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Bacterial pneumonia more common in patients with fatal H7N9
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Patients in China who died of avian influenza A(H7N9) were more likely to have bacterial pneumonia than other patients, according to study results published online.
Lanjuan Li, MD, director of the State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases in Hangzhou, China, and colleagues studied a group of 12 patients with influenza A(H7N9) who were admitted to the ICU between April 10 and April 23. Six of the patients recovered from the infection, and six patients died.
The researchers noted some characteristics among the patients who survived; specifically that the median viral load was lower in this group, and that nosocomial bacterial infections — such as pneumonia — were less prevalent (50% vs. 83%).
“Reactive hemophagocytosis in the bone marrow and lymphoid atrophy in splenic tissues were compatible with laboratory findings of leukopenia, lymphopenia and thrombocytopenia,” the researchers wrote. “Hypoxic and fatty changes of kidney and liver tissues are compatible with impaired renal or liver function.”
The researchers noted some study limitations; specifically that paramortem information was not available in three patients who died weeks after their symptoms presented. The researchers also said limited paramortem examination was performed because of cultural and religious reasons, both of which limited conclusions.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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