Oral ulcer: an uncommon site in primary tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease and a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It can affect any part of the body, including the oral cavity. Oral lesions of tuberculosis, though uncommon, have been observed in both primary and secondary stages of the disease. This article presents a case of primary tuberculosis manifested as a non‐healing, tender ulcer on the lingual mucosa of the edentulous right mandibular arch molar zone, an uncommon site. The diagnosis was confirmed after histopathology examination, polymerase chain reaction and purified protein derivative tests and chest radiograph. A recommended treatment plan of six months with four anti‐tuberculotic antibiotics was commenced. Clinically, the oral ulcer disappeared three months after the commencement of treatment. The resurgence of tuberculosis should compel clinicians to include the disease in the differential diagnosis of various types of non‐healing oral ulcers.     

尘肺合并肺结核136例患者的护理

目的观察并探究尘肺合并肺结核临床护理方法及效果。方法选取我院收治的136例尘肺合并肺结核患者为研究对象,随机分为对照组与实验组,每组68例。给予对照组常规护理,实验组则接受针对性综合护理服务,对两组护理效果及患者满意度进行统计并比较。结果经过一段时间的护理服务后,实验组的总有效率与患者满意度分别为94.1%与100%,对照组分别为85.3%与86.8%,数据差异显著,具备统计学意义(P0.05)。结论在对尘肺合并肺结核患者进行治疗过程中,通过加强对其心理护理及健康宣教等综合护理,大大改善了患者的呼吸功能,促进其痊愈,充分提高了患者的满意度,值得临床推广与应用。     

无创呼吸机治疗慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并重症呼吸衰竭的护理

目的探讨无创呼吸机治疗慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并重症呼吸衰竭的护理要点。方法选择2012年1月～2013年6月于我院呼吸科就诊并被诊断为慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并重症呼吸衰竭的患者62例，采用无创呼吸机辅助治疗，治疗后进行疗效对比。结果治疗后患者呼吸频率、心率明显下降。患者满意度为83．8％。结论无创呼吸机治疗慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并重症呼吸衰竭，效果良好，值得在临床上进一步推广。     

胸腺肽联合抗菌药物对老年慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期的治疗效果

目的探讨胸腺肽联合抗菌药物对老年慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期(AECOPD)的治疗效果。方法统计分析该院2013年1月至2014年9月收治的60例老年AECOPD患者的临床资料。结果研究组患者的1s用力呼气量(FEV1)和FEV1%均明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);临床症状和生活质量评分均明显低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗的总有效率96.7%(29/30)明显高于对照组66.7%(20/30),差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论胸腺肽联合抗菌药物对老年AECOPD的治疗效果明显,值得推广。     

Prevalence and clinical significance of pleural effusion in patients with acute pulmonary embolism: a retrospective study

BackgroundPleural effusion is observed in a subset of patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE) and may be linked to clinical outcome, but findings from previous studies have been inconsistent. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and clinical significance of pleural effusion in Chinese patients with APE.MethodsClinical data from hospitalized patients with APE were retrospectively collected and the prevalence of pleural effusion was determined. The relationship between the presence of pleural effusion and clinical outcome of APE was analyzed by Cox proportional hazards regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.ResultsThe study enrolled 635 patients with APE. The prevalence of pleural effusion was 57.01% (362/635). Patients with pleural effusion had significantly higher in-hospital mortality (9.9% vs. 4.8%, P<0.05) and longer length of hospital stay (LOS) (19.99 vs. 15.31 days, P<0.05) than whose without pleural effusion. However, pleural effusion was not an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality in patients with APE by multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis [hazard ratio (HR) =1.70, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.73–3.92, P=0.216] and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis (P=0.174).ConclusionsPleural effusion is a frequent occurrence in patients with APE and therefore merits greater attention from clinicians; however, it is not an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality.     

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis secondary to microwave ablation: a multicenter retrospective study

Purpose: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a life-threatening complication of microwave ablation (MWA) during the treatment of primary or metastatic lung tumors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical, radiological and demographic characteristics and treatment responses of patients with IPA after MWA.

Materials and methods: From January 2011 to January 2016, all patients who were treated by MWA of their lung tumors from six health institutions were enrolled in this study. Patients with IPA secondary to MWA were identified and retrospectively evaluated for predisposing factors, clinical treatment, and outcome.

Results: The incidence of IPA secondary to lung MWA was 1.44% (23/1596). Of the 23 patients who developed IPA, six died as a consequence, resulting in a high mortality rate of 26.1%. Using computed tomography (CT), pulmonary cavitation was the most common finding and occurred in 87.0% (20/23) of the patients. Sudden massive hemoptysis was responsible for one-third of the deaths (2/6). Most patients (22/23) received voriconazole as an initial treatment, and six patients with huge cavities underwent intracavitary lavage. Finally, 17 patients (73.9%) achieved treatment success.

Conclusions: Lung MWA may be an additional host risk factor for IPA, particularly in elderly patients with underlying diseases and in patients who have recently undergone chemotherapy. Early and accurate diagnosis of IPA after MWA is critical for patient prognosis. Voriconazole should be given as the first-line treatment as early as possible. Bronchial artery embolization or intracavitary lavage may be required in some patients.     

Thirty Days of Aspirin for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis Is Adequate Following Total Knee Arthroplasty,Regardless of the Dose Used

BackgroundThe optimal length of aspirin prophylaxis to minimize venous thromboembolism (VTE) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains unknown. This study aimed to determine the timing of VTE after TKA in patients who received low and high dose aspirin, and determine if 30 days of prophylaxis remains adequate.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed records of 9208 patients undergoing primary TKA between 2010 and 2020 who received either low (81 mg twice daily, n = 4413) or high (325 mg twice daily, n = 4795) dose aspirin for VTE prophylaxis. Symptomatic VTEs occurring within 90 days of surgery were identified from medical records and phone call logs. Major bleeding events (MBE) within the first 30 days were also documented. Time to event was recorded.ResultsOverall, 88 patients (1.0%) developed symptomatic VTE, with no significant differences in incidence between the low (n = 40, 0.9%) and high (n = 48, 1.0%) dose groups (P = .669). The median time to VTE was 8 days (interquartile range [IQR] 2-15.5), median time to deep vein thrombosis was 12 days (IQR 5-18), and median time to pulmonary embolism was 5 days (IQR 1.5-15). There was a similar distribution in time to VTE in both the low and high dose groups. Aside from a single DVT occurring at day 44, all VTE occurred within 30 days of surgery. During the prophylactic time period, 41 patients (0.4%) developed MBE, which tended to occur more frequently (0.6% vs 0.3%, P = .018) and earlier in the high dose group.ConclusionBased on the findings, a 30-day low or high dose aspirin regimen remains optimal for prevention of VTE without increasing MBE in TKA patients.     

IFN‐γ against the 38‐kDa antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis discriminates pulmonary tuberculosis from infection and infection from exposure: evidence from a study of human population in a high endemic setting

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) 38‐kDa antigen is an immunogenic lipoprotein that induces strong T‐cell responses in experimental animals. However, there is limited information on the role of this antigen in human population. In this article, we present the dynamics of pro‐inflammatory (IFN‐γ and TNF‐α) and anti‐inflammatory cytokine (IL‐10) against the 38 kDa in cohorts of pulmonary TB (PTB) patients, household contacts (HHCs), and community controls (CCs) in a high endemic setting. Whole blood assay was used to determine the levels of cytokines in 149 patients, 149 HHCs, and 68 CCs at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. At baseline, the level of IFN‐γ was significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in CCs and HHCs than in untreated patients. CCs had significantly (p < 0.05) higher level of IFN‐γ than HHCs. There was no significant difference between treated and untreated patients, and there was no significant change in HHCs over 12 months. At baseline, the levels of IL‐10 and TNF‐α were significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in patients than in HHCs and CCs. No significant change was observed between treated patients and untreated patients and HHCs over time. The study shows that IFN‐γ against the 38 kDa discriminates clinical TB from infection and infection from exposure, suggesting its potential for immune protection and diagnosis.