ObjectiveTo evaluate the relationship between CT lesion changes in COVID-19 patients and different subgroups of T lymphocytes, providing reference information for assessing patient conditions, predicting outcomes, and evaluating treatment efficacy. MethodsClinical and imaging data of confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to the Chongqing Public Health Medical Center from January 24 to March 15, 2020, were collected. Based on the absorption characteristics of lesions in CT images, patients were categorized into three groups: Group A (obviously continuously absorbed), Group B (stable-slow absorption), and Group C (progressive absorption). The relationship between CT changes and T lymphocyte subgroups was analyzed according to lesion absorption. ResultsA total of 47 patients were included, with 18 in Group A, 14 in Group B, and 15 in Group C. At different stages—admission, during treatment, and at the end of treatment—the levels of T lymphocytes were observed as follows: Group A>Group B>Group C. When lesions were absorbed, the average count of CD4+ T lymphocytes was (544.43 ± 163.34) cells/μl; when lesions showed little change or increased, CD4+ T lymphocyte levels decreased to varying degrees. During treatment, both Group A and Group B showed CD4+ T lymphocyte levels returning to above normal levels, with an average increase of 134 cells/μl in Group A, which was lower than that in Group B (192 cells/μl) and Group C (149 cells/μl). Finally, T lymphocyte levels reached normal in all groups, but Group A levels were higher than those in Groups B and C (P<0.05). Upon follow-up, the average CD4+ T lymphocyte count was (544.43 ± 163.34) cells/μl in 52 cases of lesion absorption, (339.06 ± 145.98) cells/μl in 31 cases of minimal change, and (230.50 ± 95.24) cells/μl in 16 cases of lesion progression, with statistically significant differences among the three groups (P<0.05). ConclusionsThe increase in lung lesions in patients indicates poor immune function, necessitating enhanced immune regulation. Conversely, if a decrease in T lymphocyte levels is detected during the course of the disease, attention should be given to the risk of lesion progression, and timely CT re-examinations should be conducted to monitor changes in lesions.
Maintenance hemodialysis patients face great risk and challenges in the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic, and adequate and reasonable nutrition is an important weapon in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Therefore, the Chinese Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition proposed Dietary Expert Advice on Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19 in Hemodialysis Patients for hemodialysis patients. In this paper, the nine pieces of advice on hemodialysis patients’ staple food, intake of high-quality protein, vegetables and fruits, food types and combinations, prevention of virus transmission, fluid intake, nutritional supplements, regular rest and adequate sleep, as well as supplement of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant preparations are interpreted in detail.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), to provide a basis for clinical classification, diagnosis, and treatment.MethodsThe clinical data of COVID-19 patients comfirmed between January 17th and February 13th, 2020 were collected, single-factor test and multivariate logistic regression were used to compare the relevant indicators between the mild or common cases and the severe or critically severe cases.ResultsA total of 202 patients with COVID-19 were included, with an average age of 45.2 years and a male-to-female ratio of 1∶1.02. There were 146 patients (72.3%) without underlying diseases. The average time from onset to diagnosis was 5.4 d, and 31 were clustering epidemic cases. There were 13 (6.4%) mild cases, 151 (74.8%) common cases, 32 (15.8%) severe cases, and 6 (3.0%) critically severe cases. The main clinical symptoms were fever, cough, gasp, and diarrhea. Of the 202 patients, 135 (66.8%) had normal white blood cell count, 22 (10.9%) had lymphocyte ratio >40%, 18 (8.9%) had elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST), 11 (5.4%) had elevated creatine kinase MB isoenzyme (CKMB), and 143 (70.8%) had elevated C-reactive protein (CRP). Single factor analyses showed that there were statistically significant differences between the mild or common cases and the severe or critically severe cases in the days of diagnosis, age, underlying disease, percentage of neutrophil, percentage of lymphocyte, arterial oxygen partial pressure, CRP, procalcitonin, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, CKMB, and AST (all P<0.05); multiple logistic regression analysis showed that CRP [odds ratio (OR)=1.035, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.015, 1.055), P=0.001], CKMB [OR=1.078, 95%CI (1.023, 1.135), P=0.005], and AST [OR=1.042, 95%CI (1.016, 1.069), P=0.002] were correlated with clinical classification.ConclusionsCOVID-19 patients are mild or common cases mostly. CRP, CKMB, and AST are elevated in some cases, which may be related to early inflammation and certain myocardial damages and are independent risk factors for predicting classification.
ObjectiveTo investigate the epidemiological characteristics of the first cluster of patients with coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) in Gansu.MethodsAll 6 COVID-19 patients from a non-familial cluster in Gansu, were extracted from Gansu Provincial Health Information System until Feb 20, 2020. The patients were confirmed by nucleic acid detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The analyses were included via retrospective method: patient clinical characteristics, the summary of epidemiology, and CT image characteristics.ResultsThis clustered outbreak was the first non-family clustered outbreak in Gansu after traveled to Thailand. All 6 COVID-19 confirmed patients were a kindergarten staff in Gansu, aged from 26 to 51 years, and were female. They traveled to Thailand in the same period, and had the same epidemiological exposure history. They were diagnosed as COVID-19 by transnasopharyngeal swab real-time fluorescent reverse transcription-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid examination at different time points after return to Gansu. The first patient was ill on January 21, 2020, with fever as first symptom. She was diagnosed at the Xigu District People’s Hospital in Lanzhou and was transferred to Lanzhou Pulmonary Hospital after being diagnosed. She was cured with one week’s antiviral treatment. The remaining 5 patients were treated in Longxi People’s Hospital. The common clinical symptoms were fever, throat discomfort, headache, and fatigue. Through 7 to 10 days’ antiviral treatment, they all were cured. All patients belonged to common type and had good prognosis.ConclusionThe COVID-19 patients in a non-familial cluster have the same epidemiological history. Early medical observation, SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid examination and comprehensive chest CT should be arranged promptly to make diagnosis and give responsive treatment, so that the prognosis is often good.
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical characteristics and epidemiological characteristics of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 treated early in Jiangxi province.MethodsFour-night patients with coronavirus disease 2019 treated in this hospital from January 21st to 27th, 2020 were included in this study. The epidemiological and clinical data of patients after admission were collected, and laboratory tests such as blood routine, urine routine, stool routine, liver and kidney function, electrolytes, myocardial enzymes, erythrocyte sedimentation (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), calcitonin, coagulation, T cell subset and Chest CT were reviewed. The clinical results of common and severe/critically ill patients were compared.ResultsOf the 49 patients, 40 were common and 9 were severe/critical. Fourty-six patients had a clear history of contact with Wuhan or other areas of Hubei. The sex ratio was 2.06∶1, and the average age was 42.9 years. The symptoms were mainly fever (78.7%), cough (38.8%), and fatigue (18.4%). 28.6% (14 cases) of patients had hypertension and diabetes. Serum lymphocyte count and calcium concentration of the patients were decreased, but lactate dehydrogenase, ESR, CRP and serum amyloid A were increased in these patients. T lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+) decreased significantly in these patients. Forty-seven patients (95.9%) had single or scattered patchy ground glass density shadows on the chest CT. Compared with common patients, the patients with severe/critical patients were older (P=0.023), hospitalized later (P=0.002), and had higher comorbidities (P=0.017). ESR (P=0.001）, CRP (P=0.010) and the serum amyloid A (P=0.040) increased significantly, while CD3+ (P<0.001), CD4+ (P=0.012), CD8+ (P=0.006) decreased significantly in severe/critical patients.ConclusionsThe patients with coronavirus disease 2019 in Jiangxi province are commonly imported from Wuhan. Severe/critical patients are older, hospitalized later, and have more medical complications and more severe systemic inflammatory reactions than common patients.
At present, coronavirus disease 2019 has become the most serious public health emergency in the world. The disease is still spreading around the world. The disease progresses rapidly and is highly contagious, causing great harm to the public health security of the world. Based on the research evidence published at home and abroad, this article systematically summarizes the biological structure of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, and the pathogenesis, transmission routes and susceptible populations, clinical features and treatment methods of coronavirus disease 2019. It aims to help medical workers understand coronavirus disease 2019 in order to better diagnose and treat the disease, and provide references for future research.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical characteristics and contribution factors in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).MethodsThe clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, radiologic data, treatment strategies, and outcomes of 110 COVID-19 patients were retrospectively analyzed in these hospitals from Jan 20, 2020 to Feb 28, 2020. All patients were confirmed by fluorescence reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. They were classified into a non-severe group and a severe group based on their symptoms, laboratory and radiologic findings. All patients were given antivirus, oxygen therapy, and support treatments. The severe patients received high-flow oxygen therapy, non-invasive mechanical ventilation, invasive mechanical ventilation or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The outcomes of patients were followed up until March 15, 2020. Contribution factors of severe patients were summarized from these clinical data.ResultsThe median age was 50 years old, including 66 males (60.0%) and 44 females (40.0%). Among them, 45 cases (40.9%) had underlying diseases, and 108 cases (98.2%) had different degrees of fever. The common clinical manifestations were cough (80.0%, 88/110), expectoration (33.6%, 37/110), fatigue (50.0%, 55/110), and chest tightness (41.8%, 46/110). Based on classification criteria, 78 (70.9%) non-severe patients and 32 (29.1%) severe patients were identified. Significant difference of the following parameters was found between two groups (P<0.05): age was 47 (45, 50) years vs. 55 (50, 59) years (Z=–2.493); proportion of patients with underlying diseases was 27 (34.6%) vs. 18 (56.3%) (χ2=4.393); lymphocyte count was 1.2 (0.9, 1.5)×109/L vs. 0.6 (0.4, 0.7)×109/L (Z=–7.26); C reactive protein (CRP) was 16.2 (6.5, 24.0) mg/L vs. 45.3 (21.8, 69.4) mg/L (Z=–4.894); prothrombin time (PT) was 15 (12, 19) seconds vs. 18 (17, 19) seconds (Z=–2.532); D-dimer was 0.67 (0.51, 0.82) mg/L vs. 0.98 (0.80, 1.57) mg/L (Z=–5.06); erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was 38.0 (20.8, 59.3) mm/1 h vs. 75.5 (39.8, 96.8) mm/1 h (Z=–3.851); lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was 218.0 (175.0, 252.3) U/L vs. 325.0 (276.5, 413.5) U/L (Z=–5.539); neutrophil count was 3.1 (2.1, 4.5)×109/L vs. 5.5 (3.7, 9.1)×109/L (Z=–4.077). Multivariable logistic analysis showed that there was positive correlation in elevated LDH, CRP, PT, and neutrophil count with the severity of the disease. Currently, 107 patients were discharged and 3 patients died. Total mortality was 2.7%.ConclusionsOld age, underlying diseases, low lymphocyte count, elevated CPR, high D-dimer and ESR are relevant to the severity of COVID-19. LDH, CPR, PT and neutrophil count are independent risk factors for the prognosis of COVID-19.
Since December 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has gradually spread all over the world. With the implementation of class B infectious disease management policy for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), China has experienced a pandemic. For patients receiving a time-sensitive or emergency surgery, SARS-CoV-2 infection may increase the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. An appropriate perioperative mechanical ventilation strategy, such as lung protective ventilation strategy, is particularly important for preventing postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing general anesthesia. In addition, how to protect medical personnel from being infected is also the focus we need to pay attention to. This article will discuss the perioperative mechanical ventilation strategy for COVID-19 patients and the protection of medical personnel, in order to provide reference for the development of guidelines.