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Query: UMLS:C0243026 (sepsis)
 52,417 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

We present four cases of perianal synergistic gangrene in severely immunocompromised patients. In all patients, gangrene was controlled by radical surgery, including defunctioning colostomy in three patients, backed up by appropriate antibiotic therapy. Three of the patients survived and left the hospital; the fourth died in the intensive care unit of overwhelming sepsis from an unidentified source other than the anus. We review the literature and conclude that such infections in these patients are not inevitably fatal and that radical surgery can result in a cure.
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PMID:Management of synergistic bacterial gangrene in severely immunocompromised patients. Report of four cases. 837 29

Over a period of 6 years, 9 patients with diabetic nephropathy received renal allografts at Groote Schuur Hospital. This low figure represents 2.8% of the total number of renal transplants done at our institution, and is evidence of concern about the apparent poor results of transplantation in these patients. After 2 years, patients and graft survival rates in diabetics were 87% and 62% respectively. Vascular disease was a major problem. Six patients developed limb gangrene, and symptomatic coronary and cerebrovascular disease developed in 2 patients. Infections were common and included wound sepsis, cellulitis, candidiasis and urinary tract infections. Diabetes was poorly controlled after transplantation in 5 patients. Proliferative retinopathy was present in 6 patients but remained stable after transplantation. Despite very strict selection criteria, the results of renal transplantation in diabetic patients remain poor. Better treatment strategies are needed to justify acceptance of these patients for transplantation.
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PMID:Transplantation for diabetic nephropathy at Groote Schuur Hospital. 845 9

We undertook a retrospective study designed to ascertain the frequency of acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) following open heart surgery. In the study period 1982-1990, 22 of 6393 patients following open heart surgery were recognized to have developed AAC, an incidence of 0.34%. The majority of patients (16/22) presented within the first postoperative week. Vague right upper quadrant physical findings, nonspecific changes in the liver function chemistries and unexplained sepsis frequently led to radiologic evaluations. Ultrasonography was the most valuable radiologic study, with a diagnosis sensitivity of 82%. Technetium cholescintography can serve as a useful adjunct when interpreted in the context of other clinical findings. Cholecystectomy was performed in 20 patients and cholecystostomy in two. Nine (41%) patients had gangrenous gallbladders with frank perforation in two. A specific preoperative diagnosis was made in 19 patients (86%). Fifteen patients survived for a mortality rate of 32%. In 12 of 15 survivors (80%), the diagnosis of AAC was established and laparotomy performed within 48 hours of first clinical suspicion. Gangrene and perforation were seen in 87% of patients in whom surgery was delayed. AAC is a life-threatening condition especially in critically ill patients. Experience suggests that early diagnosis and operative intervention are the key elements of treatment. Delay of operative management on the grounds of recent cardiac surgery is not justified.
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PMID:Acute acalculous cholecystitis following open heart surgery. 847 45

Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) can occur in up to 18% of severely injured patients. Diagnosis is made by positive ultrasound findings of gallbladder sludge, hydrox, and wall thickening. There may also be recent-onset jaundice, positive ultrasound induced Murphy's sign, and unexplained sepsis. Mortality can be as high as 50%. Laparoscopic confirmation was obtained in six ICU trauma patients when omentum was drawn up over a distended gallbladder. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) was done by first directly decompressing the gallbladder through the fundus. This trocar was replaced by a 16 French Foley catheter passed through an Endoloop into the gallbladder and secured by tightening the loop around a cuff of gallbladder. Sepsis resolved in all cases. Only one required subsequent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. LC has a low morbidity and may be life saving during the early stages of AAC. It is not indicated in gangrene or perforation of the gallbladder.
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PMID:Laparoscopic cholecystostomy for acute acalculous cholecystitis. 866 13

Fifty human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with perianal sepsis were studied. Seven (14 per cent) had serious septic complications, four patients with severe necrotizing gangrene, and three with abscesses in the mediastinum, liver and brain respectively. CD4+ lymphocyte counts were significantly lower in patients with severe septic complications as compared with those with uncomplicated perianal sepsis (P < 0.05). In patients with HIV presenting with rare (metastatic) abscesses, perianal sepsis must always be kept in mind as a possible focus. Although HIV-infected patients have a limited life expectancy perianal fistulas and abscesses should be aggressively treated, because of the high risk of severe complications.
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PMID:Severe complications of perianal sepsis in patients with human immunodeficiency virus. 869 38

Renal biopsies of 43 patients who developed renal complications after treatment with antibiotics were studied. The treatment with antibiotics in these cases was used for many different reasons such as: bronchitis, bronchopneumonia, cystitis, tonsillitis, sepsis, peritonitis, gangrene of the foot and tuberculosis. The renal function of these patients, before the treatment with antibiotics was normal. The biopsies were studied by light, electron and immunofluorescence microscopy. In 43 cases treated with antibiotics renal changes were shown. Three types of morphologic changes were found: acute tubular necrosis (ATN) (13 cases), acute tubulo-interstitial diseases (ATID) (21 cases), focal glomerulonephritis with crescents (FGN) (9 cases). The renal pathologic changes were most commonly seen in patients treated with 2 groups of antibiotics: aminoglycosides (21 cases) and antibiotics of the penicillin group (15 cases). The most characteristic feature of aminoglycosides is their direct toxic effect leading to ATN. Antibiotics of the penicillin type more commonly caused an allergic reaction leading to ATID (secondary to cellular mechanisms) or FGN (secondary to a predominantly humoral mechanism). Renal changes in the use of other antibiotics were much less manifest and were usually due to a hypersensitivity reaction. Cephalosporins, if used in combination with other antibiotics can increase their nephrotoxicity.
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PMID:Antibiotic associated nephropathy. 870 64

Calciphylaxis is a rare and life-threatening complication that is estimated to occur in 1% of patients with ESRD each year. Typically, extensive microvascular calcification and occlusion/thrombosis leads to violaceous skin lesions, which progress to nonhealing ulcers and sepsis. Secondary infection of skin lesions is common, often leading to sepsis and death. The lower extremities are predominantly involved (roughly 90% of patients). Patients with skin involvement over the trunk or proximal extremities have a poorer prognosis. Although most calciphylaxis patients have abnormalities of the calcium:phosphate axis or elevated levels of parathyroid hormone, these abnormalities do not appear to be fundamental to the pathophysiology of the disorder, and the etiology of calciphylaxis remains unclear. Recently, functional protein C deficiency has been hypothesized to cause a hypercoagulable state that could induce thrombosis in small vessels, with resulting skin ischemia, necrosis, and gangrene. The lack of understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease results in treatments that are equally unsatisfactory. Patients who undergo parathyroidectomy have a tendency to improve, but the prognosis for the disease is poor and mortality remains high.
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PMID:Calciphylaxis in chronic renal failure. 882 11

The proportion of type II diabetic patients requiring renal replacement therapy has increased over the last 15 years. The ideal treatment for these patient is still a matter of dispute. Diabetic patients with a history of myocardial infarction, stroke or peripheral gangrene prior to renal replacement therapy had a worse prognosis compared with patients without vascular complications even after renal transplantation. The main causes of death were myocardial infarction and sepsis. A history of severe vascular complications prior to renal replacement therapy is an independent factor of decreased survival in type II diabetic patients. Renal transplantation significantly improved survival of diabetic patients without vascular complications and should be considered as the treatment of choice in this group of patients.
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PMID:Type II diabetes mellitus and chronic renal insufficiency: renal transplantation or haemodialysis treatment? 905 43

A 31-year-old pregnant woman who was an active cocaine abuser presented to our emergency department five times in 1 week for abdominal pain and vomiting. She continued to use cocaine regularly despite having abdominal pain. Her fifth admission was for seizures. There were no objective signs of peritoneal inflammation and the rectal guiac examination was repeatedly negative. The patient progressed to severe septic shock. Intraabdominal sepsis and/or bowel perforation was suspected. Exploratory laporatomy revealed gangrene and perforation of the small intestine and fecal peritonitis. She rapidly developed multiorgan failure and died. Gastrointestinal complications resulting from cocaine use are uncommon. Our case is unique in that the patient was pregnant, used cocaine by the intranasal route, and lacked objective signs of acute abdomen. Emergency physicians should be aware of the morbidity associated with the use of cocaine.
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PMID:Cocaine-associated intestinal gangrene in a pregnant woman. 927 Mar 93

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis syndrome (HITTS) is an immune-mediated response to the administration of heparin that results in life-threatening thrombosis. The pathophysiology of HITTS remains controversial. The onset of clinical symptoms and laboratory changes is usually delayed 1-2 weeks after exposure to heparin. Thrombosis occurs in both the arterial and venous circulation with significant morbidity and mortality. Complications include deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolus, stroke, myocardial infarction, chronic venous insufficiency, extremity ischemia, gangrene, and death. Diagnostic criteria for HITTS include thrombocytopenia during heparin exposure, exclusion of other causes such as sepsis or medications, resolution of thrombocytopenia after withdrawal of heparin, demonstration of in vitro heparin-dependent platelet antibodies, and development of vascular thrombosis. Despite having several disadvantages, the carbon-14-serotonin release assay is the most sensitive and specific test for HITTS. Angiography as an adjunct to other imaging modalities can document the presence, location, and extent of thrombus. Optimal treatment has not yet been defined but should include immediate discontinuation of use of all heparin products and heparin-coated catheters. In addition, alternate methods of antithrombotic therapy should be considered. In severe cases, thrombolysis or thrombectomy may be warranted. Familiarity with the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, complications, diagnostic criteria, and treatment options associated with HITTS will enable timely recognition and facilitate prompt and effective treatment.
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PMID:Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis syndrome. 946 Jan 12


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