Manifestaciones clínicas y radiológicas de la Aspergilosis Pulmonar: Informe de tres casos / Pulmonary aspergillosis, an approach to clinical and radiological manifestations. Report of three cases

RESUMEN La aspergilosis pulmonar, causada por el hongo oportunista Aspergillus, afecta principalmente a individuos inmunocomprometidos. Este reporte presenta tres casos: Una mujer de 18 años con leucemia aguda desarrolló dificultad respiratoria y patrones bilaterales de "árbol en brote" en la tomografía computarizada (TC). A pesar del tratamiento con voriconazol, falleció debido a insuficiencia respiratoria. Una mujer de 58 años con diabetes y EPOC presentó disnea y hemoptisis. Las imágenes revelaron una lesión cavitada, confirmando un aspergiloma. Se consideró la cirugía debido a la hemoptisis activa. Una mujer de 41 años con antecedentes de tuberculosis presentó fiebre y síntomas respiratorios. La TC mostró lesiones cavitadas y bronquiectasias, confirmando aspergilosis crónica. Respondió bien al voriconazol. Estos casos destacan la variabilidad en la aspergilosis pulmonar y subrayan la importancia de un diagnóstico y tratamiento oportunos para mejorar los resultados en los pacientes.

ABSTRACT Pulmonary aspergillosis, caused by the opportunistic fungus Aspergillus, primarily affects immunocompromised individuals. This report presents three cases: An 18-year-old female with acute leukemia developed respiratory distress and bilateral "tree-in-bud" patterns on CT. Despite voriconazole treatment, she succumbed to respiratory failure. A 58-year-old female with diabetes and COPD had dyspnea and hemoptysis. Imaging revealed a cavitated lesion, confirming aspergilloma. Surgery was considered due to active hemoptysis. A 41-year-old female with a history of tuberculosis presented with fever and respiratory symptoms. CT showed cavitated lesions and bronchiectasis, confirming chronic aspergillosis. She responded well to voriconazole. These cases highlight the variability in pulmonary aspergillosis and underscore the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment to improve patient outcomes.

The relationship between the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and Th1/Th2 immune response in children with recurrent respiratory tract infection / 国际检验医学杂志

Objective To investigate the expression of Toll-like receptor 2(TLR2)and Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC)in children with recurrent respiratory tract infection(RRTI)and its relationship with T helper cell 1(Th1)/T helper cell 2(Th2)immune response.Methods A total of 65 children diagnosed with RRTI who admitted to the hospital from December 2020 to December 2022 were enrolled in the study as the RRTI group,and 45 healthy children who underwent physical examination in the hospital during the same period were enrolled as the control group.The relative expression levels of TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA in PBMCs were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(qPCR).The expres-sion rates of TLR2 and TLR4 protein in PBMCs were detected by flow cytometry.The levels of Th1 cytokine interferon-γ(IFN-γ),Th2 cytokine interleukin-4(IL-4)and their ratio(IFN-γ/IL-4)in plasma were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the corre-lation between TLR2,TLR4 protein expression rates and plasma IFN-γ,IL-4 levels.Results The RRTI group had significantly higher plasma level of Th2 cytokine IL-4 than the control group,significantly lower plasma level of Th1 cytokine IFN-y than the control group,and significantly lower ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4 than the con-trol group,the differences were all statistically significant(P＜0.05).The relative expression levels of TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA and protein expression rates in PBMC of children in the RRTI group were higher than those in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that the protein expression rates of TLR2 and TLR4 in PBMC of children with RRTI were both nega-tively correlated with both plasma IFN-γ levels and IFN-γ/IL-4(P＜0.05)and positively correlated with plasma IL-4 levels(P＜0.05).Conclusion The expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in PBMC and plasma Th1/Th2 cytokines in children with RRTI may be involved in the occurrence and development of the disease.Ex-cessive activation of TLR2 and TLR4 may weaken Th1 function and enhance Th2 function.

Effect of Atractylenolide Ⅰ on Lung Injury in Rats with Recurrent Respiratory Tract Infection of Lung and Spleen Qi Deficiency by Regulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway / 中药新药与临床药理

Objective To investigate the effect of atractylenolideⅠon lung injury in rats with recurrent respiratory tract infection(RRTI)of lung and spleen qi deficiency by regulating phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin(PI3K/Akt/mTOR)pathway.Methods Eighty-four rats were randomly separated into a control group,a model group,a low-dose atractylenolideⅠgroup,a high-dose atractylenolideⅠgroup,a positive drug group,an insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1)group,and a high-dose atractylenolide Ⅰ+IGF-1 group,with 12 rats in each group.Except for the control group,the RRTI rat model of lung and spleen qi deficiency was constructed using a combination of fatigue,dietary disorders,and fumigation method with shavings and tobacco among rats in other groups.After the model is successfully copied,the model was administered once a day for 6 weeks.Animal lung function instrument was applied to detect the changes of peak expiratory flow(PEF),forced expiratory volume in first second(FEV1),forced vital capacity(FVC)in rats.The changes of wet/dry mass ratio of lungs in rats were detected.HE staining was applied to detect pathological changes of lung tissue in rats of each group.ELISA was applied to detect the levels of interleukin(IL)-6,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),malondialdehyde(MDA)and the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD)in rat lung tissue.Western Blot was applied to determine the protein expressions of p-PI3K,p-Akt,and p-mTOR in rat lung tissue.Results Compared with the control group,rats in the model group showed a decrease in PEF,FEV1 and FVC(P＜0.01)and an increase in the wet/dry mass ratio of lungs(P＜0.01).The alveolar septa in lung tissues had become larger.Pulmonary interstitial edema and a large amount of inflammatory cell infiltration were found.The levels of IL-6,TNF-α and MDA in lung tissue increased(P＜0.01),and the SOD activity decreased(P＜0.01).The protein expressions of p-PI3K,p-Akt,and p-mTOR in lung tissue increased(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,rats in the low-,high-dose atractylenolideⅠgroups,and positive drug group showed an increase in PEF,FEV1,and FVC,and a decrease in the wet/dry mass ratio of lungs(P＜0.01).Pathologic damage in lung tissue was alleviated.The levels of IL-6,TNF-α,MDA decreased and SOD activity in lung tissue increased(P＜0.01).The protein expressions of p-PI3K,p-Akt,and p-mTOR in lung tissue decreased(P＜0.01),while the corresponding indicators in the IGF-1 group showed opposite trends(P＜0.01).Compared with the high-dose group of atractylenolide I,rats in the high-dose atractylenolide I+IGF-1 group showed a decrease in PEF,FEV1 and FVC,and an increase in the wet/dry mass ratio of lungs(P＜0.01).Pathologic damage in lung tissue was increased.The levels of IL-6,TNF-α,MDA increased and the SOD activity in lung tissue decreased(P＜0.01).The protein expressions of p-PI3K,p-Akt,and p-mTOR in lung tissue increased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusion AtractylenolideⅠmay improve lung injury in RRTI rats of lung and spleen qi deficiency by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.

Letter to the Editor: Pathogens detected from patients with acute respiratory infections negative for SARS-CoV-2, Saitama, Japan, 2020

@#Utilizing data presented in the article by Miyashita et al., we illustrate the importance of testing data when assessing surveillance data. Accounting for the number of tests (denominator) and positivity (proportion of tests positive for a specific pathogen(s)) improves data interpretation in ways not possible from numerator case data alone.

Effect of an extracorporeal diaphragm pacemaker combined with airway clearance technology on pulmonary infection, diaphragmatic mobility and thickness in older adult patients with dementia / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of an extracorporeal diaphragm pacemaker (EDP) combined with airway clearance technology (ACT) in the treatment of pulmonary infection in older adult patients with dementia and its impact on diaphragmatic mobility and thickness.Methods:A total of 60 patients with dementia and pulmonary infections who received treatment at The Second Hospital of Jinhua from June 2022 to February 2023 were included in this prospective study. These patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, with 30 patients in each group. The control group received ACT treatment, while the observation group received EDP treatment on the basis of ACT treatment. Two groups were treated for 4 successive weeks. Efficacy was compared between the two groups. Before and after treatment, sputum color score, sputum quality score, diaphragmatic mobility, and diaphragmatic thickness were compared between the two groups.Results:The overall response rate in the observation group was 93.33% (28/30), which was significantly higher than 73.33% (22/30) in the control group ( Z = 2.08, P = 0.038). After treatment, the sputum color score, sputum quality score, and sputum volume in the observation group were (0.46 ± 0.12) points, (0.34 ± 0.10) points, and (8.47 ± 1.23) mL, respectively, which were significantly lower than (0.89 ± 0.17) points, (0.76 ± 0.18) points, and (13.25 ± 2.87) mL, respectively, in the control group ( t = 11.32, 11.17, 8.38, all P < 0.001). After treatment, the diaphragmatic mobility and thickness in the observation group were (13.52 ± 0.51) mm and (0.52 ± 0.06) mm, respectively, which were significantly greater than (12.76 ± 0.41) mm and (0.44 ± 0.04) mm, respectively, in the control group ( t = -6.36, -6.08, both P < 0.001). Conclusion:The combined application of EDP and ACT shows a significant therapeutic effect on patients with dementia and pulmonary infection, effectively improving their pulmonary function, increasing the mobility and thickness of the diaphragm, and alleviating difficulties in breathing.

Characteristics of endemic human Coronavirus infections during times of COVID-19 pandemic / Características de las infecciones causadas por Corona virus humanos endémicos durante la pandemia COVID-19

Abstract Introduction : After the implementation of mitigation strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of respiratory viruses, including human coronaviruses (HCoV), experienced a significant decrease. The aim of this study is to characterize the epidemiology and clinical aspects of HCoV infections in ambulatory adults during COVID-19 pandemic times. Methods : descriptive, prospective, longitudinal study performed in a private hospital in La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina between November 2020 and October 2022; 458 outpatient adults with upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) were studied undergoing clinical and microbiological follow-up. Results : 44 (9.6%) subjects were positive by multiplex PCR for HCoV. 14 of them for 229E (31.8%), 13 for OC43 (29.5%), 11 for HKU-1 (25.1%) and 6 for NL63 (13.6%). A repeated PCR was positive for the same HCoV in 19 (57%) of 33 patients on day 3-5. No hospitalizations or deaths were reported. Discussion : Endemic HCoV caused a significant pro portion of URTI among outpatient adults during COVID- 19-related restrictions times. An alternating pattern of circulation between alfa-HCoV and beta-HCoV was observed.

Resumen Introducción : Tras la implementación de estrate gias de mitigación durante la pandemia de COVID-19, la incidencia de virus respiratorios, incluyendo los coronavirus humanos (HCoV), disminuyó significati vamente. El objetivo de este estudio es caracterizar la epidemiología y los aspectos clínicos de las infecciones por HCoV en adultos ambulatorios durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos : estudio descriptivo, prospectivo, longitudi nal, realizado en un hospital privado de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, entre noviembre de 2020 y octubre de 2022. Se estudiaron 458 pacientes adultos ambulatorios con infecciones del tracto respiratorio superior (ITRS) bajo seguimiento clínico y microbiológico. Resultados : 44 (9.6%) sujetos fueron positivos por PCR multiplex para HCoV. Se detectaron 14 229E (31.8%), 13 OC43 (29.5%), 11 HKU-1 (25.1%) y 6 NL63 (13.6%). Una segunda PCR fue positiva para el mismo HCoV en 19 (57 %) de 33 pacientes en los días 3-5. No se reportaron hospitalizaciones ni muertes. Discusión : los HCoV endémicos causaron una pro porción significativa de ITRS entre pacientes adultos ambulatorios durante los tiempos de restricciones rela cionados con COVID-19. Se observó un patrón alternante de circulación entre alfa-HCoV y beta-HCoV.

Multidrug stewardship and adherence to guidelines in >200,000 direct-to-consumer Telemedicine encounters

ABSTRACT Objective: The quality of care and safety for Telemedicine-discharged patients with suspected respiratory infections are closely related to low rates of prescriptions of unjustified and high-risk medications. This retrospective study aimed to assess adherence to the current COVID-19 guidelines in direct-to-consumer telemedicine encounters at a large center using multidrug stewardship protocols. Methods: A quarterly electronic survey utilizing medical records of individual physician care assessed various quality indicators. Physicians received ongoing adaptive feedback based on personal metrics, with Telemedicine Center recommendations derived from the 2020 Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines. The study included all consecutive adults with new respiratory symptoms in the last 14 days who sought spontaneous Telemedicine consultations between March 2020 and August 2021. This study analyzed patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and other airway infections. Results: Of the 221,128 evaluated patients, 42,042 (19%) had confirmed COVID-19; 104,021 (47%) were suspected to have COVID-19; and, 75,065 (33%) had other diagnoses. Patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 had a mean (+DP) age of 35±12 years. A total of 125,107 (85.65%) patients were managed at home, 2,552 (1.74%) were referred for non-urgent in-office reassessment, and 17,185 (11.7%) were referred to the emergency department for whom there was no further treatment recommendation. The antibiotic rate in confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases was 0.46%/0.65% and that for non-evidence-based prescriptions was 0.01%/0.005%. Conclusion: Guideline training and Telemedicine consultation feedback may lead to lower antibiotic and antimicrobial prescriptions in suspected and confirmed COVID-19 cases. Multidrug stewardship protocols may improve guideline adherence and reinforce the quality of care and safety in Telemedicine encounters.

Evolución clínico funcional de pacientes con fibrosis quística tratados con lumacaftor/ivacaftor en un centro pediátrico. Serie de casos / Clinical and functional course of patients with cystic fibrosis treated with lumacaftor/ivacaftor at a children's hospital. A case series

Los moduladores de la proteína reguladora transmembrana de fibrosis quística (CFTR) tratan el defecto de esta proteína. El objetivo es describir la evolución de niños con fibrosis quística tratados con lumacaftor/ivacaftor. Se trata de una serie de 13 pacientes de 6 a 18 años con ≥ 6 meses de tratamiento. Se analizaron el volumen espiratorio forzado en el primer segundo (VEF1), puntaje Z del índice de masa corporal (IMC), antibioticoterapia/año, antes del tratamiento y durante 24 meses posteriores. A los 12 meses (9/13) y 24 meses (5/13), la mediana de cambio del porcentaje del predicho VEF1 (ppVEF1) fue de 0,5 pp [-2-12] y 15 pp [8,7-15,2], y del puntaje Z de IMC de 0,32 puntos [-0,2-0,5] y 1,23 puntos [0,3-1,6]. El primer año (11/13) la mediana de días de uso de antibiótico disminuyó de 57 a 28 (oral) y de 27 a 0 (intravenoso). Dos niños evidenciaron eventos adversos asociados.

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) modulators treat defective CFTR protein. Our objective is to describe the course of children with cystic fibrosis treated with lumacaftor/ivacaftor. This is a case series of 13 patients aged 6 to 18 years with ≥ 6 months of treatment. Forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), body mass index (BMI) Z-score, antibiotic therapy/year, before treatment and for 24 months after treatment were analyzed. At 12 months (9/13) and 24 months (5/13), the median change in the percent predicted FEV1 (ppFEV1) was 0.5 pp (-2­12) and 15 pp (8.7­15.2) and the BMI Z-score was 0.32 points (-0.2­0.5) and 1.23 points (0.3­1.6). In the first year, in 11/13 patients, the median number of days of antibiotic use decreased from 57 to 28 (oral) and from 27 to 0 (intravenous). Two children had associated adverse events.

Infectious disease evaluations in a psychiatric unit, an observational study / Visitas infectológicas a una unidad psiquiátrica, un estudio observacional

Patients in adult psychiatric wards present infectious complications or pathologies that mimic an infectious condition, and there is little information on this subject. OBJECTIVES: To know the frequency and infectious and non-infectious complications treated by infectious disease specialists in a psychiatric intensive-care hospitalization unit for adults and their outcomes. METHODS: Observational study between 2016 and 2021. RESULTS: 37 patients with 41 events were evaluated. Almost half of the visits to these events originated from an antimicrobial stewardship program (46.3%). In 68.3% of the events, complementary studies were requested; in 14.6%, referral to other specialties; in 26.8%, an antimicrobial treatment was started; and in 75%, modifications were made to previous schemes. An infectious cause was identified in 30 of 41 events (73.2%) that included the following conditions: respiratory (31.7%), skin (9.8%), urinary (7.3%), gynecological (2.4%), one case of bacteremia with unknown source (2.4%), sequential infections (4.9%) and HIV therapy dropouts (7.3%). In the 11 remaining events, non-infectious causes were identified (26.8%): pulmonary thromboembolism, drug hepatotoxicity, false positive VDRL and HIV tests, steroid-induced psychosis in an HIV patient with thrombocytopenia, fever without etiology, residual positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test, low O2 pulse oximetry due to oversedation and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. There was no mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Patients in psychiatric hospitalization wards suffer from a great diversity of infectious problems during their stay with conditions that simulate infections. An antibiotic surveillance system can detect half of these conditions. The infectious diseases visits allow for advising or reorienting of the study and modifying the antibiotic treatment.

Los pacientes en salas de hospitalización psiquiátricas de adultos presentan complicaciones infecciosas o patologías que simulan un cuadro infeccioso y existe escasa información sobre este tema. OBJETIVOS: Conocer la frecuencia y tipo de complicaciones infecciosas y no infecciosas atendidas por especialistas de infectología en un Servicio de hospitalización psiquiátrica de cuidados intensivos de adultos y sus desenlaces. MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional entre el 2016 y 2021. RESULTADOS: Se visitaron 37 paciente con 41 eventos. Casi la mitad de las visitas en estos eventos se originó por seguimiento de antimicrobianos (46,3%). En el 68,3% de los eventos se solicitaron estudios complementarios, en 14,6% la opinión de otras especialidades, en 26,8% se inició un tratamiento antimicrobiano y en 75% se hicieron modificaciones a esquemas previos. En 30 de 41 eventos se identificó una causa infecciosa (73,2%) que incluyeron las siguientes condiciones: respiratorias (31,7%), cutáneas (9,8%), urinarias (7,3%), ginecológicas (2,4%), bacteremia sin foco (2,4%), infecciones secuenciales (4,9%) y abandonos de terapia en pacientes VIH (7,3%). En los 11 eventos restantes se identificaron causas no infecciosas (26,8%): tromboembolismo pulmonar, hepatotoxicidad por drogas, test VDRL y VIH falsos positivos, psicosis por esteroides en un paciente VIH con trombocitopenia, fiebre sin etiología, PCR SARS-CoV-2 positiva residual, desaturación de O2 por sedación y síndrome neuroléptico maligno. No hubo mortalidad en esta serie. CONCLUSIONES: Los pacientes en salas de hospitalización psiquiátrica sufren de una gran diversidad de problemas infecciosos durante su estadía junto a cuadros que simulan infecciones. Un sistema de vigilancia antibiótica permite detectar la mitad de estas condiciones. Las visitas infectológicas permiten asesorar o reorientar el estudio y modificar el tratamiento antibiótico.

Síndrome de Sweet posinfeccioso

El síndrome de Sweet es un tipo de dermatosis neutrofílica infrecuente, caracterizado por un cuadro febril agudo con aparición de lesiones en piel tipo pápulas y placas eritematosas y dolorosas, con neutrofilia periférica acompañante, que mejora con el uso de corticoides. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 22 años, con vitíligo como enfermedad de base, que acude por un cuadro de 1 semana de evolución de sensación febril no graduada y aparición insidiosa de lesiones en piel foto expuesta. Se realizó estudios laboratoriales e histopatológicos llegando al diagnóstico de síndrome de Sweet. Con los resultados de los estudios paraclínicos se inició tratamiento con corticoides sistémicos y tópicos con excelente respuesta.

Sweet syndrome is a rare type of neutrophilic dermatosis, characterized by an acute febrile picture with the appearance of painful erythematous papules and plaques on the skin, with accompanying peripheral neutrophilia, which improves with the use of corticosteroids. The case of a 22-year-old patient, with vitiligo as the underlying disease, is presented. She attended for a 1-week history of ungraded feverish sensation and insidious appearance of lesions on photo-exposed skin. Laboratory and histopathological studies were carried out, leading to the diagnosis of Sweet syndrome. With the results of the paraclinical studies, treatment with systemic and topical corticosteroids was started with an excellent response.

Rinovirus y metapneumovirus en pacientes con infección respiratoria aguda grave / Rhinovirus and metapneumovirus in patients with severe acute respiratory infection

Introducción. Los virus son los principales agentes etiológicos en las infecciones respiratorias agudas graves; un alto porcentaje queda sin diagnóstico viral. Objetivo. Describir la frecuencia de rinovirus y metapneumovirus en pacientes pediátricos de una unidad centinela de Mar del Plata con infección respiratoria aguda grave y resultado negativo para virus clásicos por inmunofluorescencia y biología molecular. Población y métodos. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal. Se evaluó la presencia de rinovirus y metapneumovirus por biología molecular en 163 casos negativos para panel respiratorio por técnicas de vigilancia referencial, durante todo el año 2015. Resultados. Se detectó rinovirus en el 51,5 % de los casos, metapneumovirus en el 9,8 % y coinfección rinovirus-metapneumovirus en el 6,1 %. Fueron negativos para ambos virus el 32,5 %. Conclusiones. La selección de muestras sin diagnóstico virológico permitió identificar rinovirus y metapneumovirus como agentes causales de infecciones respiratorias agudas graves pediátricas y su impacto en la morbimortalidad infantil y en nuestro sistema sanitario.

Introduction. Viruses are the main etiologic agents involved in severe acute respiratory tract infections; a viral diagnosis is not established in a high percentage of cases. Objective. To describe the frequency of rhinovirus and metapneumovirus in pediatric patients with severe acute respiratory infection and negative results for typical viruses by immunofluorescence and molecular biology at a sentinel unit of Mar del Plata. Population and methods. This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study. The presence of rhinovirus and metapneumovirus was assessed by molecular biology in 163 cases negative for respiratory panel by referral surveillance techniques throughout 2015. Results. Rhinovirus was detected in 51.5% of cases, metapneumovirus in 9.8%, and coinfection with rhinovirus and metapneumovirus in 6.1%. Results were negative for both viruses in 32.5%. Conclusions. The selection of samples without a viral diagnosis allowed us to identify rhinovirus and metapneumovirus as causative agents of severe acute respiratory infections in children and assess their impact on child morbidity and mortality and on our health care system

Bacterial Isolates Of The Respiratory Tract Infection And Their Current Sensitivity Pattern Among Patients Admitted In Tertiary Care Hospital.

Background & Objectives: This study was aimed to observe the susceptibility pattern of bacterial isolates from respiratory tract infection (RTI). Respiratory tract infection is considered as one of the major public health problems and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in many developing countries. Respiratory tract is the part of the human system that plays a vital role in breathing processes. In human, the respiratory system can be subdivided into an Upper respiratory tract and a Lower respiratory tract based on anatomical features. The respiratory tract is constantly exposed to microbes due to the extensive surface area. The present study was conducted retrospectively for a periodMethods: of one year November 2021 to October 2022. All respiratory specimens included Sputum, BAL, throat swab; endotracheal aspirate specimens were collected aseptically from patients and cultured on the appropriate bacteriological media (Blood agar, MacConkey agar & Chocolate Agar). Bacterial isolates were identified by biochemical tests and antimicrobial susceptibility performed by standard methods as per CLSI 2022. 152Results: (72.3%) of total 210 samples were positive for bacterial culture. 126 (82.8%) were gram negative bacilli (GNB) and 26 (17.1%) were gram positive cocci (GPC). The predominant pathogen isolated was K. pneumoniae 46 (30.2%) followed by Escherichia coli 28 (18.4%).The overall susceptibility of GNB was highest towards Imipenem, Meropenem followed by Piperacillin tazobactam and Amikacin. Gram positive organisms exhibited highest susceptibility towards Vancomycin and Linezolid. Imipenem is the most sensitive antibiotic followed by Piperacillin tazobactamConclusion: and Amikacin which can be used for empirical therapy for respiratory tract infections (RTI). The antibiotic therapy should be modified as per the culture and sensitivity report. Regular determinations of the type of bacterial pathogens and updation of antibiogram must be followed in every institution to aid in better patient management by helping the clinician in the judicious use of antibiotics.

Influencia de la obesidad en la severidad de la infección por SARS-CoV-2

La obesidad es una enfermedad metabólica crónica asociada a un incremento de la morbimortalidad cuya prevalencia se ha incrementado a niveles pandémicos lo que la constituye como un factor de riesgo clínico típico de peor pronóstico en pacientes con COVID-19. El propósito de esta revisión fue categorizar los principales factores fisiopatológicos que influyen en la gravedad de COVID-19 en pacientes con obesidad, mediante la búsqueda sistemática de artículos publicados hasta el 11 de marzo de 2022 usando diferentes bases de datos (Scopus, Cochrane, PubMed, Web of Science y Medline). Los resultados indican que la presencia de angiotensina II permite el ingreso del virus SARS-CoV-2 en las células del tejido adiposo convirtiéndolo en un depósito importante del virus lo que causa una diseminación más rápida a órganos vecinos. Estos valores incrementados de angiotensina II en el pulmón pueden inducir a vasoconstricción que a su vez conduce a un desajuste de ventilación/perfusión e hipoxemia, así como a inflamación y daño oxidativo. El incremento de la angiotensina II en pacientes con obesidad puede exacerbar el aumento del nivel de angiotensina II inducido por COVID-19, lo que lleva a una lesión pulmonar más grave, además de la formación de microcoágulos que colapsan la irrigación a nivel capilar, sobre todo la del alveolo, causando fallo a este nivel con extravasación de líquidos y neumonía fulminante. Además, la obesidad produce una alteración del sistema inmune comprometiendo así su capacidad de respuesta ante la infección respiratoria y propiciando un empeoramiento de la enfermedad.

Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease associated with increased morbidity and mortality whose prevalence has increased to pandemic levels, making it a typical clinical risk factor for worse prognosis in patients with COVID-19. The purpose of this review was to categorize the main pathophysiological factors that influence the severity of COVID-19 in patients with obesity, through a systematic search for articles published up to March 11, 2022 using different databases (Scopus, Cochrane, PubMed, Web of Science and Medline). The results indicate that the presence of angiotensin II allows the SARS-CoV-2 virus to enter the adipose tissue cells, making it an important reservoir for the virus, which causes faster dissemination to neighboring organs. These increased values of angiotensin II in the lung can induce vasoconstriction which in turn leads to ventilation/perfusion mismatch and hypoxemia, as well as inflammation and oxidative damage. The increase in angiotensin II in the obese can exacerbate the increase in the level of angiotensin II induced by COVID-19, leading to more severe lung injury, in addition to the formation of microclots that collapse the irrigation at the capillary level, especially in the alveolus, causing failure at this level with fluid extravasation and fulminant pneumonia. In addition, obesity produces an alteration of the immune system, thus compromising its ability to respond to respiratory infection and leading to a worsening of the disease.

Multicenter epidemiological characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in children in Hainan Province, 2012-2020 / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective　To analyze the epidemiological characteristics (season, age, gender, mixed infection and clinical manifestations, etc.) of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection in children in Hainan Province, so as to provide epidemiological evidence-based medical basis for the prevention and control of MP infection in children in Hainan Province. Methods　The serum IgM antibodies of MP, Legionella pneumophila, Chlamydia pneumoniae, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Q fever Rickettsia, parainfluenza virus, influenza A virus and influenza B virus in children with respiratory tract infections (RTIs) who were hospitalized in pediatrics of many hospitals in Hainan Province from March 2012 to February 2020 were detected by indirect immunofluorescence method. The positive serum MP-IgM antibody was defined as MP infection. The epidemiological and clinical data of MP infected cases were analyzed retrospectively. Results　From March, 2012 to February, 2020, a total of 35 731 qualified pediatric inpatients with RTIs in many hospitals in Hainan Province were tested for serum MP-IgM with the total positive rate of 39.12% (13 978/35 731). The yearly positive rates of MP-IgM from 2012 to 2020 were 48.39%, 56.23%, 56.62%, 47.04%, 29.71%, 24.14%, 47.55%, 36.84% and 24.46% respectively. The positive rates of MP-IgM in 2013 and 2014 were significantly higher than those in other years (P<0.05). The positive rate of MP-IgM in summer in Hainan Province was the highest (41.34%) and the lowest in winter (35.77%) (P<0.05). MP infection occurred in all age groups, the positive rate of MP-IgM in children of preschool (51.80%) was significantly higher than that in other age groups (P<0.01), and the positive rate of MP IgM in children of infancy (15.36%) was lower than that in other age groups (P<0.01). The positive rate of MP-IgM in female was 44.77%, which was significantly higher than that in male (35.83%) (P<0.05). MP infection combined with positive IgM of another pathogen accounted for 32.63% (4 561 cases), positive IgM of another two pathogens accounted for 1.26% (176 cases). MP infection was mostly found in pneumonia (68.73%), and the main clinical symptoms were cough (84.72%), fever (51.01%) and wheezing (3.16%). Conclusions　MP is an important pathogen of respiratory tract infection in children in Hainan Province, and infection is more common in children in early school age and early childhood. Mp-specific tests should be performed to identify the pathogen in children suspected of MP infection. In the high incidence season, health education should be strengthened in kindergartens, schools and other places to prevent respiratory tract infection.

Progress of Chlamydia trachomatis in children with respiratory tract infections / 国际儿科学杂志

Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the atypical pathogens, also a strict intracellular parasite with unique developmental cycle of prokaryotic microorganisms, resulting in infantile respiratory infections and conjunctivitis.Chlamydia trachomatis is associated with respiratory diseases such as chronic cough and bronchial asthma in children.Children infected with Chlamydia trachomatis generally have a good prognosis after treatment.At present, important progress has been made in the development of Chlamydia trachomatis vaccine.This article reviews the progress in etiology, epidemiology, clinical features, laboratory inspection, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of Chlamydia trachomatis, providing a new direction for clinical recognition and effective treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

The role of fever clinic and traditional Chinese medicine in coping with new respiratory infectious diseases / 中国医师杂志

As a front-line department for the prevention and control of respiratory infectious diseases, the construction and management of fever clinics have also been adjusted with the changes of the epidemic situation in different periods. In this context, the scope of diagnosis and treatment of fever clinics should be expanded again, not limited to the detection and screening of infectious diseases, but should focus on early treatment and prevention of severe diseases. Management measures should also be further optimized with the expansion of patient types. Face of this situation, we need to actively explore the integration of epidemic prevention and control into the normalized diagnosis and treatment environment, and at the same time maintain the ability to respond to the outbreak of the epidemic. As a hospital of traditional Chinese medicine, it is also important to play and develop the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine in the construction of fever clinic.

The diagnostic value of plasma microbial cell-free DNA sequencing in pulmonary infections / 中华检验医学杂志

Based on metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), sequencing of plasma microbial cell-free DNA (mcfDNA) has recently been shown to provide a non-invasive pathogenic diagnostic technique for infectious diseases. In sepsis and bloodstream infections, mcfDNA sequencing has advantages in sensitivity, timeliness, and pathogen coverage compared with traditional pathogenic diagnostic techniques such as blood culture, according to available research results. However, the sensitivity of mcfDNA is much lower than that of mNGS with high-quality lower respiratory tract (LRT) specimens such as bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in pulmonary infections, and high-quality clinical research is still unavailable. Therefore, mcfDNA sequencing should not be used as a first-line etiological method for pulmonary infection and should only be used in patients with severe infection in whom pathogens cannot be identified by classical etiological methods and high-quality LRT specimens are not available for microbial mNGS. In order to improve the sensitivity of mcfDNA and to identify the most suitable patients as well as the best time of its application in pulmonary infections, the optimization of these testing techniques is urgently needed.

Effects of Nie Ji tuina combined with acupoint massage on cellular immune function in children with recurrent respiratory tract infection / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To explore the effects of Nie Ji tuina combined with acupoint massage on cellular immune function in children with recurrent respiratory tract infection (RRTI).Methods:Randomized controlled trial. A total of 96 children in the hospital were enrolled as the observation objects between June 2020 and October 2021. According to random number table method, they were divided into control group (acupoint massage) and observation group (Nie Ji tuina combined with acupoint massage), 48 in each group. All were treated for 8 weeks and followed up for 8 months. TCM syndromes were scored before and after treatment. The levels of CD4 +, CD8 + and CD4 +/CD8 + ratio in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry. The frequency of RRTI attacks during follow-up was observed, and the clinical curative effect was evaluated. Results:There was no significant difference in total response rate between observation group and control group [93.75% (45/48) vs. 81.25% (39/48); χ2=3.43, P=0.064]. After treatment, scores of TCM syndromes (cough, fatigue, shortness of breath and laziness to speak, spontaneous sweating) were significantly lower in observation group than control group ( t=3.95, 9.64, 7.68, 8.34, P<0.01). After treatment, levels of CD4 + and CD4 +/CD8 + were increased ( P<0.01), while CD8 + level was decreased in both groups ( P<0.01), but there was no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05). During follow-up, observation group times of recurrence attacks were fewer than those in the control group ( t=10.60, P<0.01). Conclusion:Nie Ji tuina combined with acupoint massage can improve disease resistance ability and reduce RRTI frequency in children.

Progress in non-viral localized delivery of siRNA therapeutics for pulmonary diseases

Emerging therapies based on localized delivery of siRNA to lungs have opened up exciting possibilities for treatment of different lung diseases. Localized delivery of siRNA to lungs has shown to result in severalfold higher lung accumulation than systemic route, while minimizing non-specific distribution in other organs. However, to date, only 2 clinical trials have explored localized delivery of siRNA for pulmonary diseases. Here we systematically reviewed recent advances in the field of pulmonary delivery of siRNA using non-viral approaches. We firstly introduce the routes of local administration and analyze the anatomical and physiological barriers towards effective local delivery of siRNA in lungs. We then discuss current progress in pulmonary delivery of siRNA for respiratory tract infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, acute lung injury, and lung cancer, list outstanding questions, and highlight directions for future research. We expect this review to provide a comprehensive understanding of current advances in pulmonary delivery of siRNA.

Fatores associados à sepse e condições preditoras de óbito para pessoas idosas com doenças respiratórias / Factors associated with sepsis and conditions that predict death for elderly people with respiratory diseases* / Factores asociados a la sepsis y condiciones que predicen la muerte de ancianos con enfermedades respiratorias

Objetivo: analisar os fatores associados à sepse, bem como as condições preditoras do óbito em pessoas idosas, internadas em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva, com diagnóstico inicial de doenças respiratórias agudas não relacionadas à assistência à saúde. Método: estudo epidemiológico de coorte mista, realizado entre setembro de 2019 e setembro de 2020. Os dados foram coletados nos prontuários eletrônicos e verificada associação em análise bivariada e regressão logística. Resultados: das 228 pessoas idosas estudadas, 125 (54,5%) faleceram e observaram-se 204 (89,5%) com sepse. Dispositivos invasivos urinários (RR=1,754; IC 95% 1,360-2,263), presença de sepse segundo o consenso Sepsis-3 (RR=3,55; IC 95% 1,23-10,27) e Covid-19 (RR=1,39; IC 95% 1,08-1,78) foram preditores para o óbito. Conclusão: os fatores associados à sepse entre pacientes de Covid-19 e de outras infecções respiratórias são diferentes. As condições preditoras do óbito para pessoas idosas com infecções respiratórias agudas não relacionadas à assistência à saúde foram: sepse, Covid-19 e dispositivo invasivo urinário.

Objective: to analyze the factors associated with sepsis, as well as the conditions that predict death in elderly people admitted to Intensive Care Units, with an initial diagnosis of acute respiratory diseases not related to health care. Methodology: mixed cohort epidemiological study, carried out between September 2019 and September 2020. Data were collected from electronic medical charts and associations were checked in bivariate analysis and logistic regression. Results: of the studied 228 elderly people, 125 (54.5%) passed away and 204 (89.5%) had sepsis. Urinary invasive devices (RR=1.754; 95% CI 1.360-2.263), presence of sepsis based on the Sepsis-3 consensus (RR=3.55; 95% CI 1.23-10.27) and Covid-19 (RR=1. 39; 95% CI 1.08-1.78) were predictors for death. Conclusion: the factors associated with sepsis among patients with Covid-19 and other respiratory infections are different. The conditions that predict death for elderly people with acute respiratory infections not related to health care were: sepsis, Covid-19 and urinary invasive device.

Objetivo: analizar los factores asociados a la sepsis, así como las condiciones que predicen la muerte de ancianos ingresados​​en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, con diagnóstico inicial de enfermedades respiratorias agudas no relacionadas con la asistencia sanitaria. Metodología: estudio epidemiológico de cohorte mixta, realizado entre septiembre de 2019 y septiembre de 2020. Los datos se recolectaron de historias clínicas electrónicas y se verificaron asociaciones en análisis bivariado y regresión logística. Resultados: de los 228 ancianos estudiados, 125 (54,5%) fallecieron y 204 (89,5%) presentaron sepsis. Dispositivos urinarios invasivos (RR=1,754; IC 95% 1,360-2,263), presencia de sepsis según el consenso Sepsis-3 (RR=3,55; IC 95% 1,23-10,27) y Covid-19 (RR=1,39; 95 %IC 1,08-1,78) fueron predictores de muerte. Conclusión: los factores asociados a la sepsis entre pacientes con Covid-19 y otras infecciones respiratorias son diferentes. Las condiciones que predicen la muerte de ancianos con infecciones respiratorias agudas no relacionadas con la asistencia sanitaria fueron: sepsis, Covid-19 y dispositivo urinario invasivo.