Patient and Clinical Factors at Admission Affect the Levels of Neutralizing Antibodies Six Months after Recovering from COVID-19

The rate of decline in the levels of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) greatly varies among patients who recover from Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, little is known about factors associated with this phenomenon. The objective of this study is to investigate early factors at admission that can influence long-term NAb levels in patients who recovered from COVID-19. A total of 306 individuals who recovered from COVID-19 at the Tongji Hospital, Wuhan, China, were included in this study. The patients were classified into two groups with high (NAb^high, n = 153) and low (NAb^low, n = 153) levels of NAb, respectively based on the median NAb levels six months after discharge. The majority (300/306, 98.0%) of the COVID-19 convalescents had detected NAbs. The median NAb concentration was 63.1 (34.7, 108.9) AU/mL. Compared with the NAb^low group, a larger proportion of the NAb^high group received corticosteroids (38.8% vs. 22.4%, p = 0.002) and IVIG therapy (26.5% vs. 16.3%, p = 0.033), and presented with diabetes comorbidity (25.2% vs. 12.2%, p = 0.004); high blood urea (median (IQR): 4.8 (3.7, 6.1) vs. 3.9 (3.5, 5.4) mmol/L; p = 0.017); CRP (31.6 (4.0, 93.7) vs. 16.3 (2.7, 51.4) mg/L; p = 0.027); PCT (0.08 (0.05, 0.17) vs. 0.05 (0.03, 0.09) ng/mL; p = 0.001); SF (838.5 (378.2, 1533.4) vs. 478.5 (222.0, 1133.4) μg/L; p = 0.035); and fibrinogen (5.1 (3.8, 6.4) vs. 4.5 (3.5, 5.7) g/L; p = 0.014) levels, but low SpO₂ levels (96.0 (92.0, 98.0) vs. 97.0 (94.0, 98.0)%; p = 0.009). The predictive model based on Gaussian mixture models, displayed an average accuracy of 0.7117 in one of the 8191 formulas, and ROC analysis showed an AUC value of 0.715 (0.657–0.772), and specificity and sensitivity were 72.5% and 67.3%, respectively. In conclusion, we found that several factors at admission can contribute to the high level of NAbs in patients after discharge, and constructed a predictive model for long-term NAb levels, which can provide guidance for clinical treatment and monitoring.     

Screening practices for paediatric asymptomatic adrenal suppression in Canada: Are we addressing this important risk?

BackgroundChildren with adrenal suppression (AS), a potential side effect of glucocorticoids (GCs) may be asymptomatic, present with nonspecific signs and symptoms or with adrenal crisis. Asymptomatic AS (AAS) can only be diagnosed through screening. Identifying and treating asymptomatic patients before symptoms develop may reduce morbidity. Screening guidelines for AS are lacking. Consequently, screening practices are highly variable.ObjectiveTo assess (1) the screening practices for and recognition of paediatric AAS among clinicians in Canada and (2) the educational impact of a 2-year surveillance program of symptomatic AS cases.MethodsBefore and after a 2-year Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program (CPSP) study of symptomatic AS, participants were surveyed through the CPSP. The prestudy survey was sent to 2,548 participants in March 2010 and the poststudy survey was sent to 2,465 participants in April 2013.ResultsResponse rates were 32% for the prestudy survey and 21% for the poststudy survey. Between the pre- and poststudy surveys, the percentage of physicians who reported routinely screening patients on GCs for AS increased from 10% to 21% and the percentage who reported having a screening policy in their office/centre increased from 6% to 11%. There was no significant change in the percentage of physicians who had diagnosed a child/youth with AAS in the preceding year.ConclusionFrequency of screening for AAS increased following the 2-year study but remains low. Development of a clinical practice guideline should increase both awareness of asymptomatic AS among Canadian paediatricians and the identification of AAS, before symptoms develop.     

Review of use of postnatal corticosteroids in evolving or established bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a condition that affects a significant proportion of infants born prematurely. Whilst there have been advances in many aspects of neonatal respiratory care the rates of BPD remain relatively static. Much effort has been put into exploring the role of corticosteroids in potentially reducing inflammation in the developing lung; however, research has been hindered by concerns regarding adverse side–effect profiles and difficulties recruiting adequate numbers to power the results. Currently, two strategies are gaining popularity: low-dose dexamethasone after 7 days of age to facilitate ventilator weaning and prophylactic physiological hydrocortisone use from the first day of life. However, use in practice is limited whilst awaiting full-powered randomised trials. This article briefly discusses the evidence for each approach.     

早产的诊治现状和面临的问题

近20年来,我国为降低早产发病率,改善早产儿结局不懈努力,取得了令人瞩目的成就,但由于中国人口基数庞大,早产的数量仍不容小觑。加之早产和分娩启动的机制至今仍未完全阐明,区域内早产诊疗水平和早产儿救治水平存在较大差异,在一定程度上制约了早产诊治水平的提高。对我国围产医学工作者而言,进一步降低早产率,改善早产儿远、近期结局,依旧任重而道远。     

Contact allergies to topical corticosteroids: 10 cases of contact dermatitis

Patients who noticed worsening of their skin disease after using topical corticosteroid preparations were patch tested both with the commercial preparation and the corticosteroid itself. Between 1987 and 1989, 10 cases of contact dermatitis due to topical corticosteroids were detected in this way. The corticosteroids wee amcinonide (2 patients), hydrocortisone butyrate, clobetasol propionate (2), betamethasone valerate (2), prednicarbate and fluocortolone (2). Patch tests with the commercial preparations and the corticosteroids themselves elicited reactions almost identical in time course and severity. Individual sensitivity seems to be more important for test results than test conditions. 9 of the 10 patients underwent further patch testing with a corticosteroid series. In 2 patients, a true cross-reaction between budesonide and hydrocortisone butyrate was found. All 9 patients showed further sensitivities to other corticosteroids. Most of the cross or concomitant reactions could be categorized into recently defined corticosteroid classes. To improve our understanding of corticosteroid sensitization, and to help the patient avoid reactions to other topical corticosteroids, a corticosteroid series should be patch tested in every case of corticosteroid sensitivity.     

曲安奈德益康唑乳膏长疗程间歇疗法治疗局限性慢性湿疹

目的 探讨外用糖皮质激素长疗程间歇疗法治疗局限性慢性湿疹的疗效、安全性及复发情况,以指导临床用药.方法 选取门诊局限性慢性湿疹患者,外用曲安奈德益康唑乳膏短程治疗.症状积分下降指数(SSRI)≥190%的患者进入长疗程,随机分两组,分别外用曲安奈德益康唑乳膏和润肤霜,间歇用药,共治疗8周.长疗程治疗4周、8周时及长疗程治疗停药12周时各随访1次.结果 长疗程治疗8周及停药12周时,曲安奈德益康唑组SCORAD评分均显著低于润肤霜组(t值分别为3.076和2.367,P值均<0.05).长疗程治疗4周、8周及停药12周时,曲安奈德益康唑组复发率均显著低于润肤霜组(x2值分别为4.426、7.683、8.199,P值均<0.05).治疗期间不良反应发生率3.1%,无严重不良事件.结论 外用糖皮质激素长疗程间歇治疗慢性湿疹,有防止症状加重、延缓湿疹复发的作用.     

慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并肺结核吸入糖皮质激素治疗的安全性研究

目的:观察合并肺结核的慢性阻塞性肺疾病(cOPD)患者吸入糖皮质激素(Ics)治疗的疗效及是否会导致肺结核复发或恶化。方法:将COPD并肺结核患者100例随机分为治疗组与对照组各50例。两组均予抗痨治疗,治疗组给予沙美特罗/氟替卡松(50/250μg)吸入,2次/日,对照组则予口服班布特罗胶囊10 mg,1次/日。比较两组治疗前、治疗后3月、6月、9月及12月的外周血T细胞亚群,治疗前后的肺功能及在观察期间的入院次数和住院时间。结果:治疗组平均住院人次及平均时间均低于对照组(P0.05);治疗组FEV1治疗后较治疗前明显改善且试验结束时高于对照组(P0.05);两组间及同组间治疗前后T细胞亚群均无显著差异;两组均未出现结核复发或恶化。结论:COPD并肺结核患者在规范抗痨治疗的基础上应用ICS并未增加结核复发或恶化风险,且可改善肺功能并减少入院率及平均住院时间;应用ICS对外周血T细胞亚群无明显影响。     

长期应用糖皮质激素对新生大鼠肺泡形态结构及IGFBP-2的影响

目的:探讨长期应用糖皮质激素 (ICSs) 对新生大鼠肺形态结构及其对肺内胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白2 (IGFBP-2) 表达的影响?方法:新生SD大鼠48只随机分为3组:对照 (CONT) 组 (雾化吸入生理盐水);雾化吸入布地奈德 (BUD) 组;腹腔注射地塞米松 (DEX) 组?每个干预组内设7 d给药组与14 d给药组?大鼠5日龄时开始干预,各组在连续给药7?14 d 后,测量大鼠体重及肺组织重量,计算肺系数,通过肺组织形态学分析评估肺发育程度,应用蛋白免疫印迹技术 (WB) 检测IGFBP-2在肺组织中的表达?结果:① 大鼠体重及肺系数:BUD组与CONT组体重间差异无统计学意义 (P > 0.05),但DEX组体重较CONT组明显下降 (P < 0.01)?BUD组肺系数低于CONT组 (P < 0.01)?给药14 d后,DEX组肺系数与CONT组间无统计学差异 (P > 0.05);② 肺组织形态学:BUD组?DEX组肺泡囊数量较CONT组减少 (P < 0.01),间隔变薄 (P < 0.01),囊腔增大 (P < 0.05),BUD组?DEX组肺泡形态学指标间无统计学差异(P > 0.05);③肺组织IGFBP-2蛋白表达:IGFBP-2在BUD组?DEX组表达强于CONT组?结论:长期应用糖皮质激素可抑制新生大鼠肺泡化过程,该现象可能与糖皮质激素上调IGFBP-2在肺组织中的表达有关?