ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the disease burden of non-COVID-19 lower respiratory infection (LRI) in China during the period 1990−2021, particularly during the period 2019−2021. MethodsData on the burden of disease for LRI in China were obtained from the GBD 2021 database. A Joinpoint regression model was used to describe the changes in disease burden trends of LRI in China from 1990 to 2021, and the results are presented in terms of average annual percentage change (AAPC). ResultsIn 2021, the age-standardized incidence rate of LRI in China was 2 853.31/100 000, the age-standardized rate of DALY was 347.67/100 000, and the age-standardized mortality rate was 14.03/100 000. Compared with 1990, the AAPC were −2.13%, −6.89% and −4.10% respectively. In contrast, during the COVID-19 pandemic, both showed a decreasing and then increasing trend, except for the age-standardized incidence rate, which showed a decreasing trend. Children under 5 years of age have experienced the greatest reduction in the burden of disease over the past decades, while the burden of disease has increased in absolute terms for the elderly over 70 years of age. Compared with 1990, the disease burden of LRI in China due to each pathogenic microorganism has decreased. And during 2019−2021, all pathogens showed an increasing trend, except for ASMR caused by influenza (APC=−55.21%) and respiratory syncytial virus (APC=−53.35%). In 2021, the primary attributable risk factors for LRI mortality in China shifted from household air pollution due to solid fuels, childhood underweight, and childhood stunting in 1990 to ambient particulate matter pollution, smoking, and secondhand smoke. ConclusionThe disease burden of LRIs in China showed an overall decreasing trend from 1990 to 2021, but with large variations between age groups and pathogens. During the two years following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of LRI in China, along with the disease burden caused by influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, significantly declined. Over the past few decades, the attributable risk factors for mortality and DALYs have undergone substantial changes. To address this phenomenon, targeted measures should be implemented to reduce the burden of LRI on the population caused by air pollution and smoking.
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is still a common disease that seriously affects people’s health. It is of great clinical significance for proper anti-infective therapy to identify the characteristics and changes of the pathogens. Along with the accelerated process of aging population, increased use of immunosuppression agents, and increased morbidity of malignant tumor and underlying diseases, the pathogenic spectrum of patients with CAP varies as well. This article reviews the important pathogenic changes of CAP in recent years.
Objective To investigate the etiology, symptoms, diagnosis, surgical treatment, and outcomes of acute necrotizing mediastinitis (ANM) in order to guide future diagnosis and treatment of ANM. Methods The clinical data of patients with ANM referred to West China Hospital, Sichuan University from March 2012 to April 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The etiology, clinical manifestations, demographic characteristics, bacterial culture results, surgical approach and prognostic factors of these patients were summarized. ResultsA total of 176 patients were enrolled in this study. The median age was 60 ( 0-84) years. There were 124 (70.5%) males and 52 (29.5%) females. The most common origin of infection was neck (n=66, 37.5%). The most common symptom was fever (n=85, 48.3%). Streptococcus constellatus represented the most common pathogens in secretion culture. Surgical treatment was administered to 119 (67.6%) patients through different approaches, including 54 (30.7%) patients of cervical approach, 9 (5.1%) patients of thoracotomy, 18 (10.2%) patients of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), 7 (4.0%) patients of cervical combined with thoracotomy, 30 (17.0%) patients of cervical combined with VATS, and 1 (0.6%) patient of subxiphoid approach. Among this cohort, 144 (81.8%) patients were cured, while 32 (18.1%) patients died. Age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (OR=2.95, P=0.022), perioperative sepsis (OR=2.84, P=0.024), and non-surgical treatment (OR=2.41, P=0.043) were identified as independent predictors of poor outcomes. Conclusion For patients with corresponding history and manifestations of ANM, it is crucial to go through imaging examination to confirm the presence of an abscess and guide the selection of surgical approach. Once the diagnosis of ANM is made, it is imperative to promptly perform surgical intervention for effective drainage. Our study highlights the significance of age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index, perioperative sepsis and surgical treatment in predicting patients’ outcomes.
Objective To investigate the distribution and antibiotic resistance of pathogens isolated fromlower respiratory tract in mechanically ventilated patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( AECOPD) . Methods The patients with AECOPD, who were hospitalized in RICU from January 2008 to November 2009, were divided into a community infection group and a nosocomial infection group. Lower respiratory tract isolates were collected by bronchoscopic protected specimen brush for bacterial identification and susceptibility test. Results 134 cases were enrolled in the study, with 75 cases in thecommunity infection group and 59 cases in the nosocomial infection group. The positive detection rate in the nosocomial infection group was significantly higher than that in the community infection group [ 81. 4%( 48/59) vs. 54. 7% ( 41/75) ] . In the community infection group, 49 strains were isolated, in which gramnegativebacteria, gram-positive bacteria, and fungi accounted for 55. 1% , 28. 6% , and 16. 3% , respectively.In the nosocomial infection group, 55 strains were isolated, in which gram-negative bacteria, gram-positive bacteria, and fungi accounted for 61. 8% , 21. 8% , and 16. 4%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the microbial distribution between the two groups ( P gt; 0. 05) . The detection rate of ESBLs producing strains in the nosocomial infection group was significantly higher than that in the community infection group ( 58. 8% vs. 37% ) . The resistance rates in the nosocomial groups were higher than those in the community infection group. Conclusions Antibiotic resistance is serious in mechanically ventilated patients with AECOPD, especially in the nosocomial infection patients. The increased fungi infection and drug resistance warrant clinicians to pay more attention to rational use of antibiotics, and take effective control measures.
目的 探讨老年社区获得性肺炎的临床特征、病原学特点及抗生素的合理选择。 方法 选择2010年1月1日－12月31日呼吸内科和干部病房住院治疗并确诊为社区获得性肺炎，年龄≥60岁的126例患者，从病原学、临床表现、辅助检查结果及治疗转归方面入手，回顾性分析老年社区获得性肺炎的临床特征。 结果 77.7%（98/126）的老年社区获得性肺炎患者合并有其他基础疾病，其中84.7%（83/98）合并慢性阻塞性肺病，81.6%（80/98）合并高血压，39.2%（40/98）合并冠心病，25.5%（25/98）合并有糖尿病。126例患者中，68.3%（86/126）有气促等呼吸道症状，75.6%（95/126）有食欲减退等消化道症状，61.1%（77/126）有反应迟钝等精神状态的改变；72.2%（91/126）的患者肺部体征明显，而27.8%（35/126）的患者无明显肺部体征；88.9%（112/126）的老年患者胸部CT提示有斑点状、小片状阴影。有89例患者进行了痰培养，其中58例出现阳性结果，46例对头孢菌素敏感、36例对喹诺酮类药物敏感、39例对氨基糖甙类敏感及青霉素敏感。给予抗感染、支持对症治疗后，56.3%（71/126）的患者治愈、33.3%（42/126）的患者病情好转、10.3%（13/126）的患者死亡，死亡原因均为呼吸衰竭。 结论 老年社区获得性肺炎患者临床特征复杂，应重视其社区获得性肺炎的早期诊断，并进行及时有效的治疗。
Objective To analyze the clinical features and etiologic of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) among the elderly aged 80 and over, and provide evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods The clinical characteristics and etiology of the elderly CAP (≥80 years old) were analyzed by collecting and comparing the clinical characteristics and etiology between the very elderly CAP group (≥80 years old, 94 cases) and control group (65 to 79 years old, 100 cases). Results On clinical symptoms, there were statistical differences in dyspnea and gastrointestinal symptoms, systemic symptoms, and mental status (P<0.05) between the two groups. There was no statistically significant difference in upper respiratory tract symptoms, fever, cough, sputum, hemoptysis and chest pain between the two groups (P>0.05). On the complications, the very elderly CAP group was more prone to respiratory failure, sepsis, urinary tract infection and electrolyte metabolism than the control group (P<0.05). On the experimental indicators, anemia and abnormal renal function in the elderly CAP group were high (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference between the two groups of inflammation indicators (white blood count, procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, neutrophil alkaline phosphatase score). The pneumonia severity index score and CURB-65 score of the very elderly CAP group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.001). On pathogen analysis, in the very elderly CAP group the number of bacterial infections (23/94), viral infections (21/94) and bacterial mixed virus infections (21/94) were probably equivalent, and the proportion of bacterial infections of two or more types accounted for 17.0% (16/94); The bacteria detection rate was Streptococcus pneumoniae (22.4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19.4%), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (16.4%), Staphylococcus aureus (14.9%). Viral infection mainly focused on influenza A virus (23/94) and human cytomegalovirus (21/94). Bacterial mixed virus infection was mainly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza A virus infection. Comparing the two groups, the most common bacterial pathogen both of them was Streptococcus pneumoniae, but the overall proportion was dominated by gram-negative bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae were more common; the gram-positive bacteria in the two groups were mainly Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. There was no significant difference in the detection rate of above Gram-positive bacteria between the two groups (P>0.05). The two groups of virus infections were mainly influenza A virus, and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The two groups of single bacteria rate, single virus infection rate, double virus infection rate and bacterial mixed virus infection rate were similar, the difference had not been found (P>0.05). Conclusions The elderly (aged 80 and over) CAP group is prone to dyspnea, often presents with extrapulmonary atypical symptoms such as digestive tract symptoms, systemic symptoms and psychiatric symptoms, and usually accompanied with many complications. The etiological treatment mainly covers gram-negative bacteria, and we must pay attention to the possibility of combined virus infection.
Organ transplantation is a critical treatment for end-stage organ diseases, yet postoperative infections significantly affect patient outcomes. Traditional diagnostic methods for infections often fall short in meeting the demands of precise prevention and treatment due to limitations in sensitivity, specificity, and speed. Targeted nanopore pathogen sequencing technology, characterized by its long-read capability, real-time detection, and adaptability, has shown unique potential in pathogen identification, structural variation analysis, and antimicrobial resistance gene profiling. This offers new insights into the prevention and management of postoperative infections. This expert consensus focuses on the standardized application of this technology in managing infections following organ transplantation, addressing its principles, clinical recommendations, and diagnostic workflows. By exploring its features and value in infectious disease diagnosis, the expert consensus provides standardized guidance on sample processing and result interpretation. The development of this consensus aims to promote the rational use of nanopore sequencing in diagnosing and treating post-transplant infections, enhance diagnostic accuracy and efficiency, improve patient outcomes, and facilitate the widespread adoption of this technology.
Objectives To investigate the pathogenic characteristics and the possible relationship between pathogen and respiratory function in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD).Methods Sixty-four patients with AECOPD were investigated with lung function test，quantitative and qualitative sputum bacteria culture，drug sensitive test，and Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae specific antibodies test.The patients were divided into three groups according to FEV1%pred，50%≤FEV1lt;80%pred for the Group One，30%pred≤FEV1lt;50%pred for the Group Two，and FEV1lt;30%pred for the Group Three.Meanwhile according to the result of sputum culture，infective bacteria were divided into four kinds： Gram-positive cocci for kind A，Gram-negtive germ except kind C for kind B，Acinetobacter，Enterobacter and Pseudomonas spp for kind C，and negative result for kind D.Results ⑴Of 64 patients who were conducted quantitative sputum culture，germs isolated were mostly Streptococcus pneumoniae，Enterobacter，Moraxella Catarrhalis，and Pseudomonas.Of 38 patients who were conducted qualitative sputum culture，most of them were found mixed infection，and germs isolated were mostly Streptococcus pneumoniae，Staphylococcus epidermidis，Acinetobacter and Enterobacter.⑵Both quantitative and qualitative sputum culture revealed that Most of Group One patients were not infected by bacteria，and the Group Three patients were mainly by resistant kind A and kind C bacteria (Plt;0.01 and 0.05 respectively).⑶The infection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae or Chlamydia pneumoniae was identified in 29.4% of the cases.Conclusions There is a close correlation between the degree of functional damage and the infected bacterial strains for patients with AECOPD，the more chance of bacteria infection such as S pneumoniae，Acinetobacter，Enterobacter and Pseudomonas，the more damage of lung function.
Improving the rate of pathogen examination before antibiotic treatment is of great significance for clarifying pathogen diagnosis and curbing bacterial resistance, and is also one of the important goals for improving national medical quality and safety. In response to the current problem of low pathogen examination rates, Chengdu Women’s and Children’s Central Hospital adopts a FOCUS-PDCA model, has explored measures such as current situation investigation, root cause analysis, intervention plan formulation, countermeasure implementation, and effect evaluation to improve the rate of pathogen examination before antibiotic treatment in inpatients. This article mainly elaborates on the above model, which has practical significance for ensuring the rational use of antibiotics in inpatients.