ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of low-to-moderate doses of corticosteroids on human infections with avian influenza A (H7N9) virus, and explore when to initiate the treatment of corticosteroids and the duration of corticosteroids administration.MethodsThe study collected clinical data of 8 cases with avian influenza A (H7N9) virus infection admitted from January 25, 2017 to May 12, 2017. The final analysis included 5 severe patients who had received adjuvant corticosteroid treatment. The variation curves of WBC, CRP, PCT, CK, HBDH, LDH, temperature, ratio of SpO2/FiO2 were depicted and analyzed. The progress of clinical improvements, deterioration and prognosis were observed and discussed.ResultsThere were 1 female and 4 males in the 5 included patients with a median age of 58.0 years, among them 3 survived. The median time of illness onset to hospitalization and diagnosis confirmed were 4 days and 8 days respectively; the median duration of hospitalization to admission to infective ICU were 3 days. The first course of adjuvant corticosteroid treatment was initiated 11 days (median) after admission with a duration of 4 days (median), during which, the serum levels of HBDH and LDH decreased remarkably except the patient 3, and the oxygenation (SpO2/FiO2) improved except the patient 3. The second course of systemic administration of corticosteroid was given at a median of 26.5 days after admission with a duration of 9 days (median), during which, the patients survived with improved oxygenation (SpO2/FiO2), and weaned from mechanical ventilation.ConclusionsFor patients suffered severe human infection with avian influenza A (H7N9) virus, low-to-moderate doses of corticosteroids may decrease the level of inflammation, regulate the aberrant immune response, improve the oxygenation, make an early unassisted breathing. And corticosteroids treatment can be initiated at the time of disease deterioration, after/at the peak inflammatory response, and within 10-14 days of ARDS. Also, the adjuvant corticosteroids may be administered when oxygenation is dificult to be improved by other ways, or dificult to be liberated from mechanical ventilation, suffering severe septic shock, and refractory fever. And the duration of corticosteroids may be prolonged to 10-14 days, or until the higher level of HBDH and LDH decreased again.
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of hospitalized avian influenza A (H7N9) virus infections in Hunan province from 2013 to 2017, and provide evidences for control, diagnosis and treatment of this disease.MethodsNinety-one hospitalized patients were confirmed with H7N9 infection in Hunan. Excluding 2 patients less than 18 years old and 10 with missing data, 79 patients with H7N9 infection were analyzed.ResultsMost confirmed cases were affected in the second and fifth epidemic wave and number of patients in the fifth wave was more than the sum in prior 4 waves. Epidemiological characteristics, clinical symptoms and case fatality did not change significantly. Administration of antiviral drugs was more active in the fifth wave [from illness onset to antiviral drug: (6.3±2.4)d vs. (7.6±2.4)d, P=0.047]. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that shock (OR=4.683, 95%CI 1.136–19.301, P=0.033) was the independent risk factor of H7N9 infections. There were no significant differences in case fatality among group oseltamivir, group oseltamivir+peramivir, and group peramivir.ConclusionsPatients with avian influenza A (H7N9) increased in the fifth wave but clinical characteristics changed little. Antiviral treatment should be more active. Shock is an independent risk factor of H7N9 infections. Oseltamivir-peramivir biotherapy can not reduce case fatality compared with oseltamivir or peramivir monotherapy.