Objective To detect the changes of function of blood-aqueous barrier in different Syndrome stages of patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome in order to provide the appropriate therapy. Methods According to clinical manifestation, 77 patients (144 eyes) with VKH syndrome were divided into 4 groups: 10 cases in posterior uvietis stage group (20 eyes), 27 in anterior uveal involvement stage group (50 eyes), 23 in recurrent anterior uvitis stage group (41 eyes), and 17 in convalescent stage group (33 eyes). The other 50 cases (100 eyes) were in the control group. Flare and cells of anterior chamber in patient with VKH Syndrome at different stages were graded and measured by laser flare and cell meter (LFCM) and slitlamp microscope. Results According to the results of slitlamp biomicroscopy, anterior chamber flare and cells were at the 0 grade in the patients at posterior uvietis stage (20 eyes). The results of LFCM examination revealed that the flare value and cells were (9.7±3.4) pc/ms and (0.9±0.6)/0.5 mm3 in posterior uvietis stage group, and (5.3±2.3) pc/ms and (0.8±0.6)/0.5 mm3 in the control group. The differences between the two groups were significant (Plt;0.001) and insignificant (P=0.899), respectively. In anterior uveal involvement stage group, the cells in anterior chamber was at grade 1+ in 25 eyes, 2+ in 19, and 3+ in 6, respectively, while the flare was at grade 1+in 27 eyes and 2+ in 23; the number of cells in anterior chamber was (13.7±6.5)/0.5 mm3，(40.8±17.6)/0.5 mm3, and (75.7±25.5)/ 0.5 mm3 respectively, and the value of flare was (31.4±12.8) pc/ms and (133.4±59.5) pc/ms. In recurrent anterior uvitis stage group, the cells in anterior chamber was at grade 1+ in 19 eyes, 2+ in 15, and 3+ in 7, respectively, while the flare was at grade 1+ in 24 eyes and 2+ in 17; the number of cells in anterior chamber was (11.2±5.4)/0.5 mm3，(29.6±14.4 )/0.5 mm3,and (69.3±22.2)/0.5 mm3, respectively, and the value of flare was (34.94±14.3) pc/ms and (150.9±83.3) pc/ms. The flare and cells in anterior chamber both in anterior uveal involvement stage and recurrent anterior uvitis stage group were higher than that in the control group (Plt;0.001). In convalescent stage group, the cells was at grade 0 in 33 eyes and the flare was at grade 0 in 15 eyes and 1+ in 18; while the number of cells was (1.0±0.7)/0.5 mm3 which was insignificantly differed from that in the control group (P=0.310), and the value of flare was (9.5±4.8) pc/ms and (30.0±12.3) pc/ms which were both higher than that in the control group (Plt;0.001). Conclusions The breakdown of blood-aqueous barrier with different degrees occurs at each stage in VKH syndrome, whereas inflammatory cells appearing in anterior chamber are only noted at some certain stages. This is very significant to offer directional and effective treatment to the patients with VKH syndrome. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2005, 21: 363-366)
Cryptococcosis, mainly caused by Cryptococcus neoformans/gattii species complexes, is a lethal infection in both immunosuppressive and immunocompetent populations. With the upgrade of detection methods and the increase of clinical knowledge, the incidence rate of cryptococcosis is increasing, and it has become one of the most important fungi threatening human health. In recent years, great progress has been made in this field, including the taxonomy and nomenclature of Cryptococcus spp., laboratory diagnostic methods and antifungal susceptibility tests, as well as the characteristics and treatments of cryptococcosis. This article reviews the above contents, in order to improve the clinical and laboratory understanding of the Cryptococcus spp., and realize the timely diagnosis and early treatment of cryptococcosis.
Objective To systematically review the risk factors for death in children with tuberculous meningitis (TBM). Methods The CNKI, VIP, WanFang Data, CBM, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, EMbase and CINAHL databases were electronically searched to collect studies on the risk factors for death in children with TBM from inception to October 2022. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed by using RevMan 5.3 software. Results A total of 15 studies involving 2 597 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that male (OR=2.41, 95%CI 1.61 to 3.61, P<0.01), no history of BCG vaccination (OR=3.74, 95%CI 1.96 to 7.12, P<0.01), TBM stage (stage Ⅲ) (OR=2.04, 95%CI 1.26 to 3.28, P<0.01), HIV infection (OR=3.28, 95%CI 1.20 to 8.93, P=0.02), convulsion (OR=3.61, 95%CI 3.31 to 3.94, P<0.01), disturbance of consciousness (OR=3.58, 95%CI 2.40 to 5.34, P<0.01), cerebrospinal fluid protein concentration increased (OR=1.87, 95%CI 1.39 to 2.51, P<0.01), hydrocephalus (OR=2.44, 95%CI 1.60 to 3.71, P<0.01) and short hospitalization (OR=2.89, 95%CI 2.05 to 4.06, P<0.01) were risk factors for death in children with TBM. Under 5 years old, negative PPD skin test, positive meningeal irritation sign, malnutrition and history of contact with TB may not be associated with the death of TBM in children. Conclusion Male, no history of BCG vaccination, TBM stage (stage Ⅲ), HIV infection, convulsions, disturbance of consciousness, cerebrospinal fluid protein concentration increased, hydrocephalus and short hospitalization are risk factors for death in children with TBM. Due to the limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.
ObjectiveTo investigate the epidemiological and economic burden of acute meningitis and encephalitis syndrome (AMES) in Jinan, so as to provide references for prevention and control of AMES. MethodsThe monitoring data of the AMES Special Reporting System of Jinan City from 2007 to 2014 was collected and the epidemiological characteristics of AMES were analyzed. A questionnaire survey was performed in AMES patients reported in 2013 to collect the basic information, prognosis, medical and non-medical expenses etc. of patients. The DALYs and economic burden of AMES were estimated by using SPSS 13.0 software. ResultsThe average incidence rate of AMES in Jinan was 8.49/100 000 through 2007 to 2014 and the mortality was 4.96‰. The total DALYs were 36 659.51 and the average DALY was 8.27.77.86% were aged less than 14 years old. The average direct economic burden of each case was 19.5 thousand RMB and the average indirect economic burden caused by DALYs was 69.1 thousand RMB. ConclusionThere's heavy burden from AMES, and measures should be made to reduce the incidence and economic burden.
Objective To explore the predictive factors for long-term adverse prognosis in patients with tuberculosis meningitis. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data (general clinical data, laboratory test results, and imaging findings) of hospitalized cases of tuberculosis meningitis admitted to West China Hospital of Sichuan University from 00:00:00 on August 1st, 2011 to 23:59:59 on July 31st, 2012. We collected data of prognosis results after 6 years of illness by telephone follow-up, and quantified outcome measures by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score (0–6 points). According to the mRS score, the cases obtaining 0 points≤mRS<3 points were divided into the good prognosis group and the cases obtaining 3≤mRS≤6 points were divided into the poor prognosis group, logistic regression analysis was executed to find the independent risk factors affecting long-term poor prognosis. Results A total of 119 cases were included, including 63 males and 56 females; the average age was (35±17) years. Among them, 53 patients had poor prognosis and 66 patients had good prognosis. After univariate analysis, the age (t=–3.812, P<0.001), systolic blood pressure at admission (t=–2.009, P=0.049), Glasgow Coma Scale score (t=3.987, P<0.001), Medical Research Council (MRC) staging system (Z=–4.854, P<0.001), headache (χ2=4.101, P=0.043), alter consciousness (χ2=10.621, P=0.001), cognitive dysfunction (χ2=4.075, P=0.044), cranial nerve palsy (χ2=5.853, P=0.016), peripheral nerve dysfunction (χ2=14.925, P<0.001), meningeal irritation (χ2=7.174, P=0.007), serum potassium (t=3.080, P=0.003), cerebrospinal fluid protein content (Z=–2.568, P=0.010), cerebrospinal fluid chlorine (t=2.543, P=0.012), hydrocephalus (χ2=11.766, P=0.001), and cerebral infarction (χ2=6.539, P=0.012) were associated with long-term poor prognosis of tuberculosis meningitis. Multivariate analysis showed that age [odds ratio (OR)=1.061, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.027, 1.096), P<0.001], peripheral nerve dysfunction [OR=3.537, 95%CI (1.070, 11.697), P=0.038], MRC Stage Ⅱ[OR=9.317, 95%CI (1.692, 51.303), P=0.010], MRC Stage Ⅲ [OR=43.953, 95%CI (3.996, 483.398), P=0.002] were the independent risk factors for long-term poor prognosis of tuberculosis meningitis. Hydrocephalus [OR=2.826, 95%CI (0.999, 8.200), P=0.050] might be an independent risk factor for long-term poor prognosis of tuberculosis meningitis. Conclusions Age, MRC staging system (Stage Ⅱ, Stage Ⅲ) and peripheral neurological dysfunction are chronic poor-prognostic independent risk factors for tuberculosis meningitis. Hydrocephalus may be associated with long-term adverse prognosis of tuberculosis meningitis
Objectives We tended to evaluate the effectiveness of prophylactic antibiotics for preventing meningitis in patients with BSF. Method We searched the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2005), MEDLINE (1966 to September 2005), EMBASE (1974 to June 2005), and LILACS (1982 to September 2005). We also performed an electronic search of meeting proceedings from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (1997 to September 2005) and handsearched the abstracts of meeting proceedings of the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (1995, 1999 and 2003). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing any antibiotic versus placebo or no intervention were identified. We also identified non-RCTs to perform a separate meta-analysis to compare results. At least two authors independently appraised the quality and extracted the data of each trial. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 4.2 software. Results Five RCTs and 17 non-RCTs comparing different types of antibiotic prophylaxis with placebo or no intervention in patients with BSF were identified. Most trials presented insufficient methodological detail. All studies included meningitis in their primary outcome. Overall, we evaluated 208 participants from the four RCTs that were considered suitable for inclusion in the meta-analysis. There were no significant differences between antibiotic prophylaxis groups and control groups in terms of reduction of the frequency of meningitis, all-cause mortality, meningitis-related mortality, and need for surgical correction in patients with CSF leakage. We performed a subgroup analysis to evaluate the primary outcome in patients with and without CSF leakage. We also completed a meta-analysis of all the identified controlled non-RCTs (enrolling a total of 2 168 patients), producing results consistent with the randomised data. Conclusions Currently available evidence from RCTs does not support prophylactic antibiotic use in patients with BSF, whether there is evidence of CSF leakage or not. Until more research is completed, the effectiveness of antibiotics in patients with BSF cannot be determined because studies published to date are flawed by biases. Large, appropriately designed RCTs are needed.
Objective To investigate the clinical features of tuberculous meningoencephalitis.Methods The clinical characteristics and laboratory results of 126 cases who were diagnosed as tuberculous meningoencephalitis fromJanuary 2000 to April 2009 were analyzed retrospectively. Results The clinical manifestations of tuberculous meningoencephalitis included fever, headache, vomitting, hemiparalysis,paraplegia, mental anomaly, hypopsia, deafness, diplopia, muscular spasms, coma, and incomplete oculomotor palsy, etc. Vomitting which was characteristic symptom of tuberculous meningoencephalitis was found in 25 cases( 19. 8% ) . The diagnosis was confirmed more than eightweeks after the onset of the disease in 31 cases ( 24. 6% ) . The inhospital mortality rate of tuberculous meningoencephalitis was 14. 3% ( 18 /126) . The inhospital mortality rate of re-treatment patients was 42. 9% ( 6 /14) . In 41 patients with poor prognosis ( death or therapy failure) , 68. 3% ( 28/41) cases were complicated with military tuberculosis, which was higher than the overall occurrence of 41. 3% ( 52/126) . Conclusions Strict diagnostic criteria and atypicalsymptoms lead to delayed diagnosis, delayed treatment, and high mortality in patients with tuberculous meningoencephalitis, particularly in patients with military tuberculosis and re-treatment patients. There is still no effective treatment which have a significant impact on the prognosis.
目的:归纳分析42例隐球菌脑膜炎的发病情况、临床特点并总结抗真菌药物的治疗经验,以提高对隐球菌脑膜炎的诊治水平。方法:回顾分析四川大学华西医院2001～2007年所收治42例隐球菌脑膜炎病例的临床表现、实验室检查结果、抗真菌药物的疗效及预后,并对两性霉素B联合5氟胞嘧啶抗真菌治疗的药物剂量、疗效、不良反应以及疗程与预后的关系加以剖析。结果:临床以发热、头痛、颅内压升高、脑膜刺激征为主要表现,采用两性霉素B联合5氟胞嘧啶治疗,总有效率78.5%,42例患者治愈9例,好转24例,死亡5例,自动出院后失访4例。结论:隐球菌脑膜炎由于临床表现、脑脊液常规和生化检查以及影像学检查无明显特异性,易于误诊;脑脊液墨汁染色有助于早期诊断本病,对疑似病例反复进行脑脊液墨汁染色有利于确诊;两性霉素B联合5氟胞嘧啶治疗治疗隐球菌脑膜炎效果良好。但需注重合理应用并密切监测不良反应。