Objective:To evaluate the clinical value of combined detection of placenta associated 8 (PLAC8) and platelet activating factor acetylhydrolase (PLA2G7) for early identification of sepsis and non-infectious systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 189 febrile patients suspected infection who were admitted to Huashan Hospital, Fudan University from October 2022 to April 2023 were included. Based on etiological, laboratory test results and clinical data, patients were classified as infection or non-infection, and further classified as sepsis or non-infectious SIRS according to diagnostic criteria. Real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the mRNA levels of PLAC8 and PLA2G7 in peripheral venous blood of patients. Hematology, inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and procalcitonin, sepsis-related organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, and the difference of cycle threshold (Ct) values between PLA2G7 and PLAC8 ((PLA2G7-PLAC8)ΔCt value))were compared between the sepsis and non-infectious SIRS groups. Statistical comparison was analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test, and the diagnostic performance of (PLA2G7-PLAC8)ΔCt value in discriminating sepsis from non-infectious SIRS was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve. Results:Among the 189 febrile patients suspected infection, there were 80 non-infectious patients, including 51 non-infectious SIRS patients, and 109 infection patients, including 53 sepsis patients. The neutrophil ratio, CRP, IL-6, procalcitonin, and SOFA score of non-infectious SIRS patients were lower than those of the sepsis group, and the differences were all statistically significant ( Z=-2.70, -3.11, -2.16, -3.76 and -2.33, respectively, all P<0.05). The (PLA2G7-PLAC8)ΔCt value in the non-infectious SIRS group was 4.38(1.41), which was lower than 8.18 (6.19) in the sepsis group, with a statistically significant difference ( U=193.50, P<0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) for (PLA2G7-PLAC8)ΔCt value in the differential diagnosis of sepsis and non-infectious SIRS was 0.859, with the optimal cut-off value of 5.86. The sensitivity and specificity were 82.2% and 71.9%, respectively. When combined with procalcitonin, the AUROC was 0.917, with a sensitivity of 95.6% and specificity of 70.6%. Conclusions:The (PLA2G7-PLAC8)ΔCt value in peripheral blood has good clinical value for early identification of sepsis and non-infectious SIRS, especially when combined with procalcitonin, which could further improve the accuracy of differential diagnosis.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of bloodstream infection caused by carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) in preterm infants, and to provide basis for early clinical diagnosis and infection control. Methods:The clinical data of infants with CRKP bloodstream infection admitted to the Preterm Infants Ward of Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from January 2015 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The risk factors for death in preterm infants caused by CRKP bloodstream infection were explored through multivariate logistic regression analysis, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the clinical value of each factor on evaluating prognosis. The area under curves (AUC) of each factor in different ROC curve were compared by Delong′s test.Results:A total of 96 preterm infants with CRKP bloodstream infection were included, including 70 in the survival group and 26 in the death group. The first onset symptoms of CRKP bloodstream infection in preterm infants were persistent tachycardia (heart rate>180 per minute) (69 cases, 71.9%), fever (61 cases, 63.5%), and apnea (59 cases, 61.5%). There were 88(91.7%) cases of infection combined with septic shock, and 91(94.8%) cases required vasoactive drug support. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the maximum vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS) within 48 hours of onset (odds ratio ( OR)=1.058, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.022 to 1.095, P=0.001), concurrent purulent meningitis ( OR=8.029, 95% CI 1.344 to 47.972, P=0.022), and concurrent necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) ( OR=10.881, 95% CI 1.566 to 75.580, P=0.016) were independent risk factors for death in preterm infants with CRKP bloodstream infection. The ROC curve showed that the AUCs for evaluating the prognosis of preterm infants with NEC and purulent meningitis were 0.784 and 0.711, respectively. The AUC for evaluating the prognosis of preterm infants with a maximum VIS ≥52.5 points within 48 hours of onset was 0.840, and the AUC for combining the three factors was 0.931. Compared with NEC and purulent meningitis, the AUC for combining factors was higher, the differences were statistically significant ( P=0.002, P<0.001). Conclusions:Preterm infants with CRKP bloodstream infection who have a maximum VIS ≥52.5 points within 48 hours of onset, with NEC and purulent meningitis have a higher risk of death.

Objective:To investigate the Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori) infection of Tibetan families and individuals in the Western Sichuan Plateau region and explore the related factors which affected H. pylori infection. Methods:This was a single-center cross-sectional study. Questionnaires were collected from 50 Tibetan families including 155 individuals in Western Sichuan Plateau region during March to May 2023. The 13C-urea breath test was performed to confirm the current infection status of participants. Binary logistic regression were used to analyze the related factors associated with H. pylori infection. Results:Among the 50 Tibetan households, the individual-based H. pylori infection rate was 47.10%(73/155), with two out of nine children and 48.63%(71/146) adults infected. The age group of 18 to 40 years had the highest infection rate (55.00%, 11/20). The prevalence of infection based on family was 80.00%(40/50), of which 16.00%(8/50) had all family members infected. Of the 59 couples surveyed, 23.73%(14/59) were both infected, and 45.76%(27/59) had one person infected. Of the six families which had children and adolescents, two households had their children infected. Logistic regression analysis showed that size of the family was a factor related to H. pylori infection (odds ratio=3.038, 95% confidence interval 1.043 to 10.491, P=0.042). Conclusions:The family-based H. pylori infection rate is relatively high in Tibetan residents in the Western Sichuan Plateau, and larger family size is related with higher risk of H. pylori infection within the family.

Objective:To explore the early differential diagnosis method by comparing the clinical characteristics of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients complicated with tuberculous meningitis (TBM) and cryptococcus neoformans meningitis (CNM).Methods:The AIDS patients admitted to Guangzhou Eighth People′s Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University from January 2011 to February 2022 and diagnosed with combined TBM and CNM after discharge respectively were included. A retrospective study was performed to analyze the clinical features of 21 AIDS patients complicated with TBM (TBM group) and 54 AIDS patients with CNM (CNM group) (all cases were confirmed by etiology). The data of meningitis-related symptoms and signs, blood routine test, CD4 + T lymphocyte counts, imaging characteristics and cerebrospinal fluid examination at admission were collected and analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed by using independent sample t test, rank sum test or chi-square test. Results:The age of patients in the TBM group was (44.6±12.9) years old, which was older than that of patients in the CNM ((37.6±12.6) years old), the difference was statistically significant ( t=-2.15, P=0.035). Forty-eight cases (88.89%) and seven cases (12.96%) in the CNM group experienced headaches and consciousness disorders respectively, with statistically significant differences compared to those in the TBM group (13 cases (61.90%) and nine cases (42.86%), respectively) ( χ2=7.25, P=0.007 and χ2=8.05, P=0.005, respectively). The proportion of leukopenia was 27.78%(15/54), and proportion of thrombocytopenia was 16.67%(9/54) in the CNM group, which were higher than those in the TBM group (4.76%(1/21) and 0(0/21), respectively), and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=4.77, P=0.029 and χ2=3.98, P=0.042, respectively). The CD4 + T lymphocyte count in the TBM group was 74.0(92.0)/μL, which was higher than 19.5(56.5)/μL in the CNM group, and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=-2.87, P=0.009). The CNM group had 46 cases (85.19%) with cerebrospinal fluid pressure >180 mmH 2O(1 mmH 2O=0.009 8 kPa) and 24 cases (44.44%) with cerebrospinal fluid pressure >330 mmH 2O, which were significantly higher than those in the TBM group with seven cases (33.33%) and four cases (19.05%), respectively, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=19.61, P<0.001 and χ2=4.17, P=0.041, respectively). Fifty-two point three eight percent (11/21) of patients in the TBM group had a white blood cell counts>200×10 6/L in the cerebrospinal fluid, which was higher than that in the CNM group (1.85%(1/54)), with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=27.23, P<0.001). The white blood cell counts, protein and adenosine deaminase levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of TBM group were significantly higher than those in the CNM group (200.00(579.50)×10 6/L vs 17.50(66.25)×10 6/L, 1 863(2 858) mg/L vs 672 (513) mg/L and 6.60 (8.55) U/L vs 1.95(2.60) U/L, respectively), and the cerebrospinal fluid chloride level was lower than that in the CNM group ((107.71±8.22) mmol/L vs (115.99±6.55) mmol/L), and all the differences were statistically significant ( Z=4.11, P<0.001, Z=21.23, P=0.008, Z=2.09, P=0.040 and t=4.57, P<0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in cerebrospinal fluid glucose between the TBM group and the CNM group ((1.86±1.22) mmol/L vs (2.34±1.05) mmol/L, t=-1.72, P=0.090). The proportion of patients with bilateral lung lesions in the TBM group was higher than that in the CNM group, and the difference was statistically significant (100.00%(21/21) vs 40.74% (22/54), χ2=-6.53, P=0.011). Conclusions:Patients with AIDS complicated with TBM are more likely to have consciousness disorders, inflammatory response in the cerebrospinal fluid, and more bilateral lung lesions. In contrast, patients with AIDS complicated with CNM are more frequently to experience severe headache and significant elevation of cerebrospinal fluid pressure, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, and lower peripheral blood CD4 + T lymphocyte counts.

Objective:To understand the pathogen distributions of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children, and to provide evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:The hospitalized children with CAP in Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January to December 2022 were selected as the research subjects. They were divided into infant group (28 d to less than one year), toddler group (one year to less than three years), preschool age group (three years to less than six years), and school age group (not less than six years) by age. According to the onset season, they were divided into spring group (February to April), summer group (May to July), autumn group (August to October), and winter group (January, November to December). Deep airway sputum samples were collected from all patients for bacterial culture identification. Respiratory viruses (influenza A virus (IVA), influenza B virus (IVB), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus, parainfluenza virus type 1 (PIV1), parainfluenza virus type 2 (PIV2), parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV3)) were detected using direct immunofluorescence assay. Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) DNA was detected using fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and particle agglutination was used to detect serum MP antibodies. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test. Results:Among the 397 cases of CAP in children, pathogens were detected in 269 cases, with a positivity rate of 67.8%. A total of 309 pathogens were identified, including 204 strains of MP (66.0%), 60 strains of bacteria (19.4%), 42 strains of viruses (13.6%), and three strains of fungi (1.0%). Staphylococcus aureus (19 strains), Haemophilus influenzae (15 strains) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (five strains) were the predominant bacteria, while RSV (19 strains) and PIV3 (nine strains) were the main viruses. The distribution rates of MP, bacteria, and viruses showed statistically significant differences among different age groups ( χ2=99.82, 24.71 and 17.40, respectively, all P<0.05). MP infection was mainly observed in the preschool age group and school age group, and bacterial infection predominantly occurred in the infant group, and viral infection was most common in the toddler group. Among virus infected patients, RSV was detected in the toddler group and the preschool age group, while three cases of PIV3 cases were found in children over five years old. The distribution differences of MP, bacterial and viral infections between different seasons were statistically significant ( χ2=141.65, 20.44 and 31.87, respectively, all P<0.001), with a higher prevalence in winter. RSV infections demonstrated a clear seasonal trend, with 16 cases of RSV infections occurring in winter and spring. Conclusions:MP is the most frequently detected pathogen in children with CAP. Bacterial infection is the most common pathogen in infants with CAP. RSV is the most common viral pathogen, with infections concentrated in the toddler group and the preschool age group, and prevalence in winter and spring. Attention should be paid to PIV3 pneumonia in children over five years old. Rational drug use should be based on the pathogen spectrum characteristics of different seasons and age groups before selecting empirical treatment combinations.

Objective:To investigate the related factors and prognosis of invasive Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess syndrome (IKLAS). Methods:The in-patients diagnosed with Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess in the Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University from January 2015 to February 2021 were retrospectively enrolled. The patients were divided into IKLAS group and non-IKLAS group according to whether they had IKLAS or not. The clinical data between the two groups were compared, including the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, the details of liver abscess, clinical symptoms such as fever and abdominal pain, as well as laboratory tests such as glycosylated hemoglobin and hemoglobin. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square test or independent sample t test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the factors influencing the occurrence of IKLAS. Results:A total of 75 patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess were enrolled, including 55 patients (73.33%) in the IKLAS group and 20 patients (26.67%) in the non-IKLAS group. Fifty-two point seven three percent (29/55) of the patients had diabetes mellitus and 12.73%(7/55) of the patients had abdominal pain in the IKLAS group, which were 20.00%(4/20) and 45.00%(9/20) in the non-IKLAS group, respectively, and the differences were both statistically significant ( χ2=6.38 and 7.28, respectively, both P<0.05). Most of liver abscesses were single (50/75, 66.67%), and more likely to occur in the right liver (50/75, 66.67%). The maximum diameter of liver abscess in the IKLAS group was (4.58±2.04) cm, which was smaller than that in the non-IKLAS group ((6.49±3.11) cm), and the difference was statistically significant ( t=2.82, P=0.011). Compared with those in the non-IKLAS group, patients in the IKLAS group had higher glycosylated hemoglobin (8.69%±2.64% vs 6.18%±1.31%) and hemoglobin ((112.25±22.04) g/L vs (100.05±18.59) g/L), and the differences were both statistically significant ( t=-4.25 and -2.21, respectively, both P<0.05). The proportion of patients using antibiotics combined with abscess drainage in the IKLAS group was 38.18%(21/55), and that in the non-IKLAS group was 85.00%(17/20). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( χ2=12.86, P<0.001). A total of 16 patients (21 eyes) were diagnosed as endogenous Klebsiella pneumoniae endophthalmitis (EKPE), and all of them were IKLAS patients, and 14 patients underwent monocular/binocular eyeball injection and/or vitrectomy and silicone oil filling. The visual acuity of 13 patients decreased significantly. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that complicated with diabetes mellitus was an independent risk factor for IKLAS (odds ratio ( OR)=5.02, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.01 to 25.03, P=0.049). The large diameter of liver abscess was a protective factor for IKLAS ( OR=0.64, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.86, P=0.003). Conclusions:The patients with IKLAS have less abdominal pain, and most of them complicate with diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus is an independent risk factor for the occurrence of IKLAS, while the large diameter of liver abscess is a protective factor. EKPE is associated with poor visual prognosis.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of non-perinatal adult patients with Listeria monocytogenes (LM) infection. Methods:Twenty-five non-perinatal adult patients who were etiologically confirmed as listeriosis in Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University during January 2010 and July 2023 were enrolled in this study. The characteristics of demographic data, underlying diseases, clinical manifestations, laboratory indicators, cranial imaging examination, anti-microbial therapeutic schemes and clinical outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical characteristics were compared between patients with Listeria septicemia and Listerial meningoencephalitis, as well as between survival and death patients. Independent samples t test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis. Results:The age of enrolled patients was (52.84±12.17) years. Eighteen patients were male, and seven patients were female. The major clinical manifestations included fever (23/25(92%)), headache (15/25 (60%)), disorder of consciousness (12/25(48%)) and vomiting (8/25(32%)). Thirteen (52%) patients had underlying diseases (including hematological diseases, autoimmune disorders, solid neoplasms, and liver cirrhosis, etc). There were no significant differences in blood routine test, aminotransferase, protein levels, renal function, electrolyte, blood glucose, and inflammatory indicators between patients with Listeria septicemia and Listerial meningoencephalitis (all P>0.05). The platelet count in the death group was significantly higher than that in the recovery group ((243.10±92.96)×10 9/L vs (157.80±75.55)×10 9/L, t=2.45, P=0.022). There were also no significant differences in blood biochemical index and inflammatory indicators between these two groups (all P>0.05). Cranial imaging examination of patients with Listerial meningoencephalitis manifested as intracranial infection, cerebral edema/hydrocephalus or cerebral hernia. All nineteen patients with Listerial meningoencephalitis had elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure (220.0(130.0, 290.0) mmH 2O (1 mmH 2O=0.009 8 kPa)), elevated CSF total cell count (522.0(350.0, 783.0)×10 6/L), elevated CSF white blood cell count (356.0(266.0, 668.0)×10 6/L), and CSF protein level (1 817.0(822.5, 6 000.0) mg/L). Fifteen patients had reduced CSF chloride level ((111.70±8.51) mmol/L). Ten patients had decreased CSF glucose level (3.71(1.45, 7.11) mmol/L). The drug sensitivity results of blood and CSF cultures revealed that LM was sensitive to ampicillin. One case was resistance to penicillin, three cases were resistance to meropenem, while three cases were resistance to trimethoprim-sulfonamide. Thirteen cases out of seventeen recovery patients were administered with ampicillin or penicillin-based therapy. Conclusions:When patients with underlying diseases or immune dysfunction suffered with clinical symptoms such as high fever, central nervous system infection, they should be alert to the possibility of listeriosis. Early administration of ampicillin-based therapeutic strategy is beneficial for clinical recovery of the patients.

Objective:To explore the differences of gene expression profiles of precursors of exhausted T cells (Tpex) and terminal exhausted T cells (Tex) in the peripheral blood of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (ATB).Methods:Twenty-five cases of ATB, 13 cases of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and 10 health controls were enrolled from January 2021 to October 2022 in the Fifth People′s Hospital of Wuxi. The proportions of Tpex and Tex in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of the three groups were detected by flowcytometry. PBMCs of ATB were separated into Tpex and Tex by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. RNA-sequencing was performed and up-regulated and down-regulated genes were screended. Differently expressed genes were analyzed by gene set enrichment analysis of gene ontology (GO) to find regulatory pathways affecting cell metabolism and function. Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn multiple comparsion test were used for statistical analysis.Results:The proportion of Tpex in ATB group was 2.86%(1.74%), which was lower than 7.93%(6.16%) of Tex, and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=-3.91, P<0.001). The proportions of Tpex and Tex in LTBI group were 9.47%(6.26%) and 7.43%(5.48%), respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant ( Z=-0.93, P=0.345). The proportions of Tpex and Tex in healthy control group were 8.42%(2.69%) and 6.49%(5.14%), respectively, with no statistical significance ( Z=-1.36, P=0.170). There was statistical difference of the proportion of Tpex among the three groups ( H=21.93, P<0.001), and the proportion of Tpex in ATB group was lower than those in LTBI and heathy control groups, and the differences were both statistically significant ( Z=4.16, P<0.001 and Z=3.34, P=0.003, respectively), while the proportions of Tex in these three groups were not statistically different ( H=2.17, P=0.338). Compared with Tex, the gene expressions of memory markers, such as B-cell lymphoma 2 of Tpex were up-regulated, and the gene expressions of exhausted markers, such as lymphocyte activation gene 3 were down-regulated. In terms of cellular metabolism, the gene expressions of mitochondrial protein complex, mitochondrial matrix and oxidative phosphorylation of Tpex were up-regulated, and the gene expressions of glycolysis were down-regulated. The gene expressions of pyruvate metabolism in Tex were up-regulated, and the gene expressions of CD4 + T lymphocyte activation and differentiation and glycolytic process in Tpex were down-regulated. Conclusions:Tpex in ATB express more characteristics of memory cells and less features of exhausted markers compared with Tex, and the function of mitochondria of Tpex preserves well.

Objective:To analyze the specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies level in the population after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Henan Province.Methods:A total of 5 178 peripheral venous blood samples were collected from 10 districts (counties) in Henan Province according to the national seroepidemiological survey program for COVID-19, and the method of cluster random sampling was adopted from March 6 to 15, 2023. Descriptive analysis was used for the basic data, history of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination, SARS-CoV-2 infection of the respondents. The specific IgG antibody of SARS-CoV-2 was detected using chemiluminescence method. Statistical analysis was performed by using rank sum test, Kruskal Wallis test, and Dunn′s test.Results:The overall positive rate of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG antibody was 83.35%(4 316/5 178). There were statistically significant differences in the specific IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 produced by people of different sexes, different ages, infected or not, vaccinated or not, and vaccinated with different doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine ( Z=3.60, H=195.32, Z=6.10, 18.08, H=382.70, respectively, all P<0.001). The specific IgG antibodies produced by unvaccinated+ uninfected group, unvaccinated+ infected group, vaccinated+ uninfected group, and vaccinated+ infected group were 3.54(0.98, 11.00), 60.65(2.33, 84.80), 133.00(59.80, 173.00), and 142.00(98.30, 176.00), respectively. And the difference was statistically significant( H=354.62, P<0.001). The specific IgG antibodies of uninfected people increased with the increase of inoculum times( H=287.00 and 98.48, both P<0.001). The specific IgG antibodies of people who were not infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the groups of whose interval from the last inoculation of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine to blood collection was less than three months, three to six months and more than six months were 171.86(156.04, 196.57), 71.71(17.08, 110.38) and 132.14(57.59, 172.25), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( H=19.93, P<0.001). Among them, the absolute difference between the less than three months group and the three to six months group was statistically significant ( Z=3.67, P<0.001), and the absolute difference between the less than three months group and the more than six months group was statistically significant ( Z=3.47, P<0.001). The specific IgG antibodies level in the less than three months group was the highest. Conclusions:There is a certain correlation between the number of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses and the specific IgG antibodies level in uninfected people. The specific IgG antibodies could maintain a high level for three months after immunization.

In 2023，World Health Organization（WHO）announced that the pandemic of COVID-19 is over；while there was an epidemic of multi-pathogenic infections in the respiratory tract by the end of the year in China，indicating that high attention still need to be paid to infectious diseases. In the past one year，some breakthroughs for infectious diseases have been achieved.This article reviews the major events and research progress in the diagnosis，prevention and treatment of infectious diseases in 2023.