[Epidemiology, clinical characteristics and treatment in 278 patients with coronavirus disease 2019 in Guangzhou].

Objective: To retrospective analyze the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: A total of 278 patients with COVID-19 admitted to Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital from January 20 to February 10, 2020 were selected. The general demographic data, epidemiological data, clinical symptoms, laboratory examinations, lung CT imaging, treatment and prognosis were analyzed. Results: There were 130 male patients (46.8%) and 148 females (53.2%) with age (48.1±17.0) years and 88.8% patients between 20-69 years. Two hundred and thirty-six (84.9%) patients had comorbidities. Two hundred and eleven cases (75.9%) were common type. The in-hospital mortality was 0.4% (1/278). The majority (201, 72.3%) were imported cases mainly from Wuhan (89, 44.3%). The most common clinical manifestations were fever (70.9%) and dry cough (61.5%). In some patients, hemoglobin (10.4%), platelets (12.6%) and albumin (55.4%) were lower than the normal range. Other biochemical tests according to liver and function were normal, while lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) was elevated in 61 patients (21.9%), creatine kinase increased in 26 patients (9.4%). Prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was seen in 52 patients (18.7%), D-dimer higher than normal in 140 patients (50.4%), while 117 patients (42.1%) had elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Typical CT manifestations included single or multiple ground glass shadows especially in lung periphery in early disease which infiltrated and enlarged during progressive stage. Diffuse consolidation with multiple patchy density in severe/critical cases and even "white lung" presented in a few patients. Two hundred and forty-two patients (87.1%) received one or more antiviral agents, 242 (87.1%) combined with antibacterials, 191 (68.7%) with oxygen therapy. There were 198 patients (71.2%) treated with traditional Chinese medicine. Conclusions: COVID-19 could attack patients in all ages with majority of common type and low mortality rate. Clinical manifestations involve multiple organs or systems. Progression of the disease results in critical status which should be paid much attention.

[Effect of Cordyceps sinesis on T-lymphocyte subsets in chronic renal failure].

Synchronous measurements of renal function and T-cell subsets were taken in 51 cases of chronic renal failure (CRF) patients. Cordyceps sinesis 3-5 g/d was given to 28 out of these 51 patients, which was considered as follow-up group. The results were stated as follows: (1) Obvious decrease of OKT3, OKT4, OKT4/OKT8 was found in CRF (P < 0.01). (2) OKT4 and OKT4/OKT8 were proportional to plasma albumin and Hb levels (P < 0.05). (3) After administration of Cordyceps sinesis, improvement of renal function and OKT4, OKT4/OKT8 were confirmed. This study indicated that cellular immune function was decreased in CRF. Administration of Cordyceps sinesis might improve their renal function and as the same time enhance the cellular immune function in CRF.