Objective To explore the changes in inflammatory reactions in tail-suspension mice infected by Klebsiella pneumoniae from spaceflight.Methods Tail suspension was used to simulate the physiological effects of microgravity.C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control (Con),control+K.pneumoniae T16-169 (Con+T16-169),tail suspension (TS) and tail suspension+K.pneumoniae T16-169 (TS+T16-169) groups.The level of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1β mRNA in lung tissue and the plasma cytokine concentration were detected by RT-qPCR and xMAP technology,and HE staining was used to represent the morphological changes in lung tissue.Results Compared with the control group,the expression of inflammatory cytokines in lung tissue and plasma concentrations of all experimental groups were increased,and the difference in TS+T16-169 group was the most significant (P<0.01 or P<0.001).HE staining showed that the lung tissues in Con+T16-169 and TS+T16-169 groups were damaged in different degrees,and the damage of TS+T16-169 group was the most serious.Conclusion The K.pneumoniae from spaceflight significantly increases the expression of inflammatory cytokines in lung tissue and plasma concentrations after infecting tail-suspension mice,and induces more serious damages to the lung tissue,which suggests that inflammatory reactions can be increased in tail suspension mice infected by K.pneumoniae from spaceflight.

Objective To report a case of disseminated cryptococcosis with cutaneous manifestations and osteomyelitis. Methods and Results A 33 year old female was admitted due to multiple nodules and ulcers on the upper arms, shoulders, buttocks and thighs for one year. The patient was pregnant when admitted, and gave birth to a premature baby during her illness. The nodules increased half a month after delivery, which was suspected to be hematogenously disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis and was given anti tuberculous therapy for three months but failed. Physical examination showed there were 39 nodules or ulcers on the face, gum, trunk, buttocks and extre mities. The bone structure of the left tibia and fibula destroyed and a sinus developed on the left fibula. Microbiologic examination showed that lots of spores were seen in the smear of pus and necrotic tissues, which produced yeast like colonies in culture with positive urease and caffeic acid test. Cryptococcus neoformans, serotype A was identified by API yeast reaction band and serology. Inoculation with mice and rats showed that their brains, lungs and livers were involved easily. Further identification as C.neoformans var.neoformans was obtained based on sequence analysis of ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region 2. The anti tuberculous therapy was stopped and anti fungal therapy was initiated at once. Intravenous and topical amphotericin B in combination with fluconazole were chosen in the initial therapy and itraconazole for maintenance. The nodules disappeared after 30 days and the last ulcer in the left tibia healed completely after 200 days. The anti fungal therapy was discontinued after 277 days and the patient was completely cured.