Azithromycin-Prevention in Labor Use Study (A-PLUS)
Maternal DeathMaternal Infections Affecting Fetus or Newborn4 moreMaternal and neonatal infections are among the most frequent causes of maternal and neonatal deaths, and current antibiotic strategies have not been effective in preventing many of these deaths. Recently, a randomized clinical trial conducted in a single site in The Gambia showed that treatment with oral dose of 2 g azithromycin vs. placebo for all women in labor reduced selected maternal and neonatal infections. However, it is unknown if this therapy reduces maternal and neonatal sepsis and mortality. The A-PLUS trial includes two primary hypotheses, a maternal hypothesis and a neonatal hypothesis. First, a single, prophylactic intrapartum oral dose of 2 g azithromycin given to women in labor will reduce maternal death or sepsis. Second, a single, prophylactic intrapartum oral dose of 2 g azithromycin given to women in labor will reduce intrapartum/neonatal death or sepsis.
Saving Lives by Early Detection and Treatment of Sepsis and Septic Shock by Point of Care Lactate...
Severe Sepsis With Septic ShockLactate Blood IncreaseBurden: The global burden of sepsis is difficult to ascertain, although a recent scientific publication estimated that in 2017 there were 48.9 million cases and 11 million sepsis-related deaths worldwide, which accounted for almost 20% of all global deaths. Recent chart analysis from Dhaka Hospital, icddrb recorded 350 adults with severe sepsis admitted over four years. Among them, 69% of patients progressed to septic shock. Knowledge gap: Clinical features of shock due to sepsis and shock due to severe dehydration are very intertwining and often predicament for critical care physicians. If not recognized early and managed promptly, it can lead to septic shock, multiple organ failure, and eventually death. Serum lactate may play a role as the point of care test in differentiating shock due to severe sepsis from shock due to severe dehydration. Relevance: Being the largest diarrhoeal disease hospital, the Dhaka Hospital of icddr,b is ideal for researching shock with diarrheal diseases. Even though the onset of sepsis can be acute and poses a short-term mortality burden, it can also cause significant long-term morbidity, requiring treatment and support. Thus, addressing sepsis and severe sepsis by early detection and prompt management should be a comprehensive way to reduce the burden in our community.
A Validation Study of the Lab Clasp Device: A Point of Care Sepsis Risk Monitor
SepsisSepsis Bacterial2 moreThe overall purpose of this study is to demonstrate the usability of a clinical-grade device in the form of a finger clasp similar to a pulse oximeter for monitoring lactate values, by comparing its performance in reading interstitial fluid lactate values against a known clinical standard in the form of venous lactate levels. Serum lactate measurements are used clinically as a measure of end-organ dysfunction and physiologic stress. Changes in lactate may indicate worsening infection in the setting of sepsis, drug toxicity for certain xenobiotics, or exercise tolerance in exercise physiology. Serum lactate cutoffs have been developed for various disease states and trigger a variety of medical decisions directed at managing the course of the disease. A common theme in the application of lactate measurements to understanding changes in physiology is the need to obtain venous blood to determine lactate. While point-of-care assays have been developed that improve the processing speed, there continues to be a need to obtain fingerstick blood or in most cases, venous blood. Obtaining venous blood for serum lactate requires an individual with phlebotomy skills, the processing capabilities of a laboratory to determine lactate concentrations, or the availability of point of care technology. An alternative method to measure lactate is to sample interstitial fluid which surrounds cells and tissues in the body. Obtaining interstitial fluid is potentially less invasive without the need for repeat phlebotomy or the presence of an indwelling intravenous catheter which can become complicated by infection. The analysis of interstitial fluid for glucose has been validated and is clinically utilized in continuous glucose monitors in individuals with diabetes. In this investigation, the investigators will utilize a novel device, the Lab Clasp to obtain interstitial fluid in a noninvasive method. The Lab Clasp is manufactured to resemble a finger pulse oximeter with additional onboard microfluidics channels that obtain a lactate concentration from interstitial fluid. This streamlined process of obtaining the point of care lactate measurements on demand allows for tasks like serial lactate measurements to be accomplished on a reliable schedule with less workload for nursing staff typically required to draw venous blood. Additionally, the portable and noninvasive nature of the Lab Clasp system may render it usable in facilities that lack skilled staff necessary to perform phlebotomy.
Efficacy and Safety of Vitamin A Treatment for Children With Sepsis
Vitamin A DeficiencyPediatric1 moreThe prevalence of vitamin A deficiency was found high in children with sepsis. Whether those patients will benefit from the vitamin A supplementation is unknown.
mHealth for Hypertensive Disorder of Pregnancy
Hypertensive Disorder of PregnancyPreeclampsiaObjectives: We have developed a cardiovascular disease management application named Heart4U, with the capability of integrating with the Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system within the hospital. The main goal of this study is to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of a treatment approach that entails self-management of risk factors through a mobile application among pregnant individuals diagnosed with hypertensive cardiovascular conditions. Methods: Patients assigned to the app group receive assistance from the research team to install the Heart4U application and familiarize themselves with its usage. Both the app group and the usual care group continue to receive active treatment as previously administered (guideline-based prenatal care). Follow-up observations occur at each obstetric examination prior to delivery and are conducted again at the first month postpartum. The primary endpoint of observation pertains to the difference in systolic blood pressure between the enrollment and study completion time points.
We Collected Blood Samples From Septic Shock Patients and Measured ELABELA, Creatinine, and NGAL...
SepsisSeptic Shock1 moreThe investigators selected patients diagnosed with sepsis who were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Huai'an First People's Hospital between June 2022 and December 2023, as well as healthy individuals with normal kidney function during the same period, for the research. The investigators collected blood samples from patients with septic shock or sepsis at 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, 3 days, 5 days, and 7 days after diagnosis, and also collected blood samples from the healthy individuals. The blood samples were stored in gel separation vacuum tubes containing heparin as an anticoagulant. The supernatant was removed and stored at -80°C, and the levels of plasma ELA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) were measured using a standardized ELA kit. Additionally, serum NGAL (neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin) and creatinine levels were measured simultaneously. The subjects were divided into three groups based on the KDIGO diagnostic criteria: sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (S-AKI) group, sepsis non-AKI group, and normal control group. Finally, the data were analyzed to determine the early diagnostic value of ELA for S-AKI. Approximately 70 specimens were collected in total.
Longitudinal Evolution of Biomarkers of Dysautonomia and Inflammation During Sepsis in Children...
SepsisAutonomic Nervous SystemThe Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) regulates the inflammatory response in real time, just as it controls heart rate and other vital functions. Many studies have investigated induced stimulation of the vagus nerve and its therapeutic effect in inhibiting TNFα (Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha) secretion, and therefore the risk of hypotension, septic shock, organ dysfunction during inflammation. While the anti-inflammatory effect of the autonomic nervous system on inflammation has been well studied, conversely, the effect of major inflammation on the balance of the autonomic nervous system is more difficult to understand. The inflammatory reflex could be overwhelmed and the regulatory centers of the brainstem dysregulated during situations of extreme inflammation.
Toxins Removal and Inflammatory State modulAtion During Online Hemodiafiltration: Comparison of...
Hemodialysis ComplicationInflammation1 moreThe primary goal of the study is to evaluate in patients on three times a week on-line HDF the efficacy, in terms of toxin removal and modulation of the inflammatory state, of two different dialyzers: Helixone versus Asimmetric cellulose triacetate (ATA).
Clinical Value of Metagenomic Sequencing in Neonatal Sepsis
Neonatal SepsisThis study aimed to enroll 2000 neonatal patients with suspected sepsis or clinical diagnosed sepsis. These patients will undergo both conventional methods and metagenomics sequencing to detect the pathogenic microorganisms of sepsis. The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical value of metagenomics sequencing for the diagnosis and treatment of neonatal sepsis.
Platelets to Lymphocytes Ratio in Sepsis
Platelets to Lymphocytes Ratio SepsisThe aim of this study is to compare effectiveness of platelets to lymphocytes ratio (PLR) with procalcitonin as a predictor of sepsis outcome.