Abnormal Changes in IL-13 and IL-17A Serum Levels in Children with Adenovirus Pneumonia and their Diagnostic Value

Background

Human adenovirus (HAdV) is an enveloped icosahedral DNA virus. HAdV infection can lead to immune system damage, resulting in decreased numbers and compromised function of T cells and B cells. It can also cause an imbalanced Th1/Th2 ratio and dysregulation of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Objective

To investigate the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-13 and IL-17A in children with HAdV pneumonia.

Methods

Pediatric patients diagnosed with HAdV pneumonia were divided into a non-severe group or a severe group based on the severity of their condition. Patients in the severe group were further classified into good and poor prognosis subgroups. We collected 2-2.5 mL of venous blood from each patient, which was then centrifuged. Using an ELISA detection kit, we determined the concentrations of IL-13 and IL-17A.

Results

Patients with a severe condition exhibited significantly higher serum concentrations of IL-13 and IL-17A than the non-severe cases. Out of 50 severe cases, 32 had good prognoses, while 18 cases showed poor prognoses. Patients with poor prognoses showed significantly higher serum concentrations of IL-13 compared to those with good prognoses.

Conclusion

Serum concentrations of IL-13 and IL-17A are potential diagnostic markers for pediatric patients with severe HAdV pneumonia. Additionally, they demonstrate good predictive value for a poor prognosis in severe pneumonia cases.

Chlamydia psittaci Pneumonia in a patient with motor neuron disease: a case report

BACKGROUND

Motor neuron disease (MND) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder that leads to progressive loss of motor neurons. Chlamydia psittaci (C. psittaci) is a rare etiology of community-acquired pneumonia characterized primarily by respiratory distress. We reported a case of C. psittaci pneumonia complicated with motor neuron disease (MND).

CASE PRESENTATION

A 74-year-old male was referred to the Shaoxing Second Hospital at January, 2022 complaining of fever and fatigue for 2 days. The patient was diagnosed of MND with flail arm syndrome 1 year ago. The metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of sputum obtained through bedside fiberoptic bronchoscopy showed C. psittaci infection. Then doxycycline was administrated and bedside fiberoptic bronchoscopy was performed to assist with sputum excretion. Computed Tomography (CT) and fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed a significant decrease in sputum production. On day 24 after admission, the patient was discharged with slight dyspnea, limited exercise tolerance. One month later after discharge, the patient reported normal respiratory function, and chest CT showed significant absorption of sputum.

CONCLUSIONS

The mNGS combined with bedside fiberoptic bronchoscopy could timely detect C. psittaci infection. Bedside fiberoptic bronchoscopy along with antibiotic therapy may be effective for C. psittaci treatment.

Metagenomic diagnosis of severe psittacosis using multiple sequencing platforms

Background

Chlamydia psittaci is an avian pathogen that can cause lethal human infections. Diagnosis of C. psittaci pneumonia is often delayed due to nonspecific clinical presentations and limited laboratory diagnostic techniques.

Results

The MinION platform established the diagnosis in the shortest time, while BGISEQ-500 generated additional in-depth sequence data that included the rapid characterization of antibiotic susceptibility. Cytopathy appeared only in cell cultures of BALF. BALF yielded a higher bacterial load than sputum or blood, and may be the most suitable clinical specimen for the genomic diagnosis of severe pneumonia.

Conclusions

This study indicated that the benefits of metagenomic sequencing include rapid etiologic diagnosis of unknown infections and the provision of additional relevant information regarding antibiotic susceptibility. The continued optimization and standardization of sampling and metagenomic analysis promise to enhance the clinical utility of genomic diagnosis.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-07725-9.