Mycoplasma Research Articles

Clinical efficacy of budesonide combined with acetylcysteine in the treatment of mycoplasma pneumonia infection.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) is a common respiratory tract infectious disease in children. The study aimed to elucidate the therapeutic efficacy of aerosolized budesonide and N-acetylcysteine combination therapy for MP infection in children. One hundred and twenty children with MP infection were included and divided into the control group (received aerosol inhalation of budesonide) and the experimental group (aerosolized budesonide and N-acetylcysteine). After treatment, the disappearance time of clinical symptoms and efficacy were contrasted between the two groups. With the passage of treatment time, the children's cough score of the two groups were gradually reduced. The children in the experimental group got well from the cough faster than the control group, and the difference reached a significant level on the 5th and 7th days. The time required for fever, rale, and cough to disappear in the experimental group was shorter than those in the control group. As the treatment progressed, a gradual decrease in serum interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and C-reactive protein values was detected in both groups, and the decrease was more significant in the experimental group. The total effective rate of the experimental group was 98.33%, which surpassed the control group (93.33%). Budesonide and N-acetylcysteine combination therapy in the treatment of MP infection in children has a significant effect, and can quickly relieve the clinical symptoms of children with good safety. It is worthy of widespread clinical use.

Clinical Efficacy of Ulinastatin Combined with Azithromycin in the Treatment of Severe Pneumonia in Children and the Effects on Inflammatory Cytokines and Oxidative Stress: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of ulinastatin (UTI) and azithromycin (AZM) combination therapy in treating severe pneumonia in children and its impact on inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress. This retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 1, 2019, to January 1, 2021, involving pediatric patients diagnosed with severe mycoplasma pneumonia (SMPP). The pediatric patients were divided into two groups: those receiving UTI and AZM combination therapy (treatment group) and those receiving azithromycin alone (control group). We compared the two groups regarding clinical data, disease outcomes, inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress levels. Baseline characteristics did not significantly differ between the two groups. UTI, in combination with AZM, significantly improved blood oxygen levels, inflammatory infection markers, and relevant clinical symptoms in patients with SMPP on the 3rd day of treatment. Additionally, it significantly reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-a, IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-10, as well as oxidative stress markers GSH and SOD. Combining UTI and AZM can rapidly alleviate clinical symptoms and effectively control the progression of patients with SMPP. Therefore, this treatment approach deserves consideration for clinical promotion and utilization.

Legionella pneumophila Presence in Dental Unit Waterlines: A Cultural and Molecular Investigation in the West Bank, Palestine.

A Legionella pneumophila bacterium is ubiquitous in water distribution systems, including dental unit waterlines (DUWLs). Legionellosis is atypical pneumonia, including Legionnaires' disease (LD) and the less acute form of Pontiac fever. Legionellosis occurs as a result of inhalation/aspiration of aerosolized Legionella-contaminated water by susceptible patients, health workers, and dentists. In this study, we undertook to determine the prevalence of Legionella in water and biofilm samples from Tap and DUWLs collected from five sites of dental clinics and faculties across the West Bank. Water samples were tested for physical and chemical parameters. The study samples included 185 samples, 89 (48%) water samples, and 96 (52%) biofilm swabs, which were analyzed by cultivation-dependent analysis (CDA) and by the cultivation-independent technique (CIA). Also, partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene for fifteen L. pneumophila isolates was performed for quality assurance and identification. L. pneumophila was isolated from 28 (15%) of 185 samples using CDA and was detected in 142 (77%) of 185 samples using CIA. The abundance of culturable L. pneumophila was low in DUWL of the sampling sites (range: 27-115 CFU/Liter). PCR was 5× more sensitive than the culture technique. L. pneumophila Sg 1 was detected in (75%) of the isolates, while (25%) isolates were L. pneumophila Sg 2-14. All fifteen sequenced Legionella isolates were identified as L. pneumophila ≥ 94.5%. The analysis of phylogenetic tree showed that L. pneumophila branch clearly identified and distinguished from other branches. These results show that DUWLs of the examined dental clinics and faculties are contaminated with L. pneumophila. This finding reveals a serious potential health risk for infection of immunocompromised patients and dentists' post-exposure.

Clinical Features and Determinants of Coronary Artery Dilatation in Pediatric Patients with Complete and Incomplete Kawasaki Disease: A Single-Center Experience Over 15 Years in Hubei, China

Abstract Objective This study is aimed to elucidate age-associated clinical and echocardiography-defined coronary artery (CA) abnormalities features and to identify independent determinants of CA dilatation in pediatric patients with complete Kawasaki disease (cKD) and incomplete KD (iKD) over 15 years in a tertiary hospital in China. Methods This study comprised 241 patients with KD hospitalized in the pediatric department between 2003 and 2018. Patients were divided into three groups according to age at diagnosis: ≤12, 13 to 35, and ≥36 months. Results A total of 167 (69.3%) patients were defined as cKD (aged 24 months, male 60.5%) and 74 (30.7%) patients as iKD (aged 18 months, male 59.5%). The prevalence of cervical lymphadenopathy significantly increased with age in both cKD and iKD patients. In iKD patients, the prevalence of rash significantly decreased with age. CA dilatation most frequently occurred in patients with cKD and iKD aged ≤12 months. The absence of conjunctivitis or oral changes and higher serum creatinine levels were independent determinants of CA dilatation in KD patients aged ≤12 months, regardless of age, sex, and the type of KD. Conclusion Present study underlines the age-stratified disease characteristics, and the factors associated with CA dilatation in cKD and iKD patients. The absence of conjunctivitis or oral changes, higher serum creatinine levels, and mycoplasma, cytomegalovirus, and adenovirus infections might be associated with an increased risk of CA dilatation in KD patients. These findings provide additional hints for pediatricians in the early diagnosis and treatment of KD, especially for individual medical care of cKD and iKD patients in different age groups.

Comparison of respiratory pathogens in children with community-acquired pneumonia before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundMultifaceted non-pharmaceutical interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic have not only reduced the transmission of SARS-CoV2, but have had an effect on the prevalence of other pathogens. This retrospective study aimed to compare and analyze the changes of respiratory pathogens in hospitalized children with community-acquired pneumonia.MethodsFrom January 2019 to December 2020, children with community-acquired pneumonia were selected from the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shanghai Children’s Medical Center. On the first day of hospitalization, sputum, throat swabs, venous blood samples from them were collected for detection of pathogens.ResultsA total of 2596 children with community-acquired pneumonia were enrolled, including 1871 patients in 2019 and 725 in 2020. The detection rate in 2020 was lower than in 2019, whether single or multiple pathogens. Compared with 2019, the detection rate of virus, especially parainfluenza virus, influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus, all decreased in 2020. On the contrary, the prevalence of human rhinovirus was much higher than that in 2019. In addition, the positivity rate for bacteria did not change much over the two years, which seemed to be less affected by COVID-19. And Mycoplasma pneumoniae which broke out in 2019 has been in low prevalence since March 2020 even following the reopening of school.ConclusionsStrict public health interventions for COVID-19 in China have effectively suppressed the spread of not only SARS-CoV2 but parainfluenza virus, influenza virus and Mycoplasma pneumonia as well. However, it had a much more limited effect on bacteria and rhinovirus. Therefore, more epidemiological surveillance of respiratory pathogens will help improve early preventive measures.

Peritoneal Dialysis during the COVID-19 Pandemic Is an Effective Treatment in Developing Countries: A Report from Mexico

Introduction: During the height of the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, some renal replacement therapy (RRT) modalities were insufficient, forcing medical centers to diversify the RRT modalities offered. In this study, we reported the outcomes of chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and acute PD in critically ill patients during COVID-19 pandemic in a tertiary care medical center in Mexico. Methods: This descriptive, longitudinal, observational, retrospective study included 47 adult patients with atypical pneumonia in a tertiary care medical center in Mexico during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Chronic PD patients and PD incident patients due to acute kidney injury (AKI) were included. Results: Forty-seven patients were studied (29 chronic PD patients and 18 incident PD patients due to AKI); median age was 59 (48–68) years; 63.8% were men. The ultrafiltrate volume per day was 815 (596.1–1,193.2) mL. Overall mortality was 61.7%, 55.2% in chronic PD patients, and 72.2% in PD incident patients due to AKI. A higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, the need for mechanical ventilation at admission, and the requirement for vasopressors were predictors for mortality (p < 0.01). Conclusion: In low- and lower-middle-income countries, PD was a valid alternative for RRT during the COVID-19 pandemic. In AKI patients, PD can correct hyperkalemia, acidosis, uremia, and volume overload; however, there was higher mortality in PD incident patients due to AKI. The main risk factors for mortality were a high SOFA score at admission, the need for invasive mechanical ventilation, and the requirement for vasopressors.

Comparative characteristics of pneumonia caused by &lt;i&gt;Mycoplasma pneumoniae&lt;/i&gt; in children

The urgency of the problem of community-acquired pneumonia in children is due to the high incidence rate. In the etiological structure of bacterial pneumonia, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumonia (Mp) prevail.Purpose: to identify clinical, laboratory and instrumental features of mycoplasmal pneumonia in children.Materials and methods. A retrospective, single-center cohort study of 266 case histories of children aged 4 months to 17 years who were in Children’s City Clinical Hospital No. 9 in 2019 with a referral diagnosis of pneumonia was carried out. To verify the diagnosis of pneumonia, the method of chest X-ray was used, for the etiological diagnosis, the method of PCR swabs from the nasopharynx, ELISA for the detection of antibodies of the IgM and IgG classes was used. Results. The diagnosis of pneumonia was confirmed in 190 children. The diagnosis of pneumonia caused by M. pneumoniae (MpP) was established in 76 (40%) children, they made up the 1st group. The remaining 114 (60%) children with community-acquired pneumonia of another etiology (CAP) made up the 2nd group – comparisons. The diagnosis of MpP was confirmed in 46 (60.5%) children by the detection of IgM, in 12 (15.8%) by the detection of Mp genetic material, and in 18 (23.7%) by positive both IgM and PCR. The median age of children in the group with MpP was 9.6 years, in the comparison group – 4 years (p&lt;0.01). Significantly more often MpP occurs in children aged 11–17 years (p &lt; 0.01), and CAP – up to 7 years (p &lt; 0.01). With MpP, catarrhal phenomena in the form of hyperemia of the oropharynx, nasal congestion, and unproductive cough are observed less frequently than with CAP. With MpP, rales in the lungs are heard more often than with CAP, they are significantly more often wet (p&lt;0.01). Respiratory failure and dyspnea are less common in MpP than in CAP. Bilateral lesions and lesions of the upper lobe of the lungs are more often detected in MpP, and in CAP – right-sided lesions. In the general blood test, leukocytosis, incl. above 15 thousand/µl, as well as leukopenia below 4 thousand/µl were significantly more frequent in the group of patients with CAP (p&lt;0.01). Conclusion. No clear clinical and laboratory criteria for mycoplasmal etiology of pneumonia have been obtained, which dictates the need for laboratory confirmation for the choice of therapy tactics.

MiR-184 targeting FOXO1 regulates host-cell oxidative stress induced by Chlamydia psittaci via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Chlamydia psittaci is a human pathogen that causes atypical pneumonia after zoonotic transmission. We confirmed that C. psittaci infection induces oxidative stress in human bronchial epithelial (HBEs) cells and explored how this is regulated through miR-184 and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. miR-184 mimic, miR-184 inhibitor, FOXO1 siRNA, or negative control sequence was transfected into HBE cells cultured in serum-free medium using Lipofectamine 2000. Then, prior to the cells were infected with C. psittaci 6BC, and the cells were treated with or without 30 µM Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor ICG-001. Quantification of reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione was carried out according to the manufacturer's protocol using a corresponding assay kit. The outcome of both protein and gene was measured by western blotting or real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. In C. psittaci-infected HBE cells, miR-184 was upregulated, while one of its target genes, FOXO1, was downregulated. ROS and MDA levels increased, while SOD and GSH contents decreased after C. psittaci infection. When miR-184 expression was downregulated, the level of oxidative stress caused by C. psittaci infection was reduced, and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was inhibited. The opposite results were seen when miR-184 mimic was used. Transfecting with FOXO1 siRNA reversed the effect of miR-184 inhibitor. Moreover, when the Wnt/β-catenin-specific inhibitor ICG-001 was used, the level of oxidative stress induced by C. psittaci infection was significantly suppressed. miR-184 can target FOXO1 to promote oxidative stress in HBE cells following C. psittaci infection by activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Damage to the blood system after COVID-19 in family medicine practice

Coronavirus infection is an acute viral disease with airborne transmission [1]. One of the first descriptions was in 1975 in a patient suffering from acute rhinitis. The causative agents of the disease are a family of RNA-containing coronaviruses. Within the family, there are several groups of infectious agents that are dangerous to the human body: human coronavirus 229E, human coronavirus OS-43, and human intestinal coronaviruses. The pathogen is quite unstable in the environment, and its effects can be eliminated using disinfectants and exposure to high temperatures [2]. HIV infected patients, children, and patients with severe chronic diseases (diabetes mellitus, oncological processes) are mainly considered to be at risk for the incidence of atypical coronavirus pneumonia. After entering the upper respiratory tract, the coronavirus actively multiplies and epithelial cells are destroyed. If the immune system is poorly developed, the coronavirus can penetrate the alveoli, and the process of pathogen replication occurs in their cytoplasm. By exocytosis, the finished virions lie on the outer membrane of the cells, which activates the fusion of epithelial cells and accelerated syncytium formation.

The role of mycoplasmas as an infectious agent in carcinogenesis

The review presents data on studies of the role of mycoplasmas as infectious agents in carcinogenesis, as well as their participation in cancer drug therapy and the impact on the outcome of treatment. Mycoplasmas are of particular interest because they have unique abilities to readily attach to and enter eukaryotic cells, modulate their functional state, and induce chronic inflammation while evading the host’s immune system. The review will highlight the data confirming the increased colonization of tumor tissue by mycoplasmas compared to healthy ones, describe the molecular mechanisms by which mycoplasmas activate the expression of oncogenes and growth factors, inactivate tumor suppressors, promote NF-κB-dependent migration of cancer cells and modulate apoptosis, which results in abnormal growth and transformation of host cells. The review also presents data on the effectiveness of anticancer drugs in mycoplasmal infections.

Differentiate Clinical Characteristics Between Viral Pneumonia and Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Nomograms for Predicting Mycoplasma pneumoniae : A Retrospective Study in Primary Hospitals.

To identify the difference in clinical characteristics between viral pneumonia and Mycoplasma pneumoniae , providing cues on their differential diagnosis for primary hospitals with the insufficient pathogen detection capacity. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of hospitalized children with acute respiratory tract infections, and pathogenic microbes test results were analyzed. Clinical characteristics, routine blood parameters and hospitalization duration and fee were compared between M. pneumoniae and viral pneumonia. We used in the multivariable logistic regression to predict the probability of children with M. pneumoniae and graphically represented by a dynamic nomogram. The discrimination and clinical utility of the model were confirmed by receiver operating characteristic and decision curve analysis curves. A total of 375 children with community-acquired pneumonia were included. Mycoplasma infection accounted for the largest proportion (22.13%). The incidence of both hypothermia and vomiting was lower in M. pneumoniae compared to viral pneumonia (hypothermia: 10.50% vs. 0.00%; vomiting: 7.90% vs. 0.00%). The prevalence of hyperthermia was higher in M. pneumoniae (hyperthermia: 89.5% vs. 100%). Procalcitonin, peripheral blood white blood cell count and lymphocyte levels were higher in the viral pneumonia group, and eosinophil levels were conversely lower. As for the duration of illness, the mean length of stay was 5.20 ± 2.12 (viral pneumonia) and 6.27 ± 2.48 days ( M. pneumoniae ). Children with M. pneumoniae had higher overall hospital costs and required more medical treatment. The above were all statistically significant with a P < 0.05. The scoring system was established based on the above results. Receiver operating characteristic curves showed good model-discrimination ability with 0.844 of the area under the curve in the training set and 0.778 in the test set. Decision curve analysis curves demonstrated the discriminative superiority of this model. The web-based dynamic nomogram calculator is accessible at https://zhxylxy0160128.shinyapps.io/Nomogram/ . Nomograms have satisfactory discrimination, and clinical utility may benefit in predicting the probability of developing M. pneumoniae in children. Children with M. pneumoniae have a higher burden than those with viral pneumonia and may require more intensive in-hospital monitoring.

Analysis of the common respiratory viruses in children with acute respiratory infection in a hospital in Lanzhou City from 2021 to 2022

To explore the situation of 8 common respiratory pathogens in children with acute respiratory infection (ARI) from 2021 to 2022.The retrospective study selected 8 710 ARI patients from September 2021 to August 2022 in the Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Gansu Province as the study object, patients aged 0 to 17 years old, including 5 048 male children and 3 662 female children. Indirect immunofluorescence was used to detect 8 common respiratory pathogens, including influenza virus A (FluA), influenza virus B (FluB), parainfluenza virus (PIV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus (ADV), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP), Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP), and Coxsackie virus group B (CoxB) IgM antibodies. χ2 test was used to analyze the results. The results showed that 1 497 of 8 710 children with ARI were positive, with a positive rate of 17.19%. The detection rate of MP among 8 common respiratory pathogens was 11.34%, accounting for 66.0%, followed by FluB, CoxB, PIV, RSV, ADV, FluA and CP, accounting for 13.83%, 9.55%, 6.01%, 2.61%, 1.47%, 0.40% and 0.13%, respectively. Respiratory tract viruses (FluA, FluB, RSV, ADV, PIV, CoxB) accounted for 33.86%.There were significant differences in the detection rates of PIV, ADV and MP among children of different genders (χ2=6.814, 5.154 and 17.784, P<0.05). The detection rate of school-age children (6-17 years old) was the highest, accounting for 33.27% (184/553). The detection rates of 8 common respiratory pathogens in patients with ARI were higher in spring and winter and lower in summer and autumn. To sum up, from 2021 to 2022, MP and FluB infection were dominant in ARI patients in our hospital. The peak period of 8 common respiratory pathogens was in spring and winter. The physical examination rate of 8 common respiratory pathogens in ARI patients aged 6-17 years old was the highest.

FRI215 Rifampin Induced Adrenal Insufficiency

Abstract Disclosure: S.R. Campbell: None. R.M. Tierney: None. J. Lim: None. Introduction: Rifampin is a main component of antimycobacterial therapy in active tuberculosis disease. Although adrenal insufficiency can be caused by infiltration of the pituitary or adrenal glands by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, rifampin has also been suggested as a potential causative agent. This case shows a rare example of rifampin-induced adrenal insufficiency in the setting of active tuberculosis disease. Case Presentation: A 42-year-old man with a history of gout and anemia presented with fevers, chills, unintentional weight loss, and productive cough for two weeks. He immigrated from Guatemala 20 years prior and was treated for tuberculosis disease as a child. Upon presentation, he was borderline hypertensive with chest CT showing bilateral nodular opacities in a pattern suggestive of atypical pneumonia. Acid fast bacilli stains were positive and cultures grew Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The patient was started on rifampin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol (RIPE) therapy. Serum cortisol levels on day 4 of RIPE therapy were appropriate in the setting of acute illness (&amp;gt;20 mcg/dl). On day 6 of RIPE therapy, the patient became hypotensive requiring vasopressor support. Labs at that time showed hyponatremia, hypokalemia, and inappropriately low cortisol levels (&amp;lt;20 mcg/dl). ACTH stimulation testing was performed and was blunted with values of 14.50 mcg/dL at 30 minutes and 16.32 mcg/dl at 60 minutes. CT abdomen was also performed and showed no evidence of infiltration. He was started on IV hydrocortisone 50 mg every 6 hours with plans to taper after shock resolved. Following steroid taper, the patient again became hypotensive requiring vasopressors. IV hydrocortisone was resumed, and RIPE therapy was held. He was restarted on PO hydrocortisone 40 mg every 12 hours. Isoniazid, ethambutol, pyrazinamide, and rifampin were sequentially resumed. Pyrazinamide was replaced with moxifloxacin due to recurrent gout flares. The reintroduction of rifampin and rifabutin both resulted in fevers leading to the stoppage of rifamycin therapy. The patient was discharged with stable vital signs on isoniazid 300 mg daily, ethambutol 800 mg daily, moxifloxacin 400 mg daily, and hydrocortisone 30 mg every 12 hours with plans to follow-up with the State Department of Health, internal medicine, and endocrinology. Conclusion: Many drugs are known to cause adrenal insufficiency. There are a few examples in which rifampin has been suggested as a potential cause of adrenal insufficiency. Classically, adrenal insufficiency has been associated with infiltration of the adrenal glands or pituitary gland with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This case, however, shows further clinical evidence of adrenal insufficiency caused by rifampin therapy and highlights the need for further research to be done to study this adverse effect. Presentation: Friday, June 16, 2023

Mycoplasma hyorhinis infection promotes TNF-α signaling and SMAC mimetic-mediated apoptosis in human prostate cancer

Growing evidence suggests an association between Mycoplasma infections and the development and progression of prostate cancer (PCa). In this study, we report that chronic and persistent M. hyorhinis infection induced robust TNF-α secretion from PCa cells. TNF-α secreted from M. hyorhinis-infected PCa cells subsequently led to activation of the NF-κB pathway. Chronic M. hyorhinis infection induced gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in a NF-κB-dependent manner and promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in PCa cells. The elimination of M. hyorhinis in PCa cells significantly blocked TNF-α secretion, gene expression of cytokines and chemokines, migration, and invasion in PCa cells, suggesting M. hyorhinis-induced TNF-α plays an important role to promote malignant transformation of PCa. Furthermore, second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases (SMAC) mimetics potentiated caspase activation and cell death in M. hyorhinis-infected PCa by antagonizing inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) activity. Tissue microarray analysis indicated that TNF-α is co-expressed in M. hyorhinis-infected human patient tissues. Findings from this study advance our understanding of the mycoplasma-oncogenesis process and suggest the potential for new approaches for preventions, diagnosis, and therapeutic approaches against prostate cancers.

A Study on Mycoplasmal and Viral Infections in Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis

Background: Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK or “pink eye”) is the most common infectious ocular disease in cattle worldwide. In addition to Moraxella bovis as the principal causative agent, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (BHV-1) and Mycoplasma species probably act as risk factors for IBK. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the association between the detection of Mycoplasma sp., bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1), and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in the conjunctival sac of the eye and IBK. Methods: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect Mycoplasma sp., BHV-1, and BVDV in samples collected from IBK-affected and healthy eyes. Results: Based on the PCR results, Mycoplasma sp. was detected in 63.6% and 47.2% of IBK-affected and healthy eyes, respectively. BHV-1 was detected in 59.1% and 36.1% of affected and healthy eyes, respectively. BVDV was detected in 65.9% and 58.3% of affected and healthy eyes, respectively. BHV-1 was the only agent significantly (P&lt;0.05) associated with IBK lesions (isolated from 59.1% of affected vs 36.1% of healthy eyes). Conclusion: Based on the study results, BHV-1 may be a risk factor in the pathogenesis of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis, and mechanisms other than immune depression might be involved in its pathogenicity.

Severe Rhabdomyolysis Associated with Legionnaires’ Disease

Legionella pneumophila is the most common cause of atypical pneumonia presenting with rhabdomyolysis. A case is reviewed involving a previously healthy 48-year-old man with Legionnaires’ Disease presenting with a peak CPK level of 1.07 million U/L, the highest degree of elevation that has been reported.

Association between initial clozapine titration and pneumonia risk among patients with schizophrenia in a Korean tertiary hospital

Pneumonia is a significant adverse drug reaction (ADR) associated with clozapine, characterized by high mortality and potential linkage with other inflammatory responses. Despite the critical nature, research regarding the development of pneumonia during initial clozapine titration remains limited. This retrospective study included 1408 Korean inpatients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Data were collected from January 2000 to January 2023. Pneumonia developed in 3.5 % of patients within 8 weeks of clozapine initiation. Patients who developed pneumonia were taking a greater number and higher dose of antipsychotics at baseline (2.14 vs. 1.58, p < 0.001; 25.64 vs. 19.34, p = 0.012). The average onset occurred 17.24 days after initiation, on an average dose of 151.28 mg/day. Titration was either paused or slowed in most of these patients, with no reported fatalities. The types of pneumonia included aspiration pneumonia, mycoplasma pneumonia, bronchopneumonia, and COVID-19 pneumonia. Myocarditis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome, and urinary tract infections were also identified. Logistic regression analysis revealed that a greater number of concomitant antipsychotics (odds ratio [OR] = 1.59, p = 0.027) and concomitant benzodiazepine use (OR = 2.33, p = 0.005) at baseline were associated with an increased risk of pneumonia. Overall, pneumonia development during clozapine titration is linked with other inflammatory ADRs, suggesting a shared immunological mechanism. Close monitoring is recommended, especially for patients taking multiple antipsychotics and benzodiazepines. Further studies involving repeated measures of clozapine concentrations at trough and steady state, along with a more detailed description of pneumonia types, are warranted.

First report of an outbreak of "Q" fever IN an abattoir from Argentina.

In late October 2021, one of the veterinarians and the occupational physician of a bovine and swine abattoir from Entre Ríos Province, Argentina were alerted about workers with atypical pneumonia symptoms, raising suspicious of a possible Q fever outbreak. An outbreak epidemiological investigation was carried out. Analysis was based on the description of the study population, according to gender, age, symptoms, and position within the abattoir, as well as on outbreak epidemic curve and its probable origin. Cases of Q fever in the workers were confirmed by serology. Measurements of the association between the evaluated variables and the risk of exposure were investigated and calculated as attack rates. The outbreak occurred between October and November 2021, symptomatically affecting 11 workers, out of a total exposed population of 49 individuals. The index case was a 33-year-old male who started with symptoms on 27 October 2021, and the outbreak extended for at least 17 days. Workers in the clean zone of the slaughter floor had a 4.68 times higher risk of contracting Q fever than people located in other areas. Importantly, two pregnant cows were slaughtered a few days before the outbreak began, which could have been the origin of the outbreak. The present study demonstrates the urgent need to consider Q fever when diagnosing abortive diseases of ruminants in Argentina, as well as in zoonotic disease epidemiological surveillance to inform all actors of the health system.

Predictive value of chemokines (CCL 2) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid for refractory mycoplasma pneumonia in children

BackgroundThere are relatively few studies investigating C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) level in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP), and the relationship between CCL2 level in BALF and refractory mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP) is unclear. This study aims to explore the relationship between chemokine CCL2 level in BALF and clinical characteristics and clinical outcome in children with MPP.MethodsA total of 51 children with confirmed acute MPP and requiring bronchoalveolar lavage in Department of Pediatrics, Huanghe Sanmenxia Hospital and The First Clinical College of Xinxiang Medical University from October 2021 to February 2023 were selected as the study group. And 11 children with bronchial foreign body were selected as the control group. The study group was divided into the non-refractory mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (NRMPP) group and the RMPP group based on the response to treatment. BALF and clinical data of the patients were collected. And CCL2 levels were tested in the patients. Differences in CCL2 level in BALF and clinical characteristics were tested and compared.ResultsThe CCL2 level in BALF of the study group was higher than that of the control group, with significant difference (P < 0.05). With ROC curve, the area under the curve (AUC) of CCL2 in BALF predicting RMPP was 0.94, the cut-off value was 0.645 ng/ml, the sensitivity was 85%, and the specificity was 94%, and the diagnostic value was better than that of serum CRP and LDH. Logistic regression analysis was used to build the RMPP prediction model, and CCL2 showed good predictive value.ConclusionThe level of CCL2 in BALF was high in children with MPP and had a high predictive value for RMPP. CCL2 can be used as one of the biomarkers for predicting RMPP.

Retracted: Efficacy of Jiedu Pingsou Decoction Combined with Azithromycin in the Treatment of Children with Mycoplasma Pneumonia and Its Effects on Inflammatory Factors and Immune Function.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2022/9102727.].