Intracranial aspergillosis is a rare entity with high mortality and disability. At present, domestic clinicians lack of understanding and pay little attention to it. This article will give a summary on the mycology and epidemiology, etiology and pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, auxiliary examination, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of intracranial aspergillosis.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological and clinical features of infectious diseases of the central nervous system (CNS).Methods:A cross-sectional study and analysis were conducted to summarize the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 9 918 patients with CNS infectious diseases, who were diagnosed and treated at 29 hospitals across China from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2020. Data collected included demographic data, clinical manifestations, health economic indicators, and prognostic outcomes.Results:Among the 9 918 collected cases of CNS infectious diseases, 5 559 were male (56.0%) and 4 359 were female (44.0%), with an onset age of 38 (25, 53) years. Education level: slightly more junior high school education (2 651 cases, 26.7%), and less elementary school education and below (2 181 cases, 22.0%) were found. Occupational distribution: farmers were found predominant (3 215 cases, 32.4%), followed by workers (1 826 cases, 18.4%) and students (1 633 cases, 16.5%). Clinical manifestations: headache (6 074 cases, 61.2%), fever (5 869 cases, 59.2%) and positive meningeal irritation signs (2 273 cases, 22.9%) were the 3 most common clinical manifestations, followed by nausea and (or) vomiting (2 095 cases, 21.1%), impaired consciousness (2 077 cases, 20.9%), psychiatric symptom (1 866 cases, 18.8%) and epilepsy (1 627 cases, 16.4%), etc., and cranial nerve involvement was found in 669 cases (6.7%). Major pathogens included viruses in 6 814 cases (68.7%), Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 1 677 cases (16.9%), common bacteria in 864 cases (8.7%), fungi in 254 cases (2.6%), spirochetes of syphilis in 183 cases (1.8%), parasites in 121 cases (1.2%), and rickettsiae in 5 cases (0.1%). Urban-rural distribution: slightly more cases were found in the countryside (5 418 cases, 54.6%) than in the towns (4 500 cases, 45.4%). Distribution of onset by season: 2 412 cases (24.3%) fell ill in spring, 2 835 cases (28.6%) in summer, 2 187 cases (22.1%) in fall, and 2 484 cases (25.0%) in winter. Health economics: the duration of hospitalization was 15 (8, 27) days, and the cost of hospitalization was 1.53 (0.91, 3.02)×10 000 yuan. Prognosis: 9 531 cases (96.1%) were cured or improved, and 92 cases (0.9%) died. Conclusions:The pathogens responsible for CNS infectious diseases are predominantly viruses. Although the incidence is slightly higher during the summer months, the overall seasonal pattern is not particularly pronounced. These infections are more commonly observed in young and middle-aged males and present with a diverse range of clinical manifestations, contributing to a significant disease burden.

Objective To compare the predictive effectiveness of the Glasgow coma scale(GCS),GCS-pupils scale(GCS-P),Glasgow-Pittsburgh coma scale(GPCS),full outline of unresponsiveness scale(FOUR),and coma recovery scale-revised(CRS-R)in forecasting the prognosis of severe stroke patients.Methods A prospective,consecutive cohort of severe stroke patients admitted to the Department of Neurology,First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from September 2021 to April 2024 was enrolled.Demographic and clinical data were collected,including age,sex,length of hospital stay,diagnosis(severe ischemic stroke,severe cerebral hemorrhage,aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage),medical history(hypertension,diabetes,coronary artery disease),smoking and drinking habits,vital signs upon admission(temperature,pulse,respiration,blood pressure),neurological examination findings(including speech and brainstem reflexes)at admission,head imaging results(CT,MRI)within 24 h of admission to assess the presence of brain herniation,and whether intubation occurred within 24 h of admission.Patients underwent GCS,GCS-P,GPCS,FOUR,and CRS-R scoring within 8h of admission.Telephone follow-up was conducted at 6 months post-stroke to assess outcomes using the modified Rankin scale(mRS),with mRS scores of 0-2 classified as the good prognosis group and 3-6 as the poor prognosis group.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to assess the prognostic prediction value of the five scales for poor outcomes at 6 months.The area under the ROC curve(AUC)was calculated,and pairwise comparisons of AUC were performed using the Delong test.Results A total of 179 severe stroke patients were enrolled,including 116 males and 63 females.The group consisted of 132 patients with severe ischemic stroke,30 with severe intracerebral hemorrhage,and 17 with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.At 6months,126patients had a poor prognosis and 53 had a good prognosis.(1)There were statistically significant differences in age,temperature,pulse,history of coronary artery disease,smoking and drinking habits,presence of speech impairment,abnormal brainstem reflexes,brain herniation,intubation within 24 h of admission,and GCS,GCS-P,GPCS,FOUR,and CRS-R scores between the poor and good prognosis groups(all P＜0.05).(2)ROC analysis revealed that the AUC(95％CI)for predicting poor outcomes at 6 months in severe stroke patients for GCS,GCS-P,GPCS,FOUR,and CRS-R were 0.808(0.742-0.863),0.815(0.750-0.869),0.828(0.765-0.880),0.841(0.780-0.892),and 0.831(0.768-0.883),respectively.Sensitivities were 76.98％,78.57％,82.54％,84.13％,and 82.54％,and specificities were 73.58％,73.58％,67.92％,71.70％,and 73.58％,respectively.The FOUR had the highest AUC,with an optimal cutoff value of 13.(3)Pairwise comparisons of AUC showed a statistically significant difference between the FOUR and GCS(the difference value of AUC is 0.034,95％CI 0.004-0.064,Z=2.194,P=0.028),but no significant differences were observed between other scales(all P＞0.05).Conclusion Compared to GCS,GCS-P,GPCS,and CRS-R,FOUR may provide more valuable prognostic information for severe stroke patients.

Objective To compare the predictive effectiveness of the Glasgow coma scale(GCS),GCS-pupils scale(GCS-P),Glasgow-Pittsburgh coma scale(GPCS),full outline of unresponsiveness scale(FOUR),and coma recovery scale-revised(CRS-R)in forecasting the prognosis of severe stroke patients.Methods A prospective,consecutive cohort of severe stroke patients admitted to the Department of Neurology,First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from September 2021 to April 2024 was enrolled.Demographic and clinical data were collected,including age,sex,length of hospital stay,diagnosis(severe ischemic stroke,severe cerebral hemorrhage,aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage),medical history(hypertension,diabetes,coronary artery disease),smoking and drinking habits,vital signs upon admission(temperature,pulse,respiration,blood pressure),neurological examination findings(including speech and brainstem reflexes)at admission,head imaging results(CT,MRI)within 24 h of admission to assess the presence of brain herniation,and whether intubation occurred within 24 h of admission.Patients underwent GCS,GCS-P,GPCS,FOUR,and CRS-R scoring within 8h of admission.Telephone follow-up was conducted at 6 months post-stroke to assess outcomes using the modified Rankin scale(mRS),with mRS scores of 0-2 classified as the good prognosis group and 3-6 as the poor prognosis group.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to assess the prognostic prediction value of the five scales for poor outcomes at 6 months.The area under the ROC curve(AUC)was calculated,and pairwise comparisons of AUC were performed using the Delong test.Results A total of 179 severe stroke patients were enrolled,including 116 males and 63 females.The group consisted of 132 patients with severe ischemic stroke,30 with severe intracerebral hemorrhage,and 17 with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.At 6months,126patients had a poor prognosis and 53 had a good prognosis.(1)There were statistically significant differences in age,temperature,pulse,history of coronary artery disease,smoking and drinking habits,presence of speech impairment,abnormal brainstem reflexes,brain herniation,intubation within 24 h of admission,and GCS,GCS-P,GPCS,FOUR,and CRS-R scores between the poor and good prognosis groups(all P＜0.05).(2)ROC analysis revealed that the AUC(95％CI)for predicting poor outcomes at 6 months in severe stroke patients for GCS,GCS-P,GPCS,FOUR,and CRS-R were 0.808(0.742-0.863),0.815(0.750-0.869),0.828(0.765-0.880),0.841(0.780-0.892),and 0.831(0.768-0.883),respectively.Sensitivities were 76.98％,78.57％,82.54％,84.13％,and 82.54％,and specificities were 73.58％,73.58％,67.92％,71.70％,and 73.58％,respectively.The FOUR had the highest AUC,with an optimal cutoff value of 13.(3)Pairwise comparisons of AUC showed a statistically significant difference between the FOUR and GCS(the difference value of AUC is 0.034,95％CI 0.004-0.064,Z=2.194,P=0.028),but no significant differences were observed between other scales(all P＞0.05).Conclusion Compared to GCS,GCS-P,GPCS,and CRS-R,FOUR may provide more valuable prognostic information for severe stroke patients.

Intracranial aspergillosis is a rare entity with high mortality and disability. At present, domestic clinicians lack of understanding and pay little attention to it. This article will give a summary on the mycology and epidemiology, etiology and pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, auxiliary examination, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of intracranial aspergillosis.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological and clinical features of infectious diseases of the central nervous system (CNS).Methods:A cross-sectional study and analysis were conducted to summarize the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 9 918 patients with CNS infectious diseases, who were diagnosed and treated at 29 hospitals across China from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2020. Data collected included demographic data, clinical manifestations, health economic indicators, and prognostic outcomes.Results:Among the 9 918 collected cases of CNS infectious diseases, 5 559 were male (56.0%) and 4 359 were female (44.0%), with an onset age of 38 (25, 53) years. Education level: slightly more junior high school education (2 651 cases, 26.7%), and less elementary school education and below (2 181 cases, 22.0%) were found. Occupational distribution: farmers were found predominant (3 215 cases, 32.4%), followed by workers (1 826 cases, 18.4%) and students (1 633 cases, 16.5%). Clinical manifestations: headache (6 074 cases, 61.2%), fever (5 869 cases, 59.2%) and positive meningeal irritation signs (2 273 cases, 22.9%) were the 3 most common clinical manifestations, followed by nausea and (or) vomiting (2 095 cases, 21.1%), impaired consciousness (2 077 cases, 20.9%), psychiatric symptom (1 866 cases, 18.8%) and epilepsy (1 627 cases, 16.4%), etc., and cranial nerve involvement was found in 669 cases (6.7%). Major pathogens included viruses in 6 814 cases (68.7%), Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 1 677 cases (16.9%), common bacteria in 864 cases (8.7%), fungi in 254 cases (2.6%), spirochetes of syphilis in 183 cases (1.8%), parasites in 121 cases (1.2%), and rickettsiae in 5 cases (0.1%). Urban-rural distribution: slightly more cases were found in the countryside (5 418 cases, 54.6%) than in the towns (4 500 cases, 45.4%). Distribution of onset by season: 2 412 cases (24.3%) fell ill in spring, 2 835 cases (28.6%) in summer, 2 187 cases (22.1%) in fall, and 2 484 cases (25.0%) in winter. Health economics: the duration of hospitalization was 15 (8, 27) days, and the cost of hospitalization was 1.53 (0.91, 3.02)×10 000 yuan. Prognosis: 9 531 cases (96.1%) were cured or improved, and 92 cases (0.9%) died. Conclusions:The pathogens responsible for CNS infectious diseases are predominantly viruses. Although the incidence is slightly higher during the summer months, the overall seasonal pattern is not particularly pronounced. These infections are more commonly observed in young and middle-aged males and present with a diverse range of clinical manifestations, contributing to a significant disease burden.

Cell-in-cell(CIC)is a phenomenon described as the active infiltration of one or more living cells into another living cell,forming intracellular structures and producing biological effects.This phenomenon was first ob-served and detailed in the early 20th century.However,it has only become an active area of research in cell biology in the past decade.As research advanced,scientists gradually recognized that the phenomenon of CIC exists in many biological systems and diseases,and has important physiological and pathological significance in evolution,development,homeosta-sis,and diseases,especially in tumors,which has important clinical research value.Currently,five forms of CIC struc-tures have been identified:cell cannibalism,phagoptosis,enclysis,entosis,and emperipolesis.Each form represents a distinct interaction between cells,characterized by unique cell types,biological characteristics,molecular mechanisms,and implications in pathophysiology.This article aims to review the cell types involved in each CIC structure,their biologi-cal characteristics and the molecular mechanisms driving these interactions,and to explore the potential clinical signifi-cance in the diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of human diseases.

Objective:To explore the clinical features of immunocompetent primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) and influencing factors for prognosis of immunocompetent patients with PCNSL.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed; 69 immunocompetent patients with PCNSL confirmed by pathology in First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from January 2016 to January 2024 were enrolled; initial symptoms, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score, and results of laboratory and pathological examinations in these patients were collected. Patients were divided into biopsy confirmed group ( n=43) and lesion resection confirmed group ( n=26) according to different diagnostic methods; patients were also divided into chemotherapy group ( n=48), chemotherapy+radiotherapy group ( n=9) and surgical resection group ( n=12) according to different treatment methods. Clinical outcomes of these patients in different groups at the end of follow-up were compared, and the influencing factors for short-term prognosis (6 months after treatment) were identified. All patients were followed up for 12.80 (6.00, 36.40) months. The short-term prognosis was evaluated by modified Rankin scale (mRS) 6 months after treatment (mRS scores of 0-2: good prognosis; mRS scores of 3-6: poor prognosis). Overall survival (OS) was recorded at the end of follow-up. Results:Among the 69 immunocompetent patients with PCNSL, 37 were males and 32 were females; median onset age was 59 years, ranged 24-83 years. Focal neurologic deficits of different degrees (34/69, limb weakness, sensory disturbances, ataxia, or eye involvement) were the most common initial symptoms, followed by headache (14/69), dizziness (10/69), cognitive dysfunction (9/69), epilepsy (1/69) and psychiatric disorders (1/69). Forty-five patients underwent cerebrospinal fluid examination: 17 had cerebrospinal fluid pressure≥200 mmH 2O (1 mmH 2O=9.8 Pa); 10 had increased white blood cell count (>10×10 6/L), reaching to (16.5[11.0, 20.0])×10 6/L; 32 had increased protein level, reaching to 758.10 (547.83, 948.13) mg/L. Cerebrospinal fluid cytology was performed in 15 patients, and tumor cells were found in only 1 patient. Cranial MRI showed that intracranial solitary lesions were more common (60.87%, 42/69), and most lesions were at the basal ganglia region (40.58%, 28/69). PET/CT showed a obviously higher metabolism of the lesions (97.06, 33/34), with maximum standardized uptake of 22.9 (13.9, 30.55) g/mL. All patients had diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). By the end of follow-up, 28 patients died. Logistic regression analysis showed that ECOG score≥2 ( OR=9.210, 95% CI: 2.558-32.896, P=0.001) and positive MYC ( OR=0.088, 95% CI: 0.008-0.973, P=0.047) were independent risk factors for poor short-term prognosis. Cox proportional hazard regression model analysis showed that ECOG score≥2 ( HR=5.135, 95% CI: 2.230-11.827, P<0.001), positive B-cell lymphoma 6 (BCL-6, HR=0.226, 95% CI: 0.079-0.649, P=0.006) and chemotherapy or chemotherapy+radiotherapy ( HR=0.392, 95% CI: 0.157-0.980, P=0.045) were independent prognostic factors for OS. Conclusions:In immunocompetent patients with PCNSL, focal neurological deficits are more common at the onset, and fever is rare. Patients with ECOG score≥2 are more likely to have poor short-term prognosis and short OS. MYC-positive patients will have a better short-term prognosis; BCL-6 positive patients and patients treated with chemotherapy or chemotherapy+radiotherapy will have longer OS.

Objective:To explore the clinical features of immunocompetent primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) and influencing factors for prognosis of immunocompetent patients with PCNSL.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed; 69 immunocompetent patients with PCNSL confirmed by pathology in First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from January 2016 to January 2024 were enrolled; initial symptoms, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score, and results of laboratory and pathological examinations in these patients were collected. Patients were divided into biopsy confirmed group ( n=43) and lesion resection confirmed group ( n=26) according to different diagnostic methods; patients were also divided into chemotherapy group ( n=48), chemotherapy+radiotherapy group ( n=9) and surgical resection group ( n=12) according to different treatment methods. Clinical outcomes of these patients in different groups at the end of follow-up were compared, and the influencing factors for short-term prognosis (6 months after treatment) were identified. All patients were followed up for 12.80 (6.00, 36.40) months. The short-term prognosis was evaluated by modified Rankin scale (mRS) 6 months after treatment (mRS scores of 0-2: good prognosis; mRS scores of 3-6: poor prognosis). Overall survival (OS) was recorded at the end of follow-up. Results:Among the 69 immunocompetent patients with PCNSL, 37 were males and 32 were females; median onset age was 59 years, ranged 24-83 years. Focal neurologic deficits of different degrees (34/69, limb weakness, sensory disturbances, ataxia, or eye involvement) were the most common initial symptoms, followed by headache (14/69), dizziness (10/69), cognitive dysfunction (9/69), epilepsy (1/69) and psychiatric disorders (1/69). Forty-five patients underwent cerebrospinal fluid examination: 17 had cerebrospinal fluid pressure≥200 mmH 2O (1 mmH 2O=9.8 Pa); 10 had increased white blood cell count (>10×10 6/L), reaching to (16.5[11.0, 20.0])×10 6/L; 32 had increased protein level, reaching to 758.10 (547.83, 948.13) mg/L. Cerebrospinal fluid cytology was performed in 15 patients, and tumor cells were found in only 1 patient. Cranial MRI showed that intracranial solitary lesions were more common (60.87%, 42/69), and most lesions were at the basal ganglia region (40.58%, 28/69). PET/CT showed a obviously higher metabolism of the lesions (97.06, 33/34), with maximum standardized uptake of 22.9 (13.9, 30.55) g/mL. All patients had diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). By the end of follow-up, 28 patients died. Logistic regression analysis showed that ECOG score≥2 ( OR=9.210, 95% CI: 2.558-32.896, P=0.001) and positive MYC ( OR=0.088, 95% CI: 0.008-0.973, P=0.047) were independent risk factors for poor short-term prognosis. Cox proportional hazard regression model analysis showed that ECOG score≥2 ( HR=5.135, 95% CI: 2.230-11.827, P<0.001), positive B-cell lymphoma 6 (BCL-6, HR=0.226, 95% CI: 0.079-0.649, P=0.006) and chemotherapy or chemotherapy+radiotherapy ( HR=0.392, 95% CI: 0.157-0.980, P=0.045) were independent prognostic factors for OS. Conclusions:In immunocompetent patients with PCNSL, focal neurological deficits are more common at the onset, and fever is rare. Patients with ECOG score≥2 are more likely to have poor short-term prognosis and short OS. MYC-positive patients will have a better short-term prognosis; BCL-6 positive patients and patients treated with chemotherapy or chemotherapy+radiotherapy will have longer OS.

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics and therapeutic efficacy of central nervous system (CNS) aspergillosis.Methods:The clinical manifestations, laboratory examination, neuroimaging features, treatment and prognosis of 37 cases of CNS aspergillosis diagnosed and treated in the First Medical Center of People′s Liberation Army General Hospital from January 2000 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the correlation between intracranial lesions and paranasal sinus lesions, they were divided into two groups: rhino-cerebral aspergillosis (RA, n=21) group and cerebral aspergillosis (CA, n=16) group. Results:Only 16.2% (6/37) of CNS aspergillosis patients had a clear background of immunosuppression, but 35.1% (13/37) were complicated with diabetes. The most common clinical manifestations were headache (73.0%, 27/37), cranial nerve involvement (59.5%, 22/37) and fever (37.8%, 14/37). Cerebrospinal fluid characteristics included increased pressure (53.8%, 14/26), increased white blood cell count (46.7%, 14/30), decreased glucose (30.0%, 9/30), increased protein (70.0%, 21/30), and high positive results of the metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of pathogenic microorganism (7/10). Cranial magnetic resonance imaging showed that commonly involved sites were sinus, orbital apex, posterior orbit, cavernous sinus (43.2%, 16/37) and cerebral lobes (27.0%, 10/37). Treatment options included antifungal drugs alone (64.9%, 24/37), combination of drugs and surgery (27.0%, 10/37) and surgery alone (8.1%, 3/37). Compared with the CA group, RA group had fewer males [47.6% (10/21) vs 14/16, χ2=6.34, P=0.012] and older age [(54.2±19.4) years vs (38.4±18.4) years, t=2.50, P=0.017], and was more prone to headache [85.7% (18/21) vs 9/16, χ2=4.00, P=0.046) and cranial nerve involvement [81.0% (17/21) vs 5/16, χ 2=9.31, P=0.006]. The misdiagnosis rate of these patients in the early stage was 73.0% (27/37). A total of 29 patients (85.3%, 29/34) were treated with voriconazole successively, and the course of treatment was 3.0 (0.5, 10.4) months. Compared with salvage therapy, the mortality of primary therapy was lower (4/17 vs 9/12, χ2=7.54, P=0.006). All patients were followed up to December 2021, and 17 patients died, with a mortality rate of 45.9% (17/37). Conclusions:CNS aspergillosis may have no definite immunosuppressive background. Some of CNS aspergillosis patients are complicated with diabetes, and the clinical manifestations of the disease lack specificity, with high misdiagnosis rate in the early stage, no inflammatory changes in cerebrospinal fluid, and high positive rate of mNGS for pathogenic microorganism. Early and long-term application of voriconazole can significantly reduce the mortality rate.