Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Mitochondrial DNA Mutations in Korean Patients With Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Background@#Mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) are associated with several genetic disorders, including sensorineural hearing loss. However, the prevalence of mtDNA mutations in a large cohort of Korean patients with hearing loss has not yet been investigated. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the frequency of mtDNA mutations in a cohort of with pre- or post-lingual hearing loss of varying severity. @*Methods@#A total of 711 Korean families involving 1,099 individuals were evaluated. Six mitochondrial variants associated with deafness (MTRNR1 m.1555A>G, MTTL1 m.3243A>G, MTCO1 m.7444G>A and m.7445A>G, and MTTS1 m.7471dupC and m.7511T>C) were screened using restriction fragment length polymorphism. The prevalence of the six variants was also analyzed in a large control dataset using whole-genome sequencing data from 4,534 Korean individuals with unknown hearing phenotype. @*Results@#Overall, 12 of the 711 (1.7%) patients with hearing loss had mtDNA variants, with 10 patients from independent families positive for the MTRNR1 m.1555A>G mutation and 2 patients positive for the MTCO1 m.7444G>A mutation. The clinical characteristics of patients with the mtDNA variants were characterized by post-lingual progressive hearing loss due to the m.1555A>G variant (9 of 472; 1.9%). In addition, 18/4,534 (0.4%) of the Korean population have mitochondrial variants associated with hearing loss, predominantly the m.1555A>G variant. @*Conclusion@#A significant proportion of Korean patients with hearing loss is affected by the mtDNA variants, with the m.1555A>G variant being the most prevalent. These results clarify the genetic basis of hearing loss in the Korean population and emphasize the need for genetic testing for mtDNA variants.

Factors Influencing on Pressure Ulcer Incidence among Older Patients with Hip Fracture in a Hospital

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the incidence and risks for pressure ulcer among older patients with hip fracture. METHODS: The subject were 215 older patients suffering from hip fracture who were admitted for surgical operation from January 1, 2012 to April 30, 2016 in a university-affiliated hospital. The incidence of pressure ulcer was collected retrospectively through medical record review and the risk factors were analyzed using Cox's proportional hazard model. RESULTS: Out of the total, 32 patients (14.9%) developed pressure ulcer with the average occurrence period being 4.72 (±3.81) days. Stage II pressure ulcer was the most common at 72.0%. Risk factors included ambulation status before injury (p=.039), spinal anesthesia (p=.029), and stay at intensive care unit after operation (p=.009). CONCLUSION: Despite pressure ulcer prevention efforts, the incidence remained relatively high. Considering the identified risk factors, more efforts is needed for early detection and prevention of pressure ulcers in such patients.

Investigation for Phlebitis Development by Peripheral Venous Catheter in Burn Patients

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to build an evidence for adjusting the guideline of our hospital for changing peripheral intravenous catheter interval from 72 hour to 96hour through the checklist based on the Hospital nursing association intravenous infusion therapy practice in burn patients who have special characteristics comparing with other patient. METHODS: From 9 July 2014 to 20 July 2014, 30 burn patients who need a peripheral intravenous catheter were enrolled. The catheter insertion site was observed 3 times a day and it was analyzed by the time passage. Phlebitis scale for Hallym medical center was used for the diagnosis of phlebitis. Phlebitis was reported from phlebitis scale grade 2. RESULTS: Peripheral catheter was removed in 10 patients (34%) for phlebitis scale grade 2. Among the patients, 8 patients had edema and 2 patients had erythema. There were only 5 patients (17%) who had maintained peripheral catheter for more than 96 hours. Most of the patients were given 5% dextrose fluid. Some patients had a high osmolar (883~1058 g) nutritional therapy during early post-burn period. CONCLUSION: In burn patient, peripheral venous catheter is usually inserted to the extremity area of which the vessel is relatively weak due to the burn wound and immobilization. And it was difficult to maintain the peripheral catheter for more than 96 hours. Because the burn patients should receive the hyperosmolar fluid and medications during the early post-burn period. Further investigation through comparing analysis should be performed for developing intravenous infusion therapy practice in burn patients

PCR Detection and Molecular Characterization of Pentatrichomonas hominis from Feces of Dogs with Diarrhea in the Republic of Korea

Pentatrichomonas hominis is considered a commensal protozoan in the large intestine of a number of mammalian hosts, such as cats, dogs, and non-human primates. The resulting infections, which can induce diarrhea, have been attributed to opportunistic overgrowth of P. hominis. This study was performed to confirm the P. hominis infection and its molecular characterization from the feces of puppies with diarrhea. Fecal samples were obtained from 14 German shepherd puppies with diarrhea over 1 week (7 females and 7 males, 2-9 months of age) residing on a dog farm in August 2007. Species-specific PCR assay identified P. hominis 18S rRNA genes in 3 of the 14 puppies (1 female and 2 males; 1 aged 2 months and 2 aged 9 months). This phylogenetic analysis established that P. hominis belonged to the 1st clade, which is comprised of Bos taurus and Felines.

Genotype of Toxoplasma gondii from Blood of Stray Cats in Gyeonggi-do, Korea

Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii has been performed in 23 PCR positive blood samples from stray cats in Korea. We used 2 separate PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns of SAG2 gene, amplifying the 5'and 3'ends of the locus. The results revealed that all samples belonged to the type I clonal lineage. Although T. gondii organisms were not isolated from the samples, the results of the present study represent that stray cats with T. gondii infection should be seriously concerned in our environment. Adequate and continuous control programs of stray cats are needed to reduce the risk of transmission of T. gondii as a zoonotic infection threatening the public health.

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Stray Cats of Gyeonggi-do, Korea

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular zoonotic protozoan with a worldwide distribution. It infects humans as well as a broad spectrum of vertebrate hosts. Cats and wild felidae play crucial roles in the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis. This study was performed to survey the prevalence of T. gondii infection among stray cats in the Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea. A total of 174 stray cat blood samples were collected from Gwacheon-si (n = 20), Bucheon-si (82), and Yangju-si (72). Positive sera for T. gondii were identified in 14 samples (8.1%) exclusively via the latex agglutination test, 28 (16.1%) via ELISA, and 23 (13.2%) via PCR analysis. The overall infection rate of female stray cats (29.2%) presented as higher than that of male cats (24.0%). This study suggests that T. gondii is widespread in the stray cat population of Gyeonggi-do, Korea. It is urgently needed to control urban stray cat population and to reduce the risk of zoonotic transmission of toxoplasmosis to other animal hosts and humans.