Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is suitablefor high-throughput and rapid diagnostics at low costs and can be considered an alternative for conventional biochemical and molecular identification systems in a conventional microbiological laboratory. First, we evaluated MALDI-TOF MS using 327 clinical isolates previously cultured from patient materials and identified by conventional techniques (Vitek-II, API, and biochemical tests). Discrepancies were analyzed by molecular analysis of the 16S genes. Of 327 isolates, 95.1% were identified correctly to genus level, and 85.6% were identified to species level by MALDI-TOF MS. Second, we performed a prospective validation study, including 980 clinical isolates of bacteria and yeasts. Overall performance of MALDI-TOF MS was significantly better than conventional biochemical systems for correct species identification (92.2% and 83.1%, respectively) and produced fewer incorrect genus identifications (0.1% and 1.6%, respectively). Correct species identification by MALDI-TOF MS was observed in 97.7% of Enterobacteriaceae, 92% of nonfermentative Gram-negative bacteria, 94.3% of staphylococci, 84.8% of streptococci, 84% of a miscellaneous group (mainly Haemophilus, Actinobacillus, Cardiobacterium, Eikenella, and Kingella [HACEK]), and 85.2% of yeasts. MALDI-TOF MS had significantly better performance than conventional methods for species identification of staphylococci and genus identification of bacteria belonging to HACEK group. Misidentifications by MALDI-TOF MS were clearly associated with an absence of sufficient spectra from suitable reference strains in the MALDI-TOF MS database. We conclude that MALDI-TOF MS can be implemented easily for routine identification of bacteria (except for pneumococci and viridans streptococci) and yeasts in a medical microbiological laboratory.

Human sepsis and endotoxemia are associated with enhanced release of MRP8/14. In abdominal sepsis, MRP8/14 likely occurs primarily at the site of the infection, facilitating bacterial dissemination at an early phase and liver injury.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) contributes importantly to morbidity and mortality in sepsis. Bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase (BIAP) was demonstrated to detoxify LPS through dephosphorylation. LPS injection combined with BIAP reduced inflammation and improved survival in various experimental settings. In this study, single-dose intravenous administration of BIAP (0.15 IU/g) was applied in a murine cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model of polymicrobial sepsis. Saline was given as control (S group). Treatment with BIAP prior to CLP (prophylaxis; BIAP-P group) or shortly after (early treatment; BIAP-ET group) reduced cytokine concentrations in plasma and peritoneal lavage fluid (PLF). Tumor necrosis factor-alpha peak levels decreased from 170 pg/ml (S) to 57.5 (BIAP-P) and 82.5 (BIAP-ET) in plasma and in PLF from 57.5 pg/ml (S) to 35.3 (BIAP-P) and 16.8 (BIAP-ET) (all, P < 0.05). Peak interleukin-6 levels in plasma decreased from 19.3 ng/ml (S) to 3.4 (BIAP-P) and 11.5 (BIAP-ET) and in PLF from 32.6 ng/ml (S) to 13.4 (BIAP-P) and 10.9 (BIAP-ET) (all, P < 0.05). Macrophage chemoattractant protein 1 peak levels in plasma decreased from 2.0 ng/ml (S) to 1.0 (BIAP-P) and 0.7 (BIAP-ET) and in PLF from 6.4 (S) to 2.3 (BIAP-P) and 1.3 ng/ml (BIAP-ET) (all, P < 0.05). BIAP-treated groups showed decreased transaminase activity in plasma and decreased myeloperoxidase activity in the lung, indicating reduced associated hepatocellular and pulmonary damage. Survival was not significantly altered by BIAP in this single-dose regimen. In polymicrobial secondary peritonitis, both prophylactic and early BIAP treatment attenuates the inflammatory response both locally and systemically and reduces associated liver and lung damage.Secondary peritonitis can ultimately lead to sepsis with shock and/or organ failure and is associated with high morbidity and mortality (30 to 40%) (5). Both secondary peritonitis and sepsis are characterized by an excessive inflammatory response (7, 28). Activation of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators in these conditions are induced by endotoxins, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is an important contributor to morbidity and mortality (28). LPS is a component of the outer leaflet of gram-negative bacteria. It is a complex and negatively charged molecule composed of a polysaccharide chain (O-specific chain) and a toxic lipid moiety (lipid A). The two phosphate groups of lipid A are essential for its immunostimulatory characteristics (2, 7). Intravenous (i.v.) injection of LPS leads to a generalized inflammatory response (29). The dephosphorylation product of lipid A, monophosphoryl lipid A, is a nontoxic derivative that does not evoke major inflammatory response (2) and is known to induce tolerance (1, 34). Therefore, LPS (and, in particular, lipid A) is a potential therapeutic target in sepsis (7, 11). Many sepsis therapies have aimed to block the effect of LPS by using antisera (6, 35) and anti-LPS antibodies (20) or by binding LPS with LPS-binding protein (8) or high-density lipoprotein (1...

In severe sepsis, the kinetics of HMGB1 release may differ depending on the primary source of infection. In patients with severe infection, HMGB1 release may predominantly occur at the site of infection.