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Lung Scarring Found in Hong Kong SARS Victims
http://tinyurl.com/aq99

By Tan Ee Lyn
HONG KONG (Reuters) - Doctors in Hong Kong have detected permanent damage, or scarring, in the lungs of some recovered SARS patients as scientists around the world race against time to uncover more about the deadly disease.

The territory, among the worst hit in the world from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, faced more chilling news when authorities disclosed 12 discharged patients had experienced relapses. Six of them were still in hospital.

Scarring, or pulmonary fibrosis, occurs when lung tissues die and are unable to transport oxygen. The level of disability depends on the extent of the damage.

Radiologists at a major Hong Kong hospital said they found scarring in some recovered patients who had been severely ill.

"We have scanned 20 patients who have been discharged. I've seen a couple. One of them, there was obvious scarring which will probably be long-term if not permanent," Professor Anil Ahuja at the Prince of Wales Hospital told Reuters.

Gregory Antonio, another radiologist on Ahuja's team, said some patients had "patchy areas" that might eventually become scars. "I think there is a very high possibility there will be some scarring...for most of the patients."

But the doctors were uncertain whether the scarring was due to the disease or the cocktail of the anti-viral drug, ribavirin, and steroids used to treat SARS patients here.

Ahuja said: "It may be a consequence of the disease or the treatment. They've received high doses of steroids, a lot of oxygen, and that is probably...(making) a change in the lungs."

Scarring happens to some pneumonia and tuberculosis patients. A person with extensive lung scarring may even have problems walking up or down a few flights of stairs, said Antonio.

Medical experts in mainland China and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have questioned the use of the treatment in Hong Kong, saying there was no evidence to show they could fight SARS. But Hong Kong doctors say it works for more than 90 percent of SARS patients here.

Experts have identified the culprit virus as a new strain from the family of coronaviruses, which causes the common cold.

RELAPSES

Travelers have spread the virus to almost 30 countries, where nearly 6,000 people have been infected almost 380 have died in the last two months since the flu-like virus first appeared in southern China in November.

With 1,589 infections and 157 people deaths, Hong Kong is the second worst-hit area after mainland China.

Doctors told Reuters on Thursday that the 12 patients who had been re-admitted for treatment may not have fully recovered when they were first discharged.

David Hui, a doctor taking care of SARS patients, said the SARS virus was similar to a number of others that take at least 21 days to run their course.

"If you release patients earlier, you run the risk of letting go people who only deteriorate later," he said.

Infectious disease expert Lo Wing-lok agreed but added that the relapses may have been due to secondary infections.

"The patients' immune systems may have been weakened by SARS or by steroids and bacterial infection may then happen," Lo said.

Nearly 800 people have recovered in Hong Kong.

[hubei_canuk]

"But the doctors were uncertain whether the scarring was due to the disease or the *beep* of the anti-viral drug, ribavirin, and steroids used to treat SARS patients here."
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.. and other doctors said in effect the steroids were uselsess.
The cure being as bad as the disease.
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It's a bad one this disease, the illness is a terrible fight for live.
Maybe its better to get executed.