Bronchiectasis is a heterogeneous disease characterized by abnormal expansion of the bronchi, manifested by cough, sputum, and recurring lung infections. As one of the common fungi of lung infection, aspergillus can not only appear as the outcome of the disease in bronchiectasis, but also as an inducement to participate in the disease progression, and ultimately complicate the course of bronchiectasis. This article describes the susceptibility factors and pathogenic mechanisms of aspergillus in bronchiectasis, and further introduces the diagnosis and treatment status of bronchiectasis combined with aspergillus infection, aiming to clarify the effect of aspergillus infection on bronchiectasis and provide new thinking directions for its clinical diagnosis and treatment.
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical characteristics, prognosis and predisposing factors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) associated pulmonary mucormycosis (CAPM), so as to improve people's understanding of the disease.MethodsFrom from September 1, 2021 to July 31, 2024, 11 patients with CAPM who were hospitalized in Beijing Chaoyang Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University were retrospectively collected, and 22 patients with non-CAPM were included after matching according to the ratio of 1:2. The clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, imaging features, tracheoscopy, treatment and prognosis of the two groups were analyzed. ResultsThe average age of patients in CAPM group was 59.5 ± 10.6 years, with 81.8% of males; diabetes mellitus (90.9%) was the most common complication. In CAPM group, the median time after the occurrence of mucor after COVID-19 was 13.0 (10.0, 24.0) days. The utilization rate of glucocorticoids in the CAPM group was 63.6% (7/11), which was significantly higher than that in non-CAPM group [13.6% (3/22)], and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (P=0.006). The C-reactive protein level in CAPM group was significantly higher at 93.90 (75.00, 129.00) mg/L than that in non-CAPM group at 26.10 (4.83, 114.03) mg/L, with a statistically significant difference (P=0.040). The CD4+T lymphocyte counts and B lymphocyte counts in CAPM group were 223.00 (66.75, 336.75)/µL and 32.00 (21.75, 55.25)/µL, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the non-CAPM group 394.00 (206.00, 610.00)/µL and 112.50 (56.00, 159.25)/µL, with statistical differences between the groups (P=0.040, P=0.040). In terms of imaging, the main imaging findings were the involvement of multiple lobes in both groups. 63.6% (7/11) of patients with pulmonary aspergillosis in CAPM group were significantly higher than those(4/22, 18.2%) in non-CAPM group (P=0.017). The incidence of dyspnea in CAPM group was significantly higher than that in non-CAPM group (90.9% vs. 50.0%, 0.027%).ConclusionThe proportion of glucocorticoid use and the proportion of pulmonary aspergillosis in CAPM group are significantly higher, and they are in a more serious state of immunosuppression. Once combined with pulmonary aspergillus , the mortality rate is higher.
Objective To explore the effects of Aspergillus fumigatus（A. fumigatus） spores on airway inflammation and responsiveness in asthmatic rats.Methods Seventy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into Ⅰ and Ⅱ groups（n=35 in each group），then Group Ⅰ and Group Ⅱ were subdivided into a normal control group（n=5），an asthma group（n=10），a spores-treated control group（n=10），and a spores-treated asthma group（n=10）.The rats were sensitized to ovalbumin（OVA） and challenged with aerosol OVA to establish the asthma model.The effects of A. fumigatus spores on asthmatic rats before and after OVA aerosol challenging were investigated in Group Ⅰ and Group Ⅱ，respectively.The parameters associated with bronchial epithelial damage were observed by total protein concentration in BALF measured by BCA method.Total and differential cell counts in BALF were also counted.The airway resistance and airway responsiveness were calculated by transpulmonary pressure and gas flow rate.Results In Group Ⅰ，the total protein in BALF in the asthma group treated with A. fumigatus spores before OVA challenging（Group CA） was increased remarkably compared to the asthma group（Group A1）[（1.125±0.254）μg/mL vs（0.825±0.173）μg/mL，Plt;0.01].The nonspecific airway resistances induced by different concentration of acetylcholine in Group CA ［（0.997±0.196）cm H2O•mL-1•s-1，（1.123±0.142）cm H2O•mL-1•s-1，（1.130±0.197）cm H2O•mL-1•s-1］were increased significantly compared to Group A1 [（0.655±0.089）cm H2O•mL-1•s-1，（0.687±0.048）cm H2O•mL-1•s-1，（0.821±0.043）cm H2O•mL-1•s-1]（all Plt;0.05）.In Group Ⅱ，however，the above parameters in the asthma group treated with A. fumigatus spores after OVA challenging（Group AC） were not dramatically increased compared with the asthma group（Group A2）（all Pgt;0.05）.The differences in the total and differential cell counts in BALF in Group CA were not remarkable compared to other subgroups in Group Ⅰ（all Pgt;0.05）.But the BALF neutrophil count in Group AC was increased obviously compared to Group A2 ［（2.488±0.420）×106 vs （0.936±0.459）×106，Plt;0.05］.Conclusion These data indicate that exposure to A. fumigatus spores before challenging causes aggravated epithelial damage and increased airway resistance in an asthma rat model.
ObjectiveTo discuss the possibility and safety of video-assisted thoracoscope surgery for pulmonary aspergilloma. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 39 patients with pulmonary aspergilloma in Beijing Chaoyang Hospital between June 2009 and May 2014. The patients were divided into two groups according to their operation method including a conventional thoracotomy surgery group (open group, n=11) and a video-assisted thoracoscope pneumonectomy group (VATS group, n=28). There were 8 male patients and 3 female patients with age of 29-64 (50.7±9.7) years in the open group. There were 13 male patients and 15 female patients with age of 20-75 (55.4±15.3) years in the VATS group. We compared clinical effectiveness between the two groups. ResultsThe operations of all patients were performed successfully. There were statistical differences between the two groups in the average length of operative time (P=0.001), the loss of intraoperative blood (P=0.005), and the score of pain (P=0.001). There was no statistical difference in lead flow of postoperative chest (P>0.05) and the time of hospitalization (P>0.05). ConclusionVideo-assisted thoracoscope surgery in the treatment of pulmonary aspergilloma could be feasible, safe, and effective based on our study. It is worth of clinical application and popularization．
Objective To investigate the clinical manifestation and histopathologic changes of the fungal necrotizing retinochoroiditis. Methods Collecting 7 cases of fungal retinochoroiditis with severe immunodepression and loss of visual acuity.Seven removed eyeballs were stained with HE,PAS and silver methenamine,and observed by light microscopy,and in addition,2 of them examined by electron microscopy.Also fungal cultures of blood and affected tissues were performed. Results The chief clinical macnifestation included ciliary injection of conjunctiva,opaque aqueous fluid and vitreous and diffuse hemorrhage and greyt white opacity with retinal detachment in severe cases.Pathologic changes included hemorrhage in the retina,chorioretinal tissue necrosis,hyphae in the blood vessels,affected tissue and vitreous.Fungal culture of blood was positive in three cases.Culture of affected tissues was positive in all cases. Conclusions Eedogenous fungal infection of choroid and retina may be due to the severe immunodepression of the sufferers and usually causes chorioretinal tissue destruction and blind. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 1999, 15: 235-237)