Soluble Triggering Receptors Expressed on Myeloid Cells-1 as a Neonatal Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Biomarker.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal ventilator-associated pneumonia (NVAP) is one of the main infections acquired in hospitals, and soluble triggering receptors expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) are a TREM-1 subtype that can be released into the blood or bodily fluids during an infection. METHODS: The patients included in the present study were divided into three groups: the NVAP group, the first control group, and the second control group (n = 20, each). Children requiring respiratory treatment were assigned to the NVAP group, newborns who received mechanical ventilation and had neonatal respiratory distress syndrome were assigned to the first control group, and newborns with normal X-ray and electrocardiogram results but no non-pulmonary infection was assigned to the second control group. The blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) sTREM-1 levels in all newborns were analyzed. RESULTS: The acute-phase blood and BALF sTREM-1 levels were significantly higher in the NVAP group than in the first control group, and the blood sTREM-1 expression level was lower in the second control group than in the NVAP group. CONCLUSION: The present results suggest that sTREM-1 might be a useful biomarker for NVAP prediction in the Department of Pediatrics.

Clinical Analysis of Severe Radiation Pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to discuss the clinical characteristics, factors, and treatment methods affecting the prognosis in patients with severe radiation pneumonia (RP). METHODS: The radiotherapy status, clinical features, imaging characteristics, laboratory examination results, treatment methods, and prognoses of 34 patients with severe RP treated in our department between January 2011 and July 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The severe RP grading was based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0; patients who scored Grade ≥3 were considered to have a severe case of RP. RESULTS: The results of the present study showed that 22 patients had lung cancer, 6 had esophageal cancer, 5 had breast cancer, and 1 had colon cancer with lung metastasis. The total radiation dose was 37.5-66 Gy, and the overall average dose was 53 Gy; the average dose in the patients who died was 52.9 Gy. A total of 28 patients presented with a cough and sputum as the initial symptom, and 24 presented with wheezing as an accompanying symptom; of the 24 patients, 8 experienced fever, 2 experienced wheezing as the only symptom, 1 had chest pain, and 1 had chest tightness. In 26 patients, the changes were in the radiation field, and in 8 cases, the changes appeared both inside and outside the radiation field. After the use of glucocorticoid methylprednisolone, respiratory support, and anti-infection treatment, 18 patients were cured, 8 showed a condition improvement, and 8 died. CONCLUSION: The prognosis of severe RP was not significantly correlated with the administered radiation dose; however, lung cancer, a high Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation score, and delayed diagnosis were risk factors for patient death. However, a combination of antibiotic therapy, ventilator-assisted respiration, and steroid therapy could improve patient prognosis.

Clinical analysis of a case of neonatal exfoliative esophagitis in an 18-day-old neonate.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to provide guidance for clinical work through analysis of the clinical characteristics, endoscopic and pathological manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of an 18-day-old neonate with exfoliative esophagitis. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient presented with vomiting but the parents did not pay too much attention. The pathological report revealed numerous fibrinous exudative necrotic, and inflammatory cells, as well as a small amount of squamous epithelium. Furthermore, milk allergy factors were considered. Conservative treatments, such as fasting, acid suppression, mucosal protection, parenteral nutrition, and the replacement of anti-allergic milk powder were given. Thereafter, endoscopic examination revealed that the patient returned to normal, and was discharged after 21 days. CONCLUSIONS: Exfoliative esophagitis has multiple causes; and has characteristic clinical and endoscopic manifestations. Endoscopic examination after 18 days presentation and conservative therapy revealed that the esophagus had returned to a normal appearance and the patient was discharged. Following discharge, the parents were advised to feed the patient ALFERE powder. Attention should be given to the timely detection of complications and corresponding treatment.

[Clinical analysis of 31 cases of neonatal purulent meningitis caused by Escherichia coli].

OBJECTIVE: Neonatal purulent meningitis is a severe infection responsible for high mortality and disabling sequelae. Escherichia coli is the main pathogen of neonatal purulent meningitis. This study explored the clinical characteristics and antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli-induced neonatal meningitis. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed. A total of 31 cases of neonatal purulent meningitis caused by Escherichia coli were identified in the neonatal intensive care unit between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2011. The clinical characteristics and antibiotic sensitivity test results were analyzed. RESULTS: Fever, poor feeding, lethargy and seizure were common clinical signs of neonatal purulent meningitis caused by Escherichia coli. Acute complications mainly included hyponatremia (17 cases), hydrocephalus (8 cases), subdural collection (2 cases), ventriculitis (2 cases) and cerebral infarction (1 case). Thirty neonates (97%) had increased CRP levels. Of the 31 patients, 14 cases were cured and 12 had adverse outcomes (5 patients died during hospitalization). Escherichia coli strains were resistant (>50%) to commonly used penicillins and cephalosporins between 2007 and 2011, presenting significantly higher resistance rates than between 2001 and 2006. The detection rate of extended spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs)-producing strains between 2007 and 2011 increased significantly compared with between 2001 and 2006 (57% vs 0). CONCLUSIONS: The clinical manifestations of neonatal purulent meningitis caused by Escherichia coli are non specific. The outcome is poor. Monitoring of CRP levels is valuable for the early diagnosis of neonatal purulent meningitis. The antimicrobial resistance rates of Escherichia coli are increasing, especially to cephalosporins. The percentage of ESBLs-producing strains is increasing over the years.

[Changes of anti-Streptococcus pneumoniae status in rats with simulated weightlessness].

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes of anti-Streptococcus pneumonia (SP) status in rats with simulated weightlessness, and therefore to provide theoretical basis for the aerospace medicine. METHODS: Thirty-two healthy male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups: group A, the tail-suspension and SP group; group B, the tail-suspension without SP group; group C, the unsuspended but SP group; group D, the unsuspended and no SP group, with 8 rats in each. The tail-suspension method, i.e. about 30° head-down tilt, was used for the model of simulated microgravity. On day 4, 0.4 ml of SP suspension [ATCC6303, serotype III(ATCC, bacteria concentration about 9.0×108 CFU/ml)] was instilled by tracheal intubation. Sterile saline was used for the control group. The experiment was ended after 7 days of tail-suspension. Lung pathology, blood test and C-reactive protein level were studied, and the CD(4)(+)/CD(8)(+) ratios were measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The lung pathological changes were much more severe in Group A as compared to those in Group B, C and D. The total number of WBC showed no significant difference among groups (F = 1.57, P = 0.22). But the neutrophil number was higher in Group A [(2.4 ± 0.53)×109/L], B [(2.0 ± 0.31)×109/L] and C [(1.7 ± 0.40)×109/L] as compared to Group D [(1.2 ± 0.15)×109/L], u = 0.0001, P = 0.001; u = 1.0, P = 0.001; u = 8.5, P = 0.013, respectively. The percentage of neutrophils showed a similar difference. The total number of lymphocytes showed no significant difference among groups (F = 0.720, P = 0.548). CRP levels in the SP infection groups were significantly higher than those in the uninfected groups. The ratio of CD(4)(+)/CD(8)(+) showed no difference among groups (F = 1.225, P = 0.319). Weight loss after the experiment was most severe in Group A (F = 122.067, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In rats with simulated weightlessness, the anti-infective ability to Streptococcus pneumoniae was reduced, and the inflammatory response was significantly increased, but the anti-infective immunity was compromised.

[The clinical characteristics and treatment of community outbreaks of the new influenza A (H1N1) infection].

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical characteristics of 3 community outbreaks of the novel influenza A (H1N1), and to compare the treatment effects of the traditional Chinese medicine with or without Oseltamivir. METHOD: The clinical records of 234 patients in 3 community outbreaks of the novel influenza A (H1N1) infection in June (n = 56), August (n = 96) and October (n = 82) of 2009 were analyzed, and the treatment effects of the traditional Chinese medicine with or without Oseltamivir were evaluated. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics, including age, temperature, indices of blood tests, hepatic and renal functions were distributed evenly between the 2 treatment groups. The overall analysis suggested that there was no significant difference between the 2 treatment groups in the duration of clinical symptoms (P > 0.05), the duration of fever (P > 0.05), and the hospitalization days (P > 0.05). However, an analysis stratified by the temperature (≥ 39°C or < 39°C) suggested that patients treated by the traditional Chinese medicine with Oseltamivir tended to suffer a shorter duration of fever [40.5 (37.3, 42.0) vs 22.0 (10.5, 30.8) hr, P < 0.01) ] in the higher temperature group. CONCLUSIONS: The traditional Chinese medicine was equivalent to oseltamivir in treating patients with the novel influenza A (H1N1) infection with lower temperature (< 39°C). Oseltamivir was effective in shortening the duration of fever in patients with temperature higher than 39°C.

[Clinical characteristics of neonatal Klebsiella pneumoniae sepsis and the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of strains].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical characteristics of neonatal sepsis caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae and the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains. METHODS: The clinical data of 42 cases of neonatal sepsis caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae from January, 2000 to August, 2009 were retrospectively studied. RESULTS: The clinical presentations were non-specific, including fever or hypothermia, tachypnea, apnea and feeding intolerance. C-reactive protein (CRP) level increased in 95% of the cases. The mortality was 21%. In neonates with early onset sepsis, Klebsiella pneumoniae strains were sensitive to amoxicillin/clavulanic-acid, piperacillin/tazobactam, cefoxitin, imipenem, cefoperazone/and sulbactam. In neonates with late onset sepsis, the sensitive antibiotics of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains were less, including cefoxitin, piperacillin/tazobactam and imipenem. Klebsiella pneumoniae strains were not sensitive to penicillins and cephalosporins in either neonates with early onset sepsis or late onset sepsis. The extended spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs)-producing strains were found in 92% of the cases. The neonates with late onset sepsis presented a higher prevalence of ESBLs-producing strains than those with early onset sepsis (100% vs 70%; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The clinical manifestations of neonatal sepsis caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae are usually non-specific. CRP detection is valuable for early diagnosis of sepsis. There are differences in the antibiotic sensitivity of strains between the neonates with early onset and late onset Klebsiella pneumoniae sepsis.

[Costs of the last hospitalization for patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and patients with lung cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the cost for patients who died in hospital with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) compared with those died with lung cancer, and to examine their variations. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed. The patients who died in hospital between January in 2003 and December in 2007 were enrolled. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 13.0. RESULTS: Totally 416 patients were enrolled, with 86 COPD patients and 330 lung cancer patients. Patients with COPD were older than those with lung cancer. The incidences of co-morbidities such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, respiratory failure and lung infection in AECOPD patients were higher than those in lung cancer patients. Second malignant neoplasm of important organs was found in 211 patients (63.94%) with lung cancer. In the last hospitalization, the total amount of direct medical costs was higher for patients with AECOPD than for patients with lung cancer [74 143 (102 608) RMB vs 37 810 (51 374) RMB], z = 2.48, P < 0.05, especially for the treatment cost [(19 324 (61 843) vs 5876 (9764), z = 4.55, P < 0.01] and the laboratory cost [7976 (18 397) vs 3397 (4096), z = 5.97, P < 0.01]. There was no significant difference in the constituents of the cost between COPD and lung cancer patients (chi(2) = 8.23, P > 0.05). The percentage of the drug cost to the total cost was the highest, followed by the treatment cost and the auxiliary examination cost. The ratio of the drug cost to the total cost was lower in COPD patients (37.2 +/- 12.6)% vs (53.8 +/- 17.6)%, t = 7.34, P < 0.01, while the constituent ratio of treatment cost was higher in COPD than in lung cancer patients CONCLUSIONS: There was significant variability in healthcare resource utilization between COPD and lung cancer patients in their last hospitalization of life, the main reason of which was the increased costs of maintenance of life.

[Comparative analysis of the pathogens responsible for hospital acquired and community acquired late onset neonatal septicemia].

OBJECTIVE: Late onset neonatal septicemia (systemic infection after 72 hours of life) remains a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Early treatment with appropriate antibiotics is critical since infected infants can deteriorate rapidly. The aim of this study was to review the pathogens responsible for late onset neonatal septicemia (LONS) and their antimicrobial susceptibilities in order to guide the initial selection of appropriate antibiotics for infants with suspected LONS. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all cases with LONS seen in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2005 was conducted. All cases were selected based on the clinical presentation and at least one positive result of blood culture. The basic clinical characteristics and the results of blood culture and antimicrobial susceptibilities were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 102 cases with LONS were identified. Among those 102 cases, 80 were community acquired (infants admitted from home and the blood culture was done on admission) and 22 were hospital acquired (infants became sick while in the NICU and the blood culture was done prior to use of antibiotics). The clinical presentations were non-specific. Compared to the infants with community acquired LONS, infants with hospital acquired LONS were usually born more prematurely (mean gestational age 33 +/- 3 vs 39 +/- 2 wks, t = 2.255, P < 0.01), with lower weight (mean weight 1.79 +/- 0.70 vs 3.23 +/- 0.67 kg, t = 8.818, P < 0.01) and with younger age (mean age 12 +/- 6 vs 16 +/- 7 days, t = 7.581, P < 0.05). Of the 102 cases, a total of 103 strains of bacteria were isolated. Among the pathogenic bacteria isolated, the most common were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) (50/103, 48.5%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (16/103, 15.5%). The main pathogens for community acquired LONS were Staphylococcus species and Escherichia coli. The most important pathogen responsible for hospital acquired LONS was Klebsiella pneumoniae. Most (> 80%) of the Staphylococcus especially CoNS were resistant to common antibiotics such as penicillin, erythromycin and cefazolin. Significant numbers (6/9) of Staphylococcus aureus isolated were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). However, all of the Staphyloccus isolates were sensitive to vancomycin. Almost all (15/16) of the Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated were multi-drug resistant due to production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs). They were sensitive only to a few antibiotics such as carbapenems, aminoglycosides and quinolones. There was also one strain of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE). Furthermore, there was no a single case of late onset neonatal sepsis due to infection with group B Streptococcus (GBS). CONCLUSIONS: The clinical manifestations of late onset neonatal sepsis are usually non-specific. GBS is not a significant pathogen responsible for community acquired LONS in the Wenzhou area. There are increasing numbers of multi-drug resistant bacterial species isolated from the newborn infants with late onset neonatal septicemia, which is most likely due the non-restricted use of antibiotics in the hospitals as well as in the communities. A routine blood culture should be taken from any newborn infant who is suspected of LONS and empirical use of appropriate antibiotics should be initiated as soon as the blood specimen for culture has been drawn. To reduce the occurrence of multi-drug resistant bacteria, the use of antibiotics especially the third generation cephalosporins in neonates should be restricted as much as possible.

[Diagnostic value of CT peritoneography for non-infectious complications of peritoneal dialysis].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic value of CT peritoneography for peritoneal complications of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). METHODS: CT peritoneography in 11 CAPD patients with clinically suspected dialysis-related complications was prospectively studied. The CAPD patients were all treated in Renji Hospital from 2005 to 2007. CT images were reviewed according to the evidence of peritoneal leaks, hernias, loculate pleural fluid collections, and adhesions. RESULTS: Abnormal findings were found in 9 of 11 CAPD cases including inguinal hernias (3 cases), umbilical hernia (1 case), hydrocele (1 case), leaks in catheter tunnel (2 cases), and peritoneal adhesions (2 cases). Parts of them were confirmed by surgical operation. CONCLUSION: CT peritoneography is useful for the evaluation of complications related to CAPD, and it offers excellent tissue contrast and multiplanar imaging for assessment of the complications.