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Background: There is a conflicting body of evidence regarding the benefit of vitamin C, thiamine, and hydrocortisone in combination as an adjunctive therapy for sepsis with or without septic shock. We aimed to assess the efficacy of this treatment among predefined populations. Methods: A literature review of major electronic databases was performed to include randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating vitamin C, thiamine, and hydrocortisone in the treatment of patients with sepsis with or without septic shock in comparison to the control group. Results: Seven studies met our inclusion criteria, and 6 studies were included in the final analysis totaling 839 patients (mean age 64.2 ± 18; SOFA score 8.7 ± 3.3; 46.6% female). There was no significant difference between both groups in long term mortality (Risk Ratio (RR) 1.05; 95% CI 0.85-1.30; P = 0.64), ICU mortality (RR 1.03; 95% CI 0.73-1.44; P = 0.87), or incidence of acute kidney injury (RR 1.05; 95% CI 0.80-1.37; P = 0.75). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in hospital length of stay, ICU length of stay, and ICU free days on day 28 between the intervention and control groups. There was, however, a significant difference in the reduction of SOFA score on day 3 from baseline (MD −0.92; 95% CI −1.43 to −.41; P < 0.05). In a trial sequential analysis for mortality outcomes, our results are inconclusive for excluding lack of benefit of this therapy. Conclusion: Among patients with sepsis with or without septic shock, treatment with vitamin C, thiamine, and hydrocortisone was not associated with a significant reduction in mortality, incidence of AKI, hospital and ICU length of stay, or ICU free days on day 28. There was a significant reduction of SOFA score on day 3 post-randomization. Further studies with a larger number of patients are needed to provide further evidence on the efficacy or lack of efficacy of this treatment.

Abdominal variants of Lemierre’s syndrome presenting with pylephlebitis are rare, and the role of anticoagulation in treatment is controversial. We hereby report a case of pylephlebitis secondary to F. necrophorum bacteremia in a 57-year-old female originating from bacterial translocation secondary to colitis, who developed a favorable outcome with prompt treatment with antibiotics and anticoagulation. We also perform a literature review on similar cases in the literature and discuss management options of this rare but potentially fatal complication.

More severe reactions, higher acute liver failure rates, and higher recurrence rates on re-challenge occur with supplement-related Drug Induced Liver Injury (DILI) (Medina-Caliz et al., 2018). We report a case of curcumin-induced hepatocellular DILI in a 78-year old female admitted with jaundice, with a one-month latency. Extensive evaluation for alternative etiologies of hepatotoxicity was unremarkable. The Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method (RUCAM) score of 6 for the supplement indicated a probable association (score >8: highly probable association). Peak levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were >20 times upper limit of normal. A 48% decrease in AST and ALT levels was observed 7 days after discontinuation of the supplement, and resolution of transaminitis was observed in 42 days. No re-challenge was performed. In conclusion, this case emphasizes the importance of recognizing curcumin supplements as DILI triggers. Furthermore, it reiterates the need for careful evaluation of herbal and dietary supplements (HDS) consumed by patients to identify potential DILI culprits, and to ultimately prevent DILI reactions with significant morbidity and mortality.

Background: Diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) is based on multidisciplinary team discussion (MDD) with the incorporation of clinical, radiographical, and histopathologic information if available. We aim to evaluate the diagnostic yield and safety outcomes of transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) in the diagnosis of ILD.Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis by comprehensive literature search to include all studies that evaluated the diagnostic yields and/or adverse events with TBLC in patients with ILD. We calculated the pooled event rates and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the diagnostic yield by MDD, histopathologic diagnostic yield, and various clinical adverse events.Results: We included 68 articles (44 full texts and 24 abstracts) totaling 6386 patients with a mean age of 60.7 ± 14.1 years and 56% men. The overall diagnostic yield of TBLC to achieve a definite or high-confidence diagnosis based on MDD was 82.3% (95% CI: 78.9%-85.2%) and histopathologic diagnosis of 72.5% (95% CI: 67.7%-76.9%). The overall rate of pneumothorax was 9.6% (95% CI: 7.9%-11%), while the rate of pneumothorax requiring drainage by a thoracostomy tube was 5.3% (95% CI: 4.1%-6.9%). The rate of moderate bleeding was 11.7% (95% CI: 9.1%-14.9%), while the rate of severe bleeding was 1.9% (95% CI: 1.4%-2.6%). The risk of mortality attributed to the procedure was 0.9% (95% CI: 0.7%-1.3%).Conclusion: Among patients with undiagnosed or unclassified ILD requiring tissue biopsy for diagnosis, transbronchial cryobiopsy represents a reliable alternative to surgical lung biopsy with decreased incidence of various clinical adverse events.