Efficacy of 7-Day and 14-Day Bismuth-Containing Quadruple Therapy and 7-Day and 14-Day Moxifloxacin-Based Triple Therapy as Second-Line Eradication for Helicobacter pylori Infection

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Bismuth-containing quadruple and moxifloxacin-based triple regimens are recommended as second-line therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of each regimen. METHODS: From August 2004 to October 2012, a total of 949 patients (mean age, 54.32+/-12.08 years; male, 49.4%) who failed H. pylori eradication with a standard triple regimen were included. Patients treated with a bismuth-containing quadruple regimen for 7 and 14 days were designated as 7-BMT and 14-BMT, respectively, and those treated with a moxifloxacin-based triple regimen for 7 and 14 days were designated as 7-MA and 14-MA, respectively. H. pylori eradication was confirmed using the 13C-urea breath test, rapid urease test or histology. RESULTS: The eradication rates by 7-BMT, 14-BMT, 7-MA, and 14-MA were 66.4% (290/437), 71.1% (113/159), 53.1% (51/96), and 73.5% (189/257), respectively, by intention-to-treat analysis (ITT) and 76.5% (284/371), 83.8% (109/130), 55.6% (50/90), and 80.6% (187/232), respectively, by per-protocol analysis (PP). The eradication rates were higher in 14-BMT than 7-BMT by the ITT and PP analyses (p=0.277 and p=0.082, respectively). The 14-BMT and 14-MA treatments showed similar efficacies by ITT and PP (p=0.583 and p=0.443, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The 7-BMT, 14-BMT, and 14-MA treatments showed similar and suboptimal efficacies. In both regimens, extending the duration of treatment may be reasonable considering the high level of antibiotic resistance in Korea.

A Case of Shewanella algae Bacteremia Accompanying Cellulitis in Both Legs of a Patient on Hemodialysis: Case Report and Literature Review

We report a fatal case of Shewanella algae bacteremia accompanied by cellulitis in both legs of a chronic renal failure patient who had not been exposed to sea water or raw fish. A 47-year-old male on hemodialysis was admitted to our clinic due to pain in both legs accompanied by a febrile sensation that started 2 days prior to his visit. A blood culture specimen revealed S. algae, a rare human opportunistic pathogen. In spite of early and appropriate antimicrobial treatment, the patient died of septic shock on the second day of his hospital stay. Recently, serious infections caused by Shewanella species have been reported in increasing frequency. Hepatobiliary diseases have been proposed as predisposing factors, not only for infection by this organism, but also for fatality. However, we should be aware of the significance of S. algae in patients with renal insufficiency, especially those on maintenance hemodialysis. Herein, we report our case with review relevant literature.

Evans syndrome following long-standing Hashimoto's thyroiditis and successful treatment with rituximab / 대한혈액학회지

We report a case of a 51-year-old woman with Evans syndrome (autoimmune hemolytic anemia and primary immune thrombocytopenia) and hypothyroidism. She was previously diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis in 1994 (age, 35) and autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) 3 years ago. She was treated with oral prednisolone. After a period, in which the anemia waxed and waned, there was an abrupt development of thrombocytopenia (nadir 15x10(9)/L) that coincided with the tapering off of prednisolone after 3 years of administration. Because her thrombocytopenia was refractory to prednisolone, we administered rituximab (375 mg/m2 weekly) for 4 weeks. Two weeks after the completion of the rituximab treatment, her platelet count was up to 92x10(9)/L. No intermittent peaking of thyroid stimulating hormone occurred after rituximab treatment was initiated. Evans syndrome and autoimmune thyroiditis might share common pathophysiological mechanisms. This notion supports the use of rituximab in a patient suffering from these disorders.

Clinical Features of Hospitalized Patients with Community Acquired Pneumonia during 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) Pandemic / 대한구급학회지

BACKGROUND: A new influenza A(H1N1) virus emerged and spread globally in 2009, and the rapid progression of pneumonia often required ICU care. We describe the cause analysis and clinical aspects of community acquired pneumonia during the period of the pandemic H1N1 influenza A. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 48 adult cases of community acquired pneumonia in which patients were admitted to a public health hospital in Seoul from August to November in 2009. The patients had confirmed H1N1 influenza A based on RT-PCR assay. RESULTS: Thirteen cases of the 48 (27.1%) were 2009 H1N1 RT-PCR positive patients and three (6.3%) of these cases were mixed viral and bacterial pneumonia patients. The mean age was younger and the PSI score was lower in H1N1 patients. Chest radiographic findings of ground glass opacity and interstitial marking were remarkable in H1N1 patients. Major complication events with ICU care or death occurred in 23.1% of the H1N1 positive group and 48.6% of the H1N1 negative group (p=0.202). The major complication group of H1N1 patients had a higher PSI score, lower platelet count, higher CRP and higher mixed bacterial co-infection. CONCLUSIONS: If patients were younger and showed a radiologic finding of interstitial marking or ground glass opacity, we could consider H1N1 influenza as the cause of community acquired pneumonia. A high PSI score, thrombocytopenia, increased CRP and bacterial co-infection were predictable factors of major complication.

Portal and Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis Complicating Endoscopic Injection Sclerotherapy / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Endoscopic injection sclerotherapy is an effective and relatively safe modality for controlling bleeding esophageal varices. Injection of sclerosant causes acute mural thrombosis with a necroinflammatory response and subsequent sclerosis in the venous system of the distal esophagus. A few cases of mesenteric venous thrombosis with small bowel infarction after sclerotherapy have been reported, and most of which were fatal. The association between mesenteric venous thrombosis and sclerotherapy has been strongly suggested, but this still remains unproved. We report here on a case of mesenteric venous thrombosis with small bowel infarction that developed after endoscopic injection sclerotherapy.

The Clinical Implication of MAGE Gene Detection in Bronchial Washing Fluid in Routine Practice / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Melanoma antigen genes (MAGE) are expressed in many human malignant cells and are silent in normal tissues other than in testis and in placenta. But MAGE expression in benign lung diseases, such as pulmonary tuberculosis or cases with severe inflammation, needs further evaluation to overcome false-positive findings. We evaluated detection rates of the melanoma antigen genes (MAGE) RT-nested PCR in bronchoscopic washing samples from patients with benign lung disease, as well as in patients with malignancies. METHODS: Bronchial washing fluid from 122 patients was used for cytological examination and MAGE gene detection using RT-nested-PCR of common A1-6 mRNA. We compared the results from the RT-nested PCR and the pathologic or bacteriologic diagnosis. We also analyzed the expression rate and false positive rate of MAGE gene. RESULTS: Among 122 subjects, lung cancer was diagnosed in 23 patients and benign lung disease was diagnosed in 99 patients. In patients with lung cancer, the positive rate of MAGE expression was 47.8% (11/23) and in benign lung disease group, the expression rate was 14.1% (14/99). Among benign lung disease group, the expression rate of MAGE gene (25.0%) in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (11/44) was especially high. CONCLUSION: MAGE A1-6 RT-nested PCR of bronchial washing fluid can be used as a complementary method in lung cancer, but that test results in a high false positive rate in tuberculosis patients.

A Case of Intestinal GVHD after Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation for Treatment of Severe Aplastic Anemia / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Bone marrow transplantation has become an accepted treatment for malignancy(particulary leukemia and lymphoma), aplastic anemia, and certain inborn errors of metabolism. In addition to the problem of severe, prolonged myelosuppression, bone marrow transplantation is associated with several unusual complications. Among the complications such as GVHD, graft rejection, interstitial pneumonia and veno-occlusive disease, involvement of the gastrointestinal tract by GVHD is associated with high graft failure and mortality. Intestinal GVHD is usually manifest clinically as voluminous secretory diarrhea accompanied by abdominal cramping, ileus, nutritional depletion, and, at times, hemorrhage. We experienced a case of severe intestinal GVHD after allogeneic marrow transplantation for treatment of severe aplastic anemia. He received bone marrow from his elder sister, HLA-matched multiparous woman and suffered from large amount of watery diarrhea with skin rash 34 days after transplantation. 1n spite of prednisolone therapy the symptom was progressed. After sigmoidoscopic mucosal biopsy, intestinal GVHD was confirmed and we tried methylprednisolone pulse therapy. Skin lesion was improved but the amount of diarrhea was increased with intermittent abdominal cramping. We tried ALG(anti-lymphocyte globulin) and conservative management but the patient did not respond the therapy. He succumbed to pneumonia and acute respiratory insufficiency complicated with GVHD, 70days after transplantation.

Transabdominal Midline Approach for the Management of Tuberculous Spondylitis in Lumbosacral Area

Bone and joint involvement develops in approximately 10 percent of patients with tuberculosis and half of these affected patients have tuberculosis of the spine. In the treatment of tuberculous spondylitis evacuation of the contents of the abscess, including the bone sequestra and the sequestrated intervertebral discs, combined with removal of all avascular bone and anterior fusion with a strut graft has widely applied since Hodgson and Stock published their successful results in 1960. Surgical approaches to the vertebral bodies at different levels, either anterior, anterolateral or modified approach, have been described in order to improve the exposure. The upper lumbar vertebral lesion is well exposed by the lateral or anterolateral approaches. But exposure of the lumbosacral lesion is limited because of iliac bone and other surrounding vital organs. We describe a surgical approach to lumbosacral spine which allows an adequate exposure of the vertebral bodies from L4 to S1. The transabodminal midline approach seems to be useful method for the lumbosacral vertebral body lesion, allows adequate exposure and easy reconstruction.

Anterior lnterbody Fusion using KANEDA Instrument in Tuberculous Spondylitis: Case Report

We reported 2 cases of tuberculous spondylitis and its treatment was improved with anterior interbody fusion by a KANEDA instrument. The patients were early ambulation without any complications and sequalaes.

Experience of Management of Unstable Thoraco-Lumbar Spine Using V.S.P(Variable Screw Placement) Plate

Fourteen consecutive patients underwent application of V.S.P(Variable Screw Placement) spinal plate between January 1989 and July 1989. Operative indications were spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, segmental instability, herniated disc with instability, pseudoarthrosis. unstable fracture, and failed surgery syndrome. Our patients consist of 8 cases of spondylolisthesis, 4 cases of fracture-dislocation, one case of spondylolysis with instability, one case of herniated disc(L1- 2 interspace). Overall results showed 36% excellent, 50% good, 7% fair, 7% poor. Two deep wound infections were observed. Screw alignment and the angular relationship of each screw to the spinal plate is considered as important technical factors in minimizing screw failure.