Protein-Energy Wasting and Mortality in Chronic Kidney Disease

Protein-energy wasting (PEW) is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is associated with an increased death risk from cardiovascular diseases. However, while even minor renal dysfunction is an independent predictor of adverse cardiovascular prognosis, PEW becomes clinically manifest at an advanced stage, early before or during the dialytic stage. Mechanisms causing loss of muscle protein and fat are complex and not always associated with anorexia, but are linked to several abnormalities that stimulate protein degradation and/or decrease protein synthesis. In addition, data from experimental CKD indicate that uremia specifically blunts the regenerative potential in skeletal muscle, by acting on muscle stem cells. In this discussion recent findings regarding the mechanisms responsible for malnutrition and the increase in cardiovascular risk in CKD patients are discussed. During the course of CKD, the loss of kidney excretory and metabolic functions proceed together with the activation of pathways of endothelial damage, inflammation, acidosis, alterations in insulin signaling and anorexia which are likely to orchestrate net protein catabolism and the PEW syndrome

Case Reports: Fatal Necrotizing Fasciitis Caused by Aeromonas sobria in Two Diabetic Patients

We report two rare cases of Aeromonas sobria necrotizing fasciitis with sepsis in patients with diabetes. In both cases, immediate fasciotomy was performed and appropriate empiric antimicrobial therapy and intensive care were administered. However, the two patients died on Day 2 and Day 11, respectively, after admission as a result of multiple organ failure. When patients present with a rapid onset of skin necrosis and progressive sepsis, an Aeromonas sobria infection or Vibrio infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis