Allergic Bronchopulmonary Mycosis with Eosinophilia Caused by Schizophyllum Infection.

BACKGROUND: As an opportunistic pathogenic fungus, Schizophyllum has been rarely reported to infect humans. By reporting a case of definite diagnosis of Schizophyllum infection, we aim to improve clinicians' understanding of this bacterium. METHODS: By reporting a case with cough and sputum as the main manifestations, after empirical antiinfective chest CT suggesting a more progressive inflammatory lesion and a mass-like lesion in the paratracheal area of the main airways, a diagnosis of Schizophyllum infection was finally made by bronchoscopy with the delivery of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). RESULTS: The patient was finally diagnosed with rare Schizophyllum infection. After antifungal treatment, the symptoms improved, and the patient was discharged. CONCLUSIONS: Although Schizophyllum is a rare fungal infection, it should be taken seriously in patients with diabetes or who are immunocompromised. At the same time, mNGS plays a key role in the detection of rare and emerging pathogens, which is worthy of clinical interest.

Organizing Pneumonia Secondary to Infection with Coxiella Burnetii: a Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Organizing pneumonia is a non-specific inflammatory response to various types of damage to the lungs. It is usually considered bacterial pneumonia that has not been absorbed for more than 4 weeks, accompanied by granulomas and fibrosis. Lung lesions in patients with organizing pneumonia are usually irreversible and the prognosis is relatively poor. Coxiella burnetii can cause Q fever. Acute Q fever usually presents as a self-limiting febrile illness with a good prognosis, but there are few cases of coexisting organizing pneumonia. We report a case of organizing pneumonia secondary to Coxiella burnetii infection. METHODS: Percutaneous lung biopsy, Next-generation sequencing (NGS). RESULTS: Percutaneous lung biopsy showed the existence of organizing pneumonia, and external examination of NGS showed the existence of Coxiella burnetii infection. After symptomatic treatment with azithromycin and glucocorticoids, the patient improved and was discharged from the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: For lesions with obvious heterogeneous enhancement on chest CT imaging, percutaneous lung biopsy or bronchoscopy should be performed promptly to obtain pathological tissue, and NGS should be used for definite diagnosis if necessary.

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Infection in AECOPD Combined with Pulmonary Embolism: a Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Mycobacterium tuberculosis belongs to the group of mycobacteria, most of which can cause a delayed hypersensitivity reaction in the body and is a bacterium that causes tuberculosis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection often presents with symptoms of tuberculosis toxicity and rarely with respiratory distress. At the same time, chest imaging often shows an ill-defined solid shadow in the apical and posterior segments of the upper lobe and, less frequently, in the dorsal segment of the lower lobe, and less frequently a diffuse nodular shadow. We report a case of AECOPD combined with pulmonary embolism infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. METHODS: Bronchoscopy, Next-generation sequencing (NGS). RESULTS: Antacid staining of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid suggested that a small amount of Mycobacterium antacid was visible. NGS was sent for examination and it suggested the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis with a sequence number of 5 (reference range ≥ 0). Treatment such as bronchodilation and antituberculosis was given. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with dyspnea, it is crucial to find the causative agent and to promptly improve relevant examinations such as pulmonary arteriography and bronchoscopy, and if necessary, to make a definitive diagnosis by NGS.

Rare Co-Infection of the Lungs with EBV and Pneumocystis Carinii in a Patient with Kidney Cancer: a Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the primary agent of infectious mononucleosis, lymphoma, and naso-pharyngeal carcinoma, but rarely involves the lungs. Pneumocystis carinii is commonly found in patients with HIV infection and is not pathogenic when the host is healthy, but opportunistic infections can occur when the body is immunocompromised, causing pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). It is rare for both diseases to occur in the lungs of the same patient. METHODS: Next-generation sequencing (NGS), laboratory examination, chest CT scan, electronic bronchoscopy, and pathogenetic examination were used in this study. RESULTS: Laboratory tests showed (1-3)-ß-D-glucan of 889.47 pg/mL, negative human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody, and negative Aspergillus immunological test. Chest CT showed multiple high-density shadows in both lungs, and EBV infection combined with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia was confirmed by bronchoscopic biopsy and NGS examination. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated serum (1-3)-ß-D-glucan is not a specific index for infectious diseases. Bronchoscopy and the NGS has high specificity in pathogen detection of infectious diseases.

D-Dimer and Procalcitonin Improve the Sensitivity of BAP-65 Score in Predicting AECOPD Patients Admission to ICU.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed at investigating the effectiveness of the BAP-65 score combined with D-dimer and procalcitonin (PCT) in predicting admission of acute exacerbation chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) patients to the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study. We analyzed data from 369 patients over the age of 40 years ad-mitted to our hospital with AECOPD. All patients received blood routine measurements and BAP-65 score calculation on admission. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were used to assess the sensitivity and specificity of D-dimer, PCT, and BAP-65 scores and combined metrics in predicting the risk of admissions to the ICU of AECOPD patients. RESULTS: We found that the percentage of patients with AECOPD admitted to the ICU was 32.25% (119/369). The area under the curve (AUC) of D-dimer, PCT, and BAP-65 score in individually predicting the probability of entering the ICU of AECOPD patients were 0.74 (95% CI 0.68 - 0.80), 0.83 (95% CI 0.78 - 0.88), and 0.72 (95% CI 0.66 - 0.79), respectively. The sensitivities of D-dimer, PCT, and BAP-65 score were 0.51, 0.65, and 0.52, respectively. The specificities of D-dimer, PCT, and BAP-65 score were 0.90, 0.91, and 0.92, respectively. The AUC of D-dimer and PCT combined with BAP-65 score was 0.90 (95% CI 0.86 - 0.94), the sensitivity and specificity were 0.90 and 0.80, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: D-dimer and procalcitonin improve the sensitivity of the BAP-65 score in predicting the probability of AECOPD patients entering the ICU while having a good specificity.

Procalcitonin (PCT) Improves the Accuracy and Sensitivity of CURB-65 Score in Predicting CAP Patients Admission to ICU.

BACKGROUND: The CURB-65 scoring system is a simple tool for assessment and prognosis prediction for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients. However, the variations in the performance of CURB-65 in young and elderly patients, underestimation, or overestimation of the severity have often been reported. It is worth noting that the application of biomarkers is helpful for improving the accuracy of the scoring system. In recent years, more and more reports and studies paid attention to procalcitonin (PCT) in respiratory infectious diseases, and its clinical value has attracted increasing attention. The study aimed at investigating the effectiveness of the CURB-65 score combined with PCT in predicting admission of CAP patients to intensive care units (ICU). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study. We analyzed data from 520 non-immune individuals over the age of 18 in this study. All patients received blood indicators measurement and CURB-65 score calculation on admission. The primary outcome used to assess the probability of a CAP patient was who would get a bed in general ward or ICU. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were used to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the CURB-65 model and PCT combined CURB-65 augmented model in predicting the main outcomes. RESULTS: After analyzing the data from 520 patients, we found that the probability of entering the ICU was 22.1% (115/520). The AUC of Combination 1 (PCT&CURB-65 scores), Combination 2 (WBC&CURB-65 scores), Combination 3 (hs-CRP&CURB-65 scores) and Combination 4 (D-dimer&CURB-65 scores) for predicting CAP patients entering the ICU was 0.92 (95% CI 0.88 - 0.95), 0.91 (95% CI 0.87 - 0.94), 0.89 (95% CI 0.85 - 0.92), and 0.90 (95% CI 0.87 - 0.94), respectively, with statistically significant differences (p = 0.00); the sensitivities were 0.83, 0.82, 0.77 and 0.77, respectively, and the specificities were 0.92, 0.84, 0.90 and 0.91, respectively. PCT was superior to other indexes to improve the sensitivity and specificity of the CURB-65 score. CONCLUSIONS: Procalcitonin improves the accuracy and sensitivity of the CURB-65 score in predicting the probability of CAP patients entering the ICU, and PCT was superior to other indexes to improve the sensitivity and specificity of the CURB-65 score.

A New Prediction Model for Prolonged Hospitalization in Adult Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) Patients.

BACKGROUND: As a serious and common out-of-hospital infectious disease, community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) ranks among the leading causes of death in both developing and developed countries. In recent years, the increasing incidence of CAP has led to an increase in the number of hospitalizations. Although CURB-65 (or CRB-65) and pneumonia severity Index (PSI) scoring systems are widely used in CAP prognostic scoring systems, each score had some limitations in predicting whether patients with CAP would require prolonged hospitalization. The aim of this study was to analyze serum inflammatory biomarkers combined with age to establish a novel predictive model for predicting prolonged hospitalization in patients with CAP. METHODS: In a retrospective study, serum inflammatory biomarkers were collected from all enrolled CAP patients, including white blood cell count (WBC), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), D-dimer, procalcitonin (PCT), fibrinogen (FIB), and ICU treatment. Length of hospital stay and age were also recorded. The 75th percentile of length of stay in the enrolled population was defined as long hospitalization over time, and the primary predictor of outcome was prolonged hospitalization. Univariate analysis and binary logistic regression analysis were used to explore the independent risk factors which could be components of a new predicting model for prolonged hospitalization in CAP patients. ROC curves were used to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the new model, which consisted of the combination of all independent risk factors in predicting the main outcomes. RESULTS: The results showed that among 364 patients with CAP, 85 had extended hospitalization (85/364). Further analysis showed that age, white blood cell, fibrinogen, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were independent risk factors for extended hospitalization in patients with CAP. Finally, the AUC of the ROC curve of the new prediction model (the joint model consists of age, WBC, FIB, and hs-CRP) was 0.93 (95% CI 0.90 - 0.96), and the sensitivity and specificity were 87.1% and 87.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Serum inflammatory biomarkers combined age have high specificity and sensitivity in predicting prolonged hospitalization in adult CAP patients.

Carcinoembryonic Antigen Elevation in Broncholithiasis Patients Initially Misdiagnosed as Lung Cancer: a Case Report.

BACKGROUND: We report a case of broncholithiasis with recurrent pulmonary infection accompanied by blood in the sputum, which was initially misdiagnosed as lung cancer after laboratory examination indicating elevated carcinoembryonic antigen. METHODS: Laboratory examination, enhanced chest CT scan, electronic bronchoscopy, and ultra-thin bronchoscopy were performed to diagnose broncholithiasis. RESULTS: Carcinoembryonic antigen levels were elevated. Chest CT scan showed dense nodules and calcification in the middle lobe of the right lung. Ultrathin bronchoscopy demonstrates calcification of the distal bronchus of the lateral middle lobe of the right lung. The symptoms were relieved after the removal of the calculi by electronic bronchoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to pay attention to the calcification of the trachea and the differential diagnosis of lung cancer, especially when the level of carcinoembryonic antigen is increased.

Elevated Leukocytes Combined with Left Lung Consolidation on Chest Computed Tomography (CT) Scan in an Adult Patient Firstly Misdiagnosed as Pneumonia and Finally Diagnosed as Pulmonary Sequestration by Enhanced CT Scan and CT Angiography: a Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary sequestration is an uncommon pulmonary disorder. We presented an adult case with recurrent pulmonary infection firstly misdiagnosed as pneumonia, which proved as pulmonary sequestration by enhanced CT scan and CT angiography. METHODS: Appropriate laboratory tests, chest CT scan, bronchoscopy, and CT angiography were performed for diagnosis. RESULTS: The white blood cells detected by routine blood test were 11.8 x 109/L, the plain chest CT scan showed the volume of the lower lobe of the left lung decreased and the density increased. Enhanced CT and maximum intensity projection (MIP) algorithms were used for three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the images: no abnormally enhanced shadows were seen in the reduced lower lobe of the left lung, and tortuous vascular shadows were seen in the mediastinum. Bronchoscopy showed a narrowing of the opening in the dorsal segment of the lower lobe of the left lung. Thoracic aortography revealed an abnormal arterial supply to the lower left lung, the pathological results of thoracoscopic resection of the lower left lung were pulmonary sequestration. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary consolidation may be more than a simple pulmonary infection. Physicians should consider the possibility of pulmonary sequestration in patients with recurrent or refractory pneumonia. Enhanced CT findings of abnormal blood vessel supply are helpful for pulmonary sequestration diagnosis, and CT angiography is the gold standard for diagnosis.

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Improves the Accuracy and Sensitivity of Pneumonia Severity Index in Predicting 30-Day Mortality of CAP Patients.

BACKGROUND: The pneumonia severity index (PSI) scoring system is one of the tools used to evaluate and predict the prognosis of patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Although PSI has been widely used in clinical studies of pneumonia, it is still rare to combine it with blood indexes to predict the prognosis of pneumonia. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a promising candidate predictor of mortality in CAP patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of pneumonia severity index combined with NLR in predicting 30-day mortality in CAP patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study. We analyzed data on 400 non-immune individuals over the age of 18 in this study. All patients received blood routine measurement and PSI score calculation after admission. The primary outcome measures were mortality and survival in CAP patients. The sensitivity and specificity of PSI score, NLR, and the combination of PSI score and NLR in predicting 30-day mortality were assessed using the subject operating characteristic curve (ROC). RESULTS: Data from 400 patients were analyzed, in which the 30-day mortality was 10.5% (42/400). The AUC of NLR and PSI in predicting 30-day mortality of CAP patients were 0.81 (95% CI 0.73 - 0.89) and 0.94 (95% CI 0.90 - 0.98), respectively, with statistically significant differences (p = 0.00). The sensitivity and specificity of NLR were 0.80 and 0.7, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of PSI were 0.78 and 0.94, respectively. The combined AUC of the two indicators for predicting death in CAP patients was 0.95 (95% CI 0.92 - 0.99), and the sensitivity and specificity were 0.85 and 0.94, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio improves the accuracy and sensitivity of the pneumonia severity index in predicting 30-day mortality of CAP patients.

Positive Serum Beta-D-glucan by G Test and Aspergillus Fumigatus Sputum Culture Mimic Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in a Pulmonary Nocardia Patient: a Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and nocardia overlap in clinical and radiological presentations, so differentiating between nocardia and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is confusing. Though sputum culture could distinguish between nocardia and aspergillus fumigatus, but for the ultimate diagnosis, sputum culture provided limited help. Here we report a case of a patient with positive G test and aspergillus fumigatus sputum culture mimic invasive pulmonary aspergillosis ultimately diagnosed as nocardia through bronchoalveolar lavage culture combined metagenomic next-generation sequencing (NGS). METHODS: Bronchoalveolar lavage culture combined metagenomic NGS for infectious diseases were performed for diagnosis. RESULTS: Bronchoalveolar lavage culture combined metagenomic next-generation sequencing showed Nocardia Gelsenkirchen. CONCLUSIONS: Positive G test and sputum culture were not specific, while bronchoalveolar lavage culture and NGS gave more information for a differential diagnosis between nocardia and aspergillus fumigatus.

Persistent Mild Anemia and Hypercalcemia were Ignored as Normal Reaction Secondary to Oral Calcium Supplementation in a Steroid-Dependent Asthma Patient Ultimately Diagnosed as Multiple Myeloma: a Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Anemia can be secondary to many diseases and hypercalcemia can be secondary to oral calcium supplementation. For non-hematologists, anemia and hypercalcemia are usually ignored. Here we report a case of persistent mild anemia and hypercalcemia which were ignored as a normal reaction secondary to oral calcium supplementation in a steroid-dependent asthma patient; it was ultimately diagnosed as multiple myeloma. METHODS: Bone marrow puncture, combined serum, and urine laboratory indexes were performed for diagnosis. RESULTS: A bone marrow puncture specimen comprised 31.5% plasma cells. The serum and urine immunoelectrophoresis showed monoclonal kappa light chains. CONCLUSIONS: When anemia and hypercalcemia occur in an elderly patient, physicians should pay attention to multiple myeloma, especially when accompanied with vertebral and flat bone fractures.

Normal Tumor Markers and Increased Adenosine Deaminase in Pericardial Effusion Misdiagnosed as Tuberculous Pericarditis Ultimately Proven as Lung Adenocarcinoma with Pericardial Metastasis: a Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Elevated adenosine deaminase (ADA) and normal tumor markers in pericardial or pleural effusion are usually considered to be a specific manifestation of benign pericardial or pleural effusion. Here we report a case of lung adenocarcinoma with pericardial metastasis with elevated ADA and normal tumor markers in pericardial effusion. METHODS: Pericardiocentesis and lung puncture combined laboratory indexes and pathology were performed for diagnosis. RESULTS: Analysis of pericardial fluid revealed a white blood cell (WBC) count of 2,000 x 106/L (70% for lymphocytes) with an ADA level of 72.8 U/mL. Pathology of pericardial effusion found no malignant cells. Histopathology of percutaneous lung puncture showed adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: ADA and tumor markers were not a specific index in differential diagnosis between tuberculosis and metastasis in pericardial effusion.