OBJECTIVE To determine whether a rapid qualitative assay for the detection of circulating endotoxin (SimpliRED Endotoxin Test [SRE]; AGEN, Inc; Brisbane, Australia) can predict the occurrence of multiorgan dysfunction and hospital mortality. To compare the SRE to the limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay as a predictor of clinical outcomes. DESIGN Prospective, blinded, single-center study. S...

Melatonin, widely used to counter transatlantic travel jet lag and insomnia, is synthesized in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the anterior pituitary gland. Its release into the circulation is stimulated by the onset of darkness, followed by a progressive decrease in blood levels with the onset of dawn. Melatonin administration can maintain the quality of sleep and help to counteract age-induced...

Several research papers published in Critical Care throughout 2007 examined the pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of sepsis and multiorgan failure. The present review summarizes the findings and implications of the papers published on sepsis and multiorgan failure and places the research in the context of other work in the field.

AIM To determine the prognostic value of the biomarkers procalcitonin, interlukin-6 and C-reactive protein in septic patients. DESIGN A cohort of 81 septic patients. SETTING Critical Care Unit. Dr. Peset Hospital. Valencia (Spain). PATIENTS Divided according to sepsis classification (sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock), source and two different groups (medical and postsurgical). VARIA...

  Hydatid disease is endemic in some parts of the world. This disease can occur in any organ. We present a 22-year-old farmer who was suffering from hydatidosis for 4 years. He was admitted to the hospital because of fever, cough, and chest pain in 2004. A chest radiograph revealed multiple nodules in both of lungs. A transthoracic echocardiogram showed cystic lesion in the apex of right ventr...