Clinical Effect of Yinhuang Qingfei Capsules in Treatment of Asymptomatic and Mild/Common Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection:An Analysis of 242 Cases

[Objectives]To investigate the clinical effect of Yinhuang Qingfei capsules in the treatment of asymptomatic and mild/common severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection.[Methods]A total of 362 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were divided into the treatment group with 242 patients and control group with 120 patients according to their treatment regimen.The patients in the control group were given standard treatment regimen and those in the treatment group were given Yinhuang Qingfei capsules in addition to the treatment in the control group.The two groups were observed in terms of average length of hospital stay,mean time for nucleic acid clearance,TCM syndrome score,and progression to severe/critical illness,and clinical outcome was compared between the two groups.[Results]There was a significant difference in the overall response rate between the treatment group and the control group[97.52%(236/242)vs 95.00%(114/120),P<0.05].Compared with the control group,the treatment group had significantly shorter length of hospital stay and time for nucleic acid clearance(P<0.05).After 7 days of treatment,both groups had a significant change in TCM syndrome score,and there was a significant difference in TCM syndrome score between the two groups(P<0.05);after 15 days of treatment,both groups had a TCM syndrome score of 0.Progression to severe/critical illness was not observed in either group.[Conclusions]Compared with the standard treatment regimen alone,standard treatment regimen combined with Yinhuang Qingfei capsules can effectively shorten the length of hospital stay and time for nucleic acid clearance and improve TCM symptoms in patients with asymptomatic and mild/common SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Fear can be more harmful than the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in controlling the corona virus disease 2019 epidemic

The current corona virus disease 2019 outbreak caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 started in Wuhan,China in December 2019 and has put the world on alert.To safeguard Chinese citizens and to strengthen global health security,China has made great efforts to control the epidemic.Many in the global community have joined China to limit the epidemic.However,discrimination and prejudice driven by fear or misinformation have been flowing globally,superseding evidence and jeopardizing the anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 efforts.We analyze this phenomenon and its underlying causes and suggest practical solutions.

Diagnosis and Management of Severe Acute Pancreatitis Complicated with Abdominal Compartment Syndrome

Presented in this paper is our experience in the diagnosis and management of abdominal compartment syndrome during severe acute pancreatitis. On the basis of the history of severe acute pancreatitis, after effective fluid resuscitation, if patients developed renal, pulmonary and cardiac insufficiency after abdominal expansion and abdominal wall tension, ACS should be considered. Cystometry could be performed to confirm the diagnosis. Emergency decompressive celiotomy and temporary abdominal closure with a 3 liter sterile plastic bag must be performed. It is also critical to prevent reperfusion syndrome. In 23 cases of ACS, 18 cases received emergency decompressive celiotomy and 5 cases did not. In the former, 3 patients died (16.7 %) while in the later, 4 (80%) died. Total mortality rate was 33.3% (7/21). In 7 death cases, 4 patients developed acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis (AOSC). All the patients who received emergency decompressive celiotomy 5 h after confirmation of ACS survived. The definitive abdominal closure took place mostly 3 to 5 days after emergency decompressive celiotomy, with longest time being 8 days. 6 cases of ACS at infection stage were all attributed to infected necrosis in abdominal cavity and retroperitoneum. ACS could occur in SIRS stage and infection stage during SAP, and has different pathophysiological basis. Early diagnosis, emergency decompressive celiotomy and temporary abdominal closure with a 3L sterile plastic bag are the keys to the management of the condition.

Close Correlation between Development of MODS during the Initial 72h of Hospitalization and Hospital Mortality in Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome

An emerging infectious disease was identified as severe fever with thrombocytopenia syn- drome （SFTS） in central China since late March 2009. We found the patients with SFTS had severe clinical symptoms, and progressed rapidly to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome （MODS） with high fatality rate of 25%-30%. The aim of this study was to assess the significance of risk factors predicting the development of MODS and death in SFTS patients. Consecutive SFTS admissions between May 2009 and September 2011 were analyzed for parameters of organ function during hospitalization using Marshall scoring system for MODS, and platelet counts were recorded on admission and at 24, 48, 72 h and one week after admission. We investigated the kinetics of organ failures and analyzed the associa- tion between age, platelet count and development of MODS or death. A total of 92 SFTS patients were enrolled in this study. Among them, 32 patients with dysfunction of over 4 organs were identified, 45% of them died within 72 h, 72% died within 5 days, and 76% died within 7 days after admission. We also found cumulative Marshall score was significantly higher in death patients （11.76＋2.05） than in survival patients （4.22~1.98） （P〈0.001）. In addition, SFTS patients had older age and lower platelet counts in MODS and death groups. Furthermore, we also observed that there was a close correlation between platelet count on admission and Marshall score （P〈0.001）. High Marshall score, advanced age and lower platelet counts were the main risk factors for the development of MODS, and those factors could predict mortality in SFTS patients, suggesting prompt treatment and close monitoring of severe complications, especially MODS, are of great importance in saving patients＇ lives.

Treatment of abdominal compartment syndrome in severe acute pancreatitis patients with traditional Chinese medicine

AIM: To investigate the therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese traditional medicines Da Cheng Qi Decoction (Timely-Purging and Yin-Preserving Decoction) and Glauber's salt combined with conservative measures on abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) patients. METHODS: Eighty consecutive SAP patients, admitted for routine non-operative conservative treatment, were randomly divided into study group and control group (40 patients in each group). Patients in the study group received Da Cheng Qi Decoction enema for 2 h and external use of Glauber's salt, once a day for 7 d. Patients in the control group received normal saline (NS) enema. Routine non-operative conservative treatments included non-per os nutrition (NPON), gastrointestinal decompression, life support, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), continuous peripancreatic vascular pharmaceutical infusion and drug therapy. Intra-cystic pressure (ICP) of the two groups was measured during treatment. The effectiveness and outcomes of treatment were observed and APACHE Ⅱ scores were applied in analysis. RESULTS: On days 4 and 5 of treatment, the ICP was lower in the study group than in the control group(P < 0.05). On days 3-5 of treatment, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) scores for the study and control groups were significantly different (P < 0.05). Both the effectiveness and outcome of the treatment with Da Cheng Qi Decoction on abdominalgia, burbulence relief time, ascites quantity, cyst formation rate and hospitalization time were quite different between the two groups (P < 0.05). The mortality rate for the two groups had no significant difference. CONCLUSION: Da Cheng Qi Decoction enema and external use of Glauber's salt combined with routine non-operative conservative treatment can decrease the intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) of SAP patients and have preventive and therapeutic effects on abdominal compartment syndrome of SAP.

Medical imaging for pancreatic diseases:Prediction of severe acute pancreatitis complicated with acute respiratory distress syndrome

In this editorial we comment on the article published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology[2022;28(19):2123-2136].We pay attention to how to construct a simpler and more reliable new clinical predictive model to early identify patients at high risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)associated with severe acute pancreatitis(SAP),and to early predict the severity of organ failure from chest computed tomography(CT)findings in SAP patients.As we all know,SAP has a sudden onset,is a rapidly changing condition,and can be complicated with ARDS and even multiple organ dysfunction syndrome,and its mortality rate has remained high.At present,there are many clinical scoring systems for AP,including the bedside index for severity in AP,acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II,systemic inflammatory response syndrome,Japanese severe score,quick sepsis-related organ failure assessment,etc.However,some of these scoring systems are complex and require multiple and difficult clinical parameters for risk stratification.Although the aforementioned biomarkers are readily available,their ability to predict ARDS varies.Accordingly,it is extremely necessary to establish a simple and valuable novel model to predict the development of ARDS in AP.In addition,the extra-pancreatic manifestations of AP patients often involve the chest,among which pleural effusion and pulmonary consolidation are the more common complications.Therefore,by measuring the semi-quantitative indexes of chest CT in AP patients,such as the amount of pleural effusion and the number of lobes involved as pulmonary consolidation,it has important reference value for the early diagnosis of SAP complicated with ARDS and is expected to provide a basis for the early treatment of ARDS.

Embryonic natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery in the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis complicated by abdominal compartment syndrome

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to estimate the value of embryonal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery(ENOTES) in treating severe acute pancreatitis(SAP) complicated with abdominal compartment syndrome(ACS).METHODS: The patients, who were randomized into an ENOTES group and an operative group, underwent ENOTES and laparotomy, respectively. The results and complications of the two groups were compared.RESULTS: Enterocinesia was observed earlier in the ENOTES group than in the operative group. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II(APACHE II) score of patients in the ENOTES group was lower than that of the operative group on the 1st, 3rd and 5th post-operative day(P<0.05). The cure rate was 96.87% in the ENOTES group, which was statistically different from 78.12% in the operative group(P<0.05). There were significant differences in complications and mortality between the two groups(P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Compared with surgical decompression, ENOTES associated with flexible endoscope therapy is an effective and minimal invasive procedure with less complications.

Intestinal bacterial overgrowth in the early stage of severe acute pancreatitis is associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome

BACKGROUND In the early stage of acute pancreatitis(AP),a large number of cytokines induced by local pancreatic inflammation seriously damage the intestinal barrier function,and intestinal bacteria and endotoxins enter the blood,causing inflammatory storm,resulting in multiple organ failure,infectious complications,and other disorders,eventually leading to death.Intestinal failure occurs early in the course of AP,accelerating its development.As an alternative method to detect small intestinal bacterial overgrowth,the hydrogen breath test is safe,noninvasive,and convenient,reflecting the number of intestinal bacteria in AP indirectly.This study aimed to investigate the changes in intestinal bacteria measured using the hydrogen breath test in the early stage of AP to clarify the relationship between intestinal bacteria and acute lung injury(ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS).Early clinical intervention and maintenance of intestinal barrier function would be highly beneficial in controlling the development of severe acute pancreatitis(SAP).AIM To analyze the relationship between intestinal bacteria change and ALI/ARDS in the early stage of SAP.METHODS A total of 149 patients with AP admitted to the intensive care unit of the Digestive Department,Xuanwu Hospital,Capital Medical University from 2016 to 2019 were finally enrolled,following compliance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria.The results of the hydrogen breath test within 1 wk of admission were collected,and the hydrogen production rates at admission,72 h,and 96 h were calculated.The higher the hydrogen production rates the more bacteria in the small intestine.First,according to the improved Marshall scoring system in the 2012 Atlanta Consensus on New Standards for Classification of Acute Pancreatitis,66 patients with a PaO2/FiO2 score≤1 were included in the mild AP(MAP)group,18 patients with a PaO2/FiO2 score≥2 and duration<48 h were included in the moderately SAP(MSAP)group,and 65 patients with a PaO2/FiO2 score≥2 and duration>48 h were included in the SAP group,to analyze the correlation between intestinal bacterial overgrowth and organ failure in AP.Second,ALI(PaO2/FiO2=2)and ARDS(PaO2/FiO2>2)were defined according to the simplified diagnostic criteria proposed by the 1994 European Union Conference.The MSAP group was divided into two groups according to the PaO2/FiO2 score:15 patients with PaO2/FiO2 score=2 were included in group A,and three patients with score>2 were included in group B.Similarly,the SAP group was divided into two groups:28 patients with score=2 were included in group C,and 37 patients with score>2 were included in group D,to analyze the correlation between intestinal bacterial overgrowth and ALI/ARDS in AP.RESULTS A total of 149 patients were included:66 patients in the MAP group,of whom 53 patients were male(80.3%)and 13 patients were female(19.7%);18 patients in the MSAP group,of whom 13 patients were male(72.2%)and 5 patients were female(27.8%);65 patients in the SAP group,of whom 48 patients were male(73.8%)and 17 patients were female(26.2%).There was no significant difference in interleukin-6 and procalcitonin among the MAP,MSAP,and SAP groups(P=0.445 and P=0.399,respectively).There was no significant difference in the growth of intestinal bacteria among the MAP,MSAP,and SAP groups(P=0.649).There was no significant difference in the growth of small intestinal bacteria between group A and group B(P=0.353).There was a significant difference in the growth of small intestinal bacteria between group C and group D(P=0.038).CONCLUSION Intestinal bacterial overgrowth in the early stage of SAP is correlated with ARDS.

Infectivity of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome during Its Incubation Period

Objective To evaluate the infectivity of severe acute respiratory syndrome （SARS） during its incubation period by investigating chains of transmission and individuals isolated for medical observation with a view to providing scientific evidence for updating protocols of medical isolation. Methods Individuals related with the two SARS chains of transmission in Beijing in 2003 and a group of individuals isolated for medical observation in Haidian district of Beijing during the SARS outbreak were selected as subjects of study. Contactors with SARS patients and those with symptom development following the contacts were investigated via questionnaire. Serum samples were collected from super transmitters and tested for SARS-CoV antibody by neutralization test and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Results A total of 1 112 contactors were investigated in three surveys. Of them, 669 had a history of close contact with symptomatic SARS patients, 101 developed symptoms with a rate of 15.1%, 363 had a history of close contact with patients in their incubation period, none of whom developed symptoms （0%）. Serum samples were collected fi＇om 32 highly-exposed individuals, of whom 13 developing SARS symptoms atter contact had serum samples positive for SARS-CoV antibody. Samples collected from the asymptomatic contactors were all negative for SARS-CoV antibody. Conclusion SARS cases are infectious only during their symptomatic period and are non-infectious during the incubation period. Isolation for medical observation should be placed for individuals who are in close contact with symptomatic SARS patients. The results of our study are of decisive significance for the Ministry of Health to the definition of SARS close contactor.

Effects of Integrative Chinese and Western Medicine on Arterial Oxygen Saturation in Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

Objective: To evaluate the effects of treatment of integrative Chinese and Western medicine (ICWM) on arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Methods:The non-randomized, controlled trial was conducted on 447 SARS patients treated synchronously with western conventional treatment (WM group, n = 171) alone and ICWM (ICWM group, n = 276). The changes of the cases with normal level (≥95% ) or abnormal level (<95% ) SaO2 were observed dynamically. Results: In the 3rd-14th day of the therapeutic course, the percentage of patients with normal SaO2 in the ICWM group was higher than that in the WM group (OR = 0.5178, P = 0.0038), and this tendency was more evident in patients of the severe type (OR = 0. 18, P = 0. 0001). However, the statistical significance of difference was only shown in patients for whom the ICWM treatment started in the early period after the onset (≤7 days after it, OR = 0.3803, P = 0.006), but not shown in those who received ICWM treatment later in the mid-late period of SARS ( P>0. 05). Conclusion: ICWM treatment, particularly when it is used for intervention in the early stage, is beneficial for maintaining normal SaO2 in SARS patients.

Epidemiological Characteristics of An Outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in Dongcheng District of Beijing From March to May 2003

Objective To describe epidemiologic features of an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Dongcheng District, Beijing occurred in a period between March and May 2003. Methods Data of SARS cases notified from Dongcheng District Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC )and supplemented by other channels were collected. Clinicians and officials of local hospitals were interviewed in groups and medical records of fatal cases of SARS were reviewed to verify the diagnosis. Stored serum specimens of the patients were detected for IgG antibody against SARS Co-V by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All the data were input into dataset files by Microsoft Excel-2000 software and analyzed with SPSS version 10.0 software. Results Outbreak of SARS in Dongcheng District started on March 14, 2003 with a peak in mid- and late April, and dropped in early May. A total of 572 reported cases were collected during this period in Dongcheng District, Beijing, and 99 of them were excluded from SARS, because of diagnosis of common cold, regular pneumonia, measles and rubella, etc. Actually, 473 SARS cases, which included 390 (82.5%) probable cases and 83 (17.5%) suspect cases, were analyzed. About 90% of the probable cases were positive for IgG antibody. Attack rate of SARS in permanent residents of Dongcheng District was 28.3 per 100 000. Forty-one of them died, with a case-fatality rate of 8.7%. Persons were all susceptible to infection of SARS Co-V, with the highest proportion at ages of 20-50 years, which accounted for 68.7% of the total cases. Average age of the patients at their onset was 40.7 years. No gender difference in SARS cases was found. Number of SARS cases in health-care workers (HCWs) accounted for 18.0% and that in retired workers accounted for 15.4% of the total cases. Cases occurred in all 10 sub-districts of Dongcheng, with the highest in Beixinqiao and Andingmen Sub-districts. Totally, 230 of the 572 notified cases (40.2%) were hospitalized at local hospitals under the jurisdiction of Dongcheng District. Eighteen of 85 cases of SARS occurred in HCWs of local hospitals, accounting for 4.5% of the total number of HCWs working at wards caring for SARS patients or fever clinics. There were 34.7% of SARS cases without any histories of contact before the onset of the disease. Familial aggregation phenomena were observed in 41.8% of the cases and 18.1% of households. And 7.4% (attack rate ) of those exposed to SARS cases suffered from the illness during the periods of quarantine. Conclusions SARS appeared to be infectious in origin and caused outbreak in Dongcheng District, Beijing introduced by an imported case traveling from Hong Kong in a period between March and May 2003. People are all susceptible to infection of SARS Co-V, which mainly threatens the young adults and the middle-aged, as well as HCWs and the retired workers. The main mode of transmission is direct exposure to SARS patients in a near distance at hospitals or families via droplets spread. Prevention and control of SARS should be focused on early isolation of patients and quarantine for close contacts. Current available measures to prevent and control SARS are proved to be effective.

Continuous regional arterial infusion and laparotomic decompression for severe acute pancreatitis with abdominal compartment syndrome

AIM:To evaluate the therapeutic effects of abdominal decompression plus continuous regional arterial infusion(CRAI) via a drug delivery system(DDS) in severe acute pancreatitis(SAP) patients with abdominal compartment syndrome(ACS).METHODS:We presented our recent experience in 8 patients with SAP.The patients developed clinical ACS,which required abdominal decompression.During the operation,a DDS was inserted into the peripancreatic artery(the catheter was inserted from the right gastroepiploic artery until it reached the junction between the pancreaticoduodenal and gastroduodenal artery).Through this DDS,a protease inhibitor,antibiotics and octreotide were infused continuously.The duration of the regional artery infusion ranged from 8 to 41 d.The outcomes and the changes in the APACHE Ⅱ score,computed tomography(CT) severity index and intraabdominal pressure(IAP) of the patients were retrospectively evaluated.RESULTS:Eight patients with an initial APACHE Ⅱ score of 18.9(range,13-27) and a Balthazar CT severity index of 9.1(range,7-10) developed severe local and systemic complications.These patients underwent subsequent surgical decompression and CRAI therapy because of intra-abdominal hypertension(IAH).After a mean interval of 131.9 ± 72.3 d hospitalization,7 patients recovered with decreased APACHE Ⅱ scores,CT severity indexes and IAP.The mean APACHE Ⅱ score was 5.4(range,4-8),the CT severity index was 2.3(range,1-3),and IAP decreased to 7.7 mmHg(range,6-11 mmHg) 60 d after operation.One patient died of multiple organ failure 1 wk after surgery.CONCLUSION:CRAI and laparotomic decompression might be a therapeutic option for SAP patients with ACS.

Elevated Plasma Tissue-type Plasminogen Activator (t-PA) and Soluble Throm-bomodulin in Patients Suffering From Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) as a Possible Index for Prognosis and Treatment Strategy

To detect the presence of endothelial injury in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome （SARS） via enhanced levels of tissue-type plasminogen activator （t-PA） and soluble thrombomodulin （sTM）. Methods Case patients were from Xuanwu Hospital （Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China）, and all of them met clinical criteria for SARS. Healthy controls were some of the hospital employees. Endothelial injury bio-markers tPA and sTM were detected by commercial ELISA-methods. Results Classic plasma markers of endothelial injury, tPA and sTM significantly elevated in SARS patients in comparison to controls [t-PA： 1.48±0.16 nmol/L versus 0.25±0.03 nmol/L （P〈0.0001）, and sTM： 0.26±0.06 nmol/L versus 0.14±0.02 nmol/L （P〈0.05）]. The only patient who died had extremely high levels of these endothelial injury markers （t-PA： 2.77 nmol/L and sTM： 1.01 nmol/L）. The likelihood ratio analysis indicated the excellent discriminating power for SARS at the optimal cut-point of 0.49 nmol/L for tPA and 0.20 nmol/L for sTM, respectively. Significant numerical correlations were found among these endothelial injury markers in SARS patients. The numerical coefficient of correlation Pearson r between t-PA and sTM was 0.5867 （P〈0.05）. Conclusion Increased plasma concentrations of tPA and sTM in patients with SARS suggest the possibility of endothelial injury. SARS patients might need anticoagulant therapy or fibrinolytic therapy in order to reverse intraalveolar coagulation, microthrombi formation, alveolar and interstitial fibrin deposition. It may not only provide a useful treatment and prognostic index but also allow a further understanding of the pathological condition of the disease.

Analysis and Comparison of the Tongue Picture of 34 Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

Objective: To explore the changes of tongue pictures in the developing process of disease in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and to compare the tongue pictures of SARS patients with those of suspected SARS patients. Methods: Materials of tongue picture were dynamically collected from 34 SARS patients and 35 suspected SARS patients, and the difference and similarity between them were analyzed. Meanwhile, the changes in clinic symptoms and tongue picture after integrative medicinal treatment were observed. Results: Characteristics of tongue picture in SARS patients were changed along with the progress of the disease, showing that there existed a tendency of the pathogen invading from exterior to interior, from surface to the deep. Also the tongue pictures were varied due to the coexistence of dampness pathogen; the time of the early stage was generally 1 - 1.5 days, shorter than that of other stages. While in the patients with suspected SARS, the tongue picture was mostly red with thin white or yellow coating, comparatively steady and showing no obvious change along with the development of the disease. Conclusion: Observing the tongue picture and its changes in different stages can be helpful to understanding the property of pathogenic evil and its developing rules, thus offering a basis for clinical treatment.

Crohn’s-like acute severe colitis associated with Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome: A case report

BACKGROUND Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome(HPS)is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by oculocutaneous albinism,platelet storage pool deficiency and systemic complications associated with ceroid deposition in the reticuloendothelial system.HPS types 1 and 4 are associated with Crohn’s disease(CD)-like gastrointestinal disorders,such as granulomatous enterocolitis or perianal disease.Cases of colitis can be particularly severe and,before the use of anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNFα)therapy had become common,were reported as showing poor responsiveness to medical treatment.CASE SUMMARY We present the case of a 51-year-old albino woman who presented with acute severe colitis that led to the diagnosis of HPS.Histologic findings of biopsy samples showed chronic inflammation with deep ulcerations,and granulomas without caseous necrosis.Molecular genetic analysis confirmed HPS type 1,with a homozygous 27 base-pair deletion in exon 20 of the HPS1 gene.Once the patient’s bleeding diathesis was corrected by platelet transfusion,the granulomatous colitis responded dramatically to a medical treatment regimen that included corticosteroids,azathioprine and infliximab;this regimen is similar to that used in CD treatment.Although it remains unclear if the granulomatous enterocolitis in HPS is due to ceroid deposition or reflects the co-existence of CD and HPS,the fact that this case of HPS-related granulomatous colitis responded to the same therapeutic approach used in CD suggests that this type of colitis may result from HPS patients’genetic susceptibility to CD.CONCLUSION We report a case of severe colitis that led to the diagnosis of HPS,which was responsive to azathioprine and infliximab.

Therapeutic Effects of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine in Treating Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

Objective: To improve the effects of treatment of severe acute re spiratory syndrome (SARS) and to explore the clinical significance of integrate d traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine (ICWM) in the treatment of S ARS and its influence on the chief indexes in the process of the disease. Methods: The clinical study involving observation of 135 patients of SARS was conducted in the randomized, synchronously controlled and open way. The patients were divided into two groups, 68 in the ICWM group and 67 in the c ontrol group, all of whom were treated with the same basic treatment of western medicine, but to the ICWM group, Chinese drugs for clearing Heat, detoxifying an d removing Dampness were given additionally. The comprehensive effect on relievi ng fever, cell mediated immunity, pulmonary inflammation and secondary infect ion was compared between the two groups. Results: The therapeutic effect in the ICWM group was better than that in the control group in such aspects as steadily lowering body temperature, alleviating general symptoms, accelerating the absorption of pulmonary infiltra tion and easing cellular immunity suppression. Conclusion: The therapeutic effect of ICWM is better in treating SARS than that of western medicine alone.

Diagnosis and management of severe Budd-Chiari syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic standards and treatment of severe Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS).METHODS: The clinical data of 126 patients with severe BCS treated from November 1994 to June 2001at our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Percutaneous transhepatic recanalization and dilation and/orstent placement of the main hepatic vein was performed in 10 patients. Mesocaval C type shunt withartificial graft was performed in 68 patients, splenojugular shunt in 33, mesojuglar shunt in 1, andmesocaval shunt or improved splenopneumopexy after percutaneous intraluminal angioplasty and stentplacement of the inferior vena cava in 14.RESULT: Six patients died during perioperation. In 120 patients followed up for 6 months to 7 years, 89had excellent results and 31 good results.CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic standards of severe BCS are suggested. Proper treatment should be usedaccording to the pathological changes of the inferior vena cava and main hepatic veins.

Manifestation of severe pneumonia in anti-PL-7 antisynthetase syndrome and B cell lymphoma:A case report

BACKGROUND Antisynthetase syndrome(ASS)is characterized by the presence of antisynthetase antibodies coupled with clinical findings such as fever,polymyositis-dermatomyositis and interstitial lung disease.It is,however,rare to observe ASS association with B cell lymphoma presenting severe pneumonia as the first clinical manifestation.CASE SUMMARY We evaluated a 59-year-old male patient who presented with cough with sputum,shortness of breath and fever for 13 d.A chest computed tomography radiograph revealed bilateral diffuse ground-glass infiltrates in both upper fields,left lingual lobe and right middle lobe.Initially,the patient was diagnosed with severe community-acquired pneumonia and respiratory failure.He was empirically treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics,without improvement.Further analysis showed an ASS panel with anti-PL7 antibodies.Besides,electromyography evaluation demonstrated a manifestation of myogenic damage,while deltoid muscle biopsy showed irregular muscle fiber bundles especially abnormal lymphocyte infiltration.In addition,bone marrow biopsy revealed high invasive B cell lymphoma.Thus,the patient was diagnosed with a relatively rare anti–PL7 antibody positive ASS associated with B cell lymphoma.CONCLUSION This case highlights that rapidly progressive lung lesions and acute hypoxemic respiratory failure associated with heliotrope rash and extremely high lactate dehydrogenase level should be considered as the characteristics of non-infectious diseases,especially ASS and B cell lymphoma.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Retrospect and Lessons of 2004 Outbreak in China

Objective To summarize lessons learned from an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome （SARS） in China during the spring of 2004. Methods Data of SARS cases were officially reported by Beijing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention （BCDC） and Anhui Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention （APCDC） and results of epidemiological investigations were collected and analyzed. Results Three generations of 11 cases of SARS were identified during the outbreak, Initial two cases were most likely to be infected in Diarrhea Virus Laboratory of National Institute of Virology, China Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and main mode of transmission was direct contact with SARS patients, Delay in detecting initial case resulted in spread of the illness at hospitals and communities with two generations of secondary cases, Conclusions SARS outbreak in 2004 has yielded following lessons for public health globally. （1） Lab bio-safety programs should be made and should be strictly abided by, Studies in highly pathogenic viruses such as SARS coronavirus should be utmost cautious, （2） Management systems of occupational exposure to virus and disease surveillance need to be strengthened to take all risk factors into account so as to detect potential patients with infectious disease as early as possible.