Bo-Eric Malmvall

Indications of Th1 and Th17 responses in cerebrospinal fluid from patients with Lyme neuroborreliosis: a large retrospective study

BackgroundPrevious studies indicate that successful resolution of Lyme neuroborreliosis (NB) is associated with a strong T helper (Th) 1-type cytokine response in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) followed by a down-regulating Th2 response, whereas the role of the recently discovered Th17 cytokine response is unknown.MethodsTo investigate the relative contribution of different Th associated cytokine/chemokine responses, we used a multiple bead array to measure the levels of CXCL10 (Th1 marker), CCL22 (Th2 marker), IL-17 (Th17 marker) and CXCL8 (general inflammation marker), in serum and in CSF from untreated patients with confirmed NB (n = 133), and non-NB patients (n = 96), and related the findings to clinical data. Samples from patients with possible early NB (n = 15) and possible late NB (n = 19) were also analysed, as well as samples from an additional control group with orthopaedic patients (n = 17), where CSF was obtained at spinal anaesthesia.ResultsThe most prominent differences across groups were found in the CSF. IL-17 was elevated in CSF in 49% of the patients with confirmed NB, but was not detectable in the other groups. Patients with confirmed NB and possible early NB had significantly higher CSF levels of CXCL10, CCL22 and CXCL8 compared to both the non-NB group and the control group (p < 0.0001 for all comparisons). Patients in the early NB group, showing a short duration of symptoms, had lower CCL22 levels in CSF than did the confirmed NB group (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, patients within the confirmed NB group showing a duration of symptoms <2 weeks, tended to have lower CCL22 levels in CSF than did those with longer symptom duration (p = 0.023). Cytokine/chemokine levels were not correlated with clinical parameters or to levels of anti-Borrelia-antibodies.ConclusionOur results support the notion that early NB is dominated by a Th1-type response, eventually accompanied by a Th2 response. Interestingly, IL-17 was increased exclusively in CSF from patients with confirmed NB, suggesting a hitherto unknown role for Th17 in NB. However, for conclusive evidence, future prospective studies are needed.

Central venous catheter infections at a county hospital in Sweden: a prospective analysis of colonization, incidence of infection and risk factors.

Background:  Catheter‐related infection (CRI) is one of the most serious complications of the use of central venous catheters (CVCs), with an incidence of 2–30/1000 days in different studies. No major prospective study has evaluated the rate of CRI in Scandinavia. Since 1999, we have had a thorough programme for the insertion and care of all CVCs used at our hospital and its outpatient clinics. The purpose of this survey was to study the incidence of catheter tip colonization and CRI and their risk factors, and to compare these data with previous non‐Scandinavian studies.

Neuroborreliosis—an epidemiological, clinical and healthcare cost study from an endemic area in the south-east of Sweden

We studied retrospectively the medical records of all patients (n = 150) diagnosed, by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, with neuroborreliosis (NB) in Jönköping County, Sweden during 2000-2005. The number of NB cases increased from 5/100,000 to 10/100,000 inhabitants/year. In 17% of the patients, anti-Borrelia antibodies were found in CSF but not in serum at the time of diagnosis. Facial palsy, headache and fever were frequent manifestations in children, whereas unspecific muscle and joint pain were the most commonly reported symptoms in older patients. Post-treatment symptoms persisting for more than 6 months occurred in 13%, and the patients concerned were significantly older, had longer-lasting symptoms prior to treatment, had higher levels of Borrelia-specific IgG in CSF, and more often had radiculitis. The total cost of NB-related healthcare was estimated to be euro500,000 for the entire study group (euro3300 per patient), and the cost of social benefits was estimated to be euro134,000 (euro2000 per patient). CSF analysis is necessary for the diagnosis of NB, because some patients develop antibodies in serum later than in CSF. Early diagnosis of borreliosis would result in reduced human suffering and in economic gain.

Sustained low incidence of central venous catheter-related infections over six years in a Swedish hospital with an active central venous catheter team

BACKGROUND There are limited data on the long-term effects of implementing a central venous catheter (CVC) program for prevention of CVC infections. The aims of this study were to evaluate the incidence of CVC colonization, catheter-related infections (CRI), catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI), and their risk factors over a 6-year period in a hospital with an active CVC team. METHODS We conducted a continuous prospective study aiming to include all CVCs used at our hospital during the years 2004 to 2009, evaluating colonization, CRI, CRBSI, and possible risk factors. RESULTS A total of 2,772 CVCs was used during the study period. Data on culture results and catheterization time were available for 2,045 CVCs used in 1,674 patients. The incidences of colonization, CRI, and CRBSI were 7.0, 2.2, and 0.6 per 1,000 CVC-days, respectively. Analysis of quarterly incidences revealed 1 occasion with increasing infection rates. Catheterization time was a risk factor for CRI but not for CRBSI. Other risk factors for CRI were hemodialysis and CVC use in the internal jugular vein compared with the subclavian vein. Hemodialysis was the only risk factor for CRBSI. CONCLUSION We found that a CRI prevention program led by an active CVC team and adhered to by the entire staff at a county hospital is successful in keeping CVC infections at a low rate over a long period of time.

Low incidence of arterial catheter infections in a Swedish intensive care unit: risk factors for colonisation and infection.

There is growing concern that arterial catheters (ACs) cause catheter-related infections (CRIs). Limited data are available concerning risk factors for AC-CRI and there are no studies concerning incidence and micro-organisms from northern Europe. The aims of this study were to determine the incidence of, and micro-organisms responsible for, AC colonisation and AC-CRI in a Swedish intensive care unit (ICU), and to determine risk factors contributing to AC colonisation and AC-CRI. We prospectively studied all patients (N=539) receiving ACs (N=691) in a mixed ICU of a county hospital. Six hundred (87%) of all ACs were assessed completely. The total catheterisation time for 482 patients was 2567 days. The incidence of positive tip culture was 7.8 per 1000 catheter-days, with the predominant micro-organism being coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS). The incidence of AC-CRI was 2.0 per 1000 catheter-days (with no cases of bacteraemia). All AC-CRIs were caused by CoNS. Multivariate analysis revealed that immunosuppression, central venous catheter (CVC) colonisation and CVC infection were significant risk factors for AC-CRI. We conclude that AC colonisation and infection with systemic symptoms occur at a low rate in our ICU which supports our practice of basic hygiene routines for the prevention of AC-CRI. Colonisation and infection of a simultaneous CVC seem to be risk factors. The role of contemporaneous colonisation and infection of multiple bloodstream catheters has received little attention previously. Further studies are needed to verify the significance of this finding.

Guidelines for preventing urinary retention and bladder damage during hospital care

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To develop evidence-based guidelines for adult patients in order to prevent urinary retention and to minimise bladder damage and urinary tract infection. BACKGROUND Urinary retention causing bladder damage is a well known complication in patients during hospital care. The most common treatment for urinary retention is an indwelling urinary catheter, which causes 80% of hospital-acquired urinary tract infections. Appropriate use of bladder ultrasonography can reduce the rate of bladder damage as well as the need to use an indwelling urinary catheter. It can also lead to a decrease in the rate of urinary tract infections, a lower risk of spread of multiresistant Gram-negative bacteria, and lower hospital costs. DESIGN An expert group was established, and a literature review was performed. METHODS On the basis of literature findings and consensus in the expert group, guidelines for clinical situations were constructed. RESULTS The main points of the guidelines are the following: identification of risk factors for urinary retention, managing patients at risk of urinary retention, strategies for patients with urinary retention and patient documentation and information. CONCLUSION Using literature review and consensus technique based on a multiprofessional group of experts, evidence-based guidelines have been developed. Although consensus was reached, there are parts of the guidelines where the knowledge is weak. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE These guidelines are designed to be easy to use in clinical work and could be an important step towards minimising bladder damage and hospital-acquired urinary tract infections and their serious consequences, such as bacteraemia and the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria in hospitals.