Tag Archives: biomarkers

Understanding the Difficulties in Diagnosing Neonatal Sepsis: Assessing the Role of Sepsis Biomarkers

Nicoleta Lungu1, Ana-Maria-Cristina Jura2, Daniela-Eugenia Popescu1, Florin George Horhat3, Aniko Maria Manea1, Marioara Boia1

1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara, Romania
2 University of Medicine and Pharmacy Victor Babes Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
3 Multidisciplinary Research Center on Antimicrobial Resistance (MULTI-REZ), Microbiology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara, Romania

DOI: 10.2478/jccm-2024-0039

Background. Neonatal sepsis is a serious condition with high rates of morbidity and mortality, caused by the rapid growth of microorganisms that trigger a systemic reaction. Symptoms can range from mild to severe presentations. The causative microorganism is usually transmitted from mothers, especially from the urogenital tract, or can originate from the community or hospital.
Methods. Our retrospective study assessed 121 newborns, including both preterm and term infants, divided into three groups within the first 28 days of life: early-onset sepsis (35), late-onset sepsis (39), and a control group (47). Blood samples and cultures were obtained upon admission or at the onset of sepsis (at 24 and 72 hours). The study aimed to evaluate the limitations of commonly used biomarkers and new markers such as lactate dehydrogenase and ferritin in more accurately diagnosing neonatal sepsis.
Results. Our study revealed a significant difference between the initial and final measures of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and ferritin in the early-onset sepsis (EOS) and late-onset sepsis (LOS) groups.
Conclusion. Ferritin and LDH may serve as potential markers associated with systemic response and sepsis in cases of both early and late-onset sepsis. Monitoring these biomarkers can aid in the timely detection and management of sepsis, potentially improving patient outcomes.

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Prevalence and Prognostic Impact of Hypernatremia in Sepsis and Septic Shock Patients in The Intensive Care Unit: A Single Centre Experience

Mohamed Shirazy1,2, Islam Omar3,4, Duaa Abduljabbar5, Kamel Bousselmi2, Maryam Alkhaja5, Anis Chaari2, Vipin Kauts2, Karim Hakim2

1 Emergency Department, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
2 Critical Care Department, King Hamad University Hospital, Kingdom of Bahrain
3 Surgical Department, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
4 Surgical Department, King Hamad University Hospital, Kingdom of Bahrain
5 Internal Medicine department, King Hamad University Hospital, Kingdom of Bahrain

DOI: 10.2478/jccm-2020-0001

Introduction: Hypernatremia is a commonly associated electrolyte disturbance in sepsis and septic shock patients in the ICU. The objective of this study was to identify the prognostic value of hypernatremia in sepsis and septic shock.
Material and Methods: A prospective study conducted on sepsis and septic shock patients diagnosed prior to admission in the ICU in King Hamad University Hospital, Bahrain from January 1st 2017 to February 28th 2019. Data including age, sex, comorbidities, source of sepsis, sodium levels on days one, three, and seven. Data was correlated with the outcome (survival/death and the length of ICU stay).
Results: Patients included were 168, 110 survived, and 58 died. Hypernatraemia at day seven was associated with significantly higher mortality (P= 0.03). Hypernatraemia at Day1was associated with a significantly prolonged stay in the ICU (p= 0.039).Multivariate analysis to identify the independent predictors of mortality revealed that immunosuppression and hypernatraemia at Day7 proved to be independent predictors of mortality (P= 0.026 and 0.039 respectively).
Conclusion: Hypernatremia can be an independent predictor of poor outcome in septic and septic shock patients in the ICU.

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Determination of Cut-off Serum Values for Resistin and S100B Protein in Patients Who Survived a Cardiac Arrest

Raluca M. Tat1, Adela Golea2, Ştefan C. Vesa3, Daniela Ionescu4

1 Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care I, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
2 Surgical Department of “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
3 Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
4 Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care I, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Outcome Research Consortium, Cleveland, United States of America

DOI: 10.2478/jccm-2019-0018

Introduction: In an attempt to identify patients who have successfully survived a resuscitated cardiac arrest (CA), attention is drawn to resistin and S100B protein, two biomarkers that have been studied in relation to CA.
Aim: The study aimed to identify the potential cut-off serum values for resistin and S100B in patients who had CA, compared to healthy volunteers, given that, currently, none of the markers have normal and pathological reference range limits for human assay levels related to this pathology.
Materials and Methods: Forty patients, resuscitated after out-of-hospital CA and forty healthy controls, were included in the study. All patients were followed up for seventy-two hours after CA or until death. Blood samples for biomarkers were collected on admission to the ED (0-time interval) and at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours following resuscitation. Only one blood sample was collected from the controls. The serum concentrations of biomarkers were measured.
Results: For each time interval, median serum levels of resistin and S100 B were ​​ significantly higher in patients with CA compared to healthy controls. The cut-off value for resistin in patients with CA, at the 12-hours versus controls, was > 8.2 ng/ml. The cut-off value for S100B in patients with CA versus controls recorded at 6 hours, was > 11.6 pg/ml.
Conclusion: Serum levels of resistin and S100B are higher among resuscitated CA patients compared to controls.

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The Relevance of Coding Gene Polymorphysms of Cytokines and Cellular Receptors in Sepsis

Anca Meda Georgescu1, Bianca Liana Grigorescu2, Ioana Raluca Chirteș1, Alexander A. Vitin3, Raluca Ștefania Fodor4

1 Infectious Diseases Clinic, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Tirgu Mures, Romania
2 Discipline of Pathophysiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Tirgu Mures, Romania
3 University of Washington, Medical Center, Seattle, USA
4 Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Clinic, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Tirgu Mures, Romania

DOI: 10.1515/jccm-2017-0001

Sepsis is an injurious systemic host response to infection, which can often lead to septic shock and death. Recently, the immune-pathogenesis and genomics of sepsis have become a research topic focusing on the establishment of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. As yet, none have been identified as having the necessary specificity to be used independently of other factors in this respect. However the accumulation of current evidence regarding genetic variations, especially the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of cytokines and other innate immunity determinants, partially explains the susceptibility and individual differences of patients with regard to the evolution of sepsis. This article outlines the role of genetic variation of some serum proteins which have the potential to be used as biomarker values in evaluating sepsis susceptibility and the progression of the condition.

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