Dry Wearable Textile Electrodes for Portable Electrical Impedance Tomography.

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT), a noninvasive and radiation-free medical imaging technique, has been used for continuous real-time regional lung aeration. However, adhesive electrodes could cause discomfort and increase the risk of skin injury during prolonged measurement. Additionally, the conductive gel between the electrodes and skin could evaporate in long-term usage and deteriorate the signal quality. To address these issues, in this work, textile electrodes integrated with a clothing belt are proposed to achieve EIT lung imaging along with a custom portable EIT system. The simulation and experimental results have verified the validity of the proposed portable EIT system. Furthermore, the imaging results of using the proposed textile electrodes were compared with commercial electrocardiogram electrodes to evaluate their performance.

Electrical Impedance Tomography Analysis Between Two Similar Respiratory System Compliance During Decremetal PEEP Titration in ARDS Patients.

Purpose: The positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) level with best respiratory system compliance (Crs) is frequently used for PEEP selection in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients. On occasion, two similar best Crs (where the difference between the Crs of two PEEP levels is < 1 ml/cm H2O) may be identified during decremental PEEP titration. Selecting PEEP under such conditions is challenging. The aim of this study was to provide supplementary rationale for PEEP selection by assessing the global and regional ventilation distributions between two PEEP levels in this situation. Methods: Eight ARDS cases with similar best Crs at two different PEEP levels were analyzed using examination-specific electrical impedance tomography (EIT) measures and airway stress index (SIaw). Five Crs were measured at PEEP values of 25 cm H2O (PEEP25), 20 cm H2O (PEEP20), 15 cm H2O (PEEPH), 11 cm H2O (PEEPI), and 7 cm H2O (PEEPL). The higher PEEP value of the two PEEPs with similar best Crs was designated as PEEPupper, while the lower designated as PEEPlower. Results: PEEPH and PEEPI shared the best Crs in two cases, while similar Crs was found at PEEPI and PEEPL in the remaining six cases. SIaw was higher with PEEPupper as compared to PEEPlower (1.06 ± 0.10 versus 0.99 ± 0.09, p = 0.05). Proportion of lung hyperdistension was significantly higher with PEEPupper than PEEPlower (7.0 ± 5.1% versus 0.3 ± 0.5%, p = 0.0002). In contrast, proportion of recruitable lung collapse was higher with PEEPlower than PEEPupper (18.6 ± 4.4% versus 5.9 ± 3.7%, p < 0.0001). Cyclic alveolar collapse and reopening during tidal breathing was higher at PEEPlower than PEEPupper (34.4 ± 19.3% versus 16.0 ± 9.1%, p = 0.046). The intratidal gas distribution (ITV) index was also significantly higher at PEEPlower than PEEPupper (2.6 ± 1.3 versus 1.8 ± 0.7, p = 0.042). Conclusions: PEEPupper is a rational selection in ARDS cases with two similar best Crs. EIT provides additional information for the selection of PEEP in such circumstances. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40846-021-00668-2.

Outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus: an 11-year nationwide cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have an increased risk of developing coronary atherosclerosis. However, the impact of RA and SLE on the outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains largely underdetermined. METHODS: Using the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan, we identified 171 547 adult patients who underwent first-time PCI between 2000 and 2010. Among these patients, 525 had established RA, and 211 had SLE. The ORs of inhospital mortality and HRs of overall mortality and adverse cardiac outcomes after PCI (ie, ischaemic events, repeat revascularisation and major adverse cardiac events (MACE)) in relation to RA and SLE were estimated. RESULTS: After adjustment for potential confounders, including patient characteristics and procedural variables, RA (OR=1.73, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.68) and SLE (OR=3.81, 95% CI 2.02 to 7.16) were independent predictors of inhospital mortality. In addition, RA was independently associated with overall mortality (HR=1.55, 95% CI 1.35 to 1.79), ischaemic events (HR=1.18, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.39) and MACE (HR=1.20, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.34) during long-term follow-up, whereas SLE was independently associated with overall mortality (HR=2.20, 95% CI 1.74 to 2.78), repeat revascularisation (HR=1.27, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.58) and MACE (HR=1.47, 95% CI 1.24 to 1.75). Compared with patients without autoimmune diseases, patients with more recent SLE-related hospitalisations prior to PCI were at higher risk of inhospital mortality (p for trend <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This study recognises the inherent risks associated with RA and SLE in patients undergoing PCI and highlights the necessity to improve the caring and secondary prevention strategies for these high-risk patients.

Limited predictability of maximal muscular pressure using the difference between peak airway pressure and positive end-expiratory pressure during proportional assist ventilation (PAV).

BACKGROUND: If the proportional assist ventilation (PAV) level is known, muscular effort can be estimated from the difference between peak airway pressure and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) (ΔP) during PAV. We conjectured that deducing muscle pressure from ΔP may be an interesting method to set PAV, and tested this hypothesis using the oesophageal pressure time product calculation. METHODS: Eleven mechanically ventilated patients with oesophageal pressure monitoring under PAV were enrolled. Patients were randomly assigned to seven assist levels (20-80%, PAV20 means 20% PAV gain) for 15 min. Maximal muscular pressure calculated from oesophageal pressure (Pmus, oes) and from ΔP (Pmus, aw) and inspiratory pressure time product derived from oesophageal pressure (PTPoes) and from ΔP (PTPaw) were determined from the last minute of each level. Pmus, oes and PTPoes with consideration of PEEPi were expressed as Pmus, oes, PEEPi and PTPoes, PEEPi, respectively. Pressure time product was expressed as per minute (PTPoes, PTPoes, PEEPi, PTPaw) and per breath (PTPoes, br, PTPoes, PEEPi, br, PTPaw, br). RESULTS: PAV significantly reduced the breathing effort of patients with increasing PAV gain (PTPoes 214.3 ± 80.0 at PAV20 vs. 83.7 ± 49.3 cmH2O•s/min at PAV80, PTPoes, PEEPi 277.3 ± 96.4 at PAV20 vs. 121.4 ± 71.6 cmH2O•s/min at PAV80, p < 0.0001). Pmus, aw overestimates Pmus, oes for low-gain PAV and underestimates Pmus, oes for moderate-gain to high-gain PAV. An optimal Pmus, aw could be achieved in 91% of cases with PAV60. When the PAV gain was adjusted to Pmus, aw of 5-10 cmH2O, there was a 93% probability of PTPoes <224 cmH2O•s/min and 88% probability of PTPoes, PEEPi < 255 cmH2O•s/min. CONCLUSION: Deducing maximal muscular pressure from ΔP during PAV has limited accuracy. The extrapolated pressure time product from ΔP is usually less than the pressure time product calculated from oesophageal pressure tracing. However, when the PAV gain was adjusted to Pmus, aw of 5-10 cmH2O, there was a 90% probability of PTPoes and PTPoes, PEEPi within acceptable ranges. This information should be considered when applying ΔP to set PAV under various gains.

Is tracheostomy a better choice than translaryngeal intubation for critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation for more than 14 days? A comparison of short-term outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Tracheostomy is recommended for patients receiving mechanical ventilation (MV) for 14 days or more in the intensive care unit (ICU). Nevertheless, many patients undergoing prolonged MV remain intubated via the translaryngeal route. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of tracheostomy and persistent translaryngeal intubation on short-term outcomes in patients mechanically ventilated for ≥14 days. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted using the admissions database of a 75-bed ICU from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2012. Patients who required prolonged MV without tracheostomy at the time of initiation of a ventilator were included. The outcomes were successful weaning, and ICU and in-hospital death. Cox models were constructed to calculate the influence of tracheostomy on the outcome measures while adjusting for other potentially confounding factors. RESULTS: Of the 508 patients requiring prolonged MV, 164 were tracheostomized after a median 18 days of MV. Patients in whom translaryngeal intubation was maintained had significantly higher ICU (42.7% versus 17.1%, p <0.001) and in-hospital (54.1% versus 22.0%, p <0.001) mortality rates, and a significantly lower successful weaning rate (40.4% versus 68.9%, p <0.001). The results were consistent after matching for the propensity score of performing tracheostomy. Furthermore, a time-dependent covariate Cox model showed that a tracheostomy was independently associated with lower in-hospital mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.18-0.39) and higher successful weaning rate (aHR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.56-2.68). CONCLUSIONS: Tracheostomy is associated with lower in-hospital mortality and higher successful weaning rates in ICU patients receiving prolonged MV. However, the cost-effectiveness and long-term outcomes of tracheostomy for this cohort require further study.

Disease severity at the first hospitalization as a predictor for mechanical ventilation dependency in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are predisposed to respiratory failure with ventilator dependency. This study aims to determine the risk of prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV), defined as 22 days or more of mechanical ventilation dependency after the first day of hospital admission (index date) in patients diagnosed with COPD. A retrospective cohort was conducted using medical claim data of Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. Eligible study subjects were those who had a diagnosis of COPD made between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2009. Patients were then followed until being registered as a PMV case, death, or the end of the study. The comorbidities were measured from January 1, 1997 to the index date by the ICD-9 code. The study sample consisted of 6,341 patients with COPD with a mean age of 73.89 (± 12.01) years. Over a maximum of 6 years of follow-up, 654 patients developed PMV dependency, with an incidence density of 41.56 per 1,000 person-years. Patients aged 70 years and older were at significantly increased risk for PMV dependency, compared to those aged 40-49 years after adjusting for confounders. Expenses per visit and hospital visits per year, representing the severity of the COPD, were also associated with an elevated risk of PMV. Most patients developed PMV dependency within the first two years after the index date. Physicians should be aware that elderly patients with COPD have a high risk of PMV after first hospitalization, and these patients need to be closely monitored.

Combined balloon Eustachian tuboplasty/endoscopic sinus surgery for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and Eustachian tube dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: To elucidate the role of balloon Eustachian tuboplasty (BET) in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis with obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD), we evaluated the results of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) with and without BET in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with obstructive ETD. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial conducted in a single-institution tertiary care center setting included 50 patients diagnosed with primary chronic rhinosinusitis and obstructive ETD between July 2018 and June 2022. Twenty-five patients were prospectively enrolled for combined ESS/BET. The control group (25 patients) underwent ESS alone. Outcome measurements of the Sinonasal Outcome Test 22, modified Lund-Kennedy score, Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire-7 (ETDQ-7), and serial Eustachian tube function test results were analyzed 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The improvement (12.60 ± 6.50) in the ETDQ-7 score in the BET group was significantly higher than that in the control group (6.60 ± 5.58). The ratio of improvement in the ETDQ-7 score was also significantly higher in the BET than in the control group (92% vs. 68%, p = 0.034). Logistic regression analysis showed that performing BET (odds ratio [OR]: 5.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-28.79, p = 0.048) and a low post-modified Lund-Kennedy score (OR: 0.15, 95% CI: 0.04-0.54, p = 0.004) were significantly associated with ETDQ-7 score improvement. CONCLUSION: Combined BET/ESS could decrease otologic symptoms and improve Eustachian tube function. BET may be an appropriate adjunctive procedure for treating chronic rhinosinusitis with obstructive ETD.

Kallistatin modulates immune cells and confers anti-inflammatory response to protect mice from group A streptococcal infection.

Group A streptococcus (GAS) infection may cause severe life-threatening diseases, including necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Despite the availability of effective antimicrobial agents, there has been a worldwide increase in the incidence of invasive GAS infection. Kallistatin (KS), originally found to be a tissue kallikrein-binding protein, has recently been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties. However, its efficacy in microbial infection has not been explored. In this study, we transiently expressed the human KS gene by hydrodynamic injection and investigated its anti-inflammatory and protective effects in mice via air pouch inoculation of GAS. The results showed that KS significantly increased the survival rate of GAS-infected mice. KS treatment reduced local skin damage and bacterial counts compared with those in mice infected with GAS and treated with a control plasmid or saline. While there was a decrease in immune cell infiltration of the local infection site, cell viability and antimicrobial factors such as reactive oxygen species actually increased after KS treatment. The efficiency of intracellular bacterial killing in neutrophils was directly enhanced by KS administration. Several inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1ß, and interleukin 6, in local infection sites were reduced by KS. In addition, KS treatment reduced vessel leakage, bacteremia, and liver damage after local infection. Therefore, our study demonstrates that KS provides protection in GAS-infected mice by enhancing bacterial clearance, as well as reducing inflammatory responses and organ damage.

Plasma kallistatin levels in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia.

INTRODUCTION: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) requiring intensive care unit (ICU) treatment commonly causes acute respiratory failure with high mortality. Kallistatin, an endogenous tissue kallikrein inhibitor, has been reported to be protective in various human diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the correlations of kallistatin with other biomarkers and to determine whether kallistatin levels have a prognostic value in severe CAP. METHODS: Plasma samples and clinical data were prospectively collected from 54 patients with severe CAP requiring ICU admission. Seventeen healthy control subjects were included for comparison. Plasma kallistatin, kallikrein, and other biomarkers of inflammation (tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, C-reactive protein (CRP)), and anti-coagulation (protein C, anti-thrombin III) were measured on days 1 and 4 of ICU admission. Comparison between survivors (n = 41) and nonsurvivors (n = 13) was performed. RESULTS: Plasma kallistatin was significantly consumed in severe CAP patients compared with healthy individuals. Lower day 1 kallistatin levels showed a strong trend toward increased mortality (P = 0.018) and higher day 1 CURB-65 scores (P = 0.004). Plasma kallistatin levels on day 1 of ICU admission were significantly decreased in patients who developed septic shock (P = 0.017) and who had acute respiratory distress syndrome (P = 0.044). In addition, kallistatin levels were positively correlated with anti-thrombin III and protein C and inversely correlated with IL-1ß, IL-6, and CRP levels. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, higher day 1 CURB-65 scores were independent predictors of mortality (odds ratio = 29.9; P = 0.009). Also, higher day 1 kallistatin levels were independently associated with a decreased risk of death (odds ratio, 0.1) with a nearly significant statistical difference (P = 0.056). Furthermore, we found that a cutoff level of 6.5 µg/ml of day 1 kallistatin determined by receiver operating characteristic curves could be used to distinguish between patients who survived in 60 days and those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that kallistatin may serve as a novel marker for severe CAP prognosis and may be involved in the pathogenesis of CAP through antiinflammatory and anticoagulation effects.

Positive blood culture is not associated with increased mortality in patients with sepsis-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have demonstrated that positive blood culture could contribute to poorer outcomes in patients with pneumonia. However, the impact of positive blood culture on the outcomes of patients with sepsis-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has not been evaluated. METHODS: An observational study that prospectively screened 4861 patients admitted to medical or surgical intensive care units (ICUs) of a tertiary referral centre was performed. RESULTS: Among 4861 admitted patients, 146 diagnosed with sepsis-induced ARDS were enrolled (mean age: 66.1 years). Lower PaO2 /FiO2 , decreased respiratory system compliance, and higher lung injury scores (LIS) on the day of ARDS diagnosis were associated with positive blood cultures (n = 68) rather than negative blood cultures (n = 78). There was no relationship between positive blood culture and in-hospital mortality. Kaplan-Meier estimates also revealed that positive blood culture was not associated with 60-day mortality but with an increased length of stay in the hospital and in the ICU (P = 0.007 and P = 0.016, respectively). Using multivariate logistic regression, higher LIS was independently associated with positive blood culture. In addition, chronic pulmonary disease, lower platelet count, higher LIS, and the development of shock on the diagnosis of ARDS, were independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the presence of positive blood culture is not associated with increased mortality; however, the mean durations of hospital and ICU stays in patients with sepsis-induced ARDS are increased.

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in systemic lupus erythematosus from southern Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Opportunistic infection has been documented in systemic lupus erythematosus with special attention paid to Pneumocystis jirovecii because of the significant morbidity and high mortality. OBJECTIVES: The limited large-scale investigations covering P. jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) in systemic lupus erythematosus following biologics or immunosuppressants therapy prompted us to perform this study in southern Taiwan. METHODS: A retrospective study was completed in 858 hospitalized lupus patients from January 2000 to December 2011. The definite diagnosis of PCP was made by the laboratory detection of Pneumocystis organisms together with consistent clinical and radiological manifestations of PCP. Positive polymerase chain reaction results of sputum samples were not regarded as infection in this study, unless P. jirovecii was the sole pathogen found and pulmonary manifestations resolved following antibiotics for PCP treatment alone. RESULTS: The laboratory identification of Pneumocystis organisms depended on lung biopsy in 2 cases and bronchoalveolar lavage in 3 patients. Five cases, 2 women and 3 men aged 30 to 50 years (41.8 ± 8.8 years), were identified with a 0.6% incidence. None received chemoprophylactics against P. jirovecii infection. All had lupus nephritis and lymphopenia with low CD4 T-cell counts. Prior usages of higher daily prednisolone dosages and concomitant biologics or immunosuppressants were observed in all patients. Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia contributed to a high mortality rate (60%). CONCLUSIONS: We report the rare occurrence but high mortality of PCP infection in this study. A consensus guideline addressing prophylactic antibiotics against Pneumocystis organisms in highest-risk lupus patients on biologics or immunosuppressants could be helpful in guiding their management.

Pendelluft in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome during trigger and reverse triggering breaths.

Pendelluft, the shift of air from non-dependent to dependent lung regions, is known to occur during active breathing in ventilated patients. However, information about pendelluft in ARDS patients under assisted mechanical ventilation is limited. In this prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed study, we combined electrical impedance tomography and respiratory mechanics monitoring to quantitatively examine pendelluft in trigger and reverse triggering breaths in 20 mechanically ventilated patients with ARDS during the transition from controlled to active breaths under volume-cycled ventilation. Besides the 10 resting breaths in each patient, 20% of the counted active breaths were selected based on three levels of esophageal pressure swing (∆Pes): low (< 5 cm H2O, breaths = 471), moderate (≥ 5, < 10 cm H2O, breaths = 906), and high effort (≥ 10 cm H2O, breaths = 565). The pendelluft response to breathing efforts was significantly greater in trigger breaths than in reverse triggering breaths (p < 0.0001). Based on the pendelluft-∆Pes slope (ml/cmH2O), there were two distinct patterns of effort-related pendelluft (high vs. low pendelluft group). For trigger breaths, the high pendelluft group (n = 9, slope 0.7-2.4 ml/cmH2O) was significantly associated with lower peak airway/plateau pressure and lower respiratory system/lung elastance than the low pendelluft group (n = 11, slope - 0.1 to 0.3 ml/cmH2O). However, there was no difference in respiratory mechanics between high and low pendelluft groups for reverse triggering breathes. The use of ∆Pes to predict pendelluft was found to have a low positive predictive value.

Extended-Release Tofacitinib Therapy for a MDA5 Antibody-Positive Amyopathic Dermatomyositis Patient with Early-Stage Interstitial Lung Disease.

Introduction: In East Asia, more than half of patients with amyopathic dermatomyositis (ADM) have interstitial lung disease (ILD). There is up to 50% 6-month mortality in MDA5-positive ILD refractory to corticosteroid (CS) combined with immunosuppressant therapy. Patient Details: A 39-year-old local woman had a 1-month history of reddish-purple discoloration around the eyelids (heliotrope rash), and erythematous areas on the upper back and posterior neck (shawl sign) as well as on the front of her chest (V sign), followed by dry cough and mild dyspnea for 1 week. She had normal muscle strength, muscle-enzyme concentrations, and muscular magnetic resonance images. Laboratory tests showed hypoxemia, increased ferritin and CRP levels, and positive MDA5 antibodies. High-resolution chest computed tomography revealed bilateral ground-glass opacity. She received a diagnosis of anti-MDA5-positive ADM with early-stage ILD. Intervention: Pulse methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide therapies were initiated, followed by high-dose CS treatment. Immediate-release twice-daily 5 mg tofacitinib (Tof) has been demonstrated to be effective induction therapy for early-stage ILD in anti-MDA5-positive ADM. Owing to the patient's preference for once-daily therapy, 11 mg extended-release Tof was prescribed 4 weeks after starting the initial pulse CS treatment for ILD. Outcomes: Respiratory symptoms and cutaneous manifestations were absent and the use of CS spared 5 months after initiating Tof therapy. Laboratory examinations exhibited normalized ferritin/oxygen levels, and chest images displayed completely resolved pulmonary infiltration. ILD remains under adequate control with Tof monotherapy without recurrence at 5 months. Lessons: Owing to a rapid decline in higher mortality in anti-MDA5-positive ADM patients with ILD, early detection with prompt initiation of extended-release Tof induction therapy might achieve a beneficial outcome.

Balloon Eustachian Tuboplasty Combined or Not with Myringotomy in Eustachian Tube Dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) is a common disorder causing ear pressure, pain, and hearing loss. Balloon Eustachian tuboplasty (BET) is an emerging technique for dilating the Eustachian tube and treating ETD. Whether adding myringotomy improves BET efficacy is controversial. METHODS: This retrospective study included 95 ETD patients undergoing BET alone (n = 44) or BET with myringotomy (BET + M; n = 51) between June 2020 and August 2021 at a single medical center. The primary outcome was the change in ETDQ-7 symptom scores from baseline to 6 months after treatment. Secondary outcomes included audiometry, endoscopy, Valsalva maneuver, and complications. RESULTS: The ETDQ-7 scores improved significantly after treatment in both groups (p < 0.001), without significant between-group differences (p = 0.417). No significant differences occurred in the audiometry, endoscopy, and Valsalva results or in most complications between groups. One BET + M patient had a persistent tympanic membrane perforation. CONCLUSIONS: Both BET alone and BET + M effectively and safely improved the subjective and objective ETD outcomes. However, adding myringotomy did not further improve the outcomes over BET alone, while it incurred risks such as persistent perforation. BET alone may sufficiently treat ETD without requiring myringotomy in this cohort. Further randomized controlled trials should identify optimal candidates for BET alone versus combined approaches.

Worsening Rhinosinusitis as a Prognostic Factor for Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study.

Rhinosinusitis is common in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Our study aimed to explore the role of rhinosinusitis severity in NPC prognosis. Medical records and radiologic examinations of 90 patients with NPC at a single medical center from 2009−2016 were retrospectively analyzed. The Lund−Mackay (L−M) score was obtained for each patient before and after 6 months of treatment. Rhinosinusitis diagnosis was based on L−M scores of ≥4. L−M score differences were calculated as pre-treatment rhinosinusitis (PRRS) minus post-treatment rhinosinusitis (PSRS). L−M score difference was sub-grouped into "L−M scores > 0", "L−M scores = 0", and "L−M scores < 0". Clinical staging of our patients based on the American Joint Committee on Cancer 7th edition were: stage I in nine, stage II in seventeen, stage III in twenty-two, and stage IV in forty-two patients; twenty-seven (30%) patients had died. PRRS incidence was 34.4%, and PSRS was 36.7%. Median of L−M scores difference was 0 (−2.2). L−M score difference was an independent prognostic factor for the overall survival of patients with NPC (p < 0.05). Therefore, worsening rhinosinusitis was a prognostic factor for patients with NPC. Clinicians should consider NPC as a warning sign of poor prognosis during routine follow-ups.

Clinical and Microbiological Characteristics of Culture-Positive, Influenza-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis: A Single-Center Study in Southern Taiwan, 2016-2019.

This study delineated the characteristics of 24 (11.2%) culture-positive, influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (IAPA) patients out of 215 patients with severe influenza during 2016-2019 in a medical center in southern Taiwan. Twenty (83.3%) patients did not have EORTC/MSG-defined host factors. The mean time from influenza diagnosis to Aspergillus growth was 4.4 days, and 20 (83.3%) developed IAPA within seven days after influenza diagnosis. All patients were treated in intensive care units and all but one (95.8%) received mechanical ventilation. Aspergillus tracheobronchitis was evident in 6 (31.6%) of 19 patients undergoing bronchoscopy. Positive galactomannan testing of either serum or bronchoalveolar lavage was noted in all patients. On computed tomography imaging, IAPA was characterized by peribronchial infiltrates, multiple nodules, and cavities superimposed on ground-glass opacities. Pure Aspergillus growth without bacterial co-isolation in culture was found in 17 (70.8%) patients. A. fumigatus (15, 62.5%), A. flavus (6, 25.0%), and A. terreus (4, 16.7%) were the major causative species. Three patients had mixed Aspergillus infections due to two species, and two had mixed azole-susceptible and azole-resistant A. fumigatus infection. All patients received voriconazole with an all-cause mortality of 41.6%. Of 14 survivors, the mean duration of antifungal use was 40.5 days. In conclusion, IAPA is an early and rapidly deteriorating complication following influenza that necessitates clinical vigilance and prompt diagnostic workup.