Aspergillus in the Intensive Care Unit

Invasive aspergillosis (IA), the most life-threatening form of aspergillosis, has become a major opportunistic fungal disease in immunocompromised patients. In high-risk patients with hematologic malignancies, IA appears to decline with the use of mold-active antifungal prophylaxis, but the situation is less clear in other patient groups at risk for IA, and precise epidemiologic data from patients treated in intensive care units (ICUs) are lacking. Most Aspergillus culture isolates from nonsterile body sites do not represent disease, but isolation of Aspergillus in critically ill patients is a marker of poor prognosis and is associated with high mortality regardless of invasion or colonization. This review presents current information on epidemiology, risk factors, and diagnosis, and discusses treatment options for patients with IA in the ICU.     

Rhodotorula Fungemia of an Intensive Care Unit Patient and Review of Published Cases

Rhodotorula species are commensal yeasts that have emerged as a cause of life-threatening fungemia in severely immunocompromised patients. A case of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa fungemia in a 48-year-old woman that had undergone consecutive abdominal surgeries due to ovarian cancer and bowel necrosis while she was receiving fluconazole prophylaxis is presented. Several risk factors were identified such as presence of central venous catheters, solid organ neoplasm, abdominal surgery and administration of antibiotics. Identification was performed using commercial systems. The yeast was resistant to fluconazole, posaconazole and voriconazole and to echinocandins, whereas MIC to amphotericin B was 1.5?mg/L. Furthermore, published cases of Rhodotorula spp fungemia during the last decade are reviewed. In conclusion, Rhodotorula spp must be considered a potential pathogen in patients with immunosupression and central venous catheters. Correct identification is mandatory for appropriate management, as Rhodotorula spp are resistant to antifungal agents, such as fluconazole and echinocandins.     

The Impact of Inadequate Terminal Disinfection on an Outbreak of Imipenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in an Intensive Care Unit

Background

This study was conducted to investigate an outbreak caused by imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (IRAB) in a medical intensive care unit (ICU) in a regional hospital.

Methods

In response to an IRAB outbreak from October 2012 to February 2013, we developed several infection control measures, including an extensive review process of environmental cleaning and disinfection, and used molecular methods to identify each clinical and environmental IRAB isolate.

Results

During this five-month period, 22 patients were colonized with IRAB and 18 patients had IRAB infections. The in-hospital mortality rate was significantly higher among patients with infections rather than colonizations (44.4% vs 9.1%, p = 0.028). Additionally, nine environmental specimens, including five specimens collected after terminal disinfection, were positive for IRAB. 12 environmental isolates and 28 of 36 available clinical isolates belonged to one unique pulsotype A, which was confirmed by molecular methods. We found the concentration of disinfectant, 0.08% sodium hypochlorite, was inadequate. After correcting the environmental cleansing methods, the surveillance study showed no further IRAB isolates on the control panel surfaces of the medical equipment or in patients in the ICU. Additionally, an in vitro study of IRAB immersed in different concentrations of sodium hypochlorite showed that 0.5% sodium hypochlorite eradicates IRAB after 30 seconds of inoculation, but 0.08% sodium hypochlorite only reduces the bacterial load.

Conclusions

This study highlights the importance of the preparation of disinfectants to adequately achieve environmental disinfection in the control of IRAB outbreaks in the ICU.     

Vital Signs Directed Therapy: Improving Care in an Intensive Care Unit in a Low-Income Country

Background

Global Critical Care is attracting increasing attention. At several million deaths per year, the worldwide burden of critical illness is greater than generally appreciated. Low income countries (LICs) have a disproportionally greater share of critical illness, and yet critical care facilities are scarce in such settings. Routines utilizing abnormal vital signs to identify critical illness and trigger medical interventions have become common in high-income countries but have not been investigated in LICs. The aim of the study was to assess whether the introduction of a vital signs directed therapy protocol improved acute care and reduced mortality in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in Tanzania.

Methods and Findings

Prospective, before-and-after interventional study in the ICU of a university hospital in Tanzania. A context-appropriate protocol that defined danger levels of severely abnormal vital signs and stipulated acute treatment responses was implemented in a four week period using sensitisation, training, job aids, supervision and feedback. Acute treatment of danger signs at admission and during care in the ICU and in-hospital mortality were compared pre and post-implementation using regression models. Danger signs from 447 patients were included: 269 pre-implementation and 178 post-implementation. Acute treatment of danger signs was higher post-implementation (at admission: 72.9% vs 23.1%, p<0.001; in ICU: 16.6% vs 2.9%, p<0.001). A danger sign was five times more likely to be treated post-implementation (Prevalence Ratio (PR) 4.9 (2.9–8.3)). Intravenous fluids were given in response to 35.0% of hypotensive episodes post-implementation, as compared to 4.1% pre-implementation (PR 6.4 (2.5–16.2)). In patients admitted with hypotension, mortality was lower post-implementation (69.2% vs 92.3% p = 0.02) giving a numbers-needed-to-treat of 4.3. Overall in-hospital mortality rates were unchanged (49.4% vs 49.8%, p = 0.94).

Conclusion

The introduction of a vital signs directed therapy protocol improved the acute treatment of abnormal vital signs in an ICU in a low-income country. Mortality rates were reduced for patients with hypotension at admission but not for all patients.     

Multipurpose Intensive Care Unit in a District General Hospital

The advantages of a four-bedded purpose-built general intensive care unit in a district general hospital are described. In addition to 1,447 inpatients treated between January 1968 and December 1971 the unit was used to conduct outpatient investigations. This has filled an important gap in conventional arrangements, and is practical and economical. The unit has proved to have advantages, not only for seriously ill patients but also has benefited the hospital in other ways. It has been of material assistance in recruiting and training nursing and medical staff and has been welcomed and supported by patients and their relatives. It has also attracted practical support from voluntary organizations whose generosity has enabled much additional equipment to be purchased.     

外科重症监护病房革兰阴性杆菌的菌群分布及耐药性分析

目的监测外科重症监护病房(SICU)革兰阴性杆菌的菌群分布及耐药性。方法对中山大学附属第一医院SICU 2007年到2008年分离的革兰阴性杆菌及其耐药性进行回顾性分析。结果共分离到革兰阴性杆菌279株,前5位为大肠埃希菌(21.9%)、铜绿假单胞菌(20.8%)、鲍曼不动杆菌(15.8%)、肺炎克雷伯菌(11.8%)和嗜麦芽窄食单胞菌(11.5%)。肠杆菌科细菌对碳青霉烯类抗生素敏感性最高,尚无耐药株;非发酵菌对阿米卡星耐药率最低,对其他抗生素耐药性高。结论 SICU革兰阴性杆菌的耐药性有上升的趋势,应加强细菌耐药性监测,合理使用抗生素,防止耐药菌株的传播。     

An Application of Bayesian Approach in Modeling Risk of Death in an Intensive Care Unit

Background and Objectives

There are not many studies that attempt to model intensive care unit (ICU) risk of death in developing countries, especially in South East Asia. The aim of this study was to propose and describe application of a Bayesian approach in modeling in-ICU deaths in a Malaysian ICU.

Methods

This was a prospective study in a mixed medical-surgery ICU in a multidisciplinary tertiary referral hospital in Malaysia. Data collection included variables that were defined in Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation IV (APACHE IV) model. Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation approach was applied in the development of four multivariate logistic regression predictive models for the ICU, where the main outcome measure was in-ICU mortality risk. The performance of the models were assessed through overall model fit, discrimination and calibration measures. Results from the Bayesian models were also compared against results obtained using frequentist maximum likelihood method.

Results

The study involved 1,286 consecutive ICU admissions between January 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010, of which 1,111 met the inclusion criteria. Patients who were admitted to the ICU were generally younger, predominantly male, with low co-morbidity load and mostly under mechanical ventilation. The overall in-ICU mortality rate was 18.5% and the overall mean Acute Physiology Score (APS) was 68.5. All four models exhibited good discrimination, with area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values approximately 0.8. Calibration was acceptable (Hosmer-Lemeshow p-values > 0.05) for all models, except for model M3. Model M1 was identified as the model with the best overall performance in this study.

Conclusion

Four prediction models were proposed, where the best model was chosen based on its overall performance in this study. This study has also demonstrated the promising potential of the Bayesian MCMC approach as an alternative in the analysis and modeling of in-ICU mortality outcomes.     

The Anaesthetist and Intensive Care

Intensive care and its development is part of an evolutionary process in the general organization of hospital medical practice. No new disease process is involved, and this alone should be sufficient to support our view that intensive care does not call for the creation of a new specialty. The experience, skill, and knowledge of anaesthetists qualify them to fill vital roles in intensive care, but it is of paramount importance that in doing so they should neither neglect nor abdicate from their own special field of medical work from which their unique expertise derives.     

重症监护病房真菌谱及耐药性6年变化趋势

目的 调查我院重症监护室（ICU）近6 a临床分离真菌株的菌种结构及耐药性变化.方法 2007 ～2012年从我院1435例ICU患者中分离出的1 435株真菌均为首次分离的菌株.采用Cox-Stuart趋势检验回顾性分析了分离真菌株的菌种结构和主要真菌对常用抗真菌药物耐药率的变化趋势.结果 2007 ～2012年间,我院tCU真菌检出阳性标本总数从159株/a逐年增加至396株/a.其中,白念珠菌、近平滑念珠菌、曲霉的构成比波动范围分别为34.6％ ～ 50.3％、6.3％～9.6％、1.3％～3.2％,2010 ～2012年较2007 ～2009年构成比总体均有上升趋势,P=0.02.热带念珠菌、光滑念珠菌、克柔念珠菌构成比波动范围分别为13.6％ ～ 17.3％、9.4％ ～ 22.6％、1.4％ ～5.2％,P=0.18,构成比均无明显上升或下降趋势.2010 ～2012年较2007 ～2009年,白念珠菌对氟康唑和伊曲康唑耐药率的变化均呈降低趋势,P=0.02.热带念珠菌对氟康唑和伊曲康唑耐药率的变化均呈降低趋势,P =0.02;光滑念珠菌对伊曲康唑耐药率的变化总体呈上升趋势,P =0.02.结论 我院ICU近6 a来白念珠菌仍然为临床最常见的真菌分离株,白念珠菌、近平滑念珠菌及曲霉占总真菌分离株的百分比有上升趋势.白念珠菌及热带念珠菌对氟康唑和伊曲康唑耐药率均呈降低趋势,光滑念珠菌对伊曲康唑耐药率呈上升趋势.     

Treatment of Invasive Candida Infections in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Invasive Candida infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Extremely preterm and very low birth weight infants are at the highest risk of infection. There are currently no antifungal agents that have FDA-labeling for the treatment of invasive candidiasis in the neonatal population. Based on the current IDSA guidelines, amphotericin and fluconazole are considered first-line options for neonatal candidiasis. The newer antifungal agents (i.e., echinocandins and voriconazole) are currently considered second-line or salvage therapy; however, evidence supporting their use is emerging. This review focuses on the supporting evidence for the selection of antifungal agents for treatment of invasive Candida infections in the NICU.     

Serologic Prevalence of Amoeba-Associated Microorganisms in Intensive Care Unit Pneumonia Patients

Background

Patients admitted to intensive care units are frequently exposed to pathogenic microorganisms present in their environment. Exposure to these microbes may lead to the development of hospital-acquired infections that complicate the illness and may be fatal. Amoeba-associated microorganisms (AAMs) are frequently isolated from hospital water networks and are reported to be associated to cases of community and hospital-acquired pneumonia.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We used a multiplexed immunofluorescence assay to test for the presence of antibodies against AAMs in sera of intensive care unit (ICU) pneumonia patients and compared to patients at the admission to the ICU (controls). Our results show that some AAMs may be more frequently detected in patients who had hospital-acquired pneumonia than in controls, whereas other AAMs are ubiquitously detected. However, ICU patients seem to exhibit increasing immune response to AAMs when the ICU stay is prolonged. Moreover, concomitant antibodies responses against seven different microorganisms (5 Rhizobiales, Balneatrix alpica, and Mimivirus) were observed in the serum of patients that had a prolonged ICU stay.

Conclusions/Significance

Our work partially confirms the results of previous studies, which show that ICU patients would be exposed to water amoeba-associated microorganisms, and provides information about the magnitude of AAM infection in ICU patients, especially patients that have a prolonged ICU stay. However, the incidence of this exposure on the development of pneumonia remains to assess.     

重症监护病房肠球菌感染及耐药性分析

目的了解肠球菌在重症监护病房的感染状况及耐药现状,指导临床合理用药。方法从重症监护病房送检的各类标本中分离到的316株肠球菌,采用VITEK-AMS微生物自动分析仪进行鉴定和药敏试验。结果316株中以粪肠球菌(54.8%)及屎肠球菌(43.0%)为主,屎肠球菌对β-内酰胺类抗生素的耐药率明显高于粪肠球菌,但粪肠球菌对喹奴普汀/达福普汀的耐药率明显高于屎肠球菌(P<0.01)。粪肠球菌对万古霉素耐药率为3.7%,力奈唑烷耐药率为0.7%,屎肠球菌对万古霉素耐药率为0.6%,力奈唑烷耐药率为0%。结论肠球菌为重症监护病房感染的主要致病菌,万古霉素合理正确的使用仍是当前治疗肠球菌感染的重要途径,VRE的出现对临床合理使用抗生素提出了更高的要求。     

A role for counselling psychologists within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Counselling psychology appears to be neglecting the importance and merits of working with the client population associated with the preterm neonate within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Throughout, the benefits of such a move are highlighted with particular emphasis on how counselling psychologists are uniquely qualified for this role. Specialist knowledge required to provide clients with the greatest therapeutic gains illustrates the pertinent issues, with proposals for clinical practice put forward. NHS Trusts nationwide are encouraged to recruit this ready-made professional into the Department for the psychological health of parents and caregivers engaged in caring for the preterm neonate.     

Serum Procalcitonin Level and SOFA Score at Discharge from the Intensive Care Unit Predict Post-Intensive Care Unit Mortality: A Prospective Study

Purpose

The final decision for discharge from the intensive care unit (ICU) is uncertain because it is made according to various patient parameters; however, it should be made on an objective evaluation. Previous reports have been inconsistent and unreliable in predicting post-ICU mortality. To identify predictive factors associated with post-ICU mortality, we analyzed physiological and laboratory data at ICU discharge.

Methods

Patients admitted to our ICU between September 2012 and August 2013 and staying for critical care>2 days were included. Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score; systemic inflammatory response syndrome score; white blood cell count; and serum C reactive protein, procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), lactate, albumin, and hemoglobin levels were recorded. The primary end point was 90-day mortality after ICU discharge. Two hundred eighteen patients were enrolled (195 survivors, 23 non-survivors).

Results

Non-survivors presented a higher SOFA score and serum PCT, and IL-6 levels, as well as lower serum albumin and hemoglobin levels. Serum PCT, albumin, and SOFA score were associated with 90-day mortality in multiple logistic regression analysis. Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed chi-square value of 6.96, and P value of 0.54. The area under the curve (95% confidence interval) was 0.830 (0.771–0.890) for PCT, 0.688 (0.566–0.810) for albumin, 0.861 (0.796–0.927) for SOFA score, and increased to 0.913 (0.858–0.969) when these were combined. Serum PCT level at 0.57 ng/mL, serum albumin at 2.5 g/dL and SOFA score at 5.5 predict 90-day mortality, and high PCT, low albumin and high SOFA groups had significantly higher mortality. Serum PCT and SOFA score were significantly associated with survival days after ICU discharge in Cox regression analysis.

Conclusions

Serum PCT level and SOFA score at ICU discharge predict post-ICU mortality and survival days after ICU discharge. The combination of these two and albumin level might enable accurate prediction.     

Current Controversy Related to Glucocorticoid and Insulin Therapy in the Intensive Care Unit

ObjectiveTo review the controversy related to the widespread use of intensive insulin treatment (IIT) to maintain normoglycemia and of glucocorticoid replacement therapy in patients with sepsis in the intensive care unit (ICU).MethodsWe performed a MEDLINE search of the literature using a combination of words (critical/intensive care, endocrinology/endocrine, glucocorticoid/adrenal, insulin) to identify original studies and reviews on glucocorticoid therapy and IIT in the ICU.ResultsGlucocorticoid replacement therapy is advocated for patients with sepsis who have relative adrenal insufficiency. The current definition of relative adrenal insufficiency is poorly supported, and validated endocrine criteria that consistently identify ICU patients likely to benefit from glucocorticoid therapy are not yet available. IIT benefits postoperative patients at high risk of infection and patients who remain in the ICU more than 3 days. Potential harm caused by early IIT administration in medical ICU patients remains controversial. The role of early nutritional supplementation in major studies about IIT is largely unexplored. Improvements in insulin infusion protocols are needed to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia related to IIT.ConclusionEndocrine therapy in the ICU is entering a new era. Controversies remain related to glucocorticoid and insulin therapy even as interest in new, and old, endocrine therapies is being revived. (Endocr Pract. 2007;13:542-549)     

Initial Intensive Care in an Accident and Emergency Department

The work in the resuscitation room is initial intensive care. This must be always available independent of inpatient resources. This demands investment in adequate equipment and staffing. Much of the work is medical rather than surgical and appropriate for physicians to treat. Our experience might help others to plan for the future.     

Invasive Mycosis in Medical Intensive Care Unit Patients with Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis

Background

Severe alcoholic hepatitis (AH) has a poor short-term prognosis often caused by infections. However, the incidence of invasive mycosis in patients with AH treated with corticosteroids and its impact still remains unknown.

Methods

Retrospective analyses of twelve medical ICU patients (out of 120 patients with liver cirrhosis) with histological proven AH.

Results

Twelve patients were diagnosed with histological proven AH during there stay at the ICU. All patients were treated with corticosteroids; three patients were treated with corticosteroids and pentoxifylline. Five patients had invasive aspergillosis (IA); three patients had candidemia; and two had fungal colonization with candida species. Only two patients had no evidence for fungals. IA was associated with death in all cases. Death occured in most cases shortly after diagnosis despite antifungal medication. Two patients with candidemia died; one patient died in the group with fungal colonization. Overall, the mortality rate was 100 % in patients with IA and 70 % in the group with candidemia.

Conclusions

Patients with severe AH have an increased susceptibility to invasive mycosis associated with high mortality. A high level of suspicion of invasive mycosis in AH patients and prophylactic strategies are needed in those patients.     

Early Standard Electroencephalogram Abnormalities Predict Mortality in Septic Intensive Care Unit Patients

IntroductionSepsis is associated with increased mortality, delirium and long-term cognitive impairment in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities occurring at the acute stage of sepsis may correlate with severity of brain dysfunction. Predictive value of early standard EEG abnormalities for mortality in ICU septic patients remains to be assessed.MethodsIn this prospective, single center, observational study, standard EEG was performed, analyzed and classified according to both Synek and Young EEG scales, in consecutive patients acutely admitted in ICU for sepsis. Delirium, coma and the level of sedation were assessed at the time of EEG recording; and duration of sedation, occurrence of in-ICU delirium or death were assessed during follow-up. Adjusted analyses were carried out using multiple logistic regression.ResultsOne hundred ten patients were included, mean age 63.8 (±18.1) years, median SAPS-II score 38 (29–55). At the time of EEG recording, 46 patients (42%) were sedated and 22 (20%) suffered from delirium. Overall, 54 patients (49%) developed delirium, of which 32 (29%) in the days after EEG recording. 23 (21%) patients died in the ICU. Absence of EEG reactivity was observed in 27 patients (25%), periodic discharges (PDs) in 21 (19%) and electrographic seizures (ESZ) in 17 (15%). ICU mortality was independently associated with a delta-predominant background (OR: 3.36; 95% CI [1.08 to 10.4]), absence of EEG reactivity (OR: 4.44; 95% CI [1.37–14.3], PDs (OR: 3.24; 95% CI [1.03 to 10.2]), Synek grade ≥ 3 (OR: 5.35; 95% CI [1.66–17.2]) and Young grade > 1 (OR: 3.44; 95% CI [1.09–10.8]) after adjustment to Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS-II) at admission and level of sedation. Delirium at the time of EEG was associated with ESZ in non-sedated patients (32% vs 10%, p = 0.037); with Synek grade ≥ 3 (36% vs 7%, p< 0.05) and Young grade > 1 (36% vs 17%, p< 0.001). Occurrence of delirium in the days after EEG was associated with a delta-predominant background (48% vs 15%, p = 0.001); absence of reactivity (39% vs 10%, p = 0.003), Synek grade ≥ 3 (42% vs 17%, p = 0.001) and Young grade >1 (58% vs 17%, p = 0.0001).ConclusionsIn this prospective cohort of 110 septic ICU patients, early standard EEG was significantly disturbed. Absence of EEG reactivity, a delta-predominant background, PDs, Synek grade ≥ 3 and Young grade > 1 at day 1 to 3 following admission were independent predictors of ICU mortality and were associated with occurence of delirium. ESZ and PDs, found in about 20% of our patients. Their prevalence could have been higher, with a still higher predictive value, if they had been diagnosed more thoroughly using continuous EEG.