Search This Blog

Wednesday 25 March 2020

You can't Boost your Immunity? or, Debunking the COVID-19 Skeptics.

Kate's elderberry concoction, photograph by Hayley Theyers




Is there anything as useless as the professional Skeptic community in a health  crisis? Some people are paid to be roadblocks, others are educated professionals going well outside their lanes after the witches they despise for getting in their lanes at other times, others are just the sort of people who get an existential thrill from negating what they don't understand, or journalists with a "tough" reputation to uphold and a grab-bag of empty rhetoric.
In the history of science no-one has been wrong more often than the skeptic. What we usually call scepticism in the scientific method is just BEING CAREFUL.
"The first principle is that you must not fool yourself and you are the easiest person to fool." Richard P. Feynman
This is nothing like rushing into print with a negative opinion and a few pejoratives on a subject you haven't studied until now so you're either linking to the first blog that agrees with you on an emotional level, instead of looking at the literature, or you're scanning the literature quickly for reasons to dismiss it.

It's far more useful to point to what we DO know. And the first thing to be said, quite clearly, is that you CAN boost your immune system. See the evidence below. And a fast-acting, broad-spectrum immune response is how we get on top of new pathogens.

Straight up, it needs to be stated that COVID-19 is a new virus, with some specific features. Not everything that applies to previous colds, flus, or pneumonial diseases may apply.  So all older evidence needs to be evaluated carefully. But it's not completely new, this isn't smallpox in the New World, it's a nasty variation on the cold viruses we've seen before and the healthiest immune systems can usually react appropriately, as we see when we consider the high rate of mild cases and the low symptom load in the very young. The pattern so far is characteristic of other pandemics; people with no or light symptoms seem to have had a strong initial immune response and are producing antibodies to COVID-19. Here is a COVID-19 immunological case study of a mild infection, which concludes:
“our study indicates that robust multi-factorial immune responses can be elicited to the newly emerged virus SARS-CoV-2 and, similar to the avian H7N9 disease, early adaptive immune responses might correlate with better clinical outcomes.“
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-020-0819-2.pdf

In humans, we can test whether a compound (or organism) improves the recognition of new pathogens by giving it with a vaccine.
Consistently, acetaminophen (tylenol, paracetamol) suppresses this function in infants.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19837254
Effects are dose- and drug-dependent - low-dose aspirin doesn't impair immunity in elderly given flu vaccine, ibuprofen doesn't impair it compared with paracetamol in infants.
Probiotics enhance it.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264410X17311672

We know that probiotics enhance the immune response in vaccinated infants, but we can't take those infants and then expose them to the disease to learn how significant this is - herd immunity means that the risk is low in a vaccinated population even for people whose vaccines didn't work. We can however do this in animals.
Here's an experiment where zebrafish were vaccinated against a bacterial pathogen, Flavobacterium columnare, then bathed in said pathogen, with varying amounts of echinacea purpurea in their diets.
It's a tough test with, you might think, little possibility of a placebo effect.
The first point is that this vaccine doesn't really work. Only 5% of vaccinated fish are surviving exposure to Flavobacterium columnare. But add the echinacea to their feed, and we see survival climb dose-dependently. 5g echinacea per Kg is the same as none - 5% survival. 10g/Kg = 6%. 20g/Kg = 30%. 30g/Kg = 36%.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25638970
That link is down at sci-hub, so here is a similar study by the same team - without the vaccine.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230257632_Effect_of_Echinacea_purpurea_on_growth_and_survival_of_guppy_Poecilia_reticulata_challenged_with_Aeromonas_bestiarum

You're not going to get ethics approval to try this in humans, so make of this what you can. Firstly, why echinacea? The active ingredient is a polysaccharide, and it likely activates a variety of TLR and NOD receptors much as pathogen lipopolysaccharides do.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4140398/
Similarly with probiotic cell wall lysates. A company I worked for tested a lysate from a lactobacillus rhamnosus strain many years ago and found it had ligand activity at TLRs 2,4,7,9, and NOD2, which latter is a gamma-interferon pathway.
This is going to enhance the response to a pathogen, which relies on you recognising quickly that it IS a pathogen via PAMPs and DAMPs (q.v.), a signal which compounds with such activity are amplifying.
This is well-known in human vaccine research - such compounds are called adjuvants and play a poorly-understood role in establishing immunodominance (the identification and proliferation of the "right" antibody-producing (B, Th2) immune cell).

Another commonly used herbal supplement, andrographis, has similar adjuvant effects given with vaccines in animal experiments
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17321475.

Elderberry has AFAIK not been tested as an adjuvant but has direct antiviral effects in mice exposed to human influenza A.

https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/8850/575f0665e98360dc6386ad828e66f573d270.pdf

So what is the human evidence? Elderberry (sambucus) is effective for seasonal URT infections in a meta-analysis. The studies only add up to n=180, but the effect is large and consistent (you don't need a high-powered study when something has a decent effect - we're not counting crumbs here, there's a loaf on the table).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30670267

This is likely due to cytokine effects, and some people might ask "what about cytokine storm?"
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11399518/

Cytokines early in infection are the immune system's alert response. If viral levels are controlled early, there is a lower risk of cytokine storm.
The analogy here is the phase one insulin response, which, if inadequate to manage glucose levels, may be followed by an exaggerated and hyperinsulinaemic phase 2 response.
There is some question as to whether COVID-19 mortality is really due to cytokine storm, as in SARS or swine flu, or due to a direct effect of the virus on the lung, where cells producing pulmonary surfactant (Type II alveolar epithelial cells) are damaged by the virus and reduce normal lung function.

Andrographis is effective for reducing cough.
https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/442111
It has an opposite effect on TNF-alpha from sambucus, so if you are worried that sambucus is too inflammatory use a combined supplement, in my experience these are effective enough for easing the misery and shortening the course of the usual cold and flu.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22026410

An AI-type analysis of data found that andrographis suppressed ACE2 expression most; sambucus and the TCM staple astragalus (another adjuvant) were also on the list.
https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202002.0047/v1

Now, you may not want ACE2 suppressed if you are in extremis. It is a normal feature of lung function, and vitamin D supplementation (25 ug/Kg) increases ACE2 expression but prevents LPS-induced lung injury in this Wistar rat example.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316630691_Effect_of_Vitamin_D_on_ACE2_and_Vitamin_D_receptor_expression_in_rats_with_LPS-induced_acute_lung_injury
The jury is very much still out on ACE inhibitors (which may increase ACE2 expression) and risk.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2763803

However - if you use these medicines, the idea is to use them around exposure, or PRN for symptoms, as advised. If they work, the disease will be less serious, if they don't and you do experience pneumonia you're not going to be taking them in the ICU.
Never keep taking something that makes you feel worse.

Interestingly, echinacea, which is a star in the animal studies, has only weak effects in human trials.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24554461
Yet these studies were just as small and had the same potential for bias as the elderberry and andrographis trials. That quite distinct effects or strength of effect appears consistently when different compounds are tested answers the specificity test of a Bradford Hill analysis of the "immune boosting" question. In fact every Bradford Hill criteria is being well-met, whatever the limitations of the human research.

The weak effects of echinacea may be due to its relative fragility and variation as an extract, inadequate dosage, or to the timing of its use as a prophylactic. I use these extracts only when I am either obviously exposed, "coming down with something", or actually sick. My opinion, not necessarily what the science says and just the voice of experience, is that echinacea and elderberry, if good extracts in adequate doses, both work if taken soon enough (elderberry was very effective taken within 24 hours in the swine flu but had no effect when given more than 48 hours after symptoms started). Perhaps echinacea is better for colds and sambucus for flus, but even if that were true COVID-19 is not necessarily playing by all rules. I also use Sanderson's Viramax, a mixed supplement of sambucus, andrographis, echinacea and olive leaf extract when I'm sick for PRN symptom relief, on the basis of past satisfaction with its effects. There is some evidence for olive leaf extract, but the active ingredient seems to be found in extra virgin olive oil.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6412187/


Apart from herbs and probiotics, what else is there evidence for?

Malnutrition impairs antibody production, obviously, so eat a sensible diet that includes minimally processed animal products, including meat, if you're skeptical about supplements.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7033455/

Apart from that, it's well worth supplementing selenium (by Brazil nuts or supplements). A pre-2019 coronavirus encoded for 60 selenocysteine residues per core protein. This is a common viral adaptation and protects the stability of the viral genome (a good thing) while depressing host immunity (a bad thing).
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/06/010608081506.htm
Wuhan, Northern Italy, the UK and NZ are all low-selenium areas where deficiency is common. Check the data for your region or county, which is usually available online.

The jury's still out on supplementary vitamin C, and I seemed to stop responding to it when my metabolic health improved, but it's cheap and can't hurt.
Update: high dose vitamin C is being used in New York hospitals.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8149191/New-York-hospitals-treating-corona-patients-6000-milligrams-VITAMIN-C.html
It's the end of winter in the Northern hemisphere so I'd be supplementing vitamin D3 if I lived there.

Inorganic zinc lozenges (especially zinc acetate) seem to have a role to play here, but may be a lot of trouble to maintain for the duration. It might be worth it depending on your level of risk, as the effect is strong enough.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5418896/

The spread and virulence of viral infections is in large part a numbers game. Needlestick exposures to HCV had a higher clearance rate than exposures to contaminated blood transfusions. Every line of defense matters, and every proven or even just most-likely barrier to the pathogen establishing dominance over the immune system can be worth investment.

























Tuesday 10 March 2020

The Official COVID-19 protocol from Shanghai, China, in English

This detailed protocol, which appeared online last week on an official Chinese Govt website, includes high-dose Vitamin C within the SOC drug recommendations. So far, when this has been pointed out to anyone in the "evidence-based medicine" community who has been busy online dismissing nutrient protocols for viral illnesses, they have pretended not to notice. Nor does there seem to be any reporting  or discussion in the western mainstream media.
What about prophylaxis? The blood concentrations of vitamin C from IV use are higher than we can get from oral dosing.
I think, if you read the Cochrane reviews of vitamin C for the common cold or pneumonia, there is a clinically significant advantage in high-risk subcategories (people stressed by cold or rigorous exercise for cold, seriously ill elderly for pneumonia). There is heterogeneity in exposure methods, some of which will replicate natural coronavirus exposure better than others. And the general advantages - reduced symptoms and duration - are reductions in COVID-19 transmission factors that could have a meaningful impact at a population level. Read them closely, don't just look for the first limitation that you think might allow you to dismiss a whole body of evidence.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23925826/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23440782
"Nevertheless, given the consistent effect of vitamin C on the duration and severity of colds in the regular supplementation studies, and the low cost and safety, it may be worthwhile for common cold patients to test on an individual basis whether therapeutic vitamin C is beneficial for them."

If you disagree that EBM, for a lot of proponents, stands for emotionally biased medicine, consider this: New Zealand has had to ration acetaminophen (Panadol, Tylenol) prescriptions due to a run on pharmacy stocks.
There is no human RCT of the safety of acetaminophen in pneumonia (we know vitamin C is safe from the Cochrane review), but antipyretics, including acetaminophen, cause a 37% increased risk of mortality in animal models.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2951171/
Yet there is no EBM push online to warn about this and to mock the people buying or prescribing antipyretics.
EBM - it ought to be essential, it's lovely in theory, yet it seems to be toxic at the level of science communication.

I can't tell you what to do, but here's what I'm doing, besides all the washing and contact common sense stuff - I'm making sure I'm replete in selenium, zinc, retinol, and vitamin D. I'm taking 500mg vitamin C a day. If I start to get ill, I'll take a standardised elderberry extract and a standardised andrographis extract. I may increase the dose of vitamin C.



The Shanghai Protocol, from https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/bF2YhJKiOfe1yimBc4XwOA


[Editor's note] 


On March 1st, the Chinese Journal of Infectious Diseases, which was hosted by the Shanghai Medical Association, pre-published the "Expert Consensus on Comprehensive Treatment of Coronavirus in Shanghai 2019" (http://rs.yiigle.com/m/yufabiao/1183266 .htm), which has attracted widespread attention in the industry. Shanghai TV also reported on the news last night. This consensus was reached by 30 experts representing the strongest medical force in the treatment of new-type coronavirus pneumonia in Shanghai. Through the research and summary of more than 300 clinical patients, and fully drawing on the treatment experience of colleagues at home and abroad, the "Shanghai Plan" was finally formed. At the end of the article, the list of 30 subject experts (18 writing experts and 12 consulting experts) from various medical institutions in Shanghai is attached.




Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first reported on December 31, 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei Province. COVID-19, as a respiratory infectious disease, has been included in the Class B infectious diseases stipulated in the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases and managed as a Class A infectious disease.

With the deepening of understanding of the disease, COVID-19 has accumulated a certain amount of experience in the prevention and control of COVID-19. The Shanghai New Coronary Virus Disease Clinical Treatment Expert Group follows the National New Coronary Virus Pneumonia Diagnosis and Treatment Program and fully draws on the treatment experience of colleagues at home and abroad to improve the success rate of clinical treatment and reduce the mortality rate of patients, prevent the progress of the disease, and gradually reduce the disease The proportion of patients with severe disease improves their clinical prognosis. Based on the continuous optimization and refinement of the treatment plan, expert consensus has been formed on the relevant clinical diagnosis and treatment.

I. Etiology and epidemiological characteristics

2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a new coronavirus belonging to the genus β. On February 11, 2020, the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) named the virus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Patients with COVID-19 and asymptomatic infection can transmit 2019-nCoV. Respiratory droplet transmission is the main route of transmission and can also be transmitted through contact. There is also the risk of aerosol transmission in confined enclosed spaces. COVID-19 patients can detect 2019-nCoV in stool, urine, and blood; some patients can still test positive for fecal pathogenic nucleic acid after the pathogenic nucleic acid test of respiratory specimens is negative. The crowd is generally susceptible. Children, infants, and young children also develop disease, but the condition is relatively mild.

Clinical characteristics and diagnosis

(A) clinical characteristics

The incubation period is 1 to 14 d, mostly 3 to 7 d, with an average of 6.4 d. Main symptoms are fever, fatigue, and dry cough. May be accompanied by runny nose, sore throat, chest tightness, vomiting and diarrhea. Some patients have mild symptoms, and a few patients have no symptoms or pneumonia.

The elderly and those suffering from basic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, and extreme obesity tend to develop severe illness after infection. Some patients develop symptoms such as dyspnea within 1 week after the onset of the disease. In severe cases, they can progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multiple organ dysfunction. The time to progression to severe illness was approximately 8.5 days. It is worth noting that in the course of severe and critically ill patients, there may be moderate to low fever, even without obvious fever. Most patients have a good prognosis, and deaths are more common in the elderly and those with chronic underlying disease.

The early CT examination showed multiple small patches or ground glass shadows, and the internal texture of the CT scans was thickened in the form of grid cables, which was obvious in the outer lung zone. A few days later, the lesions increased and the scope expanded, showing extensive lungs, multiple ground glass shadows, or infiltrating lesions, some of which showed consolidation of the lungs, often with bronchial inflation signs, and pleural effusions were rare. A small number of patients progressed rapidly, with imaging changes reaching a peak on days 7 to 10 of the course. Typical "white lung" performance is rare. After entering the recovery period, the lesions are reduced, the scope is narrowed, the exudative lesions are absorbed, part of the fiber cable shadow appears, and some patients' lesions can be completely absorbed.

In the early stage of the disease, the total number of white blood cells in the peripheral blood was normal or decreased, and the lymphocyte count was reduced. Some patients may have abnormal liver function, and the levels of lactate dehydrogenase, muscle enzyme, and myoglobin may increase; troponin levels may be increased. Most patients had elevated CRP and ESR levels and normal procalcitonin levels. In severe cases, D-dimer levels are elevated, other coagulation indicators are abnormal, lactic acid levels are elevated, peripheral blood lymphocytes and CD4 + T lymphocytes are progressively reduced, and electrolyte disorders and acid-base imbalances are caused by metabolic alkalosis See more. Elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines (such as IL-6, IL-8, etc.) may occur during the disease progression stage.

(Two) diagnostic criteria

1. Suspected case: Combined with the following epidemiological history and clinical manifestations. Suspected cases were diagnosed as having any one of epidemiological history and meeting any two of the clinical manifestations, or having no clear epidemiological history but meeting three of the clinical manifestations. ① Epidemiological history: travel history or residence history of Wuhan City and surrounding areas, or other communities with case reports within 14 days before the onset; history of contact with 2019-nCoV infection (positive nucleic acid test) within 14 days before the onset ; Patients with fever or respiratory symptoms from Wuhan and surrounding areas or from communities with case reports within 14 days before the onset of the disease; cluster onset. ② Clinical manifestations: fever and / or respiratory symptoms; with the above-mentioned imaging features of the new coronavirus pneumonia; the total number of white blood cells is normal or decreased in the early stage of onset, and the lymphocyte count is reduced.

2. Confirmed cases: Those with one of the following etiology evidence are diagnosed as confirmed cases. ① Real-time fluorescent reverse transcription PCR detected 2019-nCoV nucleic acid positive. ② Viral gene sequencing revealed high homology with the known 2019-nCoV. ③ Except for nasopharyngeal swabs, take sputum as much as possible. Patients undergoing tracheal intubation can collect lower respiratory tract secretions and send viral nucleic acid test positive.

(Three) differential diagnosis

It is mainly distinguished from other known viral pneumonias such as influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, human metapneumovirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus, etc. , Different from Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumonia and bacterial pneumonia. In addition, it must be distinguished from non-infectious diseases such as pulmonary interstitial lesions and organizing pneumonia caused by connective tissue diseases such as vasculitis and dermatomyositis.

(Four) clinical classification

1. Mild: The clinical symptoms are slight, and no pneumonia manifestations on imaging examination.

2. Ordinary type: fever, respiratory tract symptoms, etc. Pneumonia manifestations on imaging examination.

Early warning of severe cases of common patients should be strengthened. Based on current clinical studies, elderly (aged> 65 years) with underlying diseases, CD4 + T lymphocyte count <250 2="" 3="" and="" blood="" days="" found="" il-6="" imaging="" increased="" lesions="" levels="" lung="" on="" progress="" significant="" significantly="" to="" were="">50 %, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH)> 2 times the upper limit of normal value, blood lactic acid ≥ 3 mmol / L, metabolic alkalosis, etc. are all early warning indicators of severe disease.

3. Heavy: Any one of the following. ① Shortness of breath, respiratory rate ≥ 30 times / min; ② In resting state, arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) ≤ 93%; ③ arterial partial pressure of oxygen, PaO2) / fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) ≤ 300 mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa). At high altitudes (above 1 000 m), PaO2 / FiO2 should be corrected according to the following formula: PaO2 / FiO2 × [Atmospheric Pressure (mmHg) / 760].

Pulmonary imaging examination showed that the lesions progressed significantly within 24 to 48 hours, and those with more than 50% of the lesions were managed as severe.

4. Dangerous: A person who meets any of the following conditions can be judged as critical. ① Respiratory failure occurs and requires mechanical ventilation; ② Shock occurs; ③ Combined with other organ failure, ICU monitoring and treatment is required.

(5) Clinical monitoring

The patient's clinical manifestations, vital signs, fluid volume, gastrointestinal function and mental state are monitored daily.

All patients were dynamically monitored for terminal blood oxygen saturation. For critically ill and critically ill patients, timely blood gas analysis is performed according to the changes in the condition; blood routine, electrolytes, CRP, procalcitonin, LDH, blood coagulation function indicators, blood lactic acid, etc. are tested at least once every 2 days; liver function, kidney function , ESR, IL-6, IL-8, lymphocyte subsets, at least once every 3 days; chest imaging examination, usually every 2 days. For patients with ARDS, routine ultrasound examination of the heart and lungs at the bedside is recommended to observe extravascular lung water and cardiac parameters. For monitoring of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patients, refer to the implementation section of ECMO.

Treatment plan

(A) antiviral treatment

You can try hydroxychloroquine sulfate or chloroquine phosphate, or Abidol for oral administration, interferon nebulization and inhalation, interferon κ is preferred, and interferon α recommended by the national scheme can also be applied. It is not recommended to use 3 or more antivirals at the same time. The viral nucleic acid should be stopped in time after it becomes negative. The efficacy of all antiviral drugs remains to be evaluated in further clinical studies.

For patients with severe and critical viral nucleic acid positives, recovery patients can be tested for recovery plasma. For detailed operation and management of adverse reactions, please refer to the "Clinical Treatment Program for Recovery of New Coronary Pneumonia Patients During Recovery Period" (trial version 1). Infusion within 14 days of the onset may be more effective. If the viral nucleic acid is continuously detected at the later stage of the disease, the recovery period of plasma treatment can also be tried.

(Two) treatment of light and ordinary patients

Supportive treatment needs to be strengthened to ensure sufficient heat; pay attention to water and electrolyte balance to maintain internal environment stability; closely monitor patient vital signs and finger oxygen saturation. Give effective oxygen therapy in time. Antibacterials and glucocorticoids are not used in principle. The patient's condition needs to be closely monitored. If the disease progresses significantly and there is a risk of turning into severe, it is recommended to take comprehensive measures to prevent the disease from progressing to severe. Low-dose short-course glucocorticoids can be used with caution (see the application section of glucocorticoids for specific protocols) ). Heparin anticoagulation and high-dose vitamin C are recommended. Low-molecular-weight heparin 1 to 2 per day, continued until the patient's D-dimer level returned to normal. Once fibrinogen degradation product (FDP) ≥10 µg / mL and / or D-dimer ≥5 μg / mL, switch to unfractionated heparin. Vitamin C is administered at a dose of 50 to 100 mg / kg per day, and the continuous use time is aimed at a significant improvement in the oxygenation index. If lung lesions progress, it is recommended to apply a large-dose broad-spectrum protease inhibitor, ulinastatin, at 600 to 1 million units / day until the pulmonary imaging examination improves. In the event of a "cytokine storm", intermittent short veno-venuous hemofiltration (ISVVH) is recommended.

(III) Organ function supportive treatment for severe and critically ill patients

1. Protection and maintenance of circulatory function: implement the principle of early active controlled fluid replacement. It is recommended to evaluate the effective volume and initiate fluid therapy as soon as possible after admission. Severe patients can choose intravenous or transcolonic fluid resuscitation depending on the conditions. The preferred supplement is lactated Ringer's solution. Regarding vasoactive drugs, noradrenaline and dopamine are recommended to maintain vascular tone and increase cardiac output. For patients with shock, norepinephrine is the first choice. It is recommended to start low-dose vasoactive drugs at the same time as fluid resuscitation to maintain circulation stability and avoid excessive fluid infusion. Cardioprotective drugs are recommended for severe and critically ill patients, and sedative drugs that inhibit the heart are avoided as much as possible. For patients with sinus bradycardia, isoprenaline can be used. For patients with sinus rhythm, a heart rate of <50 80="" about="" and="" at="" beats="" dopamine="" font="" heart="" hemodynamic="" instability="" intravenous="" is="" isoproterenol="" low-dose="" maintain="" min.="" min="" of="" or="" pumping="" rate="" recommended="" the="" to="">

2. Reduce pulmonary interstitial inflammation: 2019-nCoV leads to severe pulmonary interstitial lesions that can cause pulmonary function deterioration. It is recommended to use a large dose of a broad-spectrum protease inhibitor ulinastatin.

3. Protection of renal function: Reasonable anticoagulant therapy and appropriate fluid therapy are recommended as soon as possible. See chapter "Cytokine storm" for prevention, protection and maintenance of circulatory function.

4. Protection of intestinal function: Prebiotics can be used to improve the intestinal microecology of patients. Use raw rhubarb (15-20 g plus 150 ml warm boiling water) or Dachengqi decoction for oral administration or enema.

5. Nutritional support: parenteral nutrition is preferred, via nasal feeding or via jejunum. The whole protein nutrient preparation is preferred, and the energy is 25 to 35 kcal / kg (1 kcal = 4.184 kJ) per day.

6. Prevention and treatment of cytokine storm: It is recommended to use large doses of vitamin C and unfractionated heparin. Large doses of vitamin C are injected intravenously at a dose of 100 to 200 mg / kg per day. The duration of continuous use is to significantly improve the oxygenation index. It is recommended to use large doses. Dose of the broad-spectrum protease inhibitor ulinastatin, given 1.6 million units, once every 8 h, under mechanical ventilation, when the oxygenation index> 300 mmHg can be reduced to 1 million units / d. Anticoagulation The treatment protects endothelial cells and reduces the release of cytokines. When FDP ≥ 10 µg / mL and / or D-dimer ≥ 5 μg / mL, anticoagulation is given to unfractionated heparin (3 to 15 IU / kg per hour). Heparin is used for the first time. The patient's coagulation function and platelets must be re-examined 4 h later. ISVVH is used for 6 to 10 h every day.

7. Sedation and artificial hibernation: Patients undergoing mechanical ventilation or receiving ECMO need to be sedated on the basis of analgesia. For patients with severe man-machine confrontation during the establishment of an artificial airway, short-term application of low-dose muscle relaxants is recommended. Hibernation therapy is recommended for severe patients with oxygenation index < 200 mmHg. Artificial hibernation therapy can reduce the body's metabolism and oxygen consumption, and at the same time dilate the pulmonary blood vessels to significantly improve oxygenation. It is recommended to use continuous intravenous bolus medication, and the patient's blood pressure should be closely monitored. Use opioids and dexmedetomidine with caution. Because severely ill patients often have elevated IL-6 levels and easily cause abdominal distension, opioids should be avoided; 2019-nCoV can still inhibit sinus node function and cause sinus bradycardia, so it should be used with caution on Inhibitory sedatives. In order to prevent the occurrence and exacerbation of lung infections, and to avoid prolonged excessive sedation, try to withdraw muscle relaxants as soon as possible. It is recommended to monitor the depth of sedation closely.

8. Oxygen therapy and respiratory support: ① nasal cannula or mask oxygen therapy, SaO2 ≤93% under resting air condition, or SaO2 < 90% after activity, or oxygenation index (PaO2 / FiO2) 200-300 mmHg; With or without respiratory distress; continuous oxygen therapy is recommended. ② High-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (HFNC), receiving nasal cannula or mask oxygen therapy for 1-2 hours, oxygenation fails to meet treatment requirements, and respiratory distress does not improve; or hypoxemia during treatment And / or exacerbation of respiratory distress; or an oxygenation index of 150 to 200 mmHg; HFNC is recommended. ③ Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV), receiving 1 to 2 h of HFNC oxygenation does not achieve the treatment effect, and there is no improvement in respiratory distress; or hypoxemia and / or exacerbation of respiratory distress during treatment; or When the oxygenation index is 150 ~ 200 mmHg; NPPV can be selected. ④ Invasive mechanical ventilation, HFNC or NPPV treatment does not meet the treatment requirements for 1 to 2 hours of oxygenation, and respiratory distress does not improve; or hypoxemia and / or exacerbation of respiratory distress during treatment; or oxygenation index <150 a="" are="" as="" be="" body="" considered.="" core="" font="" ideal="" invasive="" kg="" mass="" ml="" mmhg="" preferred.="" protective="" should="" small="" strategies="" the="" tidal="" ventilation="" volume="" with="">

9. Implementation of ECMO: Those who meet one of the following conditions may consider implementing ECMO. ① PaO2 / FiO2 < 50 mmHg for more than 1 h; ② PaO2 / FiO2 < 80 mmHg for more than 2 h; ③ Arterial blood pH < 7.25 with PaCO2 > 60 mmHg for more than 6 h. ECMO mode is preferred for intravenous-venous ECMO.

(4) Special problems and treatment in treatment

1. Application of glucocorticoids: Use glucocorticoids with caution. Imaging showed significant progress in pneumonia. Patients with SaO2 ≤ 93% or shortness of breath (respiratory frequency ≥ 30 breaths / min) or oxygenation index ≤ 300 mmHg in the state of no oxygen inhalation. Glucocorticoids can be added at the risk of intubation. Patients are advised to withdraw promptly from glucocorticoid use when intubation or ECMO support can maintain effective blood oxygen concentrations. For non-severe patients using methylprednisolone, the recommended dose is controlled at 20 to 40 mg / d, severe patients are controlled at 40 to 80 mg / d, and the course of treatment is generally 3 to 6 days. Can be increased or decreased according to the body weight.

2. Use of immunoregulatory drugs: Subcutaneous injection of thymosin 2 to 3 times per week has certain effects on improving patients' immune function, preventing the disease from becoming worse, and shortening the time of detoxification. Due to the lack of specific antibodies, high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin therapy is currently not supported. However, some patients have low levels of lymphocytes and the risk of co-infection with other viruses. Human immunoglobulin can be infused intravenously at 10 g / d for 3 to 5 days.

3. Accurate diagnosis and treatment of combined bacterial and fungal infections: clinical microbiological monitoring of all severe and critically ill patients. The sputum and urine of the patients are kept daily for culture, and the patients with high fever should be cultured in time. All patients with suspected sepsis who have indwelling vascular catheters should be sent for peripheral venous blood culture and catheter blood culture at the same time. All patients with suspected sepsis may consider collecting peripheral blood for molecular diagnostic tests for etiology, including PCR-based molecular biology testing and next-generation sequencing.

Elevated procalcitonin levels have implications for the diagnosis of sepsis / septic shock. When patients with new type of coronavirus pneumonia get worse, there is an increase in the level of CRP, which is not specific for the diagnosis of sepsis caused by bacterial and fungal infections.

Critically ill patients with open airways are often prone to bacterial and fungal infections at a later stage. If sepsis occurs, empirical anti-infective treatment should be given as soon as possible. For patients with septic shock, empirical antibacterial drugs can be used in combination before obtaining an etiological diagnosis, while covering the most common Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococcus and Enterococcus infections. Patients with infection after hospitalization can choose β-lactamase inhibitor complex. If the treatment effect is not good, or the patient has severe septic shock, it can be replaced with carbapenem drugs. If considering enterococci and staphylococcal infections, glycopeptide drugs (vancomycin) can be added for empirical treatment. Daptomycin can be used for bloodstream infections, and linezolid can be used for lung infections. Attention should be paid to catheter-related infections in critically ill patients, and treatment should be empirically covered with methicillin-resistant staphylococci. Glycopeptide drugs (vancomycin) can be used for empirical treatment. Candida infection is also more common in critically ill patients. Candida should be covered empirically when necessary. Echinocin drugs can be added. With the length of hospitalization of critically ill patients, drug-resistant infections have gradually increased. At this time, the use of antibacterial drugs must be adjusted according to drug sensitivity tests.

4. Nosocomial infection prevention and control: ① In accordance with the Basic System for Infection Prevention and Control of Medical Institutions (Trial) of the National Health and Health Commission in 2019, actively implement evidence-based infection prevention and control clustering intervention strategies to effectively prevent ventilator-related pneumonia and intravascular Multidrug-resistant bacteria and fungal infections such as catheter-related bloodstream infections, catheter-related urinary tract infections, carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacilli. ② Strictly follow the National Health and Health Commission's "Technical Guide for the Prevention and Control of New Coronavirus Infection in Medical Institutions (First Edition)", "Guidelines for the Use of Common Medical Protective Products in the Prevention and Control of Pneumonitis Due to New Coronavirus (Trial)" During the epidemic period, the technical guidelines for protection of medical personnel (trial implementation), strengthened process management, correctly selected and used personal protective equipment such as masks, gowns, protective clothing, eye masks, protective masks, gloves, and strict implementation of various disinfection and isolation measures Minimize the risk of nosocomial infections and prevent 2019-nCoV infections in hospitals by medical staff.

5. Treatment of infants and young children: Only mild symptomatic oral treatment is needed for mild children. In addition to symptomatic oral administration for children with common type, treatment with syndrome differentiation can be considered. If combined with bacterial infection, antibacterial drugs can be added. Severely ill children are mainly symptomatic and supportive treatment. Ribavirin injection was given antiviral therapy empirically at 15 mg / kg (2 times / day). The course of treatment did not exceed 5 days.

(V) Treatment plan of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine

The combination of traditional Chinese and western medicine for the treatment of new coronavirus pneumonia can improve the synergistic effect. For adult patients, the condition can be improved through TCM syndrome differentiation. For light patients, those with a syndrome of wind-heat type are given the traditional Chinese medicine Yinqiaosan plus and minus treatment; those with gastrointestinal symptoms and those with damp-wetting and yang-type syndrome are given the addition and subtraction of Zhipu Xialing Decoction and Sanren Decoction. For ordinary patients, those with syndromes of hot and evil stagnation of lungs can be treated with Chinese medicine Ma Xing Shi Gan Decoction; those with syndromes of dampness and stagnation of lungs can be treated with traditional Chinese medicine Da Yuan Yin, Gan Lu Fang Dan, etc., which can be controlled to some extent Progression of the disease, reducing the occurrence of common to severe; for anorexia, nausea, bloating, fatigue, anxiety and insomnia, the addition and subtraction of Chinese medicine Xiao Chai Hu Tang can significantly improve symptoms. For severe patients, if the fever persists, or even the high fever, bloating, and dry stools are closed, and those who are heat-tolerant and the lungs are closed, give the Chinese medicine Dachengqi Decoction enema to relieve fever or reduce fever, or use Chinese medicine. The treatment of Baihu Decoction, Shengjiang San and Xuanbai Chengqi Decoction were added and subtracted to cut off the condition and reduce the occurrence of heavy to critical illness. Children with light patients, when the disease belongs to the defender, can be added or subtracted from Yinqiaosan or Xiangsusan. Ordinary children, those with damp heat and closed lungs, are given Ma Xing Shi Gan Decoction and Sanren Decoction; those with moderate scorching dampness and heat such as bloating and vomiting with abdominal distension can be added or subtracted without changing Jinzhengqi San. For severe patients with epidemic and closed lung (currently rare in the country), please refer to adult Xuanbai Chengqi Decoction and Manna Disinfection Danjiao; if the poison is hot, the gas can't pass, and the medicines are not good, the Rhubarb Decoction is given to enema for emergency.

(6) Discharge standards

Patients who meet the following conditions at the same time can be considered for discharge: ①The body temperature returns to normal > 3 d; ②Respiratory symptoms are significantly improved; ③ Imaging examination of the lungs shows that the acute exudative lesions are significantly improved; At least 1 d); ⑤ After the nucleic acid test of the respiratory specimen is negative, the fecal pathogen nucleic acid test is also negative; ⑥ The total disease course exceeds 2 weeks.

(VII) Health management of discharged patients

1. For discharged patients, close follow-up is still required. Follow-up is recommended from 2 weeks and 4 weeks after discharge to the designated follow-up clinic.

2. When the patient is discharged from the hospital, the place of residence and address in the city should be specified.

3. Patients should rest at home for 2 weeks after leaving the hospital, avoid activities in public places, and must wear masks when going out.

4. According to the patient's address (including hotel or hotel), the relevant district health and health committee will organize the corresponding medical institution to do a good job of health management. Professionals will visit the patient's temperature twice a day for 2 weeks, ask their health status, and carry out related health education.

5. If fever and / or respiratory symptoms recur, the corresponding medical institution shall report to the District Health and Health Commission and the District Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in a timely manner, and assist in sending them to the designated medical institution in the area for treatment.

6. After receiving the report, the District Health and Health Committee and the District Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report to the superior department in a timely manner.