Clinical characteristics of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome complicated with nontuberculous mycobacteria disease / 中华传染病杂志

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) complicated with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) disease.Methods:The clinical data of 190 patients with AIDS complicated with NTM disease diagnosed by Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. NTM diseases were divided into disseminated NTM disease group and non-disseminated NTM disease group. The independent sample t test, Mann Whitney U test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results:The 190 patients with AIDS complicated with NTM disease included 182 males and eight females. The age was (42±13) years old, and the first hospital stay was 15(6, 26) days. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia was the most common co-infection in 12.1%(23/190) of patients, 87 cases (45.8%) were disseminated NTM disease. The clinical symptoms of patients were common in fever (55.8%(106/190)), cough (50.0%(95/190)), and expectoration (28.9%(55/190)). The proportions of fatigue (31.0%(27/87) vs 7.8%(8/103)), poor appetite (21.8%(19/87) vs 10.7%(11/103)) in the AIDS patients with disseminated NTM disease group were higher than those in the non-disseminated NTM disease group, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=16.99, P<0.001 and χ2=4.42, P=0.036, respectively). There was no significant difference in the proportions of deaths between AIDS patients with disseminated NTM disease and those without disseminated NTM disease (17.2%(15/87) vs 12.6%(13/103), χ2=0.80, P=0.371). The most common NTM species was Mycobacterium avium (67.1%(49/190)), followed by Mycobacterium kansasii (15.1%(11/190)). Hemoglobin ((90.3±23.9) g/L vs (110.1±24.2) g/L), albumin ((29.7±5.5) g/L vs (34.7±5.6) g/L), CD4 + T lymphocyte count (11(5, 30)/μL vs 52(16, 96)/μL) and CD8 + T lymphocyte count ((362±320)/μL vs (496±352)/μL) in the disseminated NTM disease group were lower than those in non-disseminated NTM disease group ( t=-5.63, P<0.001; t=-6.18, P<0.001; Z=-5.90, P<0.001; and t=-2.73, P=0.007, respectively), while procalcitonin (0.24(0.10, 0.77) μg/L vs 0.10 (0.04, 0.51) μg/L) was higher than that in the non-disseminated NTM disease group ( Z=-3.09, P=0.002), with statistical significance. The most common imaging features were lung patch and strip shadow (67.4%(128/190)). Conclusions:The most common type of AIDS patients complicated with NTM disease is disseminated NTM disease, and Mycobacterium avium is the most common NTM species. The clinical manifestations (fatigue, anorexia) and laboratory tests (hemoglobin, albumin, procalcitonin, CD4 + T lymphocyte count, CD8 + T lymphocyte count) of AIDS patients with disseminated NTM disease and non-disseminated NTM disease are different, while the prognosis is not significantly different.

Current status and influencing factors of different initiation time of antiretroviral therapy in HIV/AIDS patients / 上海预防医学

ObjectiveTo investigate the status of different antiretroviral therapy（ART） initiation times in patients with HIV/AIDS and analyze the relevant characteristics and influencing factors of delayed ART. MethodsFrom December 2018 to December 2020， a survey was conducted among adult HIV/AIDS patients treated in 28 designated AIDS prevention and treatment institutions in Beijing， Shanghai， Guangdong， Jiangsu， Henan， Jiangxi， Guangxi， Yunnan and other places. Data of the basic demographic information， lifestyle and chronic disease prevalence， and characteristics of diagnosis and treatment were collected. The characteristics and related factors of delayed ART were compared and analyzed. ResultsThe median age of 1 741 patients was 41 years old （IQR： 32‒52）. The initial CD4 count of most patients was less than 200 cells·μL-1（51.4%）. Among them， 1 027 patients had delayed ART （59.0%）， and the association between ART initiation time and initial CD4 count varied with the time of diagnosis of HIV infection. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that the older age （aOR=0.99， 95%CI： 0.98‒0.99） was associated with a higher rate of starting ART within 1 month after diagnosis， while those diagnosed before 2017 and with the initial CD4 count >200 cells·μL-1 were more likely to delay ART. Delayed initiation of ART may be a risk factor for poor sleep quality and co-infection in HIV/AIDS patients. ConclusionWith the expansion of free ART in China， the proportion of delayed ART with HIV/AIDS shows a downward trend. Timely ART management should be strengthened for the young HIV/AIDS patients and patients with high CD4 counts.

The past, present and future of tuberculosis treatment / 浙江大学学报·医学版

Tuberculosis (TB) is an ancient infectious disease. Before the availability of effective drug therapy, it had high morbidity and mortality. In the past 100 years, the discovery of revolutionary anti-TB drugs such as streptomycin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, ethambutol and rifampicin, along with drug combination treatment, has greatly improved TB control globally. As anti-TB drugs were widely used, multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis emerged due to acquired genetic mutations, and this now presents a major problem for effective treatment. Genes associated with drug resistance have been identified, including katG mutations in isoniazid resistance, rpoB mutations in rifampin resistance, pncA mutations in pyrazinamide resistance, and gyrA mutations in quinolone resistance. The major mechanisms of drug resistance include loss of enzyme activity in prodrug activation, drug target alteration, overexpression of drug target, and overexpression of the efflux pump. During the disease process, Mycobacterium tuberculosis may reside in different microenvironments where it is expose to acidic pH, low oxygen, reactive oxygen species and anti-TB drugs, which can facilitate the development of non-replicating persisters and promote bacterial survival. The mechanisms of persister formation may include toxin-antitoxin (TA) modules, DNA protection and repair, protein degradation such as trans-translation, efflux, and altered metabolism. In recent years, the use of new anti-TB drugs, repurposed drugs, and their drug combinations has greatly improved treatment outcomes in patients with both drug-susceptible TB and MDR/XDR-TB. The importance of developing more effective drugs targeting persisters of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is emphasized. In addition, host-directed therapeutics using both conventional drugs and herbal medicines for more effective TB treatment should also be explored. In this article, we review historical aspects of the research on anti-TB drugs and discuss the current understanding and treatments of drug resistant and persistent tuberculosis to inform future therapeutic development.

Expert recommendations on booster immunization strategies of 2019-nCoV vaccines / 中华临床感染病杂志

Since the end of 2019, the COVID-19 caused by 2019-nCoV has emerged and the pandemic ravaged the world, which seriously threatens global public health security and economic development. 2019-nCoV vaccine is an effective weapon to combat the viral infection, however, studies have shown that vaccine-induced immune protection decreases over time, coupled with some novel and immune escape variants continual emerging. Therefore, it is urgent to complete booster immunization to improve protection. At present, 2019-nCoV vaccines based on a variety of technical platforms have been approved and available in China. Therefore, we developed this sequential vaccination strategy guide to provide documentation guidance for the prevention and control of the epidemic caused by 2019-nCoV and its variant strains.

Rational medication in clinical practice for COVID-19 guided by Shanghai expert consensus / 中华临床感染病杂志

The outbreak of COVID-19 occurred in January 2020, the epidemic is still rampant around the world. The Shanghai Expert Consensus on Comprehensive Treatment and Management of Corona Virus Disease 2019 was issued in early March 2020, which provided the guidance of the standardized treatment and rational medication for COVID-19. The administration of " four agents (glucocorticoids, heparin, high-dose vitamin C, Interferon-κ) and one peptide (thymic peptide)" recommended by the consensus is the key to successfully block and treat critical illness.

Value of CD4 + and CD8 + T-lymphocyte counts for clinical diagnostic classification and prognosis of coronavirus disease 2019 / 中华传染病杂志

Objective:To assess the value of CD4 + and CD8 + T-lymphocyte counts for the diagnostic classification and prognosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods:A total of 95 COVID-19 adult patients admitted to Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University from January to March 2020 were recruited. The CD4 + and CD8 + T-lymphocyte counts among ordinary, severe and critical patients, as well among the cured, improved, unimproved and death patients were compared. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used to evaluate the value of CD4 + and CD8 + T-lymphocyte counts for the clinical diagnosis and prognosis of COVID-19. The comparison among groups was performed by Mann-Whitney U test. Results:A total of 95 COVID-19 cases including 68 common, 11 severe and 16 critical cases were enrolled. The counts of CD4 + and CD8 + T-lymphocyte of patients in common, severe and critical groups were 419 (309, 612), 267 (212, 540), 141 (77, 201)/μL, and 238 (153, 375), 128 (96, 172), 92 (51, 144)/μL, respectively, with significant differences ( Z=24.322 and 15.956, respectively, both P<0.01). The counts of CD4 + and CD8 + T-lymphocyte of the death, unimproved, improved, and cured patients were 149 (143, 349), 315 (116, 414), 344 (294, 426), 745 (611, 966)/μL, and 106 (43, 501), 176(67, 279), 194(188, 432), 429(276, 564)/μL, respectively, with significant differences ( Z=36.083 and 16.658, respectively, both P<0.01). The optimal cut-off point of CD4 + T-lymphocyte counts was 237/μL for critical COVID-19 with AUROC 0.911 (95% confidence interval ( CI) 0.833-0.989, P<0.01), with the sensitivity of 86.1% and specificity of 87.5%. For predicting severe and critical cases, the optimal cut-off point of CD4 + T-lymphocyte counts was 405/μL with AUROC 0.863 (95% CI 0.727-0.999, P=0.001), with the sensitivity of 78.6% and specificity of 74.6%. Conclusions:The conditions of patients with COVID-19 are aggravated with CD4 + and CD8 + T-lymphocyte counts decreasing. CD4 + T-lymphocyte counts may be an indicator for diagnostic classification of COVID-19 and prognostic indicator for severe and critical patients.

Optimization of emergency management practice for emergent infectious diseases / 中华医院管理杂志

The study analyzed the application of failure mode and effect analysis(FMEA)in the emergency management of emergent infectious diseases. In February 2020, optimization of emergency management procedures for emergent infectious diseases was identified as the research theme. Subsequently, FMEA was applied to study the emergency management process of emergent infectious diseases and analyze corresponding potential failure modes in an infectious disease hospital. The appraisal identified four prioritized risk exposures to correct, including non-standardized personnel protection, delayed personnel arrival, unqualified specimens and inadequate ward preparation. Accordingly pertinent countermeasures were formulated. Three months after measures were taken, the risk priority numbers of the above four risks were decreased significantly. On the other hand, evident increase was found in the on-duty rate of emergency personnel, the rate of standard protection, the qualification rate of sample collection and disposal, as well as the serviceability rate of respirators, ECG monitors and protective equipment in emergency wards. The application of FMEA is conducive to optimizing the emergency response process of emergent infectious diseases, and to upgrading emergency management at large.

Durability of neutralizing antibodies and T-cell response post SARS-CoV-2 infection / 医学前沿

The ongoing pandemic of Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is caused by a newly discovered β Coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). How long the adaptive immunity triggered by SARS-CoV-2 can last is of critical clinical relevance in assessing the probability of second infection and efficacy of vaccination. Here we examined, using ELISA, the IgG antibodies in serum specimens collected from 17 COVID-19 patients at 6-7 months after diagnosis and the results were compared to those from cases investigated 2 weeks to 2 months post-infection. All samples were positive for IgGs against the S- and N-proteins of SARS-CoV-2. Notably, 14 samples available at 6-7 months post-infection all showed significant neutralizing activities in a pseudovirus assay, with no difference in blocking the cell-entry of the 614D and 614G variants of SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, in 10 blood samples from cases at 6-7 months post-infection used for memory T-cell tests, we found that interferon γ-producing CD4

Clinical analysis of risk factors for severe patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To analyze the clinical features of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Shanghai and to investigate the risk factors for disease progression to severe cases. Methods The clinical data of 292 adult patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center from January 20, 2020 to February 10, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including 21 severe patients and 271 mild patients. The demographic characteristics, epidemiological history, history of underlying diseases and laboratory examinations were compared between the two groups. Measurement data were compared using t test or Mann-Whitney U test. The count data were compared using hi-square test. The binary logistic regression equation was used to analyze the risk factors for the progression of patients to severe cases. Results Among the 292 patients, 21 were severe cases with the rate of 7.2% (21/292). One patient died, and the mortality rate was 4.8% in severe patients. The severe patients aged (65.0±15.7) years old, 19 (90.5%) were male, 11 (52.4%) had underlying diseases, 7 (33.3%) had close relatives diagnosed with COVID-19. The mild patients aged (48.7±15.7) years old, 135 (49.8%) were male, 74 (27.3%) had underlying diseases, 36 (13.3%) had close relatives diagnosed with COVID-19. The differences between two groups were all significant statistically ( t =-4.730, χ 2 =12.930, 5.938 and 4.744, respectively, all P <0.05). Compared with the mild patients, the levels of absolute numbers of neutrophils, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine, serum cystatin C, C reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin , D -dimer, pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (proBNP), serum myoglobin, creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), serum troponin I (cTnI) in severe patients were all significantly higher ( U =2 091.5, 1 928.0, 1 215.5, 729.0, 1 580.5, 1 375.5, 917.5, 789.5, 1 209.0, 1 434.0, 638.0, 964.5, 1 258.0 and 1 747.5, respectively, all P <0.05), while the levels of lymphocyte count, albumin, transferrin, CD3 + T lymphocyte count, CD8 + T lymphocyte count and CD4 + T lymphocyte count in severe patients were all significantly lower ( U =1 263.5, t =4.716, U =1 214.0, 962.0, 1 167.5 and 988.0, respectively, all P <0.05). Further logistic regression analysis showed that the albumin (odds ratio ( OR )=0.806, 95% CI 0.675-0.961), CRP ( OR =1.016, 95% CI 1.000-1.032), serum myoglobin ( OR =1.010, 95% CI 1.004-1.016), CD3 + T lymphocyte count ( OR =0.996, 95% CI 0.991-1.000) and CD8 + T lymphocyte count ( OR =1.006, 95% CI 1.001-1.010) at admission were independent risk factors for the progression of COVID-19 patients to severe illness (all P <0.05). Conclusions Severe cases of patients with COVID-19 in Shanghai are predominantly elderly men with underlying diseases. Albumin, CRP, serum myoglobin, CD3 + T lymphocyte count and CD8 + T lymphocyte count could be used as early warning indicators for severe cases, which deserve more clinical attention.

Efficacies of lopinavir/ritonavir and abidol in the treatment of novel coronavirus pneumonia / 中华传染病杂志

Objective@#To evaluate the efficacies of lopinavir/ritonavir and abidol in the treatment of NCP.@*Methods@#The clinical data of 134 patients with NCP receiving treatment at Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center during Jan 20 to Feb 6, 2020 were retrospectively collected. All the patients received interferon-α2b spray and symptomatic supportive treatment, and 52 cases received oral lopinavir/ritonavir treatment, 34 cases received oral abidol treatment, the remaining 48 cases did not take any antiviral drugs. The efficacies at median day 7 among the three groups were compared by using Kruskal-Wallis or chi-square tests.@*Results@#The 134 patients included 69 males (51.5%) and 65 females, aged 35-62 years with the average of 48 years. The median time to temperature normalization in patients receiving abidol or lopinavir/ritonavir treatment was both 6 days after admission, and that was 4 days in the control group, with no significant difference (χ2=2.37, P=0.31). The median time to PCR negative in the respiratory specimens in the three groups was all 7 days after admission, and the PCR negative rates at day 7 after admission in lopinavir/ritonavir, abidol and control groups were 71.8% (28/39), 82.6% (19/23) and 77.1% (27/35), respectively, which were not significantly different (χ2=0.46, P=0.79). Radiological worsening at day 7 was observed in comparable proportions of patients in the three groups, which were 42.3% (n=22), 35.3% (n=12) and 52.1% (n=25), respectively (χ2=2.38, P=0.30) . Adverse reactions occurred in 17.3% (n=9), 8.8% (n=3) and 8.3% (n=4) patients, respectively in the three groups (χ2=2.33, P=0.33).@*Conclusions@#This study did not find any effects of lopinavir/ritonavir and abidol on relieving symptoms or accelerating virus clearance. The efficacies of these two drugs in NCP treatment need further investigation.

Pathogenic microorganisms in ocular fluid of infectious uveitis patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To study the distribution of pathogenic microorganisms in the ocular fluid of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and infectious uveitis.Methods:It was a retrospective case analysis. From June 2018 to December 2019, 31 AIDS patients with infectious uveitis who were hospitalized or outpatient at Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center were included in the study. Among them, there were 30 males and 1 female; the average age was 38.51±11.17 years. There were 20 cases of panuveitis, 10 cases of posterior uveitis, and 1 case of infectious endophthalmitis. Serum CD4 +T lymphocyte count (CD4 +TC) were 0 - 239/μl during the same period. The second-generation gene sequencing technology was used to detect the collected intraocular fluid. Among 31 specimens, aqueous humor and vitreous humor were 27 and 4 respectively. Results:Among 31 specimens, 18 samples (58.1%, 18/31) of cytomegalovirus (CMV) were detected; varicella-zoster virus (VZV) were detected in 5 samples (16.1%, 5/31); Epstein-Barr virus were detected in 9 samples (29.0%, 9/31); human beta herpes virus type 6 (HHV6) were detected in 3 samples (9.7%, 3/31), human papillary molluscum virus (HPV), human polyoma virus, type G hepatitis virus were separately detected in 1 sample (3.2%, 1/31), all coexisting with other microorganisms. Parvovirus were detedcted in 8 samples (25.8%, 8/31); treponema pallidum were detedcted in 5 samples (16.1%, 5/31); toxoplasma gondii and Harmon coccidia were detedcted in 1 sample (3.2%, 1/31); synitelium Polycarpum were detedcted in 1 sample (3.2%, 1/31); mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, fungi, and microbacteria coexist were detedcted in 1 sample (3.2%, 1/31). Among the 18 CMV specimens, the number of gene sequences was more than 1059 (50.0%), and 104-1055 (27.7%). Among the 5 specimens of VZV, the number of gene sequences was>1044 (80.0%). In one specimen, the mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, fungi, and microbacteria coexist, and the number of gene sequences were all <100. The number of gene sequences of HHV6, HPV, human polyoma virus, type G virus, and parvovirus in all specimens was small. Among 31 specimens, 15 (48.4%) of pathogenic microorganisms were detected at least 2 species.Conclusions:CMV and VZV are the main pathogenic microorganisms of infective uveitis in patients with serum CD4 +TC <100/μl; treponema pallidum, toxoplasma gondii or other protozoa, mycobacterium tuberculosis, and fungi cause more infectious uveitis which are common in AIDS patients with serum CD4 +TC >100/μl. The coexistence of two or more microorganisms can be detected in the intraocular fluid of AIDS patients with infectious uveitis.

Effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker on clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 patients with hypertension / 中华内科杂志

Objective:To analyze the effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker (ACEI/ARB) on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with hypertension, and to provide an evidence for selecting antihypertensive drugs in those patients.Methods:Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed in 58 COVID-19 patients with hypertension admitted to Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center from January 20 to February 22, 2020, including epidemiological history, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, chest CT and outcome. Patients were divided into ACEI/ARB group and non-ACEI/ARB group.Results:Twenty-six patients were in ACEI/ARB group and the other 32 patients in non-ACEI/ARB group, with median age 64.0 (49.5, 72.0) years and 64.0 (57.0, 68.8) years respectively. The median time to onset was 5(3, 8) days in ACEI/ARB group and 4 (3, 7) days in non-ACEI/ARB group, the proportion of patients with severe or critical illness was 19.2% and 15.6% respectively. The main clinical symptoms in two groups were fever (80.8% vs. 84.4%) and cough (23.1% vs. 31.3%). The following parameters were comparable including lymphocyte counts, C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, D-dimer, bilateral involvement in chest CT (76.9% vs. 71.9%), worsening of COVID-19 (15.4% vs. 9.4%), favorable outcome (92.3% vs. 96.9%) between ACEI/ARB group and non-ACEI/ARB group respectively (all P>0.05). However, compared with non-ACEI/ARB group, serum creatinine [80.49 (68.72, 95.30) μmol/L vs. 71.29 (50.98, 76.98) μmol/L, P=0.007] was higher significantly in ACEI/ARB group. Conclusions:ACEI/ARB drugs have no significant effects on baseline clinical parameters (serum creatine and myoglobin excluded) , outcome, and prognosis of COVID-19 patients with hypertension. Antihypertensive drugs are not suggested to adjust in those patients, but the potential impairment of renal function as elevation of serum creatinine should be paid attention in patients administrating ACEI/ARB drugs.

Clinical analysis of ten cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy diagnosed by second generation sequencing techniques with cerebrospinal fluid / 中华传染病杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical manifestations, imaging findings, characteristics of cerebrospinal fluid, treatment and prognosis in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) diagnosed by second generation sequencing techniques with cerebrospinal fluid.Methods:From October, 2017 to January, 2019, ten patients with AIDS-related PML were diagnosed by second generation sequencing techniques with cerebrospinal fluid, and their clinical data were retrospectively reviewed. Descriptive analysis was used.Results:Among the ten patients with AIDS-related PML, eight were males and two were females. The age was (38.7±8.2) years. The median CD4 + T lymphocyte count was 46/μL. The median human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) RNA was 5.99×10 4copies/mL. The main clinical manifestations included dyskinesia in four patients, dizziness in three patients, cognitive decline in two patients, and speech disorder in one patient. Three patients developed convulsion throughout the course of the disease. Image findings indicated that lesions could appear in any part, including lesions located under the tentorium of cerebellum in three cases, and above the cerebellum in seven cases. Mild increase of total protein was observed in the cerebrospinal fluid of four cases, while white blood cell count ((0-10)×10 6/L), sugar and chloride were normal in all cases. The reads of JC virus sequence in the cerebrospinal fluid ranged from 3-12 531 reads (median 67 reads). All the patients received antiviral therapy containing integrase inhibitors. Among the 10 patients, two died in hospital and eight survived, and two of them had survived for more than one year. The symptoms were improved in five patients and unchanged in three patients. Conclusions:PML is less common in patients with HIV/AIDS. The second generation sequencing techniques with cerebrospinal fluid can help to diagnose the disease together with clinical manifestations, routine detection of cerebrospinal fluid and imaging. Potent antiretroviral treatment may improve the prognosis of the patients.

Clinical analysis of risk factors for severe patients with corona virus disease 2019 / 中华传染病杂志

Objective:To analyze the clinical features of patients with corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Shanghai and the risk factors for disease progression to severe cases.Methods:The clinical data of 292 adult patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center from January 20 to February 10, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including 21 severe patients and 271 mild patients. The demographic characteristics, epidemiological history, history of underlying diseases and laboratory tests were compared between the two groups. Measurement data were compared using t test or Mann-Whitney U test. The count data were compared using chi-square test. The binary logistic regression equation was used to analyze the risk factors for the progression of patients to severe cases. Results:Among the 292 patients, there were 21 severe cases with the rate of 7.2%. One patient died, and the mortality rate was 4.8% in severe patients. The severe patients aged (65.5±15.7) years old, and 19 (90.5%) were male, 11 (52.4%) had underlying diseases, seven (33.3%) had close relatives diagnosed with COVID-19. The mild patients aged (48.7±15.7) years old, and 135 (49.8%) were male, 74 (27.3%) had underlying diseases, 36 (13.3%) had close relatives diagnosed with COVID-19. The differences between two groups were all significant statistically ( t=-4.730, χ2=12.930, 5.938 and 4.744, respectively, all P<0.05). Compared with the mild patients, the levels of absolute numbers of neutrophils, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine, serum cystatin C, C reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, D-dimer, pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (proBNP), serum myoglobin, creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), serum cardiactroponin I (cTn I) in severe patients were all significantly higher ( U=2 091.5, 1 928.0, 1 215.5, 729.0, 1 580.5, 1 375.5, 947.5, 789.5, 1 209.0, 1 434.0, 638.0, 964.5, 1 747.5 and 1 258.0, respectively, all P<0.05), while the levels of lymphocyte count, albumin, transferrin, CD3 + T lymphocyte count, CD8 + T lymphocyte count and CD4 + T lymphocyte count in severe patients were all significantly lower ( U=1 263.5, t=4.716, U=1 214.0, 962.0, 1 167.5 and 988.0, respectively, all P<0.05). Further logistic regression analysis showed that the albumin (odds ratio ( OR)=0.806, 95% confiderce interval ( CI)0.675-0.961), serum myoglobin ( OR=1.010, 95% CI 1.004-1.016), CRP ( OR=1.016, 95% CI 1.000-1.032), CD3 + T lymphocyte count ( OR=0.996, 95% CI 0.991-1.000) and CD8 + T lymphocyte count ( OR=1.006, 95% CI 1.001-1.010) at admission were independent risk factors for the progression of COVID-19 patients to severe illness (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Severe patients with COVID-19 in Shanghai are predominantly elderly men with underlying diseases. Albumin, CRP, serum myoglobin, CD3 + T lymphocyte count and CD8 + T lymphocyte count could be used as early warning indicators for severe cases, which deserve more clinical attention.

Renal Pathology and clinical features of patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection complicated with kidney diseases / 中华传染病杂志

Objective:To analyze the pathological patterns, clinical features, and prognosis in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection complicated with kidney disease.Methods:A retrospective analysis of 21 renal damage cases in HIV-infected patients undergoing renal biopsy from June 2016 to November 2019 in Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University was conducted. The clinical features, renal pathological patterns, therapies and outcomes were summarized and analyzed.Results:The age of 21 patients was (45.4±11.0) years. There were 19 men and two women. The CD4 + T lymphocyte count was (473.7±218.4) cells/μL. The HIV RNA levels were measured in 20 patients, and 13 cases (65.0%) were less than 40 copies/mL. A total of 18 cases (85.7%) had initiated antiretroviral therapy before renal biopsy, and the treatment time was 12 (1, 47) months. As for the clinical diagnosis, 14 cases (66.7%) were nephrotic syndrome and seven cases (33.3%) were nephritic syndrome. Renal pathology reports showed that HIV immune-complex kidney disease was the most common pathology pattern, accounting for 42.9% (9/21), followed by podocytopathy and diabetic nephropathy, both accounting for 23.8% (5/21), respectively. The IgA nephropathy (23.8%, 5/21) was the most common subtype of HIV immune-complex kidney disease, while minimal change disease (19.0%, 4/21) was the most common one of podocytopathy. However, classic HIV-associated nephropathy was not found in the study. The follow-up period was (12.5±9.2) months. During this period, the nephropathy conditions of nine patients were improved, eight were stable, two deteriorated, and two died. Conclusions:IgA nephropathy, minimal change disease and diabetic nephropathy are the top three patterns of renal pathology in patients with HIV infection. Most cases have good prognosis after treatments. For HIV-infected patients with serious renal damage, timely kidney biopsy is vital to determine pathological pattern, and to subsequently guide the clinical treatment and evaluate the prognosis.

Efficacies of lopinavir/ritonavir and abidol in the treatment of novel coronavirus pneumonia / 中华传染病杂志

Objective:To evaluate the efficacies of lopinavir/ritonavir and abidol in the treatment of novel covonavirus pneumonia (NCP).Methods:The clinical data of 134 patients with NCP receiving treatment at Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center during January 20 to February 6, 2020 were retrospectively collected. All the patients received interferon-α2b spray and symptomatic supportive treatment, and 52 cases received oral lopinavir/ritonavir treatment, 34 cases received oral abidol treatment, the remaining 48 cases did not take any antiviral drugs. The efficacies of the three groups were compared, and Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis.Results:The 134 patients included 69 males (51.5%) and 65 females (48.5%), aged 35 to 62 years with the average of 48 years. The median time to temperature normalization in patients receiving abidol or lopinavir/ritonavir treatment was both six days after admission, and that was four days in the control group, with no significant difference ( χ2=2.37, P=0.31). The median time for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) negative in the respiratory specimens in the three groups was all seven days after admission, and the PCR negative rates at day seven after admission in lopinavir/ritonavir, abidol and control groups were 71.8% (28/39), 82.6% (19/23) and 77.1% (27/35), respectively, which were not significantly different ( χ2=0.46, P=0.79). Radiological worsening at day seven was observed in comparable proportions of patients in the three groups, which were 42.3% (22/52), 35.3% (12/34) and 52.1% (25/48), respectively( χ2=2.38, P=0.30). Adverse reactions occurred in 17.3% (9/52), 8.8% (3/34) and 8.3% (4/48) patients, respectively in the three groups ( χ2=2.33, P=0.33). Conclusions:This study does not find any effects of lopinavir/ritonavir and abidol on relieving symptoms or accelerating virus clearance. The efficacies of these two drugs in NCP treatment need further investigation.

A pilot study of hydroxychloroquine in treatment of patients with moderate COVID-19 / 浙江大学学报·医学版

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the efficacy and safety of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in the treatment of patients with moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).@*METHODS@#We prospectively enrolled 30 treatment-naïve patients with confirmed COVID-19 after informed consent at Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center. The patients were randomized 1：1 to HCQ group and the control group. Patients in HCQ group were given HCQ 400 mg per day for 5 days plus conventional treatments, while those in the control group were given conventional treatment only. The primary endpoint was negative conversion rate of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid in respiratory pharyngeal swab on days 7 after randomization. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center and registered online (NCT04261517).@*RESULTS@#One patient in HCQ group developed to severe during the treatment. On day 7, nucleic acid of throat swabs was negative in 13 (86.7%) cases in the HCQ group and 14 (93.3%) cases in the control group (>0.05). The median duration from hospitalization to virus nucleic acid negative conservation was 4 (1,9) days in HCQ group, which is comparable to that in the control group [2 (1,4) days, Z=1.27, >0.05]. The median time for body temperature normalization in HCQ group was 1 (0,2) day after hospitalization, which was also comparable to that in the control group [1 (0,3) day]. Radiological progression was shown on CT images in 5 cases (33.3%) of the HCQ group and 7 cases (46.7%) of the control group, and all patients showed improvement in follow-up examinations. Four cases (26.7%) of the HCQ group and 3 cases (20%) of the control group had transient diarrhea and abnormal liver function (>0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The prognosis of COVID-19 moderate patients is good. Larger sample size study are needed to investigate the effects of HCQ in the treatment of COVID-19. Subsequent research should determine better endpoint and fully consider the feasibility of experiments such as sample size.

Comparison of technical specifications between domestic and foreign high level isolated units / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

Objective@#By analysis the differences of technical specifications among National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and European Network of Infectious Disease (EUNID)domestic and foreign, to provide a reference for the construction of high-level isolation units (HLIUs) in China.

A path analysis of impacts of social support and rumination on posttraumatic growth of patients with human immunodeficiency virus / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective@#To explore the effect of social support and rumination on posttraumatic growth of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).@*Methods@#A total of 1 152 patients with HIV from Shanghai Public Clinical Center were investigated using General questionnaire, Perceived Social Support Scale, Event Related Rumination Inventory and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory by cross-sectional survey method from January 2018 to October 2018. The path of social support and rumination on post-traumatic growth was established by correlation analysis and structural equation model.@*Results@#The total score of posttraumatic growth in patients with HIV was (47.93±23.55) points, which was at the low-middle level. Correlation analysis showed that posttraumatic growth was positively correlated with comprehension of social support (r=0.234, P<0.01), positively correlated with rumination (r=0.352, P<0.01). Structural equation model showed social support had directly positive effect on posttraumatic growth, path coefficient were 0.55. Rumination had a partial mediating effect between social support and posttraumatic growth, and mediation effects account for 11.65% of the total effect.@*Conclusions@#The posttraumatic growth level of patients with HIV needs to be improved. Health care providers should help patients get as high a level of social support as possible, as well as focus on guiding patients to think positive about the disease.

A path analysis of impacts of social support and rumination on posttraumatic growth of patients with human immunodeficiency virus / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To explore the effect of social support and rumination on posttraumatic growth of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Methods A total of 1 152 patients with HIV from Shanghai Public Clinical Center were investigated using General questionnaire, Perceived Social Support Scale, Event Related Rumination Inventory and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory by cross-sectional survey method from January 2018 to October 2018. The path of social support and rumination on post-traumatic growth was established by correlation analysis and structural equation model. Results The total score of posttraumatic growth in patients with HIV was (47.93±23.55) points, which was at the low-middle level. Correlation analysis showed that posttraumatic growth was positively correlated with comprehension of social support (r=0.234, P＜0.01), positively correlated with rumination (r=0.352, P＜0.01). Structural equation model showed social support had directly positive effect on posttraumatic growth, path coefficient were 0.55. Rumination had a partial mediating effect between social support and posttraumatic growth, and mediation effects account for 11.65% of the total effect. Conclusions The posttraumatic growth level of patients with HIV needs to be improved. Health care providers should help patients get as high a level of social support as possible, as well as focus on guiding patients to think positive about the disease.