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Numerous studies have described a correlation between smoking and reduced bone mass. This not only increases fracture risk but also impedes reconstruction/fixation of bone. An increased frequency of complications following surgery is common. Here, we investigate the effect of smoking on the clinical outcome following total joint arthroplasty (TJA). 817 patients receiving primary or revision (including clinical transfers) TJA at our level-one trauma center have been randomly interviewed twice (pre- and six months post-surgery). We found that 159 patients developed complications (infections, disturbed healing, revisions, thrombosis, and/or death). Considering nutritional status, alcohol and cigarette consumption as possible risk factors, OR was highest for smoking. Notably, mean age was significantly lower in smokers (59.2 ± 1.0a) than non-smokers (64.6 ± 0.8; p < 0.001). However, the number of comorbidities was comparable between both groups. Compared to non-smokers (17.8 ± 1.9%), the complication rate increases with increasing cigarette consumption (1–20 pack-years (PY): 19.2 ± 2.4% and >20 PY: 30.4 ± 3.6%; p = 0.002). Consequently, mean hospital stay was longer in heavy smokers (18.4 ± 1.0 day) than non-smokers (15.3 ± 0.5 day; p = 0.009) or moderate smokers (15.9 ± 0.6 day). In line with delayed healing, bone formation markers (BAP and CICP) were significantly lower in smokers than non-smokers 2 days following TJA. Although, smoking increased serum levels of MCP-1, OPG, sRANKL, and Osteopontin as well as bone resorption markers (TRAP5b and CTX-I) were unaffected. In line with an increased infection rate, smoking reduced 25OH vitamin D3 (immune-modulatory), IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ serum levels. Our data clearly show that smoking not only affects bone formation after TJA but also suppresses the inflammatory response in these patients. Thus, it is feasible that therapies favoring bone formation and immune responses help improve the clinical outcome in smokers following TJA.
In 2010, the plant fungal pathogen Austropuccinia psidii was detected in Australia. It has since spread rapidly through the eastern states of Australia causing significant population declines in a number of susceptible species. However, there are still a number of potentially vulnerable species that lack the necessary field observations that are needed to accurately gauge the risk Austropuccinia psidii poses to them. Because of this, rapid field assessments of these species have been given the utmost priority. In the spring of 2018 (October) we carried out rapid field assessments for five high priority species. We did not observe active Austropuccinia psidii infection on any of the species at the time of assessment despite the majority of individuals having susceptible new flush. However, we did find evidence of significant previous infection (branch dieback) in the largest Archirhodomyrtus beckleri population we assessed. Therefore, to confirm our observations, it is necessary to re-assess this population when environmental conditions are more favourable for infection to occur in order.
Purpose: Bacterial biofilms are a major problem in the treatment of infected dental and orthopedic implants. The purpose of this study is to investigate the cleaning effect of an electrolytic approach (EC) compared to a powder-spray system (PSS) on titanium surfaces. Materials and Methods: The tested implants (different surfaces and alloys) were collated into six groups and treated ether with EC or PSS. After a mature biofilm was established, the implants were treated, immersed in a nutritional solution, and streaked on Columbia agar. Colony-forming units (CFUs) were counted after breeding and testing (EC), and control (PSS) groups were compared using a paired sample t-test. Results: No bacterial growth was observed in the EC groups. After thinning to 1:1,000,000, 258.1 ± 19.9 (group 2), 264.4 ± 36.5 (group 4), and 245.3 ± 40.7 (group 6) CFUs could be counted in the PSS groups. The difference between the electrolytic approach (test groups 1, 3, and 5) and PSS (control groups 2, 4, and 6) was statistically extremely significant (p-value < 2.2 × 10−16). Conclusion: Only EC inactivated the bacterial biofilm, and PSS left reproducible bacteria behind. Within the limits of this in vitro test, clinical relevance could be demonstrated.
The sphingolipid sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is produced by sphingosine kinases to either signal through intracellular targets or to activate a family of specific G-protein-coupled receptors (S1PR). S1P levels are usually low in peripheral tissues compared to the vasculature, forming a gradient that mediates lymphocyte trafficking. However, S1P levels rise during inflammation in peripheral tissues, thereby affecting resident or recruited immune cells, including macrophages. As macrophages orchestrate initiation and resolution of inflammation, the sphingosine kinase/S1P/S1P-receptor axis emerges as an important determinant of macrophage function in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis, and infection. In this review, we therefore summarize the current knowledge how S1P affects macrophage biology.
Background: Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile infection (CDI) is diagnosed using clinical signs and symptoms plus positive laboratory tests. Recurrence of CDI after treatment is common, and coinfection with other enteric pathogens may influence clinical outcomes.
Methods: We aimed to assess rates of C difficile positivity, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) toxin A/B and BioFire FilmArray, and the effect of enteric coinfection on clinical outcomes, using samples from the EXTEND study of extended-pulsed fidaxomicin (EPFX) versus standard vancomycin.
Results: All 356 randomized and treated patients tested positive for C difficile toxin A/B by local tests; a majority (225 of 356, 63.2%) also tested positive by both ELISA and BioFire. Most stool samples taken at screening tested positive for C difficile only using BioFire (EPFX: 112 of 165, 69.7%; vancomycin: 118 of 162, 72.8%). Of the 5 patients who failed treatment and had stool samples available, all (1) had tested negative for C difficile by BioFire at screening and (2) were negative by ELISA at time of treatment failure. When analyzed by BioFire results at screening, rates of sustained clinical cure at 30 days after end of treatment were numerically higher with EPFX than with vancomycin for almost all patients, except for those who tested negative for C difficile but positive for another pathogen. However, these outcome differences by presence of coinfection did not reach statistical significance. Whole-genome sequencing analysis determined that 20 of 26 paired samples from patients with recurrence were reinfections with the same C difficile strain.
Conclusions: Testing for presence of copathogens in clinical trials of antibiotics could help to explain clinical failures.