Nosocomial sepsis associated with interleukin-2

Article Abstract:

Interleukin-2 (IL-2), a substance released by white blood cells known as lymphocytes, enhances the growth of T lymphocytes, a type of immune or natural defense cell. Growth of T-lymphocytes with IL-2 produces lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells, which destroy tumor cells. IL-2 with or without LAK cells has been used to treat kidney cancer, but is associated with several toxic side effects, including infection. The incidence, extent, and risk factors for nosocomial (hospital-acquired) bacteremia, or bacterial infection of the blood, were assessed in patients given IL-2 with or without LAK cells over a 28-month period for treatment of cancer. Twenty of 107 IL-treated patients developed sepsis or infection of the blood, 12 cases of which were associated with contamination of the intravenous catheter, a tube-like structure use to deliver medications directly into the circulation. The prevalence of bacteremia was 2.8 percent among patients receiving nutrient fluids by intravenous catheter, 4.1 percent among patients of the surgical intensive care unit, and 1.9 percent among patients with solid tumors. The types of bacteria causing the infections were Staphylococcus aureus in 13 cases, S. epidermis in 5 cases, and Escherichia coli in two cases. Two patients died and six patients developed further complications, mainly involving the blood vessels. The findings show that the incidence of Staphylococcus bacteremia is elevated among patients receiving IL-2, and is associated with deaths and toxic reactions. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Nosocomial infections, Cross infection, Interleukin-2, Staphylococcal infections

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Vaccine-associated measles pneumonitis in an adult with AIDS

Article Abstract:

There may health complications to be considered in the use of measles vaccine in patients with AIDS. A young man with AIDS was diagnosed with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia which appeared in October of 1992. Closer examination revealed that he had received a measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) booster shot one month before. After the patient's death, it was determined that the measles virus was not wild-type but could have only come from a vaccine. Previously, MMR had been considered completely safe.

Complications and side effects, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, Measles vaccine, Measles vaccines

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Clinical Utility of Blood Cultures Drawn from Indwelling Central Venous Catheters in Hospitalized Patients with Cancer

Article Abstract:

Blood which is drawn through a central venous catheter and cultured has low positive predictive value regarding possible infection, while a culture of blood drawn through either the central catheter or a peripheral vein shows excellent negative predictive value. The use of a catheter to acquire blood for culture may be useful for ruling out bloodstream infections, but a positive result from catheter-drawn blood will need clinical interpretation and may require confirmation.

Blood, Intravenous catheterization, Blood chemical analysis

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