Objective To explore the clinical characteristics of Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia. Methods From January 2020 to March 2023, 21 cases of Psittacosis from the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were diagnosed via metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). They were divided into a severe group (n=10) and a non-severe group (n=11) based on diagnostic criteria for severe pneumonia, and the clinical presentation, secondary examination, treatment, and prognosis of the two groups were analyzed retrospectively. Results Among the 21 patients, there were 11 males and 10 females, with a mean age of (51.7±11.6) years. All patients had an acute onset and 12 had a confirmed history of exposure to poultry. The onset of the disease occurred in the autumn and winter seasons in 18 patients. All the patients were suffering from high fevers. Other symptoms included coughing, phlegm, tightness in the chest and fatigue. Laboratory examinations showed that the levels of leukocytes, neutrophil counts, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, aminotransferase, creatine kinase, lactic dehydrogenase, brain natriuretic peptide precursors and D-dimer were significantly higher in the severe group than those in the non-severe group. Chest CT scans revealed varying levels of consolidation and spot shadowing with peripheral exudate in all patients. The patients in the severe group were more likely to have bilateral lung involvement, bilateral pleural effusion, cavity and mediastinal lymph node enlargement. Eleven patients received tetracycline alone, three received laudanum alone, two received respiratory quinolones alone, and five received a combination of two drugs including tetracycline. Chest CT at clinical follow-up showed absorption of lung lesions. Conclusions Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia usually occurs in the fall and winter, and most patients have a history of contact with poultry. Clinical presentation and imaging are not specified. The technology of mNGS enables early diagnosis of the disease, and neutrophil lymphocyte ratio, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and lactic dehydrogenase levels help assess the risk of severe disease.
摘要:目的：觀察小兒反復性肺炎的發生與血微量元素的關系。方法:選擇56例反復性肺炎患兒為觀察組，與60例健康兒童作對照，分別測定血鎘、鉛、銅、鋅、鈣、鎂、鐵含量。結果:56例反復性肺炎患兒血鋅、鐵含量較對照組減低，差異有統計學意義（Plt;0.05）。結論:部分反復性肺炎的發生與血微量元素鋅、鐵缺乏有關。應對反復性肺炎患兒常規行血微量元素檢測，對血微量元素缺乏者應予相應補充治療。Abstract: Objective: To observe the relationship to the occurrence of repeated pneumonia and the microelement in blood. Methods: We chose the 56 infant patients who suffered from repeated pneumonia as the observe group while the 60 health infants as the comprise group, then test the content of cadmium， plumbum， cuprum， zinc， calcium， magnesium and ferrum in blood. Results: The content of zinc and ferrum in the patient’s blood was lower than the comparison group, and the P value was Plt;0.01 and Plt;0.05 respectively, there was obvious differentiation between the two groups. Conclusion: Occurence of part repeated pneumonia is related to the deficiency of the microelements zinc and ferrum in blood. We should detect the common content of microelement to the infant patients who suffer the repeated pneumonia, and give a complement treatment to the microelements’ deficiency infant patients.
Objective To explore independent risk factors for 30-day mortality in critical patients with pulmonary infection and sepsis, and build a prediction model. Methods Patients diagnosed with pulmonary infection and sepsis in the MIMIC-Ⅲ database were analyzed. The CareVue database was the training cohort (n=934), and the Metavision database was the external validation cohort (n=687). A COX proportional hazards regression model was established to screen independent risk factors and draw a nomogram. We conducted internal cross-validation and external validation of the model. Using the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve, Calibration chart, and decision curve analysis, we detected the discrimination, calibration, and benefit of the model respectively, comparing with the SOFA scoring model. Results Age, SOFA score, white blood cell count≤4×109/L, neutrophilic granulocyte percentage (NEU%)>85%, platelet count (PLT)≤100×109/L, PLT>300×109/L, red cell distribution width >15%, blood urea nitrogen, and lactate dehydrogenase were independent risk factors. The areas under the ROC curve of the model were 0.747 (training cohort) and 0.708 (external validation cohort), respectively, which was superior to the SOFA scoring model in terms of discrimination, calibration, and benefit. Conclusion The model established in this study can accurately and effectively predict the risk of the disease mortality, and provide a visual assessment method for early identification of high-risk patients.
ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in order to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.MethodThe epidemiological histories, clinical characteristics, laboratory examinations, chest images, and treatment outcomes of 20 confirmed cases of severe COVID-19 admitted to Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu from January 16th to February 5th, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsAmong the 20 patients with severe COVID-19, 12 were male and 8 were female. The age ranged from 34 to 84 years old, with an average of (57.4±16.5) years old. Thirteen patients (65.0%) had one or more co-existing diseases, such as hypertension (9 cases), diabetes (6 cases), and coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (4 cases). Eleven cases (55.0%) had a history of living or traveling in Wuhan, 4 cases (20.0%) had a history of living in non-Wuhan areas of Hubei Province, 3 cases (15.0%) had a history of contact with confirmed COVID-19 patients, while 2 cases had no above-mentioned epidemiological history, but had a history of traveling in non-epidemic areas. The main symptoms were fever (100.0%), cough (100.0%), shortness of breath (75.0%), and fatigue (65.0). Some patients developed into acute respiratory distress syndrome in 3-10 d after onset. The white blood cell count of the patients was normal or decreased, the hypersensitive C-reactive protein and serum amyloid protein significantly increased, while the CD4+ T lymphocyte count and CD56+ natural killer cell count significantly decreased. Sixteen patients (80.0%) were given transnasal hyperbaric oxygenation [among whom 6 patients (30.0%) were transferred to non-invasive ventilator after no improvement], 3 patients (15.0%) were given tracheal intubated ventilator, and 1 patient (5.0%) was treated by tracheal intubated ventilator combined with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation to support breathing. By April 8th, 2020, 3 patients died and the remaining 17 had been cured and discharged, with an average length of hospital stay of 21.4 d. The 3 death cases were all elderly with underlying diseases such as heart disease and pulmonary disease.ConclusionsSevere COVID-19 is associated with hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and other basic diseases, and some patients develope acute respiratory distress syndrome. Respiratory support may help to improve prognosis.
Hot topics on the diagnosis and antimicrobial therapy of ventilator-associated pneumonia, including clinical diagnostic criteria, evaluation of biomarkers, ventilator associated events, clinical pulmonary infection score, ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis, microbiological diagnosis and duration of therapy were discussed. The viewpoints in the guidelines of America, Europe and Japan were also reviewed.
ObjectiveTo understand the clinical distribution and drug resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae in Yibin during 2011 to 2014 so as to provide evidence for clinical rational use of antimicrobial drugs. MethodsKlebsiella pneumoniae isolated from all types of clinical specimens were collected from the First People's Hospital and the Second People's Hospital of Yibin during 2011 to 2014. VITEK2 Compact and its supporting identification card GP and drug sensitivity test card AST-GP67 were used for detection, and the results were analyzed and summarized. ResultsMost Klebsiella pneumoniae were detected from the Department of Respiratory Medicine, the proportion for each year was 48.15%, 46.24%, 45.44%, and 44.97% during 2011 to 2014. Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated were mainly from sputum samples, the proportion for each year was 81.01%, 89.18%, 87.80%, and 83.52% between 2011 and 2014. Imipenem and piperacillin/tazobactam resistance rates were lower, but the overall trend was rising. Ampicillin/sulbactam, and sulfamethoxazole resistance rates were higher. Levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin increased year by year. Aztreonam, cefepime, and amikacin rate declined. ConclusionKlebsiella pneumoniae is one of the main infection pathogen in the Department of Respiratory Medicine. Klebsiella pneumoniae resistance rates are higher. Klebsiella pneumoniae were sensitive to enzyme inhibitors β-lactam antimicrobial agents and carbapenem antibiotics.
Objective To investigate the risk factors of stroke associated pneumonia in stroke patients.Methods A case-control study was conducted. 114 patients who were diagnosed stroke associated pneumonia between January 2008 and December 2010 were recruited as a patient group. 205 patients who were diagnosed stroke without pneumoniawere recruited as a control group. General conditions, accompanied disease, vital sign, hematologic marker, severity of stroke, and bulbar paralysis were compared between two groups. Multifactor Logistic regression was used to screen associated factors.Results Age gt; 65 years ( OR=3. 310, 95% CI 2. 016-7. 549) , accompanied with COPD ( OR = 3. 624, 95% CI 1. 574-9. 236) , diabetes ( OR= 3. 781, 95% CI 1. 305-6. 842) , failed water swallowing test ( OR = 3. 625, 95% CI 1. 604- 8. 386) , big volume of stroke ( OR=14. 784, 95% CI 3. 737-38. 588) , NIH stroke scale ( NIHSS) score gt;6 ( OR=2. 913, 95% CI 1. 029-7. 985) , abbreviated mental test ( AMT) score lt; 8 ( OR = 4. 229, 95% CI 2. 215-9. 368) were associated with stroke associated pneumonia. Conclusion The risk factors for stroke associated pneumonia in stroke patients were age gt;65 years, accompanied with COPD, diabetes, failed WST, big volume of stroke, NIHSS score gt;6, and AMT score lt;8.
ObjectiveTo analyze the influencing factors of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in comprehensive intensive care units (ICUs) in a certain district of Shanghai, and to provide evidence for developing targeted measures to prevent and reduce the occurrence of VAP.MethodsThe target surveillance data of 1 567 inpatients with mechanical ventilation over 48 hours in comprehensive ICUs of 5 hospitals in the district from January 2015 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed to determine whether VAP occurred. The data were analyzed with SPSS 21.0 software to describe the occurrence of VAP in patients and to screen the influencing factors of VAP.ResultsThere were 133 cases of VAP in the 1 567 patients, with the incidence of 8.49% and the daily incidence of 6.01‰; the incidence of VAP decreased year by year from 2015 to 2017 (χ2trend=11.111, P=0.001). The mortality rate was 12.78% in VAP patients while was 7.25% in non-VAP patients; the difference was significant (χ2=5.223, P=0.022). A total of 203 pathogenic bacteria were detected in patients with VAP, mainly Gram-negative bacteria (153 strains, accounting for 75.37%). The most common pathogen was Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The single factor analysis showed that gender, age, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) Ⅱ score, the length of ICU stay, and the length of mechanical ventilation were the influencing factors of VAP (χ2=9.572, 5.237, 34.759, 48.558, 44.960, P<0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis found that women [odds ratio (OR)=1.608, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.104, 2.340), P=0.013], APACHE Ⅱ score >15 [OR=4.704, 95%CI (2.655, 8.335), P<0.001], the length of ICU stay >14 days [OR=2.012, 95%CI (1.188, 3.407), P=0.009], and the length of mechanical ventilation >7 days [OR=2.646, 95%CI (1.439, 4.863), P=0.002] were independent risk factors of VAP.ConclusionsNosocomial infection caused by mechanical ventilation in this area has a downward trend, and the mortality rate of patients with VAP is higher. For the patients treated with mechanical ventilation in ICU, we should actively treat the primary disease, shorten the length of ICU stay and the length of mechanical ventilation, and strictly control the indication of withdrawal, thereby reduce the occurrence of VAP.
Objective To investigate the potential effect of glucocorticoids (referred to as 'hormones' here) on decreasing case fatality rate in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) negative Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP). Methods The clinical data of a cohort of 93 patients that were diagnosed with HIV-negative PJP at Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital between April 2019 and April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were classified into two groups based on the partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2), specifically PaO2 ≥70 mm Hg and PaO2 <70 mm Hg. The association between case fatality rate and various factors such as underlying diseases, hormone use, mechanical ventilation, and others was examined. Results Over a period of three years, 93 cases of HIV-negative PJP were identified. The most prevalent underlying diseases were solid organ transplantation (n=34, 36.6%), rheumatic system diseases (n=26, 28.0%), and malignant tumors (n=15, 16.1%). 51 cases had arterial PaO2 levels ≥70 mm Hg, while 42 cases had levels <70 mm Hg. Moreover, 19 patients required invasive ventilation, 39 patients were treated with non-invasive ventilation, while 50 patients received oxygenation using a nasal cannula. Out of the 93 patients, 31 died from the disease, resulting in an overall case fatality rate of 33.3%. Meanwhile, 62 patients survived. In patients with arterial PaO2 levels ≥70 mm Hg, the administration of hormones did not significantly affect the case fatality rate (P > 0.05); In patients with arterial PaO2 level <70 mm Hg, the administration of hormones did not significantly affect the case fatality rate (P > 0.05). Conclusion Hormone use did not contribute to improved survival rates in HIV-negative PJP patients, regardless of arterial PaO2 level.
ObjectiveTo improve clinicians' awareness of cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP).MethodsThirty-three inpatients with COP, who had been diagnosed by pathology in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital during January 2013 to December 2016 were collected. Their clinical manifestations, laboratory tests and imaging data were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively.ResultsThirty-three cases consisted of 18 males and 15 females, and the mean age was (58.7±13.5) years old. Most patients had subacute or insidious onset. The common symptoms were cough, fever, shortness of breath and chest tightness. About half of patients revealed inspiratory crackles or velcroes. Autoantibodies and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies were negative. High-resolution computerized tomography findings of COP included bilateral patchy areas of air-space consolidation that showed predominantly subpleural or peri-bronchovascular distribution, focal nodules, enlarged hilar or mediastinal lymph nodes and pleural effusion. 25 patients were treated with glucocorticoid, 6 with macrolid, and 2 were only followed up without drug treatment.ConclusionsClinical manifestations, laboratory tests and imaging features are important clues to diagnose COP. Diagnosis depends on pathology. Meanwhile, definite pathogen and potential underlying diseases must be excluded.