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Critical Care
Published in: Critical Care 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research

The impairment of small nerve fibers in severe sepsis and septic shock

Authors: Hubertus Axer, Alexander Grimm, Christine Pausch, Ulrike Teschner, Jan Zinke, Sven Eisenach, Sindy Beck, Orlando Guntinas-Lichius, Frank M. Brunkhorst, Otto W. Witte

Published in: Critical Care | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

A decrease of small nerve fibers in skin biopsies during the course of critical illness has been demonstrated recently. However, the diagnostic use of skin biopsies in sepsis and its time course is not known.

Methods

Patients (n=32) with severe sepsis or septic shock were examined using skin biopsies, neurological examination, nerve conduction studies, and sympathetic skin response in the first week after onset of sepsis, 2 weeks and 4 months later and compared to gender- and age-matched healthy controls.

Results

Skin biopsies at the ankle and thigh revealed a significant decrease of intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) during the first week of sepsis and 2 weeks later. All patients developed critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP) according to electrophysiological criteria and 11 showed IENFD values lower than the 0.05 quantile. Four patients were biopsied after 4 months and still showed decreased IENFD. Results of nerve conduction studies and IENFD did considerably change over time. No differences for survival time between patients with IEFND lower and larger than 3.5 fibers/mm were found.

Conclusions

Skin biopsy is able to detect an impairment of small sensory nerve fibers early in the course of sepsis. However, it may not be suited as a prognostic parameter for survival.

Trial registration

German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS-ID: DRKS00000642, 12/17/2010
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
The impairment of small nerve fibers in severe sepsis and septic shock
Authors
Hubertus Axer
Alexander Grimm
Christine Pausch
Ulrike Teschner
Jan Zinke
Sven Eisenach
Sindy Beck
Orlando Guntinas-Lichius
Frank M. Brunkhorst
Otto W. Witte
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Critical Care / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1364-8535
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-016-1241-5

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