Sherif Alsayed

Bronchial aspirates glucose level as indicator for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in intubated mechanically ventilated patients.

This study evaluated if the level of glucose in bronchial aspirate serves as indicator for the risk of MRSA infection in intubated mechanically ventilated ICU patients. A total of 50 critically ill patients was enrolled and were under tight glycemic control to abolish the effect of hyperglycemia on bronchial secretion, if they were expected to require mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours. Bronchial aspirates were detected for glucose and sent twice weekly for microbiological analysis and whenever an MRSA was expected. The results showed that all the patients had glucose tested in bronchial aspirates. Glucose was detected in bronchial aspirates of 28 of the 50 patients. Glucose in bronchial aspirates in these patients ranged between (2.9-5.1 mmol/l). MRSA was detected in 22 patients where 28 were MRSA free of the MRSA patients 19 had positive glucose where glucose was positive in 28 patients of them 19 (86.4%) where MRSA positive to 9 with no MRSA (32.1%).The risk of having MRSA present markedly increased significantly in the presence of glucose: (p value .001).

Serum procalcitonin as a predicting value in severity and prognosis of CAP in sickle cell patients

The Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) and CURB-65 predict outcomes in community acquired pneumonia but have limitations. The study evaluated if procalcitonin in community-acquired pneumonia provides prognostic information with the PSI and CURB-65 in sickle cell adult patients. Twenty sickle cell positive adult patients with a clinical and radiographic diagnosis of community acquired pneumonia were scored using PSI and CRUB-65, and measured procalcitonin levels. They were 12 female 60% and 8 males 40% with mean of age 46.0 +/- 10.26 and were stratified with PSI, CRUB65 and sampled for procalcitonin level for PSI class I (3) patients 15%, class II (10) patients 50%, class III (3) patients 15%, class IV (one) patient 5% and class V (3) patients 15% with mean of 2.55 +/- 1.276 were CRUB65 0 (2) patients 10% 1 (11) patients 55% two (3) patients 15%, three (4) patients 20% with mean of 1.45 +/- 0.94 proclacitonin >0.25 (8) patients 40% and >0.50 were (12) patients 60% with mean of 1.098 +/- 1.346.

Sialic Acid Value in Pleural Effusion as a Diagnostic Marker of Malignancy

In differential diagnosis of pleural effusions, cytology is the most sensitive method. Since cytology findings are positive in half of such fluids, combined use of reliable tumor marker and cytology is a logical approach. Sialic acid and other tumor markers can be reliable substances associated with neoplasia. The present study measured sialic acid levels in pleural effusion and serum samples of patients with malignant and nonmalignant diseases to discriminate each other, and to diagnose malignant effusion in a simple, cheap and reliable way. Sixty patients with pleural effusion were enrolled in the study and classified into two groups, group (I) 30 patients with malignant pleural effusion, and group (II) 30 patients with nonmalignant pleural effusion. Pleural fluid (PF) and serum (S) levels of sialic acid were measured prior to any therapy; and PF/S sialic acid ratios were calculated. Pleural fluid and serum levels of sialic acid were significantly higher in malignant group compared to nonmalignant one. PF/S sialic acid ratio was higher in malignant group compared to nonmalignant group. In the malignant pleural effusion group, smokers showed a statistically significant higher pleural fluid and serum sialic acid levels as compared to nonsmokers. By using ROC curve, the cut off value of malignant pleural fluid sialic acid was 69.65 mg/dL, sensitivity was 70%, and specificity was 96%.

Serum procalcitonin as a predicting value in severity and prognosis of CAP in sickle cell-patients.

Abstract The Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) and CURB-65 predict outcomes in community acquired pneumonia but have limitations. The study evaluated if procalcitonin in community-acquired pneumonia provides prognostic information with the PSI and CURB-65 in sickle cell adult patients. Twenty sickle cell positive adult patients with a clinical and radiographic diagnosis of community acquired pneumonia were scored using PSI and CRUB-65, and measured procalcitonin levels. They were 12 female 60% and 8 males 40% with mean of age 46.0 +/- 10.26 and were stratified with PSI, CRUB65 and sampled for procalcitonin level for PSI class I (3) patients 15%, class II (10) patients 50%, class III (3) patients 15%, class IV (one) patient 5% and class V (3) patients 15% with mean of 2.55 +/- 1.276 were CRUB65 0 (2) patients 10% 1 (11) patients 55% two (3) patients 15%, three (4) patients 20% with mean of 1.45 +/- 0.94 proclacitonin >0.25 (8) patients 40% and >0.50 were (12) patients 60% with mean of 1.098 +/- 1.346.

Sialic acid value in pleural effusion as a diagnostic marker of malignancy.

: In differential diagnosis of pleural effusions, cytology is the most sensitive method. Since cytology findings are positive in half of such fluids, combined use of reliable tumor marker and cytology is a logical approach. Sialic acid and other tumor markers can be reliable substances associated with neoplasia. The present study measured sialic acid levels in pleural effusion and serum samples of patients with malignant and nonmalignant diseases to discriminate each other, and to diagnose malignant effusion in a simple, cheap and reliable way. Sixty patients with pleural effusion were enrolled in the study and classified into two groups, group (I) 30 patients with malignant pleural effusion, and group (II) 30 patients with nonmalignant pleural effusion. Pleural fluid (PF) and serum (S) levels of sialic acid were measured prior to any therapy; and PF/S sialic acid ratios were calculated. Pleural fluid and serum levels of sialic acid were significantly higher in malignant group compared to nonmalignant one. PF/S sialic acid ratio was higher in malignant group compared to nonmalignant group. In the malignant pleural effusion group, smokers showed a statistically significant higher pleural fluid and serum sialic acid levels as compared to nonsmokers. By using ROC curve, the cut off value of malignant pleural fluid sialic acid was 69.65 mg/dL, sensitivity was 70%, and specificity was 96%.