The Changes of Serologic Markers in Pneumoconiosis of Coal Workers / 결핵

BACKGROUND: Pneumoconiosis is a parenchymal lung disease that results from the accumulation of coal dust in the lungs and the consequent tissue reaction. To evaluate the role of various personal factors in pneumoconosis and the significance of some serologic markers for assessing the disease activity related to pneumoconiosis, the Rheumatoid Factor(RF), α1-AT, C-Reactive Protein(CRT), ceruloplasmin and fibrinogen levels were measured. METHOD: All the patients were males, 45-76 years old, and the mean duration of coal dust exposure was 23.2 years. 51 patients were classified as having Simple Pneumoconiosis (SP), 59 had Progressive Massive Fibrosis (PMF). Fifty eight men with ages ranging from 26-70 years wer used as normal controls. The serum RF and CRT were titrated using an Autochemistry analyzer (HITACHI 7150 : Japan) and the α1-AT and ceruloplasmin levels were measured using a Nephelometer (Behring Nephelometer : Germany) and the fibrinogen levels were estimated by using and Autoanalyzer for hematologic coagulation. RESULT: There was a higher RF level in the SP, and PMF groups than in the control groups but there was no statistical difference. The CRP, α1-AT, and ceruloplasmin levels were also higher in the SP, and PMF groups. However, the fibrinogen concentration was within the normal ranges in both the SP and PMF groups. CONCLUSION: The CWP (Ed note : Define CWP) patients had significantly higher CRP, α1-AT, and ceruloplasmin levels compared to the control group. It is believed that these serologic changes could be used as a marker of the disease activity.

A Case of Emphysematous Pyelonephritis with Emphysematous Cystitis

A 68 year old male with diabetes mellitus visited our hospital due to general weakness and abdominal pain. Patient was in severe septic condition, abdominal X-ray and CT revealed gas shadow on left kidney and bladder. E-coli grew on urine culture. Thus we were able to diagnose the patient as the emphysematous pyelonephritis with emphysematous cystitis. The patient was treated with antibiotics and bilateral bladder catheter drainage. However the patient expired due to severe sepsis. Although the emphysematous pyelonephritis and emphysematous cystitis are rare disease, they result in life threatening complication in diabetic patients. Because of rarity of these diseases, the clinical and radiological classifications, the treatment and the progress are not established. These two diseases have the same causes such as diabetes mellitus or urinary tract obstruction and can be expanded due to anatomical relationships resulting in increased mortality. The authors report 68 year old male diabetic patient with emphysematous pyelonephritis with emphysematous cystitis with literature review.