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Background Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) can impact the outcome following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children. We undertook a retrospective observational study to see the incidence, risk factors, and microbiological profile for HAIs in pediatric TBI. We also studied the impact of baseline patient characteristics, HAIs on patient outcome, and antibiotic resistance of different types of bacteria. Materials and methods Data on pediatric TBI patients of age up to 12 years were collected via a computerized patient record system (CPRS) from January 2012 to December 2018. Descriptive Chi-square test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used to characterize baseline parameters. General linear regression models were run to find an unadjusted and adjusted odds ratio (OR). Results HAIs were found in 144 (34%) out of 423 patients. The most commonly seen infections were of the respiratory tract in 73 (17.26%) subjects. The most predominant microorganism isolated was Acinetobacter baumannii in 188 (41%) samples. A. baumannii was sensitive to colistin in 91 (48.4%) patients. Male gender (OR 0.630; p-value 0.035), fall from height (OR 0.374; p-value 0.008), and higher injury severity scale (ISS) (OR 1.040; p-value 0.002) were independent risk factors for development of HAIs. Severe TBI, higher ISS and Marshall grade, and HAIs were significantly associated with poor patient outcome. Conclusion Severe TBI poses a significant risk of HAIs. The most common site was the respiratory tract, predominately infected with A. baumannii. HAIs in pediatric TBI patients resulted in poor patient outcome. How to cite this article Prasad C, Bindra A, Singh P, Singh GP, Singh PK, Mathur P. Healthcare-associated Infections in Pediatric Patients in Neurotrauma Intensive Care Unit: A Retrospective Analysis. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(11):1308–1313.

Background Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) is a grave entity affecting patients following traumatic brain injury (TBI). It presents with cyclic and simultaneous fever, posturing, and other symptoms of sympathetic hyperactivity. Lack of diagnostic tests or biochemical markers and its propensity to mimic other common causes of fever in the neurotrauma intensive care unit (ICU) result in clinical dilemmas and management delay. Case Descriptions We present a case series of four patients (two adults and two pediatrics) with TBI who developed PSH during ICU stay. These patients presented with fever along with variable symptoms of sympathetic hyperactivity. However, the value of serum procalcitonin (PCT) was not elevated, and management of PSH was started. Serial monitoring of PCT helped in differentiating fever due to PSH from sepsis and thus the institution of appropriate and timely treatment of PSH and also helped to use antibiotics rationally. Conclusion The use of serum PCT in differentiating sepsis from systemic inflammatory reaction and its role in the initiation and titration of antibiotics are well described. PSH is a common entity after TBI, causing episodic fever and sympathetic hyperactivity, often confused with infectious pathology. Our report proposes the role of serum PCT in differentiating PSH from infectious etiology and management of two different clinical entities. How to cite this article Bindra A, Chowdhary V, Dube SK, Goyal K, Mathur P. Utility of Serum Procalcitonin in Diagnosing Paroxysmal Sympathetic Hyperactivity in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(5):580–583.

Purpose One of the leading causes of morbidity and early-age mortality across the globe is trauma. It disrupts immune system homeostasis and intensely affects the innate and adaptive immune responses, predisposing patients to posttrauma complications and poor outcomes. Most of the studies on posttrauma cellular immune response have been centered on the T helper-1-T helper-2 imbalances after trauma. This study was conducted to understand the role of circulating novel T helper cells in the acute posttraumatic period and clinical outcome of trauma patients. Materials and methods Signature cytokines and transcription factors of circulating Th (T helper)-9, Th-17, Th-22, and regulatory T helper cells were studied using flowcytometry along with serum biomarkers in 49 patients with polytraumatic injuries admitted to a tertiary care hospital. The patients were followed up until their outcome. The results were correlated with their clinical outcomes. Results In patients who died, higher nTreg, iTreg, Tr1 (early-phase), and higher IRF4+Th-9, IL17+ Th-17, and RORγT+ Th-17 (mid-phase) were seen. However, by the late phase, only RORγT+ Th-17 remained higher. Serum IL-6 and PCT were found to be consistently higher. In survivors, higher Th-3 (early phase), Th-22 (mid-phase), and IRF4+Th-9, IL17+ Th-17, nTreg, Th-3 (late phase) were observed to have played a protective role. Serum IL-2, IL-4, IL-17A and IL-22 were significantly higher in survivors. Conclusion Different T helper subsets were observed to be playing pathogenic and protective roles in different phases of trauma and could be used for early prognostication and make way for noninvasive management of critically injured trauma patients by immunomodulation. How to cite this article Khurana S, Bhardwaj N, Kumar S, Sagar S, Pal R, Soni KD, et al. Crosstalk between T Helper Cell Subsets and Their Roles in Immunopathogenesis and Outcome of Polytrauma Patients. Indian J Crit Care Med 2020;24(11):1037–1044.

Introduction: Trauma is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Trauma patients, who presented to the hospital casualty department within 24 h of injury, further admitted to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit were enrolled in this study. Materials and Methods: The aim was to study the peripheral blood monocyte activity to produce tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1) β, IL-6, and IL-8 in severely injured patients after trauma. Result: A total of 28 polytrauma patients were enrolled and observed that the levels of TNF-α, IL-1 β, IL-6, and IL-8 were signifi cantly decreased and levels of IL-8 were increased in the fatal patients compared to the healthy controls. Conclusion: After trauma, an immediate hyperactivation of circulating monocytes is rapidly followed by a substantial paralysis of cell function. Decreased activity of monocytes can be used to identify potential fatal immunological disruption. Since immunological disruption occurs before clinical symptoms; our study proposes an immunological prognostication score for trauma victims.

Background: There is emergence of resistance to the last-line antibiotics such as carbapenems in Intensive Care Units (ICUs), leaving little effective therapeutic options. Since there are no more newer antibiotics in the armamentarium in the near future, it has become imperative that we harness the interdisciplinary knowledge for the best clinical outcome of the patient. Aims: The aim of the conference was to utilize the synergies between the clinical microbiologists and critical care specialists for better patient care and clinical outcome. Materials and Methods: A combined continuing medical education program (CME) under the aegis of the Indian Association of Medical Microbiologists – Delhi Chapter and the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine, Delhi and national capital region was organized to share their expertise on the various topics covering epidemiology, diagnosis, management, and prevention of hospital-acquired infections in ICUs. Results: It was agreed that synergy between the clinical microbiologists and critical care medicine is required in understanding the scope of laboratory tests, investigative pathway testing, hospital epidemiology, and optimum use of antibiotics. A consensus on the use of rapid diagnostics such as point-of-care tests, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry, and molecular tests for the early diagnosis of infectious disease was made. It was agreed that stewardship activities along with hospital infection control practices should be further strengthened for better utilization of the antibiotics. Through this CME, we identified the barriers and actionables for appropriate antimicrobial usage in Indian ICUs. Conclusions: A close coordination between clinical microbiology and critical care medicine opens up avenues to improve antimicrobial prescription practices.

Background and Aims: Group A Streptococcus (GAS) can cause illnesses ranging from self-limited to severe, life-threatening, invasive infections. The objective of the following study was to investigate a suspected Streptococcus pyogenes outbreak in a high dependency unit (HDU) of our trauma center. Materials and Methods: All the isolates of beta hemolytic Streptococci were identified by standard microbiological methods, Vitek 2 system and latex agglutination tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed as recommended by Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute. Exotoxin genes, including speA , speB, speC, speF, smeZ, ssa, speG, speH, speJ, speL, speM and speI were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The emm types of isolates of S. pyogenes were determined by sequencing the variable 5' end of emm gene after amplification by PCR. Results: In a 28 bedded poly-trauma ward with a four bedded HDU three out of four patients developed S. pyogenes emm type 58 infection. The strain was macrolide and tetracycline resistant and produced the Streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins speB , speC , speG, speF and smeZ . Surveillance sampling was done for investigation from patients, health-care workers and environmental samples. Conclusion: An outbreak of GAS infections was established caused by the uncommonly reported emm type 58. The outbreak was controlled by prompt treatment, intensive surveillance, feedback and training.

We report a case of posttraumatic skin and soft tissue infection in a patient who sustained laceration after being hit by a water tanker. Aeromonas hydrophila was isolated from pus and was identified to the species level by Vitek 2 and a battery of biochemical tests. The patient responded to thorough drainage, debridement of wound and 2 weeks of intravenous antibiotics. The patient was taken up for split skin grafting of the raw area. She was discharged with satisfactory graft uptake after 1 week without any further antibiotics advice. Follow-up after 3 weeks was satisfactory with healthy cover on the raw area and normal weight bearing on the left leg.