1.
Efficacy of convalescent plasma for the treatment of severe influenza
Xu Z, Zhou J, Huang Y, Liu X, Xu Y, Chen S, Liu D, Lin Z, Liu X, Li Y
Crit Care. 2020;24(1):469
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Convalescent plasma administration may be of clinical benefit in patients with severe influenza, but reports on the efficacy of this therapy vary. METHODS We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis assessing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving the administration of convalescent plasma to treat severe influenza. Healthcare databases were searched in February 2020. All records were screened against eligibility criteria, and the risks of bias were assessed. The primary outcome was the fatality rate. RESULTS A total of 2861 studies were retrieved and screened. Five eligible RCTs were identified. Pooled analyses yielded no evidence that using convalescent plasma to treat severe influenza resulted in significant reductions in mortality (odds ratio, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.51-2·23; P = 0.87; I(2) = 35%), number of days in the intensive care unit, or number of days on mechanical ventilation. This treatment may have the possible benefits of increasing hemagglutination inhibition titers and reducing influenza B viral loads and cytokine levels. No serious adverse events were reported. The included studies were generally of high quality with a low risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS The administration of convalescent plasma appears safe but may not reduce the mortality, number of days in the intensive care unit, or number of days on mechanical ventilation in patients with severe influenza.
PICO Summary
Population
Patients hospitalized with severe influenza (5 studies, n= 598).
Intervention
Convalescent plasma or hyperimmune intravenous immunoglobulin (H-IVIG).
Comparison
Various comparators (normal intravenous immunoglobulin, standard care, low-titre anti-influenza, placebo).
Outcome
Pooled analyses yielded no evidence that using convalescent plasma to treat severe influenza resulted in significant reductions in mortality, number of days in the intensive care unit, or number of days on mechanical ventilation.
2.
Effects of methylprednisolone or immunoglobulin when added to standard treatment with intravenous azithromycin for refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children
Shan LS, Liu X, Kang XY, Wang F, Han XH, Shang YX
World Journal of Pediatrics : Wjp. 2017;13((4):):321-327
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia has increased considerably in recent years. To evaluate the effi cacy of combined treatment of azithromycin with intravenous immunoglo-bulin (IVIG) or methylprednisolone in children with refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP). METHODS Children with RMPP were randomly allocated to group A [intravenous azithromycin (IA)+ methylprednisolone], group B (IA+IVIG) or group C (IA alone). Following a 7-day treatment, group C patients were randomly separated into two sub-groups: group C1 (IA+methylprednisolone) and group C2 (IA+IVIG). Temperature, respiratory symptoms and signs were examined. The average febrile period after treatment (F2), average total febrile period (F3), infiltration absorption, atelectasis resolution, pleural effusion disappearance were determined. The levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured. RESULTS Seven days after enrollment, the average F2 after treatment of group A was the shortest. Compared with the control group C, the combined treatment group A and B showed higher rates of infiltration absorption, atelectasis resolution and pleural effusion disappearance, while lower levels of serum CRP, D-dimer and LDH. Fourteen days after enrollment, all children with combined therapy clinically improved, and presented better laboratory results. Group C1 showed shorter F3 and lower levels of CRP and LDH than those of group C2. Overall, group A showed the shortest F3, also has the lowest CRP and LDH. CONCLUSIONS Azithromycin with IVIG or methylprednisolone was better treatment for children with RMPP than azithromycin alone. IVIG treatment may be beneficial, especially when the efficacy of corticosteroids is insecure, thus could be considered as an alternative of primary therapeutic approaches.