[Eleven fatal cases with A H1N1 influenza in Tianjin].
OBJECTIVE
To describe the clinical characteristics of fatal cases with confirmed A H1N1 influenza so as to improve the diagnosis and treatment of this severe disease.


METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 11 fatal cases with A H1N1 influenza in Tianjin between September 1 and November 4 2009.


RESULTS
There were 6 males and 5 females with a median age of 25 (21 - 36) years old. Two cases were pregnant women and 3 patients suffered such concurrent disorders as dilated cardiomyopathy, multiple myeloma or atrophic gastritis. Over 3 lung fields were involved on chest imaging studies and the oxygenation index was less than 300 mm Hg at admission. The therapies of oseltamivir and methylprednisolone were administered and mechanical ventilation was initiated within 24 hours. Refractory hypoxemia and a higher level of lactate dehydrogenase were present during treatment. Pneumothorax or mediastinal emphysema occurred in 4 patients, acute renal failure in 1 and pneumopyothorax in 1. The culture of airway secretion at 3 - 7 days after mechanical ventilation showed Staphylococcus aureus in 4 patients and Aspergillus in 2. The progress of disease was so quick that the duration from onset of clinical symptoms to hospitalization was a median of 4 (3 - 6) days and the duration from onset of clinical symptoms to death a median of 12 days.


CONCLUSIONS
The fatal cases with A H1N1 influenza in Tianjin occurred mostly in young individuals and pregnant women. This severe disease had a rapid progression. And bacterial co-infections were quite common. Refractory hypoxemia resulting in respiratory failure was the main mortality reason.
Wu
Jun-ping
JP
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tianjin Haihe Hospital, Tianjin 300350, China.
Wu
Qi
Q
Shao
Shi-feng
SF
Sun
Xin
X
Xie
Yi
Y
Zhang
Jun-quan
JQ
Li
Li
L
DU
Zhong-zhen
ZZ
D000328:Adult; D002423:Cause of Death; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D055815:Young Adult