Etiology, Characteristics, and Outcomes of Community-Onset Pyomyositis in Korea: A Multicenter Study / 감염과화학요법

Background@#Pyomyositis (PM) is a serious soft tissue infection and despite its clinical importance, previous studies have not been able to fully determine the clinical characteristics and microbial epidemiology of PM in Korea, which we therefore aimed to investigate. @*Materials and Methods@#We retrospectively identified 140 adult patients diagnosed with PM from 13 general hospitals between January 2012 and December 2015. We analyzed the clinical and microbial characteristics of community-onset PM and compared them with communityacquired (CA) and healthcare-associated (HCA) PM. @*Results@#One hundred eleven organisms were isolated from 96 (68.6%) patients with PM.Staphylococcus aureus (38 patients) was the most common pathogen, followed by streptococci (24 patients), and enteric Gram-negative organisms (27 patients). Methicillin-resistant S.aureus (MRSA) was identified in four (2.9%) patients and in-hospital mortality reached 8.6% (12/140). Enterococci isolates were identified in the HCA PM subgroup only The proportion of MRSA isolates was not comparable between CA and HCA PM subgroups. In the 83 patients with PM infected by monomicrobial pathogens, isolates of Gram-negative organisms were more commonly found in HCA PM subgroup than in CA PM subgroup (47.6% [10/21] of patients with HCA PM vs. 20.7% [12/58] of patients with CA PM; P = 0.01). @*Conclusion@#Gram-positive cocci such as S. aureus and streptococci were dominant etiologies in community-onset PM, whereas MRSA appears to an uncommon causative organism of PM in Korea. Enteric Gram-negative organisms should also be considered as major etiologies, especially in HCA PM patient population in Korea.

Etiology, Characteristics, and Outcomes of Community-Onset Pyomyositis in Korea: A Multicenter Study / 감염과화학요법

Background@#Pyomyositis (PM) is a serious soft tissue infection and despite its clinical importance, previous studies have not been able to fully determine the clinical characteristics and microbial epidemiology of PM in Korea, which we therefore aimed to investigate. @*Materials and Methods@#We retrospectively identified 140 adult patients diagnosed with PM from 13 general hospitals between January 2012 and December 2015. We analyzed the clinical and microbial characteristics of community-onset PM and compared them with communityacquired (CA) and healthcare-associated (HCA) PM. @*Results@#One hundred eleven organisms were isolated from 96 (68.6%) patients with PM.Staphylococcus aureus (38 patients) was the most common pathogen, followed by streptococci (24 patients), and enteric Gram-negative organisms (27 patients). Methicillin-resistant S.aureus (MRSA) was identified in four (2.9%) patients and in-hospital mortality reached 8.6% (12/140). Enterococci isolates were identified in the HCA PM subgroup only The proportion of MRSA isolates was not comparable between CA and HCA PM subgroups. In the 83 patients with PM infected by monomicrobial pathogens, isolates of Gram-negative organisms were more commonly found in HCA PM subgroup than in CA PM subgroup (47.6% [10/21] of patients with HCA PM vs. 20.7% [12/58] of patients with CA PM; P = 0.01). @*Conclusion@#Gram-positive cocci such as S. aureus and streptococci were dominant etiologies in community-onset PM, whereas MRSA appears to an uncommon causative organism of PM in Korea. Enteric Gram-negative organisms should also be considered as major etiologies, especially in HCA PM patient population in Korea.

Epidemiology and Clinical Characteristics of Zika Virus Infections Imported into Korea from March to October 2016

Zika is a re-emerging, mosquito-borne viral infection, which has been recently shown to cause microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Since 2015 the number of infected patients has increased significantly in South America. The purpose of this study was to identify the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of patients with Zika virus (ZIKV) infections in Korea. Patients who had visited areas of risk and tested positive in the ZIKV reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in blood, urine, or saliva specimens were included. The first Korean case of ZIKV infection was reported in March 2016, and 14 cases had been reported by October 2016. The median age of the patients was 34 years (19–64 years). Ten patients had been exposed in Southeast Asia and 4 in Latin America. Rash was the most common symptom (92.9%; 13/14), followed by myalgia (50.0%; 7/14), and arthralgia (28.6%, 4/14). There were no neurologic abnormalities and none of the patients was pregnant. Results of biochemical tests were normal. Positivity rates of RT-PCR for ZIKV in serum, urine, and saliva were 53.8%, 100.0%, and 83.3%, respectively in the first week of symptoms. In conclusion, 14 patients with ZIKV infections were reported in Korea by October 2016 and all of them had mild clinical symptoms.

A Case of Splenic Botryomycosis Caused by Streptococcus mitis in a Patient with a Previous Distal Gastrectomy / 대한내과학회지

Botryomycosis is an uncommon chronic suppurative bacterial infection of the skin and visceral organs seen primarily in immunocompromised patients. Here, we report a case of splenic botryomycosis caused by Streptococcus mitis in a 53-year-old immunocompetent woman with a history of distal gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer.

A Case of Candida albicans Pneumonia Diagnosed by Endobronchial Biopsy / 대한의진균학회지

Candida species is indigenous fungus of healthy individuals, and frequently found in sputum culture. Candida isolation from the respiratory tract is not generally considered as a marker of lung infection, and definitive diagnosis of Candida pneumonia is confirmed by tissue biopsy. A few cases of Candida pneumonia pathologically confirmed by transthoracic needle aspiration of mycetoma have been reported. In Korea, a case of Candida pneumonia diagnosed by bronchial washing and blood culture was reported, but there is no case report diagnosed by biopsy. We report a case of Candida pneumonia diagnosed by endobronchial biopsy, and antifungal therapy resulted in successful resolution of the pneumonia.

A Case of Multiple Pulmonary Nodular Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia in an Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Patient / 감염과화학요법

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is a frequent manifestation of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The classic chest radiographic finding is perihilar ground glass opacities that may progress to more diffuse lung involvement. Atypical radiographic appearances include a normal chest film, lobar or segmental consolidation, cystic lesions, cavitation, pneumothorax, pleural effusion, and solitary or multiple pulmonary nodules. Although PCP is common in AIDS, presenting with nodular pulmonary densities is rare. We encountered the case of a 33-year-old man with AIDS whose chest radiography showed multiple bilateral nodular patterns suggestive of malignancy. We performed a transcutaneous lung biopsy and diagnosed him with PCP by Gomori methenamine-silver staining. Along with fungal and mycobacterial infections, intrathoracic Kaposi's sarcoma, and lymphoma, PCP should be considered in the differential diagnosis of nodular pulmonary disease in AIDS patients.

A Case of Arthritis due to Mycobacterium Intracellulare in a Immunocompetent Patient

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are widely distributed in nature and are usually of low pathogenic potential. NTM rarely has been recognized as a cause of musculoskeletal infections that involve joints, bone and soft tissue in immunocompetent patients. The risk factors of its infection are local traumas caused by surgery, injury, or injection. A fifty five-year-old immunocompetent patient visted to hospital due to right wrist mass and pain. Excisional biopsy was done. Histologically granulomatous inflammation was identified and Mycobacterium intracellulare was cultured. Although very rare, NTM should be suspected at least once as a causative pathogen of chronic arthritis when the cause is uncertain.

A Case of Pseudomembranous Tracheobronchitis Complicated by Coinfection of 2009 Pandemic Influenza A/H1N1 and Staphylococcus aureus / 감염과화학요법

An influenza pandemic due to a novel influenza A/H1N1 virus occurred after April 2009. This virus has some characteristics that differentiate it from the seasonal influenza virus. The 2009 pandemic influenza A/H1N1 virus can frequently infect the lower respiratory tract, and it might cause acute tracheobronchitis as well as pneumonia. Viral-bacterial interaction is well known as an important mechanism of the pathogenesis of respiratory complications of influenza. Herein, we report on a case that presented with pseudomembranous tracheobronchitis complicated by coinfection with 2009 pandemic influenza A/H1N1 and Staphylococcus aureus. We also review the relevent literature.

A Case of Cryptococcal Osteomyelitis with Paraspinal Abscess / 감염과화학요법

Cryptococcosis is a disseminated infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. It usually causes pulmonary infection and meningitis in immunocompromised patients. However, osteomyelitis due to C. neoformans is extremely rare. It is generally known that cryptococcal osteomyelitis is a complication of disseminated cryptococcosis, appearing in 5-10%. We experienced a case of cryptococcal osteomyelitis with paraspinal abscess in a liver transplant patient.

A Case of Cryptococcal Osteomyelitis with Paraspinal Abscess / 감염과화학요법

Cryptococcosis is a disseminated infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. It usually causes pulmonary infection and meningitis in immunocompromised patients. However, osteomyelitis due to C. neoformans is extremely rare. It is generally known that cryptococcal osteomyelitis is a complication of disseminated cryptococcosis, appearing in 5-10%. We experienced a case of cryptococcal osteomyelitis with paraspinal abscess in a liver transplant patient.

A Case of Infectious Aortitis Causing Recurrent Acinetobacter baumannii Bacteremia Following Aortic Valve Replacement / 감염과화학요법

Infectious aortitis is an uncommon yet, life threatening disease. Early surgical treatment and prolonged antibiotic therapy is crucial to survival. Salmonella sp. and Staphylococcus aureus are the most common organisms isolated. There is no case report of infectious aortitis caused by Acinetobacter baumannii, which has recently emerged as a major cause of health care-associated infections. Here, we describe a 76-year-old male with infectious aortitis who experienced recurrent bacteremia due to A. baumannii in spite of adequate antimicrobial therapy after aortic valve replacement.

A Case of Vertebral Osteomyelitis due to Mycobacterium intracellulare / 감염과화학요법

We report a case of vertebral osteomyelitis due to Mycobacterium intracellulare in a 60-year-old man without predisposing conditions. He was successfully treated with surgical excision of the inflamed tissue and combined antimycobacterial therapy consisting of clarithromycin, ethambutol, and rifampin. In this case, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR-RFLP) based on the rpo B gene of cultured isolates allowed rapid identification of M. intracellulare. Although very rare, nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) should be suspected as a causative pathogen of vertebral osteomyelitis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of vertebral osteomyelitis caused by NTM reported in the Korean literature.

A Case of Infectious Aortitis Causing Recurrent Acinetobacter baumannii Bacteremia Following Aortic Valve Replacement / 감염과화학요법

Infectious aortitis is an uncommon yet, life threatening disease. Early surgical treatment and prolonged antibiotic therapy is crucial to survival. Salmonella sp. and Staphylococcus aureus are the most common organisms isolated. There is no case report of infectious aortitis caused by Acinetobacter baumannii, which has recently emerged as a major cause of health care-associated infections. Here, we describe a 76-year-old male with infectious aortitis who experienced recurrent bacteremia due to A. baumannii in spite of adequate antimicrobial therapy after aortic valve replacement.

A Case of Vertebral Osteomyelitis due to Mycobacterium intracellulare / 감염과화학요법

We report a case of vertebral osteomyelitis due to Mycobacterium intracellulare in a 60-year-old man without predisposing conditions. He was successfully treated with surgical excision of the inflamed tissue and combined antimycobacterial therapy consisting of clarithromycin, ethambutol, and rifampin. In this case, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR-RFLP) based on the rpo B gene of cultured isolates allowed rapid identification of M. intracellulare. Although very rare, nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) should be suspected as a causative pathogen of vertebral osteomyelitis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of vertebral osteomyelitis caused by NTM reported in the Korean literature.

Selection of Reference Equations for Lung Volumes and Diffusing Capacity in Korea / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: The lung volume and diffusing capacity are influenced by ethnicity. However, there are no equations for predicting the normal lung volume in the adult Korean population, and there is only one equation for diffusing capacity. The aim of this study is to select the most suitable reference equation for the Korean population. METHOD: 30 men and 33 women at Hanyang University Guri Hospital, and 27 men and 34 women at Asan Medical Center in healthy nonsmoking adults were enrolled in this study. The subject's age, gender, height, weight, lung volume by plethysmography, and diffusing capacity by a single breathing method were obtained. The most suitable equation with the lowest sum of residuals between the observed and predicted values for lung volume and diffusing capacity was selected. RESULT: At Hanyang University Guri Hospital, the equations with the lowest sum of residuals in the total lung capacity were ECSC's equation in males (sum of residual: 0.04 L) and Crapo/Morris's equation (-1.04) in women. At the Asan Medical Center, the equations with the lowest sum of residuals in the total lung capacity were Goldman/Becklake's equation in males (sum of residual: -2.35) and the ECSC's equation -4.49) in women. The equations with the lowest sum of residuals in the Diffusing capacity were Roca's equation in males (sum of residual: -13.66 ml/min/mmHg) and Park's in women (25.08) in Hanyang University Guri hospital and Park's equation in all cases in the Asan Medical Center (male: -1.65 , female: -6.46). CONCLUSIONS: Until a reference equstion can be made for healthy Koreans by sampling, ECSC's equation can be used for estimating the lung volume and Park's can be used for estimating the diffusing capacity.