Bacterial biofilms are associated with at least 80% of human bacterial infections. The clinical treatment of biofilm infection is still arduous, and therefore many new treatment options are under study, such as probiotics and their derivatives, quorum sensing inhibitors, antimicrobial peptides, phage therapy, organic acids, light therapy, and plant extracts. However, most of these schemes are not mature, and it is important to develop new research directions of anti-biofilms.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of limited internal fixation combined with a hinged external fixator in the treatment of peri-elbow bone infection. Methods The clinical data of 19 patients with peri-elbow bone infection treated with limited internal fixation combined with a hinged external fixator between May 2018 and May 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 15 males and 4 females with an average age of 44.6 years (range, 28-61 years). There were 13 cases of distal humerus fractures and 6 cases of proximal ulna fractures. All the 19 cases were infected after internal fixation of fracture, and 2 cases were complicated with radial nerve injury. According to Cierny-Mader anatomical classification, 11 cases were type Ⅱ, 6 cases were type Ⅲ, and 2 cases were type Ⅳ. The duration of bone infection was 1-3 years. After primary debridement, the bone defect was (3.04±0.28) cm, and the antibiotic bone cement was implanted into the defect area, and the external fixator was installed; 3 cases were repaired with latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap, and 2 cases were repaired with lateral brachial fascial flap. Bone defects repair and reconstruction were performed after 6-8 weeks of infection control. The wound healing was observed, and white blood cell (WBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reaction protein (CRP) were reexamined regularly after operation to evaluate the infection control. X-ray films of the affected limb were taken regularly after operation to observe the bone healing in the defect area. At last follow-up, the flexion and extension range of motion and the total range of motion of the elbow joint were observed and recorded, and compared with those before operation, and the function of the elbow joint was evaluated by Mayo score. Results All patients were followed up 12-34 months (mean, 26.2 months). The wounds healed in 5 cases after skin flap repair. Two cases of recurrent infection were effectively controlled by debridement again and replacement of antibiotic bone cement. The infection control rate was 89.47% (17/19) in the first stage. Two patients with radial nerve injury had poor muscle strength of the affected limb, and the muscle strength of the affected limb recovered from grade Ⅲ to about grade Ⅳ after rehabilitation exercise. During the follow-up period, there was no complication such as incision ulceration, exudation, bone nonunion, infection recurrence, or infection in the bone harvesting area. Bone healing time ranged from 16 to 37 weeks, with an average of 24.2 weeks. WBC, ESR, CRP, PCT, and elbow flexion, extension, and total range of motions significantly improved at last follow-up (P<0.05). According to Mayo elbow scoring system, the results were excellent in 14 cases, good in 3 cases, and fair in 2 cases, and the excellent and good rate was 89.47%. ConclusionLimited internal fixation combined with a hinged external fixator in the treatment of the peri-elbow bone infection can effectively control infection and restore the function of the elbow joint.
Objective To develop a novel prediction model based on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lactate for early identification of high-risk central nervous system (CNS) infection patients in the emergency setting. Methods Patients diagnosed with CNS infections admitted to the Department of Emergency Medicine of West China Hospital, Sichuan University between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2023 were retrospectively selected. Patients were classified into a survival group and a death group according to their 28-day survival status, and clinical characteristics were compared between groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of 28-day mortality, which were subsequently used to construct a nomogram. Results A total of 173 patients were included, comprising 135 in the survival group and 38 in the death group. Multivariate analysis identified the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅳ (APACHE Ⅳ) score [odds ratio (OR)=1.027, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.002, 1.055), P=0.034], CSF lactate [OR=1.147, 95%CI (1.025, 1.286), P=0.018], and interleukin-6 [OR=1.002, 95%CI (1.001, 1.004), P=0.002] as independent predictors of 28-day mortality. The integrated model combining APACHE Ⅳ score, CSF lactate, and interleukin-6, demonstrated superior predictive performance compared with the APACHE Ⅳ score alone (P=0.020), and showed good calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow P=0.50). Conclusions This tool may provide a useful instrument for emergency physicians to assess the 28-day mortality risk in patients with CNS infections, potentially facilitating early and targeted interventions for high-risk individuals. However, as the findings of this study are derived from a single-center retrospective dataset, the clinical applicability of this model requires further external validation through large-scale, prospective, multicenter studies to evaluate its generalizability.
Objective To explore the vascular access infection (VAI) incidence of hemodialysis patients during the the maximum spread of the COVID-19 epidemic (epidemic period) compared with the corresponding period with no local cases of COVID-19 (control period). Methods A single-center, retrospective study was carried out. Adult patients who underwent hemodialysis at the Department of Blood Purification Center, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University during the epidemic period between December 7, 2022 and February 23, 2023 and the control period between December 7, 2020 and February 23, 2021 were selected. The incidence of local access site infection (LASI) and access related bloodstream infection (ARBSI) in included patients were observed and compared. ResultsA total of 1 401 patients were included. Among them, there were 737 cases during the epidemic period and 664 cases during the control period. There was no statistically significant difference in the age, gender, and duration of catheterization among patients of different periods and pathway types (P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of LASI between the epidemic period and the control period (χ2=1.800, P=1.180). There was a statistically significant difference in the occurrence of ARBSI between the epidemic period and the control period [χ2=4.610, relative risk (RR)=2.575, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.053, 6.298), P=0.032]. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of LASI and ARBSI at different stages in patients with arteriovenous fistula and unnel-cuffed catheters (TCC) (P＞0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the incidence of LASI [χ2=4.898, RR=3.832, 95%CI (1.058, 13.885), P=0.027] and ARBSI [χ2=7.150, RR=4.684, 95%CI (1.333, 16.460), P=0.005] among non cuffed catheters (NCC) patients at different stages. TCC patients might experience LASI (P<0.05) during the epidemic period and ARBSI (P<0.05) during the control period compared with the arteriovenous fistula patients; both central venous catheterization and NCC patients might experience LASI and ARBSI during the control period (P<0.05). Conclusion Targeting COVID-19 prevention may be associated with the reduction of vascular access infection in hemodialysis patients, in particular in NCC patients.
ObjectiveTo investigate the inhibitory effect of lentivirus-mediated polypyrimidine bundle binding protein-associated splicing factor (PSF) on retinal neovascularization (RNV) in mice model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR).MethodsOne hundred and twelve 5-day-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal control group, simple OIR model group, OIR model + lentivirus empty vector treatment group (Vec group) and OIR model + PSF lentivirus treatment group (PSF group), with 16, 32, 32 and 32 mice, respectively. When the mice were 7 days old, the mice in the normal control group were fed in a routine environment, and the mice in the OIR model group, Vec group and PSF group were established OIR model. The mice in the Vec group and PSF group were given an intravitreal injection of 1 μl of lentiviral vector and PSF lentivirus (titer 1×1011 TU/ml) at the age of 12 days. No injection was performed in the normal control group and simple OIR group. RNV was evaluated by counting the number of pre-retinal neovascular cells and analysis of non-perfusion area by immunofluorescent staining of the mouse retina. Real-time quantitative PCR was applied to detect the mRNA expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1). Western blot analysis was applied to detect the protein expression of Nrf2, HO-1 and PSF. Results Of the normal control group, simple OIR model group, Vec group and PSF group, the number of pre-retinal neovascular cell nuclei were 0.00, 14.36±5.50, 15.67±4.96, 8.13±2.09, the non-perfusion area were 0.00%, (35.71±2.81)%, (36.57±4.53)%, (15.33±4.75)%, respectively. The differences of the number of pre-retinal neovascular cell nuclei and non-perfusion area among 4 groups were significant (F=24.87, 165.70; P＜0.05). Compared with the normal control group, there were more pre-retinal neovascular cell nucleis and larger non-perfusion area in the simple OIR model group and Vec group (P＜0.05). Compared with the simple OIR model group and Vec group, there were lower pre-retinal neovascular cell nucleis and smaller non-perfusion area in the PSF group (P＜0.05). Real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot showed that the mRNA expression of Nrf2, HO-1 (F=53.66, 83.54) and protein expression of Nrf2, HO-1 and PSF (F=58.38, 52.69, 24.79) among 4 groups were significant (P＜0.05). The mRNA expression of Nrf2, HO-1 and protein expression of Nrf2, HO-1 and PSF in the simple OIR model group and Vec group decreased significantly than those in the normal control group (P＜0.05). The mRNA expression of Nrf2, HO-1 and protein expression of Nrf2, HO-1 and PSF in the PSF group were increased significantly than those in the simple OIR model group and Vec group (P＜0.05). model group and Vec group (P＜0.05).ConclusionIntravitreal injection of lentivirus-mediated PSF inhibits RNV in mice model of OIR possibly through up-regulating the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1.
Objective To understand the current rate of nosocomial infection and its changing trend in a grade A comprehensive hospital in 10 years, and to provide scientific basis for the monitoring, control and management of nosocomial infection. Methods Using the method of cross-sectional survey, the inpatients in Mianyang Central Hospital from 2011 to 2020 were selected for bedside survey, and the questionnaire was filled in after review of medical records. The data of cross-sectional survey of nosocomial infection were collected, and the infection-related data of nosocomial and community-acquired infection of patients in each department were statistically analyzed. Results A total of 19 595 cases were investigated. The prevalence rate of nosocomial infection was 3.79%, and the the case prevalence rate of nosocomial infection was 4.04%. The prevalence of community-acquired infection was 33.44%, and the case prevalence rate of community-acquired infection was 35.30%. The departments with higher prevalence rate in nosocomial infection were intensive care unit, neurosurgery, cardiothoracic surgery and hematology. The departments with high prevalence rate in the community-acquired infection were burn department, pediatrics department, neonatology department, respiratory medicine department and pediatric intensive care unit. The most common site of nosocomial infection was lower respiratory tract infection, followed by upper respiratory tract sensation, urinary tract, abdominal tissue and blood. The main pathogens of nosocomial infections were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The utilization rate of antibacterial drugs was 42.93%. There was a downward trend in prophylactic drug use, mainly one drug combination, and the proportion of combination drug decreased.Conclusion Through the investigation, it can be seen that the key points of nosocomial infection management and prevention and control should be lower respiratory tract infection, postoperative surgical infection, multi-drug resistant bacteria management and rational use of antibiotics.
ObjectiveTo identify the risk factors of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nosocomial infection in ICU ward in a first-class hospital in Wuxi, and discuss the effective control measures, in order to provide evidence for making strategies in preventing and controlling nosocomial infection. MethodsAccording to the principle of random sampling and with the use of case-control study, a sample of 100 nosocomial infection patients were selected randomly from January 2012 to December 2014 as survey group, and another 100 patients without nosocomial infection as control group. The data were input using EpiData 2.0, and SPSS 13.0 was used for statistical analysis; t-test and χ2 test were conducted, and the risk factors were analyzed using multi-variate logistic regression model. The significant level of P-value was 0.05. ResultsBased on the results of univariate analysis, there were 13 risk factors for ICU nosocomial infection, including diabetes mellitus, hypoproteinemia, being bedridden, surgical operation, immunosuppression, glucocorticoids, organ transplantation, tracheal intubation, length of hospitalization, length of mechanical ventilation, length of central venous catheter, length of urinary catheter, and length of nasogastric tube indwelling. Multi-variate logistic analysis indicated that hospitalization of 7 days or longer[OR=1.106, 95%CI (1.025, 1.096), P=0.001], diabetes mellitus[OR=2.770, 95%CI (1.068, 7.186), P=0.036], surgical operation[OR=7.524, 95%CI (2.352, 24.063), P=0.001], mechanical ventilation of 7 days or longer[OR=1.222, 95%CI (1.116, 1.339), P<0.001], and nasogastric tube indwelling of 7 days or longer[OR=1.110, 95%CI (1.035, 1.190), P=0.003] were considered as independent risk factors for ICU nosocomial infection. ConclusionHospitalization of 7 days or longer, diabetes mellitus, surgical operation, tracheal intubation of 7 days or longer, and gastric intubation of 7 days or longer are the major risk factors for nosocomial infection in ICU ward. Advanced intervention and comprehensive prevention measures are helpful to reduce the nosocomial infection rate and ensure the safety of medical treatment.
Since the establishment in 2016, especially after the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic, the Hospital Infection Management Quality Control Center of Shuangliu District has carried out quality management and technical ability training for full-time and part-time infection prevention and control personnel through various methods, and used grid management to organize examinations and assessments, inspections and supervision, as well as consultation and assistance. As a result, the culture of infection prevention and control has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, the health administrative departments have increased investment in infrastructure and equipment, the funds for infection prevention and control have continued to increase, and the prevention and control quality of COVID-19 and daily works in the region has been continuously improved. The center plays a leading role in the promotion of the standardization, homogenization, and quality improvement of the prevention and control of hospital infection in the district.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of low-to-moderate doses of corticosteroids on human infections with avian influenza A (H7N9) virus, and explore when to initiate the treatment of corticosteroids and the duration of corticosteroids administration.MethodsThe study collected clinical data of 8 cases with avian influenza A (H7N9) virus infection admitted from January 25, 2017 to May 12, 2017. The final analysis included 5 severe patients who had received adjuvant corticosteroid treatment. The variation curves of WBC, CRP, PCT, CK, HBDH, LDH, temperature, ratio of SpO2/FiO2 were depicted and analyzed. The progress of clinical improvements, deterioration and prognosis were observed and discussed.ResultsThere were 1 female and 4 males in the 5 included patients with a median age of 58.0 years, among them 3 survived. The median time of illness onset to hospitalization and diagnosis confirmed were 4 days and 8 days respectively; the median duration of hospitalization to admission to infective ICU were 3 days. The first course of adjuvant corticosteroid treatment was initiated 11 days (median) after admission with a duration of 4 days (median), during which, the serum levels of HBDH and LDH decreased remarkably except the patient 3, and the oxygenation (SpO2/FiO2) improved except the patient 3. The second course of systemic administration of corticosteroid was given at a median of 26.5 days after admission with a duration of 9 days (median), during which, the patients survived with improved oxygenation (SpO2/FiO2), and weaned from mechanical ventilation.ConclusionsFor patients suffered severe human infection with avian influenza A (H7N9) virus, low-to-moderate doses of corticosteroids may decrease the level of inflammation, regulate the aberrant immune response, improve the oxygenation, make an early unassisted breathing. And corticosteroids treatment can be initiated at the time of disease deterioration, after/at the peak inflammatory response, and within 10-14 days of ARDS. Also, the adjuvant corticosteroids may be administered when oxygenation is dificult to be improved by other ways, or dificult to be liberated from mechanical ventilation, suffering severe septic shock, and refractory fever. And the duration of corticosteroids may be prolonged to 10-14 days, or until the higher level of HBDH and LDH decreased again.
The article summarized the national and international history and current situation of healthcare-associated infection control, and analyzed the tendency of new technique and progress in healthcare-associated infection control according to the experience in research and practice.