Introduction Talaromyces marneffei (T. marneffei), a dimorphic fungus, causes local or disseminated infection in humans. We aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics, prognostic factors, and survival outcomes of patients with T. marneffei infection and compare the differences between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and HIV-negative subgroups. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 241 patients with T. marneffei infection at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University between January 2012 and January 2022. The overall population was stratified into HIV-positive (n = 98) and HIV-negative (n = 143) groups according to HIV status. Kaplan–Meier analysis and multivariate Cox regression models were used to determine the prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Results With a median follow-up time of 58.9 months, 120 patients (49.8%) experienced disease progression and 85 patients (70.8%) died. The 5-year rates of OS and PFS were 61.4% (95% CI 55.0–68.6%) and 47.8% (95% CI 41.5–55.1%), respectively. As an independent factor, patients who were HIV positive had better PFS (HR 0.50, 95% CI 0.31–0.82; p < 0.01) than patients who were HIV negative. Compared with patients who were HIV positive, patients who were HIV negative were older and had more probabilities of underlying diseases, chest involvement, bone destruction, and higher count of neutrophils (all p < 0.05). Hemoglobin (PFS: HR 0.62; 95% CI 0.39–1.00; p < 0.05; OS: HR 0.45; 95% CI 0.22–0.89; p = 0.02) and lymphocyte count (PFS: HR 0.06; 95% CI 0.01–0.26; p < 0.01; OS: HR 0.08; 95% CI 0.01–0.40; p < 0.01) were independent prognostic factors for PFS and OS in patients who were HIV negative. Conclusions Patients with T. marneffei infection have a poor prognosis. Patients who are HIV positive and HIV negative have relatively independent clinical characteristics. Multiple organ involvement and disease progression are more common in patients who are HIV negative.

Background: To investigate venous thromboembolism (VTE) in hospitalized patients with severe high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), we performed a single center retrospective study to evaluate its clinical characteristics, prognosis, and potential thromboprophylaxis strategies in a large referral and treatment center in plateau regions. Methods: We studied a total of 18 patients with severe HAPE from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2021. Demographic and clinical data, laboratory data, including ultrasound scans of the lower extremities and cardiac ultrasound, and computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) variables were obtained, and comparisons were made between groups with and without VTE. Results: Of the 18 patients hospitalized with severe HAPE (age 43 (range, 34–54) years, 14 [77.8%] men), 7 patients developed VTE (38.9%), including 5 with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), 2 of whom had DVT only. Eighteen patients are all firstly rapid ascent to high altitudes which the mean altitude was 3700 m (3656–4050 m). Compared with patients who did not have VTE, patients with VTE had a longer time in hospital (13 [11, 19] versus 9 [7, 12]; P = 0.027), respiratory failure (6 [85.7%] versus 2 [18.2%]; P = 0.013), the shortened APTT (21.50 [19.00, 27.50] versus 26.30 [24.80, 30.10]; P = 0.044) and the higher level of D-dimer (7.81 [4.62, 9.60] versus 2.90 [1.75, 3.37]; P = 0.003). The proportion of thromboprophylaxis is too low in our cohort which 2 of 18 (11.1%) patients were given VTE prophylaxis. There was no statistically significant difference between the VTE and non-VTE groups (0 [0.0%] versus 2 [18.2%]; P = 0.497). Conclusions: The prevalence of VTE is high in hospitalized patients with severe high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). Prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism may be protective in severe HAPE patients after admission. Our data seem to suggest that VTE is probably an additional prognostic factors in patients with severe HAPE.

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a clinical syndrome characterized by acute hypoxaemia, and few studies have reported the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in direct ARDS caused by bacterial pneumonia. We performed a study to evaluate the prevalence, risk factors, prognosis and potential thromboprophylaxis strategies of DVT in these patients. Methods: Ninety patients were included. Demographic, and clinical data, laboratory data and outcome variables were obtained, and comparisons were made between the DVT and non-DVT groups. Results: Of the 90 patients, 40 (44.4%) developed lower extremity DVT. Compared with non-DVT patients, DVT patients had higher systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) scores, lower serum creatinine levels, higher D-dimer levels, and higher rates of sedative therapy and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Multivariate analysis showed an association between the SIRS score (OR 3.803, P = 0.027), level of serum creatinine (OR 0.988, P = 0.001), IMV (OR 5.822, P = 0.002) and DVT. The combination of SIRS score, serum creatinine level and IMV has a sensitivity of 80.0% and a specificity of 74.0% for screening for DVT. The survival rate within 28 days after ARDS in the DVT group was significantly lower than that in the non-DVT group (P = 0.003). There was no difference in the prevalence of DVT between the 41 patients who received thromboprophylaxis and the 49 patients who did not receive thromboprophylaxis (41.5% vs 46.9%; P = 0.603). Conclusions: The prevalence of DVT is high in hospitalized patients with direct ARDS caused by bacterial pneumonia and may be associated with adverse outcomes. The current thromboprophylaxis strategies may need to be further optimized.

Background: Few data exist on deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a group of heterogeneous diseases characterized by acute hypoxemia. Study design and methods: We retrospectively enrolled 225 adults with ARDS admitted to the Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital and the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University between 1 January 2015 and 30 June 2020. We analyzed clinical, laboratory, and echocardiography data for groups with and without DVT and for direct (pulmonary) and indirect (extrapulmonary) ARDS subgroups. Results: Ninety (40.0%) patients developed DVT. Compared with the non-DVT group, patients with DVT were older, had lower serum creatinine levels, lower partial pressure of arterial oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen, higher serum procalcitonin levels, higher Padua prediction scores, and higher proportions of sedation and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Multivariate analysis showed an association between age, serum creatinine level, IMV, and DVT in the ARDS cohort. The sensitivity and specificity of corresponding receiver operating characteristic curves were not inferior to those of the Padua prediction score and the Caprini score for screening for DVT in the three ARDS cohorts. Patients with DVT had a significantly lower survival rate than those without DVT in the overall ARDS cohort and in the groups with direct and indirect ARDS. Conclusions: The prevalence of DVT is high in patients with ARDS. The risk factors for DVT are age, serum creatinine level, and IMV. DVT is associated with decreased survival in patients with ARDS.

Background: High incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has been observed in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by COVID-19 and those by bacterial pneumonia. However, the differences of incidence and risk factors of DVT in these two groups of ARDS had not been reported before. Study design and methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study to investigate the difference of DVT in incidence and risk factors between the two independent cohorts of ARDS and eventually enrolled 240 patients, 105 of whom with ARDS caused by COVID-19 and 135 caused by bacterial pneumonia. Lower extremity venous compression ultrasound scanning was performed whenever possible regardless of clinical symptoms in the lower limbs. Clinical characteristics, including demographic information, clinical history, vital signs, laboratory findings, treatments, complications, and outcomes, were analyzed for patients with and without DVT in these two cohorts. Results: The 28-days incidence of DVT was higher in patients with COVID-19 than in those with bacterial pneumonia (57.1% vs 41.5%, P = 0.016). Taking death as a competitive risk, the Fine-Gray test showed no significant difference in the 28-day cumulative incidence of DVT between these two groups (P = 0.220). Fine-Gray competing risk analysis also showed an association between increased CK (creatine kinase isoenzyme)-MB levels (P = 0.003), decreased PaO₂ (partial pressure of arterial oxygen)/FiO₂ (fraction of inspired oxygen) ratios (P = 0.081), increased D-dimer levels (P = 0.064) and increased incidence of DVT in COVID-19 cohort, and an association between invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV; P = 0.001) and higher incidence of DVT and an association between VTE prophylaxis (P = 0.007) and lower incidence of DVT in bacterial pneumonia cohort. The sensitivity and specificity of the corresponding receiver operating characteristic curve originating from the combination of CK-MB levels, PaO₂/FiO₂ ratios, and D-dimer levels ≥0.5 μg/mL were higher than that of the DVT Wells score (P = 0.020) and were not inferior to that of the Padua prediction score (P = 0.363) for assessing the risk of DVT in COVID-19 cohort. Conclusions: The incidence of DVT in patients with ARDS caused by COVID-19 is higher than those caused by bacterial pneumonia. Furthermore, the risk factors for DVT are completely different between these two ARDS cohorts. It is suggested that COVID-19 is probably an additional risk factor for DVT in ARDS patients.

Background and objective: To investigate pulmonary thromboembolism (PE) in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AE-COPD) patients in plateau regions, we performed a prospective cohort study to evaluate the prevalence, risk factors and clinical characteristics of PE in the cohort of hospitalized patients at high altitude. Methods: We did a prospective study with a total of 636 AE-COPD patients in plateau regions. Demographic and clinical data, laboratory data, including ultrasound scans of the lower extremities and cardiac ultrasound, and computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) variables were obtained, and comparisons were made between groups with and without PE. We also conducted logistic regression to explore the risk factors of PE. Results: Of the 636 patients hospitalized with AE-COPD (age 67.0 ± 10.7 years, 445[70.0%] male), 188 patients developed PE (29.6% [95% CI: 26.0%, 33.1%]). Multivariable logistic regression showed that ethnic minorities, D-dimer > 1 mg/L, AST > 40 U/L, chest pain, cardiac insufficiency or respiratory failure, Padua score > 3, and DVT were associated with a higher probability of PE. Conclusions: The prevalence of PE is high and those with a higher Padua score, the occurrence of deep venous thrombosis, higher neutrophil count, chest pain, cardiac insufficiency or respiratory failure, higher levels of AST, and a higher level of D-dimer had a higher risk of PE. The analysis of AE-COPD may help to provide more accurate screening for PE and improve clinical outcomes of patients with AE-COPD in plateau regions.