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BMC Infectious Diseases Mar 2024Scedosporium apiospermum species complex are widely distributed fungi that can be found in a variety of polluted environments, including soil, sewage, and decaying... (Review)
Review
Scedosporium apiospermum species complex are widely distributed fungi that can be found in a variety of polluted environments, including soil, sewage, and decaying vegetation. Those opportunistic pathogens with strong potential of invasion commonly affect immunosuppressed populations However, few cases of scedosporiosis are reported in immunocompetent individuals, who might be misdiagnosed, leading to a high mortality rate. Here, we reported an immunocompetent case of systemtic infection involved in lung, brain and spine, caused by S. apiospermum species complex (S. apiospermum and S. boydii). The patient was an elderly male with persistent fever and systemtic infection after near-drowning. In the two tertiary hospitals he visited, definite diagnosis was extremely difficult. After being admitted to our hospital, he was misdiagnosed as tuberculosis infection, before diagnosis of S. apiospermum species complex infection by the metagenomic next-generation sequencing. His symptoms were alleviated after voriconazole treatment. In the present case, the details associated with its course were reported and published studies on Scedosporium spp. infection were also reviewed, for a better understanding of this disease and reducing the misdiagnosis rate.
Topics: Humans; Male; Aged; Antifungal Agents; Scedosporium; Near Drowning; Voriconazole; Lung; Brain; Invasive Fungal Infections
PubMed: 38515075
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08279-9 -
The Journal of International Medical... Mar 2024Drowning is a common cause of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. Anoxia, hypothermia, and metabolic acidosis are mainly responsible for this morbidity....
Drowning is a common cause of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. Anoxia, hypothermia, and metabolic acidosis are mainly responsible for this morbidity. Drowning may lead to multiple organ damage, especially cardiac damage, in cases in which severe hypothermia and hypoxemia occur. We report a case of a 4-year-old girl who was admitted to our hospital's Emergency Department because of drowning. She had elevated troponin I concentrations and ST-segment elevation with T wave inversion. However, cardiovascular computed tomography showed no obvious abnormalities in the coronary arteries. We suggest that cardiac damage in this situation is caused by coronary artery spasms. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of cardiac damage with electrocardiographic changes after drowning in a preschool child.
Topics: Female; Humans; Child, Preschool; Near Drowning; Drowning; Hypothermia; Electrocardiography; Myocardial Infarction; Hypoxia; Arrhythmias, Cardiac
PubMed: 38497129
DOI: 10.1177/03000605241233516 -
Cureus Feb 2024Heat therapy, including saunas, jacuzzi, and hot tub bathing, has gained global popularity. However, the escalating incidents of injuries and fatalities associated with... (Review)
Review
Heat therapy, including saunas, jacuzzi, and hot tub bathing, has gained global popularity. However, the escalating incidents of injuries and fatalities associated with hot tub activities are a significant public health concern. This study aims to comprehensively review and analyze the pathophysiological factors contributing to hot tub-related deaths, addressing the need for awareness and mitigation strategies. A comprehensive search of electronic databases, PubMed and Science Direct, was conducted to identify articles relevant to bath-related deaths. Eligible studies were exported to the Rayyan (Qatar Computing Research Institute, Qatar) software for data analysis. The data extracted from the 18 studies were compiled to elucidate the mechanisms underlying hot tub bath-related deaths and to advocate for the adoption of potential mitigation strategies and future directions to prevent such incidents in the future. The review revealed insights into the current trend of fatalities linked to hot tub bathing. A detailed analysis of pathophysiological aspects, encompassing hemodynamics, electrolyte disturbances, serum glucagon alterations, and the impact of alcohol and substance abuse during hot tub use, was conducted. Furthermore, we explored the effects of temperature and conducted a thorough discussion of postmortem evidence analysis concerning deaths related to bathtub usage. Finally, the paper discusses mitigation strategies to prevent fatalities attributed to hot tub bathing. In conclusion, our review highlights growing public health concerns surrounding injuries and fatalities related to hot tub activities. Through an examination of the incidence rates, pathophysiological factors, and proposed mitigation strategies, we provide crucial insights for enhancing safety and addressing the escalating risks associated with hot tub bathing.
PubMed: 38496149
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.54198 -
Journal of Safety Research Feb 2024To increase water safety awareness among young males New Zealand introduced the Swim Reaper program in 2016. The program ran annually over summer and in 2018/19 an...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
To increase water safety awareness among young males New Zealand introduced the Swim Reaper program in 2016. The program ran annually over summer and in 2018/19 an evaluation was conducted. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the 2018/19 Swim Reaper social media-based campaign on self-reported water safety awareness and identify changes in fatal and nonfatal drowning rates for New Zealand resident males aged 15-34 years before and after the 2016 Swim Reaper program.
METHODS
Online surveys pre (December-2018) and post (February-March-2019) Swim Reaper campaign were used to estimate water safety awareness post-campaign relative to pre-campaign using negative binomial regression adjusted for potential confounders. Interrupted time series (ITS) analysis, adjusted for seasonality, explored changes in drowning mortality, hospital admissions and Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) claims pre and post program introduction (2016).
RESULTS
A total of 518 males responded (50.6% post-campaign). There were significant improvements (post vs. pre-campaign) in self-reported water safety awareness. ITS analysis showed a reduction in drowning related hospital admissions post relative to pre-program (RR = 0.47; [95%CI: 0.24-0.90]; p = 0.02).
DISCUSSION
Young males are an at-risk cohort for drowning and creating behavior change among this group can be challenging. Using a unique, humor-based approach the Swim Reaper program appears to be having some impact on self-reported water safety behaviors, as well as unintentional drowning-related hospitalization rates. Further evaluation, more clearly linked to campaign themes, is required to ascertain direct impact of the program.
CONCLUSION
The novelty and reach of the campaign within the context of a prevailing downward trend in drownings may provide support for social media-based programs targeting this hard-to-reach demographic.
Topics: Male; Humans; Drowning; New Zealand; Surveys and Questionnaires; Morbidity; Water
PubMed: 38485362
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2023.11.006 -
Significance of Contusion at the Vocal Cord and Perivocal Cord Area in Cases of Non-intubated Death.Journal of UOEH 2024Every finding during a neck autopsy may be essential for accurately diagnosing and explaining the mechanism of death. In this prospective study in the Department of...
Every finding during a neck autopsy may be essential for accurately diagnosing and explaining the mechanism of death. In this prospective study in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology of Jordan University Hospital, 17 out of 95 neck autopsies revealed contusions of the laryngeal mucosa in the vocal or perivocal area. These contusions were found to be associated with various causes of death, including mechanical asphyxia (such as throttling, ligature strangulation, hanging, smothering, choking, plastic bag asphyxia, gagging, and inhalation of blood) and other causes (such as atypical drowning, carbon monoxide poisoning, head injury due to a road traffic accident, burns, electrocution, and brain edema). This study provides insight into the mechanisms of this important lesion and may contribute to a better understanding of the cause of death.
Topics: Humans; Asphyxia; Vocal Cords; Prospective Studies; Autopsy; Contusions
PubMed: 38479863
DOI: 10.7888/juoeh.46.1 -
International Journal of Molecular... Feb 2024The study of aquaporins (AQPs) in various forensic fields has offered a promising horizon in response to the need to have reliable elements for the identification of the... (Review)
Review
The study of aquaporins (AQPs) in various forensic fields has offered a promising horizon in response to the need to have reliable elements for the identification of the manner of death and for the individuation of forensic markers for the timing of lesions and vitality of injury. In the literature, various tissues have been studied; the most investigated are the lungs, brain, kidneys, skin, and blood vessels. A systematic literature review on PubMed following PRISMA 2020 guidelines enabled the identification of 96 articles. In all, 34 of these were enrolled to identify Aquaporin-like (AQP-like) forensic markers. The analysis of the literature demonstrated that the most significant markers among the AQPs are as follows: for the brain, AQP4, which is very important in brain trauma and hypoxic damage; AQP3 in the skin lesions caused by various mechanisms; and AQP5 in the diagnosis of drowning. Other applications are in organ damage due to drug abuse and thrombus dating. The focus of this review is to collect all the data present in the literature about the forensic application of AQPs as forensic markers in the most important fields of application. In the current use, the individuation, validation, and application of markers in forensic investigation are very useful in real forensic applications in cases evaluated in court.
Topics: Humans; Aquaporins; Lung; Hypoxia; Brain; Skin
PubMed: 38473914
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052664 -
Pediatric Critical Care Medicine : a... Mar 2024
Topics: Child; Humans; Child, Preschool; Drowning; Hypothermia; Rewarming; Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest; Hypothermia, Induced; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
PubMed: 38451805
DOI: 10.1097/PCC.0000000000003411 -
Scandinavian Journal of Trauma,... Mar 2024Improving oxygenation and ventilation in drowning patients early in the field is critical and may be lifesaving. The critical care interventions performed by physicians...
Characteristics and critical care interventions in drowning patients treated by the Danish Air Ambulance from 2016 to 2021: a nationwide registry-based study with 30-day follow-up.
BACKGROUND
Improving oxygenation and ventilation in drowning patients early in the field is critical and may be lifesaving. The critical care interventions performed by physicians in drowning management are poorly described. The aim was to describe patient characteristics and critical care interventions with 30-day mortality as the primary outcome in drowning patients treated by the Danish Air Ambulance.
METHODS
This retrospective cohort study with 30-day follow-up identified drowning patients treated by the Danish Air Ambulance from January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2021. Drowning patients were identified using a text-search algorithm (Danish Drowning Formula) followed by manual review and validation. Operational and medical data were extracted from the Danish Air Ambulance database. Descriptive analyses were performed comparing non-fatal and fatal drowning incidents with 30-day mortality as the primary outcome.
RESULTS
Of 16,841 dispatches resulting in a patient encounter in the six years, the Danish Drowning Formula identified 138 potential drowning patients. After manual validation, 98 drowning patients were included in the analyses, and 82 completed 30-day follow-up. The prehospital and 30-day mortality rates were 33% and 67%, respectively. The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics severity scores from 4 to 7, indicating a critical emergency, were observed in 90% of the total population. They were significantly higher in the fatal versus non-fatal group (p < 0.01). At least one critical care intervention was performed in 68% of all drowning patients, with endotracheal intubation (60%), use of an automated chest compression device (39%), and intraosseous cannulation (38%) as the most frequently performed interventions. More interventions were generally performed in the fatal group (p = 0.01), including intraosseous cannulation and automated chest compressions.
CONCLUSIONS
The Danish Air Ambulance rarely treated drowning patients, but those treated were severely ill, with a 30-day mortality rate of 67% and frequently required critical care interventions. The most frequent interventions were endotracheal intubation, automated chest compressions, and intraosseous cannulation.
Topics: Humans; Air Ambulances; Drowning; Follow-Up Studies; Retrospective Studies; Critical Care; Denmark
PubMed: 38448994
DOI: 10.1186/s13049-024-01189-y -
Environmental Health and Preventive... 2024Home hot-tub bathing substantially increases drowning mortality rates among older adults in Japan. Previous laboratory studies on hemodynamic responses during hot-tub...
BACKGROUND
Home hot-tub bathing substantially increases drowning mortality rates among older adults in Japan. Previous laboratory studies on hemodynamic responses during hot-tub bathing have been inconsistent depending on the thermal conditions. Furthermore, real-world hemodynamic changes that occur during bathing remain poorly understood. This study investigated the association between individual thermal states and hemodynamic parameters during hot-tub bathing among community-dwelling older adults.
METHODS
In this cross-sectional study conducted between January 2016 and April 2019, which involved 1,479 older adults (median [range] age, 68 [40-90] years), skin temperature on the abdominal surface was measured every minute. Ambulatory blood pressure and pulse rate were recorded at 15-min intervals for 24 h. Participants underwent simultaneous living room temperature measurements in their homes, and the time and methods of bathing were recorded. Associations between skin temperature and hemodynamic parameters during bathing and between the pre-bath living room temperature and in-bath maximum proximal skin temperature were evaluated using mixed-effects and linear regression models, respectively.
RESULTS
A 1 °C increase in skin temperature was significantly associated with a 2.41 mmHg (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.03-2.79) increase in systolic blood pressure and a 2.99 bpm (95% CI: 2.66-3.32) increase in pulse rate, after adjusting for potential confounders, including age, sex, body mass index, antihypertensive medication use, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and living room and outdoor temperatures. Significant interactions were not observed between sex and skin temperature in relation to systolic blood pressure and pulse rate (P = 0.088 and 0.490, respectively). One standard deviation lower living room temperature before bathing was significantly associated with a 0.41 °C (95% CI: 0.35-0.47) higher maximum skin temperature during bathing.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that pre-bath cold exposure may increase the skin temperature during hot-tub bathing, possibly resulting in excessive hemodynamic changes. This provides a framework for future interventions that utilize pre-bath thermal conditions and bathing environments to prevent bath-related deaths.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Blood Pressure; Heart Rate; Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory; Cross-Sectional Studies; Independent Living; Skin Temperature; Water
PubMed: 38447972
DOI: 10.1265/ehpm.23-00320 -
Health SA = SA Gesondheid 2024Substance use disorders (SUDs) are on the rise among adolescents worldwide, including in South Africa, causing a significant challenge to parents. Regardless of the...
BACKGROUND
Substance use disorders (SUDs) are on the rise among adolescents worldwide, including in South Africa, causing a significant challenge to parents. Regardless of the difficulties associated with SUDs in adolescents and their impact on parents, current studies on substance addiction have focused on diverse fraternities, excluding social work services for parents of adolescents with SUDs.
AIM
To develop an in-depth understanding of social work services provided to parents of adolescents with SUDs.
SETTING
The study was conducted in two districts, Capricorn and Waterberg, in Limpopo province, South Africa.
METHODS
A qualitative research method using exploratory and descriptive designs was employed. The scheduled interview guides facilitated semi-structured interviews with 11 social workers and 8 parents. For data analysis, Tesch's eight steps were used.
RESULTS
Six themes emerged from the study: (1) social work interventions for parents, (2) family and community-related obstacles, (3) organisation-related obstacles, (4) substance use intervention strategies received by parents, (5) parents' coping mechanisms in dealing with adolescents with SUDs and (6) factors hindering access to social services.
CONCLUSION
The findings show that the government, particularly the Department of Social Development as the custodian of social services, is obliged to develop and design standard guidelines for services to parents of adolescents with SUDs and to provide uniform services to social workers.
CONTRIBUTION
The study benefits the social work profession, particularly in the field of substance abuse because it generates effective parameters for services for parents of adolescents with SUDs.
PubMed: 38445030
DOI: 10.4102/hsag.v29i0.2498