MicroRNA (miRNA), which has been shown to correlate with liver functions, has been proposed as a new biomarker reflecting liver injury. The aim of the study was to investigate miRNA-122 (miR-122) and mir-RNA-199a (miR-199a) as a biomarker for predicting therapeutic efficacy in hepatitis C (HepC) patients. A total of 47 HepC 1b patients and 16 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Serum and exosomal mir-RNAs and other conventional biomarkers reflecting liver function were evaluated. The miR-122 levels in serum (miR-122 ) and exosomes (miR-122 ) were significantly lower in the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b patients than in the normal controls, but these levels were higher compared to the non-genotype 1b group. The mean miR-122 level in the sustained virological response (SVR) group was significantly higher than that in the non-response (NR) group (P < 0.01), and the miR-122 level in the SVR group was also higher than that in the NR group (P > 0.05), although this difference was not significant. miR-199a levels showed similar trends with the miR-122 levels in serum and exosomes. HCV RNA was negatively correlated with the miR-122 (r = -0.473, P = 0.004) and miR-122 (r = -0.424, P = 0.009) levels. miR-122 levels were positively associated with miR-199a levels (r = 0.453, P = 0.002) Univariate and multivariate regression analyses reveal that the miR-122 levels and ALT/AST ratio demonstrated a predictive value in evaluating patient outcomes. Serum miR-122 and miR-199a are potential biomarkers that reflect therapeutic efficacy.

Aim FilmArray Respiratory Panel (FilmArray RP) test is an emerging diagnostic method in fast detecting multiple respiratory pathogens; the methodology and clinical significance of FilmArray RP in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) diagnosis were evaluated in this study. Methods Specimens from 74 patients with CAP were analyzed and compared using FilmArray RP, traditional multiple PCR assay, bacterial (or fungal) culture, and serological detection. Results FilmArray RP and multiplex PCR showed 100% coincidence rate in detecting coronaviruses 229E, OC43, HKU1, and NL63, human metapneumovirus, influenza A and B, and parainfluenza viruses (PIV1, PIV2, and PIV4). There were 15 viral specimens tested as disagreement positive results. FilmArray RP had higher detection rate in detecting dual viral and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. The positive bacteria (or fungi) were found in 25 specimens. Conclusions This study demonstrated the capability of FilmArray RP for simultaneous detection of broad-spectrum respiratory pathogens and potential use in facilitating better patient care.

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A B S T R A C TPurpose: To explore the clinical, microbiological and immunological features of patients with fever and thrombocytopenia. Methods: Patients with unexplained fever and thrombocytopenia were enrolled. Viruses were detected using real-time PCR, and bacteria were measured by culturing methods. Serum cytokines, platelet antibody IgG (PA-IgG) and Helicobacter pylori (HP) were detected using ELISA. Results: Pathogens were detected in 74.68% of patients, which included single fungal/viral/bacterial infection and multiple infection. The pathogens could not be unidentified in 25.32% of cases. Cytokines including Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, interferon-γ(IFN-γ), platelet activating factor (PAF) and PA-IgG were significantly higher in patients as compared to healthy controls (P < .01 or P < .05). Principal component analyses extracted four groups of parameters that have a strong positive predicting value, revealing that disease status evaluation would be more accurate if we combined the platelet parameters and inflammatory biomarkers. While event-free survival (EFS) that indicates the time of platelet elevated after therapy was the highest in patients with single bacterial or fungal infection, EFS was affected by the levels of cytokines and PA-IgG. Conclusions: Differences in immune function may be the main factors affecting the prognosis of patients with fever and thrombocytopenia, while treatment based on precise etiological diagnosis is important for therapeutic efficacy.