Previous studies identified clinical and physiologic factors of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) that are related to an increased risk of mortality. But there are few studies about histologic and molecular approach.We investigated whether the C-reactive protein (CRP), fibroblastic foci, phosphorylated Smad2/3 (p-Smad2/3), tumor growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), TGF-beta receptor II (TbetaRII), and the polymorphism of the TGF-beta1 codon 10 are associated with the progression of IPF patients.Eighty-six IPF patients who underwent surgical lung biopsies were examined. For each patient, clinical and physiologic parameters were investigated, and we performed immunohistochemical staining for p-Smad2/3 and TbetaRII, and genotyping of the TGF-beta1 codon 10 polymorphism.Age at diagnosis, gender, symptom duration, and smoking status did not show a significant association. However, the amount of smoking (p = 0.002), severe reduction in the percentages of predicted forced vital capacity (p = 0.013) and diffusion lung capacity of carbon monoxide (p = 0.023), CRP (p = 0.009) at diagnosis, and fibroblastic foci (p = 0.026) were associated with a poor prognosis. Cellularity, fibrosis, expression level of p-Smad2/3 and TbetaRII, and genotype of the TGF-beta1 codon 10 polymorphism did not have a statistically significant association with the prognosis.This study confirmed the amount of smoking, abrupt decrease in follow-up pulmonary function parameters, fibroblastic foci, and increased levels of CRP concentration at diagnosis were significantly associated with poor survival. Larger studies are required to confirm all prognostic factors including CRP.
Purpose: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is recognized as an important cause of not only healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) but also community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).We determined the impact of MRSA on differences in clinical characteristics, courses, and outcomes between CAP and HCAP.Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study on 78 adult patients admitted with MRSA pneumonia at a university-affiliated tertiary hospital between January 2008 and December 2011.We compared baseline characteristics, chest radiographs, treatment outcomes, and drug resistance patterns between the CAP and HCAP groups.Results: Of the 78 patients with MRSA pneumonia, 57 (73.1%) were HCAP and 21 (26.9%) were CAP.MRSA infection history in the previous year (29.8% vs. 14.3%, p=0.244) tended to be more common in HCAP than in CAP.Despite similar Pneumonia Severity Index scores (151 in CAP vs. 142 in HCAP), intubation rates (38.1% vs. 17.5%;p=0.072) and intensive care unit admission (42.9% vs. 22.8%; p=0.095) tended to be higher in the CAP group, while 28-day mortality was higher in the HCAP group (14.3% vs. 26.3%;p=0.368), although without statistical significance.All patients showed sensitivity to vancomycin and linezolid; meanwhile, HCAP patients showed greater resistance to gentamicin than CAP patients (58.3% vs. 16.6%;p=0.037).The median total hospital charges were 6899 American dollars for CAP and 5715 American dollars for HCAP (p=0.161).Conclusion: MRSA pneumonia showed significantly differences in baseline characteristics, chest radiographs, treatment outcomes, and medical expenses between HCAP and CAP groups.
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare but fatal complication after solid organ transplantation.Acquired forms of HLH are described in association with severe sepsis, autoimmune disorders, malignancy, immune-compromised states, infections, and solid organ transplantation.We experienced a case of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis after bilateral lung transplantation.Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and hyperbilirubinemia were noted and became aggravated 50 days after transplantation.Diagnosis of HLH was based on clinical and laboratory findings of splenomegaly, cytopenia, elevated ferritin, elevated interleukin-2 receptor, and hemophagocytosis in bone marrow.Other features such as elevated bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase, and D-dimer which can be present in HLH were also noted.The patient was immediately treated with etoposide and dexamethasone.Despite aggressive therapy, the patient deteriorated and died.Awareness of the diagnostic criteria of HLH after lung transplantation is important for clinicians.
Delamanid (OPC-67683), a nitro-dihydro-imidazooxazole derivative, is a new antituberculosis medication that inhibits mycolic acid synthesis and has shown potent in vitro and in vivo activity against drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Abstract Interstitial lung disease (ILD), particularly idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), has a poor prognosis. Corticosteroids are widely used in the treatment of acute exacerbation of ILD (AE-ILD). This study aimed to clarify the causes of AE-ILD, determine the efficacy of corticosteroids for treating AE-ILD, and detect differences in the mortality rate among subgroups of ILD. This was an observational retrospective single-center study. Patients with ILD who presented to the emergency department with acute respiratory symptoms from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2018, were included. Patients with AE-ILD were classified into two groups depending on the prednisolone dose: low dose (0 to 1.0 mg/kg) or high dose (>1.0 mg/kg). Mortality rates between patients with and without IPF were compared. This study included 182 patients with AE-ILD, including IPF (n=117) and non-IPF (n=65). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that corticosteroid dose (HR:0.221, CI:0.102–0.408, P <0.001), initial P/F ratio (HR:0.995, CI:0.992–0.999, P =0.006), and mechanical ventilation within 3 days of hospitalization (HR:4.205, CI:2.059–8.589, P <0.001) were independent risk factors for mortality in patients with AE-ILD. This study showed that outcomes improve with higher doses of corticosteroids (>1 mg/kg prednisolone) in patients with AE-non-IPF-ILD. However, this was not the case in patients with AE-IPF.
Solid malignancies are associated with the development of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP). This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors for PJP among patients with lung cancer. This retrospective case-control study compared patients who had lung cancer with PJP (n = 112) or without PJP (n = 336) matched according to age, sex, histopathology, and stage. PJP definition was based on (i) positive PCR or direct immunofluorescence results for pneumocystis, (ii) clinical symptoms and radiological abnormalities that were consistent with a pneumonic process, and (iii) received targeted PJP treatment. The development of PJP was associated with radiotherapy (RTx), concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRTx), lymphopenia, and prolonged high-dose steroid therapy (20 mg of prednisolone equivalent per day for ≥3 weeks). Multivariate analysis revealed independent associations with prolonged high-dose steroid therapy (odds ratio [OR]: 1.96, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06-3.63; p = 0.032) and CCRTx (OR: 2.09, 95% CI: 1.27-3.43; p = 0.004). Steroid use was frequently related to RTx pneumonitis or esophagitis (29 patients, 43.3%). Prolonged high-dose steroid therapy and CCRTx were risk factors for PJP development among patients with lung cancer. As these patients had a poor prognosis, clinicians should consider PJP prophylaxis for high-risk patients with lung cancer.
Hemangiopericytoma is a rare neoplasm that originates from small peri-capillary spindle shaped cells called pericytes. The most common sites of origin are the thigh, the pelvis and the retroperitoneum. A primary pulmonary hemangiopericytoma is particularly unusual. However, more than 50% of hemangiopericytoma cases metastasize to the lungs, the bone, and the liver. A long-term clinical and radiological follow up is recommended due to the high risk of recurrence of a potential malignancy. We report a case of a metastatic hemangiopericytoma in the lung that had initially developed in the thigh of a 53 year-old woman 6 years ago. The authors emphasize the long-term follow-up of this type of rare sarcoma.
Abstract Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) significantly impact surgical outcome. We investigated the predictive ability of controlling nutritional status (CONUT) for PPC after lung resection in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We retrospectively reviewed data of 922 patients with NSCLC who underwent complete resection from January 2016–December 2017. We analyzed the frequency and characteristics of PPCs and compared receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of various prognostic models to predict PPCs. A CONUT score higher than 1 was considered as a high CONUT score. Total incidence of PPCs was 8.6% (n = 79). The proportion of pneumonia was significantly larger in the high CONUT group ( P < 0.05). The CONUT consistently had a higher area under curve (AUC) value (0.64) than other prognostic models (prognostic nutritional index (PNI): AUC = 0.61, Glasgow prognostic score (GPS): AUC = 0.57, and assessment of respiratory risk in surgical patients in Catalonia (ARISCAT): AUC = 0.54). Multivariate analysis identified underweight [Odds ratio (OR) = 4.57, P = 0.002] and high CONUT score (OR = 1.91, P = 0.009) as independent PPCs prognostic factors. One-year mortality rate for high CONUT score was significantly higher (hazard ratio = 7.97; 95% confidence interval, 1.78–35.59). Preoperative CONUT score is an independent predictor of PPCs and 1-year mortality in patients with resectable NSCLC.
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