Plesiomonas shigelloides Infection in Southeast China

Background

Plesiomonas shigelloides can cause gastroenteritis and extra-intestinal diseases in humans. However, the prevalence of P. shigelloides infections has not been investigated in China.

Methods

Consecutive fecal specimens from outpatients with acute diarrhea and non-diarrheal patients at nine sentinel hospitals in southeast China were collected from March 2010 to May 2012. Bacterial pathogens were detected by culture, and P. shigelloides isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing. We also retrospectively reviewed the hospital microbiology laboratory and infection-control databases for all P. shigelloides isolates identified from 2001–2012 at our institution in addition to data on the patients'' clinical and demographic characteristics.

Results

A total of 3,536 outpatients with acute diarrhea were enrolled in the study. P. shigelloides was isolated from 104 (2.9%) patients and accounted for 7.3% of bacterial isolates. Single-pathogen infections with P. shigelloides were present in 76 (73.1%) patients. No strain of P. shigelloides was isolated from the 478 non-diarrheal patients. Based on 444,684 nonfecal specimens, eight patients developed P. shigelloides-related extra-intestinal infections over the 12-year period. All eight patients had underlying diseases, including four with biliary tract diseases and three with liver diseases. Six cases were classified as nosocomial, and five cases were polymicrobial. P. shigelloides was sensitive to most antimicrobial drugs, except ampicillin.

Conclusions

In southeast China, P. shigelloides has significant clinical relevance, although the isolation rate is low.     

Radiodiagnosis of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis

Among diseases of the hepatobiliary system, primary sclerosing cholangitis is an undetectable disorder of the biliary tract rather than a rare nosological entity, complex radiation study is of great importance in its preoperative diagnosis. Among direct methods for contrasting the biliary tract, the authors gave preference to percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography that allows the dilated biliary tract to be contrasted virtually in 100% of cases. The specific features of X-ray semiotics of primary sclerosing cholangitis were identified in 17 patients.     

急诊科尿源性脓毒症的临床回顾性研究

目的:回顾性研究急诊科住院患者的尿路感染及其所致脓毒症的临床及病原学特征。方法:选取2014年1月至2017年8月上海交通大学医学院附属仁济医院急诊病房及急诊ICU收治住院的106名诊断为"尿路感染"的患者,结合出院诊断及新版脓毒症诊断标准再评估,分为"尿脓毒症组"(n=45)和"非脓毒症组"(n=61),收集和比较一般临床资料、实验室指标、病原学分类及特征。结果:1)尿脓毒症组上尿路感染、泌尿系统梗阻以及上尿路梗阻并感染的发生率均显著高于非脓毒症组(P=0.042,P=0.011,P=0.035)。2)尿脓毒症组白细胞计数(P=0.002)、C反应蛋白(P0.001)、降钙素原(P=0.028)、肌酐(P0.001)、D-二聚体(P0.001)、APACHE II评分(Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II,APACHE II)(P0.001)均明显高于非脓毒症组,而血清白蛋白(P0.001)、血小板(P0.001)计数、Glasgow评分(P0.001)均显著低于非脓毒症组;3)尿脓毒症组急性肾脏功能障碍(28/45,62.22%)发生率最高,凝血系统功能障碍发生率次之(25/45,55.56%)。中段尿培养中以屎肠球菌占比最高(11/40,27.5%),其次为大肠埃希菌(8/40,20%)。结论:上尿路感染与泌尿系统梗阻是发生尿脓毒症的危险因素,相较于非脓毒症患者,尿脓毒症患者炎症指标、肌酐、D-二聚体、APACHE II评分水平更高,白蛋白、血小板及Glasgow评分更低,肾功能障碍与凝血功能障碍在尿脓毒症患者中更多见。临床需对中段尿培养肠球菌阳性的患者引起重视。     

影响心脏骤停患者心肺复苏成功率的因素分析

目的:分析我院心脏骤停患者心肺复苏的成功率,并探讨其影响因素。方法:选取198名行心肺复苏的心脏骤停患者为研究对象,实施心肺复苏,并记录患者一般情况、复苏开始时间和地点、复苏过程和复苏结局等多项指标,统计分析复苏效果。结果:1198名患者,72例取得最终复苏成功,心肺复苏成功率为36.4%;2不同年龄(=15.380,P0.001)、基础性疾病(x~2=11.465,P=0.043)、复苏开始时间(x~2=57.968,P0.001)、地点(x~2=61.384,P0.001)患者心肺复苏成功率差异有统计学意义,年龄16~60岁、非心血管疾病、心脏骤停5分钟内、院内开始心肺复苏者成功率较高;3复苏成功者和失败者复苏持续时间(t=-5.961,P0.001)和气道建立时间(t=-4.045,P=0.004)的差异具有统计学意义,成功者复苏持续时间要短于失败者,而气道建立时间要早于失败者。结论:快速建立人工气道,不盲目延长心肺复苏时间,提高心脏骤停患者心肺复苏的成功率。     

Increased prevalence of CFTR mutations and variants and decreased chloride secretion in primary sclerosing cholangitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and cystic fibrosis (CF) are both slowly progressive cholestatic liver diseases characterized by fibro-obliterative inflammation of the biliary tract. We hypothesized that dysfunction of the CF gene product, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), may explain why a subset of patients with inflammatory bowel disease develop PSC. We prospectively evaluated CFTR genotype and phenotype in patients with PSC ( n=19) compared with patients with inflammatory bowel disease and no liver disease ( n=18), primary biliary cirrhosis ( n=17), CF ( n=81), and healthy controls ( n=51). Genetic analysis of the CFTR gene in PSC patients compared with disease controls (primary biliary cirrhosis and inflammatory bowel disease) demonstrated a significantly increased number of mutations/variants in the PSC group (37% vs 8.6% of disease controls, P=0.02). None of the PSC patients carried two mutations/variants. Of PSC patients, 89% carried the 1540G-variant-containing genotypes (resulting in decreased functional CFTR) compared with 57% of disease controls ( P=0.03). Only one of 19 PSC patients had neither a CFTR mutation nor the 1540G variant. CFTR chloride channel function assessed by nasal potential difference testing demonstrated a reduced median isoproterenol response of 14 mV in PSC patients compared with 19 mV in disease controls ( P=0.04) and 21 mV in healthy controls ( P=0.003). These data indicate that there is an increased prevalence of CFTR abnormalities in PSC as demonstrated by molecular and functional analyses and that these abnormalities may contribute to the development of PSC in a subset of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.     

梗阻性黄疸患者经内镜逆行胰胆管造影术后胆道感染的病原菌分布、耐药性及影响因素分析

目的:探讨梗阻性黄疸患者经内镜逆行胰胆管造影(ERCP)术后胆道感染病原菌分布、耐药性以及导致术后胆道感染的影响因素。方法:选择2016年3月至2019年10月我院收治的310例行ERCP治疗的梗阻性黄疸患者,根据ERCP术后是否发生胆道感染将其分为感染组(50例)和未感染组(260例)。检测胆道感染患者病原菌种类及其耐药性,多元Logistic回归分析影响梗阻性黄疸患者ERCP术后胆道感染的影响因素。结果:ERCP术后胆道感染发生率为16.13%,大肠埃希菌、铜绿假单胞菌、粪肠球菌、屎肠球菌是主要致病菌,检出率分别为40.79%、13.16%、9.21%、6.58%。大肠埃希菌、铜绿假单胞菌对头孢类、氨基糖苷类抗生素耐药率高,粪肠球菌、屎肠球菌对利福平、喹诺酮类抗生素耐药率高,大肠埃希菌、铜绿假单胞菌、粪肠球菌、屎肠球菌均对利奈唑胺、亚胺培南敏感。多元Logistic回归分析结果显示,恶性病变、ERCP2次及以上、胆胰管汇流异常、术后胆管引流不畅是梗阻性黄疸患者ERCP术后胆道感染的危险因素(P0.05),术后预防性使用抗生素是保护因素(P0.05)。结论:梗阻性黄疸患者ERCP术后存在一定胆道感染风险,革兰氏阴性菌是主要致病菌,临床应注重对高危因素预防,有必要术后选择敏感抗生素预防性治疗。     

小切开EST联合EPBD与单纯EST对85岁以上老年胆总管结石患者疗效的比较

目的:对比内镜下十二指肠乳头括约肌(expressed sequence tags,EST)小切开术联合内镜下十二指肠乳头括约肌扩张术(endoscopic papillary balloon dilation,EPBD)与单纯EST对85岁以上老年胆总管结石患者的疗效。方法:选择我院于2014年1月～2020年2月收治的85岁以上老年胆总管结石患者150例,根据入院顺序随机分成两组,每组各75例,给予对照组单纯小切开EST术治疗,给予研究组小切开EST+EPBD术治疗。对比两组的一次取石成功率、机械碎石、结石复发率等指标;术中操作时间、术中出血量、住院天数、术后排便天数等临床指标;术后胆道感染、急性胰腺炎、高淀粉酶血症、术后腹痛等并发症的总发生率。结果:研究组一次取石成功率显著高于对照组,机械碎石、结石复发率均显著低于对照组(P0.05);研究组的术中操作时间、术中出血量、住院天数、术后排便天数均显著低于对照组(P0.05);研究组术后胆道感染、急性胰腺炎、高淀粉酶血症、术后腹痛、术后迟发性出血等并发症的总发生率为9.33%(7/75),显著低于对照组37.33%(28/75),差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:小切开EST联合EPBD对85岁以上老年胆总管结石患者的疗效显著,该方法可有改善患者临床指标,降低术后并发症发生率,值得推荐至临床广泛应用。     

恶性胆道梗阻患者所行经皮穿刺肝内胆管引流术中成功置入金属支架的术前影响因素分析

目的:探讨恶性胆道梗阻患者行PTBD(Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage)术中金属支架置入成功率的影响因素。方法:回顾性搜集2010年10月-2017年1月上海市第一人民医院收治的因患有近端恶性胆道梗阻行PTBD术患者的相关临床资料。比较不同原发病因患者支架置入情况。根据患者支架置入是否成功将其分为支架组和非支架组,比较患者的一般临床特征。结果:胰腺癌、胃癌和胆囊癌为本研究中数量上前3位的肿瘤,将以上3组分别按照支架置入数行x~2检验,其中胰腺癌(n=18,支架=6)和胃癌(n=14,支架=11)有统计学意义。将50例患者分为支架组(n=28)和非支架组(n=22),组间比较差异有统计学意义的因素包括:白细胞计数(支架组=6.40±3.40×10~9/L,非支架组=10.74±6.41×10~9/L),中性粒细胞计数(支架组=4.90±3.06×10~9/L,非支架组=8.92±6.25×10~9/L),胆道感染(支架组=9,非支架组=15)。进一步将该50例患者分为6组:胰腺癌-胆道感染组、胃癌-胆道感染组、其他肿瘤-胆道感染组、胰腺癌+胆道感染组、胃癌+胆道感染组、其他肿瘤+胆道感染组。将以上6组分别按照支架置入数行x~2检验,胰腺癌+胆道感染组(n=11,支架=1,P=0.001)有统计学意义。结论:PTBD术对于恶性胆道梗阻是一种有效的姑息治疗手段。胆道感染是PTBD术中支架置入成功的不利因素,胰腺癌合并胆道感染会显著降低PTBD术中支架置入成功率。     

ERCP治疗急性胆源性胰腺炎

急性胆源性胰腺炎(ABP)是消化内科常见急腹症之一,是急性胰腺炎中最常见的类型,占急性胰腺炎每年发病人数的40%-60%,病死率较高,常规药物治疗不能从根本上解除病因,易导致复发,手术治疗风险较大,创伤较大,费用较高,住院时间较长,易引起其术后并发症,不利于患者恢复。而经内镜逆行胰胆管造影(ERCP)作为一种内镜与放射技术相结合的诊断治疗方法,对胆管内结石并发急性胰腺炎的诊断率是最高的,诊断结石的敏感性大于95%。在20世纪70年代被认为是急性胆源性胰腺炎的禁忌症,近年来随着ERCP技术的不断发展和广泛应用,ERCP已成为治疗胆胰疾病的一种安全有效的技术。ERCP可清除胆管结石,从而达到通畅胆道,减少胆汁向胰管反流,迅速改善患者病情,阻断病情进展的目的,并有效缩短住院时间,减轻患者痛苦,减少复发和改善总体预后,为广大ABP患者带来了福音,此外,还能减少患者住院费用,节省医疗资源,对于个人及社会均具有积极意义,值得推广。     

How the biliary tree maintains immune tolerance?

The liver is a vital organ with distinctive anatomy, histology and heterogeneous cell populations. These characteristics are of particular importance in maintaining immune homeostasis within the liver microenvironments, notably the biliary tree. Cholangiocytes are the first line of defense of the biliary tree against foreign substances, and are equipped to participate through various immunological pathways. Indeed, cholangiocytes protect against pathogens by TLRs-related signaling; maintain tolerance by expression of IRAK-M and PPARγ; limit immune response by inducing apoptosis of leukocytes; present antigen by expressing human leukocyte antigen molecules and costimulatory molecules; recruit leukocytes to the target site by expressing cytokines and chemokines. However, breach of tolerance in the biliary tree results in various cholangiopathies, exemplified by primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis and biliary atresia. Lessons learned from immune tolerance of the biliary tree will provide the basis for the development of effective therapeutic approaches against autoimmune biliary tract diseases. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Cholangiocytes in Health and Disease edited by Jesus Banales, Marco Marzioni, Nicholas LaRusso and Peter Jansen.     

肝部分切除治疗肝内胆管结石患者术后并发症及影响因素分析

目的:分析肝部分切除术治疗肝内胆管结石患者术后并发症及影响因素。方法:选取我院收治的肝内胆管结石患者117例,均采取肝部分切除术治疗,对其临床资料进行回顾性分析,研究术后并发症的发生情况,并对影响因素进行分析。结果:本组117例患者,并发症发生率35.04%,其中肝功能衰竭1例,胆道出血2例,消化道出血6例,腹腔感染6例,胆瘘6例,胸腔积液8例,切口感染12例。并发症组患者术前白蛋白、手术时间、既往胆道手术史水平与非并发症组比较,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。肝部分切除术后的并发症多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,手术时间、既往胆道手术史均是术后并发症独立风险因素。结论:肝部分切除术治疗肝内胆管结石患者术后并发症发生率较高,以切口感染和胸腔积液为最,患者的既往手术史以及手术时间均是影响并发症发生的重要危险因素,做好针对性预防可预防并发症的发生。     

胆道梗阻合并胆道感染的病原学特征和危险因素及与肝脏损伤的关系研究

目的:探讨胆道梗阻合并胆道感染的病原学特征和危险因素,并分析胆道感染与肝脏损伤的关系。方法:回顾性分析250例胆道梗阻患者的临床资料,分析胆道梗阻合并胆道感染的病原菌分布和主要病原菌的耐药性,分析胆道梗阻合并胆道感染的危险因素,比较各组的肝功能指标[天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、谷氨酰转移酶(GGT)、直接胆红素(DBIL)]和肝纤维化指标[层黏蛋白(LN)、透明质酸(HA)、Ⅲ型前胶原(PCⅢ)、Ⅳ型胶原(Ⅳ-C)]。结果:250例胆道梗阻中共有132例合并胆道感染,感染率为52.80%,共分离出病原菌150株,以革兰阴性菌和革兰阳性菌为主。粪肠球菌对红霉素的耐药率最高,屎肠球菌对林可霉素的耐药率最高,均对万古霉素的耐药率最低;大肠埃希菌和肺炎克雷伯菌均对氨苄西林的耐药率最高,对妥布霉素的耐药率最低。年龄≥60岁、有胆道手术史、肝功能Child-Pugh评分≥11分是胆道梗阻合并胆道感染的危险因素(P<0.05)。胆道感染组的AST、ALT、GGT、DBIL、LN、HA、PCⅢ、Ⅳ-C水平高于无胆道感染组和对照组,且无胆道感染组高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:胆道梗阻患者胆道感染的发生率较高,并且胆道感染会进一步加重胆道梗阻患者的肝脏损伤,临床应根据其病原学特征和危险因素做好相应的防治工作。     

急性脑卒中患者医院感染分析

目的为探明急性脑卒中患者医院感染的特点及危险因素,以便采取有效控制措施。方法对温州医学院附属第一医院1997年1月1日～2002年12月31日6年间收治的4730例急性脑卒中患者进行监测。结果医院感染率为1252%。女性高于男性(P<005),感染率随年龄增大而升高(P<001)。医院感染多发生在入院2周内,感染部位以呼吸道为主(4796%),其次为泌尿道(3481%)。病原菌以G-菌为主(4309%),其次为G+菌(3091%)和真菌(2600%)。耐药菌株不断增加。结论免疫功能低下、侵袭性操作、滥用抗生素和激素是急性脑卒中患者医院感染的主要危险因素。加强对细菌耐药性的监测,合理选用抗生素,是减少或延缓耐药菌株产生的关键措施。     

Oxidant stress is a significant feature of primary biliary cirrhosis

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic disorder characterised by an immunological, and often granulomatous, attack on bile ducts leading to fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver failure and death. Animal and human studies suggest that oxidant stress plays a key role in progression of other liver diseases, but no comprehensive investigation has been performed previously in PBC. A wide range of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant markers were measured in the blood and urine of 41 patients with histologically confirmed PBC. Lipid peroxidation markers were significantly elevated [plasma and urinary 8-isoprostane, P<0.001; plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), P=0.007] compared to age- and sex-matched controls. The most striking antioxidant depletion occurred with plasma total glutathione where levels were significantly reduced (30% of controls). Total serum antioxidant levels were decreased (P=0.013) and serum selenium and vitamin A were also lower (both P<0.001); vitamins C and E were normal. Most patients had early disease biochemically and were Child-Pugh grade A. Urinary 8-isoprostane correlated positively with Ludwig stage and markers of hepatic injury and cholestasis. This study clearly demonstrates that oxidant stress, as reflected in a comprehensive spectrum of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant markers, is a significant feature of early-stage PBC.     

Peritonitis determined by the site of intra-abdominal surgery

The aim of this study was to determine bacterial flora infecting the peritoneal cavity during intraabdominal surgery by site of operation. Three groups of patients were examined. 29 patients who underwent surgery on the stomach, duodenum, biliary tract or pancreas, 15 patients operated on because of acute appendicitis and 63 patients operated on because of colon or rectum tumours. At the end of the operation but before closure cultures were obtained by swab from the completed anastomosis site. Samples were placed into transport medium and transported promptly to the laboratory. The results of the bacteriological examinations showed that the peritoneal cavity of all patients operated on were infected with bacteria characteristic for the digestive tract, especially by Enterobacteriaceae spp., Enterococcus spp. and Bacteroides spp. From patients operated on because of rectum or colon tumours 3 or 4 bacterial species were isolated most often and they were often infected with P. aeruginosa and C. albicans. This was in contrast to patients from the other groups. In patients infected with polymicrobial flora, B. fragilis and E. coli or enterococci and E. coli and enterococci were most often seen.     

胆囊切除术医源性胆管损伤的处理

目的:探讨开腹胆囊切除术医源性胆道损伤的诊断、手术时机和手术方式的选择。方法:对18例胆道损伤进行分析总结:分别施行了胆管修补、T管引流术10例,保守治疗2例,Roux-en-Y胆肠吻合术6例。结果:3例术后过早拔管发生吻合口狭窄,再次手术。1例因梗阻性胆管炎并发肝功能衰竭、多器官功能衰竭死亡。1例因胆肠吻合术后并发消化道出血、肝昏迷死亡。余术后良好。结论:尽早发现及正确处理对提高疗效和预防术后胆管狭窄起着决定性的作用。术中发现胆管损伤立即行端端吻合加T管引流;术后数天发现或多次胆道修补术失败者,则宜行规范的Roux-en-Y胆肠吻合术。     

Disparities in Outcomes following Admission for Cholangitis

Introduction

Few have examined determinants of adverse outcomes in patients presenting with ascending cholangitis. The objective of this study was to examine factors associated with in-hospital mortality, prolonged length of stay (LOS) and increased hospital charges (HC) in patients presenting with acute cholangitis.

Methods

Within the Health Care Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), we focused on patients, 18 years and older, admitted to the emergency department with cholangitis as primary diagnosis (1998–2009). Models were fitted to predict likelihood of in-hospital mortality, prolonged LOS and increased HC. Covariates included race, day of admission, insurance status, socio-economical status and other patient and hospital characteristics.

Results

Overall, weighted estimates of 248,942 patients were admitted with acute cholangitis between 1998 and 2009, of which 13,534 (5.4%) died during the admission. Multivariable analyses revealed that relative to Caucasian patients, African American, Hispanic and Asian and Pacific Islander patients were more likely to die (OR = 1.61, p<0.001, OR = 1.20, p = 0.01 and OR = 1.26, p = 0.008), to experience a prolonged LOS (OR = 1.77, p<0.001, OR = 1.30, p<0.001, 1.34, p<0.001), and to incur high HC (OR = 1.83, p<0.001, OR = 1.51, p<0.001, OR = 1.56, p<0.001). Moreover, Medicaid and Medicare patients were more likely to die (OR = 1.64, p<0.001, OR = 1.24, p<0.001), to experience a prolonged LOS (1.74, p<0.001, OR = 1.25, p<0.001) and to incur high HC (OR = 1.23, p = 0.002, OR = 1.12, p = 0.002) compared to privately insured patients. In subgroup analysis, there were no differences for Medicare patients age 65 years and over. However, those under 65, most of whom have disability or end stage renal disease, were more likely to experience the negative outcomes.

Conclusion

Race and insurance status represent independent predictors of in-hospital mortality and adverse outcomes in patients presenting with cholangitis. Whether these disparities are due to biological predisposition or unequal quality of care requires further investigation. Regardless, efforts should be made to reduce these outcome disparities.     

Recombining population structure of Plesiomonas shigelloides (Enterobacteriaceae) revealed by multilocus sequence typing

Plesiomonas shigelloides is an emerging pathogen that is widespread in the aquatic environment and is responsible for intestinal diseases and extraintestinal infections in humans and other animals. Virtually nothing is known about its genetic diversity, population structure, and evolution, which severely limits epidemiological control. We addressed these questions by developing a multilocus sequence typing (MLST) system based on five genes (fusA, leuS, pyrG, recG, and rpoB) and analyzing 77 epidemiologically unrelated strains from several countries and several ecological sources. The phylogenetic position of P. shigelloides within family Enterobacteriaceae was precisely defined by phylogenetic analysis of the same gene portions in other family members. Within P. shigelloides, high levels of nucleotide diversity (average percentage of nucleotide differences between strains, 1.49%) and genotypic diversity (64 distinct sequence types; Simpson's index, 99.7%) were found, with no salient internal phylogenetic structure. We estimated that homologous recombination in housekeeping genes affects P. shigelloides alleles and nucleotides 7 and 77 times more frequently than mutation, respectively. These ratios are similar to those observed in the naturally transformable species Streptococcus pneumoniae with a high rate of recombination. In contrast, recombination within Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, and Yersinia enterocolitica was much less frequent. P. shigelloides thus stands out among members of the Enterobacteriaceae. Its high rate of recombination results in a lack of association between genomic background and O and H antigenic factors, as observed for the 51 serotypes found in our sample. Given its robustness and discriminatory power, we recommend MLST as a reference method for population biology studies and epidemiological tracking of P. shigelloides strains.     

Clinical Manifestations of Non-O1 Vibrio cholerae Infections

Background

Infections caused by non-O1 Vibrio cholera are uncommon. The aim of our study was to investigate the clinical and microbiological characteristics of patients with non-O1 V. cholera infections.

Methods

The clinical charts of all patients with non-O1 V. cholera infections and who were treated in two hospitals in Taiwan were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

From July 2009 to June 2014, a total of 83 patients with non-O1 V. cholera infections were identified based on the databank of the bacteriology laboratories of two hospitals. The overall mean age was 53.3 years, and men comprised 53 (63.9%) of the patients. Liver cirrhosis and diabetes mellitus were the two most common underlying diseases, followed by malignancy. The most common type of infection was acute gastroenteritis (n = 45, 54.2%), followed by biliary tract infection (n = 12, 14.5%) and primary bacteremia (n = 11, 13.3%). Other types of infection, such as peritonitis (n = 5, 6.0%), skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) (n = 5, 6.0%), urinary tract infection (n = 3, 3.6%) and pneumonia (2, 2.4%), were rare. July and June were the most common months of occurrence of V. cholera infections. The overall in-hospital mortality of 83 patients with V. cholera infections was 7.2%, but it was significantly higher for patients with primary bacteremia, hemorrhage bullae, acute kidney injury, acute respiratory failure, or admission to an ICU. Furthermore, multivariate analysis showed that in-hospital mortality was significantly associated with acute respiratory failure (odds ratio, 60.47; 95% CI, 4.79-763.90, P = 0.002).

Conclusions

Non-O1 V. cholera infections can cause protean disease, especially in patients with risk factors and during warm-weather months. The overall mortality of 83 patients with non-O1 V. cholera infections was only 7.2%; however, this value varied among different types of infection.     

Thoracic empyema: a 12-year study from a UK tertiary cardiothoracic referral centre

Background

Empyema is an increasingly frequent clinical problem worldwide, and has substantial morbidity and mortality. Our objectives were to identify the clinical, surgical and microbiological features, and management outcomes, of empyema.

Methods

A retrospective observational study over 12 years (1999–2010) was carried out at The Heart Hospital, London, United Kingdom. Patients with empyema were identified by screening the hospital electronic ‘Clinical Data Repository’. Demographics, clinical and microbiological characteristics, underlying risk factors, peri-operative blood tests, treatment and outcomes were identified. Univariable and multivariable statistical analyses were performed.

Results

Patients (n = 406) were predominantly male (74.1%); median age = 53 years (IQR = 37–69). Most empyema were community-acquired (87.4%) and right-sided (57.4%). Microbiological diagnosis was obtained in 229 (56.4%) patients, and included streptococci (16.3%), staphylococci (15.5%), Gram-negative organisms (8.9%), anaerobes (5.7%), pseudomonads (4.4%) and mycobacteria (9.1%); 8.4% were polymicrobial. Most (68%) cases were managed by open thoracotomy and decortication. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) reduced hospitalisation from 10 to seven days (P = 0.0005). All-cause complication rate was 25.1%, and 28 day mortality 5.7%. Predictors of early mortality included: older age (P = 0.006), major co-morbidity (P = 0.01), malnutrition (P = 0.001), elevated red cell distribution width (RDW, P<0.001) and serum alkaline phosphatase (P = 0.004), and reduced serum albumin (P = 0.01) and haemoglobin (P = 0.04).

Conclusions

Empyema remains an important cause of morbidity and hospital admissions. Microbiological diagnosis was only achieved in just over 50% of cases, and tuberculosis is a notable causative organism. Treatment of empyema with VATS may reduce duration of hospital stay. Raised RDW appears to associate with early mortality.