Metatranscriptome of human lung microbial communities in a cohort of mechanically ventilated COVID-19 Omicron patients.

The Omicron variant of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS­CoV­2) infected a substantial proportion of Chinese population, and understanding the factors underlying the severity of the disease and fatality is valuable for future prevention and clinical treatment. We recruited 64 patients with invasive ventilation for COVID-19 and performed metatranscriptomic sequencing to profile host transcriptomic profiles, plus viral, bacterial, and fungal content, as well as virulence factors and examined their relationships to 28-day mortality were examined. In addition, the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples from invasive ventilated hospital/community-acquired pneumonia patients (HAP/CAP) sampled in 2019 were included for comparison. Genomic analysis revealed that all Omicron strains belong to BA.5 and BF.7 sub-lineages, with no difference in 28-day mortality between them. Compared to HAP/CAP cohort, invasive ventilated COVID-19 patients have distinct host transcriptomic and microbial signatures in the lower respiratory tract; and in the COVID-19 non-survivors, we found significantly lower gene expressions in pathways related viral processes and positive regulation of protein localization to plasma membrane, higher abundance of opportunistic pathogens including bacterial Alloprevotella, Caulobacter, Escherichia-Shigella, Ralstonia and fungal Aspergillus sydowii and Penicillium rubens. Correlational analysis further revealed significant associations between host immune responses and microbial compositions, besides synergy within viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens. Our study presents the relationships of lower respiratory tract microbiome and transcriptome in invasive ventilated COVID-19 patients, providing the basis for future clinical treatment and reduction of fatality.

[Autologous peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of type 1 diabetic mellitus: a report of 16 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy and safety of autologous peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (APBHST) in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Hematopoietic stem cells were mobilized with cyclophosphamide and granulocyte colony stimulating factor for 16 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus who admitted to our department during November 2009 to August 2010. And then stem cells were collected from peripheral blood by leukapheresis and cryopreservation. The cells were infused intravenously after conditioning with cyclophosphamide and antithymocyte globulin. To compare the daily dose of exogenous insulin requirements, the serum levels of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), C-peptide, islet cell function during the mixed meal tolerance test were measured before and at different times after APBHST. Blood glucose was monitored 7 times a day before and after APBHST. And the adverse effects were recorded during and after APBHST. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 28 weeks (range: 8 - 44 weeks). Twelve of 16 patients stayed free from insulin at 3 - 20 days post APBHST. And islet cell function greatly improved after APBHST. Four of 16 patients required exogenous insulin but the dosage decreased. And all 4 patients had a poor level of C-peptide before APBHSCT. There were no such severe adverse effects as myelosuppression. CONCLUSION: Very encouraging results have been obtained in the patients treated with APBHST. There is definite therapeutic effects and safety in a short term. But further follow-up is necessary to confirm the duration of insulin independence and the mechanisms of action.