ObjectiveTo analyze risk factors, clinical features and outcome factors of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in severe H1N1 patients so as to achieve early diagnosis and improve prognosis.MethodsFifty severe H1N1 influenza patients with IPA admitted to West China Hospital and 64 severe H1N1 influenza patients in the same period matched by age and gender were collected. Patient characteristics, laboratory examinations, radiological imaging, microbiology data and prognostic indicators were involved into analysis.ResultsThe mortality of severe H1N1 influenza patients with IPA was significantly higher than those without IPA (51.6% vs. 32.0%, P=0.036). However, the incidence of IPA in severe H1N1 influenza patients was not related with the patient's age, gender, underlying disease, glucocorticoid use and CD4+ T cell count. Serum C-reactive protein level [(125.0±88.8) vs. (86.1±80.1) mg/L, P=0.038] and interleukin-6 level [(148.7±154.2) vs. (81.7±110.2) μg/L, P=0.039] of severe H1N1 influenza patients with IPA were significantly higher than those without IPA. Besides, more patients presented with fever (81.3% vs. 64.0%, P=0.038) and dyspnea (51.6% vs. 24.0%, P=0.003) in severe H1N1 patients with IPA. The radiological imaging of severe H1N1 patients with IPA were mostly characterized by combining with nodular changes on the basis of ground-glass opacity.ConclusionThe occurrence of IPA in severe H1N1 influenza patients may be related with pulmonary excessive inflammatory response secondary to viral invasion rather than basic condition of the patient.
ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility and clinical application value of low attenuation areas (LAA) scoring system in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).MethodsA total of 380 patients with AECOPD were included. Clinical data including general information, laboratory examinations and treatments during hospitalization were collected. According to the high-resolution computed CT (HRCT) imaging performance, the patients were divided into bronchitis phenotype and emphysema phenotype. The clinical data between these two groups were compared to analyze the differences between different phenotypes and the feasibility of LAA scoring system.ResultsIn patients of bronchitis phenotype, the levels of body mass index, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, procalcitonin, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and eosinophil counts on admission were higher than those of emphysema phenotype (P<0.05). Patients with emphysema phenotype had a higher proportion of male, a higher smoking index, higher cystatin C levels and lower bilirubin levels on admission (P<0.05), the rates of using mechanical ventilation and systemic glucocorticoids were higher as also (P<0.05). LAA scores had a positive correlation with the use of mechanical ventilation and systemic glucocorticoids and cystatin C levels, and a negative correlation with interleukin-6 levels (P<0.05).ConclusionsFor patients with AECOPD, using LAA scoring system to classify different phenotype through HRCT has relevant accuracy and clinical practicability. The LAA scoring system might help to evaluate the patient's condition and prognosis to a certain extent.