ObjectiveTo evaluate the value of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), ferritin, D-dimer, fibrinogen degradation product (FDP), white blood cell (WBC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in diagnosis and prognosis of severe community-acquired pneumonia (SCAP).MethodsThis was a prospective observational study. One hundred and seventy-seven candidates were divided into 3 groups: SCAP group including 61 SCAP patients, CAP group including 56 patients with normal community-acquired pneumonia group and HP group including 60 healthy people. Initial level of above biomarkers was compared and analyzed in the three groups. Then the efficiency of diagnosing and predicting the outcome of SCAP by single and combined index were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Meanwhile the patients in SCAP group were divided into two groups according to the CEA level named CEA increasing group and normal group, between which the differences in prognosis and biomarker level were compared.ResultsThe initial level of all biomarkers increased in two pneumonia groups and exceeded the HP group (P< 0.01) while between SCAP and CAP groups, all indexes in SCAP group were higher than the CAP group (P< 0.001). The areas under the ROC of CEA, ferritin, D-dimer, CRP, WBC and united respectively were 0.800, 0.834, 0.769, 0.898, 0.756 and 0.956. The sensitivity of united index was 91.8% while specificity was 90.5%. Among SCAP group, only CEA level made sense to predict the prognosis (P< 0.01). There were significant differences in intubation rate, mortality, length of RICU stay and FDP, D-dimer between CEA increasing group and normal group (P< 0.05).ConclusionsHigh level CEA, ferritin, D-dimer, CRP and WBC have significant value in diagnosis of SCAP. And the combined index has higher diagnostic value than single one. SCAP with increased CEA level indicates more serious condition and poor prognosis.
ObjectiveTo describe the imaging and clinical features of vaccinia virus induced pneumonia by long-term follow-up.MethodsThe clinical data, imaging features and long-term follow-up of 5 patients with vaccinia virus pneumonia admitted to Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University were analyzed.ResultsAll the 5 patients were male, aged between 21 and 54 years. The latent period of the disease was 2 to 5 days. All the patients had fever and pneumonia, while 3 of them had herpes. Two patients with severe pneumonia showed extensive patchy and nodular shadows in both lungs. Chest CT findings of the other three patients showed scattered small nodules in both lungs. All patients were followed up by telephone every half a year for 3 years. The prognosis of all patients was good. The patients reported in the English literature were clinically clustered, with fever, vomiting and rash as the main symptoms.ConclusionsVaccinia virus may cause different clinical symptoms through different transmission routes, and its infectivity is strong. Biological protection should be strengthened in laboratory and working environment.
ObjectiveTo improve the understanding of psittacosis, the clinical data of 8 cases are reviewed. The application of pathogen metagenomics next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in the diagnosis of nocardiosis is also investigated.MethodsThe clinical data of eight patients with psittacosis diagnosed by mNGS in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from January 2018 to May 2020 were reviewed. The clinical characteristics, laboratory examination characteristics and imaging changes were analyzed, and the treatment outcome was followed-up.ResultsAmong the eight cases, there were six males and two females, aged 43～83 years old, with an average age of 64±12 years old. Six of them had a clear history of poultry exposure. The major clinical manifestations were fever, cough, dyspnea, etc. Chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) may have solid shadow, ground glass like shadow. Chlamydia psittaci was detected by mNGS in eight patients’ bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Minocycline or moxifloxacin were administrated, six patients were discharged after their condition improved, and two patients died.ConclusionsThe incidence of psittacosis is low, and its clinical manifestations lack specificity. In the course of the disease, there may be different degrees of fever, cough, sputum, dyspnea and other symptoms. The lungs can be heard with wet rales, chest HRCT can be seen ground glass shadow, consolidation shadow, accompanied by air bronchogram. Chlamydia psittaci can be detected in alveolar lavage fluid by mNGS. The patients need to be treated for a long time, lasting at least 10 to 14 days. Tetracycline drugs should be the first choice, and can be combined with other antibiotics with activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria in critical patients.
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical features, etiological characteristics of co-infections in adult patients with rhinovirus pneumonia.MethodsFourty-nine patients admitted to hospitals for rhinovirus pneumonia were enrolled from 8 medical centers in mainland China between August 2016 and August 2018. Multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction assays for viral detection were implemented to all bronchoalveolar lavage fluid specimens obtained from the patients. The patients were divided into two groups depending on the status of other etiology co-infection (simple rhinovirus pneumonia group, n=24; coinfections group, n=25). The general data were collected, age, gender, underlying diseases, corticosteroids, symptoms, disease severity, imaging manifestations, etiology, whether patients with respiratory failure, mechanical ventilation, whether the application of vasoactive drugs, antibiotics application, hospital mortality rate of the two groups were reviewed and compared in detail.ResultsThirteen patients (26.5%) with rhinovirus pneumonia had no underlying diseases, 8 patients (16.3%) with chronic underlying lung diseases, 6 patients (12.2%) with diabetes mellitus, 10 patients (20.4%) were immunocompromised patients, 16 patients (32.7%) with respiratory failure, and the hospital mortality rate was 8.2% (4/49). Cases with coinfection were remarkably correlated with more cerebrovascular diseases and disturbance of consciousness, higher PSI score and higher ratio of CURB-65 score >1, more respiratory failure and hospital mortality than those of simple rhinovirus pneumonia group (P< 0.05). There were 25 cases (51.0%) with mixed infection, including 18 bacteria (36.7%), 12 viruses (24.5%), 12 (24.5%) fungi (pneumocystis, aspergillus). Enterobacter and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were most frequently identified bacteria in the viral-bacterial group. Four patients with coinfections died.ConclusionsRhinovirus pneumonia in adult patients often has underlying diseases, and is prone to coinfections (bacteria, fungi, and other viruses). The outcome of these patients is always poor.
ObjectiveThis study aimed to construct a Nomogram predictive model to assess the prognosis of patients with viral pneumonia complicated by diabetes mellitus.MethodsWe retrospectively collected data from patients with viral pneumonia who visited our hospital from January 2023 to February 2024 and divided them into diabetes and non-diabetes groups based on the presence of diabetes. Clinical data were collected and intergroup differences were analyzed. Subsequently, factors with statistical significance (P<0.05) were selected for univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis in the diabetes group to identify risk factors affecting patient survival. Based on the regression analysis results, a linear model was constructed to predict the survival risk of patients. Additionally, calibration curves and decision curve analysis (DCA) were plotted to assess the predictive accuracy and clinical net benefit of the model.ResultsThe study found significant intergroup differences in age (age), cough, dyspnea, respiratory rate at admission, heart rate, body temperature, and laboratory test results (including blood glucose Glu, glycated hemoglobin HbA1c, neutrophil ratio Neu, C-reactive protein Crp, etc.). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis confirmed that age (age), B-type natriuretic peptide (Bnp), neutrophil ratio (Neu), and lactate (Lac) are independent risk factors affecting the survival of patients with viral pneumonia and diabetes.The constructed nomogram prediction model was evaluated. The calibration curve demonstrated a high degree of consistency between the predicted probabilities and actual outcomes, with a non-significant Hosmer-Lemeshow test result (P>0.05). Decision curve analysis further showed that the model yielded no significant clinical net benefit at extreme probability thresholds, whereas it provided substantial clinical net benefit across all other threshold ranges. Collectively, these findings indicate that the model exhibits high predictive accuracy and holds significant value for clinical application. ConclusionsAge, serum B-type natriuretic peptide, neutrophil ratio, and lactate are independent risk factors for the survival of patients with viral pneumonia complicated by diabetes. The Nomogram predictive model constructed based on these factors has clinical value for prognosis assessment.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Gasdermin D(GSDMD) gene knockout on lung injury and reactive oxygen species (ROS)/nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)/cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1(caspase-1) pyroptosis pathway of pneumonia mice. Methods20 wild-type (WT) male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into WT control group and WT model group. 20 GSDMD gene knockout (KO) mice were randomly divided into KO control group and KO model group, each group consisted of 10 animals. The pneumonia model was induced by puncturing the nasal mucosa with a sterile needle and slowly instilling Streptococcus pneumoniae suspension in WT model group and KO model group. Serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected 7 days after modeling, and the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected; the lung tissues were collected and the dry wet ratio (W/D), pathological changes, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), ROS activity, and the protein expression levels of GSDMD, GSDMD-N, NLRP3, Caspase-1 were detected. ResultsThe lung tissue of WT model group showed cell infiltration with alveolar septal thickening, the ratio of W/d in lung tissue, the levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in serum and BALF, the levels of MDA, ROS, NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in lung tissue were all higher than those in WT control group, the levels of T-AOC and SOD in lung tissue were lower than those in WT control group (P<0.05), and the levels of serum, BALF and lung tissue in KO control group were not significantly different from those in WT control group (P>0.05) There was no expression of GSDMD-N in the lung tissue of KO model group, lung tissue w/d ratio, serum and BALF levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MDA, ROS activity, GSDMD-N, NLRP3 and Caspase-1 protein expression were lower than those in WT model group, the levels of T-AOC and SOD in lung tissue were higher than those in WT Model Group (P<0.05). ConclusionGSDMD gene knockout attenuates lung injury and inhibits ROS/NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway in pneumonia mice.
Objective To assess the effectiveness and safety of an aerosol inhalation of ambroxol in accessory treatment of pneumonia. Methods Biomedical databases, including MEDLINE, EMbase, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), CBM-disk and CNKI were searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs that compare aerosol inhalation of ambroxol with placebo or other aerosol inhalation regimens were collected. A critical quality assessment and Meta-analysis were performed for included studies. Results Thirteen RCTs were included and all of them were carried out in China. None of the trials described the method of randomization, allocation concealment, blind, and follow-up. With Juni scales, 13 trials scored C degree. Compared with the control group, aerosol inhalation of ambroxol improved total improvement rate and symptoms, and shortened hospital stay. Although statistical difference was not found in some comparisons, all trials showed beneficial tendency. We didn’t find any RCTs describing the safety of ambroxol aerosol inhalation. Conclusion Because of the low quality of RCTs on ambroxol aerosol inhalation for pneumonia, no reliable conclusion can be drawn from our Meta-analysis. Well-designed RCTs and economic evaluation are urgently needed to evaluate the value and safety of aerosol inhalation of ambroxol in treating pneumonia.
ObjectiveTo analyze the risk factors for post-thymectomy myasthenic crisis (PTMC) and prolonged mechanical ventilation, in myasthenia gravis patients who underwent extended thymectomy. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 79 patients including 38 males and 41 females who experienced PTMC and required mechanical ventilation in Daping Hospital between June 2008 and November 2014. Single factor analysis and multivariate analysis were conducted. ResultsMorbidity of PTMC was 20.6% (79/384). Result of single-factor analysis showed that postoperative pneumonia was one of the main reasons of prolonged mechanical ventilation (P < 0.05). Result of multiple-factor analysis showed that the operation time was positively correlated with mechanical ventilation time (P < 0.05). The risk factor of prolonged mechanical ventilation time in PTMC was not associated with sex, age, disease history, myasthenic crisis history, Osserman classification, dosage of pyridostigmine before and after the operation, surgical approach, bleeding volume, other therapies besides mechanical ventilation (P > 0.05). ConclusionMechanical ventilation is one the main therapy of PTMC, operation time, and postoperative pneumonia are the main factors to prolong mechanical ventilation time. In order to decrease morbidity of PTMC and shorten mechanical ventilation time, the operation time should be controlled and pulmonary infection should be avoided.
Objective To investigate drug usage and costs of pneumonia inpatients in Karamay Central Hospital in 2014 and to provide baseline for evidence-based pharmacy study of single disease in respiratory system. Methods The information of drug use and expenditure of pneumonia inpatients were collected from the hospital information system (HIS). We analyzed the data including frequency, proportion and cumulative proportion by Excel 2007 software. Results A total of 309 inpatients were included, among the 78.96% were more than 60 years old. Among the antibiotics single therapy, the frequency of cefoperazone and sulbactam was the highest. Among the antibiotics combination therapy, the frequency of β-lactam antibiotics was the highest. Conclusion Pneumonia inpatients in Karamay Central Hospital are mainly older patients. The β-lactam antibiotics is used most in clinical practice.
ObjectiveTo explore risk factors of pneumonia of patients after esophagectomy and its preventive measures. MethodsClinical data of 258 patients undergoing esophagectomy in Guangyuan Central Hospital between 2009 and 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. According to whether they had pneumonia after esophagectomy, all the 258 patients were divided into 2 groups. In the pneumonia group, there were 86 patients including 62 males and 24 females with their age of 65.1 (45-84)years, who all had pneumonia after esophagectomy. In the control group, there were 172 patients including 124 males and 48 females with their age of 60.2 (43-78)years, who didn't have pneumonia after esophagectomy. Preoperative pulmonary function, age, smoking history, anastomotic location, intraoperative blood loss, pneumonia and other perioperative complications were compared between the 2 groups. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to analyze risk factors of pneumonia after esophagectomy. ResultsUnivariate analysis showed that incidences of moderate or severe pulmonary dysfunction, smoking history (≥400 cigarettes per year), old age (≥65 years), laryngeal recurrent nerve injury, perioperative blood loss (≥1 000 ml), operation time longer than 4 hours, and preoperative diabetes mellitus of the pneumonia group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that moderate or severe pulmonary dysfunction (P=0.022), smoking history (≥400 cigarettes per year, P=0.000), old age (≥65 years, P=0.026), laryngeal recurrent nerve injury (P=0.002), and perioperative blood loss (≥1000 ml, P=0.020)were main risk factors of pneumonia after esophagectomy. ConclusionsModerate or severe pulmonary dysfunction, smoking history (≥400 cigarettes per year), old age (≥65 years), laryngeal recurrent nerve injury and perioperative blood loss (≥1 000 ml)are main risk factors of pneumonia after esophagectomy. Preoperative smoking cessation, pulmonary function exercise, airway preparation, careful hemostasis, and avoidance of laryngeal recurrent nerve injury are helpful to prevent pneumonia after esophagectomy.