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.
Objective To explore the clinical and imaging features of patients with acute dizziness and assess their associations with 3-month prognosis. Methods We enrolled adult patients with a chief complaint of acute dizziness, who were admitted to the Neurological Clinic at the Emergency Department of West China Hospital, Sichuan University between January 1st and May 31st 2022. We collected clinical and imaging features at baseline for each patient. The primary outcome was recurrent dizziness within 3 months after index dizziness. Secondary outcome was stroke within 3 months after index dizziness. Results A total of 1 322 patients who visited the Neurological Clinic were included, of which 617 (46.7%) had a chief complaint of acute dizziness. Among 222 patients who performed emergent brain and neck CT angiography, 1 patient presented with intracerebral haemorrhage. Among the remaining 221 patients, 206 patients completed 3-month follow-up, with 76 patients reported recurrent dizziness and 7 patients had stroke (6 ischaemic, 1 hemorrhagic). The multivariate logistic regression showed that chronic dizziness duration and parenchymal hypodensity on brain CT were each associated with a higher risk of recurrent dizziness. Compared with those who did not report stroke, the stroke patients were more likely to present with hypertension, headache symptoms, and exhibit parenchymal hypodensity on baseline CT (P<0.05). Conclusions In patients with acute dizziness, those with chronic dizziness duration and parenchymal hypodensity on baseline CT were associated with a higher risk of 3-month recurrent dizziness. Acute dizziness patients experiencing 3-month stroke often have hypertension, headache symptoms, and parenchymal hypodensity on baseline CT.
Objective To explore the clinical characteristics of patients who were infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) of different genotypes. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 111 SARS-CoV-2 infected cases at home and abroad admitted to Chengdu Public Health Clinical Medical Center between January and September 2020. The basic information, gene sequencing results (Pangolin typing method), clinical typing, first laboratory examinations 24 hours after admission, and whether repositive after discharge were collected. According to Pangolin typing, patients were divided into five groups: A, B, B.X, B.1.X and B.1.1.X. The basic information (age, sex, and origin), laboratory test results (lymphocyte count, C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A, CD3+ T lymphocytes, CD4+ T lymphocytes, and CD8+ T lymphocytes), clinical classification and whether repositive were compared among different genotype infected patients. Results Among the 111 infected patients, 54 (48.6%) were males and 57 (51.4%) were females. Their ages ranged from 16 to 87 years, with a median age of 49 years. In terms of clinical classification, there were 10 asymptomatic cases (9.0%), 10 mild cases (9.0%), 64 ordinary cases (57.7%), 13 severe cases (11.7%), and 14 critical cases (12.6%). There were 75 domestic cases (67.6%) and 36 imported cases (32.4%). Eighty cases (72.1%) did not return to positive, and 31 cases (27.9%) returned to positive. There were 8 cases infected by type A virus, 18 cases infected by type B virus, 26 cases infected by type B.X virus, 5 cases infected by type B.1.X virus, and 54 cases infected by type B.1.1.X virus. Among patients infected by different genotype viruses, no statistically significant difference was found in sex, age, clinical type, laboratory examination, or whether repositive (P>0.05), but there was statistically significant difference in the distribution of domestic and imported cases (P=0.016). Type B virus infected patients were mostly domestic cases, while type B.X virus infected patients were mostly imported cases. Conclusion The distribution of domestic and imported cases is different among SARS-CoV-2 of different genotypes.
Objective To study the data of combined hepatocellular cholangiocarcinoma (CHCC) and to explore its clinical characteristics and prognostic factors. Methods Clinical data of 41 patients with radical resection of CHCC were retrospectively analyzed, and the prognostic factors were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results In 36.6% cases of 41 patients with CHCC, the elevated levels of both AFP and CA19-9 were detected. And 78.0% cases got the elevated levels of CK7 and (or) CK19 and Glypcian-3 and (or) hepatocyte. Multiple analysis revealed lymph node involvement was independent prognostic factor for overall survival. Conclusions CHCC is a special type of primary liver cancer and shows some intermediated characteristics between hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma. The long-term survival of the patients should be affected by the residual of metastasis lymph nodes, and the surgical treatment should be individualized at the present stage.
Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and death risk factors of patients with community acquired pneumonia and sepsis. Methods Data of 350 patients with community-acquired pneumonia and sepsis admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2015 to October 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, and their basic characteristics, laboratory results and treatment were analyzed. Results The absolute value of white blood cell, neutrophil ratio, absolute value of neutrophil, inflammatory index, liver and kidney function, coagulation function, cardiac enzymology, lactic acid and sequential organ failure evaluation score of patients with community acquired pneumonia sepsis in the non-survival group were higher than those in the survival group. Logistic regression analysis showed that respiratory rate, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, blood oxygen saturation, C-reactive protein, D-dimer, lactic acid, creatinine and lymphocyte ratio may be independent risk factors for 28-day death in patients with community-acquired pneumonia and sepsis.The receiver operating characteristic curve shows that the combination of the above indicators to predict the risk of death of patients has the best sensitivity, specificity and maximum area under the curve, which is superior to the prediction value of individual variables. Conclusions Patients in the non-survivor group of community-acquired pneumonia sepsis had more severe inflammatory response and organ function impairment. Respiratory rate, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, blood oxygen saturation, C-reactive protein, D-dimer, lactic acid, creatinine, lymphocyte ratio and other indicators are independent risk factors for death of patients with community-acquired pneumonia and sepsis, which have better prognostic value when combined.
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical features and prognosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.MethodsA total of 379 confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu from January 16 to November 30, 2020 were divided into two groups including an elderly group (42 patients, ≥60 years) and a non-elderly group (337 patients, <60 years) by age. The epidemiology, clinical features, laboratory tests, treatment and prognosis of the two groups were compared.ResultsAmong the 379 patients, 286 (75.5%) were males and 93 (24.5%) were females, aged from 2 months to 87 years, with an average age of 41.2 years. The average age of the elderly group was 69.5 years, and 61.9% of them were females. They were imported from Wuhan or local secondary patients (73.8%), mainly common or critical type (88.1%). While, the average age of the non-elderly group was 37.8 years, and males were more common (80.1%). There were mostly from foreign input (75.7%), mainly mild or ordinary type (95.0%). A total of 179 patients (47.2%) had one or more underlying diseases. Hypertension (15 patients, 35.7%) and diabetes (11 patients, 26.2%) were more common in the elderly group, while non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (132 patients, 39.2%) was more frequent in the non-elderly group. The most common clinical manifestations were fever (138 patients, 36.4%) and cough (129 patients, 34.0%). Fever, cough, dyspnea, and fatigue were more common in the elderly group than those in the non-elderly group (P<0.05). Compared with the non-elderly group, the elderly group had lower total lymphocyte count, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell count, higher level of myocardial injury or inflammation markers (P<0.05). Abnormal echocardiography in 139 patients (36.7%) was mainly caused by decreased left ventricular diastolic function (22.7%) and heart valve regurgitation (14.0%), and the rate in the elderly group was significantly higher than that in the non-elderly group (85.7% vs. 30.6%, P<0.05). After treatment, 3 patients in the elderly group died, and the others were cured and discharged. The hospitalization duration of the elderly group was longer than that of the non-elderly group (22.1 d vs. 18.8 d, P=0.033).ConclusionsElderly COVID-19 patients are mainly imported from Wuhan or secondary to the local population, mainly common or critical type, often associated with basic diseases such as hypertension or diabetes. While, non-elderly COVID-19 patients are mainly imported from abroad, mainly mild or common type, often associated with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. After treatment, most of the patients have a good prognosis.
Objective To explore the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment plan of pulmonary lymphomatoid granulomatosis in order to deepen the understanding of this disease. MethodsA case of pulmonary lymphomatoid granulomatosis complicated with tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was reported. Literature reviews were searched in PubMed database with "pulmonary, lung, lymphomatoid granulomatosis" as the key words, and in China Knowledge Network and Wanfang database with "lung, lymphomatoid granulomatosis" as the key words. The search time was from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2021. ResultsThe patient was diagnosed as pulmonary tuberculosis at the beginning of the disease, and the lesion was obviously absorbed and improved after regular anti-tuberculosis treatment. Six months after anti-tuberculosis treatment, chest CT examination showed multiple new circular nodules in both lungs. Intensive anti-tuberculosis treatment did not improve, further lung biopsy, pathology revealed lymphomatoid granulomatosis, grade 2; During the period, HIV infection was proven, and the patient underwent anti-viral infection and re-examination of chest CT lung lesions significantly improved absorption. Literature reviews found 47 same patients, therefore totally 48 patients were analyzed, in which this former case was included. Among the 48 patients, 26 were male (54.2%) and 22 were female (45.8%), with a median age of 60 years old (4 to 87 years old). The most common symptoms were cough, fever and shortness of breath, some of them may be accompanied with fatigue, weight loss, night sweats and loss of appetite. 20.9% of the patients had rashes, mainly manifested as erythema or papules. 39.6% of the patients were accompanied by immune system related diseases or immunosuppressants; The most common manifestations of chest CT were multiple nodules or masses involving both lungs. The main way of diagnosis was surgical lung biopsy, or CT-guided lung puncture biopsy. The positive rate of bronchoscopy biopsy was low. The pathological grade was mainly grade 3 (56.3%). The treatment plan was mainly R-CHOP, with an effective rate of 71.4%. For patients considered drug-induced disease, it was necessary to stop using induced drugs first, and then combined chemotherapy if there was no improvement. For HIV-infected patients, highly active antiretroviral therapy should be given first, if there was no improvement, then took combined chemotherapy; Of the 48 patients, 41 patients had clear follow-up results with a median follow-up time of 12 months, of which 14 patients were dead (34.1%), and the others got better in different degrees. Conclusions Pulmonary lymphomatoid granulomatosis is a rare disease. Clinicians should improve their understanding of it in order to identify the disease early, and choose the appropriate treatment scheme to improve its prognosis.
Objective To present the pooled quantitative evidence of clinical features and current treatments of programmed death 1 (PD-1) / programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor-associated vasculitis. Methods Medline, Embase, EBM, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP databases were searched for all available studies reporting PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-associated vasculitis till March 23, 2022. We summarized and systematically reviewed the included articles, and analyzed the data results with descriptive statistical methods. Results A total of 38 articles were included, including 43 patients. The median age [median (minimum, maximum)] was 62 (31, 89) years, and most of patients were male (64.3%). Lung cancer was the most common tumor (47.6%). The median onset time of vasculitis [median (minimum, maximum)] was 12 (1, 120) weeks after medication. Small vasculitis (62.8%) and cutaneous vasculitis (26.7%) were the most common types. The Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events of vasculitis was predominantly 3-4 (83.7%). After diagnosed with vasculitis, PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors were discontinued in 81.6% of patients, and glucocorticoid was administrated in 88.4% of patients. After treatment, 90.0% of patients had significant improvement during follow-up. However, when the discontinuation of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, 55.6% of patients tumor progressions, and 35.0% of patients dead. Conclusions Special attention should be paid to the occurrence of vasculitis when using PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors for malignant tumor therapies. Stopping PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and using glucocorticoid are the essential methods to treat vasculitis, but the above treatments may bring a high risk of tumor progression.
Objective To analyze the clinical data of monkeypox (mpox) cases in Chengdu, to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with mpox complicated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) / acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods Mpox patients admitted to Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu between June 29 and August 8, 2023 were continuously included. Patients were divided into an observation group and a control group based on whether they were complicated with HIV/AIDS. The clinical characteristics of two groups of patients were observed and compared. Results A total of 56 patients were included, all of whom were male; Age range from 19 to 51 years old, with an average of (31.6±5.9) years old; There were 23 cases in the observation group and 33 cases in the control group. Except for age, perianal lesions with infection, number of rashes, diarrhea, CD4+ lymphocyte count, CD4/CD8 ratio, syphilis, chest CT abnormalities, rash duration, and length of hospital stay (P<0.05), there was no statistically significant difference in epidemiological data, clinical features, auxiliary examinations, treatment, and intensive care unit admission between the two groups of patients (P>0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between the Ct values of throat swab nucleic acid and blister fluid nucleic acid in the total population [(30.1±4.4) vs. (23.4±3.8); t=5.462, P<0.001]. Conclusions Mpox patients complicated with HIV/AIDS are prone to persistent, diverse, and severe lesions due to relatively lower CD4+ lymphocyte counts. Therefore, it is necessary to actively provide symptomatic treatment and prevent complications for patients.
Objective To explore clinical features and risk factors of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) patients with pulmonary involvement. Methods A retrospectively study of clinical data of 113 AAV patients with pulmonary involvement was conducted in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2015 to December 2020. The differences in general characteristics, treatment and prognosis of different types of AAV with pulmonary involvement were compared. In addition, the clinical characteristics and survival status between the pulmonary involvement group and the non-pulmonary involvement group (n=69) were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk factors. Results A total of 113 patients (57 males and 56 females) of AAV with pulmonary involvement were enrolled, including 86 cases of microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), 21 cases of granulomatosis polyangiitis (GPA), 6 cases of eosinophilia granulomatosis (EGPA). The average age was (67±11) years old. There was no significant difference in the age and gender distribution. The clinical manifestations were non-specific. Interstitial lung disease was common imaging feature of MPA, multiple nodules or mass was common in GPA, the incidence of sinusitis in EGPA was significantly higher (P<0.05). Seventy-three patients were complicated with extrapulmonary involvement. The most common organ involved was the kidney, followed by the cardiovascular and nervous system. The most important organs involved in MPA, EGPA and GPA were kidney, heart, and ear, nose, throat respectively. Compared with the non-pulmonary involvement group, the proportions of Birmingham vasculitis activity score (BVAS) ≥15 points, higher antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody titer and lower complement C3 or C4, pulmonary infection, mechanical ventilation and plasmapheresis in the pulmonary involvement group were significantly higher (P<0.05). Forty patients died during the follow-up. One-year cumulative survival was further calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, which demonstrated that pulmonary involvement was a risk factor for higher mortality in AAV patients. Compared with the survival group, the proportions of coronary heart disease, multiple organs involvement (n≥3), BVAS≥15 points, serum creatinine≥500 μmol/L, hemoglobin≤90 g/L, C-reactive protein≥10 mg/L, pulmonary infection, requiring mechanical ventilation, continuous renal replacement therapy and plasmapheresis in the death group were significantly higher (P<0.05). Conclusions AAV with pulmonary involvement is more common in the elderly, the morbidity is similar between male and female, and the clinical manifestations are usually non-specific. The chest imaging manifestations are mainly pulmonary interstitial changes, multiple nodules and masses. Multiple organs involvement occurs more often. BVAS≥15 points is independent risk factor for pulmonary involvement in AAV patients. The prognosis of AAV patients with pulmonary involvement is relatively poor. Combined with coronary heart disease, pulmonary infection and CRP≥10 mg/L are independent risk factors of poor prognosis.