Increase in Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 3 associated parapneumonic pleural effusion/empyema after the introduction of PCV13 in Germany

IntroductionPediatric pneumococcal pneumonia complicated by parapneumonic pleural effusion/empyema (PPE/PE) remains a major concern despite general immunization with pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs).MethodsIn a nationwide pediatric hospital surveillance study in Germany we identified 584 children <18 years of age with bacteriologically confirmed PPE/PE from October 2010 to June 2018. Streptococcus pneumoniae was identified by culture and/or PCR of blood samples and/or pleural fluid and serotyped.ResultsS. pneumoniae was identified in 256 of 584 (43.8%) children by culture (n = 122) and/or PCR (n = 207). The following pneumococcal serotypes were detected in 114 children: serotype 3 (42.1%), 1 (25.4%), 7F (12.3%), 19A (7.9%), other PCV13 serotypes (4.4%) and non-PCV13 serotypes (7.9%). Between October 2010 and June 2014 serotype 1 (38.1%) and serotype 3 (25.4%) were most prevalent, whereas between July 2014 and June 2018 serotype 3 (62.7%) and non-PCV13 serotypes (15.7%) were dominant. Compared to children with other pneumococcal serotypes, children with serotype 3 associated PPE/PE were younger (median 3.2 years [IQR 2.1–4.3 years] vs. median 5.6 years [IQR 3.8–8.2 years]; p < 0.001) and more frequently admitted to intensive care (43 [89.6%] vs. 48 [73.8%]; p = 0.04). Seventy-six of 114 (66.7%) children with pneumococcal PPE/PE had been vaccinated with pneumococcal vaccines. Thirty-nine of 76 (51.3%) had received a vaccine covering the serotype detected. Thirty of these 39 breakthrough cases were age-appropriately vaccinated with PCV13 and considered vaccine failures, including 26 children with serotype 3, three children with serotype 19A and one child with serotype 1.ConclusionFollowing the introduction of PCV13 in general childhood vaccination we observed a strong emergence of serotype 3 associated PPE/PE in the German pediatric population, including a considerable number of younger children with serotype 3 vaccine breakthrough cases and failures. Future PCVs should not only cover newly emerging serotypes, but also include a more effective component against serotype 3.     

新型冠状病毒肺炎免疫治疗药物托珠单抗的作用机制及安全性风险分析

目的分析托珠单抗的安全性风险,为临床合理用药提供参考。方法对世界卫生组织药品不良反应监测数据库、我国药品不良反应监测数据库、国内文献数据库中的不良反应报告情况及国外药监机构风险控制措施等相关资料进行整理与分析。结果应重视托珠单抗临床使用中可能发生的肝功能异常、皮肤损害、过敏反应、胃肠道损害、感染、血液系统损害等不良反应。结论托珠单抗临床使用中,应加强对严重感染及肝功能损害等严重不良反应的安全性监测,促进药品的临床合理使用。     

Hypertension is a risk factor for adverse outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019: a cohort study

Abstract

Background

Comorbidities are commonly seen in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but the clinical implication is not yet well-delineated. We aim to characterize the prevalence and clinical implications of comorbidities in patients with COVID-19.     

Lung Ultrasound for the Emergency Diagnosis of Pneumonia,Acute Heart Failure,and Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease/Asthma in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background

Lung ultrasound can accelerate the diagnosis of life-threatening diseases in adults with respiratory symptoms.

Prevention of Descending Pneumonia in Rats with Perflubron-delivered Tobramycin

OBJECTIVES: Patients undergoing emergent endotracheal intubation are at increased risk for developing pneumonia. Although numerous strategies have been investigated to reduce ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), the incidence of VAP and its associated mortality remains high. This investigation tested the hypothesis that LiquiVent (Alliance Pharmaceutical, San Diego, CA-LV) delivered antibiotics (via spray-dried microspheres-SDM) would improve survival in a rat model of descending gram-negative pneumonia. METHODS: Wistar rats (n = 49) were randomized to receive prophylaxis with 1). nothing (controls); 2). intramuscular (IM) tobramycin, 3). intratracheal LV plus SDM shells (vehicle), 4). intratracheal LV plus SDM shells plus IM tobramycin, or 5). intratracheal LV plus SDM containing 1 mg/kg of tobramycin. All interventions were given 24 hours before a bacterial challenge with 10(8) colony-forming units of intratracheal Klebsiella pneumoniae. Mortality at ten days was the sole outcome measure. Survival in individual groups was compared with controls by Fisher's exact test with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: All animals in the control group died of pneumonia within ten days of bacterial inoculation (0% survival). Prophylaxis with either IM tobramycin or SDM vehicle plus IM tobramycin provided no protection (0% survival). This is in sharp contrast to the cohort receiving pretreatment with tobramycin-containing SDM delivered via LV, in which 60% of the animals survived to study completion (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Prophylaxis with SDM containing antibiotics delivered in low-dose LV provided significant protection in a rat model of descending gram-negative pneumonia. These data support the hypothesis that perfluorocarbon-delivered intratracheal antimicrobials may be useful in the prevention of VAP.     

A novel technique of ab interno glaucoma surgery: follow-up results after 24 months

Purpose It was the aim of this study to investigate the efficacy, longevity, and safety of a new ab interno intervention for the treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods The previously described method of radiofrequency-mediated “sclerothalamotomy ab interno” was applied in 53 eyes of consecutive patients with POAG between April 2002 and July 2002. Average preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) was 25.6±2.3 mmHg (range 18–48 mmHg). Sclerothalamotomies were carried out with a custom-made high-frequency dissection 19 G probe (tip 0.3×1 mm) applying bipolar current with a frequency of 500 kHz (tip temperature 130°C). Results After a follow-up period of 24 months, the average IOP was 15.0±1.6 mmHg (range 11–20 mmHg) (p<0.005). The average number of topical agents was 2.6±1.0 (range 1–5) preoperatively. Twenty-four months after surgery such agents were used in only five (9.6%) eyes and the average was 0.21±0.53 (range 0–2). Transient IOP elevation was observed in 12 of 53 eyes (22.6%) postoperatively. In all cases elevated IOP could efficiently be controlled with topical medication. In general, IOP dropped continuously over the course of the 6 months following surgery and then remained constant. Conclusions This study indicates that sclerothalamotomy ab interno is a safe and efficient surgical method for the treatment of POAG. Long-term results clearly demonstrate the longevity of IOP reduction.     

重症肺炎患者中性粒细胞胞吐作用的改变

目的　研究重症肺炎患者中性粒细胞的功能改变。方法　采用免疫化学法测定 32例重症肺炎患者中性粒细胞胞吐作用和氧化酶反应的变化 ,并与健康对照组比较。结果　重症肺炎患者血液中性粒细胞的基础和PMA刺激的胞吐作用均明显下降 (P <0 .0 1) ;重症肺炎患者的基础和PMA刺激的反应性氧属 (ROS)产生明显增加 ;重症肺炎患者肺部中性粒细胞释放乳铁蛋白、髓过氧化物酶 (MPO)和ROS增加 ,PMA刺激后相似 ;肺炎的严重性与血液中性粒细胞释放乳铁蛋白呈负相关。结论　重症肺炎患者中性粒细胞胞吐作用明显受损 ,与预后相关。     

Prognostic factors for early clinical failure in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia

For patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), clinical response during the first days of treatment is predictive of clinical outcome. As risk assessments can improve the efficiency of pneumonia management, a prospective cohort study to assess clinical, biochemical and microbiological predictors of early clinical failure was conducted in patients with severe CAP (pneumonia severity index score of >90 or according to the American Thoracic Society definition). Failure was assessed at day 3 and was defined as death, a need for mechanical ventilation, respiratory rate >25/min, PaO2 <55 mm Hg, oxygen saturation <90%, haemodynamic instability, temperature >38 degrees C or confusion. Of 260 patients, 80 (31%) had early clinical failure, associated mainly with a respiratory rate >25/minute (n = 34), oxygen saturation <90% (n = 28) and confusion (n = 20). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, failure was associated independently with altered mental state (OR 3.19, 95% CI 1.75-5.80), arterial PaH <7.35 mm Hg (OR 4.29, 95% CI 1.53-12.05) and PaO2 <60 mm Hg (OR 1.75, 95% CI 0.97-3.15). A history of heart failure was associated inversely with clinical failure (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.10-0.96). Patients who failed to respond had a higher 28-day mortality rate and a longer hospital stay. It was concluded that routine clinical and biochemical information can be used to predict early clinical failure in patients with severe CAP.