[A clinical analysis of 137 cases of influenza A(H1N1)].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of influenza A (H1N1). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 137 cases of influenza A (H1N1) admitted into our hospital during May to August 2009. RESULTS: In the early stage, most cases were imported from the US, Australia, Canada and the UK. While in the later stage, most of them were secondary. The patients were mainly children and youngsters. And the most common clinical manifestations were fever (n = 108), cough (n = 93) and sore throat (n = 67) while the most common signs congestive throat (n = 99) and swelling tonsil (n = 46). The average fever period was 3.3 ± 1.5 days. The clinical symptoms vanished in 4.4 ± 1.9 days. And the average length of stay was 5.5 ± 2.1 days. Laboratory tests: the count of leukocytes declined while that of lymphocytes increased in 39 cases (39.5%). The test of influenza A (H1N1) nucleic acid was positive. The chest radiograph showed intensive pulmonary markings or patchy pneumonia-like signs. TREATMENTS: the groups of patients using Chinese herbs, western medicine plus Chinese herbs, symptomatic relief and placebo showed no significant difference in fever period, recovery time and the negative-converting period of influenza A (H1N1) nucleic acid tests became negative. CONCLUSION: Influenza A (H1N1) may be recessive or dominant. Despite a strong infectivity, the clinical symptoms are mild and the clinical course is self-limited, similar to the seasonal influenza.

[Correlation of mannose-binding lectin gene promoter polymorphism and plasma MBL concentration with HIV susceptibility in northern Chinese Han population].

OBJECTIVE: To study the correlations of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) gene promoter polymorphisms and plasma MBL concentrations to the susceptibility to HIV infection in northern Chinese Han population. METHODS: This case-control study included 115 HIV-infected patients and 115 non-infected healthy individuals, in whom the MBL gene promoter polymorphisms were detected using pyrosequencing technique and plasma MBL concentrations measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The MBL promoter genotypes of LY/LY, LY/LX, HY/LY, HY/HY and LX/LX were detected in 66 (57.40%), 25 (21.70%), 17 (14.80%), 5 (4.30%) and 2 (1.70%) among the HIV-infected patients, and in 77 (67.00%), 23(20.00%), 12 (10.40%), 0 (0.00%), and 3 (2.60%) among the healthy individuals, respectively. The frequencies of haplotypes LY, HY and LX were 75.70%, 11.70% and 12.60% among the patients, and 82.20%, 5.20% and 12.60% among the healthy individuals, respectively, showing significant difference in the halpotype between the two groups (P=0.041). The average plasma MBL concentration was significantly lower in HIV-infected group than in the healthy individuals (1775.14-/+786.31 vs 3672.21-/+597.13 microg/L, P=0.001). CONCLUSION: The genotypes of LY/LY and LY/LX and the haplotypes of LY and HY are predominant in northern Chinese Han population, and the plasma MBL concentration in HIV infected patients is generally only 50% of that in healthy individuals. We therefore presume that MBL promoter polymorphisms and plasma MBL concentration can be associated with the susceptibility to HIV infection in this population, and individuals with low plasma MBL concentration are more susceptible to HIV infection.