Predictors of Recovery of Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction after Acute Myocardial Infarction: From the Korean Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry and Korean Myocardial Infarction Registry

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We investigated the predictors of the recovery of depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with moderate or severe left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction after acute myocardial infarction (MI). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We analyzed 1307 patients, who had moderately or severely depressed LVEF ( or =45%). RESULTS: Recovery of LV systolic dysfunction was observed in 51% of the subjects (group II, n=663; DeltaLVEF, 16.2+/-9.3%), whereas there was no recovery in the remaining subjects (group I, n=644; DeltaLVEF, 0.6+/-7.1%). In the multivariate analysis, independent predictors of recovery of depressed LVEF were as follows {odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval (CI)]}: moderate systolic dysfunction {LVEF > or =30% and <45%; 1.73 (1.12-2.67)}, Killip class I-II {1.52 (1.06-2.18)}, no need for diuretics {1.59 (1.19-2.12)}, non-ST-segment elevation MI {1.55 (1.12-2.16)}, lower peak troponin I level {<24 ng/mL, median value; 1.55 (1.16-2.07)}, single-vessel disease {1.53 (1.13-2.06)}, and non-left anterior descending (LAD) culprit lesion {1.50 (1.09-2.06)}. In addition, the use of statin was independently associated with a recovery of LV systolic dysfunction {OR (95% CI), 1.46 (1.07-2.00)}. CONCLUSION: Future contractile recovery of LV systolic dysfunction following acute MI was significantly related with less severe heart failure at the time of presentation, a smaller extent of myonecrosis, or non-LAD culprit lesions rather than LAD lesions.

A Case of Central Nervous System Actinomycosis Presenting as Brain Abscess

Actinomyces normally colonizes the mouth, colon, and vagina. Although disruption of mucosa may lead to infection at virtually any site, central nervous system actinomycosis is rare. A 45-year-old man presented with seizure and magnetic resonance imaging showed brain abscess. He was diagnosed with actinomycotic and streptococcal infection of brain by histologic and microbiologic examination. After stereotactic aspiration and biopsy, he was treated successfully by prolonged antibiotic therapy using intravenous penicillin-G and oral amoxicillin.

A Case of Syphilitic Uveitis in an Immunocompetent Patient

Syphilis is re-emerging worldwide due to the HIV epidemic. Prior to the introduction of penicillin, syphilis was the second most common primary cause of all cases of uveitis. Today, ocular syphilis is a rare disease, especially in an immunocompetent patient. Variable manifestation without pathognomonic signs of ocular syphilis often lead to delayed diagnosis, resulted in irreversibile loss of vision. In Korea, syphilitic uveitis has not been reported in an immunocompetent patient since 1984. We experienced a case of syphilitic uveitis in an immunocompetent man with visual deterioration. As the incidence of syphilis is increasing in these days, a high degree of clinical suspicion should be considered in patients with unexplained ocular inflammation and visual disturbances.

A Case of Central Nervous System Actinomycosis Presenting as Brain Abscess

Actinomyces normally colonizes the mouth, colon, and vagina. Although disruption of mucosa may lead to infection at virtually any site, central nervous system actinomycosis is rare. A 45-year-old man presented with seizure and magnetic resonance imaging showed brain abscess. He was diagnosed with actinomycotic and streptococcal infection of brain by histologic and microbiologic examination. After stereotactic aspiration and biopsy, he was treated successfully by prolonged antibiotic therapy using intravenous penicillin-G and oral amoxicillin.

A Case of Syphilitic Uveitis in an Immunocompetent Patient

Syphilis is re-emerging worldwide due to the HIV epidemic. Prior to the introduction of penicillin, syphilis was the second most common primary cause of all cases of uveitis. Today, ocular syphilis is a rare disease, especially in an immunocompetent patient. Variable manifestation without pathognomonic signs of ocular syphilis often lead to delayed diagnosis, resulted in irreversibile loss of vision. In Korea, syphilitic uveitis has not been reported in an immunocompetent patient since 1984. We experienced a case of syphilitic uveitis in an immunocompetent man with visual deterioration. As the incidence of syphilis is increasing in these days, a high degree of clinical suspicion should be considered in patients with unexplained ocular inflammation and visual disturbances.

A case of Tsukamurella tyrosinosolvens peritonitis associated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis / 대한내과학회지

A case of Tsukamurella peritonitis associated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in a 54-year-old woman is described. Peritonitis is a common complication of peritoneal dialysis in patients with end-stage renal disease. Tsukamurella has been reported to cause rare opportunistic infections in humans, and most cases have been reported in immunocompromised patients or patients with indwelling foreign bodies. This organism is difficult to identify and has been mistaken for Corynebacterium and atypical Mycobacteria. Here, we describe the first case of CAPD-related peritonitis caused by Tsukamurella tyrosinosolvens in Korea. It was treated with CAPD catheter removal.

Klebsiella pneumoniae Multi-organ Infection not Accompanied by Liver Abscess : Report of 2 Cases

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a pathogen that causes a wide range of infections in human, and has a tendency to metastasize to multiple organs. We report two rare cases of K. pneumoniae infection that have spread to multiple organs without being accompanied by liver abscess. A 59-year-old man (case 1) was admitted due to left knee pain. Microbiologic and radiologic studies revealed bacteremia, septic arthritis, pneumonia, prostatitis, and endophthalmitis caused by K. pneumoniae. A 48-year-old man (case 2) was admitted due to febrile sensation. Microbiologic and radiologic studies revealed bacteremia, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, endophthalmitis, and cerebritis caused by K. pneumoniae. With appropriate use of effective antibiotics and therapeutic measures, the patients recovered but with some sequelae.

A Case of Humeral Osteomyelitis and Soft Tissue Abscess Accompanied with Streptococcus anginosus Bacteremia

Streptococcus anginosus is a normal flora found in multiple body sites and belongs to the Streptococcus milleri group. It has often been associated with pyogenic infection, such as perio-dontitis, endocarditis, pulmonary abscess and abdominal or cerebral abscess. Also uncommonly, it can cause osteomyelitis. A 42-year-old man was admitted due to gastric ulcer perforation. At 12th hospital day, left humeral osteomyelitis and soft tissue abscess developed. Streptococcus anginosus grew in blood culture. He was treated with intravenous penicillin and surgical debridement of the necrotic tissue which lead to a satisfactory result. We report a rare case of Streptococcus anginosus-induced humeral osteomyelitis and soft tissue abscess.

A Case of Vertebral Osteomyelitis with Spinal Epidural Abscess Caused by Streptococcus constellatus

We report a case of vertebral osteomyelitis with epidural abscess caused by Streptococcus constellatus. The patient was present with fever, back pain, and dyspnea for 1 week. The patient was previously healthy and did not have any predisposing factor. After evaluation, the patient was diagnosed as Streptococcus constellatus vertebral osteomyelitis. He was successfully treated with surgical debridement and antibiotic therapy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of S. constellatus vertebral osteomyeltis with epidural abscess to be reported in Korea.

A Case of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia in an Adult Patient

Stevens-Johnson syndrome is an acute mucocutaneous syndrome that is related to drugs and infections. Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is known as one of the causes of Stevens-Johnson syndrome in children and young adults. In Korea, Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is rarely reported as a cause of Stevens-Johnson syndrome in adults. We report a case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in an adult patient. A 34-years old woman was admitted to our hospital and was diagnosed with mycoplasma pneumonia. At the time of admission, she had hemorrhagic crusts on her lips. On the 2nd day of admission, target lesions also developed on her skin. We diagnosed her disease as Stevens-Johnson syndrome associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. She completely recovered from pneumonia and Stevens-Johnson syndrome after treatment with antibiotics and conservative management.

Klebsiella pneumoniae Multi-organ Infection not Accompanied by Liver Abscess : Report of 2 Cases

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a pathogen that causes a wide range of infections in human, and has a tendency to metastasize to multiple organs. We report two rare cases of K. pneumoniae infection that have spread to multiple organs without being accompanied by liver abscess. A 59-year-old man (case 1) was admitted due to left knee pain. Microbiologic and radiologic studies revealed bacteremia, septic arthritis, pneumonia, prostatitis, and endophthalmitis caused by K. pneumoniae. A 48-year-old man (case 2) was admitted due to febrile sensation. Microbiologic and radiologic studies revealed bacteremia, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, endophthalmitis, and cerebritis caused by K. pneumoniae. With appropriate use of effective antibiotics and therapeutic measures, the patients recovered but with some sequelae.

A Case of Humeral Osteomyelitis and Soft Tissue Abscess Accompanied with Streptococcus anginosus Bacteremia

Streptococcus anginosus is a normal flora found in multiple body sites and belongs to the Streptococcus milleri group. It has often been associated with pyogenic infection, such as perio-dontitis, endocarditis, pulmonary abscess and abdominal or cerebral abscess. Also uncommonly, it can cause osteomyelitis. A 42-year-old man was admitted due to gastric ulcer perforation. At 12th hospital day, left humeral osteomyelitis and soft tissue abscess developed. Streptococcus anginosus grew in blood culture. He was treated with intravenous penicillin and surgical debridement of the necrotic tissue which lead to a satisfactory result. We report a rare case of Streptococcus anginosus-induced humeral osteomyelitis and soft tissue abscess.

A Case of Vertebral Osteomyelitis with Spinal Epidural Abscess Caused by Streptococcus constellatus

We report a case of vertebral osteomyelitis with epidural abscess caused by Streptococcus constellatus. The patient was present with fever, back pain, and dyspnea for 1 week. The patient was previously healthy and did not have any predisposing factor. After evaluation, the patient was diagnosed as Streptococcus constellatus vertebral osteomyelitis. He was successfully treated with surgical debridement and antibiotic therapy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of S. constellatus vertebral osteomyeltis with epidural abscess to be reported in Korea.

A Case of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia in an Adult Patient

Stevens-Johnson syndrome is an acute mucocutaneous syndrome that is related to drugs and infections. Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is known as one of the causes of Stevens-Johnson syndrome in children and young adults. In Korea, Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is rarely reported as a cause of Stevens-Johnson syndrome in adults. We report a case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in an adult patient. A 34-years old woman was admitted to our hospital and was diagnosed with mycoplasma pneumonia. At the time of admission, she had hemorrhagic crusts on her lips. On the 2nd day of admission, target lesions also developed on her skin. We diagnosed her disease as Stevens-Johnson syndrome associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. She completely recovered from pneumonia and Stevens-Johnson syndrome after treatment with antibiotics and conservative management.