapies in the treatment of toxicity-related diseases. Furthermore, various issues of oligonucleotides and proteins/peptides for clinical usage and potential solutions are discussed.

The Roles of Renal Oxygen Saturation in Septic Shock Children

Introduction

Septic shock, the most severe form of sepsis, has high morbidity and mortality rates among children. In patients with septic shock, impaired microcirculatory perfusion is associated with the severity of organ failure and the likelihood of death. Because near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) can assess microcirculation status and peripheral tissue oxygenation directly and noninvasively, provides real-time results, and can be performed at the patient's bedside. This study aimed to determine the prognostic value of renal oxygen saturation (rRSO2) measured by NIRS in septic shock among children.

Methods

This prospective observational study enrolled children aged 1 month to 18 years with septic shock who were treated in a pediatric intensive care unit from August 2020 to January 2021. NIRS was used to measure rRSO2 in patients diagnosed with septic shock according to the Third International Consensus Definition of Sepsis and Septic Shock. The baseline rRSO2 value (%) formed a receiver operating characteristic curve and was used to calculate the optimal cutoff value, sensitivity, specificity, and odds ratio (OR).

Results

We enrolled 24 patients, 13 nonsurvivors and 11 survivors, whose mean baseline rRSO2 values were 67.27 ± 12.95 versus 48.69 ± 16.17, respectively (P = 0.006). The optimal cutoff value for baseline rRSO2 was <60.5%, with a sensitivity of 76.9%, a specificity of 81.8%, and an area under curve 0.804 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 59.2%-98.1%, P = 0.012; OR = 15; 95 CI: 2.04-111.74).

Conclusion

Measured by NIRS, rRSO2 values are a good predictor of mortality among children with septic shock.

The Correlations of Human Atrial Natriuretic Peptide on Cardiac Function and Hemodynamics in Pediatric Septic Shock

Purpose

We aimed to determine the correlations of human Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) on cardiac function and hemodynamics in pediatric septic shock.

Patients and Methods

We conducted an observational and prospective study on 30 children with septic shock. Measurement of the level of human atrial natriuretic peptide was determined in the serum of patients. Cardiac power (CP) is a cardiac function parameter measured with cardiac output (cardiovascular flow) and mean arterial (intravascular) pressure. Cardiac output and mean arterial pressure were monitored using pressure recording analytical methods (PRAM). Hemodynamic status was represented by a vasoactive inotropic score.

Results

Thirty pediatric septic shock patients fulfilled the eligibility criteria. The human ANP level was not significantly different in pediatric septic shock on three days of examination. Cardiac power was significantly different in pediatric septic shock on three days of examination. There was a correlation between human ANP and cardiac power on day 3 and human ANP and VIS on day 2.

Conclusion

There was a significant correlation between human ANP level and cardiac power on day 3 and ANP level and VIS on day 2. The cardiac power on day 3 and VIS on 48 hours can be alternatives to evaluate the hemodynamic status and cardiac function concerning human ANP in pediatric septic shock.

Fine-needle aspiration to improve diagnosis of melioidosis of the head and neck in children: a study from Sarawak, Malaysia

Background

Melioidosis, the infection caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, is associated with a high case fatality rate, due in part to difficulties in clinical recognition and diagnostic confirmation of the disease. Although head and neck involvement is common in children, specific disease manifestations differ between geographic regions. The aim of this study was to provide a detailed description of melioidosis of the head and neck among children in Sarawak, Malaysia, and determine if fine-needle aspiration of suspected head or neck lesions could improve melioidosis diagnosis.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective descriptive study of all children aged < 12 years with culture-confirmed melioidosis presenting with head and neck manifestations and admitted to Bintulu Hospital in Sarawak, Malaysia, from January 2011 until December 2020. Fine-needle aspiration of head and neck lesions suspected to be due to melioidosis with inoculation in blood culture bottles (FNA + BCB) was used from the beginning of 2016.

Results

Of 34 children with culture-confirmed melioidosis, 20 (59%) had an infection involving one or more sites in the head and neck. Of these, 17 (85%) were diagnosed in or after 2016. Cervical lymph nodes were the most common organ or site affected, involved in 19 (95%) children. Clinical presentations of B. pseudomallei lymph node infections were highly variable. Five (25%) children had salivary gland involvement. Lacrimal gland involvement (dacryocystitis) and skin or soft tissue infection (scalp abscess) were less frequent. B. pseudomallei was isolated from the head or neck using FNA + BCB in 15 (75%) children and by standard culture methods of direct plating of pus on agar following incision and drainage in only 2 (10%) children. B. pseudomallei was isolated from non-head or neck specimens or blood in 3 (15%) children.

Conclusions

Manifestations of pediatric head and neck melioidosis in Sarawak, Malaysia, differ from those of other regions. Fine-needle aspiration, mainly of affected cervical lymph nodes, facilitates B. pseudomallei detection and enables confirmation of melioidosis infections.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-021-06754-9.