Enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection can lead to devastating clinical outcomes. An appreciation of the scientific relationship between cytokine response and patient mortality may help limit the risks posed by this deadly illness. We present the results of a study that compared the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) in 24 patients with EV71 infection. Cases in this study involved diverse manifestations or complications, including encephalitis, poliomyelitis-like syndrome, meningitis, and pulmonary edema. CSF levels of IL-6 in study patients were found to be consistently higher during the first 2 days of central nervous system (CNS) involvement than afterward. Compared with patients who did not have pulmonary edema, patients who experienced pulmonary edema had dramatically varied blood values, including IL-6, white blood cell counts, and glucose levels. Our findings suggest that the combination of CNS and systemic inflammatory response may trigger EV71-related cardiopulmonary collapse.

A retrospective study of 36 patients with xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis who underwent nephrectomy at our hospital was performed. The disease occurred most frequently in middle-aged women with a history of recurrent urinary tract disorder. There were 2 cases of focal xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis, 2 associated with emphysematous pyelonephritis, 2 that manifested as fistula formation between the colon or skin, and 1 with deep sinus formation into the hip joint that presented as septic arthritis. Flank pain and fever were the most frequent complaints. Escherichia coli (67%) and Proteus mirabilis (26%) were the most common organisms isolated from the voided urine, kidney and blood stream. Cephalothin plus gentamicin or tobramycin were the drugs of choice before surgical intervention.

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