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1. A genetic risk-association study involving more than 1200 subjects showed individuals homozygous for L-SIGN tandem repeats are less susceptible to SARS infection. 2. This was supported by in vitro binding studies that demonstrated homozygous L-SIGN, compared to heterozygous, had higher binding capacity for SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV), with higher proteasome-dependent viral degradation. In contrast, homozygous L-SIGN demonstrated lower binding capacity for HIV1-gp120.3. Genetic-association studies for single nucleotide polymorphisms of the inflammatory response genes, namely TNF-alpha, INF-alpha, INF-beta, INF-gamma, IL1-alpha, IL1-beta, IL-4, IL-6 and iNOS, failed to show a significant association with SARS clinical outcomes or susceptibility.

Objective: To identify anxiety levels among front-line health care workers during the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak., Design: Questionnaire survey., Setting: Regional hospital, Hong Kong., Participants: All hospital staff were given a questionnaire; administrative staff who had not had any patient contact served as controls., Main Outcome Measures: Levels of contact with patients who had severe acute respiratory syndrome were measured and correlated with anxiety levels as determined by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory., Results: Of 4252 questionnaires distributed between May and June 2003, 2040 (48.0%) were returned and 1926 (45.3%) were valid for analysis. Overall, 534 (27.7%) respondents had had contact with patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome. Anxiety scores ranged from 20 to 80, and mean (standard deviation) scores were higher among staff who had had contact with patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome than among those who had not (52.6 [10.5] versus 49.8 [10.1], respectively; P<0.01). Mean anxiety levels were higher among workmen, health care assistants, and nurses than among administrative staff controls or doctors (P<0.01). Anxiety scores were correlated with burnout scores (Pearson's correlation coefficient, 0.52-0.59) and with discomfort from wearing protective gear (0.21-0.32)., Conclusion: Severe acute respiratory syndrome has likely stressed the public health care system. Prediction and early identification of adverse factors in a crisis situation would allow early implementation of interventions to reduce and counteract the impact of this stress.

A rare case of pyothorax-associated large B-cell lymphoma occurring in Hong Kong is reported. The patient was a 64-year-old Chinese male who presented with shortness of breath and pleuritic pain. Radiological examination revealed left pleural thickening associated with bilateral pleural effusion. Open biopsy of the thickened parietal pleura revealed occasional large malignant lymphoid cells of B lineage admixed with fibrin and hyalinised fibrous tissue. These lymphoma cells were shown to harbour both Epstein-Barr virus and human herpesvirus type 8 by in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemical study, respectively. There was no associated lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly. The clinicoradiological presentation and pathological findings thus fulfilled the criteria of the so-called pyothorax-associated large B-cell lymphoma. Awareness of this rare entity, together with diligent histological examination and proper application of ancillary investigative techniques, are essential for making a correct diagnosis. The co-infection with Epstein-Barr virus and human herpesvirus type 8 in this case also suggests a possible pathogenetic relationship between pyothorax-associated large B-cell lymphoma and primary effusion lymphoma.

Objective: To study the effectiveness and safety of non-invasive positive-pressure ventilation in the management of acute respiratory failure., Design: Prospective study., Setting: Regional public hospital, Hong Kong., Patients: One hundred and eighty-nine haemodynamically stable adult Chinese patients with acute respiratory failure (119 men and 70 women; mean age, 71.2 years [range, 18-92 years]) who were treated with non-invasive positive-pressure ventilation as the primary mode of ventilatory assistance from 1 January 1996 to 31 December 1998., Main Outcome Measures: Arterial blood gas measurements, respiratory rate, airway pressures used, use of endotracheal intubation, and standardised mortality ratio., Results: Fifty-two patients had hypoxaemic respiratory failure (group I); 97 had hypercapnic respiratory failure (group II); and 40 had either type with advanced co-morbidities and were not planned to receive endotracheal intubation (group III). For groups I and II, the overall mean duration of non-invasive positive-pressure ventilation was 56.2 hours. Improvements in gas exchange were seen in approximately 71% of these patients, endotracheal intubation was not needed for 82%, and the standardised mortality ratio was 0.86. The hospital survival rate was approximately 93% in non-intubated patients and 41% in intubated patients. Predictors of success were reduction in respiratory rate within 6 hours (P<0.005), and (for hypercapnic respiratory failure) increased pH and reduced arterial carbon dioxide tension within 24 hours (P<0.005). Patients with pneumonia had significantly higher failure rates (P<0.05). Group III patients were older, had higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores, and required longer ventilatory support, but their gas exchange response rate was 68%. The only complication of treatment was minor facial skin abrasions., Conclusion: Non-invasive positive-pressure ventilation is effective in treating haemodynamically stable patients with acute respiratory failure and causes few and minor complications.

OBJECTIVE: To review the donor and recipient selection criteria, surgical techniques, perioperative and post-operative management, and complications of lung/heart-lung transplantation. DATA SOURCES: Medline and non-Medline search of the relevant English literature, local data, and personal experience. STUDY SELECTION: Studies containing supporting evidence were selected. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were extracted and analysed independently by the authors. DATA SYNTHESIS: Lung/heart-lung transplantations are considered only for patients who have progressively disabling and end-stage disease. Numerous investigations of the recipient and rigorous matching between the donor and recipient are required. Factors such as maintaining the donor's haemodynamic stability, graft preservation, effective perioperative immunosuppression, and careful postoperative monitoring are key to a successful transplantation. Follow-up should include the home-monitoring of body weight, temperature, and spirometry, as well as regular chest X-rays, pulmonary function tests, and blood tests. So far, two double and two single lung transplantations, and one heart-lung transplantation have been performed in Hong Kong. CONCLUSION: Lung transplantation is an invaluable treatment modality for patients with end-stage lung disease.