Sepsis In Burn Patients Research Articles

Advanced biomarker clustering analysis reveals mortality predictors in burn patients with sepsis

This study addresses the challenge of predicting mortality in sepsis among burn patients. Given the heterogeneity of sepsis, especially in the context of burn injuries, this study aims to identify reliable biomarkers for mortality prediction. The study is a retrospective review, focusing on the evaluation of various biomarkers and their changes over time in a burn patient cohort. Conducted in the Burn Intensive Care Unit of Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, the study involved a retrospective review of 1,659 adult burn patients from January 2010 to December 2022. Key biomarkers analyzed include lactate levels, pH, platelets, procalcitonin, and others. Advanced clustering methodologies, such as dynamic time warping and hierarchical clustering, were utilized to classify patients into distinct groups based on their biomarker profiles and clinical outcomes. The study identified four patient clusters with unique lactate level trajectories. Significant findings include the identification of procalcitonin, pH, and platelets as key predictors of mortality, with varying degrees of efficacy across different clusters. For instance, in the “Persistent Rise” cluster, pH and platelet count showed Area Under the Curve (AUC) values of 0.756 and 0.753, respectively, indicating their strong predictive power. The study concludes that a combination of biomarkers, especially lactate dynamics, can effectively predict mortality in burn-induced sepsis. The results advocate for a more personalized approach in managing sepsis in burn patients, considering the specific biomarker trajectories. These findings are crucial for enhancing treatment strategies and improving patient outcomes in burn care.

Detection of the Level of Interleukin-8 in the Serum of Burn Patients by ELISA Technique.

Burn injuries are the most frequent injuries in the world, with a death rate of 2.3-3.6%. Children and people of working age constitute 85-90% of the burn cases. Burn injury results in metabolic problems, a generalized inflammatory response, inefficient energy use, and other physiological alternations that may cause organ and system dysfunction and sepsis. Sepsis is mostly caused by multiple organ failures and has unique characteristics in burn injuries, which make it the most dangerous complication of burn injuries. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between sepsis in burn patients and the level of interleukin 8 (IL-8) in their serum. In total, 60 patients with burn injuries were included in this study. Blood samples were obtained from 60 burn patients and 30 healthy individuals as controls. The BacT/Alert and Vitek2 systems were used to identify the bacteria and determine their susceptibility to these bacteria. Moreover, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine IL-8 serum levels. Based on the results, elevated levels of IL-8 were observed in the serum of burn patients, compared to healthy individuals. Concentration of IL-8 was significantly higher in patients with sepsis, compared to healthy individuals without sepsis.

713 Acute Change in qSOFA Score as a Prognostic Tool for Diagnosing Sepsis in Burn Patients

Abstract Introduction Sepsis is a diagnostic challenge in all critically ill patients, but particularly so in the burn patient population. The objective of this study was to evaluate if the modified sepsis-3 criteria defined as an acute change in SOFA score ≥2 was predictive of clinical infection. Methods The hospital database was reviewed between 2016 and 2019 to identify patients who received broad spectrum antibiotics within 2 days of sustaining their injury. Culture specimens taken at the time of antibiotic administration determined presence of a clinical infection. Results Between 2016 and 2019, a total of 98 patients were admitted to the burn unit within 2 days of their injury and received prophylactic meropenum and/or piperacillin/tazobactam for suspicion of clinical infection. When stratified based on an acute change in SOFA score within 48 hours prior to receiving antibiotics, 67 (72%) patients received antibiotics with an acute change in SOFA score ≤1, and 26 (27%) patients received antibiotics with an acute change in SOFA score ≥2. Of those patients with the acute change in SOFA score ≥2, 22 patients (85%) had positive cultures associated with the timing of prophylactic antibiotics, as compared to 60 patients (90%) with a change in SOFA score ≤1 (p value 0.05). Conclusions Our data suggests that the modified sepsis-3 criteria is not a reliable tool for diagnosing burn sepsis. Applicability of Research to Practice Improving our ability to accurately predict sepsis in burn patients can improve patient outcomes and decrease unnecessary administration of broad spectrum antibiotics.

Surviving Sepsis After Burn Campaign

IntroductionThe Surviving Sepsis Campaign was developed to improve outcomes for all patients with sepsis. Despite sepsis being the primary cause of death after thermal injury, burns have always been excluded from the Surviving Sepsis efforts. To improve sepsis outcomes in burn patients, an international group of burn experts developed the Surviving Sepsis After Burn Campaign (SSABC) as a testable guideline to improve burn sepsis outcomes. MethodsThe International Society for Burn Injuries (ISBI) reached out to regional or national burn organizations to recommend members to participate in the program. Two members of the ISBI developed specific “patient/population, intervention, comparison and outcome” (PICO) questions that paralleled the 2021 Surviving Sepsis Campaign [1]. SSABC participants were asked to search the current literature and rate its quality for each topic. At the Congress of the ISBI, in Guadalajara, Mexico, August 28, 2022, a majority of the participants met to create “statements” based on the literature. The “summary statements” were then sent to all members for comment with the hope of developing an 80% consensus. After four reviews, a consensus statement for each topic was created or “no consensus” was reported. ResultsThe committee developed sixty statements within fourteen topics that provide guidance for the early treatment of sepsis in burn patients. These statements should be used to improve the care of sepsis in burn patients. The statements should not be considered as “static” comments but should rather be used as guidelines for future testing of the best treatments for sepsis in burn patients. They should be updated on a regular basis. ConclusionMembers of the burn community from the around the world have developed the Surviving Sepsis After Burn Campaign guidelines with the goal of improving the outcome of sepsis in burn patients.

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) as a Prognostic Marker for Burn Patients

BACKGROUND Complications like sepsis due to infection and death can occur in the treatment of major burn trauma patients because of inflammation process. The Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) is believed as a prognostic marker for the incidence of mortality and sepsis in burns patient care. Various studies have stated that NLR is quite easy, inexpensive and efficient tool for clinical application. AIMS to analyze the role of NLR as prognostic marker for mortality and sepsis in burn patients. METHODS A cross-sectional retrospective single-center study was conducted between 2019 – 2021 using 222 medical records from 245 burn patients at our Burns Unit. Demographics and laboratory data results were recorded, including NLR levels on 1st and 3rd day of treatment. Correlation analysis of NLR levels was carried out on the incidence of mortality and sepsis using Logistic Regression and Chi Square tests. RESULTS The subjects of this study were dominated by patients with median age of 33 years old (SD ±20), male (68.5%) and average burns area of 30.22% (SD ±23.3%). This study noted that the NLR on 1st day (cutoff of 7.97) and 3rd day (cutoff of 6.2) of treatment had a correlation with the incidence of mortality and sepsis (p<0.05). CONCLUSION Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) can be used as a prognostic marker of mortality and sepsis in burn patients.

Validation of Sepsis-3 using survival analysis and clinical evaluation of quick SOFA, SIRS, and burn-specific SIRS for sepsis in burn patients with suspected infection.

Sepsis-3 is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by dysregulated host responses to infection; and defined using the Sepsis-3 criteria, introduced in 2016, however, the criteria need to be validated in specific clinical fields. We investigated mortality prediction and compared the diagnostic performance of quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA), systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and burn-specific SIRS (bSIRS) in burn patients. This single-center retrospective cohort study examined burn patients in Seoul, Korea during January 2010-December 2020. Overall, 1,391 patients with suspected infection were divided into four sepsis groups using SOFA, qSOFA, SIRS, and burn-specific SIRS. Hazard ratios (HRs) of all unadjusted models were statistically significant; however, the HR (0.726, p = 0.0080.001) in the SIRS ≥2 group is below 1. In the adjusted model, HRs of the SOFA ≥2 (2.426, <0.001), qSOFA ≥2 (7.198, p<0.001), and SIRS ≥2 (0.575, p<0.001) groups were significant. The diagnostic performance of dichotomized qSOFA, SIRS, and bSIRS for sepsis was defined by the Sepsis-3 criteria. The mean onset day was 4.13±2.97 according to Sepsis-3. The sensitivity of SIRS (0.989, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.982-0.994) was higher than that of qSOFA (0.841, 95% CI: 0.819-0.861) and bSIRS (0.803, 95% CI: 0.779-0.825). Specificities of qSOFA (0.929, 95% CI: 0.876-0.964) and bSIRS (0.922, 95% CI: 0.868-0.959) were higher than those of SIRS (0.461, 95% CI: 0.381-0.543). Sepsis-3 is a good alternative diagnostic tool because it reflects sepsis severity without delaying diagnosis. SIRS showed higher sensitivity than qSOFA and bSIRS and may therefore more adequately diagnose sepsis.

The clinical differentiation of blood culture-positive and -negative sepsis in burn patients: a retrospective cohort study.

Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's response to infection leads to widespread inflammation and tissue damage. Negative cultures can make it difficult for clinicians to make a diagnosis and may raise questions about the validity of the definition of sepsis. In addition, the clinical distinctions between burn patients with blood culture-positive and -negative sepsis are also poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the clinical differences between blood culture-positive and -negative sepsis in burn patients in order to improve the understanding of the pathophysiology and epidemiology of sepsis in this population. This study had a retrospective design, and the participants were adults aged ≥18 years. Patients diagnosed with sepsis were divided into two groups based on their blood culture results within 1 week of sepsis diagnosis. We enrolled 1643 patients admitted to our institution's burn intensive care unit between January 2010 and December 2021. pH, platelet count, bicarbonate and haematocrit were significant in both the positive and negative groups. However, lymphocyte, red cell distribution widthand blood urea nitrogen were significant only in the positive group, whereas lactate dehydrogenase was significant only in the negative group. Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumonia are common gram-negative bacterial species, and Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis are common gram-positive bacterial species seen in burn patients with positive blood cultures. Carbapenem resistance was found to be associated with an unfavourable prognosis in gram-negative bacteria, with the exception of P. aeruginosa. pH, platelet count, bicarbonate and haematocrit were routine biomarkers that demonstrated statistical significance in both groups. Lactate dehydrogenase was significant in the blood-negative group, while red cell distribution width, blood urea nitrogenand lymphocyte count were significant in the positive group. Furthermore, the most common causes of sepsis are gram-negative bacteria, including A. baumannii, K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa. Additionally, resistance to carbapenems is associated with unfavourable outcomes.

TIME TO ADD PROCALCITONIN AS AN ADJUNCT BIOMARKER IN DIAGNOSING BURN SEPSIS: A TERTIARY LEVEL CARE EXPERIENCE

The most common cause for mortality in burns worldwide is sepsis. American Burn association guidelines 2007 are followed till date. But the conrmation of the sepsis requires tissue/blood culture which takes a minimum of 48-72 hours. Adding Procalcitonin as an adjunct biomarker to the sepsis criteria enhances the predictability of sepsis. This prospective study has been carried rst time with the help of Procalcitonin. The prospective study was performed between October 2019 to October 2021 in the department of burns and plastic surgery wherein we evaluated serum procalcitonin of 52 patients with (30 %to 60%) Total Body Surface Area burns within 24 hour of admission and at the time of burn sepsis suspicion as per American burn Association2007 guidelines .The Positive blood/tissue culture was taken as the conrmatory evidence of sepsis. Patients were divided in two groups, sepsis (Group A) and non sepsis (Group B). All the parameters for sepsis as per ABA guidelines were serially noted . The Sensitivity and specicity of the test was 89.29 % and 58.33 % respectively. 2.1 ng/ml was taken as the cut off value for diagnosing sepsis in burn patient with an area under the curve of 0.78 at 95% condence interval. Elevated Procalcitonin concentrations correspond to the documented sepsis in 30 -60 % of burns which enhances the Predictability of diagnosing burn sepsis .Hence we recommend to add procalcitonin as an adjunct biomarker to diagnose sepsis in burn patients.

EVALUATING SEPSIS CRITERIA IN DETECTING ALTERATIONS IN CLINICAL, METABOLIC, AND INFLAMMATORY PARAMETERS IN BURN PATIENTS.

Sepsis has become the leading cause of death in burn patients. Furthermore, sepsis and septic complications result in significant morbidities and longer hospitalization, which has profound impacts on the healthcare system. Despite this, sepsis in burn patients is surprisingly poorly understood and characterized. This retrospective, single-institution cohort study aimed to increase our understanding of the septic response after burns. We hypothesized that different sepsis definitions will results in distinctive septic trajectories and biochemical patterns after injury. Sepsis was defined by our burn center-specific prospective definition, the American Burn Association criteria, Sepsis-3 criteria, and the Mann-Salinas criteria. Applying these definitions, we compared clinical, metabolic, and inflammatory markers in septic and nonseptic burn patients. We found that the Sepsis-3 criteria are the most reliable screening tool used before clinical diagnoses for detecting sepsis trajectories and biochemical patterns. Moreover, we characterized distinct temporal alterations in biomarkers during the pre- and post-septic periods in burn patients, which may be incorporated into future sepsis definitions to improve the accuracy of a sepsis diagnosis in burn patients.

Elevated Serum Transaminase (SGOT/SGPT) and Sepsis in Burn Patients in a Tertiary Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia

Highlights: There is no correlation between the increase of SGOT and sepsis. Correlation between the increase of SGPT and sepsis was significant founded. Abstract: Burns trigger hypermetabolic stress reactions that cause inflammatory responses. When there is a sustained or increased hypermetabolic reaction, the inflammatory response can be life-threatening, such as sepsis, and significantly impact hepatic metabolic function. After burns, varying degrees of liver injury are usually associated with burn severity. This study determined the correlation between elevated serum transaminases (SGOT/ SGPT) and sepsis in burn patients at a tertiary hospital of Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia, from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2020. This was a descriptive-analytic study with a retrospective cohort design. The data in this study included the demography of burn patients, causes of burns, inhalation trauma, burn severity, increased serum transaminase (SGOT/SGPT), mortality, and sepsis. This study found that the correlation between elevated serum transaminases (SGOT/SGPT) and sepsis was determined using the Spearman-Rho Rank statistical test. Burn patients with sepsis in the hospital were dominated by males (65.2%) and mostly aged 26-55 years (69.6%). The flame was found to be the highest cause of burns (80.4%), burn area above 20% (91.3%), the highest level of severity was major burn (91.3%), and no inhalation trauma (54.3%). In this study, there was an increase in SGOT of 69.6% and SGPT of 78.3%, with a mortality rate of 39.1%, with average inpatient days of 24 days. The correlation test between elevated serum transaminase (SGOT) and sepsis showed an insignificant relationship (p = 0.065, p&gt; 0.05) with a correlation coefficient of 0.200. In contrast, the correlation between elevated serum transaminase (SGPT) and sepsis was significant (p=0.006, p&lt;0.05) with a correlation coefficient of 0.296.

NLRP3 knockout enhances immune infiltration and inflammatory responses and improves survival in a burn sepsis model.

Although sepsis in burn patients is a major contributor to mortality, treatments are not always effective and underlying mechanisms have yet to be completely elucidated. NLRP3 inflammasome orchestrates burn-induced, inflammatory-driven pathophysiologic processes. Here, we determined the mechanism of NLRP3 inflammasome activation on bacterial clearance and mortality in burn sepsis. We obtained tissue and blood from 30 wild-type and 30Nlrp3-/- mice. Mice were subjected to a two-hit model of 25-30% TBSA scald burn followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa wound infection 72hours after injury. We also obtained tissue from 34 adult burn patients (≥18years of age) with early (0-11days post-burn) and later (≥12days post-burn) surgical time-points and ten healthy controls. Murine studies indicated that Nlrp3-/- had 30% improved survival and bacterial clearance at the site of injury and is systemically relative to burn sepsis wild type. Greater macrophage and neutrophil infiltration occurred acutely after infection (12hours) to the site of injury and adipose tissue. This was followed by increased macrophage and neutrophil infiltration to lymphoid organs and liver beyond the acute phase (24 and 72hours). Interestingly, Nlrp3 ablation increased acute systemic inflammation (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β). Septic burn patients had persistently increased adipose NLRP3 by-product expression beyond the acute phase that was more pronounced in late-onset sepsis. Our findings suggest that Nlrp3genetic ablation enhanced acute tissue-specific inflammatory responsiveness. Likely, this occurs by paradoxically increasing acute immune infiltration and inflammation with a non-persistent response. Clinically, persistent NLRP3-mediated inflammation occurs in septic versus normal burn patients and potentially detrimentally impacts patient outcomes.

Скрининг и диагностика сепсиса при тяжелых ожогах

На сегодняшний день много усилий приклады­вается для разработки более точной диагностики, профилактики и своевременного выявления сепсиса у больных разных возрастных групп. Несмотря на современные достижения в профилактике и лечении, сепсис остается основной причиной смертности при тяжелой ожоговой травме. Угроза развития сепсиса у ожоговых больных остается до тех пор, пока раны не будут полностью закрыты. Цель обзора: рассмотреть современные данные литературы по проведению скрининга и ранней диагностики сепсиса у больных с ожогами. В статье проведен анализ литературы с использованием PubMed, Scopus, GoogleScholar и освещены актуальные проблемы профилактики и диагностики ожогового сепсиса, возникающего у больных разных возрастных групп. На третьем международном консенсусе «Сепсис-3» в 2016 году сепсис был определен как угрожающая жизни органная дисфункция, вызывающая нарушения реакции организма пациента на инфекцию. В статье представлены различия патофизиологических изменений в раннюю и позднюю фазы течения ожоговой болезни, когда развивается органная недостаточность. Определено, что при проведении стратификации сепсиса для взрослых и детей определяются критерии высокого, умеренного и низкого риска на основании анамнеза, изменений со стороны дыхательной и сердечно-сосудистой систем, кожи, циркуляции и гидратации пациента. Хотя критерии развития ожогового сепсиса соответствуют общепринятым, однако следует учитывать развитие системного воспалительного ответа с первых дней тяжелой ожоговой болезни, что отличает ожоговый сепсис от сепсиса в общей популяции интенсивной терапии и ­усложняет диагностику и лечение. В статье рассмотрены вопросы информативности биохимических маркеров, в частности динамики прокальцитонина, С-реактивного белка, пресепсина. Сделан вывод, что у больных с термической травмой до момента закрытия ожоговых ран имеют место синдром системного воспалительного ответа, гиперметаболизма-гиперкатаболизма и возможны проявления органной недостаточности. Поэтому многие научные работы направлены на поиск и разработку точного алгоритма диагностики ожогового сепсиса. Развитие генетических методов диагностики ожогового сепсиса — одно из перспективных направлений в прогнозировании и предупреждении тяжелых осложнений, что позволит своевременно спрогнозировать и корректировать развитие сепсиса.

Incidence and Time Point of Sepsis Detection as Related to Different Sepsis Definitions in Severely Burned Patients and Their Accompanying Time Course of Pro-Inflammatory Biomarkers.

Background: Diagnosis of sepsis in burn patients remains difficult for various reasons. One major problem is the definition of sepsis itself. Therefore, previous and current sepsis definitions are a matter of ongoing validation, but a well-defined consensus on which clinical and laboratory parameters to incorporate in such a definition is lacking. The aim of the present study was to compare the incidence and time-related occurrence of septic events according to different definitions as well as their accompanying time course of pro-inflammatory biomarkers. Methods: Across the first 14 days after admission, the incidence and time point of sepsis according to three different definitions (Sepsis-3, Sepsis American Burns Association [ABA] 2007, Sepsis Zurich Burn Center) were assessed on a daily basis in adult burn patients with total body surface area (TBSA) ≥15% admitted to the Zurich Burn Center between May 2015 and October 2018. In order to investigate how well daily drawn proinflammatory biomarkers (white blood cells (WBCs), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), and novel pancreatic stone protein (PSP)) reflect the progression of sepsis depending on its type of definition, a longitudinal mixed model analysis was performed across the first 14 days for septic and non-septic patients. Additionally, the relative increase of biomarker levels 24, 48, and 72 h prior to a septic event was analyzed for each definition used. Results: In our cohort of 90 severely burned patients, Sepsis-3 identified 46 patients (51.1%) as septic, while ABA 2007 and the Zurich Burn Center definition counted 33 patients (36.7%) and 24 patients (26.6%), respectively. Sepsis-3 detected sepsis about 1 day earlier than Sepsis ABA 2007 (p < 0.001) and about 0.5 days earlier than Sepsis Zurich Burn Center (p = 0.04). The course of pro-inflammatory biomarkers was largely unaffected by the type of sepsis definition. Irrespective of the sepsis definition, PSP was the only marker to demonstrate a highly significant interaction between time and group (sepsis versus no sepsis) (p < 0.001) with a 3.3–5.5-fold increase within 72 h before the event of sepsis, whereas CRP, PCT, and WBC showed only mild undulations. Conclusions: Despite the ongoing dilemma of how to define sepsis in burn patients, a continually calculated SOFA score as used in Sepsis-3 is advantageous to early identify a patient’s detrimental progression to sepsis. Inclusion of biomarkers, such as PSP, may help support the burn specialist’s diagnosis of sepsis and could improve the diagnostic performance of current and future definitions in burn patients.

Role of Procalcitonin and C-reactive Protein as Marker of Sepsis in Major Burn Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

AIM: Although absolute values for C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) are well known to predict sepsis, it remains unclear how their diagnostic value in major burn patients as metabolic changes in burn patient mimic signs and symptoms for sepsis. This paper attempts to clarify these points for both of the markers. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Scopus, DOAJ, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library databases for studies published up to June 1, 2020, that evaluated PCT and/or CRP as a marker for diagnosing sepsis in burn patients was conducted. Review Manager 5.3 was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: A total of 11 literatures were obtained. The combined sensitivity and specificity for PCT as assessed by meta-analysis were 88% and 89%, respectively. The combined sensitivity and specificity of CRP were described as 85.5% and 57.5%, respectively. Meta-analysis cannot be performed for CRP parameters because there are only two literatures that include CRP diagnostic test values. DISCUSSION: PCT and CRP have additional diagnostic value for sepsis in patients with major burns. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of PCT are excellent. Although the difference in sensitivity between PCT and CRP is not very large, there are distinct differences in specificity. A low CRP specificity value will show many “false positives” when CRP is used as a biomarker. CONCLUSION: PCT provides a better diagnostic value than CRP in cases of sepsis in major burn patients. More study on combination of biomarker, clinical presentation, and microbial culture for diagnosing sepsis are needed. Further large-scale research with cohort or case control design should be done.

525 Biomarkers for the Early Diagnosis of Sepsis in Burns: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract Introduction Early clinical diagnosis of sepsis in burns patients is notoriously difficult, and many biomarkers have been proposed as adjuncts to clinical assessment. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of all previously studied biomarkers for the early diagnosis of sepsis in hospitalized patients with burns. Methods We conducted a systematic literature search to February 2020 of Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central, Biosis Previews, Web of Science, and Medline In-Process. Only diagnostic studies utilising a sepsis definition of positive blood cultures or a combination of infection, systemic inflammation, and organ dysfunction were included. Where possible, contingency tables were used as reported or constructed from original data using a cut-off based on Youden’s index. Pooled sensitivity and specificity estimates were derived for each biomarker using random effects meta-analysis. Results We included 27 studies evaluating 56 different biomarkers. Procalcitonin was moderately sensitive and specific for sepsis in patients with burns (sensitivity 72%, specificity 74%). CRP was also moderately sensitive and specific (74% and 64% respectively). White cell count had poor sensitivity and specificity (46% and 59% respectively). All other biomarkers had insufficient studies to include in a meta-analysis, however cell free DNA, nuclear DNA, BDG, BNP, and SVI showed the most promise in single studies. There was considerable heterogeneity between studies reflecting different definitions and cut-offs. Conclusions The most widely studied biomarkers are poorly predictive for sepsis in burn patients. Several promising candidates have been reported which should be evaluated in further studies. A standardized approach to the evaluation of diagnostic markers (including time of sampling, approach to cut-offs and outcome) would be useful.

526 Outcomes of Burn Patients with Pre-Existing Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Systematic-Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract Introduction Burn injuries are well known to cause a state of immunosuppression in patients. This can result in wound infections, a common complication in burn injuries, that can lead to sepsis and increased mortality. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is also known to cause immunosuppression in patients. The outcomes of burn patients with pre-existing HIV infections, however, are not yet completely understood. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the outcomes of burn patients with pre-existing HIV against those without this chronic infection. Methods We searched MEDLINE (Pubmed), Google Scholar, Scopus, and Embase for studies that compared outcomes and complications between burn patients with and without HIV. From this search, we screened 445 articles. Through our selection criteria, five articles focusing on HIV patients were selected for systematic review and meta-analysis. Data were analyzed using the Cochrane Review Manager (RevMan) Data Analysis package to produce pooled odds ratios and mean differences from the random effect model. Results Five studies observing a total of 24,419 burn patients, published between 2000 and 2017, were included. Of these, two are prospective studies and three are retrospective chart reviews. The primary outcome of mortality for HIV+ patients compared to HIV- patients had an odds ratio of 2.04 (CI= 0.46–9.14) in the random effects model. Secondary outcomes of sepsis and wound infection odds ratios were 1.47 (CI= 0.44–4.99) and 1.10 (CI= 0.28–4.25), respectively. The length of stay (LOS) between studies showed an overall mean difference of 0.95 (CI=-8.08–9.99). Most studies had a greater proportion of male patients. TBSA between studies ranged from 13.1% and 35%. Conclusions From our results, we concluded that HIV+ had a tendency toward greater mortality (OR=2.04) and sepsis (OR=1.47). However, mortality and sepsis had confidence intervals of [0.46–9.14] and [0.44–4.99], respectively. Therefore, we cannot definitively state that HIV infection is responsible for greater mortality or sepsis in burn patients. Additionally, LOS analysis also showed a wide confidence interval [-8.08–9.99], preventing us from making reliable deductions about this outcome. We believe further research is needed before universal conclusion or recommendations are appropriate.

Variations in insulin requirements can be an early indicator of sepsis in burn patients

IntroductionA >25% increase in daily insulin dosing is suggestive of possible sepsis in burn patients, however, no conclusive evidence is available regarding the time point at which insulin dosing begins to increase. The purpose of this study is to determine the exact time point at which the insulin requirement increases among non-diabetic burn patients with sepsis. MethodsA retrospective chart review in non-diabetic burn patients with ≥20% total body surface area burned (TBSA) during 2010–2018 who received a blood culture for suspected sepsis. Absolute insulin dosing at intervals (0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h prior to blood culture) were Box–Cox transformed and compared vs.−96 h reference using mixed-effects models accounting for within-patient dependencies. ResultsFifty-eight patients (84% males, age 44 ± 17 years, TBSA% 49 ± 17.5) were included. When cube root of daily insulin dosing was regressed on each time point in a mixed-effects model, statistically significant increase in insulin dosing compared to baseline was observed for −48 (p = 0.018), −24 (p = 0.011), and 0 h (p = 0.008). ConclusionDaily insulin dosing increases 48 h prior to development of other clinical signs of sepsis and can be used as a sensitive early marker.

Investigation and assessment of neutrophil dysfunction early after severe burn injury

BackgroundExtensive burn injury results in a complex immune response that is associated with mortality and prognosis. Studies on acquired immune and the development of sepsis in burn patients have been reported. However, one of the main cells in innate immune, neutrophil dysfunction in the burn shock stage has not been thoroughly characterized. MethodsNeutrophil chemotaxis, expression of neutrophil surface markers (P2X1 receptor, [P2RX1]), degranulation (myeloperoxidase [MPO], heparin-binding protein [HBP], matrix metalloproteinase-9 [MMP-9] and neutrophil elastase [NE]), oxidative burst capacity, neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) generation, phagocytosis and apoptosis were measured in 18 patients with major burns (≥30% total body surface area [TBSA]) within 48 h after burn injury. In addition, circulating neutrophils and vascular permeability in mice model with 30% TBSA third-degree burns were also observed and investigated. ResultsNeutrophil functions were reduced considerably in burn shock stage, which was characterized by decreased chemotaxis, phagocytosis and abnormal bactericidal function. Increased release of heparin-binding protein (HBP) and the expression of P2RX1 on the neutrophil surface are related to fluid leakage and decreased chemotaxis during burn shock stage, respectively. The combination of HBP concentration in plasma and P2RX1 expression on neutrophils gives a better prediction of neutrophil dysfunction in burn-injured patients. ConclusionNeutrophil dysfunction plays a key role in the development of burn injury. Targeting the restoration of neutrophil function may be a feasible therapeutic intervention to help reduce fluid loss during shock and the severity of subsequent infection.

Application of Critical Care Scores in Severely Burned Patients.

Early detection of sepsis is of crucial importance in patients with severe burn injuries. However, according to the S1-guideline, based on systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria, the early diagnosis of sepsis in severely burned patients is difficult. The value of the new definition of sepsis based on sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) according to S3-guidelines for patients with severe burn injuries is not described in detail in the literature. We analyzed retrospectively all data during the period 2014 to 2018 from the electronic patient information system. Using the receiver operating characteristic curve, the area under the curve was calculated for the diagnostic value of procalcitonin, SIRS, and SOFA score according to the burned total body surface area. Six hundred fifty-one patients with burn injuries were admitted to our burn unit, 315 of them had burn injuries affecting more than 10% body surface area with partial- to full-thickness burns (grade 2-4). In this group, 59 patients showed one or more septic events in the course of the intensive care treatment, defined by positive bloodstream infection. Both S1- and S3-guidelines were inappropriate to diagnose sepsis in patients with severe burn injuries. Due to pathophysiological changes of the body function in severely burned patients, which show features of both SIRS and pathological SOFA scores (>2 points) at the outset of burn injury, the diagnosis of sepsis associated with burns is intricate in this patient group. Assessing data for potential hallmarks of sepsis in burn patients we found procalcitonin to show a significant correlation with sepsis.

Review of Sepsis in Burn Patients in 2020.

Background: Severe burn injury results in substantial damage to the skin, inhibiting its ability to perform as the primary barrier to infection. Additionally, severe burn injury can lead to critical illness and extensive time in the intensive care unit (ICU). These two factors work to increase the risk of sepsis in the burn patient compared with other hospitalized patients. The increased risk of sepsis is compounded by the difficulty of diagnosing sepsis in severely burned patients because the pathophysiology of large burns mimics sepsis, leading to possible delay in diagnosis and initiation of treatment. Methods: A literature review was performed to discuss and review the diagnostic difficulties and criteria used to identify patients with sepsis. Additionally, the most current management of sepsis was reviewed and described in caring for burn patients with sepsis. Results: The incidence of sepsis in patients with more than 20% total body surface area (TBSA) burns is between 3% and 30% and is the most common cause of death in the burn patient, with pneumonia being the most common etiology. Several different diagnostic criteria for diagnosing sepsis in burn patients exist, however, none of these criteria have proven to be superior to clinical diagnosis by an experienced burn surgeon. As with sepsis in other patient populations, prompt diagnosis, initiation of antibiotic agents, and source control remain the standard management of sepsis in the burn patient. Conclusions: Because of the loss of the primary infection barrier function of the skin after a substantial burn injury, this patient population is at increased risk for sepsis. Because of the pathophysiology of burn injuries, diagnosing sepsis in the burn population remains challenging. Understanding the most common etiologies of sepsis in burn patients may help with more expedient diagnosis and initiation of treatment.