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With the age of exposure to illegal substances decreasing and abuse of drugs such as methamphetamine increasing, substance abuse is no longer limited to adults. We report a Korean case of a 17-year-old girl with acute methamphetamine poisoning. The girl visited the emergency department for vomiting and loss of consciousness, with needle marks found on both arms. QT prolongation was confirmed on the initial electrocardiogram, so that we suspected drug addiction and proceeded with toxicologic tests. A lethal dose of methamphetamine was confirmed. We discontinued QT prolonging drugs, and closely monitored the girl in the pediatric emergency intensive care unit until the QT prolongation was resolved. This case highlights the recognition of pediatric methamphetamine poisoning in emergency departments.
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To overcome the global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), COVID-19 vaccination has been developed and distributed. Many people have received the vaccination worldwide. However, there are some vaccinated individuals who complain of side effects due to COVID-19 vaccination. We report the case of a patient who developed adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) after receiving the messenger RNA COVID-19 vaccine. A 21-year-old male patient without a previous medical history developed a fever on the day of the first dose of the vaccine. He had persistent fever, arthralgia of the knee and wrist, hyperferritinemia, transient skin rash, and negative test results for rheumatoid factor or antinuclear antibody. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan showed lymphadenopathies with reactive patterns and no malignancy. His symptoms and laboratory abnormalities gradually improved with glucocorticoid, cyclosporine, methotrexate, and tocilizumab treatment. Although its causality is still not confirmed, AOSD should be considered in a case that meets the diagnostic criteria after COVID-19 vaccination.
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Objectives@#Electrocardiography (ECG)-based diagnosis by experts cannot maintain uniform quality because individual differences may occur. Previous public databases can be used for clinical studies, but there is no common standard that would allow databases to be combined. For this reason, it is difficult to conduct research that derives results by combining databases. Recent commercial ECG machines offer diagnoses similar to those of a physician. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to construct a standardized ECG database using computerized diagnoses. @*Methods@#The constructed database was standardized using Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine Clinical Terms (SNOMED CT) and Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership–common data model (OMOP-CDM), and data were then categorized into 10 groups based on the Minnesota classification. In addition, to extract high-quality waveforms, poor-quality ECGs were removed, and database bias was minimized by extracting at least 2,000 cases for each group. To check database quality, the difference in baseline displacement according to whether poor ECGs were removed was analyzed, and the usefulness of the database was verified with seven classification models using waveforms. @*Results@#The standardized KURIAS-ECG database consists of high-quality ECGs from 13,862 patients, with about 20,000 data points, making it possible to obtain more than 2,000 for each Minnesota classification. An artificial intelligence classification model using the data extracted through SNOMED-CT showed an average accuracy of 88.03%. @*Conclusions@#The KURIAS-ECG database contains standardized ECG data extracted from various machines. The proposed protocol should promote cardiovascular disease research using big data and artificial intelligence.
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Development of newer generation of cost-effective ultrasonic devices in recent years has increased the use of ultrasonography in dermatology. Several lesions can be diagnosed and managed using ultrasonography. Calcinosis cutis involves the deposition of insoluble calcium salts in the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues. On ultrasonography, it specifically presents as hyperechoic deposits with a posterior acoustic shadowing artifact due to the acoustic properties of calcium. A 62-year-old female patient presented with a solitary, skincolored, palpable nodule on the inner side of the right lower leg. The lesion was beneath the intact skin and detectable only on palpation. However, ultrasonography demonstrated a clear delineation of the lesion, showing hyperechoic deposits with a posterior acoustic shadow (15 MHz, linear probe). Skin biopsy and curettage were performed, revealing histological features consistent with calcinosis cutis. Four weeks after the procedure, ultrasonography performed to evaluate the outcome of treatment, showed recurrence. Another 18-year-old female patient presented with a skin-colored deep-seated nodule on the left temple. On ultrasonography, linear hyperechoic deposits with a posterior acoustic shadow were visible. Skin biopsy was performed, and histopathologic features showed calcified material in the subcutaneous tissue. These two cases of calcinosis cutis highlight the diagnostic value of ultrasonography in dermatology.
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Purpose@#Rapid sequence intubation (RSI) using sedatives and neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) is recommended for pediatric emergency endotracheal intubation (ETI), but is not frequently performed in Korea. This study aimed to verify factors associated with the underuse of RSI medications. @*Materials and Methods@#This multicenter retrospective study reviewed patients aged under 18 years who underwent an ETI within 24 hours of arrival at the emergency department between 2016 and 2019. Any cases of ETI during cardiopulmonary resuscitation were excluded. We investigated the characteristics of the patients, intubators, RSI medications, and outcomes. The study cases were classified into no-medication, sedative-only, and sedative-with-NMBA groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis of RSI medication use was conducted. @*Results@#A total of 334 cases with a median age of 3.4 years were included in this study. Sedatives and NMBAs were used in 63.8% and 32.9%, respectively. In comparing the no-medication (n=121), sedative-only (n=103), and sedative-with-NMBA (n=110) groups, patient age (median; 1.0 year vs. 2.8 years vs. 11.3 years; p<0.001), underlying medical conditions (77.7% vs. 56.3% vs. 36.4%; p<0.001), and pediatricians as intubators (76.9% vs. 54.4% vs. 17.3%; p<0.001) were different. The factors that influenced sedatives with NMBA use were patient age [for a year increment; adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 1.182; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.120– 1.249], no underlying medical conditions (aOR, 2.109; 95% CI, 1.093–4.070), and intubators other than pediatricians (aOR, 5.123; 95% CI, 2.257–11.626). @*Conclusion@#RSI accounted for 32.9% of pediatric emergency ETI in Korea. The underuse of RSI medications is associated with younger patient age, underlying medical conditions, and pediatricians as intubators.
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Purpose@#Genital injury is a common pediatric injury. Given the lack of nationwide data, the authors aimed to show age group-related epidemiologic features of genital injury in Korea. @*Methods@#We reviewed the data from 2011-2016 Emergency Department-based Injury In-depth Surveillance registry, which involves 23 emergency departments in Korea. From the dataset, we included children (< 18 years) with the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision codes related to genital injury as the final diagnosis with excluding those with other codes or combined injuries. Age groups were defined as follows; infants (< 1 year), toddlers (1-3), preschoolers (4-6), schoolers (7-12), and adolescents (13-17). The clinical features and outcomes were analyzed. @*Results@#A total of 3,030 children were included with the median age of 6 years (interquartile range, 4-10) and the proportion of girls of 53.0%. Only 144 children (4.8%) were transported by the emergency medical service providers. The most common mechanism and place were blunt injury (1,826 [60.3%]) and home (1,535 [50.7%]), respectively. Of the codes, “Contusion of external genital organs (S30.2)” was most common (1,574 [51.9%]). As for outcomes, 2,770 children (91.4%) were discharged, 252 (8.3%) were hospitalized (intensive care units, 1 child [0.03%]), and 108 (3.6%) underwent surgery. Severe injury occurred in 111 children (3.7%) without a mortality. With increasing age in the age groups, non-accidental injury, school and sports-related injuries, hospitalization, and surgery (All Ps < 0.001). @*Conclusion@#Genital injury may occur at evening, in spring and summer, at home, and in the form of accidental or blunt injury. Most children are discharged. Contrary to these general features, older children tend to undergo more frequently non-accidental injury, school and sports-related injuries, hospitalization, and surgery. Thus, we need age-specific strategies for injury prevention.
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As the number of people vaccinated increases, people who complain of adverse reactions continue to occur. We experienced a case characterized by low blood pressure, persistent fever, edema due to increased systemic vascular permeability, and systemic inflammation confirmed by image and laboratory examinations after ChAdOx1 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. The diagnostic criteria for multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) in adults are known as fever of 3 days or more in adults, 2 or more mucocutaneous/ gastrointestinaleurologic symptoms, elevation of inflammatory markers, and clinical/ imaging diagnosis of heart failure. A 67-year-old man who was medicated for hypertension and diabetes was admitted complaining of fever, maculopapular rash, diarrhea, headache, chills, and dizziness 6 days after the first vaccination of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 in Korea.The COVID-19 test was negative but with low blood pressure, leukocytosis, skin rash, pulmonary edema, and increased inflammation markers. His lab findings and clinical course were consistent with those of MIS after COVID-19 vaccination. He was medicated with methylprednisolone 1 mg/kg and diuretics and recovered rapidly. He was discharged after 2 weeks and confirmed cure at outpatient clinic. We report an MIS case after COVID-19 vaccination in Korea.
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Background@#The adverse effects of particulate matter (PM) on the skin have been concerning recently. @*Objective@#We investigated PM induced inflammation on barrier-interrupted skin and relieving effects of plant extracts on PM-induced skin irritation. @*Methods@#A total of 20 participants were enrolled for the induction of skin irritation. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) patch was affixed to the forearm for 24 hours. After patch removal, total suspended particulates (TSPs) were applied. After inducing skin irritation using SLS and TSP, cream containing 0.1% mixture of plant extracts (Citrus sunki, Sceptridium ternatum (Botrychium ternatum), and Korthalsella japonica) was applied. The a* value, erythema index (EI), and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were measured. @*Results@#The a* value was significantly higher at the site where TSPs were applied than that at the site where TSPs were not applied at 1 and 2 days after SLS patch removal. The a* value, EI, and TEWL were significantly low in the cream-applied area 7 days after the introduction of the SLS patch and TSPs. @*Conclusion@#PM induced skin irritation in a previously disrupted skin barrier. Topical application of plant extracts alleviated skin irritation symptoms caused by dust exposure.
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Background@#Remdesivir is widely used for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but controversies regarding its efficacy still remain. @*Methods@#A retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the effect of remdesivir on clinical and virologic outcomes of severe COVID-19 patients from June to July 2020. Primary clinical endpoints included clinical recovery, additional mechanical ventilator (MV) support, and duration of oxygen or MV support. Viral load reduction by hospital day (HD) 15 was evaluated by calculating changes in cycle threshold (Ct) values. @*Results@#A total of 86 severe COVID-19 patients were evaluated including 48 remdesivirtreated patients. Baseline characteristics were not significantly different between the two groups. Remdesivir was administered an average of 7.42 days from symptom onset. The proportions of clinical recovery of the remdesivir and supportive care group at HD 14 (56.3% and 39.5%) and HD 28 (87.5% and 78.9%) were not statistically different. The proportion of patients requiring MV support by HD 28 was significantly lower in the remdesivir group than in the supportive care group (22.9% vs. 44.7%, P = 0.032), and MV duration was significantly shorter in the remdesivir group (average, 1.97 vs. 5.37 days; P = 0.017). Analysis of upper respiratory tract specimens demonstrated that increases of Ct value from HD 1–5 to 11–15 were significantly greater in the remdesivir group than the supportive care group (average, 10.19 vs. 5.36; P = 0.007), and the slope of the Ct value increase was also significantly steeper in the remdesivir group (average, 5.10 vs. 2.68; P = 0.007). @*Conclusion@#The remdesivir group showed clinical and virologic benefit in terms of MV requirement and viral load reduction, supporting remdesivir treatment for severe COVID-19.
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Background@#Remdesivir is widely used for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but controversies regarding its efficacy still remain. @*Methods@#A retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the effect of remdesivir on clinical and virologic outcomes of severe COVID-19 patients from June to July 2020. Primary clinical endpoints included clinical recovery, additional mechanical ventilator (MV) support, and duration of oxygen or MV support. Viral load reduction by hospital day (HD) 15 was evaluated by calculating changes in cycle threshold (Ct) values. @*Results@#A total of 86 severe COVID-19 patients were evaluated including 48 remdesivirtreated patients. Baseline characteristics were not significantly different between the two groups. Remdesivir was administered an average of 7.42 days from symptom onset. The proportions of clinical recovery of the remdesivir and supportive care group at HD 14 (56.3% and 39.5%) and HD 28 (87.5% and 78.9%) were not statistically different. The proportion of patients requiring MV support by HD 28 was significantly lower in the remdesivir group than in the supportive care group (22.9% vs. 44.7%, P = 0.032), and MV duration was significantly shorter in the remdesivir group (average, 1.97 vs. 5.37 days; P = 0.017). Analysis of upper respiratory tract specimens demonstrated that increases of Ct value from HD 1–5 to 11–15 were significantly greater in the remdesivir group than the supportive care group (average, 10.19 vs. 5.36; P = 0.007), and the slope of the Ct value increase was also significantly steeper in the remdesivir group (average, 5.10 vs. 2.68; P = 0.007). @*Conclusion@#The remdesivir group showed clinical and virologic benefit in terms of MV requirement and viral load reduction, supporting remdesivir treatment for severe COVID-19.
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Cutis verticis gyrata (CVG) is a rare scalp condition that presents as convoluted folds and furrows, which resemble the cerebral cortex. Although the pathogenesis is not fully elucidated, recent investigations suggest the possible role of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) which may contribute to dermal hypertrophy in CVG pathogenesis.On the other hand, acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a dermatosis that is commonly associated with benign endocrine disorders, and increasing evidence suggest that AN is a convergent phenotype resulting from the activation of tyrosine kinase growth factor receptors (TKR), with mitogenic and antiapoptotic effects on keratinocytes. CVG presenting with AN has only been reported once in the previous literature and no association regarding their pathogeneses has been drawn yet. We report a rare case of a patient presenting CVG with concurrent AN, and suggest a shared underlying pathogenesis in these two disease entities which may be related to FGFR2 signaling pathway.
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Objective@#The study compared the first-attempt success and complication rates of endotracheal intubation (ETI) using video laryngoscopy (VL; GlideScope) with those of direct laryngoscopy (DL) in the emergency department (ED). @*Methods@#This was a retrospectively clinical study of adult patients who underwent intubation using from 2010 to 2014 in the ED. All data were collected from the electronic medical records. The primary outcome was the first-attempt intubation success of ETI. The secondary outcomes were occurrences of desaturation, hypotension, oesophageal intubation, dental injuries, and cardiac arrest. The between-device differences in outcome risks were examined. @*Results@#A total of 431 emergency ETIs were included. The first-attempt intubation success rate was higher in the VL than DL (93.8% vs. 74.8%, P<0.001). The non-expert emergency physicians (first and second-year residents) showed a higher first-attempt intubation success rate in VL than DL, but there was no difference in the first-attempt intubation success rate between the two devices between experts (third and fourth-year residents). The use of VL was associated with a lower rate of desaturation (0.0% vs. 5.0%) and tooth injuries (0.0% vs. 2.7%) compared to the DL. @*Conclusion@#The use of VL was associated with a higher first-attempt success rate compared to DL, particularly in inexperienced intubators. For complications related to ETI, VL showed a lower rate of desaturation and dental injuries in the ED than the DL.
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Background@#The adverse effects of particulate matter (PM) on the skin have been concerning recently. @*Objective@#We investigated PM induced inflammation on barrier-interrupted skin and relieving effects of plant extracts on PM-induced skin irritation. @*Methods@#A total of 20 participants were enrolled for the induction of skin irritation. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) patch was affixed to the forearm for 24 hours. After patch removal, total suspended particulates (TSPs) were applied. After inducing skin irritation using SLS and TSP, cream containing 0.1% mixture of plant extracts (Citrus sunki, Sceptridium ternatum (Botrychium ternatum), and Korthalsella japonica) was applied. The a* value, erythema index (EI), and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were measured. @*Results@#The a* value was significantly higher at the site where TSPs were applied than that at the site where TSPs were not applied at 1 and 2 days after SLS patch removal. The a* value, EI, and TEWL were significantly low in the cream-applied area 7 days after the introduction of the SLS patch and TSPs. @*Conclusion@#PM induced skin irritation in a previously disrupted skin barrier. Topical application of plant extracts alleviated skin irritation symptoms caused by dust exposure.
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PURPOSE: Osteitis refers to the development of new bone formation and remodeling of bone in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients; it is typically associated with eosinophilia, nasal polyps (NPs), and recalcitrant CRS. However, the roles of ossification in CRS with or without NPs remain unclear due to the lack of appropriate animal models. Thus, it is necessary to have a suitable animal model for greater advances in the understanding of CRS pathogenesis.METHODS: BALB/c mice were administered ovalbumin (OVA) and staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB). The numbers of osteoclasts and osteoblasts and bony changes were assessed. Micro computed tomography (micro-CT) scans were conducted to measure bone thickness. Immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction were performed to evaluate runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osteonectin, interleukin (IL)-13, and RUNX2 downstream gene expression. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed in mucosal tissues from control and CRS patients. The effect of resveratrol was evaluated in terms of osteogenesis in a murine eosinophilic CRS NP model.RESULTS: The histopathologic changes showed markedly thickened bones with significant increase in osteoblast numbers in OVA/SEB-treated mice compared to the phosphate-buffered saline-treated mice. The structural changes in bone on micro-CT were consistent with the histopathological features. The expression of RUNX2 and IL-13 was increased by the administration of OVA/SEB and showed a positive correlation. RUNX2 expression mainly co-localized with osteoblasts. Bioinformatic analysis using human CRS transcriptome revealed that IL-13-induced bony changes via RUNX2. Treatment with resveratrol, a candidate drug against osteitis, diminished the expression of IL-13 and RUNX2, and the number of osteoblasts in OVA/SEB-treated mice.CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, we found the histopathological and radiographic evidence of osteogenesis using a previously established murine eosinophilic CRS NP model. This animal model could provide new insights into the pathophysiology of neo-osteogenesis and provide a basis for developing new therapeutics.
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Mice , Computational Biology , Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit , Enterotoxins , Eosinophilia , Eosinophils , Fluorescent Antibody Technique , Gene Expression , Immunohistochemistry , Interleukin-13 , Interleukins , Models, Animal , Mucous Membrane , Nasal Polyps , Nose , Osteitis , Osteoblasts , Osteoclasts , Osteogenesis , Osteonectin , Ovalbumin , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Sinusitis , Transcription Factors , TranscriptomeABSTRACT
In pediatric patients, central venous catheterization (CVC) is necessary for administration of fluids, drugs, high concentration electrolytes, vasopressors or inotropic drugs, transfusion, intravenous nutrition, and dialysis. Using an anatomical landmark for the CVC insertion may have a low success rate in children due to the positional variation between the deep vein and the landmarks, the small size of body and blood vessels, low insertion frequency, and operator skill. In order to improve the success rate, ultrasound guided CVC insertion is recommended in critically ill children. It is also expected to reduce mechanical complications, which are more common with subclavian CVC insertion. However, the association between the insertion site and the infection or thrombosis is unclear. Since thrombosis is relatively common, further studies are needed on the association between the incidence rate and insertion sites.
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Purpose@#Differentiation of urinary tract infection (UTI) from viral infection is a critical challenge in febrile children in emergency departments (EDs). This study aimed to assess the predicting performances of creatinine, C-reactive protein (CRP), and white blood cell (WBC) for predicting UTI in the children. @*Methods@#This study was a retrospective analysis of a prospectively enrolled cohort of febrile children who presented to our children’s hospital ED from August 2016 through February 2018. We included previously healthy, febrile (≥ 38。C) children younger than 24 months whose urine cultures were obtained. Accuracy of creatinine, CRP, and WBC were assessed by optimal cutoffs, which were calculated using receiver operating characteristic curves. @*Results@#Among the total 33,013 children to the ED, 7,847 (23.8%) febrile children were registered to the fever registry. Finally, 506 children were included, and UTI was diagnosed in 127 (25.1%). The areas under the curve of creatinine, CRP, and WBC to predict UTI were 0.41 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.35-0.46), 0.71 (95% CI, 0.66-0.77), and 0.66 (95% CI, 0.60-0.72), respectively. The cutoffs were 0.26 mg/dL for creatinine, 2.3 mg/dL for CRP, and 14.4 × 103 cells/μL for WBC. Creatinine showed worse performance than the other variables. The application of creatinine added to the other variables led to an increase only in the sensitivity, but at the expense of a lower specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. @*Conclusion@#Serum creatinine showed a poor performance in predicting UTI in the febrile young children. Since a single biomarker can neither rule in nor rule out UTI in the children, the prediction of UTI can be achieved by the interpretation of both clinical and laboratory findings.
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Reports on the laparoscopic treatment for colonic intussusception are exceedingly rare. We report a case of colonic intussusception caused by sigmoid colon cancer which was treated with a laparoscopic approach. A 76-year-old man visited an emergency room with the chief complaint of lower abdominal pain. He was diagnosed with colonic intussusception probably due to sigmoid colon cancer on a CT scan. Upon laparoscopic exploration, sigmoid colon intussusception was noted. Manual reduction was impossible because the colonic walls were friable and due to the possibility of a cancerous leading point. Therefore, the bowel was resected with en bloc Hartmann procedure. Pathology of the resected specimen revealed a tumor measuring 4.5 cm in size and comprising moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma (pT3N0M0, pStage II). The patient's postoperative course was uneventful and was discharged on the 8th day after surgery.
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Objective@#We aimed to identify the relation between perioperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drain through lumbar drainage (LD) and development of postoperative (POP) remote intracerebral hemorrhage (rICH) in craniotomy to treat ruptured intracranial aneurysms. @*Methods@#We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients who underwent craniotomy for ruptured cerebral aneurysms at the authors’ institution between 1998 and 2004. We subsequently compared the incidence and characteristics of POP rICH between the patients who had a perioperative LD and those who did not. All statistical analyses were conducted using the software package SPSS 19.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. @*Results@#We enrolled 688 patients, of which 80 patients (11.6%) received perioperative LD, and 608 did not. LD and non-LD groups were comparable because although clinical characteristics of the two groups were significantly different considering history of hypertension, timing of surgery, and closed system negative pressure suction drain (SD) placement, none of these three variables was an independent risk factor associated with POP rICH in multivariate analysis. POP rICH incidence was significantly higher in the LD goup (12.5%) than non-LD group (0.8%) (p=0.000) in univariate analysis. LD placement was the only independent risk factor associated with the development of rICH in multivariate logistic regression analysis. @*Conclusions@#POP rICH incidence was significantly higher in patients who were managed with perioperative LD than in those who did not. LD insertion in craniotomy for ruptured intracranial aneurysm, should be closely monitored to address the occurrence of POP rICH.
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Background@#In the emergency department (ED), adequate pain control is essential for managing patients; however, children with pain are known to receive less analgesia than adults with pain. We introduce the Pain Passport to improve pain management in paediatric patients with suspected fractures in the ED. @*Methods@#This was a before-and-after study. We reviewed the medical records of paediatric patients who were primarily diagnosed with fractures from May to August 2015. After the introduction of the Pain Passport, eligible children were enrolled from May to August 2016. Demographics, analgesic administration rates, time intervals between ED arrival and analgesic administration, and satisfaction scores were obtained. We compared the analgesic prescription rate between the two periods using multiple logistic regression. @*Results@#A total of 58 patients were analysed. The baseline characteristics of subjects during the two periods were not significantly different. Before the introduction of the Pain Passport, 9 children (31.0%) were given analgesics, while after the introduction of the Pain Passport, a significantly higher percentage of patients (24/29, 82.8%) were treated with analgesics (P < 0.001). The median administration times were 112 (interquartile range [IQR], 64-150) minutes in the pre-intervention period and 24 (IQR, 20-74) minutes in the post-intervention period. The median satisfaction score for the post-intervention period was 4 (IQR, 3-5). The adjusted odds ratio for providing analgesics in the post-intervention period was 25.91 (95% confidence interval, 4.36-154.02). @*Conclusions@#Patient-centred pain scoring with the Pain Passport improved pain management in patients with suspected fractures in the paediatric ED.
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Background@#Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) are highly drug-resistant pathogens. Screening the contacts of newly-identified CPE patients is crucial for nosocomial transmission control. We evaluated the acquisition rate of CPE in close contacts as a function of CPE genotype. @*Materials and Methods@#This study was conducted in Asan Medical Center, a 2,700-bed, tertiary teaching hospital in Seoul, Korea, between November 2010 and October 2017. Index cases were defined as patients with positive tests for CPE from any infected or colonized site during hospitalization who had no direct epidemiologic linkage with existing CPE patients; close contact patients were defined as those whose hospital stay overlapped with the stay of an index case for at least one day and who occupied the same room or intensive care unit (ICU). Secondary patients were defined as those who produced positive CPE culture isolates from surveillance cultures that had the same CPE enzyme as that of the index case patients. @*Results@#A total of 211 index case patients and 2,689 corresponding contact patients were identified. Of the contact patients, 1,369 (50.9%) including 649 New-Delhi metallo-betalactamase-1 (NDM-1) and 448 Klebsiella pneumoniae carbaepenamse (KPC)-producing CPE exposures were screened, and 44 secondary patients (3.2%; 95% confidence interval 2.3 -4.3%) were positive for NDM-1-producing CPE (16 patients) and KPC-producing (24 patients) CPE. The CPE acquisition rate (5.4%) for KPC-producing CPE exposures was significantly higher than that for NDM-1 exposures (2.7%) (P = 0.01). @*Conclusion@#The CPE acquisition rate was 3.2% among close contacts sharing a multi-patient room, with about a two-fold higher risk of KPC-producing CPE than NDM-1-producing CPE.