Ocular Complications in Influenza Virus Infection

Purpose: To describe a case series of ocular complications associated with upper respiratory tract infections.

Methods: Four patients aged 21–61 years (three females, one male) had confirmed ocular complications connected with a general upper respiratory tract infection with myalgia and fever. Ophthalmological examination, including a visual acuity test, a slit-lamp exam, intraocular pressure measurements, fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and diagnostic tests for influenza were performed in the patients (RT-PCR, HAI).

Results: Acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy (APMPPE) was diagnosed in three patients and serous macular detachment (SME) in one. Influenza virus infection was confirmed by molecular biological methods (RT-PCR) or the hemagglutination inhibition test (HAI) in two patients. All patients were treated with systemic prednisone.

Conclusion: A coincidence between APMPPE and SME epitheliopathy and influenza virus infection was observed in different months of a given epidemic season.     

Managing invasive aspergillosis in haematological patients in the era of resistance polymerase chain reaction and increasing triazole resistance: A modelling study of different strategies

Objectives

Triazole resistance in Aspergillus spp. is emerging and complicates prophylaxis and treatment of invasive aspergillosis (IA) worldwide. New polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests on broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid allow for detection of triazole resistance at a genetic level, which has opened up new possibilities for targeted therapy. In the absence of clinical trials, a modelling study delivers estimates of the added value of resistance detection with PCR, and which empiric therapy would be optimal when local resistance rates are known.

Diagnostic Value of Positive Findings of Toxoplasma gondii-Specific Immunoglobulin M Serum Antibody in Uveitis Patients to Confirm Ocular Toxoplasmosis

Purpose: To assess the value of positive immunoglobulin (Ig) M serum antibody (Ab) findings in uveitis patients.

Methods: We reviewed medical records of patients who had a positive serological test for Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgM Ab. Their clinical data, including history, demographic characteristics, laboratory findings, clinical findings, treatment outcomes, and recurrences, were reviewed retrospectively.

Results: Of 2919 uveitis patients who underwent a serological test for suspected ocular toxoplasmosis (OT), 18 presented with positive Ig M results. All 18 patients (100.0% specificity) were clinically diagnosed with OT. None had any retinochoroidal scar at the initial visit, indicating the OT was a recent and primary infection. However, 15 patients (83.3%) had no history suspected to account for the Toxoplasma transmission.

Conclusions: The T. gondii IgM serum Ab is a specific biomarker for diagnosis of primary OT. Epidemiological studies are warranted to investigate the non-classic transmission routes of T. gondii in OT.     

Helicobacter pylori and oral pathology:Relationship with the gastric infection

Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)has been found in the oral cavity and stomach,and its infection is one of the most frequent worldwide.We reviewed the literature and conducted a Topic Highlight,which identified studies reporting an association between H.pylori-infection in the oral cavity and H.pylori-positive stomach bacterium.This work was designed to determine whether H.pylori is the etiologic agent in periodontal disease,recurrent aphthous stomatitis(RAS),squamous cell carcinoma,burning and halitosis.Record selection focused on the highest quality studies and meta-analyses.We selected 48 articles reporting on the association between saliva and plaque and H.pylori-infection.In order to assess periodontal disease data,we included 12 clinical trials and 1 meta-analysis.We evaluated 13 published articles that addressed the potential association with RAS,and 6 with squamous cell carcinoma.Fourteen publications focused on our questions on burning and halitosis.There is a close relation between H.pylori infection in the oral cavity and the stomach.The mouth is the first extra-gastric reservoir.Regarding the role of H.pylori in the etiology of squamous cell carcinoma,no evidence is still available.     

济南市手足口病重症病例危险因素的病例对照研究

目的 探讨济南市手足口病重症病例发病的危险因素,为早期识别重症病例,降低手足口病重症病例的发生提供科学依据。 方法 采用病例对照研究方法,病例组为86例手足口病重症病例,对照组为86例手足口病轻症病例,用问卷调查收集病例组和对照组的社会人口学特征、接触史、就诊史、临床症状、实验室诊断等信息,对重症病例危险因素分析采用单因素和多因素非条件logistic回归分析。 结果 单因素结果显示发病到就诊日期、初诊单位类型为村级、患儿出现发热、足部皮疹、口腔疱疹、臀部皮疹、咳嗽、呕吐、有病例接触史、EV71阳性在两组间差异有统计学意义。多因素非条件Logistic回归分析结果显示,患儿出现发热(OR=89.38)、口腔疱疹(OR=22.28)、臀部皮疹(OR=234.81)、呕吐(OR=23.90)、有病例接触史(OR=31.48)和EV71阳性(OR=71.65)是手足口病重症病例发病的危险因素。 结论 早期识别发热、口腔疱疹、臀部皮疹、呕吐等症状的患儿,对降低手足口病重症病例的发生具有一定的参考意义。提高EV71手足口病疫苗的接种率,可降低由EV71导致的重症手足口病病例的发生率。     

重复住院呼吸道病毒感染患儿病因及临床特征

目的探讨重复住院呼吸道病毒感染患儿的临床特征,以更好地指导呼吸道病毒感染的诊断和治疗。方法通过对重复住院患儿(观察组)和一次住院患儿临床资料、发病特征、病毒感染等进行统计学分析,总结重复住院患儿的主要临床特征。结果观察组和对照组在临床基本资料和病毒检出方面并无统计学差异(P>0.05)。在主要临床症状上,观察组和对照组在发热、流涕、咳嗽、咳痰和呼吸困难等方面无统计学差异(P>0.05),但是在喘息和腹泻方面有统计学差异(P<0.05)。结论喘息和腹泻是呼吸道病毒感染患儿重复住院的主要参考症状。如患儿存在上述症状,要采取更有针对性的治疗,以提升治疗效果。