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- Agvald-Öhman, C, et al.
(författare)
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Multiresistant coagulase-negative staphylococci disseminate frequently between intubated patients in a multidisciplinary intensive care unit
- 2004
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Ingår i: Critical Care. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1364-8535 .- 1466-609X. ; 8:1, s. R42-R47
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction The intensive care unit is burdened with a high frequency of nosocomial infections often caused by multiresistant nosocomial pathogens. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are reported to be the third causative agent of nosocomial infections and the most frequent cause of nosocomial bloodstream infections. CoNS are a part of the normal microflora of skin but can also colonize the nasal mucosa, the lower airways and invasive devices. The main aim of the present study was to investigate colonization and the rate of cross-transmissions of CoNS between intubated patients in a multidisciplinary intensive care unit. Materials and methods Twenty consecutive patients, ventilated for at least 3 days, were included. Samples were collected from the upper and lower airways. All samples were cultured quantitatively and CoNS were identified by morphology and biochemical tests. A total of 199 CoNS isolates from 17 patients were genetically fingerprinted by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis in order to identify clones and to monitor dissemination within and between patients. Results An unexpected high number of transmission events were detected. Five genotypes were each isolated from two or more patients, and 14/20 patients were involved in at least one and up to eight probable transmission events. Conclusions A frequent transmission of CoNS was found between patients in the intensive care unit. Although transmission of bacteria does not necessarily lead to infection, it is nevertheless an indication that infection control measures can be improved.
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| 2. |
- Furebring, Mia, et al.
(författare)
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Expression of the C5a receptor (CD88) on granulocytes and monocytes in patients with severe sepsis
- 2002
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Ingår i: Critical Care. - 1364-8535 .- 1466-609X. ; 6:4, s. 363-370
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: Treatment of patients with severe sepsis with agents antagonising the effects of C5a has been proposed based on beneficial effects in animal experiments and in vitro studies demonstrating upregulation of the C5a receptor (CD88) on granulocytes by endotoxin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CD88 expression on leukocytes from 12 patients with severe sepsis or septic shock was analysed by flow cytometer, and serum complement factors C3a and C5b-9 were measured by enzyme immunoassay techniques. RESULTS: The granulocyte CD88 expression on day 1 was lowered (36; range, 2-59) in comparison with controls (63; range, 25-88) (P < 0.001), despite complement activation, while the monocyte CD88 expression was unchanged. The receptor reduction correlated significantly to the APACHE II score (r2 = 0.35, P < 0.05). The recovery of CD88 expression was slow. DISCUSSION: In contrast to the findings in animals, it is concluded that granulocyte CD88 expression is reduced at the time when the diagnosis of severe sepsis or septic shock can clinically be made. The reason for this needs further investigation but it may be due to a previous complement activation or to cytokine effects.
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