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

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

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.

Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome Improved by Anticoagulation Alone / 대한내과학회지

Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an accelerated subtype of APS that results in multiorgan failure. Although catastrophic APS represents about 0.8% of all APS cases, it is usually a life-threatening medical condition that requires high clinical awareness. Catastrophic APS has been managed by various therapies, including anticoagulation, corticosteroids, plasma exchange and IV immunoglobulin, but it still has a high mortality rate. A few cases treated by anticoagulation and steroids have been reported in Korea. In this paper, we report a case of catastrophic APS that improved after anticoagulation therapy alone. Thus, we consider hat our case shows another clinical aspect of catastrophic APS.

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.