CT imaging analysis of cefoperazone-sulbactam combined with Xiao'er Chiqiao Qingre Granules in pediatric bronchopneumonia treatment and its impact on inflammatory response and immune function

This study aimed to compare the clinical efficacy of cefoperazone sodium and sulbactam sodium (CSL) combined with Xiao'er Chiqiao Qingre Granules (CQG) in the treatment of bronchopneumonia in children. A retrospective analysis of 175 children randomized via random number table into CSL (n = 87) and CSL + CQG (n = 88) groups. CSL group was treated with CSL, while CSL + CQG group received CSL combined with CQG. CT imaging was evaluated, clinical efficacy, and compared pulmonary function parameters pre- and post-treatment. Additionally, peripheral blood was collected to assess inflammatory markers and immune T cell subgroups. Both groups showed observable improvement in CT imaging post-treatment, with a notable reduction in high-density areas and a decrease in ground-glass opacities. Lung tissue appeared more homogeneous, and pulmonary inflammation notably improved, with lung tissue structure returning closer to normal. The overall clinical effective rate in CSL + CQG group was significantly higher than that in CSL group (96.6 % vs. 86.2 %; P < 0.05). Both the CSL and CSL + CQG groups demonstrated great improvements in pulmonary function, peripheral blood inflammatory markers, and immune cell subgroups post-treatment. Notably, relative to CSL group, CSL + CQG group showed a prominent reduction in RR and an increase in pulmonary function parameters ( P < 0.05). Furthermore, CSL + CQG group exhibited markedly lower levels of hs-CRP, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ, and a drastic increase in IL-10 levels versus CSL group ( P < 0.05). Additionally, versus CSL group, CSL + CQG group showed dramatically higher levels of CD 3+ and CD 4+ , a higher CD 4+ /CD 8+ ratio, and substantially lower levels of CD 8+ ( P < 0.05). CSL combined with CQG in the treatment of bronchopneumonia in children can effectively improve lung function and immune function, reduce inflammatory responses. CT imaging confirmed structural recovery of pulmonary lesions, supporting the superior efficacy of combined therapy in improving clinical outcomes.