sodium-ethylxanthate and Sepsis

In neonatology, males exhibit a more severe disease course and poorer prognosis in many pathological states when compared to females. Perinatal brain injury, respiratory morbidity, and sepsis, among other complications, preferentially affect males. Preterm neonates (born <37 weeks gestation) display a particularly marked sexual disparity in pathology, especially at the borders of viability. The sex biases in preterm neonatal outcomes and underlying multifactorial mechanisms have been incompletely explored. Sex-specific clinical phenomena may be partially explained by intrinsic differences in immune function. The distinct immune system of preterm neonates renders this patient population vulnerable, and it is increasingly important to consider biological sex in disease processes and to strive for improved outcomes for both sexes. Areas covered: We discuss the cellular responses and molecular intermediates in immune function which are strongly dependent on sex-specific factors such as the genetic and hormonal milieu of premature birth and consider novel findings in a clinical context. Expert commentary: The role of immune function in the manifestation of sex-specific disease manifestations and outcomes in preterm neonates is a critical prognostic variable. Further mechanistic elucidation will yield valuable translational and clinical information of disease processes in preterm neonates which may be harnessed for modulation.

Topics: Brain Injuries; Female; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Humans; Immune System; Immunity; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Newborn, Diseases; Male; Pregnancy; Premature Birth; Risk; Sepsis; Sex; Sex Factors

We reviewed laboratory, clinical, and epidemiologic data on 35 patients from whom organisms belonging to the genus Roseomonas, a pink-pigmented gram-negative coccobacillus, were isolated over a 22-year period (1972-1994). Roseomonas strains were most commonly isolated from middle-aged women with one of several underlying conditions, including cancer and diabetes. Roseomonas was most commonly isolated from the blood, in association with clinical signs of sepsis. Approximately 60% of all isolates were judged to be of possible clinical significance, either as primary or secondary pathogens; 75% of all strains were recovered in pure culture. Roseomonas gilardii was the most frequently isolated species and was significantly associated with septicemia and underlying immunocompromised conditions; the species of 29% of all Roseomonas isolates could not be unequivocally identified with presently available differential tests. Genomospecies 5, currently an unnamed taxon within the genus Roseomonas, was primarily recovered as a commensal from young adults attending a sexually transmitted diseases clinic. The findings suggest that although this genus appears to have an overall low pathogenic potential for humans, Roseomonas species-in particular, R. gilardii-may be significant pathogens in persons with underlying medical complications.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Bacteriological Techniques; Child; Child, Preschool; Diabetes Complications; Diabetes Mellitus; Female; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections; Humans; Infant; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms; Retrospective Studies; Sepsis; Sex

Topics: Adolescent; Child; Communicable Diseases; Genetics, Medical; Humans; Immunity; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Meningitis; Sepsis; Sex; Sex Characteristics; Statistics as Topic

Topics: Black People; Diabetes Mellitus; Diagnosis, Differential; Endocarditis; Endocarditis, Bacterial; Heart Diseases; Hemorrhage; Hepatic Encephalopathy; Hernia, Inguinal; Humans; Lung Diseases; Nails; Peritoneal Dialysis; Pyelonephritis; Sepsis; Sex; Statistics as Topic

Topics: Aging; Angiotensins; Bacteremia; Bacteroides; Chloramphenicol; Colistin; Drug Therapy; Enterobacter aerogenes; Escherichia coli Infections; Humans; Iatrogenic Disease; Kanamycin; Metaraminol; Polymyxins; Postoperative Complications; Proteus; Pseudomonas Infections; Sepsis; Sex; Streptomycin; Sympatholytics; Tetracycline; Urinary Tract Infections

Topics: Accident Prevention; Adolescent; Black People; Bronchopneumonia; Burns; Burns, Inhalation; Child; Classification; Geriatrics; Humans; Infusions, Parenteral; Mortality; Pathology; Peptic Ulcer; Prognosis; Sepsis; Sex; Statistics as Topic; Tennessee; Tracheotomy; White People