OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of chronic disseminated candidiasis (CDC) in children with acute leukemia (AL) following chemotherapy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on children diagnosed with CDC (including confirmed, clinically diagnosed, and suspected cases) after AL chemotherapy from January 2015 to December 2023 at Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Zhangzhou Municipal Hospital, and Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University. Clinical characteristics and prognosis were analyzed. RESULTS: The incidence of CDC in children with AL following chemotherapy was 1.92% (32/1 668). Among the children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the incidence of CDC in the high-risk group was significantly higher than in the low-risk group (P=0.002). All patients presented with fever unresponsive to antibiotics during the neutropenic period, with 81% (26/32) involving the liver. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were significantly elevated (≥50 mg/L) in 97% (31/32) of the patients. The efficacy of combined therapy with liposomal amphotericin B and caspofungin or posaconazole for CDC was 66% (19/29), higher than with caspofungin (9%, 2/22) or liposomal amphotericin B (18%, 2/11) monotherapy. The overall cure rate was 72% (23/32). The proportion of patients with CRP ≥50 mg/L and/or a positive β-D-glucan test for more than 2 weeks and breakthrough infections during caspofungin treatment was significantly higher in the treatment failure group compared to the successful treatment group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS CDC in children with AL after chemotherapy may be associated with prolonged neutropenia due to intensive chemotherapy. Combination antifungal regimens based on liposomal amphotericin B have a higher cure rate, while persistently high CRP levels and positive β-D-glucan tests may indicate poor prognosis.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use* ; Candidiasis/diagnosis* ; Chronic Disease ; Leukemia/complications* ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/complications* ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

Objective:To understand the swallowing function of the elderly in welfare homes of Wenzhou City，Zhejiang Province and to analyze the related factors of swallowing dysfunction. Methods:A total of 507 elderly people aged 60 years and over were surveyed by questionnaires in three welfare homes of Wenzhou City from January 2018 to January 2020.Hinds time-limited water drinking test was used to screen dysphagia. Multivariate unconditional logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the related factors of swallowing dysfunction. Results:The incidence of swallowing dysfunction was 26.04% （132 out of 507）. Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in the incidence of swallowing dysfunction among the elderly in terms of age， spouse condition， self-care ability， health status， taking sleeping pills， cerebrovascular disease， nervous system disease and depression （P<0.05）. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the following factors were related to swallowing dysfunction among the elderly： age ≥80 years old， taking sleeping pills， cerebrovascular diseases， nervous system diseases and depression. Conclusion:The incidence of swallowing dysfunction in elderly people in welfare homes of Wenzhou City is high， especially those aged ≥80 years who need more attention. In addition， taking sleeping pills， cerebrovascular diseases， nervous system diseases and depression all increase the risk of swallowing dysfunction. Corresponding preventive and intervention measures should be formulated.