Tuberculous peritonitis complicated by an intraperitoneal tuberculous abscess: A case report

BACKGROUND Tuberculous peritonitis(TBP)is a chronic,diffuse inflammation of the peritoneum caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.The route of infection can be by direct spread of intraperitoneal tuberculosis(TB)or by hematogenous dissemination.The former is more common,such as intestinal TB,mesenteric lymphatic TB,fa-llopian tube TB,etc.,and can be the direct primary lesion of the disease.CASE SUMMARY We present an older male patient with TBP complicated by an abdominal mass.The patient's preoperative symptoms,signs and imaging data suggested a poss-ible abdominal tumor.After surgical treatment,the patient's primary diagnosis of TBP complicating an intraperitoneal tuberculous abscess was established by com-bining past medical history,postoperative pathology,and positive results of TB-related laboratory tests.The patient's symptoms were significantly reduced after surgical treatment,and he was discharged from the hospital with instructions to continue treatment at a TB specialist hospital and to undergo anti-TB treatment if necessary.CONCLUSION This case report analyses the management of TBP complicated by intraperitoneal tuberculous abscess and highlights the importance of early definitive diagnosis in the hope of improving the clinical management of this type of disease.

Sensitivity of diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is higher with the automated cell count method

BACKGROUND Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis(SBP)is one of the most important complications of patients with liver cirrhosis entailing high morbidity and mortality.Making an accurate early diagnosis of this infection is key in the outcome of these patients.The current definition of SBP is based on studies performed more than 40 years ago using a manual technique to count the number of polymorphs in ascitic fluid(AF).There is a lack of data comparing the traditional cell count method with a current automated cell counter.Moreover,current international guidelines do not mention the type of cell count method to be employed and around half of the centers still rely on the traditional manual method.AIM To compare the accuracy of polymorph count on AF to diagnose SBP between the traditional manual cell count method and a modern automated cell counter against SBP cases fulfilling gold standard criteria:Positive AF culture and signs/symptoms of peritonitis.METHODS Retrospective analysis including two cohorts:Cross-sectional(cohort 1)and case-control(cohort 2),of patients with decompensated cirrhosis and ascites.Both cell count methods were conducted simultaneously.Positive SBP cases had a pathogenic bacteria isolated on AF and signs/symptoms of peritonitis.RESULTS A total of 137 cases with 5 positive-SBP,and 85 cases with 33 positive-SBP were included in cohort 1 and 2,respectively.Positive-SBP cases had worse liver function in both cohorts.The automated method showed higher sensitivity than the manual cell count:80%vs 52%,P=0.02,in cohort 2.Both methods showed very good specificity(>95%).The best cutoff using the automated cell counter was polymorph≥0.2 cells×10^(9)/L(equivalent to 200 cells/mm^(3))in AF as it has the higher sensitivity keeping a good specificity.CONCLUSION The automated cell count method should be preferred over the manual method to diagnose SBP because of its higher sensitivity.SBP definition,using the automated method,as polymorph cell count≥0.2 cells×10^(9)/L in AF would need to be considered in patients admitted with decompensated cirrhosis.

Comprehensive Review:Diagnosis,Classification,and Risk Factors of Peritoneal Dialysis-Associated Peritonitis

Peritoneal dialysis(PD)is a predominant modality of renal replacement therapy(RRT)for individuals suffering from end-stage renal disease(ESRD).Peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis(PDAP)represents a frequent complication among patients undergoing PD,significantly contributing to adverse clinical outcomes.This review comprehensively examines the diagnosis,classification,and risk factors associated with PDAP,aiming to offer clinical practitioners essential guidance and a foundational framework for effective clinical management.

Neisseria mucosa-A rare cause of peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis:A case report

BACKGROUND Neisseria mucosa is a gram negative diplococcus belonging to the genus Neisseria found commonly in the upper respiratory tract.It is typically a commensal organism when it is parasitic on oral and nasal mucosa.To our knowledge,it does not cause disease in healthy individuals with normal immunity,but can be pathogenic in those with impaired immune function or change in bacterial colonization site.Neisseria mucosa has been reported to cause bacterial meningitis,conjunctivitis,pneumonia,endocarditis,peritonitis and urethritis.However,peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis caused by Neisseria mucosa is extremely rare in clinical practice,which has not previously been reported in China.CASE SUMMARY A 55-year-old female presented to the nephrology clinic with upper abdominal pain without apparent cause,accompanied by nausea,vomiting and diarrhea for two days.The patient had a history of Stage 5 chronic kidney disease for five years,combined with renal hypertension and renal anemia,and was treated with peritoneal dialysis for renal replacement therapy.The patient was subsequently diagnosed with peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis.Routine examination of peritoneal dialysis fluid showed abdominal infection,and the results of microbial culture of the peritoneal dialysis fluid confirmed Neisseria mucosa.Imi-penem/cilastatin 1.0 g q12h was added to peritoneal dialysis fluid for anti-infection treatment.After 24 d,the patient underwent upper extremity arteriovenous fistulation.One month later,the patient was discharged home in a clinically stable state.CONCLUSION Peritonitis caused by Neisseria mucosa is rare.Patients with home-based self-dialysis cannot guarantee good medical and health conditions,and require education on self-protection.

Acute diffuse peritonitis secondary to a seminal vesicle abscess:A case report

BACKGROUND Seminal vesicle abscess(SVA)is the manifestation of a relatively rare urinary system infection.In response to urinary system inflammation,an abscess forms in special locations.However,acute diffuse peritonitis(ADP)induced by SVA is unusual.CASE SUMMARY We report a case of a left SVA in a male patient complicated with pelvic abscess,ADP,multiple organ dysfunction syndrome,infectious shock,bacteremia,and acute appendiceal extraserous suppurative inflammation as a result of a long-term indwelling urinary catheter.The patient received a course of morinidazole+cefminol antibiotics but showed no obvious relief,so the perineal SVA underwent puncture drainage and abdominal abscess drainage+appendectomy was performed.The operations were successful.After the operation,anti-infection,anti-shock,and nutritional support treatments were continued and various laboratory indicators were regularly reviewed.The patient was discharged from the hospital after recovery.This disease is a challenge for the clinician because of the unusual spreading path of the abscess.Moreover,appropriate intervention and adequate drainage of abdominal and pelvic lesions are necessary,especially when the primary focus cannot be determined.CONCLUSION The etiology of ADP varies,but acute peritonitis secondary to SVA is very rare.In this patient,the left SVA not only affected the adjacent prostate and bladder but also spread retrogradely through the vas deferens,forming a pelvic abscess in the loose tissues of the extraperitoneal fascia layer.Inflammation involving the peritoneal layer led to ascites and pus accumulation in the abdominal cavity,and appendix involvement led to extraserous suppurative inflammation.In clinical practice,surgeons need to consider the results of various laboratory tests and imaging examinations to make comprehensive judgments involving the diagnosis and treatment plan.

Three-dimensional computed tomography reconstruction diagnosed digestive tract perforation and acute peritonitis caused by Monopterus albus:A case report

BACKGROUND Few reports have described living foreign bodies in the human body.The current manuscript demonstrates that computed tomography(CT)is an effective tool for accurate preoperative evaluation of living foreign bodies in clinic.The threedimensional(3D)reconstruction technology could clearly display anatomical structures,lesions and adjacent organs,improving diagnostic accuracy and guiding the surgical decision-making process.CASE SUMMARY Herein we describe a 68-year-old man diagnosed with digestive tract perforation and acute peritonitis caused by a foreign body of Monopterus albus.The patient pre-sented to the emergency department with complaints of dull abdominal pain,profuse sweating and a pale complexion during work.A Monopterus albus had entered the patient’s body through the anus two hours ago.During hospitalization,the 3D reconstruction technology revealed a perforation of the middle rectum complicated with acute peritonitis and showed a clear and complete Monopterus albus bone morphology in the abdominal and pelvic cavities,with the Monopterus albus biting the mesentery.Laparoscopic examination detected a large(diameter of about 1.5 cm)perforation in the mid-rectum.It could be seen that a Monopterus albus had completely entered the abdominal cavity and had tightly bitten the mesentery of the small intestine.During the operation,the dead Monopterus albus was taken out.CONCLUSION The current manuscript demonstrates that CT is an effective tool for accurate preoperative evaluation of living foreign bodies in clinic.

Conservative management of multi-trauma induced peritonitis:Experience,outcomes,and indications

BACKGROUND The concept of mandatory laparotomy in treating traumatic peritonitis has been increasingly questioned recently.AIM To summarize and share the experience of conservative treatment of patients with multi-trauma induced peritonitis.METHODS A retrospective review was performed on patients with multiple injury induced traumatic peritonitis.RESULTS A total of 184 patients with multiple injury induced traumatic peritonitis were reviewed.46 of them underwent conservative treatment.None of the 46 patients with conservative treatment switched to surgical treatment,and all of them were cured and discharged after successful conservative treatment.No significant abnormal findings were observed at regular follow-up after discharge.CONCLUSION Conservative management is safe,effective,feasible,and beneficial in hemodynamically stable patients with traumatic peritonitis if there is no definite evidence of severe abdominal visceral organ injury.

Acute Peritonitis at the Reference Health Center of Commune I of the District of Bamako: Epidemiological, Clinical and Therapeutic Aspects

Acute peritonitis is most often secondary to perforation of the digestive organ and/or the spread of an intra-abdominal septic focus. The objectives of this work were to study acute peritonitis in the general surgery department of the Cs ref of commune I in Mali, to determine the frequency of peritonitis, to describe the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects in order to analyze the surgical consequences and to assess the additional cost of treating acute peritonitis. This study was prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional involving 40 patients received in the surgery department of the Cs ref of commune I for acute peritonitis from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. There were 40 patients among whom 28 (70%) were men and 12 were women (30%), i.e. a sex ratio = 2.3. The average age was 25 years with extremes varying between 16 and 54 years and a standard deviation of 11.78. Abdominal pain was the main reason for consultation. Clinical examination alone made it possible to make the diagnosis in 75% of cases. Surgical treatment depended on the intraoperative etiology. The clinical diagnosis was supported by ASP and abdominal ultrasound;performed respectively in 10% and 90% of patients. Appendiceal peritonitis was the intraoperative diagnosis observed in 50% of cases. All our patients benefited from a peritoneal toilet with drainage. We noted a morbidity rate of 5% dominated by parietal suppuration. The average cost of care was 175,000 FCFA.

Peritonitis: Perioperative Care in Surgical Emergencies CHU Ignace Deen

Objective: Describe the perioperative management of peritonitis in surgical emergencies. Methodology: This was a prospective observational study of the descriptive type over a period of 12 months from January 01 to December 31, 2020 in the surgical emergency room at the CHU Ignace Deen. Included in the study were all patients admitted for peritonitis aged greater than or equal to 18 years. The parameters were epidemiological, clinical and anesthetic. Results: Of the 653 admissions to surgical emergencies in 2020, 185 cases presented with peritonitis, i.e. 29.3%. The average age was 38.6 ± 16.64 years with extremes of 18 and 90 years. The sex ratio was 1.89. The comorbidities were dominated by gastritis and hypertension, i.e. 22%. The patients were classified as ASA 3U (52.4%), ASA2 U (39.5%) and ASA 4 U (8.1%). Preoperative resuscitation was provided only with 100% saline. 25.5% of patients had received a blood transfusion. The response time was less than 48 hours, i.e. 77.6%. General anesthesia was performed for all patients. Ketamine was the most used IV hypnotic (56.3%) combined with 100% halothane. The curares used were suxamethonium at (81.6%), Atracurium (81.6%) and rocuronium at (18.3%). Fentanyl was the only morphine used. Senior anesthesia technicians provided anesthesia in (63.2%). Intraoperative incidents were dominated by hypotension, difficult intubation, cardiac arrest, respectively 10.3%, 8% and 0.5%. The immediate postoperative incidents were arterial hypotension, nausea and desaturation, respectively 52.9%, 80% and 32.4%. Mortality was 3.4%. Conclusion: The perioperative management of peritonitis in the emergency room must be as early as possible in order to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Acute Peritonitis at the CSRef of the Commune I in the District of Bamako: Signs, Diagnosis and Treatment

Acute generalized peritonitis is an acute inflammation of the peritoneum. It is most often secondary to perforation of the digestive organ and/or the spread of an intra-abdominal septic focus. The absence of a study on peritonitis in a reference health center motivated us for this work. The aim of this study was to study the inadequacies that could be seen in the management of peritonitis in the CSRef(s). We carried out a retrospective study of 40 patients received at the CSRéf of commune I for acute generalized peritonitis from 2011 to 2012. The average age was 30.1 years with a standard deviation of 3.4;extremes ranging from 14 years to 60 years and a Sex ratio = 1.22 (22 men out of 18 women). Abdominal pain was the main reason for consultation (present in all our patients). In most cases, clinical examination alone made it possible to make the diagnosis. Surgical treatment depended on the etiology (appendectomy associated with washing-drainage was the most commonly performed surgical procedure). All our patients received general anesthesia. The average length of hospitalization was 7 days with extremes ranging from 1 to 15 days. We noted a Morbidity rate of 22.5%, dominated by wall abscesses and a mortality of 2.5%. The delay in consultation and referrals constitutes a factor in mortality and high morbidity.

Effect of different nursing interventions on the incidence of peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients at home: a network meta-analysis

Objective:Bayesian network meta-analysis was used to evaluate the effect of different nursing interventions on the incidence of peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients at home.Methods:Cochrane Library,PubMed,Embase,Web of Science,China Biology Medicine disc,CNKI and Wanfang data were searched to identify randomized controlled trials(RCTs)investigating the effects of different nursing interventions or health education on peritonitis in home peritoneal dialysis patients from the establishment of each database to March 2022.After literature screening,the Cochrane 5.1 evaluation tool was used to assess quality,Review Manager 5.4 software was used to generate a literature quality evaluation chart and R4.1.2 software,JAGS package,and GEMTC package were used for statistical analysis.Results:A total of 9 RCTs involving 8 different nursing interventions and a total of 1011 patients were included in the meta-analysis.The incidence of peritonitis for the eight nursing interventions,ranked from highest to lowest,were:systematic nursing,Omaha system case management intervention,routine care+health promotion mode,PD specialist nurse-led multi-disciplinary network platform management mode,5E rehabilitation nursing mode,routine care+Omaha extended nursing service,one-on-one coordinated family support intervention,and routine care.Conclusions:Systematic nursing was found to be the most effective intervention in reducing the incidence of peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients at home.However,this conclusion needs to be further verified by more high-quality,multicenter and large sample RCTs.

Spontaneous fungal peritonitis: Epidemiology, current evidence and future prospective

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is a complication of ascitic patients with end-stage liver disease(ESLD); spontaneous fungal peritonitis(SFP) is a complication of ESLD less known and described. ESLD is associated to immunodepression and the resulting increased susceptibility to infections. Recent perspectives of the management of the critically ill patient with ESLD do not specify the rate of isolation of fungi in critically ill patients,not even the antifungals used for the prophylaxis,neither optimal treatment. We reviewed,in order to focus the epidemiology,characteristics,and,considering the high mortality rate of SFP,the use of optimal empirical antifungal therapy the current literature.

Efficacy of current guidelines for the treatment of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in the clinical practice

AIM： To verify the validity of the International Ascites Club guidelines for treatment of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis （SBP） in clinical practice. METHODS： All SBP episodes occurring in a group of consecutive cirrhotics were managed accordingly and included in the study. SBP was diagnosed when the ascitic fluid polymorphonuclear （PIN） cell count was 〉 250 cells/mm^3, and empirically treated with cefotaxime. RESULTS： Thirty-eight SBP episodes occurred in 32 cirrhotics （22 men/20 women; mean age： 58.6 ＋ 22.2 years）. Prevalence of SBP, in our population, was 27%. Ascitic fluid culture was positive in nine （24%） cases only. Eleven episodes were nosocomial and 71% community-acquired. Treatment with cefotaxime was successful in 59% of cases, while 41% of episodes required a modification of the initial antibiotic therapy because of a less-than 25% decrease in ascitic PMN count at 48 h. Change of antibiotic therapy led to the resolution of infection in 87% of episodes. Among the cases with positive culture, the initial antibiotic therapy with cefotaxime failed at a percentage （44%） similar to that of the whole series. In these cases, the isolated organisms were either resistant or with an inherent insufficient susceptibility to cefotaxime. CONCLUSION： In clinical practice, ascitic PMN count is a valid tool for starting a prompt antibiotic treatment andevaluating its efficacy. The initial treatment with cefotaxime failed more frequently than expected. An increase in healthcare-related infections with antibiotic-resistant pathogens may explain this finding. A different first-line antibiotic treatment should be investigated.

Spontaneous bacterial and fungal peritonitis in patients with liver cirrhosis: A literature review

Spontaneous bacterial(SBP) and spontaneous fungal peritonitis(SFP) can be a life-threatening infection in patients with liver cirrhosis(LC) and ascites. One of the possible mechanisms of developing SBP is bacterial translocation. Although the number of polymorphonuclear cells in the culture of ascitic fluid is diagnostic for SBP, secondary bacterial peritonitis is necessary to exclude. The severity of underlying liver dysfunction is predictive of developing SBP; moreover, renal impairment and infections caused by multidrug-resistant(MDR) organism are associated with a fatal prognosis of SBP. SBP is treated by antimicrobials, but initial empirical treatment may not succeed because of the presence of MDR organisms, particularly in nosocomial infections. Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended for patients with LC at a high risk of developing SBP, gastrointestinal bleeding, or a previous episode of SBP, but the increase in the risk of developing an infection caused by MDR organisms is a serious concern globally. Less is known about SFP in patients with LC, but the severity of underlying liver dysfunction may increase the hospital mortality. SFP mortality has been reported to be higher than that of SBP partially because the difficulty of early differentiation between SFP and SBP induces delayed antifungal therapy for SFP.

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

Since its initial description in 1964,research hastransformed spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP)from a feared disease (with reported mortality of 90%)to a treatable complication of decompensated cirrhosis,albeit with steady prevalence and a high recurrencerate. Bacterial translocation,the key mechanism in thepathogenesis of SBP,is only possible because of theconcurrent failure of defensive mechanisms in cirrhosis.Variants of SBP should be treated. Leucocyte esterasereagent strips have managed to shorten the 'tap-to-shot' time,while future studies should look into theircombined use with ascitic fluid pH. Third generationcephalosporins are the antibiotic of choice becausethey have a number of advantages. Renal dysfunctionhas been shown to be an independent predictor ofmortality in patients with SBP. Albumin is felt to reducethe risk of renal impairment by improving effectiveintravascular volume,and by helping to bind pro-inflammatory molecules. Following a single episodeof SBP,patients should have long-term antibioticprophylaxis and be considered for liver transplantation.

Assessment by meta-analysis of interferon-gamma for the diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis

AIM:To investigate the performance and diagnostic accuracy of interferon-gamma(IFN-γ) for tuberculous peritonitis(TBP) by meta-analysis.METHODS:A systematic search of English language studies was performed.We searched the following electronic databases:MEDLINE,EMBASE,Web of Science,BIOSIS,LILACS and the Cochrane Library.The Standards for Reporting Diagnostic Accuracy initiative and Quality Assessment for Studies of Diagnostic Accuracy tool were used to assess the methodological quality of the studies.Sensitivity,specificity,and other measures of the accuracy of IFN-γ concentration in the diagnosis of peritoneal effusion were pooled using random-effects models.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curves were applied to summarize overall test performance.Two reviewers independently judged study eligibility while screening the citations.RESULTS:Six studies met the inclusion criteria.The average inter-rater agreement between the two reviewers for items in the quality checklist was 0.92.Analysis of IFN-γ level for TBP diagnosis yielded a summary estimate:sensitivity,0.93(95%CI,0.87-0.97);specificity,0.99(95%CI,0.97-1.00);positive likelihood ratio(PLR),41.49(95%CI,18.80-91.55);negative likelihood ratio(NLR),0.11(95%CI,0.06-0.19);and diagnostic odds ratio(DOR),678.02(95%CI,209.91-2190.09).χ 2 values of the sensitivity,specificity,PLR,NLR and DOR were 5.66(P = 0.3407),6.37(P = 0.2715),1.38(P = 0.9265),5.46(P = 0.3621) and 1.42(P = 0.9220),respectively.The summary receiver ROC curve was positioned near the desirable upper left corner and the maximum joint sensitivity and specificity was 0.97.The area under the curve was 0.99.The evaluation of publication bias was not significant(P = 0.922).CONCLUSION:IFN-γ may be a sensitive and specific marker for the accurate diagnosis of TBP.The level of IFN-γ may contribute to the accurate differentiation of tuberculosis(TB) ascites from non-TB ascites.

Pathogen profile and drug resistance analysis of spontaneous peritonitis in cirrhotic patients

AIM: To investigate the microbiological characteristics and drug resistance in liver cirrhosis patients with spontaneous peritonitis.METHODS: We analyzed the data of patients with liver cirrhosis and abdominal infection at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University between January 2011 and December 2013. Pathogens present in the ascites were identified,and their sensitivity to various antibiotics was determined. RESULTS: We isolated 306 pathogenic bacteria from 288 cases: In 178 cases,the infection was caused by gram-negative strains(58.2%); in 85 cases,grampositive strains(27.8%); in 9 cases,fungi(2.9%); and in 16 cases,more than one pathogen. The main pathogens were Escherichia coli(E. coli)(24.2%),Klebsiella pneumoniae(18.9%),Enterococcus spp.(11.1%),and Staphylococcus aureus(7.5%). Of the 306 isolated pathogens,99 caused nosocomial infections and 207 caused community-acquired andother infections. The E. coli and K. pneumoniae strains produced more extended-spectrum β-lactamases in cases of nosocomial infections than non-nosocomial infections(62.5% vs 38%,P < 0.013; 36.8% vs 12.8%,P < 0.034,respectively). The sensitivity to individual antibiotics differed between nosocomial and non-nosocomial infections: Piperacillin/tazobactam was significantly more effective against non-nosocomial E. coli infections(4% vs 20.8%,P < 0.021). Nitrofurantoin had stronger antibacterial activity against Enterococcus species causing non-nosocomial infections(36.4% vs 86.3%,P < 0.009).CONCLUSION: The majority of pathogens that cause abdominal infection in patients with liver cirrhosis are gram-negative,and drug resistance is significantly higher in nosocomial infections than in non-nosocomial infections.

Diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: An update on leucocyte esterase reagent strips

Ascites remain the commonest complication of decompensated cirrhosis. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is defined as the infection of ascitic fluid (AF) in the absence of a contiguous source of infection and/or an intraabdominal inflammatory focus. An AF polymorphonuclear (PMN) leucocyte count ≥ 250/mm 3 -irrespective of the AF culture resultis universally accepted nowadays as the best surrogate marker for diagnosing SBP. Frequently the results of the manual or automated PMN count do not reach the hands of the responsible medical personnel in a timely manner. However, this is a crucial step in SBP management. Since 2000, 26 studies (most of them published as full papers) have checked the validity of using leukocyte esterase reagent strips (LERS) in SBP diagnosis. LERS appear to have low sensitivity for SBP, some LERS types more than others. On the other hand, though, LERS have consistently given a high negative predictive value (> 95% in the majority of the studies) and this supports the use of LERS as a preliminary screening tool for SBP diagnosis. Finally, an AF-tailored dipstick has been developed. Within the proper setting, it is set to become the mainstream process for handling AF samples.

Effect of alternative antibiotics in treatment of cefotaxime resistant spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

AIM:To evaluate effective alternative antibiotics in treatment of cefotaxime-resistant spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.METHODS:One hundred cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis [ascitic fluid polymorphonuclear cell count(PMNLs) ≥ 250 cells/mm 3 at admission] were empirically treated with cefotaxime sodium 2 g/12 h and volume expansion by intravenous human albumin.All patients were subjected to history taking,complete examination,laboratory tests(including a complete blood cell count,prothrombin time,biochemical tests of liver and kidney function,and fresh urine sediment),chest X-ray,a diagnostic abdominal paracentesis,and the sample subjected to total and differential cell count,chemical examination,aerobic and anaerobic cultures.Patients were divided after 2 d by a second ascitic PMNL count into group Ⅰ;patients sensitive to cefotaxime(n = 81),group Ⅱ(n = 19);cases resistant to cefotaxime(less than 25% decrease in ascitic PMNL count).Patients of group Ⅱ were randomly assigned into meropenem(n = 11) or levofloxacin(n = 8) subgroups.All patients performed an end of treatment ascitic PMNL count.Patients were considered improved when:PMNLs decreased to < 250 cells/mm 3,no growth in previously positive culture cases,and improved clinical manifestations with at least 5 d of antibiotic therapy.RESULTS:Age,sex,and Child classes showed no significant difference between group Ⅰ and group Ⅱ.Fever and abdominal pain were the most frequent manifestations and were reported in 82.7% and 80.2% of patients in group Ⅰ and in 94.7% and 84.2% of patients in group Ⅱ,respectively.Patients in group Ⅱ had a more severe ascitic inflammatory response than group Ⅰ and this was demonstrated by more ascitic lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) [median:540 IU/L(range:150-1200 IU/L) vs median:240 IU/L(range:180-500 IU/L),P = 0.000] and PMNL [median:15 000 cell/mm 3(range:957-23 822 cell/mm 3) vs 3400 cell/mm 3(range:695-26 400 cell/mm 3),P = 0.000] counts.Ascitic fluid culture was positive in 32% of cases.Cefotaxime failed in 19% of patients;of these patients,11(100%) responded to meropenem and 6(75%) responded to levofloxacin.Two patients with failed levofloxacin therapy were treated according to the in vitro culture and sensitivity(one case was treated with vancomycin and one case was treated with ampicillin/sulbactam).In group Ⅱ the meropenem subgroup had higher LDH(range:108-860 IU/L vs 120-491 IU/L,P = 0.042) and PMNL counts(range:957-23 822 cell/mm 3 vs 957-15 222 cell/mm 3,P = 0.000) at initiation of the alternative antibiotic therapy;there was no significant difference in the studied parameters between patients responsive to meropenem and patients responsive to levofloxacin at the end of therapy(mean ± SD:316.01 ± 104.03PMNLs/mm 3 vs 265.63 ± 69.61 PMNLs/mm 3,P = 0.307).The isolated organisms found in group Ⅱ were;enterococci,acinetobacter,expanded-spectrum β-lactamase producing Escherichia coli,β-lactamase producing Enterobacter and Staphylococcus aureus.CONCLUSION:Empirical treatment with cefotaxime is effective in 81% of cases;meropenem is effective in cefotaxime-resistant cases.

Systemic inflammation and immune response after laparotomy vs laparoscopy in patients with acute cholecystitis, complicated by peritonitis

AIM: To evaluate acute cholecystitis, complicated by peritonitis, acute phase response and immunological status in patients treated by laparoscopic or open approach. METHODS: From January 2002 to May 2012, we conducted a prospective randomized study on 45 consecutive patients (27 women, 18 men; mean age 58 years). These subjects were taken from a total of 681 patients who were hospitalised presenting similar preoperative findings: acute upper abdominal pain with tenderness, involuntary guarding under the right hypochondrium and/or in the flank; fever higher than 38 ℃, leukocytosis greater than 10 × 10 9 /L or both, and ultrasonographic evidence of calculous cholecystitis possibly complicated by peritonitis. These patients had undergone cholecystectomy for acute calculous cholecystitis,complicated by bile peritonitis. Randomly, 23 patients were assigned to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), and 22 patients to open cholecystectomy (OC). Blood samples were collected from all patients before operation and at days 1, 3 and 6 after surgery. Serum bacteraemia, endotoxaemia, white blood cells (WBCs), WBC subpopulations, human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR), neutrophil elastase, interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 min, at 4, 6, 12, 24 h, and then daily (8 A.M.) until post-operative day 6.RESULTS: The two groups were comparable in the severity of peritoneal contamination as indicated by the viable bacterial count (open group = 90% of positive cultures vs laparoscopic group = 87%) and endotoxin level (open group = 33.21 ± 6.32 pg/mL vs laparoscopic group = 35.02 ± 7.23 pg/mL). Four subjects in the OC group (18.1%) and 1 subject (4.3%) in the LC group (P < 0.05) developed intra-abdominal abscess. Severe leukocytosis (range 15.8-19.6/mL) was observed only after OC but not after LC, mostly due to an increase in neutrophils (days 1 and 3, P < 0.05). This value returned to the normal range within 3-4 d after LC and 5-7 d after OC. Other WBC types and lymphocyte subpopulations showed no significant variation. On the first day after surgery, a statistically significant difference was observed in HLA-DR expression between LC (13.0 ± 5.2) and OC (6.0 ± 4.2) (P < 0.05). A statistically significant change in plasma elastase concentration was recorded post-operatively at days 1, 3, and 6 in patients from the OC group when compared to the LC group (P < 0.05). In the OC group, the serum levels of IL-1 and IL-6 began to increase considerably from the first to the sixth hour after surgery. In the LC group, the increase of serum IL-1 and IL-6 levels was delayed and the peak values were notably lower than those in the OC group. Significant differences between the groups, for these two cytokines, were observed from the second to the twenty-fourth hour (P < 0.05) after surgery. The mean values of serum CRP in the LC group on post-operative days (1 and 3) were also lower than those in the OC group (P < 0.05). Systemic concentration of endotoxin was higher in the OC group at all intra-operative sampling times, but reached significance only when the gallbladder was removed (OC group = 36.81 ± 6.4 ρg/mLvs LC group = 16.74 ± 4.1 ρg/mL, P < 0.05). One hour after surgery, microbiological analysis of blood cultures detected 7 different bacterial species after laparotomy, and 4 species after laparoscopy (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: OC increased the incidence of bacteraemia, endotoxaemia and systemic inflammation compared with LC and caused lower transient immunological defense, leading to enhanced sepsis in the patients examined.