Pharmaceutical care of a patient with antibiotic-associated encephalopathy

Objective:To provide reference of pharmaceutical care for the clinical treatment of a severe patient with antibiotic-associated encephalopathy.Methods:Clinical pharmacists participated in the clinical treatment of the patient with antibiotic-associated encephalopathy,provided pharmaceutical care for clinicians,including the evaluation of adverse drug events and the prevention of adverse drug interaction and development of anti-infection programs by using Pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics theory and therapeutic drug monitoring technique.Results:Through active clinical treatment and pharmaceutical care,the symptoms of patients with encephalopathy were relieved,and the infection was effectively controlled.Conclusion:Clinical pharmacists play a positive role in the treatment for the case with antibiotic associated encephalopathy.

Temporal dynamics of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy injuries on magnetic resonance imaging

Moderate to severe perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy occurs in~1 to 3/1000 live births in high-income countries and is associated with a significant risk of death or neurodevelopmental disability.Detailed assessment is important to help identify highrisk infants,to help families,and to support appropriate interventions.A wide range of monitoring tools is available to assess changes over time,including urine and blood biomarkers,neurological examination,and electroencephalography.At present,magnetic resonance imaging is unique as although it is expensive and not suited to monitoring the early evolution of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy by a week of life it can provide direct insight into the anatomical changes in the brain after hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and so offers strong prognostic information on the long-term outcome after hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.This review investigated the temporal dynamics of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy injuries,with a particular emphasis on exploring the correlation between the prognostic implications of magnetic resonance imaging scans in the first week of life and their relationship to long-term outcome prediction,particularly for infants treated with therapeutic hypothermia.A comprehensive literature search,from 2016 to 2024,identified 20 pertinent articles.This review highlights that while the optimal timing of magnetic resonance imaging scans is not clear,overall,it suggests that magnetic resonance imaging within the first week of life provides strong prognostic accuracy.Many challenges limit the timing consistency,particularly the need for intensive care and clinical monitoring.Conversely,although most reports examined the prognostic value of scans taken between 4 and 10 days after birth,there is evidence from small numbers of cases that,at times,brain injury may continue to evolve for weeks after birth.This suggests that in the future it will be important to explore a wider range of times after hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy to fully understand the optimal timing for predicting long-term outcomes.

Inflammasome links traumatic brain injury, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and Alzheimer's disease

Traumatic brain injury, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and Alzheimer's disease are three distinct neurological disorders that share common pathophysiological mechanisms involving neuroinflammation. One sequela of neuroinflammation includes the pathologic hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, an endogenous microtubule-associated protein that protects the integrity of neuronal cytoskeletons. Tau hyperphosphorylation results in protein misfolding and subsequent accumulation of tau tangles forming neurotoxic aggregates. These misfolded proteins are characteristic of traumatic brain injury, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and Alzheimer's disease and can lead to downstream neuroinflammatory processes, including assembly and activation of the inflammasome complex. Inflammasomes refer to a family of multimeric protein units that, upon activation, release a cascade of signaling molecules resulting in caspase-induced cell death and inflammation mediated by the release of interleukin-1β cytokine. One specific inflammasome, the NOD-like receptor protein 3, has been proposed to be a key regulator of tau phosphorylation where it has been shown that prolonged NOD-like receptor protein 3 activation acts as a causal factor in pathological tau accumulation and spreading. This review begins by describing the epidemiology and pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and Alzheimer's disease. Next, we highlight neuroinflammation as an overriding theme and discuss the role of the NOD-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome in the formation of tau deposits and how such tauopathic entities spread throughout the brain. We then propose a novel framework linking traumatic brain injury, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and Alzheimer's disease as inflammasomedependent pathologies that exist along a temporal continuum. Finally, we discuss potential therapeutic targets that may intercept this pathway and ultimately minimize long-term neurological decline.

Gut microbiome composition in patients with liver cirrhosis with and without hepatic encephalopathy: A systematic review and metaanalysis

BACKGROUND The gut microbiome is associated with hepatic encephalopathy(HE),but research results on the gut microbiome characteristics of patients with liver cirrhosis with and without HE are inconsistent.AIM To study the gut microbiota characteristics of patients with liver cirrhosis with and without HE.METHODS We searched the PubMed,Web of Science,EMBASE,and Cochrane databases using two keywords,HE,and gut microbiome.According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,suitable literature was screened to extract data on the diversity and composition of the fecal microbiota in patients with liver cirrhosis with and without HE.The data were analyzed using RevMan and STATA.RESULTS Seventeen studies were included:(1)A meta-analysis of 7 studies revealed that the Shannon index in liver cirrhosis patients with HE was significantly lower than that in patients without HE[-0.20,95%confidence interval(CI):-0.28 to-0.13,I2=20%];(2)The relative abundances of Lachnospiraceae(-2.73,95%CI:-4.58 to-0.87,I2=38%)and Ruminococcaceae(-2.93,95%CI:-4.29 to-1.56,I2=0%)in liver cirrhosis patients with HE was significantly lower than those in patients without HE;(3)In patients with HE,Enterococcus,Proteobacteria,Enterococcaceae,and Enterobacteriaceae proportions increased,but Ruminococcaceae,Lachnospiraceae,Prevotellaceae,and Bacteroidetes proportions decreased;(4)Differences in the fecal metabolome between liver cirrhosis patients with and without HE were detected;and(5)Differential gut microbiomes may serve as diagnostic and prognostic tools.CONCLUSION The gut microbiomes of patients with liver cirrhosis with and without HE differ.Some gut microbiomes may distinguish liver cirrhosis patients with or without HE and determine patient prognosis.

Innovative diagnostic tool aids screening for minimal hepatic encephalopathy in non-alcoholic cirrhosis patients

In this editorial we comment on the article by Jiang et al.We focus on the Ence-phalApp Stroop test which is an innovative,smartphone-based tool specifically designed for screening minimal hepatic encephalopathy(MHE)in cirrhosis patients.Traditional MHE screening methods,while highly sensitive and specific,are often complex,time-consuming,and require controlled environmental con-ditions,limiting their widespread clinical use.The EncephalApp Stroop test si-mplifies the screening process,enhances diagnostic efficiency,and is applicable across diverse cultural contexts.However,the combination of additional bio-markers could further improve diagnostic accuracy.Despite its promising po-tential,more multicenter clinical studies are required to validate its effectiveness and applicability on a global scale.

Machine learning prediction of hepatic encephalopathy for long-term survival after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in acute variceal bleeding

BACKGROUND Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)is an effective intervention for managing complications of portal hypertension,particularly acute variceal bleeding(AVB).While effective in reducing portal pressure and preventing rebleeding,TIPS is associated with a considerable risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy(OHE),a complication that significantly elevates mortality rates.AIM To develop a machine learning(ML)model to predict OHE occurrence post-TIPS in patients with AVB using a 5-year dataset.METHODS This retrospective single-center study included 218 patients with AVB who underwent TIPS.The dataset was divided into training(70%)and testing(30%)sets.Critical features were identified using embedded methods and recursive feature elimination.Three ML algorithms-random forest,extreme gradient boosting,and logistic regression-were validated via 10-fold cross-validation.SHapley Additive exPlanations analysis was employed to interpret the model’s predictions.Survival analysis was conducted using Kaplan-Meier curves and stepwise Cox regression analysis to compare overall survival(OS)between patients with and without OHE.RESULTS The median OS of the study cohort was 47.83±22.95 months.Among the models evaluated,logistic regression demonstrated the highest performance with an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.825.Key predictors identified were Child-Pugh score,age,and portal vein thrombosis.Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients without OHE had a significantly longer OS(P=0.005).The 5-year survival rate was 78.4%,with an OHE incidence of 15.1%.Both actual OHE status and predicted OHE value were significant predictors in each Cox model,with model-predicted OHE achieving an AUC of 88.1 in survival prediction.CONCLUSION The ML model accurately predicts post-TIPS OHE and outperforms traditional models,supporting its use in improving outcomes in patients with AVB.

Corticosteroids in posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome:Friend or foe?A systematic review

BACKGROUND Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome(PRES)is a complex neurological disorder characterized by symptoms such as headaches,seizures,confusion,and visual disturbances.The pathophysiology of PRES involves endothelial dysfunction,disrupted cerebral autoregulation,and resulting vasogenic edema.Hypertension and other factors that alter cerebral autoregulation are critical in its development.Corticosteroids,widely used for their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties,play a controversial role in PRES.AIM To elucidate the dual role of corticosteroids in the context of PRES by critically evaluating the existing literature.Specifically,it seeks to assess the results of PRES induced by corticosteroid therapy and the efficacy and safety of corticosteroids in the treatment of PRES.By synthesizing case reports and series,this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms,clinical presentations,and management strategies associated with corticosteroid-related PRES.METHODS The review was carried out according to the PRISMA guidelines.The databases searched included Science Direct,PubMed,and Hinari.The search strategy encompassed terms related to corticosteroids and PRES.Studies were included if they were peer-reviewed articles examining corticosteroids in PRES,excluding non-English publications,reviews,and editorials.Data on patient demographics,clinical characteristics,imaging findings,corticosteroid regimens,and outcomes were extracted.The risk of bias was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool for case reports.RESULTS A total of 56 cases of PRES(66.1%women,33.9%men)potentially induced by corticosteroids and 14 cases in which corticosteroids were used to treat PRES were identified.Cases of PRES reportedly caused by corticosteroids showed a mean age of approximately 25.2 years,with seizures,headaches,hypertension,and visual disturbances being common clinical sequelae.Magnetic resonance findings typically revealed vasogenic edema in the bilateral parieto-occipital lobes.High-dose or prolonged corticosteroid therapy was a significant risk factor.On the contrary,in the treatment cases,corticosteroids were associated with positive outcomes,including resolution of vasogenic edema and stabilization of symptoms,particularly in patients with underlying inflammatory or autoimmune diseases.CONCLUSION Corticosteroids have a dual role in PRES,capable of both inducing and treating the condition.The current body of literature suggests that corticosteroids may play a greater role as a precipitating agent of PRES rather than treating.Corticosteroids may induce PRES through hypertension and subsequent increased cerebral blood flow and loss of autoregulation.Corticosteroids may aid in the management of PRES:(1)Enhancing endothelial stability;(2)Antiinflammatory properties;and(3)Improving blood-brain barrier integrity.Mechanisms which may reduce or mitigate vasogenic edema formation.

Probiotics for antibiotic-associated diarrhea:Do we have a verdict?

Probiotics use has increased tremendously over the past ten years.This was coupled with a surge of data relating their importance in clinical practice.Antibioticassociated diarrhea,whose frequency has risen recently,was one of the earliest targets with data published more than ten years ago.Unfortunately,available trials suffer from severe discrepancies associated with variability and heterogeneity of several factors.Most published randomized controlled trials and subsequent meta-analyses suggest benefit for probiotics in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea.The same seems to also apply when the data is examined for Clostridium difficile-associated colitis.However,the largest randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial to date examining the use of a certain preparation of probiotics in antibiotic-associated diarrhea showed disappointing results,but it was flawed with several drawbacks.The commonest species of probiotics studied across most trials is Lactobacillus;however,other types have also shown similar benefit.Probiotics have enjoyed an impeccable safety reputation.Despite a few reports of severe infections sometimes leading to septicemia,most of the available trials confirm their harmless behavior and show similaradverse events compared to placebo.Since a consensus dictating its use is still lacking,it would be advisable at this point to suggest prophylactic use of probiotics to certain patients at risk for antibiotic-associated diarrhea or to those who suffered previous episodes.

Comparison of pediatric and adult antibiotic-associated diarrhea and Clostridium difficile infections

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea(AAD) and Clostridum difficile infections(CDI) have been well studied for adult cases, but not as well in the pediatric population. Whether the disease process or response to treatments differs between pediatric and adult patients is an important clinical concern when following global guidelines based largely on adult patients. A systematic review of the literature using databases Pub Med(June 3, 1978-2015) was conducted to compare AAD and CDI in pediatric and adult populations and determine significant differences and similarities that might impact clinical decisions. In general, pediatric AAD and CDI have a more rapid onset of symptoms, a shorter duration of disease and fewer CDI complications(required surgeries and extended hospitalizations) than in adults. Children experience more community-associated CDI and are associated with smaller outbreaks than adult cases of CDI. The ribotype NAP1/027/BI is more common in adults than children. Children and adults share some similar risk factors, but adults have more complex risk factor profiles associated with more co-morbidities, types of disruptive factors and a wider range of exposures to C. difficile in the healthcare environment. The treatment of pediatric and adult AAD is similar(discontinuing or switching the inciting antibiotic), but other treatment strategies for AAD have not been established. Pediatric CDI responds better to metronidazole, while adult CDI responds better to vancomycin. Recurrent CDI is not commonly reported for children. Prevention for both pediatric and adult AAD and CDI relies upon integrated infection control programs, antibiotic stewardship and may include the use of adjunctive probiotics. Clinical presentation of pediatric AAD and CDI are different than adult AAD and CDI symptoms. These differences should be taken into account when rating severity of disease and prescribing antibiotics.

Preventing pediatric antibiotic-associated diarrhea and Clostridium difficile infections with probiotics: A metaanalysis

AIM： To assess the effcacy and safety of probiotics for preventing pediatric： （1） antibiotic associated diarrhea and （2） Clostridium diffcile （C. diffcile） infections.METHODS： On June 3, 2013, we searched PubMed （1960-2013）, EMBASE （1974-2013）, Cochrane Da-tabase of Systematic Reviews （1990-2013）, CINAHL （1981-2013）, AMED （1985-2013）, and ISI Web of Science （2000-2013）. Additionally, we conducted an extensive grey literature search including contact with National Institutes of Health Clinical Trials Registry, abstracts from annual infectious disease and gastroen-terology meetings, experts in the feld and correspondence with authors. The primary outcomes were the incidence of antibiotic-associated diarrhea （AAD） and C. difficile infections （CDI）. Dichotomous outcomes （e.g. , incidence of AAD or CDI） were pooled using a random-effects model to calculate the relative risk and corresponding 95% confidence interval （95%CI） and weighted on study quality. To explore possible explanations for heterogeneity, a priori subgroup analysis were conducted on probiotic strain type, daily dose, quality of study and safety of probiotics. The overall quality of the evidence supporting each outcome was assessed using the grading of recommendations, assessment, development and evaluation criteria.RESULTS： A total of 1329 studies were identifed with 22 trials （23 treatment arms and 4155 participants） meeting eligibility requirements for our review of prevention of AAD and 5 trials （1211 participants） for the prevention of CDI. Trials in adult populations, trials of uncertain antibiotic exposure or studies which did not provide incidence of AAD were excluded. We found 12 trials testing a single strain of probiotic and 10 trials testing a mixture of probiotic strains. Probiotics （all strains combined） signifcantly reduced the incidence of pediatric AAD （pooled RR = 0.42, 95%CI： 0.33-0.53） and significantly reduced pediatric CDI （pooled RR = 0.35, 95%CI： 0.13-0.92）. Of the two strains with multiple trials, both signifcantly reduced pediatric AAD： Sac-charomyces boulardii lyo （pooled RR = 0.43, 95%CI： 0.32-0.60） and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG （pooled RR = 0.36, 95%CI： 0.19-0.69）. There was no significant effect by type of antibiotic, or by duration or dose of probiotic. No adverse events associated were found in the 22 controlled trials relating to the use of probiotics.CONCLUSION： This meta-analysis found that probiotics signifcantly prevented pediatric antibiotic associated diarrhea and pediatric CDI, but the effcacy varies signifcantly by the strain of the probiotic.

Magnetic resonance imaging scanning susceptibility weighted imaging sequences in the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

BACKGROUND Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)scanning with susceptibility weighted imaging(SWI)sequences plays a significant role in the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy(HIE).AIM To observe the role of MRI multi-parameter quantitative indexes in the diagnosis of neonatal HIE.METHODS The imaging data from 23 cases of neonatal HIE admitted to the Imaging Department of Ganyu District People's Hospital of Lianyungang City and 23 neonates without HIE admitted during the same period were analyzed retrospectively from August,2021 to December,2023.The results of clinical judgment were compared with the results of computed tomography(CT)and MRI examinations.RESULTS The degree of cerebral edema(more than moderate),the number of damaged brain regions(>2),the number of cerebral hemorrhages(>2),and the percentage of small venous dilatation detected were higher in MRI than in CT examination,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The total area of the largest region of cerebral damage and of cerebral hemorrhage observed by MRI examination were significantly larger than those of CT examination(P<0.01).Multiparametric quantitative MRI combined with diffusion weighted imaging and SWI had higher sensitivity and accuracy than CT diagnosis,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The difference in the specificity of the two modes of diagnosis was not significant(P>0.05).CONCLUSION The use of MRI multi-parameter quantitative indexes can accurately diagnose and evaluate neonatal HIE.

Efficacy of Xianglian pill for antibiotic-associated diarrhea: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:Antibiotic-associated diarrhea is a clinical common symptom of antibiotics overuse and occurs in 5%-70%of adults.Xianglian pill has been traditionally considered as an efficient treatment of diarrhea and gastrointestinal diseases for thousands of years.However,no systematic review and meta-analyses have focused on its positive effects.Hence,this protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis was developed to evaluate the effect and clinical safety of Xianglian pill on treating antibiotic-associated diarrhea.Methods:All randomized controlled trials published in Chinese and English and assessed use of Xianglian pill for antibiotic-associated diarrhea will be included.Databases of PubMed,EMBASE,Cochrane Library,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,Chinese Biomedical Literature,Wanfang,and Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database will be searched for randomized controlled trials from their inception until November 16,2020.Primary outcomes will be the incidence of diarrhea and adverse events,and secondary outcomes will be bowel movements and microbiome characteristics.Two authors will extract data and assess the risk of bias independently.Risk ratio will be used to evaluate the results,and meta-analyses will be conducted using STATA 15.0 software.The review aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of Xianglian pill in the prevention and treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

Efficacy of a synbiotic chewable tablet in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea

Infection by Clostridium difficile, a complication of treatment with antibiotics, causes antibiotic- associated diarrhea (AAD) and can lead to colitis and pseudomembranous colitis. Incidence of C. difficile infection is increasing among the elderly undergoing antibiotics therapy confined to health care facilities, conditions that are expensive to treat, decrease the quality of life and are life threatening. Use of probiotics has been proposed as a method to decrease the incidence of AAD in health care facilities. To examine the efficacy of using probiotics, 120 nursing home residents undergoing antibiotic therapy were provided with a synbiotic tablet containing two probiotics, Saccharomyces boulardii and Bacillus coagulans, and a prebiotic, fructooligosaccharide. Residents were evaluated retrospectively for AAD and C. difficile infection. It was found that 95% of residents treated with antibiotics and taking the synbiotic tablet were free of AAD. More than 97% of the residents did not become infected with C. difficile. No adverse effects were reported. Minor side effects, gastrointestinal upset and nausea, were reported by less than 6% of the residents. The cause of the minor side effects was not known. Only 2.5% of the residents stopped taking the synbiotic tablet because of the gastrointestinal upset. These Results suggest that use of the synbiotic tablet prevents AAD and C. difficile infection in nursing home residents undergoing antibiotic therapy. It is concluded that this synbiotic tablet provides an easy to administer and safe approach to controlling AAD and C. difficile infection in residents in nursing homes.

Role of fecal microbiota transplant in management of hepatic encephalopathy: Current trends and future directions

Fecal microbiota transplantation(FMT)offers a potential treatment avenue for hepatic encephalopathy(HE)by leveraging beneficial bacterial displacement to restore a balanced gut microbiome.The prevalence of HE varies with liver disease severity and comorbidities.HE pathogenesis involves ammonia toxicity,gut-brain communication disruption,and inflammation.FMT aims to restore gut microbiota balance,addressing these factors.FMT's efficacy has been explored in various conditions,including HE.Studies suggest that FMT can modulate gut microbiota,reduce ammonia levels,and alleviate inflammation.FMT has shown promise in alcohol-associated,hepatitis B and C-associated,and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.Benefits include improved liver function,cognitive function,and the slowing of disease progression.However,larger,controlled studies are needed to validate its effectiveness in these contexts.Studies have shown cognitive improvements through FMT,with potential benefits in cirrhotic patients.Notably,trials have demonstrated reduced serious adverse events and cognitive enhancements in FMT arms compared to the standard of care.Although evidence is promising,challenges remain:Limited patient numbers,varied dosages,administration routes,and donor profiles.Further large-scale,controlled trials are essential to establish standardized guidelines and ensure FMT's clinical applications and efficacy.While FMT holds potential for HE management,ongoing research is needed to address these challenges,optimize protocols,and expand its availability as a therapeutic option for diverse hepatic conditions.

Can rifaximin for hepatic encephalopathy be discontinued during broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment?

Hepatic encephalopathy(HE)is a formidable complication in patients with decompensated cirrhosis,often necessitating the administration of rifaximin(RFX)for effective management.RFX,is a gut-restricted,poorly-absorbable oral rifamycin derived antibiotic that can be used in addition to lactulose for the secondary prophylaxis of HE.It has shown notable reductions in infection,hospital readmission,duration of hospital stay,and mortality.However,limited data exist about the concurrent use of RFX with broad-spectrum antibiotics,because the patients are typically excluded from studies assessing RFX efficacy in HE.A pharmacist-driven quasi-experimental pilot study was done to address this gap.They argue against the necessity of RFX in HE during broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment,particularly in critically ill patients in intensive care unit(ICU).The potential for safe RFX discontinuation without adverse effects is clearly illuminated and valuable insight into the optimization of therapeutic strategies is offered.The findings also indicate that RFX discontinuation during broadspectrum antibiotic therapy was not associated with higher rates of delirium or coma,and this result remained robust after adjustment in multivariate analysis.Furthermore,rates of other secondary clinical and safety outcomes,including ICU mortality and 48-hour changes in vasopressor requirements,were comparable.However,since the activity of RFX is mainly confined to the modulation of gut microbiota,its potential utility in patients undergoing extensive systemic antibiotic therapy is debatable,given the overlapping antibiotic activity.Further,this suggests that the action of RFX on HE is class-specific(related to its activity on gut microbiota),rather than drug-specific.A recent double-blind randomized controlled(ARiE)trial provided further evidence-based support for RFX withdrawal in critically ill cirrhotic ICU patients receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics.Both studies prompt further discussion about optimal therapeutic strategy for patients facing the dual challenge of HE and systemic infections.Despite these compelling results,both studies have limitations.A prospective,multi-center evaluation of a larger sample,with placebo control,and comprehensive neurologic evaluation of HE is warranted.It should include an exploration of longer-term outcome and the impact of this protocol in non-critically ill liver disease patients.

Does MgSO_(4) protect the preterm brain?Dissecting its role in the pathophysiology of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy

Mitigating preterm encephalopathy continues to be one of the greatest challenges in perinatal medicine.Preterm encephalopathy is associated with high mortality,serious morbidity,and significant socio-economic impacts on the individuals,their families,and public health sectors and welfare systems that last a lifetime.The cost of disability associated with preterm brain injury continues to rise.Prevention of this injury,and disability,would significantly reduce this socioeconomic burden.

Assessment of rehabilitation treatment for patients with acute poisoning-induced toxic encephalopathy

BACKGROUND:Poisoned patients often suffer damage to multiple systems,and those experiencing central nervous system disorders present more severe conditions,prolonged hospital stays,and increased mortality rates.We aimed to assess the efficacy of rehabilitation interventions for patients with toxic encephalopathy.METHODS:This retrospective,observational,comparative cohort study was performed at the teaching hospital affiliated of Nanjing Medical University,from October 2020 to December 2022.Patients who met the diagnostic criteria for toxic encephalopathy and exclusion criteria were included,and patients were divided into three subgroups according to Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS).Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected.The effect of the rehabilitation intervention on patients were assessed in the improvement of consciousness status(Glasgow Coma Scale[GCS]score),muscle strength and movement and swallowing function(Fugl-Meyer Assessment[FMA]scale,Water Swallow Test[WST],and Standardized Swallowing Assessment[SSA]).Subgroup analysis was based on different toxic species.RESULTS:Out of the 464 patients with toxic encephalopathy,184 cases received rehabilitation treatments.For the severe toxic encephalopathy patients,patients without rehabilitation intervention have a 2.21 times higher risk of death compared to patients with rehabilitation intervention(Hazard ratio[HR]=2.21).Subgroup analysis revealed that rehabilitation intervention significantly increased the survival rate of patients with pesticide poisoning(P=0.02),while no significant improvement was observed in patients with drug/biological agent poisoning(P=0.44).After rehabilitation intervention,significant improvement in GCS and FMA were observed in severe patients with toxic encephalopathy(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Active rehabilitation intervention for patients exposed to poisons that can potentially cause toxic encephalopathy may improve the prognosis and reduce the mortality rate in clinical practice.

Classical bovine spongiform encephalopathy and chronic wasting disease:two sides of the prion coin

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies(TSEs)are a group of progressive and ultimately fatal neurologic diseases of man and animals,all resulting from the propagated misfolding of the host's normal cellular prion protein.These diseases can be spontaneous,heritable,anthropogenic/iatrogenic,or in some cases horizontally transmissible,and include such notable TSEs as bovine spongiform encephalopathy(BSE)of cattle and chronic wasting disease(CWD)of cervids.Although they are both unequivocally protein misfolding disorders,they differ markedly in their pathogenesis,transmissibility,and zoonotic potential.While the BSE epidemic has largely abated over the past three decades following global feed bans on ruminant meat and bone meal,CWD,which is readily transmitted through various forms of excreta,has rapidly expanded from its original endemic zone to encompass much of North America,along with recently identified foci in Scandinavia.Most importantly,although the classical form of BSE has proven transmissible to humans consuming contaminated beef or beef products,so far there have been no conclusive reports on the zoonotic transmission of cWD to humans.The underlying basis for these differences-whether host or agent directed-are not well understood,though may be due to inherent differences in the three-dimensional structure of the misfolded BSE or CWD prion proteins or the expression levels and tissue distribution of respective cellular prion proteins.With the uncontrolled geographic spread of CWD,it is imperative that we improve our understanding of the factors governing prion disease pathogenesis,transmission,and zoonotic potential.

Fecal microbiota transplantation in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy:A perspective

Due to its complex pathogenesis,treatment of hepatic encephalopathy(HE)continues to be a therapeutic challenge.Of late,gut microbiome has garnered much attention for its role in the pathogenesis of various gastrointestinal and liver diseases and its potential therapeutic use.New evidence suggests that gut micro-biota plays a significant role in cerebral homeostasis.Alteration in the gut microbiota has been documented in patients with HE in a number of clinical and experimental studies.Research on gut dysbiosis in patients with HE has opened newer therapeutic avenues in the form of probiotics,prebiotics and the latest fecal microbiota transplantation(FMT).Recent studies have shown that FMT is safe and could be effective in improving outcomes in advanced liver disease patients presenting with HE.However,questions over the appropriate dose,duration and route of administration for best treatment outcome remains unsettled.

A Delicate Diagnostic of Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) Revealed by Repetitive Convulsions in a 14-Year-Old Child: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Background: Rare pathological conditions are frequently a diagnostic challenge in intensive care. Posterior-reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinical and imaging diagnosis recently individualized. It occurs in various conditions such as collagenosis or vasculitis of the central nervous system, electrolytic disorders and the use of cytotoxics or immunosuppressive treatment. It is responsible for non-specific neurological manifestations such as confusion, coma, convulsions or visual disturbances. The diagnosis is suggested by brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The lesions correspond to vasogenic edema and are therefore generally reversible after etiologic treatment and control of blood pressure. Aim: This clinical case aims to show the diagnostic complexity of rare pathologies in the intensive care unit. Case presentation: We present a case of a 14-year-old child received in the pediatrics department for generalized tonic-clonic convulsions with tongue biting in a febrile context. Malaria was negative, with hyperleukocytosis, slightly elevated C-reactive protein, anemia and hypokliemia, lumbar puncture was performed and all cerebrospinal fluid examinations revealed nothing. The seizures were controlled by titrated cumulative doses of diazepam with a total of 12mg, antibiotic therapy with ceftriaxone, corticotherapy with dexamethasone 12mg and blood transfusion without any improvement in his condition. He was then transferred to intensive care where the clinical and paraclinical assessment highlighted a neurological deficit Glasgow coma scale of 12/15 and biological hyponatremia. Brain CT-scan was normal. Hydroelectrolytic equilibration was undertaken, antibiotics continued, anti-comital prophylaxis and general resuscitation measures were provided. He regained consciousness on the 3rd day. On the 4th day, he presented high blood pressure and on the 5th, a resumption of convulsions without any obvious biological disorder, cerebrospinal fluid control was once more non-pathological. An MRI was performed and revealed Posterior-reversible encephalopathy syndrome. Conclusion: Posterior-reversible encephalopathy syndrome is a rare disease. It is necessary to keep rare diseases in mind.