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Eosinophils are generally considered to play an important role in parasitic infections and allergic diseases. In recent years，eosinophils have also been found to be involved in the host's immune response to infections caused by bacteria，viruses and fungi. Eosinophils recognize these pathogens through pattern recognition receptors，during this process multiple mechanisms are implicated in host's immune defense against infections. Much progress on the role of eosinophils in respiratory tract infections has been reported in recent years. This review summarizes the regulatory role of eosinophils in respiratory infectious diseases，and the activation process of eosinophils and their direct and indirect interaction with respiratory pathogens，hoping to improve the recognition of the role of eosinophils in the pathogenesis of respiratory infectious diseases，and provide new ideas for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
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Objective To investigate the differential diagnostic value of serum lipopolysaccharide binding protein(LBP)and serum CXC chemokine ligand-10(CXCL-10)in children with acute upper respiratory tract bacterial infection and its influencing factors.Methods A total of 90 children with acute upper respiratory tract infection admitted to the hospital from July 2021 to June 2022 were enrolled in the study as the study group,and 40 healthy children who underwent physical examination in the hospital during the same period were enrolled as the healthy group.According to the results of sputum bacterial culture,the study group was divided into bacterial infection group(51 cases)and non-bacterial infection group(39 cases).The serum levels of LBP and CXCL-10 were detected by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Receiver operating charac-teristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the value of serum LBP and CXCL-10 in the differential diagnosis of acute upper respiratory tract bacterial infection in children.Multivariate Logistic regression was used to ana-lyze the influencing factors of acute upper respiratory tract bacterial infection in children.Results The serum levels of LBP and CXCL-10 in the study group were higher than those in the healthy group(P＜0.05).The se-rum levels of LBP and CXCL-10 in the bacterial infection group were higher than those in the non-bacterial in-fection group(P＜0.05).The area under curves(AUCs)of serum LBP and CXCL-10 alone and in combina-tion for the diagnosis of acute upper respiratory tract bacterial infection in children were 0.779(95％CI:0.724-0.822),0.843(95％CI:0.796-0.898),0.906(95％CI:0.852-0.959),respectively.Compared with the non-bacterial infection group,the bacterial infection group had significantly higher proportions of family members with smoking,iron deficiency,and calcium deficiency,annual average times of antibacterial drug use,and serum LBP and CXCL-10 levels(P＜0.05).Logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that the av-erage annual use of antibiotics ≥2 times(OR=2.305,95％CI:1.483-3.582),LBP≥104.26 ng/mL(OR=2.573,95％CI:1.446-4.578)and CXCL-10≥112.98 pg/mL(OR=1.208,95％CI:0.110-1.314)were the influencing factors of acute upper respiratory tract bacterial infection in children(P＜0.05).Conclusion The elevated serum LBP and CXCL-10 levels are closely related to acute upper respiratory tract bacterial infection in children,which can be used as indicators for the differential diagnosis of acute upper respiratory tract bacte-rial infection,and the combination of the two has higher diagnostic efficiency.
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Human herpes simplex virus type 1(HSV-1)infection of the upper respiratory tract is a common,mostly self-limiting disease.Reactivation of HSV-1 can sometimes cause lower respiratory tract infections.Coinfection of HSV-1 and other pathogens in the respiratory tract may cause severe diseases,resulting in HSV pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome.This article reviews the symptoms and pathogenesis of HSV-1 infection or co-infections with other pathogens in the respiratory tract,as well as recent advances on drugs and vaccines for HSV-1.
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Objective:To analyze the clinical value of dynamic electrocardiogram combined with serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) levels in evaluating the severity of respiratory tract infection complicated with viral myocarditis.Methods:A total of 125 patients with respiratory tract infection who were admitted to the Affiliated Run Run Shaw Hospital of Medical School, Zhejiang University from January 2018 to December 2022 were selected retrospectively. They were divided into the complication group (71 cases) and the non-complication group (54 cases) according to whether they were complicated with viral myocarditis. Dynamic and conventional electrocardiogram characteristics were compared. Serum BNP and CK-MB levels in the complication group and the non-complication group at admission were analyzed. Dynamic electrocardiograms and serum BNP and CK-MB levels of patients with different severity of myocarditis were comparatively analyzed. The value of combined diagnosis was analyzed.Results:The detection rates of atrial premature beats and sinus tachycardia by dynamic electrocardiogram were higher than those by conventional electrocardiogram: 38.03% (27/71) vs. 22.54% (16/71), 28.17% (20/71) vs. 14.08% (10/71) ( P<0.05). Serum BNP and CK-MB levels in the complication group were higher than those in the non-complication group: (104.26 ± 10.75) ng/L vs. (54.11 ± 5.69) ng/L, (17.89 ± 1.86) U/L vs. (13.46 ± 1.42) U/L ( P<0.05). The detection rates of atrial premature beats, sinus tachycardia, burst ventricular tachycardia, first-degree atrioventricular block, ST segment change and low QRS voltage, serum BNP and CK-MB levels in patients with respiratory tract infection complicated with severe viral myocarditis (37 cases) were higher than those in patients with mild viral myocarditis (34 cases): 51.35% (19/37) vs. 23.53% (8/34), 43.24% (16/37) vs. 11.76% (4/34), 32.43% (12/37) vs. 11.76% (4/34), 29.73% (11/37) vs. 8.82% (3/34), 43.24% (16/37) vs. 14.71% (5/34), 24.32% (9/37) vs. 5.88% (2/34), (107.19 ± 10.56) ng/L vs. (101.08 ± 10.18) ng/L, (18.33 ± 1.85) U/L vs. (17.41 ± 1.76) U/L ( P<0.05). Compared with clinical pathological diagnosis, Kappa values of dynamic electrocardiogram, BNP at admission, CK-MB at admission and combination of the three for diagnosing acute upper respiratory tract infection complicated with viral myocarditis were 0.784, 0.765, 0.733 and 0.879. The sensitivity and accuracy of combined diagnosis were higher. Conclusions:Dynamic electrocardiogram combined with serum BNP and CK-MB can better help to evaluate the severity of respiratory tract infection complicated with myocarditis. Therefore, they are worthy of monitoring.
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Objective:To investigate the epidemiological characteristics, genotypes and genetic evolution of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) isolated in Shanghai from April 2020 to December 2021, which was a period from the COVID-19 outbreak to the phase of regular epidemic prevention and control.Methods:This retrospective study collected the nasopharyngeal secretions or nasopharyngeal aspirates of children with acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) admitted to the Shanghai Children′s Hospital from April 2020 to December 2021. PCR-capillary electrophoresis and RT-PCR were used for virus identification and the amplification of the gene fragment of the second hypervariable region of RSV G protein. Homology analysis and phylogenetic analysis were conducted using bioinformatics software. Chi-square test was used to compare the detection rates of RSV. Results:A total of 6 211 samples were collected and 13.62% (846/6 211) of them were positive for RSV. The positive rates of RSV in male and female patients were 14.07% (503/3 574) and 13.01% (343/2 637), respectively, with no significant gender difference (χ 2=1.467, P=0.226). The highest detection rate of RSV was found in children ≤6 months of age, and the rate of RSV infection decreased gradually with age (χ 2=352.942, P<0.001). No RSV-positive specimens were detected from April 2020 to August 2020, after which the detection rate of RSV gradually increased with two epidemic peaks occurring from December 2020 to February 2021 and from August to October 2021. The predominant epidemic subtype was RSV subtype B in 2020 and the first 9 months of 2021, which was gradually replaced by RSV subtype A in the last 3 months of 2021. The 176 strains of RSV subtype A obtained in this study were all ON1 genotype, and the nucleotide homology of the Shanghai epidemic strains was 90.20%-99.50%. All of the 250 strains of RSV subtype B were BA9 genotype, and the nucleotide homology of the Shanghai epidemic strains was 90.10%-100.00%. Conclusions:From April 2020 to December 2021, with the regular prevention and control of COVID-19, there is a change in the epidemic season of RSV. The prevalent genotypes of RSV subtypes A and B are ON1 and BA9, respectively, and the subtype A gradually replaces subtype B as the most prevalent subtype.
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[Objective]To summarize Professor CHEN Hua's experience in treating children with recurrent respiratory tract infection(RRTI)based on"Yin deficiency,blood stasis and heat accumulation".[Methods]Through following Professor CHEN's clinical treatment and summarizing the cases information,the clinical experience and prescription characteristics of Professor CHEN in the treatment of children with RRTI were summarized and sorted out through clinical evidence.[Results]Professor CHEN considers that children with RRTI is caused by wind,phlegm,blood stasis and deficiency,and the pathogenesis is deficiency of the lung and spleen,phlegm and blood stasis obstructing venation,extending and not healing,and accumulation of blood stasis and heat.He puts forward the differentiation and treatment of RRTI from Yin deficiency,blood stasis and heat accumulation,and summarizes the diagnosis and treatment experience of paying attention to wind evil,dispelling wind and relieve symptoms;adjusting measures in accordance with three categories,nourishing Yin and clearing blood stasis;detailed differentiation of deficiency and substance,appropriate use of harmonious method;taking care of middle-Jiao and strengthening the spleen and stomach.The case involved a patient with RRTI,which was diagnosed as a condition of Yin deficiency with concurrent phlegm and blood stasis obstruction.Professor CHEN implemented a staged treatment plan,focusing on nourishing Yin,clearing stasis,which spanned the middle and later stages of the disease.During the prolonged stage,the treatment aimed at nourishing Yin and reducing fever,resolving phlegm and dispelling stasis.In the recovery stage,the focus shifted to nourishing Yin and reducing fever,invigorating the spleen and replenishing Qi.The therapeutic effect was significant.[Conclusion]Professor CHEN inherits the characteristics of pediatrics of Zhejiang school of traditional Chinese medicine,distinguishing and treating children with RRTI from"Yin deficiency,blood stasis and heat accumulation",and the curative effect is remarkable,which has high practical value in guiding clinical practice.
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Objective @#To investigate the clinical and molecular epidemiological characteristics of 10 patients with enterovirus (EV)-D68 infections in the respiratory tract in Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, so as to provide insights into formulation of control interventions for EV-D68 infections.@*Methods@#Clinical specimens were sampled from patients with acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) admitted to sentinel hospitals in Shaoxing City from 2021 to 2022, and EV-D68 was detected using real-time fluorescent PCR assay and sequencing of the VP1 region of enterovirus. The epidemiological and etiological characteristics of EV-D68 infected cases were descriptively analyzed. @*Results@#A total of 3 009 specimens were sampled from patients with ARTIs from 2021 to 2022, and the detection of EV-D68 was 0.33%. Of all EV-D68-infected patients, there were 6 men and 4 women, and 5 cases under 18 years of age, 2 cases at ages of 18 to 60 years and 3 cases at ages of over 60 years. EV-D68 infection predominantly occurred in summer (5 cases detected between May and July) and autumn (5 cases detected between September and October). The main clinical symptoms included fever (10 cases), sore throat (9 cases) and cough (8 cases), and all 10 cases recovered well, with no deaths reported. Sequencing identified D3 subtype in all 10 specimens positive for EV-D68. @*Conclusions@#The ARTIs caused by EV-D68 occurred predominantly among children under 18 years of age in Shaoxing City, and was highly prevalent in summer and autumn. D3 was the predominant enterovirus subtype.
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@#Objective Loop mediated isothermal amplification(LAMP)was used to detect the distribution of pathogens in sputum samples,namely combined nucleic acid detection of respiratory pathogens(13 pairs),so as to provide provide reference for clinical accurate diagnosis and treatment.Methods A total of 1642 patients with lower respiratory tract infection admitted to Tongren City People's Hospital from January to December in 2022 were selected.Each patient collected sputum specimens/bronchoalveolar for detection by using LAMP(13 pairs).The detection of pathogenic bacteria in respiratory tract and the relationship with sex,age and season were analyzed.Results The overall detection rate of 13 respiratory pathogens was significantly higher in males than in females(P<0.01);In different age groups,the detection rates of Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae in patients aged 3-6,Mycoplasma pneumoniae in patients aged 6-18,and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus,Streptococcus maltophilus,and Klebsiella pneumoniae in patients aged over 60 were significantly higher than those in other groups(P<0.05);In different seasonal groups,Streptococcus pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae were more prevalent in spring,while Mycoplasma pneumoniae had the highest infection rate in autumn,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion LAMP can be used to detect the pathogen rapidly and provide the basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
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ABSTRACT Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of respiratory infections. It is responsible for more than half of lower respiratory tract infections in infants requiring hospitalization. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the fibrinogen-albumin ratio (FAR) and the severity of RSV infection and to compare its effectiveness with the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). This was a retrospective cohort study with patients aged from 29 days to two years who had been admitted to the pediatric clinic of our hospital. Patients were divided into four groups: group 1 (mild disease), group 2 (moderate disease), group 3 (severe disease), and group 4 (control). FAR and NLR were measured in all groups. FAR was significantly higher in group 3 than in the other groups, in group 2 than in groups 1 and 4, and in group 1 than in group 4 (p<0.001 for all). NLR was significantly higher in group 4 than in the other groups and in group 3 than in groups 1 and 2 (p<0.001 for all). FAR totaled 0.078 ± 0.013 in patients with bronchiolitis; 0.099 ± 0.028, in patients with bronchopneumonia; and 0.126 ± 0.036, in patients with lobar pneumonia, all with statistically significant differences (p<0.001). NLR showed no significant statistical differences. This study found a statistically significant increase in FAR in the group receiving invasive support when compared to that receiving non-invasive support (0.189 ± 0.046 vs. 0.112 ± 0.030; p=0.003). Mechanical ventilation groups showed no differences for NLR. FAR was used to identify severe RSV-positive patients, with a sensitivity of 84.4%, a specificity of 82.2%, and a cutoff value of >0.068. This study determined a cutoff value of ≤1.49 for NLR, with a sensitivity of 62.2% and a specificity of 62.2% to find severe RSV-positive patients. Also, statistically significant associations were found between FAR and hospitalization and treatment length and time up to clinical improvement (p<0.001 for all). NLR and hospitalization and treatment length showed a weak association (p<0.001). In children with RSV infection, FAR could serve to determine disease severity and prognosis and average lengths of hospitalization, treatment, and clinical improvement. Additionally, FAR predicted disease severity more efficiently than NLR.
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Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of pathogenic bacteria for respiratory tract infection in children with asthma to facilitate the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Methods Among 206 hospitalized children with asthma and respiratory tract infection from January 2019 to December 2021 were selected for analysis in this study, including 131 cases with upper respiratory tract infection and 75 cases with lower respiratory tract infection. The potential correlation between the distribution of pathogenic bacteria and drug resistance was analyzed and compared between the two groups. Results A total of 167 strains of pathogenic bacteria were detected in 131 children with upper respiratory tract infection, and 262 strains were detected in 75 children with lower respiratory tract infection. The distribution characteristics of pathogenic bacteria in children with asthma and acute upper respiratory tract infection were consistent with the total distribution characteristics. Among children with asthma and acute lower respiratory tract infection, the infection of Gram-positive bacteria was higher than that of Gram-negative bacteria in female children younger than 5 years old, and the proportion of staphylococcus epidermidis was the highest (P<0.05), The distribution characteristics of pathogenic bacteria in children of other ages and sexes were consistent with the total distribution characteristics. The resistance rate of Gram-positive bacteria to penicillin, erythromycin and clarithromycin was high, while the resistance rate of Gram-negative bacteria to ampicillin, cefazolin and cefuroxime was high. The distribution characteristics of pathogenic bacteria in children with upper respiratory tract infection and lower respiratory tract infection were consistent. Conclusion In children with pediatric asthma and respiratory tract infection, the main pathogens are Gram-negative bacteria, and the drug resistance rate is high. However, the infection of Gram-positive bacteria (mainly Staphylococcus epidermidis) in young female children under 5 years old is higher than that of Gram-negative bacteria in other children, which deserves special attention.
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Objective To analyze the risk factors of mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection and recurrent respiratory tract infection (RRTI) in children, and to provide reference for early clinical intervention. Methods A total of 648 RRTI children admitted to our hospital from October 2018 to December 2020 were selected. Serum MP antibody levels were detected by semi-quantitative method. According to whether the children were combined with mycoplasma infection, they were divided into experimental group (MP positive, n=283) and control group (MP negative, n=365). Age, gender, body mass index, nutrient deficiency, preterm birth, anemia, onset season, collective living, antibiotics application were collected from the two groups. Logistic regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors of MP infection in RRTI children. Results Among of 648 RRTI children, 283 (43.67%) had MP infection. There was no statistical significance in MP infection of pneumonia in children of different ages and genders between the two groups (P>0.05).There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in nutrient deficiency, onset season, length of hospital stay, days of fever, group living, application of antibiotics and invasive operation (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the onset season, length of hospital stay, group living were independent risk factors for MP infection in RRTI children (P<0.05). Conclusion The risk of MP infection in RRTI children is higher, and the main risk factors are onset season, length of hospital stay, group living and application of antibiotics.
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ObjectiveTo understand the epidemiological characteristics of an outbreak of respiratory tract infections caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae （MP） in a primary school in Huzhou City， Zhejiang Province， and to provide scientific reference for future prevention and control of school outbreaks of upper respiratory tract infections caused by M. pneumoniae. MethodsAccording to the requirements for investigating respiratory infectious disease outbreaks， basic information， clinical history and epidemiological information were collected from the cases. Throat swab samples of cases for COVID-19 nucleic acid testing， influenza A and B virus antigen testing， and serum samples for detecting total antibody of mycoplasma were also collected. ResultsA total of 47 cases related to M. pneumoniae infection were identified. The first case occurred on May 4， 2022， and the cases were concentrated between May 22 and May 31， 2022. The last case occurred on June 21， marking a duration of 48 days for the outbreak. All cases were second-grade students， with an incidence rate of 35.07% （47/134） in the affected classes， with Class 206 at 53.330% （24/45）， Class 207 at 38.64% （17/44）， and Class 211 at 13.33% （6/45）. There was a statistically significant difference in the incidence rates among the classes （χ2=16.57，P<0.05）. The incidence rate was 32.39% （23/71） for boys and 38.10% （24/63） for girls， with no statistically significant difference by gender （χ2=0.48，P>0.05）. The main clinical manifestations included cough， fever， and sore throat， and some cases exhibited signs of pneumonia. Pharyngeal swabs and serum samples were collected from 27 patients. The results were negative for pharynx swab samples， and positive for total mycoplasma antibody in 12 serum samples， with a positive rate of 44.44%. ConclusionSymptoms caused by M. pneumoniae are diverse in clinical manifestations， with atypical signs and a slow progression. Early cases tend to exhibit mild symptoms. The onset of the disease is not detected in time when students are attending classes. The school morning health checks fail to promptly detect it and trigger home isolation control measures， which all contribute to the outbreak of the epidemic. Schools should conduct relevant prevention and control campaigns， improve morning and afternoon health checks， and prevent students from attending classes while sick.
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Objective:To explore the clinical features of Mycoplasma pneumoniae(MP)infection in children, and provide data support for the prevention and control of MP.Methods:In this study , a retrospective analysis was used to collect clinical data with respiratory tract infection from January 2018 to February 2022 in the Shenyang Children′s Hospital, and analyze the distribution characteristics of MP positive rate, season, age, sex.Results:In this study, the positive rate of MP was 17.12% (20 299/118 598), in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 were 22.92% (7 732/33 738), 15.76% (5 736/36 388), 9.81% (1 313/13 379) and 16.60% (4 954/29 849) respectively.The highest positive rates of MP in 2018 and 2019 were 27.72% (1 809/6 527) and 23.45% (1 519/6 478) in summer, respectively, 2020 was spring (19.13%, 216/1 129) and 2021 was autumn (20.09%, 1 665/8 287).The MP positive rates of infancy, early childhood, preschool age and school age were 5.89% (605/10 265), 14.35% (4 639/32 333), 18.51% (10 961/59 203) and 24.37% (4 094/16 798), and MP positive rate increased with age, the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=1 790.971, P<0.05).The positive rate of boys was 14.70% (9 586/65 206), while that of girls was 20.06% (10 713/53 392), the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=594.937, P<0.05). Conclusion:MP can occur all years round, mainly in summer and autumn.Girls are susceptible, especially common in school-age and pre-school children.Prevention and control measures should be taken as soon as possible for susceptible individuals to reduce the infection rate of MP.
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Objective:To understand the epidemiology, clinical characteristics and associated risk factors of severe adenovirus(ADV)pneumonia in children, providing the basis for targeted prevention and treatment.Methods:Clinical features of children with ADV pneumonia at Children′s Hospital of Soochow University from January 2011 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.According to the severity of the disease, cases were divided into severe ADV pneumonia group and common ADV pneumonia group.The epidemiological and clinical characteristics of two groups were compared, and risk factors for the occurrence of severe ADV pneumonia were analyzed.Results:A total of 1 158 patients with ADV pneumonia were enrolled, including severe ADV pneumonia 104 cases(8.98%) and ordinary ADV pneumonia 1 054 cases(91.02%).The median age of severe ADV pneumonia group was 1.17 (0.83, 2.73) years, which was significantly younger than that of common ADV pneumonia group 3.16 (1.50, 4.50) years( P<0.05), and 77.89% (81/104) of them were younger than 3 years old.The occurrence of severe ADV pneumonia was predominant in winter and spring, accounting for 71.15% (74/104).Cough was present in 89.42% (93/104) and fever in 99.01% (103/104) of the severe ADV pneumonia group.Compared with the common ADV pneumonia group, the severe ADV pneumonia group had a significantly longer febrile time[10(6, 14)d vs. 5(4, 7)d, P<0.05], significantly higher incidence of shortness of breath, wheezing, convulsions/coma[100% vs. 2.09%, 45.19% vs. 13.57%, 10.57% vs. 1.99%, P<0.05], and significantly higher incidences of emphysema, pleural effusion, bronchial signs, pulmonary solids, and atelectasis [21.15% vs. 2.09%, 5.77% vs. 0.19%, 4.81% vs. 0, 3.85% vs. 0.09%, P<0.05].Multivariable Logistic regression showed that age younger than 1.71 years old, wheezing, and the presence of underlying diseases (moderate to severe anaemia, congenital heart disease, neurological disease) were risk factors for the development of severe ADV pneumonia ( P<0.05).Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the sensitivity and specificity of age<1.71 years old(20 months old) for predicting the occurrence of severe ADV pneumonia were 65.4% and 71.5%, respectively. Conclusion:The age of most severe ADV pneumonia is less 3 years in Suzhou.It usually occurres in winter and spring, with fever, cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing as the main symptoms.Pulmonary manifestations such as pleural effusion, emphysema, pulmonary consolidation, and atelectasis may occur.The underlying disease, wheezing, and age of onset less than 1.71 years (20 months) old are independent risk factors for severe ADV pneumonia.
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Cholestatic jaundice is rare in patients with Graves' disease and is generally considered to be a complication of Graves' disease or an adverse reaction to methimazole. We report a case of acute cholestatic jaundice caused by Graves' disease complicated with upper respiratory tract infection in Jinan Central Hospital. After timely treatment with glucocorticoid, the jaundice quickly subsided and the liver function gradually returned to normal. We believe that Graves' disease combined with upper respiratory tract infection can lead to cholestatic jaundice, the pathogenesis of which may be immune dysfunction, and glucocorticoid therapy is beneficial to the regression of jaundice.
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Objective:To investigate the epidemiology of pathogens of acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) in children in Guangzhou area.Methods:A total of 13 610 hospitalized children with ARTI in Guangzhou Women and Children′s Medical Center from January 2018 to December 2021 were enrolled. Throat swab specimens were collected, and fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect 11 respiratory pathogens, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus (ADV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), human rhinovirus (HRV), human bocavirus (HBoV), human metapneumovirus (HMPV), enterovirus (EV), influenza A virus (IFA), influenza B virus (IFB), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) and Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP). Grouping according to age (< one year group, one to < three years group, three to < six years group, six to 14 years group) and season. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Results:At least one pathogen was detected in 6 331 cases among 13 610 patients, and the overall positive rate was 46.52%. The detection rates from high to low were as follows: RSV (13.75%(1 872/13 610)), ADV (4.82%(656/13 610)), PIV (4.82%(656/13 610)), MP (4.54%(618/13 610)), HRV (3.39%(462/13 610)), HBoV (2.64%(359/13 610)), HMPV (2.59%(352/13 610)), EV (1.76%(239/13 610)), IFA (1.29%(176/13 610)), IFB (0.90%(122/13 610)) and CP (0.30%(41/13 610)). The positive rate of viral detection showed significant differences among different age groups ( χ2=49.91, P<0.001), and the highest positive rate was in the age group of one to <three years (50.83%(2 196/4 320)). The positive rate of viral detection showed a significant difference in terms of seasonal distribution ( χ2=13.90, P=0.003), with a peak prevalence in summer (48.76%(1 498/3 072)). Conclusions:RSV, ADV, PIV, MP and HRV are important pathogens causing ARTI in children in Guangzhou area. The distribution of pathogens in children with ARTI is associated with age and season.
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Objective:To investigate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the prevalence of viral pathogens in hospitalized children with acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) in Shanghai.Methods:A total of 6 020 throat swab specimens were collected from hospitalized children with ARTIs in Shanghai Children′s Hospital from August 1, 2019 to February 28, 2022. Eleven common respiratory pathogens were detected using multiplex PCR and capillary electrophoresis. Pre-epidemic data referred to the data from August to December, 2019, and the data from August to December, 2020 and August to December, 2021 were used as the post-epidemic data for comparison. Based on the data from March 2020 to February 2022 (the epidemic period), the epidemiology of respiratory pathogens in children with ARTIs in different seasons were compared (spring: March to May, summer: June to August, autumn: September to November, winter: December to February of the next year).Results:Of the 6 020 specimens obtained from the patients, 3 753 (62.34%) were positive for at least one pathogen. Human rhinovirus (HRV) was the most commonly detected pathogen (22.76%, 1 442/6 020), followed by human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) (16.05%, 966/6 020). From August to December, the detection rate of single respiratory pathogen was 87.94% (569/647) in 2019, 66.21% (480/725) in 2020 and 60.33% (1 075/1 782) in 2021, and the co-infection rate was 25.66% (166/647) in 2019, 9.93% (72/725) in 2020 and 8.87% (158/1 782) in 2021, showing a decreasing trend (χ 2=165.19 and 127.79, P<0.01). Compared with the pre-epidemic period, human metapneumovirus (HMPV), HRV and human parainfluenza virus (HPIV) were the most prevalent pathogens in 2020 [4.97%(36/725), 34.21%(248/725) and 14.48%(105/725); χ 2=26.16, 42.04 and 60.52; P<0.01] and HRSV was the predominant pathogen in 2021 [21.27%(387/1 782), χ 2=44.26, P<0.01]. During the epidemic period, the detection rate of pathogens was 64.49%(1 340/2 078) in 2020, which was significantly higher than that in 2021 [57.48%(1 771/3 081), χ 2=25.43, P<0.01]. Only two respiratory pathogens, Mycoplasma pneumonia and human coronavirus, were detected in the spring of 2020; HRV, human adenovirus and HPIV were detected since the summer of 2020; influenza virus B was detected since the spring of 2021; influenza virus A was detected in only one case in 2020 and other respiratory pathogens were detected since the autumn of 2020. HRV+ HRSV were the main pathogens of co-infections. Conclusions:A series of prevention and control measures taken after the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic caused major changes in the prevalence and the epidemiology of respiratory pathogens in hospitalized children in Shanghai. With the normalization of epidemic prevention and control, the cancellation of strict epidemic prevention policy might lead to the outbreak of some pathogens (HMPV, HRV, HPIV and HRSV) and much attention should be paid to the outbreaks of other respiratory pathogen infections in children.
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Objective:To analyze the molecular characteristics of hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) gene of human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV3) among the cases with acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) in Henan Province.Methods:Nasal/throat swab samples collected from patients with severe acute respiratory tract infection (SARI) in Luohe and patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) in Zhengzhou were used in this study. HPIV nucleic acids in the samples were detected using real-time fluorescent PCR. HPIV3-positive samples were subjected to RT-PCR for the amplification of HN genes and the sequences were analyzed with Sanger method. CExpress and MEGA7.0 software were used for sequences editing, evolution tree construction and gene sequence analysis.Results:A total of 374 throat swab samples collected form ARI cases in Luohe and Zhengzhou were tested and 20 (5.3%) of them were positive for HPIV3. Eighteen HPIV3 HN gene sequences were successfully amplified and all belonged to C3 subgroups, including 16 sequences of C3f genotype and two sequences of C3a genotype. The 18 HN gene sequences shared the homology of 97.6%-100.0% in nucleotide and 99.3%-100.0% in amino acid, but the differences between them and the prototype strain Wash/47885/57 were significant. There were 12 amino acid mutations shared by them, including four function-related mutations (H295Y, I391V, D556N and I53T). There were no significant differences in the nucleotide or amino acid sequences as compared with the epidemic strain of China/BCH4210A/2014.Conclusions:The C3f and C3a branches of HPIV3 were the epidemic genotypes in Henan Province in recent years and a local circulating prevalence might be established. Continuous and in-depth monitoring of HPIV3 C3 subtype would be of great significance for the prevention and control of HPIV3-associated diseases.
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Objective:To analyze the clinical and epidemiological features of human rhinovirus (HRV) infection in adult patients with upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) in Nanjing.Methods:Epidemiological data of adult patients with URTI in Nanjing from October 2021 to September 2022 were collected. Clinical specimens were collected and subjected to quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for the detection of 14 common respiratory viruses. The VP4/VP2 genes in HRV-positive samples were amplified and sequenced. Then a phylogenetic tree was constructed.Results:A total of 399 pharyngeal swabs were collected from patients with URTI. The overall positive rate of respiratory viruses was 28.07% (112/399) with HRV accounting for most at 9.52% (38/399). Thirty-seven VP4/VP2 sequences were successfully obtained from the 38 HRV-positive specimens. Three genotypes involving 25 serotypes were identified with 13 strains belonging to HRV-A, 14 belonging to HRV-B, and 10 belonging to HRV-C. The three genotypes of HRV showed alternate prevalence or co-prevalence.Conclusions:HRV was the main pathogen causing URTI in adult patients in Nanjing from October 2021 to September 2022, and three genotypes of HRV-A, B and C were prevalent alternatively or together.
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Objective To analyze the etiological characteristics and the variation of pathogens spectrum in hospitalized children with a-cute respiratory tract infection(ARTI)before and after COVID-19 under"the level B of management for class B"of infectious diseases(Level B for Class B)in Shenzhen,in order to provide reference for the clinical diagnosis,treatment and prevention of ARTI.Meth-ods The ARTI cases from January 8,2022 to July 30,2022 were selected as before"Level B for Class B",and the cases from Janu-ary 8,2023 to July 30,2023 were selected as after"Level B for Class B".The pharyngeal swab samples submitted for analyzing 11 common pathogens,such as COVID-19,influenza virus(Ⅳ),respiratory syncytial virus(RSV)and mycoplasma pneumoniae(MP)in the children with ARTI admitted to Shenzhen Children's Hospital.Results SARS-CoV-2 were detected as positive in 347 cases,a-mong which 225 cases were before"Level B for Class B"including 29 cases combined with other pathogens(12.89％,29/225)and human parainfluenza viruses(HPIV)was the most common(31.03％,9/29).After"Level B for Class B",SARS-CoV-2 were detec-ted as positive in 122 cases,including 28 cases combined with other pathogens(22.95％,28/122),and RSV was the most common(28.57％,8/28).There was a statistical difference between the positive rate of SARS-CoV-2 combined with other pathogens before and after"Level B for Class B"(X2=5.834,P=0.016).After"Level B for Class B",the total pathogen detection rate(positive for at least one pathogen)was 60.82％(2 864/4 709)in the spring(January 8,2023 to April 30,2023),and influenza virus A(IVA)(22.64％,1 066/4 709),rhinovirus(HRV)(19.86％,935/4 709)and RSV(13.29％,626/4 709)were the main pathogens,and there were 301 cases(6.39％,301/4 709)of mixed infections.In the summer(May 1,2023 to July 30,2023),the total detection rate of pathogens was 70.26％(4 012/5 710),among which RSV(21.63％,1 235/5 710),MP(13.91％,794/5 710),HPIV(10.05％,574/5 710)were the main pathogens,and there were 710 cases(12.43％,710/5 710)of mixed infections,all of which were significantly higher than the same period before"Level B for Class B".The difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion After"Level B for Class B"for COVID-19,the detection rate of 11 common pathogens increased significantly and the pathogen spectrum of ARTI changed significantly.