ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical features of Legionella-associated cavitary pneumonia, and to explore the diagnosis, treatment planning, and clinical management of patients.MethodsThe data of a patient with severe Legionella-associated cavitary pneumonia were collected and analyzed. Databases including PubMed, Ovid, Wanfang, VIP and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure were searched for pertinent literatures, using the keyword "Legionella, lung abscess or cavitary pneumonia" in Chinese and English from Jan. 1990 to Jun. 2019. The related literature was reviewed.ResultsA 60-year-old male patient was admitted to hospital because of fever, cough, and expectoration for five days. On presentation, his temperature was 38.3 °C, and pulmonary auscultation revealed rales on the left side of the lungs. Culture of lower airway secretions obtained by bronchoscopy revealed Legionella pneumophila infection, and serotype 6. Chest computerized tomography showed a consolidation in the left lung and an abscess in the left upper lobe. The patient was discharged from the hospital after three months of anti-Legionella treatment (Mosfloxacin, Azithromycin, etc.). Fifteen manuscripts, including 18 cases, were retrieved from databases. With the addition of our case, a total of 19 cases were analyzed in detail. There were 15 males and four females, aged from 4 months to 73 years old. Most of them (14/19, 73.7%) were accompanied by multiple underlying diseases. Initial empiric antimicrobial therapy failed in 15 (78.9%) cases, and 7 (36.8%) patients required combination therapy. The courses of antimicrobial treatment were from 3 to 49 weeks. All except one patient were fully recovered and discharged from hospital.ConclusionsLegionella pneumonia with pulmonary abscess or cavity is rare and often presents with fever. Pulmonary imaging shows infiltration in the initial, but can be free of cavities or abscesses. Most patients have basic diseases. Severe patients often need to be treated in combination with antibiotics for long periods of time.
Objective To determine the role of serum cystatin C in evaluating the severity and predicting in-hospital mortality in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Methods The clinical data of 176 patients with CAP treated between January 2015 and October 2016 were collected in a retrospective way. The CURB-65 score was used to assess the severity. The serum levels of cystatin C and C-reactive protein (CRP) on admission were measured. The correlations between cystatin C and CURB-65 score and between cystatin C and CRP were calculated. Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine the ability of cystatin C in predicting in-hospital mortality. Results The serum level of cystatin C increased with the increasing CURB-65 score (P<0.001). The serum level of cystatin C was correlated positively with CRP level (rs=0.190, P<0.011). There were 22 patients died in hospital, the mean serum cystatin C level of non-survivor was significantly higher than that of survivors [(1.51±0.56)vs. (1.02±0.29) mg/L, P<0.001]. At a cut-off 1.18 mg/L, the sensitivity and specificity of cystatin C in predicting in-hospital mortality were 68.18% and 81.17%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.793. The combination of cystatin C and CRP increased the predictive accuracy for in-hospital mortality. Conclusion Cystatin C level increases with the increaseing severity of CAP, and it may be a clinical biomarker to evaluate the severity and prognosis of patients with CAP.
ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) by tracheoscopy intervention altimeter and analyze and compare its financial burden.MethodsRetrospective analysis of 419 hospitalized patients with CAP was carried in respiratory medicine department of four hospitals from July 1, 2017 to August 31, 2018 (Changhai Hospital, Shanghai First People’s Hospital, Baoshan Branch of Shanghai First People’s Hospital, and Baoshan Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital). According to the time of tracheoscopy intervention treatment, they were divided into 3 groups: 127 patients treated with tracheoscopy intervention during the initial treatment period (within 72 h after obtaining imaging diagnosis) were included in an early intervention group, 158 patients treated with tracheoscopy intervention 72 h after obtaining imaging diagnosis were included in a medium-term intervention group, and 134 patients treated without tracheoscopy intervention were included in a non-intervention group. The total efficiency of treatment, improvement of clinical symptoms, imaging absorption, serum inflammation index level, sputum culture positive rate, change rate, efficiency after drug change, hospital stay and hospitalization cost were compared among three groups.ResultsThe total efficiency of treatment in the early intervention group was higher than that of the medium-term intervention group and the non-intervention group, with statistically significant difference (P<0.05), and the time of normality of body temperature, the time of disappearance of strong sputum and cough in the early intervention group, the absorption time of chest X-rays were shorter than that of the medium-term intervention group and the non-intervention group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05); peripheral blood hemoglobin, serum calcitonin and hypersensitive C reactive protein levels were lower than those in the medium-term intervention group and the non-intervention group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05), and the sputum-positive and drug-change rates in the early intervention group and the medium-term intervention group were higher than those in the non-intervention group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05); the duration of hospital stay in the early intervention group was shorter than that of the medium-term intervention group and the non-intervention group, and the cost of hospitalization was less than that of the medium-term intervention group and the non-intervention group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).ConclusionTracheoscopy intervention treatment in the initial period of CAP not only significantly improves the efficacy, but also significantly reduces treatment costs and length of hospitalization, hence it is worth clinical promotion.
Objective To measure the expression level of Myc-interacting zinc finger protein-1 (MIZ1) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients with severe and non-severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and its relationship with inflammatory factors. Methods Thirty-six CAP patients from Beijing Chaoyang Hospital from April 2018 to June 2019 were enrolled in this study. MIZ1 mRNA level in PBMC were measured by reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, and interferon-α in the serum of patients were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The levels of MIZ1 mRNA and inflammatory factors were compared between the severe CAP patients and the non-severe CAP patients. Results Compared with non-severe CAP patients, the MIZ1 mRNA level in the PBMC of severe CAP patients was lower (P<0.05) than non-severe group. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the expression level of MIZ1 in PBMC was calculated according to whether CAP was severe or non-severe, and the area under ROC curve was 0.731 (P=0.018). Spearman correlation analysis showed that MIZ1 mRNA was negatively correlated with IL-10 level in the severe CAP patients (Spearman correlation co-efficient was –0.620, P<0.05). Conclusions MIZ1 may indicate the severity of CAP. MIZ1 may affect IL-10 so as to play a role in inflammation regulation.
Objective To analyze the clinical features and etiologic of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) among the elderly aged 80 and over, and provide evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods The clinical characteristics and etiology of the elderly CAP (≥80 years old) were analyzed by collecting and comparing the clinical characteristics and etiology between the very elderly CAP group (≥80 years old, 94 cases) and control group (65 to 79 years old, 100 cases). Results On clinical symptoms, there were statistical differences in dyspnea and gastrointestinal symptoms, systemic symptoms, and mental status (P<0.05) between the two groups. There was no statistically significant difference in upper respiratory tract symptoms, fever, cough, sputum, hemoptysis and chest pain between the two groups (P>0.05). On the complications, the very elderly CAP group was more prone to respiratory failure, sepsis, urinary tract infection and electrolyte metabolism than the control group (P<0.05). On the experimental indicators, anemia and abnormal renal function in the elderly CAP group were high (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference between the two groups of inflammation indicators (white blood count, procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, neutrophil alkaline phosphatase score). The pneumonia severity index score and CURB-65 score of the very elderly CAP group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.001). On pathogen analysis, in the very elderly CAP group the number of bacterial infections (23/94), viral infections (21/94) and bacterial mixed virus infections (21/94) were probably equivalent, and the proportion of bacterial infections of two or more types accounted for 17.0% (16/94); The bacteria detection rate was Streptococcus pneumoniae (22.4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19.4%), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (16.4%), Staphylococcus aureus (14.9%). Viral infection mainly focused on influenza A virus (23/94) and human cytomegalovirus (21/94). Bacterial mixed virus infection was mainly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza A virus infection. Comparing the two groups, the most common bacterial pathogen both of them was Streptococcus pneumoniae, but the overall proportion was dominated by gram-negative bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae were more common; the gram-positive bacteria in the two groups were mainly Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. There was no significant difference in the detection rate of above Gram-positive bacteria between the two groups (P>0.05). The two groups of virus infections were mainly influenza A virus, and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The two groups of single bacteria rate, single virus infection rate, double virus infection rate and bacterial mixed virus infection rate were similar, the difference had not been found (P>0.05). Conclusions The elderly (aged 80 and over) CAP group is prone to dyspnea, often presents with extrapulmonary atypical symptoms such as digestive tract symptoms, systemic symptoms and psychiatric symptoms, and usually accompanied with many complications. The etiological treatment mainly covers gram-negative bacteria, and we must pay attention to the possibility of combined virus infection.
Objective To explore the thromboembolic events and mortality in patients with different types of severe pneumonia, and to analyze the related high-risk factors. Methods A total of 161 severe pneumonia patients who admitted in intensive care unit from January 2018 to February 2023 were included in the study. The patients were divided into a COVID-19 group (n=88) and a community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) group (n=73) according to the type of pneumonia, and divided into a thrombosis group and a non-thrombosis group according to the occurrence of thrombosis. The patients were followed-up until discharge or in-hospital death, registering the occurrence of thrombotic events. Results During the in-hospital stay, 32.9% of CAP and 36.4% of COVID-19 patients experienced thrombotic events (P>0.05). In CAP group all the events (including 24 paitents) were venous thromboses, while in COVID-19 group 31 patients were venous and 3 were arterial thromboses (2 were cerebral infarction, and 1 with myocardial infarction). There were statistically significant difference in gender, age, venous thromboembolism score (VTE score), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and procalcitonin (PCT) between the TE group and the Non-TE group. Logistic regression analysis showed that thrombotic events was associated with sex, age and APTT; gender (female: OR=2.47, 95%CI 1.13 - 5.39, P<0.05) and age (OR=1.04, 95%CI 1.01 - 1.07, P<0.05) were positively associated with thrombotic events. During the in-hospital follow-up, 44.3% of CAP patients and 42.5% of COVID-19 patients died (P>0.05). Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that APACHEⅡ score was more accurate in predicting mortality of severe pneumonia, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.77 (95%CI 0.70 - 0.84, sensitivity 74.3%, specificity 68.1%), the AUC of the VTE score was 0.61 (95%CI 0.53 - 0.70, Sensitivity 31.4%, specificity 81.7%); the AUC of the creatinine was 0.64 (95%CI 0.56 - 0.73, sensitivity 72.9%, specificity 51.2%). While the Kappa value for kidney disease was 0.409 (P<0.05) presenting moderate consistency. Conclusions The incidence of thromboembolic events and mortality are high in patients with different types of severe pneumonia. Thrombophilia was associated with sex, age, and APTT. APACHEⅡ score, VTE score, and creatinine value were independent risk factors for predicting death from severe pneumonia.
ObjectiveTo investigate the etiologic feature and prognosis of adult patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (SCAP). MethodsAccording to the guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of community-acquired pneumonia in 2006, 105 patients with SCAP were included in the study. The proportion of pathogens (including multiple resistant bacteria) and mortality rate were recorded. Appropriate statistical methods were selected and all data were analyzed by using SPSS Version 18.0 computerized program. ResultsThe predominant pathogen with SCAP was Pseudomonas aeruginosa, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Legionella pneumophila. In death cases, Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common pathogen, followed by Staphylococcus aureus. It was showed in the drug sensitivity test that most pathogens were drug-sensitive strains. The patients with tumor had higher risks to get infected with Gram-negative bacillus. ConclusionsThe etiology of patients with SCAP in our emergency department is given priority to Gram-negative bacillus and sensitive strains, of which Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae are predominant. As for the Gram-positive cocci, Staphylococcus aureus is the most common pathogen. Legionella pneumophila is the most common pathogen in atypical pathogens, which only account for a small proportion of the aetiology of SCAP. Patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus infections are associated with poor prognosis.
Objective To establish a model for prognosis analysis of severe community-acquired pneumonia in order to find the independent risk factors for mortality. Methods The data of 88 patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia enrolled from 533 community-acquired pneumonia patients in Fujian Provincial Hospital from April 2012 to December 2015 were analyzed, they were divided into a survival group and a death group according to prognosis. The clinical materials of basic data of the population, clinical manifestation, treatment and prognosis and pulmonary severity indexes were collected. Then univariate analysis was used to screen risk factors of death before logistic multivaritae regression was applied to explore independent risk factors. Results The different pathogen groups including viral, bacterial, mixed infection, negative and other groups were compared and no differences were found in mortality (all P>0.05). Univariate analysis revealed antibiotics treatment before admission, higher APACHEⅡ score, higher Chalison's score, septicopyemia, and higher level of procalcitonin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), blood glucose, lactate could increase death risk for the patients. While antiviral treatment and no invasive mechanical ventilation were determined as protective factors. Logistic multivaritae regression showed three factors including higher lactate and higher serum BUN and higher heart rates were independent death risk factors [OR values were 4.704 (95%CI 0.966-22.907), 1.264 (95%CI 0.994-1.606), and 1.081 (95%CI 1.003-1.165), respectively]. Whereas no invasive mechanical ventilation was protective factor (OR=0.033, 95%CI 0.001-0.764). Conclusion The patients with higher lactate and BUN, higher heart rate and accepting invasive mechanical ventilation have poor prognosis.
Objective By comparing the clinical characteristics, etiological characteristics, laboratory examination and prognosis of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients with and without pleural effusion (PE), the risk factors affecting the 30-day mortality of CAP patients with PE were analyzed. Methods The clinical data of inpatients with CAP in 13 hospitals in different regions of China from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. According to the imaging examination, the patients were divided into two groups: PE group (with pleural effusion) and non-PE group (without pleural effusion). The clinical data, treatment, prognosis and outcome of the two groups were compared. Finally, multivariate analysis was used to analyze the risk factors of 30-day mortality in patients with PE. Results Of the 4781 patients with CAP, 1169 (24.5%) were PE patients, with a median age of 70 years, and more males than females, having smoking, alcoholism, inhalation factors, long-term bed rest, complicated with underlying diseases and complications, such as respiratory failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), cardiac insufficiency, septic shock, acute renal failure and so on. The hospitalization time was prolonged; the intensive care unit (ICU) occupancy rate, mechanical ventilation rate, mortality within 14 days and mortality within 30 days in the PE group were higher than those in the non-PE group. Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factors affecting 30-day mortality in the patients with PE were urea nitrogen >7 mmol/L (OR=2.908, 95%CI 1.095 - 7.724), long-term bed rest (OR=4.308, 95%CI 1.128 - 16.460), hematocrit <30% (OR=4.704, 95%CI 1.372 - 16.135), acute renal failure (OR=5.043, 95%CI 1.167 - 21.787) and respiratory failure (OR=6.575, 95%CI 2.632 - 16.427), ARDS (OR=8.003, 95%CI 1.852 - 34.580). ConclusionsThe hospitalization time and ICU stay of PE patients are prolonged, the risk of complications increases, and the hospital mortality increases significantly with the increase of age, complication and disease severity. The independent risk factors affecting 30-day mortality in PE patients are urea nitrogen >7 mmol/L, long-term bed rest, hematocrit <30%, acute renal failure, respiratory failure, and ARDS.
Community-acquired pneumonia refers to infectious pulmonary parenchyma inflammation that occurs outside the hospital, including pneumonia that occurs during the incubation period after admission of pathogens with a clear incubation period. Community-acquired pneumonia has a high incidence and mortality rate, imposing a heavy medical burden and posing a serious threat to social public health. In the diagnosis and treatment of community-acquired pneumonia, traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine each have their own advantages. In order to strengthen the diagnosis and treatment of community-acquired pneumonia through the integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine, and improve the prevention and treatment level of community-acquired lung disease, this guideline was developed by the Internal Medicine Professional Committee of the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies, led by Henan University of Chinese Medicine and the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine. This guideline refers to the development methods and processes of international clinical practice guidelines, based on the best existing evidence, combined with the characteristics of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia, weighing the pros and cons of intervention measures, and finally forming six recommended opinions, in order to provide references for the clinical practice of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia.