Chang Hu

Bio: Chang Hu is an academic researcher from Wuhan University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Intensive care unit & Coronavirus. The author has an hindex of 5, co-authored 10 publications receiving 13602 citations.

Effect of Combined Hydrocortisone, Ascorbic Acid and Thiamine for Patients with Sepsis and Septic Shock: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE This study aims to assess the effect of HAT therapy on patients with sepsis and septic shock. METHODS We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for studies on HAT therapy published up to November 11, 2020. The primary outcome was the duration of vasopressor use. Secondary outcomes were change of Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score within 72 h; death within intensive care unit (ICU), hospital, and 28 or 30 days; length of stay in ICU and hospital; rate of procalcitonin (PCT) clearance and incidence of adverse events. We also used trial sequential analysis (TSA) to assess the reliability of the available evidence. RESULTS Six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and seven observational studies enrolling 1,559 patients were included (762 were treated with HAT, and 797 were treated with hydrocortisone alone, standard care or placebo). HAT therapy was associated with significant reductions in duration of vasopressor use (mean differences [MD], -14.68, [95% CI, -24.28 to -5.08], P = 0.003) in RCTs, but not in observational studies (MD, 11.21 [95% CI, -44.93 to 67.35], P = 0.70). HAT therapy was associated with less organ dysfunction at 72 h both in RCTs (MD, -0.86 [95% CI, -1.32 to -0.40], P < 0.001) and observational studies (MD, -2.65 [95% CI, -5.29 to -0.01], P = 0.05). HAT therapy was associated with lower hospital mortality and higher PCT clearance in observational studies. Similar results for the primary outcome were found in the sensitivity analysis. TSA results suggested more trials to reach the required information size. CONCLUSION Among patients with sepsis and septic shock, a combination therapy of hydrocortisone, ascorbic acid, and thiamine, compared with placebo, could reduce the duration of vasopressor use and SOFA scores during the first 72 h. TRIAL REGISTRATION PROSPERO registration ID for this study is CRD42020170648 (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=170648).

Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19 in China: A Multicenter Retrospective Observational Study

Abstract: Background: Since the end of 2019, coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak spreads around the world We aimed to share the details of critically ill patien

Analysis of Severe Fever With Thrombocytopenia Syndrome in Critical Ill Patients in Central China.

Abstract: INTRODUCTION Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging zoonosis infected by virus (SFTSV) in central and eastern China, which is associated with high mortality. However, limited clinical data have been reported about this critical illness. PATIENTS AND METHODS Retrospective cohort study in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with SFTSV infection admitted in 2014 to 2019. Diagnosis was confirmed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction on serum samples. RESULTS One hundred sixteen patients with SFTSV infection were included (mean age 63 ± 9 years, 59 [51.3%] males). Non-survivors (43.1%) were older, and had lower Glasgow Coma Score, higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II, and sequential organ failure assessment score at ICU admission. In addition, non-survivors had more severe respiratory failure (PaO2/FiO2: 208 ± 14 mm Hg vs. 297 ± 15 mm Hg), more frequent shock (25[50%] vs. 7[10.6%]), and required more frequently mechanical ventilation (78% vs. 19.7%; P < 0.001) and vasopressor support (56% vs. 9.1%; P < 0.001). Non-survivors experienced more obvious monocyte loss. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, older age, elevated lactate level, and elevated creatinine level were the independent risk factors for death. CONCLUSION We provided knowledge about the clinical characteristics of SFTS admitted in ICU. Older age, elevated lactate level, and elevated creatinine level may be useful for identifying patients with poor outcome and intensive medical intervention can be provided for patients as soon as possible to reduce mortality.

Clinical course and outcome of novel coronavirus COVID-19 infection in 107 patients discharged from the Wuhan hospital

Abstract: Background In December 2019, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak was reported from Wuhan, China. Information on the clinical progress and prognosis of COVID-19 was not thoroughly described. We described the clinical courses and prognosis in COVID-19 patients. Methods Retrospective case series of COVID-19 patients from Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University in Wuhan, and Xi-shui Hospital, Hubei Province, China, up to February 10, 2020. Epidemiological, demographic and clinical data were collected. Clinical progress of survivors and non-survivors were compared. Risk factors for death were analyzed. Results A total of 107 discharged patients with COVID-19 were enrolled. The clinical progression of COVID-19 presented as a tri-phasic pattern. Week 1 after illness onset was characterized by fever, cough, dyspnea, lymphopenia and radiological multilobar pulmonary infiltrates. In severe cases, thrombocytopenia, acute kidney injury, acute myocardial injury or adult respiratory distress syndrome were observed. During week 2, in mild cases, fever, cough and systemic symptoms began to resolve and platelet count rose to normal range, but lymphopenia persisted. In severe cases, leukocytosis, neutrophilia and deteriorating multi-organ dysfunction were dominant. By week 3, mild cases had clinically resolved except for lymphopenia. However, severe cases showed persistent lymphopenia, severe acute respiratory dyspnea syndrome , refractory shock, anuric acute kidney injury, coagulopathy, thrombocytopenia and death. Older age and male sex were independent risk factors for poor outcome of the illness. Conclusions A period of 7–13 days after illness onset is the critical stage in COVID-19 progression. Age and male gender were independent risk factors for death of COVID-19.

Prognosis and antibody profiles in survivors of critical illness from COVID-19: a prospective, multi-centre, cohort study

Abstract: Background There is a need to assess the long-term outcomes of survivors from critically ill COVID-19. Methods Ninety-two critically ill survivors of COVID-19 from four hospitals in Hubei province, China participated in this prospective cohort study. Multiple characteristics including lung function (lung volumes, diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide, chest CT scores and walking capacity), immune status (SARS-COV-2 neutralizing antibody and all sub-types of IgG against SARS-CoV-2, immune cells in response to ex-vivo antigen peptide stimuli, lymphocyte count and its sub-type), liver, coagulation and kidney function, quality of life, cognitive function and mental status were assessed after 3, 6 and 12-months of follow-up. Results Among the 92 enrolled survivors, 72 (78%) patients required mechanical ventilation. At 12 months, the predicted percentage diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide was 82% (IQR, 76%-97%) with a residual volume of 77% (64%-88%). Other lung function parameters and the 6-minute walk test improved gradually over time and were almost back to normal by 12 months. The titers of IgG and neutralizing antibody to COVID-19 remained high at 12 months compared to non-COVID-19 infected controls, although IgG titers decreased significantly from 33.96 AU/ml (IQR, 23.79-74.30) to 14.98 AU/ml (5.75-24.30) (P Conclusions Critically ill COVID-19 survivors show some persistent long-term impairments in lung function, however the majority of these tests are normal by 12 months. These patients still have detectable levels of neutralising antibodies against SARS-COV-2 and all types of IgG at 12 months, but the levels had declined over this time period.

Clinical Characteristics of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in China.

Abstract: Background Since December 2019, when coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) emerged in Wuhan city and rapidly spread throughout China, data have been needed on the clinical characteristics of...

Risk Factors Associated With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Death in Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pneumonia in Wuhan, China

Abstract: Importance Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging infectious disease that was first reported in Wuhan, China, and has subsequently spread worldwide. Risk factors for the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 pneumonia have not yet been well delineated. Objective To describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia who developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or died. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective cohort study of 201 patients with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia admitted to Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital in China between December 25, 2019, and January 26, 2020. The final date of follow-up was February 13, 2020. Exposures Confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia. Main Outcomes and Measures The development of ARDS and death. Epidemiological, demographic, clinical, laboratory, management, treatment, and outcome data were also collected and analyzed. Results Of 201 patients, the median age was 51 years (interquartile range, 43-60 years), and 128 (63.7%) patients were men. Eighty-four patients (41.8%) developed ARDS, and of those 84 patients, 44 (52.4%) died. In those who developed ARDS, compared with those who did not, more patients presented with dyspnea (50 of 84 [59.5%] patients and 30 of 117 [25.6%] patients, respectively [difference, 33.9%; 95% CI, 19.7%-48.1%]) and had comorbidities such as hypertension (23 of 84 [27.4%] patients and 16 of 117 [13.7%] patients, respectively [difference, 13.7%; 95% CI, 1.3%-26.1%]) and diabetes (16 of 84 [19.0%] patients and 6 of 117 [5.1%] patients, respectively [difference, 13.9%; 95% CI, 3.6%-24.2%]). In bivariate Cox regression analysis, risk factors associated with the development of ARDS and progression from ARDS to death included older age (hazard ratio [HR], 3.26; 95% CI 2.08-5.11; and HR, 6.17; 95% CI, 3.26-11.67, respectively), neutrophilia (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.09-1.19; and HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.01-1.17, respectively), and organ and coagulation dysfunction (eg, higher lactate dehydrogenase [HR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.44-1.79; and HR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.11-1.52, respectively] and D-dimer [HR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01-1.04; and HR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.04, respectively]). High fever (≥39 °C) was associated with higher likelihood of ARDS development (HR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.11-2.84) and lower likelihood of death (HR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.21-0.82). Among patients with ARDS, treatment with methylprednisolone decreased the risk of death (HR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.20-0.72). Conclusions and Relevance Older age was associated with greater risk of development of ARDS and death likely owing to less rigorous immune response. Although high fever was associated with the development of ARDS, it was also associated with better outcomes among patients with ARDS. Moreover, treatment with methylprednisolone may be beneficial for patients who develop ARDS.

Structure of the SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain bound to the ACE2 receptor.

Abstract: A new and highly pathogenic coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, SARS-CoV-2) caused an outbreak in Wuhan city, Hubei province, China, starting from December 2019 that quickly spread nationwide and to other countries around the world1–3. Here, to better understand the initial step of infection at an atomic level, we determined the crystal structure of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 bound to the cell receptor ACE2. The overall ACE2-binding mode of the SARS-CoV-2 RBD is nearly identical to that of the SARS-CoV RBD, which also uses ACE2 as the cell receptor4. Structural analysis identified residues in the SARS-CoV-2 RBD that are essential for ACE2 binding, the majority of which either are highly conserved or share similar side chain properties with those in the SARS-CoV RBD. Such similarity in structure and sequence strongly indicate convergent evolution between the SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV RBDs for improved binding to ACE2, although SARS-CoV-2 does not cluster within SARS and SARS-related coronaviruses1–3,5. The epitopes of two SARS-CoV antibodies that target the RBD are also analysed for binding to the SARS-CoV-2 RBD, providing insights into the future identification of cross-reactive antibodies. High-resolution crystal structures of the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV in complex with ACE2 provide insights into the binding mode of these coronaviruses and highlight essential ACE2-interacting residues.