Ophthalmological impairment in patients with congenital cytomegalovirus infection

Background

Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection is a frequent cause of neurosensory impairment. Ocular abnormalities and visual impairment have been reported in a high percentage of symptomatic infants, whereas they are considered uncommon in asymptomatic ones. The paucity of data has made difficult to reach clear recommendations on the ophthalmological follow-up that should be provided.

Methods

250 patients with cCMV infection (123 symptomatic) were enrolled and underwent a series of age-appropriate ophthalmologic, audiologic, and neurodevelopmental examinations from 2002 to 2022.

Results

Funduscopic abnormalities were identified at onset in 16/123 (13%) symptomatic infants and in none of the asymptomatic ones (p < 0.001). Chorioretinitis lesions were the most common findings (10/16 cases), while the others showed retinal scars. Lesions were bilateral in 4 patients. No later onset retinal lesions were detected, nor in symptomatic or in asymptomatic children. Five of the 16 (31.5%) symptomatic and none of the asymptomatic subjects showed visual impairment al the last evaluation (p < 0.001). All patients with unfavorable outcome had also neurological impairment. Among symptomatic patients, ocular lesions were associated with central nervous system (CNS) pathological findings in prenatal ultrasonography (p 0.05) and with clinical signs of CNS involvement at birth (p 0.046). No correlation was found with the type of maternal infection and pathological neuroimaging.

Conclusions

Chorioretinal lesions are a fairly common finding at birth in neonates with symptomatic cCMV, often associated with long term visual impairment. Asymptomatic infants do not show ophthalmological abnormalities in the short or long term. This information is relevant both to parental counseling and to cost-effective patient management.

Severe fetal intracranial hemorrhage: Congenital Cytomegalovirus infection may play a role? A case report and review of literature

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common cause of congenital infection, with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations and different grade of severity. We report the case of a male baby born at term with an early prenatal diagnosis of severe intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), with no other evident risk factors. Urine and blood sample were tested for CMV-DNA, and diagnosis of congenital CMV infection was established. This case describes intracranial hemorrhage as uncommon although possible sign of early fetal CMV infection. Considering that pathogenic factors cannot be defined in 25 % of term neonates with ICH, this case report highlights the importance of CMV screening in pregnant women and in term infants with prenatal ICH of unknown origin.

An unusual aggressive presentation of late onset sepsis due to Staphylococcus aureus MRSA producing Panton-Valentine Leukocidin in preterm neonate

We report an unusual and rare case of infection from methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) producing Panton-Valentine leukocidin in a preterm neonate in NICU. On day of life 8, a preterm baby boy suddenly developed arthritis, giant cutaneous abscesses and an osteomyelitic focus with pour clinical condition. This very aggressive presentation of infection from MRSA push us to test Panton-Valentine leukocidin resulted positive and to test contacts to discover the bearer of the germ. MRSA producing Panton-Valentine leukocidin is an unusual case of infection in preterm neonate that has not been reported elsewhere. A very aggressive sepsis in neonates from Staphilococcus aureus should evoke the need to test Panton-Valentine leukocidin to rapidly establish an appropriate treatment. We underline also the importance to test contacts to establish promptly a decontaminant therapy.

Do isolates from pharyngeal and rectal swabs match blood culture bacterial pathogens in septic VLBW infants? A pilot, cross-sectional study

Serial body site swabbing is used to monitor horizontal spread of aggressive bacterial species in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Since colonization/carriage is thought to precede systemic infection, one might expect to retrieve colonizing pathogens from blood cultures. This hypothesis, however, has not been fully investigated in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants that are at high sepsis' risk. The primary outcome was, in a population of VLBW infants with late-onset sepsis, the matching between blood culture results and pathogens isolated from rectal and nose/pharyngeal surveillance swabs in the preceding 2 weeks. The secondary outcomes were the site of swabbing and time interval from colonization to blood culture positivity. Out of 333 VLBW neonates, 80 (24%) were diagnosed with bacterial sepsis. In 46 (57%) neonates, the blood culture showed the same pathogen species cultured from a swab. Of these, 30 were isolated from infants with both body sites colonized with an average time interval of 3.5 days; 2/16 were isolated from rectal swabs and 14 /16 from nose/pharyngeal samples.Conclusion: Our data show a fair correspondence between bacteria colonizing the nasopharynx and/or the rectum and pathogens later isolated from blood cultures. This association depends on the swabbing site, number of sites, and pathogen species. Although these data constitute valuable results, they are not sufficient for providing the sole base of a thoughtful clinical decision. What is Known: • Body site's colonization may precede systemic infection. • Little is known on this mechanism in VLBW infants that are at higher sepsis' risk. What is New: •Colonizing bacteria partially correspond to pathogens of blood cultures in VLBW infants with sepsis. • Correspondence depends on swabbing site, number of sites, and pathogen species.

Enhancing the care of children with chronic diseases through the narratives of patient, physician, nurse and carer

We tested the hypothesis that a narrative approach may enhance a bio-psycho-social model (BPS) in caring for chronically ill children. Forty-eight narratives were collected from 12 children with six different medical conditions, their mothers, physicians, and nurses. By a textual analysis, narratives were classified on their predominant focus as disease (biological focus), illness (psychologic focus), or sickness (social focus). Sixty-one percent of narrative' text were classified as illness, 28% as disease and 11% as sickness. All narratives had a degree of illness focus. Narratives by patients and physicians on the one hand, and nurses' and mothers' on the other were disease focused. Narratives were also evaluated with respect to the type of medical condition: Illness was largely prevalent in all but Crohn's disease and HIV infection, the latter having a predominance of sickness most probably related to stigma. Narrative exploration proved a valuable tool for understanding and addressing the needs of children with complex conditions. Narrative approaches allow identification of the major needs of different patients according to health conditions and story tellers. In the narratives, we found a greater illness and disease focus and surprisingly a low sickness focus, except with HIV stories. Narrative medicine provides a tool to strengthen the BPS model in health care.

Reducing post-extubation failure rates in very preterm infants: is BiPAP better than CPAP?

Background and Aim: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is currently used in neonates after mechanical ventilation though it may occasionally be associated with air leaks syndromes or it may fail to support the baby. The pressure difference offered by bilevel continuous positive distending pressure (BiPAP) respect to CPAP may be an advantage to the spontaneously breathing patient. In this study, we compared the efficacy of CPAP and BiPAP in the firstweek post-extubation in a series of very preterm infants.Methods: Inborn neonates less than 30 weeks of gestational age who were intubated shortly after birth from January 2011 to December 2017 were enrolled in a retrospective study. The attending clinician assessed the patients for non-invasive respiratory support readiness and allocated them to CPAP (PEEP 4-6 cmH₂O) or BiPAP (PEEP 4-5 cmH₂O, rate 10-40; Thigh 0.7-1.2; upper-pressure level 8-10 cmH₂O). Both techniques were compared for preventing extubation failure within 7 days from extubation as defined per local protocol (primary outcome). Secondary outcomes were: definitive failure of extubation, pneumothorax during non-invasive respiratory support, periventricular leukomalacia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, sepsis, patent ductus arteriosus and retinopathy of prematurity at discharge.Results: We enrolled 134 neonates; the CPAP group included 89 babies while 45 received BiPAP. Patients did not differ for their general characteristics (EG, antenatal steroids, incidence of SGA, maternal hypertension, surfactant replacement therapy). Short term extubation failure was significantly higher in the former group (23/89 in CPAP vs 5/45 in BiPAP; p = .005). No infant developed air leak syndrome. Secondary outcomes were comparable between groups. Multivariate analysis showed that on the whole population the extubation failure was correlated to the insurgence of late-onset sepsis.Conclusion: BiPAP safely reduced early extubation failure compared to CPAP in our cohort of very preterm neonates within 7 days from extubation.

Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia: An Updated Appraisal of National Guidelines

Recent reports from several developed countries have documented a resurgence of bilirubin encephalopathy causing both healthcare and forensic issues. For these reasons, many national pediatric societies have issued recommendations on the diagnosis and the treatment of clinically significant neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. The differences among individual national documents may have an impact on neonatal healthcare. This paper shortly reviews the advantages and the shortcomings of the main international guidelines with a focus on the available evidence.

The Natural History of Hearing Disorders in Asymptomatic Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection

Background and Aim: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the main cause of congenital infection in developed countries leading to deafness but the burden of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in asymptomatic children remains incompletely characterized. Aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term audiological outcome in this group of patients. Methods: Consecutive neonates with congenital CMV infection were followed from 2002 to 2018. Patients were considered asymptomatic if free from any clinical and instrumental impairment at referral and underwent serial clinical exams, audiological evaluations and CMV-PCR determinations. Results: A cohort of 258 children was analyzed and the disease onset was asymptomatic in 125 (48%) infants. Among these, we studied 102 patients with a follow-up longer than 1 year and a median observation period of 2.8 years (range: 1-10.3 years). No patient developed a stable delayed SNHL but only 14 (14%) presented a variable hearing impairment, seven of which bilateral. The unstable SNHL was mild in 12 infants and moderate in two. Patients with fluctuating SNHL had significantly higher urine viral load (p 0.002) and more often positive viremia (p 0.015) than babies with stable normal hearing. Conclusions: CMV infected, asymptomatic neonates have a low risk of transient SNHL later in infancy. Positive viremia and high urine viral load at onset are significant risk factors for delayed fluctuating SNHL. These data are relevant for an appropriate follow up plan of these patients.

P5716Cardioprotective anti inflammatory effects of empaglifozin in doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity: the role of leukotriene B4 and interleukin 1

Background

Empagliflozin (EMPA), a selective inhibitor of the sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2), reduces the risk of hospitalization for heart failure or cardiovascular death in type 2 diabetic patients.

Purpose

We studied the putative cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of EMPA in Doxorubicin (DOXO)-Induced cardiotoxicity.

Methods

For this purpose, we tested the effects of EMPA (at 100 or 500 nM) alone or in combination with DOXO (20 μM) in HL-1 adult cardiomyocytes evaluating: mitochondrial viability, lipid peroxidation (quantifying cellular Malondialdehyde [MDA] and 4-hydroxynonenal [4-HNA]), Leukotriene-B4 expression, p65-NF-κB activation and Interleukin 1β, 8 and 6 secretion. Preclinical studies were also performed in C57BL6 mice, dividing them in 4 groups (n=6): Sham (untreated mice), EMPA (mice treated with EMPA at 10 mg/kg/day, administrated orally for 7 days); DOXO (mice treated with DOXO at 2.25 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally administered for 7 days); EMPA-DOXO (pre-treatment with EMPA for 3 days and 7 days of co-administration EMPA and DOXO). As predictor of cardiotoxicity, the Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) was measured using 2D speckle tracking echocardiography. Cardiac lysates were processed for analysis of pro-inflammatory interleukins.

Results

We demonstrated that EMPA, co-incubated with DOXO, increases cardiomyocyte viability of 33,6 and 82% at 100 and 500 nM, respectively (compared to only DOXO treated cells). EMPA inhibits the lipid peroxidation by decreasing MDA and 4-HNA production of around 23,6 and 28,7%, at 100 nM and of 47,8 and 52,1% at 500 nM, respectively, compared to untreated cells (p<0,01 for all). Moreover, EMPA has anti-inflammatory activity reducing the Leukotriene B4 and p65-NFkb expression of 37,4% and 31% at 100 nM and of 58,4 and 64,3% at 500 nM, respectively (all compared to only DOXO treated cells). EMPA also decreased the expression of Interleukin 1β (of 28,5 and 68,8%), Interleukin-8 (of 21,2 and 57,3%) and Interleukin-6 (of 28,1 and 49,8%) at 100 and 500 nM, respectively, compared to only DOXO exposed cells (p<0,05 for all). In our in vivo studies, after 7 days with DOXO, the GLS decreased. Interestingly, in mice treated with EMPA/DOXO, we observed that EMPA prevents the GLS's reduction: GLS was −19.24±1.5 (p<0,01) vs DOXO alone, indicating cardioprotective effects. In DOXO-EMPA groups the cardiac IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 were reduced of 48, 54,4 and 58%, compared to only DOXO group (p<0,001 for all).

Conclusion

EMPA has strong anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective effects in DOXO-Induced cardiotoxicity and these effects are mainly mediated by a reduction of the lipid peroxidation, Leukotriene-B4 and NF-κB activation bringing to a strong inhibition of the Interleukin 1β, 8 and 6 production.

P1537Cardiotoxicity induced by the combinatorial treatment based on the immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab associated to trastuzumab

Background

The immunotherapy has revolutionized the world of oncology in the last decades with considerable advantages in terms of overall survival in cancer patients. A combination therapy based on the co-administration of Pembrolizumab (an antibody against PD-1) and Trastuzumab (the humanized anti-Her2 mAb) was recently proposed in clinical trials for the treatment of Trastuzumab-resistant advanced HER2-positive breast cancer. Although immunotherapies are frequently associated with a wide spectrum of immune-related adverse events, the cardiac toxicity has not been properly studied.

Purpose

We studied, for the first time, the putative cardiotoxic effects of Pembrolizumab associated to Trastuzumab turning the light on the pro-inflammatory effects of this novel combined therapy

Methods

Cell viability, intracellular calcium quantification and pro-inflammatory assays (analyzing the production of Interleukin 1β, 6 and 8 as well as the expression of p65/NFkB and Leukotriene B4) were performed in human fetal cardiomyocytes in vitro. Preclinical studies were also performed in vivo on C57BL6 mice untreated (Sham) or treated with Pembrolizumab and Trastuzumab alone or in combination by analyzing (in cardiac tissue extracts) the same markers of inflammation used in cellular studies.

Results

Combination therapy leads to an increase of the intracellular calcium overload (more than 3 times compared to untreated cells) and to a reduction of the cardiomyocytes viability (of more than 65 and 20–25%, compared to untreated and Pembrolizumab or Trastuzumab treated cells, respectively) thus indicating cardiotoxic effects. Notably, combination therapy increases the inflammation of cardiomyocytes enhancing significantly the production of p65/NFkB and Interleukins. Moreover, in in vivo studies on mice, the association of Pembrolizumab and Trastuzumab shows pro-inflammatory effects in cardiac tissue by stimulating the Interleukin 1β, 8 and 6 expression of 40–50% more than the single treatments; the expression of p65/NFkB and Leukotriene B4 was also increased indicating pro-inflammatory effects.

Conclusion

Combination therapy based on Pembrolizumab associated to Trastuzumab leads to significant cardiac pro-inflammatory effects mediated by overexpression of NFkB/p65 and Leukotriene B4 related pathways

Low doses of Bisphenol A have pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidant effects, stimulate lipid peroxidation and increase the cardiotoxicity of Doxorubicin in cardiomyoblasts

Endocrine disrupters are strictly associated to cancer and several cardiovascular risk factors. Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disrupter commonly used in the manufacturing of plastics based on polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride and resins. Our study aims to investigate whether BPA may cause pro-oxidative and pro-inflammatory effects on cardiomyoblasts, thus exacerbating the Doxorubicin (DOXO)-induced cardiotoxicity phenomena. We tested the metabolic effects of BPA at low doses analyzing its affections on the intracellular calcium uptake, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and production of nitric oxide and interleukins. Co-incubation of BPA and DOXO significantly reduced the cardiomyoblast viability, compared to only DOXO exposure cells. The mechanisms underlying these effects are based on the stimulation of the intracellular calcium accumulation and lipid peroxidation. Notably, BPA increase the production of pro-inflammatory interleukins involved in cardiovascular diseases as well as in DOXO-Induced cardiotoxicity phenomena. This study provides a rationale for translational studies in the field of cardio-oncology.

Cardiotoxicity and pro-inflammatory effects of the immune checkpoint inhibitor Pembrolizumab associated to Trastuzumab

BACKGROUND

The immunotherapy has revolutionized the world of oncology in the last decades with considerable advantages in terms of overall survival in cancer patients. The association of Pembrolizumab and Trastuzumab was recently proposed in clinical trials for the treatment of Trastuzumab-resistant advanced HER2-positive breast cancer. Although immunotherapies are frequently associated with a wide spectrum of immune-related adverse events, the cardiac toxicity has not been properly studied.

PURPOSE

We studied, for the first time, the putative cardiotoxic and pro-inflammatory effects of Pembrolizumab associated to Trastuzumab.

METHODS

Cell viability, intracellular calcium quantification and pro-inflammatory studies (analyses of the production of Interleukin 1β, 6 and 8, the expression of NF-kB and Leukotriene B4) were performed in human fetal cardiomyocytes. Preclinical studies were also performed in C57BL6 mice by analyzing fibrosis and inflammation in heart tissues.

RESULTS

The combination of Pembrolizumab and Trastuzumab leads to an increase of the intracellular calcium overload (of 3 times compared to untreated cells) and to a reduction of the cardiomyocytes viability (of 65 and 20-25%, compared to untreated and Pembrolizumab or Trastuzumab treated cells, respectively) indicating cardiotoxic effects. Notably, combination therapy increases the inflammation of cardiomyocytes by enhancing the expression of NF-kB and Interleukins. Moreover, in preclinical models, the association of Pembrolizumab and Trastuzumab increases the Interleukins expression of 40-50% compared to the single treatments; the expression of NF-kB and Leukotriene B4 was also increased.

CONCLUSION

Pembrolizumab associated to Trastuzumab leads to strong cardiac pro-inflammatory effects mediated by overexpression of NF-kB and Leukotriene B4 related pathways.

[Impact of the external cephalic version on the obstetrical prognosis in a team with a high success rate of vaginal delivery in breech presentation]

OBJECTIVES

To analyse the impact of external cephalic version (ECV) on caesarean section rate in a team with a high success rate of vaginal delivery in breech presentation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective monocentric study including 298 patients with a breech presentations between 33 and 35weeks of amenorrhea followed at our university hospital and delivered after 35weeks, between 1st January 2011 and 31st December 2013. Patients were divided into 2 groups: planned ECV (n=216 patients) versus no planned ECV (n=57 patients).

RESULTS

Our rate of successful vaginal breech delivery over the period of the study was 61.1%. We performed 165 ECV, with a 21.8% success rate. The average term of the attempt of ECV was 36.7weeks of amenorrhea. The caesarean section rate was not significantly different in the planned ECV group, even after adjustment on age, parity and previous caesarean delivery (adjusted OR=1.67 [0.77-3.61]). Attempt of ECV did not reduce the number of breech presentation at delivery (61.1% versus 61.4% [P=0.55]).

CONCLUSION

Planned ECV in our center with a high level of breech vaginal delivery did not significantly impact our cesarean section rate.

Noma Neonatorum From Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa: An Underestimated Threat?

We present the case of an extremely low birth weight infant with diffuse gingival noma, initially misdiagnosed as thrush. Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain was cultured and treated with systemic and local colistin with complete healing. Noma neonatorum from multidrug-resistant pathogens may appear in neonatal intensive care units. Old antibiotics may help.Noma (cancrum oris) is a devastating gangrenous disease that leads to destruction of facial tissue with significant morbidity and mortality in children and young adults. Noma has virtually disappeared from Europe and North America, but it is still common among children and young adults in India, Africa, and South America. Noma is a polymicrobial opportunistic infection related to malnutrition and immune dysfunction. In the neonate, a similar but distinct condition, known as "noma neonatorum" was described in 1977, in which gangrenous lesions involve the mucocutaneous junctions of oral, nasal, and anal area, and, occasionally, the eyelids and the scrotum. The neonatal disease has been linked to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, prematurity, and low birth weight. There is no established treatment, and mortality is almost inevitable in the few reported cases. In this study, we present the first European case of noma neonatorum from a multidrug-resistant strain of P aeruginosa.

Overexpression of autophagic proteins in the skeletal muscle of sporadic inclusion body myositis

AIMS

Sporadic inclusion body myositis (s-IBM) is characterized by rimmed vacuole formation and misfolded protein accumulation. Intracellular protein aggregates are cleared by autophagy. When autophagy is blocked aggregates accumulate, resulting in abnormal rimmed vacuole formation. This study investigated the autophagy-lysosome pathway contribution to rimmed vacuole accumulation.

METHODS

Autophagy was studied in muscle biopsy specimens obtained from eleven s-IBM patients, one suspected hereditary IBM patient, nine patients with other inflammatory myopathies and nine non-myopathic patients as controls. The analysis employed morphometric methods applied to immunohistochemistry using the endosome marker Clathrin, essential proteins of the autophagic cascade such as AuTophaGy-related protein ATG5, splicing variants of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3a (LC3a) and LC3b, compared with Beclin 1, the major autophagy regulator of both the initiation phase and late endosome/lysosome fusion of the autophagy-lysosome pathway.

RESULTS

In muscle biopsies of s-IBM patients, an increased expression of Clathrin, ATG5, LC3a, LC3b and Beclin 1 was shown. Moreover, the inflammatory components of the disease, essentially lymphocytes, were preferentially distributed around the Beclin 1(+) myofibres. These affected myofibres also showed a moderate sarcoplasmic accumulation of SMI-31(+) phospho-tau paired helical filaments.

CONCLUSION

The overexpression of autophagy markers linked to the decreased clearance of misfolded proteins, including SMI-31, and rimmed vacuoles accumulation may exhaust cellular resources and lead to cell death.

Teriparatide in Fracture Non-Unions

BACKGROUND

The use of teriparatide in the management of fracture disorders is poorly documented. This study aims to show that teriparatide administration may improve the healing process in patients with nonunions after open fixation of traumatic fractures of the lower limb.

METHODS

Four patients received Teriparatide for management of non-unions after open fixation of traumatic fractures of the lower limb.

RESULTS

Teriparatide administration resulted in adequate bone callus over the site of nonunion in all the patients, and clinical and radiographic evidence of sound union.

CONCLUSIONS

The efficacy of teriparatide in delayed or non unions is still unclear. It may induce an angiogenetic response which counteracts the features responsible for development of non-union.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Impact of age on viral kinetics of peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C: final analysis from the PROPHESYS cohort

The population of patients with chronic hepatitis C viral infection is ageing; however, elderly, hepatitis C-infected patients are understudied and less frequently treated. This subanalysis of data from the multinational PROPHESYS study examined associations between age (≤65 vs >65 years), on-treatment virological response and sustained virological response (SVR) in patients treated with peginterferon alfa-2a (40KD)/ribavirin in accordance with local licences. PROPHESYS comprised three cohorts studied in 19 countries according to country-specific legal and regulatory requirements. This subanalysis includes treatment-naive HCV mono-infected patients assigned to receive peginterferon alfa-2a (40KD)/ribavirin, with 6276 individuals aged ≤65 years and 349 aged >65 years. Rapid virological response (RVR) rates by Week 4 were consistently lower in older genotype (G) 1 (21.6% vs 27.2% in younger patients), G2 (80.7% vs 85.1%) and G3 (60.0% vs 74.2%) patients. SVR rates were significantly lower (29.8% vs 43.0%) and relapse rates significantly higher (43.1% vs 26.7%) in older G1 patients (P = 0.0002 vs ≤65 years). In contrast, SVR and relapse rates were similar in G2 and G3 patients regardless of age. The positive predictive value of RVR for SVR was comparable in older and younger G1 patients (66.7% vs 68.6%, respectively) and higher in older G2 (80.7% vs 75.6%) and G3 (77.8% vs 66.8%) patients. Virological response rates are generally lower in elderly CHC patients, and RVR is a reliable positive predictor of SVR in patients >65 years.

Comparative EPR studies of Cu(ii)-conjugated phosphorous-dendrimers in the absence and presence of normal and cancer cells

EPR analysis revealed peculiar structural and dynamical properties of anticancer-activeG3B–Cu(ii) in absence and presence of normal and cancer cells.

Are IgM-enriched immunoglobulins an effective adjuvant in septic VLBW infants?

Aim

To investigate the effectiveness of IgM-enriched immunoglobulins (IgM-eIVIG) in reducing short-term mortality of neonates with proven late-onset sepsis.

Methods

All VLBW infants from January 2008 to December 2012 with positive blood culture beyond 72 hours of life were enrolled in a retrospective cohort study. Newborns born after June 2010 were treated with IgM-eIVIG, 250 mg/kg/day iv for three days in addition to standard antibiotic regimen and compared to an historical cohort born before June 2010, receiving antimicrobial regimen alone. Short-term mortality (i.e. death within 7 and 21 days from treatment) was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were: total mortality, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, periventricular leukomalacia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia at discharge.

Results

79 neonates (40 cases) were enrolled. No difference in birth weight, gestational age or SNAP II score (disease severity score) were found. Significantly reduced short-term mortality was found in treated infants (22% vs 46%; p = 0.005) considering all microbial aetiologies and the subgroup affected by Candida spp. Secondary outcomes were not different between groups.

Conclusion

This hypothesis-generator study shows that IgM-eIVIG is an effective adjuvant therapy in VLBW infants with proven sepsis. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm this pilot observation.

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma compared to percutaneous ethanol injection in treatment of cirrhotic patients: an Italian randomized controlled trial

AIM

To compare 5-year survival of patients with a single hepatocellular carcinoma≤3 cm randomly assigned to receive percutaneous ethanol injection or radiofrequency ablation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 285 patients (192 males, mean age 70 years), with a single hepatocellular carcinoma (mean diameter 2.2 cm) were randomly assigned to receive percutaneous ethanol injection (n=143) or radiofrequency ablation (n=142). The primary endpoint of the study was 5-year survival.

RESULTS

Overall 143 patients underwent percutaneous ethanol injection and 128 radiofrequency ablation. In consideration of segmental location, in fact, 14 patients with 14 hepatocellular carcinomas could not be treated with established radiofrequency and were treated with percutaneous ethanol injection; these patients were not included in the survival evaluation. In the percutaneous ethanol injection and in the radiofrequency ablation groups, 3- and 5-year survival rates of 74% and 68%, and 78% and 68%, and 79% and 70% [corrected] respectively, were observed (p=n.s). In the percutaneous ethanol injection group, 3- and 5-year local recurrence rates were 9.4% and 12.8% respectively; in the radiofrequency group, the 3 and 5 years local recurrence rates were 7.8% and 11.7%, respectively (p=n.s.). The overall costs of percutaneous ethanol injection and radiofrequency ablation were 1359 Euros and 171.000 Euros, respectively (p<0.0001)

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous ethanol injection and radiofrequency ablation conferred similar 5-year survival. Feasibility is not the same for both procedures. Percutaneous ethanol injection is much cheaper than radiofrequency ablation and should be considered whether in poor and rich countries.

Total knee arthroplasty for post-traumatic proximal tibial bone defect: three cases report

Bone stock deficiency in primary as well as in revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) represents a difficult problem to surgeon with regard to maintaining proper alignment of the implant components and in establishing a stable bone-implant interface. Different surgical procedures are available in these situations, for instances the use of bone cement, prosthetic augments, custom implant, and wire mesh with morsellized bone grafting and structural bone allograft. Structural allograft offers a numerous advantages as easy remodeling and felling cavitary or segmental defects, excellent biocompatibility, bone stock restoration and potential for ligamentous reattachment. In this article we report a short term result of three cases affected by severe segmental medial post/traumatic tibial plateau defect in arthritic knee, for which massive structural allograft reconstruction and primary total knee replacement were carried. The heights of the bone defect were between 27-33 mm and with moderate medio-lateral knee instability. Pre-operative AKS score in three cases was 30, 34 and 51 points consecutively and improved at the last follow-up to 83, 78 and 85 consecutively. No acute or chronic complication was observed. Last radiological exam referred no signs of prosthetic loosening, no secondary resorption of bone graft and well integrated graft to host bone. These results achieved in our similar three cases have confirmed that the structural bone allograft is a successful biological material to restore hemi-condylar segmental tibial bone defect when total knee replacement is indicated.

Pregnancy-induced symptomatic pelvic and extra-pelvic cavernous hemangiomatosis

BACKGROUND

Pregnancy-induced pelvic and extra-pelvic cavernous hemangiomatosis is a serious condition, associated with considerable maternal and fetal risks. This report describes the ultrasound (US) features and the clinical management of such rare condition in a young caucasian woman.

CASE

A 20-year-old woman was referred to our department following the occurrence of swelling in her inguinal and vulvar area together with lipotimic episodes. Diffuse cavernous hemangiomatosis of the pregnant uterus associated with vaginal, inguinal and vulvar varicosities was diagnosed clinically and by 2D and 3D US. The patient underwent expectant management of the gestation, under close US monitoring of both superficial and inner varicosities, careful surveillance of the maternal and fetal condition and prophylaxis for thrombotic complications with medical therapy. A cesarean section was performed at 37 weeks of gestation because of the worsening of her lipotimic episodes and her unfavorable Bishop's score.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report in which pregnancy-induced varicose disease involved contemporarily uterine, vaginal, inguinal, and vulvar veins totally sparing the lower extremities. This case suggests that, under close monitoring, a conservative approach can be adopted in such conditions. Vaginal delivery is to be preferred, but if cesarean section is required, the surgery should be performed under general anesthesia and packed red cells and plasma units should always be available.

A novel insertional mutation in the prion protein gene: clinical and bio-molecular findings

A young man, presenting with early onset of personality and behavioural changes followed by slowly progressive cognitive impairment associated with marked bi-parietal cerebral atrophy, was found to carry a novel seven extra-repeat insertional mutation in the prion protein gene (PRNP). In vitro, the mutated recombinant prion protein (PrP) showed biochemical properties that were consistent with pathological PrP variants. Our results further underline the heterogeneity of neurological pictures associated with insertional mutations of PRNP, indicating the diagnostic difficulties of sporadic cases with early-onset atypical dementia.