Risk of Hepatitis C Virus Transmission through Acupuncture: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis / 대한소화기학회지

Background/Aims@#Chronic hepatitis C is a major risk factor for liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and hepatic failure. Although traditional practices, including acupuncture, tend to increase the risk of HCV infection, the association remains controversial. Therefore, the current meta-analytical study was undertaken to evaluate the risks of acupuncture and hepatitis C transmission. @*Methods@#Two researchers independently screened studies from the databases encompassing the period from inception to May 12, 2022. Baseline demographics, HCV transmission OR, and 95% CIs were extracted, pooled, and analyzed using random-effect models.Subgroup analyses utilizing study design and ethnicity were performed. Heterogeneity and publication bias were analyzed using the Higgins I2 test and funnel plots, respectively. @*Results@#In all, 28 studies with 194,826 participants (178,583 controls [91.7%] vs. 16,243 acupuncture users [8.3%]) were included in the final analysis. The pooled analysis showed that acupuncture users had a significantly higher HCV transmission rate than controls with heterogeneity (OR, 1.84 [1.46–2.32]; p<0.001; I2 =80%). In the subgroup analysis, both cross-sectional case-control (n=14; OR, 1.96 [1.47–2.61]; p<0.001; I2 =88%) and cross-sectional studies (n=12; OR, 1.85 [1.32–2.61]; p<0.001; I2 =0%) showed significantly higher HCV infection rates in the acupuncture group than in the control group. Both Asian and non-Asian acupuncture users showed a higher HCV transmission risk than the controls (all Ps <0.001). No significant publication bias was observed. @*Conclusions@#Our findings indicate that acupuncture increases the risk of HCV transmission. Due to HCV's contagiousness, unsafe medical and social practices (including acupuncture) should be performed with caution.

The efficacy of treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma in elderly patients

Background@#/Aim: Despite the increasing proportion of elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) over time, treatment efficacy in this population is not well established. @*Methods@#Data collected from the Korean Primary Liver Cancer Registry, a representative cohort of patients newly diagnosed with HCC in Korea between 2008 and 2017, were analyzed. Overall survival (OS) according to tumor stage and treatment modality was compared between elderly and non-elderly patients with HCC. @*Results@#Among 15,186 study patients, 5,829 (38.4%) were elderly. A larger proportion of elderly patients did not receive any treatment for HCC than non-elderly patients (25.2% vs. 16.7%). However, OS was significantly better in elderly patients who received treatment compared to those who did not (median, 38.6 vs. 22.3 months; P0.05). After IPTW, in intermediate-stage HCC, surgery (median, 66.0 vs. 90.3 months) and transarterial therapy (median, 36.5 vs. 37.2 months), and in advanced-stage HCC, transarterial (median, 25.3 vs. 26.3 months) and systemic therapy (median, 25.3 vs. 26.3 months) yielded comparable OS between the elderly and non-elderly HCC patients (all P>0.05). @*Conclusions@#Personalized treatments tailored to individual patients can improve the prognosis of elderly patients with HCC to a level comparable to that of non-elderly patients.

Differences in Clinical Features between Hypertriglyceridemia-Induced Acute Pancreatitis and Other Etiologies of Acute Pancreatitis / 대한췌담도학회지

Background@#/Aim: The aim of this study was to compare clinical features of hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis (HTGAP) with those of biliary acute pancreatitis (BAP) and alcoholic acute pancreatitis (AAP), respectively. @*Methods@#Medical records of patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) who were admitted to our institution from January 2014 to December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Disease severity and local complications were evaluated according to the 2012 Revised Atlanta Classification. Systemic complications were evaluated according to the Modified Marshall Scoring System. @*Results@#Of the total 610 patients with AP, those with BAP, AAP, and HTGAP were 310 (50.8%), 144 (23.6%), and 17 (2.8%), respectively. Compared with BAP, HTGAP showed higher proportion of moderately severe acute pancreatitis (MSAP) (64.7% vs. 28.1%, p<0.001) and severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) (17.6% vs. 5.5%, p <0.001). And HTGAP showed more local complications (76.5% vs. 26.8%, p<0.001) and higher recurrence rate (52.9% vs. 6.5%, p <0.001), but there was no significant difference in systemic complications (23.5% vs. 11.6%, p =0.140). Contrarily, there was no significant difference between HTGAP and AAP with respect to disease severity (64.7% vs. 63.9% in MSAP and 17.6% vs. 6.9% in SAP, p =0.181), local complications (76.5% vs. 67.4%, p =0.445), recurrence rate (52.9% vs. 32.6%, p =0.096), and systemic complications (23.5% vs. 11.5%, p =0.233). @*Conclusions@#HTGAP showed higher disease severity, more local complications, and higher recurrence rate than BAP. However, there was no significant difference in clinical features between HTGAP and BAP.

Changing Trends in Liver Cirrhosis Etiology and Severity in Korea:the Increasing Impact of Alcohol

Background@#Chronic hepatitis B is the most common cause of liver cirrhosis in South Korea. However, alcoholic liver disease has shown an increasing trend. Although the clinical implications surrounding liver cirrhosis have been changing over the years, few studies have recently examined cirrhosis epidemiology. Therefore, we aimed to investigate changes in liver cirrhosis etiology and severity in Korea. @*Methods@#We retrospectively reviewed 16,888 records of cirrhotic patients from six tertiary hospitals in Korea from 2008 to 2017. Continuous and non-continuous variables were processed via linear and Poisson regression, expressed as beta (B) coefficients and as exponentiated values of coefficients (Exp[B]), respectively. @*Results@#Chronic hepatitis B showed a decreasing trend (Exp[B] = 0.975, P < 0.001), whereas alcohol showed an increasing trend (Exp[B] = 1.013, P = 0.003), occupying the most common etiology in 2017. The Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score and decompensated liver cirrhosis prevalence did not change over the 10-year period. The incidence of variceal bleeding, severe ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis significantly decreased from 12.3% to 7.7%, 7.8% to 4.1%, 1.0% to 0.5%, and 1.9% to 1.1%, respectively (P < 0.05 for all). In the subgroup analysis, the chronic hepatitis B group showed improving CTP scores (B = −0.025, P < 0.001) and decreasing decompensated liver cirrhosis rates (Exp[B] = 0.977, P = 0.016), whereas the alcohol group demonstrated increasing CTP class C (Exp[B] = 1.031, P = 0.005) and model for end-stage liver disease scores (B = 0.081, P = 0.005) over 10 years. @*Conclusion@#The chronic hepatitis B group exhibited improved results, whereas the alcohol group still presented poor liver functions and outcomes. Future national policies and systematic approaches addressing the incidence, prevention, and treatment of alcoholic liver cirrhosis are indispensable.

Multicenter Analysis of Clinical Features and Prognosis of COVID-19 Patients with Hepatic Impairment

Background/Aims@#Recent data indicate the presence of liver enzyme abnormalities in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to evaluate the clinical features and treatment outcomes of COVID-19 patients with abnormal liver enzymes. @*Methods@#We performed a retrospective, multicenter study of 874 COVID-19 patients admitted to five tertiary hospitals from February 20 to April 14, 2020. Data on clinical features, laboratory parameters, medications, and treatment outcomes were collected until April 30, 2020, and compared between patients with normal and abnormal aminotransferases. @*Results@#Abnormal aminotransferase levels were observed in 362 patients (41.1%), of which 94 out of 130 (72.3%) and 268 out of 744 (36.0%) belonged to the severe and non-severe COVID-19 categories, respectively. The odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for male patients, patients with a higher body mass index, patients with severe COVID-19 status, and patients with lower platelet counts were 1.500 (1.029 to 2.184, p=0.035), 1.097 (1.012 to 1.189, p=0.024), 2.377 (1.458 to 3.875, p=0.001), and 0.995 (0.993 to 0.998, p>0.001), respectively, indicating an independent association of these variables with elevated aminotransferase levels. Lopinavir/ ritonavir and antibiotic use increased the odds ratio of abnormal aminotransferase levels after admission (1.832 and 2.646, respectively, both p<0.05). The median time to release from quarantine was longer (22 days vs 26 days, p=0.001) and the mortality rate was higher (13.0% vs 2.9%, p<0.001) in patients with abnormal aminotransferase levels. @*Conclusions@#Abnormal aminotransferase levels are common in COVID-19 patients and are associated with poor clinical outcomes. Multivariate analysis of patients with normal aminotransferase levels on admission showed that the use of lopinavir/ritonavir and antibiotics was associated with abnormal aminotransferase levels; thus, careful monitoring is needed.

Changing Trends in Liver Cirrhosis Etiology and Severity in Korea:the Increasing Impact of Alcohol

Background@#Chronic hepatitis B is the most common cause of liver cirrhosis in South Korea. However, alcoholic liver disease has shown an increasing trend. Although the clinical implications surrounding liver cirrhosis have been changing over the years, few studies have recently examined cirrhosis epidemiology. Therefore, we aimed to investigate changes in liver cirrhosis etiology and severity in Korea. @*Methods@#We retrospectively reviewed 16,888 records of cirrhotic patients from six tertiary hospitals in Korea from 2008 to 2017. Continuous and non-continuous variables were processed via linear and Poisson regression, expressed as beta (B) coefficients and as exponentiated values of coefficients (Exp[B]), respectively. @*Results@#Chronic hepatitis B showed a decreasing trend (Exp[B] = 0.975, P < 0.001), whereas alcohol showed an increasing trend (Exp[B] = 1.013, P = 0.003), occupying the most common etiology in 2017. The Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score and decompensated liver cirrhosis prevalence did not change over the 10-year period. The incidence of variceal bleeding, severe ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis significantly decreased from 12.3% to 7.7%, 7.8% to 4.1%, 1.0% to 0.5%, and 1.9% to 1.1%, respectively (P < 0.05 for all). In the subgroup analysis, the chronic hepatitis B group showed improving CTP scores (B = −0.025, P < 0.001) and decreasing decompensated liver cirrhosis rates (Exp[B] = 0.977, P = 0.016), whereas the alcohol group demonstrated increasing CTP class C (Exp[B] = 1.031, P = 0.005) and model for end-stage liver disease scores (B = 0.081, P = 0.005) over 10 years. @*Conclusion@#The chronic hepatitis B group exhibited improved results, whereas the alcohol group still presented poor liver functions and outcomes. Future national policies and systematic approaches addressing the incidence, prevention, and treatment of alcoholic liver cirrhosis are indispensable.

Multicenter Analysis of Clinical Features and Prognosis of COVID-19 Patients with Hepatic Impairment

Background/Aims@#Recent data indicate the presence of liver enzyme abnormalities in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to evaluate the clinical features and treatment outcomes of COVID-19 patients with abnormal liver enzymes. @*Methods@#We performed a retrospective, multicenter study of 874 COVID-19 patients admitted to five tertiary hospitals from February 20 to April 14, 2020. Data on clinical features, laboratory parameters, medications, and treatment outcomes were collected until April 30, 2020, and compared between patients with normal and abnormal aminotransferases. @*Results@#Abnormal aminotransferase levels were observed in 362 patients (41.1%), of which 94 out of 130 (72.3%) and 268 out of 744 (36.0%) belonged to the severe and non-severe COVID-19 categories, respectively. The odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for male patients, patients with a higher body mass index, patients with severe COVID-19 status, and patients with lower platelet counts were 1.500 (1.029 to 2.184, p=0.035), 1.097 (1.012 to 1.189, p=0.024), 2.377 (1.458 to 3.875, p=0.001), and 0.995 (0.993 to 0.998, p>0.001), respectively, indicating an independent association of these variables with elevated aminotransferase levels. Lopinavir/ ritonavir and antibiotic use increased the odds ratio of abnormal aminotransferase levels after admission (1.832 and 2.646, respectively, both p<0.05). The median time to release from quarantine was longer (22 days vs 26 days, p=0.001) and the mortality rate was higher (13.0% vs 2.9%, p<0.001) in patients with abnormal aminotransferase levels. @*Conclusions@#Abnormal aminotransferase levels are common in COVID-19 patients and are associated with poor clinical outcomes. Multivariate analysis of patients with normal aminotransferase levels on admission showed that the use of lopinavir/ritonavir and antibiotics was associated with abnormal aminotransferase levels; thus, careful monitoring is needed.

Clinical outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 in patients with pre-existing liver diseases: A multicenter study in South Korea

Background/Aims@#Although coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread rapidly worldwide, the implication of pre-existing liver disease on the outcome of COVID-19 remains unresolved. @*Methods@#A total of 1,005 patients who were admitted to five tertiary hospitals in South Korea with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were included in this study. Clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients with coexisting liver disease as well as the predictors of disease severity and mortality of COVID-19 were assessed. @*Results@#Of the 47 patients (4.7%) who had liver-related comorbidities, 14 patients (1.4%) had liver cirrhosis. Liver cirrhosis was more common in COVID-19 patients with severe pneumonia than in those with non-severe pneumonia (4.5% vs. 0.9%, P=0.006). Compared to patients without liver cirrhosis, a higher proportion of patients with liver cirrhosis required oxygen therapy; were admitted to the intensive care unit; had septic shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or acute kidney injury; and died (P @*Conclusions@#This study suggests liver cirrhosis is a significant risk factor for COVID-19. Stronger personal protection and more intensive treatment for COVID-19 are recommended in these patients.

Extensive Pylephlebitis and a Liver Abscess Combined with Streptococcus Intermedius Sepsis / 대한내과학회지

Pylephlebitis (septic thrombophlebitis of the portal venous system) is a rare but serious complication of intra-abdominal infections that drain into the portal venous system. Its diagnosis is based on imaging; computed tomography may reveal a thrombus in the portal vein. Bacteremia may also be evident. As the symptoms are nonspecific, early clinical diagnosis is difficult, and delayed treatment can compromise outcomes. We report a case with extensive pylephlebitis and a liver abscess associated with Streptococcus intermedius sepsis; the case was treated successfully with antibiotics and anticoagulants. Such cases have not been widely reported.

Endoscopic Therapy and Radiologic Intervention of Acute Gastroesophageal Variceal Bleeding

Acute gastroesophageal variceal hemorrhage is a dreaded complication in patients with liver cirrhosis. Endoscopic therapy and radiologic intervention for gastroesophageal bleeding have rapidly developed in the recent decades. Endoscopic treatment is initially performed to stop variceal hemorrhage. For the treatment of esophageal variceal bleeding, endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) is considered the endoscopic treatment of choice. In cases of gastric variceal hemorrhage, the type of gastric varices (GVs) is important in deciding the strategy of endoscopic treatment. Endoscopic variceal obturation (EVO) is recommended for fundal variceal bleeding. For the management of gastroesophageal varix type 1 bleeding, both EVO and EVL are available treatment options; however, EVO is preferred over EVL. If endoscopic management fails to control variceal hemorrhage, radiologic interventional modalities could be considered. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt is a good option for rescue treatment in refractory variceal bleeding. In cases of refractory hemorrhage of GVs in patients with a gastrorenal shunt, balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration could be considered as a salvage treatment.

Extensive Pylephlebitis and a Liver Abscess Combined with Streptococcus Intermedius Sepsis / 대한내과학회지

Pylephlebitis (septic thrombophlebitis of the portal venous system) is a rare but serious complication of intra-abdominal infections that drain into the portal venous system. Its diagnosis is based on imaging; computed tomography may reveal a thrombus in the portal vein. Bacteremia may also be evident. As the symptoms are nonspecific, early clinical diagnosis is difficult, and delayed treatment can compromise outcomes. We report a case with extensive pylephlebitis and a liver abscess associated with Streptococcus intermedius sepsis; the case was treated successfully with antibiotics and anticoagulants. Such cases have not been widely reported.

Daclatasvir and asunaprevir combination therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1b infection in real world

BACKGROUND/AIMS@#Previous studies have reported a high rate of sustained virologic response (SVR) and a low rate of serious adverse events with the use of daclatasvir (DCV) and asunaprevir (ASV) combination therapy. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of DCV and ASV combination therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b infection in real world.@*METHODS@#We enrolled 278 patients (184 treatment-naïve patients) from five hospitals in Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do. We evaluated the rates of rapid virologic response (RVR), end-of-treatment response (ETR), and SVR at 12 weeks after completion of treatment (SVR12). Furthermore, we investigated the rate of adverse events and predictive factors of SVR12 failure.@*RESULTS@#The mean age of patients was 59.5 ± 10.6 years, and 140 patients (50.2%) were men. Seventy-seven patients had cirrhosis. Baseline information regarding nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A) sequences was available in 268 patients. Six patients presented with pretreatment NS5A resistance-associated variants. The RVR and the ETR rates were 96.6% (258/267) and 95.2% (223/232), respectively. The overall SVR12 rate was 91.6% (197/215). Adverse events occurred in 17 patients (7.9%). Six patients discontinued treatment because of liver enzyme elevation (n = 4) and severe nausea (n = 2). Among these, four achieved SVR12. Other adverse events observed were fatigue, headache, diarrhea, dizziness, loss of appetite, skin rash, and dyspnea. Univariate analysis did not show significant predictive factors of SVR12 failure.@*CONCLUSIONS@#DCV and ASV combination therapy showed high rates of RVR, ETR, and SVR12 in chronic HCV genotype 1b-infected patients in real world and was well tolerated without serious adverse events.

Efficacy of long-term tenofovir disoproxil fumarate therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients with partial virologic response in real practice

BACKGROUND/AIMS@#The optimal management of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with partial virologic response (PVR) to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy of prolonged TDF therapy in treatment-naïve CHB patients with PVR to TDF therapy in real practice.@*METHODS@#We retrospectively investigated the efficacy of prolonged TDF therapy in treatment-naïve CHB patients with PVR to TDF. PVR was defined as a decrease in serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA over 2 log₁₀ IU/mL from baseline, with detectable HBV DNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction at week 48.@*RESULTS@#We included 232 patients who underwent TDF therapy for over 48 weeks. Forty-two patients (18.1%) showed PVR. In multivariate analysis, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positivity, and high levels of serum HBV DNA at baseline and week 12 were independent predictive factors for PVR during TDF therapy. Out of 42 patients with PVR, 39 (92.9%) achieved virologic response (VR) during continuous TDF treatment; the cumulative VR rates at 24, 36, and 48 months were 79.8%, 88.2%, and 95.6%, respectively. With an additional 12 months of therapy, VR was achieved in 28/31 (90.3%) patients with HBV DNA < 100 IU/mL, compared to 5/11 (45.5%) patients with HBV DNA ≥ 100 IU/mL, at week 48.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The vast majority of patients achieved VR through prolonged TDF therapy, thus TDF treatment can be maintained in nucleos(t)ide-naïve patients with PVR at week 48, especially in those with low viremia.

Endoscopic Ultrasound Real-Time Elastography in Liver Disease

No abstract available.

Ceftriaxone-Induced Acute Pancreatitis in Patient with Liver Abscess / 대한췌담도학회지

Acute pancreatitis is a rare complication in patients treated with ceftriaxone. Precipitation of ceftriaxone in the bile causes the formation of biliary sludge leading to the development of cholangitis, cholecystitis, or pancreatitis. We treated a patient with acute pancreatitis who developed this condition after the administration of ceftriaxone. A 70-year-old man presented in a drowsy state with fever. He was diagnosed with a liver abscess and treated with intravenously administrated ceftriaxone and metronidazole. He complained of dyspepsia and epigastric pain on the 25th day of ceftriaxone administration. Laboratory examination and abdominal computed tomography revealed biliary pancreatitis. Ceftriaxone-induced acute pancreatitis was suspected, and ceftriaxone administration was immediately discontinued. Two days later, serum amylase and lipase levels recovered to within reference range, and he showed rapid resolution of symptoms. We concluded that ceftriaxone results in the formation of biliary sludge and causes serious adverse events such as cholecystitis, cholangitis and biliary pancreatitis.

Hepatobronchial Fistula and Lung Abscess after Transarterial Chemoembolization / 대한소화기학회지

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a common treatment modality to locally manage hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver abscess and bile duct injury are common complications of TACE. However, hepatobronchial fistula is a rare complication. Herein, we report a case of lung abscess due to hepatobronchial fistula after TACE. A 67-year-old man, who had underwent TACE 6 months ago, presented cough and bile-colored sputum. He was diagnosed with lung abscess and hepatobronchial fistula. We performed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; however, there was no improvement in his symptoms. Thereafter, partial hepatectomy and repair of fistula were successively conducted.

Trend in the Eradication Rates of Helicobacter pylori Infection in the Last 8 Years in Daegu: A Single Center Experience

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Helicobacter pylori eradication rates achieved by first-line triple treatment with proton pump inhibitor (PPI), clarithromycin, and amoxicillin have decreased to 70~85%, in part due to increasing antimicrobial resistance. This study evaluated the trend in H. pylori eradication rates during the most recent 8 years in Daegu, Korea and analyzed different clinical factors between success group and failure group of H. pylori eradication. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study at a single institution. A total of 768 H. pylori-positive patients who received one or two weeks of first-line triple regimens were included between January 2007 and October 2014. RESULTS: The overall H. pylori eradication rate was 86%. The eradication rate from years 2007 to 2014 was 80.5%, 89.4%, 95.6%, 85.5%, 87.9%, 75.8%, 83.3%, and 85.8%, respectively (P=0.027). There was no significant difference in the eradication rate among various PPIs (P=0.358). In addition, there were no significant difference of clinical factors between success and failure group of H. pylori eradication. CONCLUSIONS: The eradication rates of first-line triple therapy for H. pylori over 8 years were 75.8~95.6%. No significant difference in clinical factors were noted between success and failure group of H. pylori eradication. Triple therapy may be a useful regimen for H. pylori eradication in Daegu.

Efficacy of prolonged entecavir monotherapy in treatment-naive chronic hepatitis B patients exhibiting a partial virologic response to entecavir

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The optimal management of patients exhibiting a partial virologic response (PVR) to entecavir (ETV) has not been determined . The aim of this study was to determine the long-term efficacy of prolonged ETV monotherapy in treatment-naive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients exhibiting a PVR to ETV therapy. METHODS: This study included 364 treatment-naive CHB patients treated with ETV for > or =48 weeks and who received continuous ETV monotherapy for > or =96 weeks. PVR was defined as a decrease in serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA of more than 2 log10 IU/mL from baseline but with detectable HBV DNA by real-time PCR assay at week 48. RESULTS: Fifty-two of the 364 patients (14.3%) showed a PVR. Among them, 41 patients received continuous ETV monotherapy for > or =96 weeks (median duration 144 weeks, range 96-312 weeks), and 40 of these patients (95%) achieved a virologic response (VR, HBV DNA <20 IU/mL) during prolonged ETV monotherapy (median duration 78 weeks, range 60-288 weeks). The cumulative probabilities of a VR at weeks 96, 144, and 192 from treatment initiation were 78.0%, 92.7%, and 95.1%, respectively. The VR rate was 97.2% (35/36) in HBeAg-positive patients and 100% (5/5) in HBeAg-negative patients. In multivariate analysis, HBeAg positivity (odds ratio [OR], 9.231; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-82.91; P=0.047) and a high baseline HBV DNA level (OR, 0.170; 95% CI, 0.08-0.37; P=0.000) were independently associated with a delayed virologic response. No patient developed genotypic resistance to ETV during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term ETV monotherapy is effective for achieving a VR in treatment-naive CHB patients exhibiting a PVR to ETV. HBeAg positivity and high baseline HBV DNA level were independently associated with a delayed virologic response.

Serotonin syndrome associated with linezolid

Serotonin syndrome (SS) is a potentially life-threatening drug reaction characterized by mental status change, increased neuromuscular tone, and autonomic instability. Linezolid, an oxazolidinone antibacterial agent, is widely used in general hospitals; however, it interacts with some serotonin agonists and may cause SS. We report a case of SS caused by linezolid, without the concomitant use of serotonin agonist. A 72-year-old patient was admitted due to recurrent wound infection of his left ankle. He developed fever, skin rash, and renal function deterioration, and blood eosinophils and liver enzymes increased after administration of vancomycin. The antibiotic was changed to linezolid against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Four days later, he developed agitation, fever, increased blood pressure, and tachycardia. There were no abnormal findings in laboratory and image tests, including brain and chest computed tomography suggesting the cause of his symptoms. He had not taken any serotonin agonists, including serotonin uptake inhibitors and monoamineoxidase-inhibiting antidepressants. When administration of linezolid was stopped, his symptoms improved within 24 hours and fully recovered within 2 days without additional treatments.

Recurrent thymic carcinoid tumor in familial isolated primary hyperparathyroidism / 영남의대학술지

Familial isolated primary hyperparathyroidism(FIPH) is associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) syndrome, primary hyperparathyroidism accompanied by jaw-tumor syndrome, and familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia. FIPH may be an early stage of MEN1 or an allelic variant of MEN1. Thymic carcinoid tumor is a rare tumor in MEN1 syndrome. Here, the authors report the case of a 40-year-old man diagnosed with recurrent thymic carcinoid tumor and FIPH. Both the patient and his elder sister had been previously diagnosed to have FIPH with a novel frameshift mutation in the MEN1 gene. Initially, the patient underwent thymectomy because of an incidental finding of a mediastinal mass in his chest X-ray, and had remained asymptomatic over the following 4 years. Pancreas computed tomography conducted to evaluate MEN1 syndrome revealed anterior and middle mediastinal masses, and resultantly, massive mass excision was performed. Histological findings disclosed atypical carcinoids with infiltrative margins. In view of the thymic carcinoid tumor relapse that occurred in this patient, the authors recommend that regular pancreas and pituitary imaging studies be conducted for FIPH associated with a MEN1 gene mutation.