Objective: To determine and compare the diagnostic efficiency of various biomarkers [C-reactive protein, neutrophil percentage, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLCR), lactate, procalcitonin, blood culture] in the identification of septic patients in emergency department (ED), and to assess the predictive value of combination of markers. Methods: This was a prospective, single centre study conducted in the ED of an urban, tertiary care hospital. We included patients who were admitted to the ED with symptoms of a possible infection. Blood cultures and serum measurement of the biomarkers were collected from 131 patients. Patients were determined to be septic or non-septic, based on the systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria and the diagnosis was made at the ED. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and area under curves (AUC) were calculated. Results: A total of 126 patients, 61 with sepsis and 65 without sepsis were eventually included in the study. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio displayed the highest accuracy in diagnosing sepsis (AUC 0.735, 95% CI=0648-0.822, P<0.001). The best combination of markers in predicting sepsis was NLCR and white blood cell (AUC: 0.801, 95% CI=0.724-0.878, P<0.001). Conclusions: The results of this small study showed that NLCR outperforms other markers in diagnosing sepsis in ED. It is readily available, cost efficient, non invasive and independent. It may be insufficient to rely on this single marker to diagnose sepsis, so some other diagnostic utilities should be taken into account as one part of the overall assessment. Our study also showed that combination of NLCR and white blood cell provides the highest diagnostic accuracy. More large scale studies across different population groups will be needed to confirm this finding.

Objective: To evaluate the drug susceptibility profiles and the frequency of beta-lactamase encoding genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) obtained from burn patients. Methods: Totally 93 non-duplicate clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa were recovered from burn patients of Taleghani Burn Hospital of Ahvaz. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was conducted by disk diffusion method according to the CLSI 2017 recommendations. PCR assay was performed by to find beta-lactamase encoding genes. Results: In this study, most clinical specimen was obtained via wound swabs [65 (69.9%)], followed by blood [14 (15.1%)] and biopsy [7 (7.5%)]. Forty-two (45.16%) patients were male and 51(54.84%) were female. High resistance was observed for most of antibiotics especially for gentamicin and ciprofloxacin (Up to 85%), whereas the highest susceptibility was reported for colistin (100.0%), followed by ceftazidime (66.7%). According to PCR results, 16.1% (15), 9.7% (9) and 14.0% (13) of isolates carried bla_DHA, bla_VEB and bla_GES genes, respectively. It also revealed that the blaY_EB gene was found to coexist within 2 isolates (2.2%). Conclusions: Antibacterial resistance is high among P. aeruginosa isolates. Colistin is highly active against multi-drug resistant P. aeruginosa isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing can confine indiscriminate uses of antibiotics and resistance increase, and can improve management of treatment.

Objective: To specify the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, risk factors, factors affecting mortality including hematologic parameters, and red blood cell distribution width to platelet ratio (RPR) in patients with pulmonary thromboembolism, and to reduce the mortality. Methods: The archive records of patients diagnosed with pulmonary embolism were retrospectively examined. The histories, risk factors, physical examination findings, arterial blood gas analysis, X-rays, laboratory, and computed tomography reports of all cases were obtained via the hospital information system. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the independent variables affecting early mortality. Results: A total of 146 patients with a definitive diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism were included. Thirteen point seven percent (n=20) of the deceased patients died at early term. Ninety percent of patients with early mortality was 65 years or older. There were significantly differences in age, RPR, D-dimer, creatinine, lymphocyte, pH, and body temperature between patients with and without early mortality (P=0.017, P<0.001, P=0.019, P=0.025, P=0.042, P=0.013, P=0.017, respectively). Logistic regression analysis showed that RPR was a statistically significant and independent risk factors of mortality [P=0.026, OR: 0.254., 95% CI (0.326-5.056)]. In addition, there was a significant difference in pulmonary embolism severity index classification between patients with and without early mortality(P<0.034). Conclusions: RPR is an independent risk factor of mortality of pulmonary embolism patients and may help emergency physician to stratify mortality risks of pulmonary embolism patients.

Objective: To explore the characterization and frequency of antibiotic resistance related to membrane porin and efflux pump genes among Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) strains obtained from burn patients in Tehran, Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 100 strains of A. baumannii isolated from burn patients visiting teaching hospitals of Tehran were collected from January 2016 to November 2017. After A. baumannii strains were confirmed, antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done via Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. PCR amplification was performed for detection of β -lactamase adeR, OprD, adeS genes among A. baumannii strains. Results: All isolates (100%) were resistant to ceftazidime, cefotaxime, cefepime, ciprofloxacin, and piperacillin, and most isolates indicated high resistance (95%-97%) to meropenem, imipenem, gentamicin, ceftriaxone, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, piperacillin-tazobactam, amikacin, and tetracycline. The most effective antibiotic against A. baumannii isolates was colistin (97% sensitivity), followed by tigecycline. The frequency of OprD, adeS, and adeR genes were 98%, 91%, and 77%, respectively. Conclusions: This study shows that the majority of A. baumannii isolates are highly resistant to the antibiotics most commonly used in burn patients. Also, high distribution of OprD and adeRS genes may be responsible for the observed resistances among A. baumannii isolates that demonstrate the possible role of both efflux pumps in simultaneous of carbapenemase production during antibiotic resistance.

Objective: To examine if hypoxia-inducible factor-1 α (Hif-1 α ) polymorphisms are associated with pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (PARDS). Methods: Twenty two patients with PARDS and 11 non-PARDS controls were examined in pediatric intensive care unit in Cukurova University Balcali Hospital. Blood polymorphism was used to assess the Hif-1 α C1772T and G1790A polymorphisms of Hif-1 α gene, and differences in genotypes between the 2 groups were compared. Results: Hif-1 α C1772T polymorphism was observed only in one case of PARDS group but non-PARDS group didn’t show any C1772T polymorphism. Particularly, the difference in number of cases with Hif-1 α G1790A polymorphism was not significant between PARDS and non-PARDS groups. In addition, Hif-1 α G1790A polymorphism was significantly related to the distribution of lung opacities in children with PARDS (P<0.05). Conclusions: Our results indicate that Hif-1 α G1790A polymorphism is related to an increased susceptibility to pulmonary for PARDS children. The detection of G1790A polymorphism could help pediatricians to predict the extensity of PARDS early in lung tissue.

Objective: To explore the patterns and prevalence of complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Jazan region. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample (n=281) of the Jazan population attending Jazan Diabetes Centre. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection, and the statistical analysis was performed using SPSS ver. 17.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) software. Results: The prevalence of one or more complications due to T2DM was 42.7%, which was significantly increased with age, BMI and T2DM duration. The prevalence also differed significantly according to gender and participation in exercise (P<0.05 for all factors). The prevalence of cardiovascular complications was found to be 7.1%, higher among males (9.4%) than females (4.1%), although the difference was not significant (P>0.05). The prevalence of retinopathy was estimated as 32.4% and significantly differed according to gender, age groups, participation in exercise and BMI categories (P value < 0.05 for all). The multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that the most important independent predictors of T2DM complications were T2DM duration (11-15 years) (P=0.028, OR=3.54) and having T2DM for more than 15 years (P=0.013, OR=5.38). Conclusions: This study reveals a high prevalence of long-term complications among T2DM patients attending Jazan Diabetes center. T2DM prevention and proper T2DM management strategies are strongly needed to minimize the burden of the disease due to T2DM complications.

Shoshin syndrome is a rare fulminating heart failure caused by thiamine deficiency. In Japanese “sho” means acute damage and “shin” means heart. It consists of a rare and hyperacute manifestation of beriberi that was first described in polished white rice-eating communities in various locations across Asia including China, Japan and Indonesia. In a totally different context, ‘Shoshin’ is a word from Zen Buddhism meaning “beginner’s mind”, which is considered the necessary attitude to approach the Zen practice. This case report is a prime example of clinical manifestations of thiamine deficiency for the presence of both cardiological and neurological disorders, for hyperacute onset of cardiac failure (shoshin syndrome), for the simultaneous involvement of peripheral and central nervous system, and for the dramatic global recovery after thiamine replacement therapy. We therefore explain why the physician should adopt a beginner’s mind in clinical practice.

Distinguishing stroke mimics constitutes a considerable challenge for clinicians in emergency department. Here, we illustrate an extremely rare patient presenting with acute onset isolated dysarthria, who finally received diagnosis of tardive phenomenon associated with betahistine. Through the presentation of this case, we point out tardive phenomenon as an alternative differential diagnosis of stroke. Furthermore, this case adds substantial data presenting an interesting manifestation of isolated dysarthria as a tardive phenomenon, occurring due to betahistine usage which is extremely rare in literature.

Uncontrolled diabetes gives rise to severe systemic complications that affect different systems of our body. Among those complications, hemiballismus is a rare manifestation that occurs due to hyperglycemia and can be reversible in most cases by decreasing elevated sugar levels to normal range. Here, we present a case of a patient with diabetic history since 10 years ago, who presented with uncontrolled jerky movements on one side of his body since 15 d, and he recovered after appropriate therapy. Medication adherence in diabetic patients and regular monitoring of blood sugar levels are important.

Rationale: Acute abdomen is a medical emergency that requires prompt diagnosis and management. Lymphoma is a rare cause of acute abdomen. Patient concerns: A 54 year old patient complained of repeated episodes of acute abdominal pain over the past 3 months. Diagnosis: Mantle cell lymphoma. Interventions: Chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation. Outcomes: Abdomen pain disappeared and the patient was discharged uneventfully. Lessons: Although it is a rare cause of acute abdomen, lymphoma should be included in the differential diagnosis workup of patients with unexplained and unusual acute abdomen.