SARS-CoV-2: minireview and review of first case in Foshan, China.

The first case of #COVID19 in Foshan provides a reference for the treatment of severe #SARSCoV2 pneumonia https://bit.ly/3eD81qj.

Prognosis Risk of Urosepsis in Critical Care Medicine: A Prospective Observational Study.

This study aimed to investigate the clinical features of urosepsis and to raise awareness of this problem. Of the 112 sepsis patients enrolled, 36 were identified as having urosepsis. The bacteria involved in the infection leading to urosepsis included Escherichia coli, Proteus species, Enterococcus species, Klebsiella species, other Gram-positive cocci, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Although the organ/system dysfunction appeared earlier in the urosepsis patients than in the other sepsis patients (4.7 ± 2.4 versus 7.2 ± 4.5 hours, P < 0.001), the urosepsis patients presented with a better prognosis and lower 28-day mortality rate than the others (6% versus 37%). In the multivariate analysis, the type of sepsis (urosepsis, OR = 0.019, 95% CI = 0.001, 0.335, P = 0.007) and SOFA score (OR = 1.896, 95% CI = 1.012, 3.554, P = 0.046) remained significantly associated with the survival. The time of admission to the intensive care unit of 17 patients transferred from the Department of Urinary Surgery was significantly prolonged compared with those transferred from other departments (11.6 ± 7.3 versus 7.2 ± 4.9 hours, P < 0.05). In conclusion, urosepsis suggested a better prognosis, but attention needs to be paid in clinical practice, especially in urinary surgery.

A Multicenter Retrospective Review of Prone Position Ventilation (PPV) in Treatment of Severe Human H7N9 Avian Flu.

BACKGROUND: Patients with H7N9 avian flu concurrent with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) usually have a poor clinical outcome. Prone position ventilation (PPV) has been shown to improve the prognosis of patients with severe ARDS. This study explored the effects of PPV on the respiratory and circulatory mechanics of H7N9-infected patients with severe ARDS. METHODS: Individuals admitted to four hospitals designated for H7N9 patients in Guangdong province were treated with PPV, and their clinical data were recorded before and after receiving PPV. RESULTS: Six of 20 critically ill patients in the ICU received PPV. After treatment with 35 PPV sessions, the oxygenation index (OI) values of the six patients when measured post-PPV and post-supine position ventilation (SPV) were significantly higher than those measured pre-PPV (P < 0.05).The six patients showed no significant differences in their values for respiratory rate (RR), peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), tidal volume (TV) or arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) when compared pre-PPV, post-PPV, and post-SPV. Additionally, there were no significant differences in the mean values for arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac index (CI), central venous pressure (CVP), heart rate (HR), lactic acid (LAC) levels or the doses of norepinephrine (NE) administered when compared pre-PPV, post-PPV, and post-SPV. CONCLUSION: PPV provided improved oxygenation that was sustained after returning to a supine position, and resulted in decreased carbon dioxide retention. PPV can thus serve as an alternative lung protective ventilation strategy for use in patients with H7N9 avian flu concurrent with severe ARDS.

[Clinical feature of severe hand, foot and mouth disease with acute pulmonary edema in pediatric patients].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical feature of severe hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in pediatric patients, and to observe the hemodynamic changes in those with acute pulmonary edema. METHODS: A prospective observation study was conducted. Thirty-five severe HFMD pediatric patients with acute pulmonary edema admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and Department of Pediatric of First People's Hospital of Foshan from May 2008 to September 2014 were enrolled. The clinical features were thoroughly investigated. Hemodynamic data were monitored by pulse-indicated continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) in 5 cases, and the changes in PiCCO parameters were observed at ICU admission (0 hour), and 24, 48, 96 hours after treatment. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients who met the diagnostic standard of severe HFMD were enrolled, including 22 male and 13 female, aged from 7 months to 4 years. Six patients were younger than 1 year, 13 1-2 years, 12 2-3 years, and 4 patients 3-4 years old. The most common time of occurrence of pulmonary edema was 3-4 days after the onset of the disease. Fever and central nervous system symptoms were found in all the patients, and examination of the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) revealed non-bacterial inflammatory changes. PiCCO results showed a tendency of lowering of heart rate (HR), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), and extravascular lung water index (EVLWI) after the treatment, and the values obtained at 96 hours were significantly lower than those at 0 hour [HR (bpm): 119.0±14.7 vs. 200.8±19.7, SVRI (kPa×s×L(-1)×m(-2)): 148.9±14.6 vs. 209.6±58.7, EVLWI (mL/kg): 10.5±1.9 vs. 34.8±10.8, P<0.05 or P<0.01], global end-diastolic volume index (GEDVI) was also gradually decreased without significant differences among all the time points, together with a tendency of increase in stroke volume index (SI) and cardiac index (CI). The values of the parameters at 96 hours were significantly higher than those at 0 hour [SI (mL/m2): 38.5±6.5 vs. 17.4±2.8, CI (mL×s(-1)×m(-2)): 75.0±8.0 vs. 55.5±8.5, both P<0.01]. Left atrium was found to be enlarged, and left ventricular systolic function decreased in two patients by cardiac ultrasonic. Four out of 35 patients died, and functional disability of extremities was found in 1 patient. Other patients were cured and discharged without any sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: Severe HFMD complicated by acute pulmonary edema is a perilous condition in children, accompanied commonly by pathologic changes in central nervous system and systolic dysfunction of left ventricle. According to the results with PiCCO monitoring, HFMD patients suffering from acute pulmonary edema may be of cardiac origin in addition to neurogenic origin.

[Immune and inflammation confusion in severe sepsis and effects of bi-immunomodulation therapy: a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the immune and inflammation confusion state in severe sepsis and the effects of two way immunomodulation therapy with continuous blood purification (CBP), thymosin alpha1, and combined therapy of CBP and thymosin alpha(1). METHODS: 91 Patients with severe sepsis aged > 18, with Marshall score>5. were randomly divided into 4 groups: CBP Group (n = 22) undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) or molecular adsorbents recirculating system (MARS) therapy once a day for 3 days in addition to classical Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) therapy, Thymosin alpha(1) Group (n = 23) undergoing subcutaneous injection of thymosin alpha(1) 1.6 mg once a day for 7 days in addition to SSC therapy, Combined Therapy Group (n = 22) undergoing CBP combined with thymosin alpha(1) treatment in addition to SSC therapy, and SSC Group (treatment control group, n = 24) undergoing SSC therapy only. Peripheral blood samples were collected before treatment, and 3 and 7 days after the beginning of treatment (days 4 and 8) to detect the serum interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. The levels of CD(14)(+) monocyte human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DR and T lymphocytes were monitored. The mechanical ventilation time, ICU stay length, and mortality within 28 d and mortality within 90 d were observed. Ten healthy persons were used as healthy control group. RESULTS: Thirty-four of the 91 patients died within 28 d with a mortality of 77.4% (Death Group) and other 57 patients were put in Survival Group. The levels of serum IL-6, IL-10, and TNFalpha, and IL-6/IL-10 at different time points of both Death and Survival Groups were all significantly higher, and the HLA-DR level, and CD(3)(+), CD(4)(+), and CD(8)(+) T lymphocyte numbers at different time points of both Death and Survival Groups were all significantly lower than those of the healthy controls (P < 0.05 or < 0.01). The levels of serum IL-6, IL-6/IL-10, TNFalpha, HLA-DR, and CD(3)(+), CD(4)(+), and CD(8)(+) T lymphocyte at different time points of Death Group were all significantly higher than those of Survival Group (P < 0.05 or < 0.01). The CD(3)(+) T lymphocyte number on day 8 of Thymosin Group was significantly higher than that of SSC Group (all P < 0.05). The serum IL-6 and TNFalpha and IL-6/IL-10 were decreased, and HLA-DR, and CD(3)(+), CD(4)(+), and CD(8)(+) were increased significantly on day 8 in CBP and Combined Therapy Groups. The level of TNFalpha decreased, and the numbers of CD(3)(+) and CD(4)(+) T lymphocytes increased significantly on day 4 in Combined Therapy Group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Compared with Thymosin Group, almost all the indexes of CBP and Combined Therapy Groups were improved, only the CD(3)(+) T lymphocyte level on day 4 increased and the IL-6/IL-10 ratio on day 8 was decreased significantly in Combined Therapy Group (both P < 0.05). Compared with those of SSC Group, the mechanical ventilation time, length of ICU stay within 28 days, and 28 days mortality and 90 days mortality of the 3 treatment groups were all decreased, and there were statistical differences in the length of ICU stay of CBP Group and in the mechanical ventilation time and length of ICU stay within 28 days of Combined Therapy Group (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Systemic inflammatory response and immunodepression exist simultaneously in severe sepsis. Thymosin alpha(1) increases the cellular immunity, and CBP bi-modulates the immune turbulence, reduces the inflammatory mediators, and ameliorates the immune homeostasis. These 2 therapies also improve the clinical prognosis and the combination of both would be more effective.

[Human leucocyte antigen-DR expression on CD(14)(+) monocytes and its relationships with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in severe sepsis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the changes of CD(14)(+) monocyte human leucocyte antigen DR (HLA-DR) and their relationship with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in severe sepsis. METHODS: Ninety-one patients with a definite diagnosis of severe sepsis in the intensive care unit (ICU) were included. CD(14)(+) monocyte HLA-DR levels were detected by flow cytometry on the first, 4th and 7th days of the study, and Marshall scores and prognosis on day 28 were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients died within 28 days following the onset with a mortality rate of 37.4%. Persistently lowered levels of HLA-DR were detected and significantly increased Marshall scores were found in the fatal cases at all the time points (P<0.001). In the surviving patients, the levels of HLA-DR were significantly increased (P<0.01) and Marshall scores were gradually decreased (P<0.001). During the observation period, the levels of HLA-DR decreased significantly as the number of dysfunctional organs and Marshall scores increased (P<0.001). The levels of HLA-DR were significantly increased in severe sepsis patients with 2-4 dysfunctional organs and Marshall score of 5-12 (P<0.05 or P<0.001). No changes in HLA-DR levels in severe sepsis patients with 5-6 dysfunctional organs and Marshall scores of 13-22. The levels of HLA-DR showed a significant inverse correlation to Marshall scores (r=-0.368, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: In patients with severe sepsis, persistent low CD(14)(+) monocyte HLA-DR levels predicts high mortality. The levels of HLA-DR are significantly correlated to the severity of organ dysfunction.

[Effect of continuous blood purification and thymosin alpha1 on the cellular immunity in patients with severe sepsis: a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the effect of continuous blood purification (CBP), thymosin alpha1 and combined therapy on cellular immunity in patients with severe sepsis. METHODS: Ninety-one patients, age over 18 years, suffering from severe sepsis with Marshall score over 5, admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) from June, 2004 to October, 2007, were randomly divided into four groups. The patients in control group (24 cases) were treated with classical Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) therapy, those in CBP group (22 cases) were treated with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) or molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) in the first 3 days. The group of thymosin alpha1 (23 cases) were treated with thymosin alpha1, in a dose of 1.6 mg subcutaneous injection per day for 7 days. The patients in the group of combined therapy (22 cases) were treated with CBP and thymosin alpha1. All three treatment groups were treated with classical SSC therapy at the same time. Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score and Marshall score were evaluated. CD14(+) monocyte human leucocyte antigen DR (HLA-DR) levels and the count of T lymphocyte were measured before treatment and 3 days and 7 days after the treatment. RESULTS: All 91 patients were included in the study. Compared with the control group, the 28-day mechanical ventilation (MV) time, length of ICU stay, 28-day mortality of three treatment groups were decreased. There was statistically significant difference in the length of ICU stay of the CBP group, and also the 28-day MV time, length of ICU stay of the group of combined therapy group (all P<0.05). Compared with the variables before treatment, Marshall scores were decreased significantly and levels of HLA-DR, CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+)T lymphocytes were increased significantly after 7-day treatment with thymosin alpha1 group (all P<0.05) . The above indexes and APACHE II scores were changed significantly as early as 3 days after treatment in CBP group and combined therapy group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the variables at the same period in the control group, only CD3(+) T lymphocytes were increased significantly after 7-day treatment in thymosin alpha1 group (P<0.05), APACHE II scores and Marshall scores were decreased significantly , levels of HLA-DR and CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+) T lymphocytes were increased significantly after 7-day treatment in CBP group (all P<0.05). The above indexes were already changed significantly after 3-day treatment in the combined therapy group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with thymosin alpha1 group, all the indexes were improved but only level of CD3(+) T lymphocytes after 3-day treatment in the combined therapy group increased significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: CBP and thymosin alpha1 could increase cellular immunity in patients with severe sepsis, promote recovery of organ function and improve prognosis. The effect of CBP appears earlier and more pronounced. Combined treatment can be more effective.

[Emergency bedside temporary cardiac pacing through the left subclavicular vein guided by pacemaker impulse].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility and merits of emergency bedside temporary cardiac pacing through left subclavicular vein guided by pacemaker impulse. METHODS: The left subclavicular vein was punctured with Seldinger technique for insertion of a cannula. After setting the rate of pacemaker at 20 beat/min above the patients' spontaneous heart rate with output current of 5 mA and sensing voltage of 3 mV, the electrode was inserted through the cannula until the electrocardiograph displaying pulsed signal and pacing rhythm. RESULTS: Good pacing was achieved in 18 patients with one having poor pacing, which was improved 2 h later. The pacing was not satisfactory in two cases. No postoperative complications occurred in the 21 patients. CONCLUSION: Emergency bedside temporary cardiac pacing through the left subclavicular vein guided by pacemaker impulse is rapid and ensures high success rate and safety.

[Intensive care and treatment of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical manifestations, pathogenesis and treatment of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). METHODS: The clinical data of 20 OHSS patients were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Severe OHSS occurred after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for superovulation. The major manifestations of OHSS included abdominal distension, nausea, ascites, hydrothorax, oliguria, concentrated blood, acid-base and electrolytes, disturbance, azotemia, thrombosis etc., which could be controlled by volume expansion with albumin, low-molecular-weight dextran, 6% Haes, abdominal and thoracic drainages or even early pregnancy termination. CONCLUSION: Preventive measure of OHSS is very important, and the patients must be treated timely and correctly once OHSS occurs.

[The first case of severe acute respiratory syndrome in Foshan].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the epidemiologic feature, diagnosis and treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). METHODS: To describe the epidemiologic and clinical features of the first case of SARS in Foshan city, Guangdong province retrospectively, and to review the diagnostic procedure. RESULTS: This case had the following features: (1) a history of contact with mild cats and eating the animal's meat; (2) high fever (temperature, > 38 degrees C), followed by dry cough, rapid progression to respiratory failure, followed by radiographic evidence of bilateral air-space lesions; (3) no leukocytosis; (4) spread to 4 family members who had had direct contact with this patient; (5) the patient's serum SARS virus IgG was confirmed to be positive; (6) the patient was treated with anti-viral agents, antibiotics and mechanical ventilation and molecular adsorbent re-circulating system (MARS). CONCLUSIONS: The clinical manifestations of the SARS case, which was highly infectious, met world health organization (WHO) criteria for the diagnosis of SARS. Early initiation of mechanical ventilation and supportive therapy contributed to the good prognosis of this critical case.