galactomannan and Bacterial-Infections

The existence of diabetes and microbial infection in burn wounds makes the healing process more complex. Herein, we synthesize a collagen based hybrid scaffold incorporated with a silica-resorcinol composite and cross-linked with an oxidized fenugreek seed polysaccharide to stimulate scar-less healing in chronic wounds with type-I diabetes and microbial infection. The spectroscopic analyses of the hybrid scaffolds reveal the chemical and structural integrity of collagen. The hybrid scaffolds are shown to be appropriate for in vivo tissue regeneration through cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility studies. Scaffolds were applied to diabetic albino rats induced with chronically infected burn wounds with respective controls. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses of the granulation tissue collected from the hybrid scaffold treated animal groups showed improved angiogenesis, reepithelialization and TGF-β3 expression, which eventually led to scar-less wound healing. The results confirm that the prepared hybrid collagen scaffold could be used for effective scar-less wound healing in chronic burn wounds.

Topics: Animals; Bacterial Infections; Burns; Collagen; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Galactose; Male; Mannans; Microspheres; Plant Extracts; Rats; Resorcinols; Silicon Dioxide; Streptozocin; Treatment Outcome; Trigonella

To evaluate the value of plasma 1, 3-β-D-glucan (G), serum mannan, galactomannan (GM) and cryptococcus capsular antigen assays for diagnosis of invasive fungal infections (IFI) in non-neutropenic adult patients.. This was a prospective case control study. Plasma and serum samples from 25 patients with IFI (candidiasis, aspergillosis, cryptococcosis, zygomycosis, pneumocystis carinii pneumonia), 27 patients with bacterial infections, and 25 healthy adults were collected from February 2007 to February 2009 in Beijing Hospital. The serum antigenic assays were performed and their sensitivity and specificity were analyzed. Optimal cut-off level of G test and mannan was established with receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC).. The concentration of G test in plasma of patients with IFI [89.4 (25.8, 336.9) ng/L] was significantly higher than that of patients with bacterial infection [8.1 (5.0, 34.9) ng/L, U = 120.5, P < 0.001] and healthy adults [3.8 (3.8, 26.0) ng/L, U = 76.5, P < 0.001]. The area under curve (AUC) was 0.858, and the optimal cut-off value was 71.7 ng/L. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 65.0% (13/20), 92.3% (48/52), 76.5% (13/17) and 87.2% (48/55) respectively. The concentration of mannan in serum from patients with candidiasis [1.13 (0.44, 1.22) µg/L] was significantly higher than that from patients with non-candidiasis IFI [0.21 (0.14, 0.27) µg/L, U = 19, P < 0.05], bacterial infection [0.26 (0.22, 0.32) µg/L, U = 36.5, P < 0.001] and healthy adults [0.25 (0.22, 0.30) µg/L, U = 29.5, P < 0.001]. The AUC was 0.894, and the optimal cut-off value was 0.41 µg/L. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 83.3% (10/12), 90.4% (47/52), 66.7% (10/15) and 96.0% (47/49) respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of GM antigen to diagnose aspergillosis were 25.0% (1/4), 96.1% (50/52), 33.3% (1/3) and 92.6% (50/54) respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of cryptococcus capsular antigen to diagnose cryptococcosis were all 100%.. 1,3-β-D-glucan, mannan and cryptococcus capsular antigen were useful for diagnosis of IFI in non-neutropenic adult patients. GM antigen did not show a good sensitivity for diagnosis of aspergillosis in non-neutropenic adult patients.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antigens, Fungal; Bacterial Infections; beta-Glucans; Case-Control Studies; Female; Galactose; Humans; Male; Mannans; Middle Aged; Mycoses; Predictive Value of Tests; Prospective Studies; Proteoglycans; Sensitivity and Specificity

The association between piperacillin/tazobactam and the positivity of the galactomannan (GM) detection ELISA test is well described. Little information is available about the kinetics of GM in patients treated with piperacillin/tazobactam. The present study aimed at clarifying the baseline interaction between piperacillin/tazobactam and GM in patients receiving this drug.. Seven patients undergoing abdominal surgery received perioperative prophylaxis with piperacillin/tazobactam. Each patient received three doses of 4.5 g of the drug, administered at 8 h intervals (one before and two after surgery). Three patients received antibiotic batches with 'medium' (GM-index = 1.782) and four patients received antibiotic batches with 'high' (GM-index = 6.665) GM content. Serum samples for GM evaluation were collected before drug infusion and at times +1, +3, +6 and +8 h after the first and third infusions.. GM levels increased after infusion, in particular when batches with 'high' GM content were used. Moreover, a non-statistically significant increase between the first dose and the third dose was observed. All samples taken >6 h after administration were negative (GM-index < 0.2), both with the 'medium' and the 'high' GM content batches.. The low content of GM 8 h after piperacillin/tazobactam infusion suggests that in non-neutropenic cancer patients with solid tumours receiving up to three doses of piperacillin/tazobactam, serum sampling for GM detection should be performed immediately before the next piperacillin/tazobactam administration.

Topics: Aged; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Bacterial Infections; Colon; False Positive Reactions; Female; Galactose; Gastrectomy; Humans; Kinetics; Male; Mannans; Middle Aged; Penicillanic Acid; Piperacillin; Piperacillin, Tazobactam Drug Combination; Rectum