Comparison of the Seroprevalence of Measles Antibodies among Healthcare Workers in Two Korean Hospitals in 2019 / 감염과화학요법

We performed a point seroprevalence survey of measles among healthcare workers (HCWs) at two Korean teaching hospitals in 2019. A total of 2,830 HCWs underwent an antibody test.The overall seropositivity of measles was 93.1%. The seroprevalence of measles was lowest in HCWs aged 20 - 24 years (81.2%), followed by those aged 25 - 29 years (90.1%). The rates of anti-measles IgG positivity were significantly different between the two hospitals (97.0% vs.89.4%, P <0.001). These results suggest that the seropositivity of measles in HCWs may differ depending on the hospital's vaccination policy.

Evaluation of Cumulative and Conditional Antibiotic Release from Vancomycin-Embedded Fibrin Sealant and Its Antibacterial Activity : An In Vitro Study

Objective@#: Fibrin sealants have been used for hemostasis, sealant for cerebrospinal fluid leakage, and adhesive barrier in neurosurgery. Further, as its clinical use and role of an effective drug delivery vehicle have been proposed. This study was performed to measure antibacterial activity and continuous local antibiotic release from different concentrations of vancomycin-impregnated fibrin sealant in vitro. @*Methods@#: Antibacterial activity was investigated by disk diffusion test by measuring the diameter of the growth inhibition zone of bacteria (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, ATCC29213) from vancomycin-embedded fibrin sealant disc diluted at five different concentrations (C1–C5; 8.33, 4.167, 0.83, 0.083, and 0.0083 mg/disc, respectively). Continuous and conditioned release of vancomycin concentration (for 2 weeks and for 5 days, respectively) were also measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. To mimic the physiologic wound conditions with in vitro, conditioned vancomycin release in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) was measured and replaced PBS for five consecutive days, half a day or completely daily. @*Results@#: In the disk diffusion test, the mean diameters of bacterial inhibition zone were 2.54±0.07 cm, 2.61±0.12 cm, and 2.13±0.15 cm (C1, C2, and C3 respectively) but 1.67±0.06 cm and 1.23±0.15 cm in C4 and C5, respectively. Continuous elution test elicited the peak release of vancomycin from the fibrin sealant at 48 hours, with continued release until 2 weeks. However, conditioned vancomycin release decreased to half or more on day 2, however, the sustainable release was measured over the therapeutic dose (10–20 μg/mL) for 5 days and 4 days in assays of half and total exchange of PBS. @*Conclusion@#: This study suggests that fibrin sealant can provide an efficient vehicle for antibiotic drug release in a wide range of neurosurgical procedures and the safe and effective therapeutic dose will be at the concentration embedded of 4.167 mg/disc or more of vancomycin.

Renoprotective effects of febuxostat compared with allopurinol in patients with hyperuricemia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Hyperuricemia is reported to be related to rapid progression of renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Allopurinol, a uric acid lowering agent, protects renal progression. However, it is not widely used in patients with CKD because of its serious adverse event. Febuxostat can be alternatively used for patients who are intolerable to allopurinol. We aimed to determine renoprotective effect and urate-lowering effect between the two drugs. METHODS: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to assess the effects of febuxostat compared to allopurinol in patients with hyperuricemia. MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched to identify research publications. RESULTS: Four relevant publications were selected from among 3,815 studies. No significant differences were found in the changes in serum creatinine from baseline between the febuxostat and allopurinol groups. Changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were observed between the two groups at 1 month (mean difference 1.65 mL/min/1.73 m², 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.38, 2.91 mL/min/1.73 m²; heterogeneity χ² = 1.25, I² = 0%, P = 0.01); however, the changes in eGFR were not significantly different at 3 months. A significant difference did exist in the changes in albuminuria levels from baseline between the febuxostat and allopurinol groups (mean difference −80.47 mg/gCr, 95% CI −149.29, −11.64 mg/gCr; heterogeneity χ² = 0.81, I² = 0%, P = 0.02). A significant difference was also observed in the changes in serum uric acid from baseline between the febuxostat and allopurinol groups (mean difference −0.92 mg/dL, 95% CI −1.29, −0.56 mg/dL; heterogeneity χ² = 6.24, I² = 52%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Febuxostat might be more renoprotective than allopurinol.

Comparison of the Ability of Multiplex and Singleplex PCR to Detect Human Respiratory Viruses

BACKGROUND: The use of the multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique for respiratory viruses has become popular in Korea owing to its convenience and sensitivity. However, concerns remain with regard to possible interference due to multiplexing. METHODS: We compared the analytical sensitivity and virus interference of a commercially available, multiplex PCR kit (AdvanSure Respiratory virus real-time PCR kit, LG Life Sciences, Korea) with that of singleplex PCR to detect 11 viruses including coronavirus 229E and OC43; parainfluenza virus 1 (PIV 1), parainfluenza virus 2 (PIV 2), and parainfluenza virus 3 (PIV 3); influenza virus A (INF A) and influenza virus B (INF B); respiratory syncytial virus A (RSV A) and respiratory syncytial virus B (RSV B); adenovirus; and rhinovirus A, B, and C. RESULTS: The lowest detected viral concentrations of coronavirus 229E and OC43, INF A and B, RSV A and B, adenovirus, and rhinovirus A, B, and C were the same for both, multiplex and singleplex systems. However, the lowest detected viral concentrations of PIV1, 2, and 3 differed by 1 dilution factor between the two systems. Threshold cycle (Ct) values for mixed viruses within the same well were not significantly influenced by each other, where the difference between Ct values ranged from 0.24 to 1.99. CONCLUSIONS: Analytical sensitivity of multiplex PCR was comparable to that of singleplex PCR for respiratory viruses. No significant interference was observed with mixed virus samples using multiplexed PCR.

Bacteremia Caused by Eggerthella lenta in an Elderly Patient with an Intra-abdominal Abscess

Eggerthella lenta is an anaerobic, non-spore-forming, non-motile, gram-positive bacillus that can be isolated from human feces and a few other clinical specimens. Bacteremia caused by the organism is rare but, when present, is always of clinical significance. E. lenta is an emerging pathogen that has been under-recognized because of difficulties with its laboratory identification. Few reports on E. lenta infections and the optimal treatment thereof are available. We describe a case of bacteremia caused by E. lenta in an elderly patient with an intra-abdominal abscess. We also review the current literature.

False-Positive Elevation of Creatine Kinase MB Mass Concentrations Caused by Macromolecules in a Patient who Underwent Nephrectomy for Renal Cell Carcinoma

No abstract available.

Clinical Characteristics of Vivax Malaria and Analysis of Recurred Patients / 감염과화학요법

BACKGROUND: Plasmodium vivax malaria is an acute debilitating illness characterized by recurrent paroxysmal fever and relapses from hypnozoites in the liver. Although a few studies reported clinical characteristics of vivax malaria in civilians after reemergence in the Republic of Korea, only a small group of patients was analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who had been diagnosed with vivax malaria by peripheral blood smear in a university-affiliated hospital located in a malaria-endemic area between January 2005 and December 2009. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 352 malarial cases from 341 patients were diagnosed. Vivax malaria was most commonly developed in July and August, 24.7% (87/352), and 21.9% (77/352), respectively. The mean (SD) age was 42.5 (14.7) years and the number of male patients was 243 (71.3%). Six patients had a previous history of vivax malaria from 6 months to 10 years before. A total of 337 patients (98.8%) had fever and the mean (SD) body temperature was 38.3 (1.4)degrees C. Common associated symptoms were chills (213/341, 62.5%), headache (115/341, 33.7%), and myalgia (85/341, 24.9%). Laboratory findings included thrombocytopenia (340/341, 99.7%), anemia (97/341, 28.5%), leukopenia (148/341, 43.4%), increase of aspartate transaminase (177/341, 51.9%), and increase of alanine transaminase (187/341, 54.8%). Hypotension (14/341, 4.1%), altered mentality (3/341, 0.9%), azotemia (3/341, 0.9%), spleen infarction (2/341, 0.6%), and spleen rupture (1/341, 0.3%) developed as complications. Chloroquine was administered to all patients and primaquine was administered with mean (SD) 3.39 (0.82) mg/kg to 320 patients. There were 11 recurrent infections during the study period. The median (range) time to recurrent infection was 100 (32-285) days. Platelet counts were higher (86,550 vs. 56,910/mm3) and time to treatment of malaria was shorter (5 vs. 7 days) in relapsed cases compared with first occurrence cases (P=0.046). CONCLUSIONS: The overall recurrence rate of vivax malaria was 3.2% (11/341) in this study. In recurred cases, malaria was diagnosed earlier and thrombocytopenia was less severe. To evaluate the risk factors associated with recurrence and adequate dose of primaquine in Korean patients, further large-scale prospective studies will be needed.

Comparison of Sputum and Nasopharyngeal Aspirates for Molecular Detection of Community-Acquired Pneumonia Pathogens / 임상검사와정도관리

BACKGROUND: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a leading cause of infectious diseases and mortality. CAP is primarily treated by administration of adequate antibiotics against the causative pathogens. Because detection of some pathogens by the conventional culture method is difficult, the use of molecular diagnostic methods is increasing. Although an optimal specimen type is very important for proper testing, there is no consensus on the optimal specimen type for detecting CAP pathogens. In this study, we compared sputum specimens and nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs) for molecular detection of 4 CAP-causing bacterial species. METHODS: From September 2011 to January 2012, we collected sputum specimens and NPAs from CAP patients on the first or second day of hospitalization. The specimens were tested for Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Legionella pneumophila by using commercial real-time PCR. RESULTS: We collected 63 sputum specimens and 96 NPAs from 109 patients and found positive results for 38.1% (24/63) and 28.1% (27/96), respectively (P = 0.251). There were no significant differences in the positive rates obtained for sputum specimens of different quality. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained using NPAs and sputum specimens for the molecular detection of CAP pathogens were comparable.

Evaluation of the Chorus Mycoplasma pneumoniae IgM Assay for the Serological Diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection / 임상검사와정도관리

BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma pneumoniae is the most frequent cause of respiratory tract infections in school-aged children and adolescents. M. pneumoniae infection has variable clinical manifestations and is resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics, making correct diagnosis important. We evaluated the newly introduced Chorus M. pneumoniae IgM (DIESSE Diagnostica, Italy) assay for early diagnosis of M. pneumoniae infection. METHODS: The Chorus M. pneumoniae IgM and particle agglutination (PA) (Fujirebio, Japan) assays were tested on 75 serum specimens from 52 hospitalized children at a tertiary-care hospital between September 2011 and November 2011. A positive PA result was defined as an antibody titer of > or =1:40. The concordance of the Chorus M. pneumoniae IgM and PA results and the correlation of the Chorus M. pneumoniae IgM Index with the PA titer were analyzed. Furthermore, the Chorus M. pneumoniae IgM and PA results (PA-patient positive/negative) based on the clinical cutoff of the PA assay were compared in acute-phase specimens. RESULTS: The concordance rate of the Chorus M. pneumoniae IgM and PA results was 90.7% (kappa value= 0.5), and the Chorus M. pneumoniae IgM Index and PA titer correlated well (Spearman's correlation coefficient, 0.872, P < 0.001). However, 82.6% (19/23) of patients who were negative for M. pneumoniae by PA using the clinical cut-off were Chorus M. pneumoniae IgM-positive. CONCLUSIONS: The Chorus M. pneumoniae IgM assay is convenient and gives objective results. However, to make Chorus suitable for routine laboratory use, additional validation studies are required to determine the criteria for use in convalescent specimens.

Postchemotherapy Changes in Cytokine Levels and Their Correlation with Hematological Parameters in Patients with Vivax Malaria / 임상검사와정도관리

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory cytokines play an important role in human immune responses to malaria, although the role of these mediators in pathogenesis is unclear. In this study, we evaluated changes in cytokine levels following chemotherapy, and determined whether cytokine levels in serum correlated with the hematological parameters in the Korean vivax malarial patients. METHODS: The study population was composed of 31 patients in Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital who were diagnosed with Plasmodium vivax infection. Cytokine profiles, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10 levels, were assessed in serum samples obtained from the malaria patients three times, at the time of diagnosis (stage I) and after treatment with hydroxychloroquine (stage II) and primaquine (stage III). The level of each cytokine was measured using commercially available serum-based ELISA kits. Hematological parameters were simultaneously measured using a hematology autoanalyzer. RESULTS: At thetime of diagnosis, the TNF-alpha (mean, 62.9 pg/mL), IL-6 (mean, 45.5 pg/mL), and IL-10 (mean, 237.7 pg/mL) levels in the malaria patients were higher than the reference values. After treatment with hydroxychloroquine, these levels (TNF-alpha, P<0.01; IL-6, P<0.05; IL-10, P<0.01) significantly decreased to near-normal levels. Significant positive correlations were observed among the cytokine levels, but not between the cytokine levels and other hematological parameters. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-10 levels increased at the time of diagnosis and rapidly decreased to normal levels after treatment the levels of these cytokines did not correlate with other hematological parameters.

A Case of Septic Shock Caused by Escherichia coli after Intravenous Injection of Contaminated Propofol / 감염과화학요법

Propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol) is a rapid and short-acting anesthetic agent that is used for general anesthesia and endoscopic sedation. It is available as an aqueous lipid emulsion and this preparation could serve as a bacterial culture medium. We report a case of a 46-year-old female who developed septic shock caused by Escherichia coli after being sedated by propofol to undergo gastrointestinal endoscopy. The contaminated propofol was identified as the cause of septic shock by pulsed-gel electrophoresis.

Differences in the Perception of Blood Transfusion Risk between Laypeople and Transfusion Experts in Korea / 대한수혈학회지

BACKGROUND: Generally, laypeople perceive blood transfusion risk differently from experts like physicians. Acknowledging such differences may improve risk communication. This study characterized how blood transfusion experts in Korea perceive the blood transfusion risks compared to laypeople in a past study. METHODS: A one-month e-mail survey targeting blood transfusion experts was conducted in October 2007. The questionnaire was designed to assess the demographics of the respondents, their response to the term 'blood transfusion', and the perceived risks of a transfusion. In all, 103 interviews were completed. RESULTS: The words evoked by the term 'blood transfusion' included blood, blood donation, life, surgery, and risk. About 24.2~31.1% of the respondents gave a moderate or high rating for the perceived risk of blood transfusion. About 72.8% of experts agreed that the blood supplied in Korea is safe, while 55.6% of laypeople agreed to the same question. If they needed a transfusion, about 85.4% of the respondents replied that they would accept the blood transfusion, and experts were more willing to receive a blood transfusion than laypeople. The relative perceived blood transfusion risk was 4.4+/-2.8 (out of 10), which was similar to the result with laypeople. CONCLUSION: Experts, as compared to laypeople, think that the blood supplied in Korea is safer and had higher acceptance rates of transfusion. Awareness of such differences may be helpful when sharing medical decisions between medical staff and their patients at blood transfusion scenes.

A Case of Native Valve Endocarditis due to Staphylococcus epidermidis / 감염과화학요법

Although Staphylococcus epidermidis is a frequent cause of prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE), it is regarded as a rare pathogen of native valve endocarditis (NVE). We report a case of NVE caused by methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis in a 62-year-old man. The bacterium was isolated from blood and tissue culture. The patient underwent valve replacement due to heart failure and was successfully treated by surgery and vancomycin administration for 7 weeks.

A Case of Native Valve Endocarditis due to Staphylococcus epidermidis / 감염과화학요법

Although Staphylococcus epidermidis is a frequent cause of prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE), it is regarded as a rare pathogen of native valve endocarditis (NVE). We report a case of NVE caused by methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis in a 62-year-old man. The bacterium was isolated from blood and tissue culture. The patient underwent valve replacement due to heart failure and was successfully treated by surgery and vancomycin administration for 7 weeks.

Microbiologic Study of the Bile Culture and Antimicrobial Susceptibility in Patients with Biliary Tract Infection / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Bacterial infection of biliary tract may cause severe inflammatory response or sepsis. An immediate bile culture and appropriate antibiotic administration are important to control the biliary tract infection. The objective of the study was to identify organisms in bile and the features of antibiotic susceptibility in patients with biliary tract infection. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 212 patients whose bile had been cultured for variable biliary tract diseases at Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital from Jan. 2000 to Feb. 2007. Bile samples were obtained from percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD, n=89), percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD, n=14) or endoscopic naso-biliary drainage (ENBD, n=49). RESULTS: The overall positive rate of bile culture was 71.7% (152 cases). The organisms cultured were Escherichia coli (25.0%), Enterococcus spp. (13.4%), Klebsiella spp. (11.1%), Pseudomonas spp. (11.1%), and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (9.7%) in decreasing order. Effective antibiotics for Gram-negative organisms were amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, amikacin, imipenem, and piperacillin/tazobactam in order of effectiveness. Of the cultured blood samples from 160 patients, fifty (31.2%) showed positive bacterial growth. The organisms isolated from blood were similar to those found in the bile. CONCLUSIONS: A broad spectrum penicillin/beta-lactamase inhibitor is a recommendable antimicrobial for empirical treatment for biliary tract infection. However, Gram-positive bacteria such as Enterococcus spp. or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus are emerging as causative microorganisms. If these organisms are isolated, antimicrobial drugs should be replaced by narrower-spectrum antimicrobials.

Morganella Morganii Sepsis with Massive Hemolysis

Morganella morganii is a facultative gram-negative and anaerobic rod. It may be a cause of devastating infections in neonates and immunocompromised hosts. Some bacterial infections such as Clostridium and Vibrio are associated with hemolysis. However, massive hemolysis caused by M. morganii sepsis has not yet been reported. We observed a 59-yr-old man who had chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and was found to have massive hemolysis and metabolic acidosis due to sepsis. He died 6 hr after admission in spite of aggressive treatment. Two sets of blood cultures revealed the growth of M. morganii. We report here that M. morganii sepsis can cause fatal massive hemolysis leading to death.

A Case of D--/D-- Phenotype Associated with Moderate Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn / 대한수혈학회지

The very rare D--/D-- phenotype lacks C, c, E, e antigens with strong expression of the D antigen. A 31-year-old woman delivered her second baby, 3.6 kg girl at 38+4 weeks' gestation through repeat-Cesarean section. Her parents were not consanguineous. She had one artificial abortion, one Cesarean section with red blood cell transfusion and two spontaneous abortions. Her red cells were typed as O, D+C-c-E-e- and did not react with anti-Hr(o) (Rh 17). Her serum reacted with all of the screening cells and identification panel cells with strength of (++)~(+++). The baby was mildly jaundiced 12 hours after delivery. At 1 day after delivery, total bilirubin was 17.7 mg/dL, and direct and indirect antiglobulin tests were both positive. Phototherapy was immediately given for the baby but jaundice and anemia were worsened. Twenty six milliliter of the mother's whole blood was given twice to the baby after plasma depletion and leukocyte reduction. The baby showed improvement of jaundice and anemia, and discharged at hospital day 14. As far as we know, this is the third reported case of hemolytic disease of the newborn occurred in the D--/D-- mother with anti-Hr(o) in Korea, and the first case that was neither fatal nor treated with intensive medical care.

A Case of Vivax Malaria with Seizure and Shock / 감염과화학요법

Vivax malaria reemerged in the Republic of Korea in 1993. Vivax malaria is generally a benign disease with few severe complications. Even in the worldwide literature, there is only a small number of case reports on severe complications in vivax malaria. We report a unique case of P. vivax infection complicated by seizure and shock. A 58 year-old male showed generalized tonic-clonic seizure and shock after P. vivax infection. The species of malarial parasite was identified using peripheral blood film examination and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). He successfully recovered after treatment with hydroxychloroquine.

A Case of Vivax Malaria with Seizure and Shock / 감염과화학요법

Vivax malaria reemerged in the Republic of Korea in 1993. Vivax malaria is generally a benign disease with few severe complications. Even in the worldwide literature, there is only a small number of case reports on severe complications in vivax malaria. We report a unique case of P. vivax infection complicated by seizure and shock. A 58 year-old male showed generalized tonic-clonic seizure and shock after P. vivax infection. The species of malarial parasite was identified using peripheral blood film examination and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). He successfully recovered after treatment with hydroxychloroquine.

Use of Malaria Antibody Test Kit and Clinical Features in Malaria Patients

PURPOSE: Distinguishing malaria from severe infection among febrile patients in emergency room is difficult, so we tried to analyze the clinical manifestations of malaria and the results of using devices as a quick way to detect malaria among febrile patients visiting an emergency medical center (EMC). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of patients visiting a local EMC from January 2001 to December 2004 and confirmed as having vivax malaria by using a peripheral blood smear and Malaria antibody test (Immunochromatographic assay). RESULTS: All of the 108 included patients were infected with Plasmodium vivax and suffered from high fever, but tertian fever was seen in only 41 patients (37.9%). Various symptoms included headache, myalgia, abdominal pain, and so on. Laboratory findings noted thrombocytopenia, anemia, elevated alanin aminotransferase, and coagulopathies. Malaria antibody test was used in all cases for early diagnosis in the EMC. Compared with the peripheral blood smear, malaria antibody test identified 103 cases as positive, and five cases as negative. The diagnostic sensitivity of the malaria antibody test is 95.3%. CONCLUSION: Since south Korea is a malaria endemic area, for patients visiting an emergency room with a high fever, accompanied by thrombocytopenia and anemia, malaria must be included in the differential diagnosis whether the fever is tertian or not. The Malaria antibody test can be done by even an unskilful person, so it is a very helpful screening test and an early detection tool for malaria.