A Tuberculosis Contact Investigation on Health Care Workers in One Hospital

PURPOSE: This study aimed to describe the results of a contact investigation on health care workers after exposure to a house officer with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). METHODS: Eighty nine out of 101 subjects who had close contact with the index patient agreed to be enrolled in the investigation. The first contact investigation was conducted approximately 30 days after the index patient's onset of symptoms, followed by the second investigation after 10 weeks. In both, clinical manifestations were studied, and chest X-ray and tuberculin skin test (TST)/QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT-G) in dual screening strategy were conducted. RESULTS: The first TST resulted in positive in 34 subjects (38.2%). QFT-G was conducted on 16 subjects who tested positive in the first TST and aged under 36. Six of them (37.5%) were positive. The second TST was conducted on 41 subjects with negative results in the first TST. Seventeen (41.5%) were positive and among them, three (17.6%) showed positive QFT-G. None of the subjects were diagnosed with active TB. The probability of TB infection through contact with the index patient was 7.3% (3/41) in dual screening strategy while it was 41.5% (17/41) in TST strategy. CONCLUSIONS: This first hospital-setting contact investigation for tuberculosis in Korea revealed that latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) rates vary depending on different diagnostic strategies. This indicates the need for systematic guidelines for diagnosing LTBI in health care workers who have professional exposure to TB.

A Case of Dengue Fever with Maculopathy / 감염과화학요법

Dengue fever is transmitted principally by Aedes aegypti, which is not infested in Korea. Therefore, all Korean patients with dengue fever are imported cases from endemic areas such as Southeast Asia. Although disease manifestation and complication of dengue fever are various, ocular involvement is rare. We encountered a patient infected with dengue virus, imported from the Philippines. After defervescence from dengue fever, he complained of blurred vision. Blot hemorrhage with retinal infiltration in the macular area was observed in both eyes. Maculopathy by dengue fever was treated with systemic and intraocular glucocorticoid for two weeks; his ocular condition then showed improvement.

Evaluation of Automated Blood Culture System for Body Fluids Culture Other Than Blood / 대한임상미생물학회지

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether culture using an automated blood culture system enhances the recovery of bacteria and fungi from body fluids other than blood when compared to conventional solid media culture methods. METHODS: A total of 734 specimens [ascites (n=457), bile (n=5), CAPD (n=28), CSF (n=32), joint fluids (n=165), pericardial fluid (n=17), and pleural fluid (n=30)] were included in the study. Half of the volume of each specimen was inoculated directly into automated blood culture bottles (bioMeriux, Marcy-I'Etoile, France). The remaining volume was inoculated onto conventional solid media (sheep blood agar, chocolate agar, and phenylethyl alcohol agar) after centrifuging at 3,000 rpm for 10 min. RESULTS: Clinically significant microorganisms were isolated from 62 specimens (8.5%) by automated blood culture and 61 specimens (8.3%) by the conventional solid media culture (kappa index: 0.81, 95% confidence interval: 0.75~0.89). Contamination was observed in 11 (1.8%) of the automated blood culture specimens and 3 (0.4%) of the solid media culture specimens. The mean turnaround times of the automated blood cultures and the conventional solid media cultures were 3.7 and 2.8 days, respectively (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Compared with conventional culture methods, no improvement in the recovery of clinically significant microorganisms was noted with the use of the automated blood culture system for the culture of body fluids other than blood.

In Vitro Effects of Combined Antibiotics against Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The inhibitory effects of the combination of beta-lactam with ciprofloxacin or amikacin against clinical isolates of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa were evaluated. METHODS: This study examined ten isolates with variable levels of resistance to ceftazidime, cefepime, piperacillin/tazobactam, meropenem, ciprofloxacin, and amikacin. The efficacy of the combined antibiotics was studied using a checkerboard method or in vitro killing assay. RESULTS: The combination of ceftazidime, cefepime, aztreonam, piperacillin-tazobactam, or meropenem with amikacin showed synergistic effects for all of the strains regardless of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of amikacin, but combination with ciprofloxacin showed a synergistic effect for the isolate with a low MIC of ciprofloxacin by the checkerboard method. The isolates with a high MIC of ciprofloxacin showed an indifferent effect in combination with beta-lactam and ciprofloxacin. The in vitro killing assay showed that meropenem with ciprofloxacin acted synergistically for the isolates with a MIC of 16 microgram/mL of ciprofloxacin. However, amikacin showed synergistic effects with meropenem for the isolates with high-level resistance against amikacin, i.e., up to an MIC of 128 microgram/mL. Contrary to the checkerboard method results, no synergy was observed for the combination of ceftazidime/piperacillin-tazobactam and amikacin. CONCLUSIONS: Meropenem with amikacin can be the first choice for infections caused by multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa when the level of resistance is not known.

Impact of Piperacillin/Tazobactam Use to Intestinal Colonization of Extended- spectrum-lactamase Producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae / 감염과화학요법

BACKGROUND: Being able to hydrolyze the majority of b-lactam antibiotics that are currently in use, extended-spectrum b-lactamases (ESBLs) pose a serious clinical problem. In order to solve this problem, it is recommended to use beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor instead of extended-spectrum cephalosporins. This study investigated the relationship between piperacillin/tazobactam use and ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli in stool colony. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was performed in hemato-oncology department patients of Hanyang University Hospital. During the pre-intervention period of 3 months (Feb. 2005 to Apr. 2005), antibiotics were prescribed liberally. During the intervention period of 6 months (May. 2005 to Oct. 2005), use of the 3rd (4th) generation cephalosporins and carbapenems were restricted and piperacillin/tazobactam was recommended. All enrolled patients performed stool culture or rectal swab culture. ESBL confirmed by Double disk synergy test and commercial identification kit. Between the pre-intervention and intervention groups, acquisition rates of ESBL producing organisms were compared. RESULTS: 50 cases were enrolled in pre-intervention period and 112 cases were enrolled in intervention period. In intervention period, use of 3rd (4th) generation cephalosporins and carbapenems decreased from 27 daily define dose/1,000patient/days to 6.82 DDD/1,000patient/days, but use of piperacillin/tazobactam increased from 1.98 DDD/1,000patient/days to 5.66 DDD/1,000patient/days. The intestinal acquisition rate of ESBL producing organism decreased from 30% to 12%. There was no difference in overall mortality of infectious disease between two phase. CONCLUSION: Use of piperacillin/tazobactam instead of extended-spectrum cephalosporins reduces intestinal acquisition rate of ESBL producing K. pneumoniae and E. coli. Therefore, in order to decrease the number of ESBL producing organism, we recommend using piperacillin/tazobactam instead of using extended-spectrum cephalosporins.

Impact of Piperacillin/Tazobactam Use to Intestinal Colonization of Extended- spectrum-lactamase Producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae / 감염과화학요법

BACKGROUND: Being able to hydrolyze the majority of b-lactam antibiotics that are currently in use, extended-spectrum b-lactamases (ESBLs) pose a serious clinical problem. In order to solve this problem, it is recommended to use beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor instead of extended-spectrum cephalosporins. This study investigated the relationship between piperacillin/tazobactam use and ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli in stool colony. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was performed in hemato-oncology department patients of Hanyang University Hospital. During the pre-intervention period of 3 months (Feb. 2005 to Apr. 2005), antibiotics were prescribed liberally. During the intervention period of 6 months (May. 2005 to Oct. 2005), use of the 3rd (4th) generation cephalosporins and carbapenems were restricted and piperacillin/tazobactam was recommended. All enrolled patients performed stool culture or rectal swab culture. ESBL confirmed by Double disk synergy test and commercial identification kit. Between the pre-intervention and intervention groups, acquisition rates of ESBL producing organisms were compared. RESULTS: 50 cases were enrolled in pre-intervention period and 112 cases were enrolled in intervention period. In intervention period, use of 3rd (4th) generation cephalosporins and carbapenems decreased from 27 daily define dose/1,000patient/days to 6.82 DDD/1,000patient/days, but use of piperacillin/tazobactam increased from 1.98 DDD/1,000patient/days to 5.66 DDD/1,000patient/days. The intestinal acquisition rate of ESBL producing organism decreased from 30% to 12%. There was no difference in overall mortality of infectious disease between two phase. CONCLUSION: Use of piperacillin/tazobactam instead of extended-spectrum cephalosporins reduces intestinal acquisition rate of ESBL producing K. pneumoniae and E. coli. Therefore, in order to decrease the number of ESBL producing organism, we recommend using piperacillin/tazobactam instead of using extended-spectrum cephalosporins.

Cervical and Thoracolumbar Epidural Abscess: A Case Report / 대한척추외과학회지

Epidural abscess is a rare disease that can cause severe neurological complications or death if it is not recognized and treated early. Authors report a case of panspinal epidural abscess, which is diagnosed by MRI and treated with surgical drainage and antibiotics.

Pulmonary Nocardiosis in a Patient with Lupus Nephritis / 대한류마티스학회지

Nocardiosis is uncommon in healthy people, but occurs as an opportunistic infection in patients with connective tissue disease, solid organ transplantation, lung disease, malignancies, and the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Nocardia is a gram positive, variably acid-fast aerobic bacterium of the family Nocardiaceae characterized by branching and filamentous growth, with distinctive aerial hyphae. In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, immunosuppressiion with cytotoxic drugs or corticosteroids, proteinuria, renal insufficiency, and active SLE itself are known as risk factors for serious bacterial infections and opportunistic infections. We report a case of pulmonary Nocardiosis in patient with lupus nephritis treated with cyclophosphamide and high dose corticosteroid.

A Case of Nocardia asteroides type I Induced Pneumonia / 대한진단검사의학회지

Nocardia species are opportunistic pathogens that are known to affect mostly the immunocompromised patients. Recently, we experienced a young systemic lupus erythromatosus female patient having infected with Nocardia species, which we were able to isolate from her lung abscess. The patient is twenty-nine years old female who was diagnosed as having systemic lupus erythromatosus two years ago and is currently engaged with ongoing treatment. During her admission, new symptoms of fever and dyspnea along with a lesion in the apical lobe of her left lung found by simple chest X-rays were observed. Under lung biopsy examination, there were seen neutrophilic exudates that were gram-positive, AFB-negative, and modified AFB-positive. By culturing the biopsy material, we found gram-positive, AFB-negative, and modified AFB-positive branching hyphaes that were morphologically matched for Nocardia species. We have analyzed the Nocardia DNA by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method and found the organism to be Nocardia asteroides type I. Treatment of patient was done using sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim and ceftriazone, and her clinical conditions as well as her radiological findings improved.

Two cases of acute human immunodeficiency virus sndrome presenting as an acute febrile disease / 대한내과학회지

Acute Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) syndrome should be considered in any patient with possible HIV exposure who presents with acute febrile disease. The diagnosis of acute HIV syndrome is difficult because symptoms are those of common illness. A high index of suspicion and possibility of HIV exposure are important diagnostic clue. Early diagnosis during primary infection permit patient education and treatment that may delay disease progression and improve immune preservation and reconstitution. We report two cases of acute HIV syndrome presenting as an acute febrile disease. The first case had severe illness presenting as acute severe hepatitis and disseminated intravascular coagulation, and the second had relatively mild form of disease. Two cases started the treatment with highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) and have been well now with no other complications.

The resistance mechanisms of b-lactam antimicrobials in clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii

BACKGROUND: Despite increasing importance of Acinetobacter baumannii in nosocomial infections and rapid development of multi-antimicrobial resistance in this strain, the resistance mechanisms of beta-lactam antimicrobials in A. baumannii were not clearly defined. In order to observe the resistance mechanisms against beta-lactams and carbapenem, we characterized the production of beta-lactamases and outermembrane protein (OMP) profiles for the 44 clinical isolates of A. baumannii. METHODS: The MICs of antimicrobials were determined by agar dilution test. The secondary beta-lactamases were characterized by isoelectric focusing, polymerase chain reactions and nucleotide sequencing, and the production of chromosomal beta-lactamases was quantitated by spectrophotometric method. For two strains with an elevated MIC of carbapenem, outermembrane protein (OMP) profile was analyzed by ultracentrifugation of the sonicated bacteral cells and SDS-PAGE. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Twenty two or 4 of 44 strains produced TEM-1-like beta-lactamase or PER-1 extended-spectrum beta-lactamase, respectively. However, when we analyzed the MICs of several beta-lactams with the beta-lactamase production, the resistance level of beta-lactam was mainly determined by the production of chromosomal beta-lactamase, not by the secondary beta-lactamases in the clinical isolates of A. baumannii. In two strains with an elevated MIC of imipenem, a decrease or loss of about 35 kDa and 22 kDa proteins in OMP was observed, which suggested that the change of OMP played a role in carbapenem resistance.

A Case of Rheumatoid Vasculitis / 대한피부과학회지

Rheumatoid vasculitis usually occurs in patients with long standing, seropositive, erosive rheumatoid arthritis. It involves typically small to medium-sized vessels and is associated with peripheral neuropathy, digital gangrene, nail fold infarcts, livedo reticularis, and palpable purpura. Histologic examination of skin biopsy specimens usually shows leukocytoclastic vasculitis. We report a case of rheumatoid vasculitis developed on both extremities in a 63-year-old female with rheumatoid arthritis for 15 years.

Viral Etiology of Community-acquired Pneumonia in Korean Adults / 감염

PURPOSES: To investigate the viral etiology of community-acquired pneumonia in Korean adults, we have detected respiratory viruses (Respiatory syncytial virus, adenovirus, influenza virus and parainfluenza virus) in the way of prospective, multi-center study. METHODS: From July 1997 to April 2000, nasal aspirates or sputum were obtained from adults patients with community pneumonia admitted to the participating hospitals and transferred immediately to the central laboratory in the Seoul National University Children's Hospital. The specimens were divided into three parts. One part was used for indirect immunofluorescent test for respiratory viruses, the other part for the culture of RSV and adenovirus in HEp-2 cell monolayer. Another part was used for the culture of influenza virus and parainfluenza virus in MDCK or LLC- MK2 cell monolayers. RESULTS: Of 317 samples, 32 (10.1%) specimens were positive for viral isolation by indirect IF staining or culture, including one dual-infected specimen (adenovirus and parainfluenza virus). Influenza virus was most commonly detected (16 specimens). Parainfluenza virus, adenovirus and RSV were detected in 10, 4 and 3 patients, respectively. All isolated influenza viruses were type A (H3N2 in 9 patients, H1N1 in 2 and unspecified in 5), and 8 out of 10 parainfluenza virus isolates were type 3. CONCLUSION: Similar to previous foreign reports, a significant portion of community-acquired pneumonia in Korean adult is caused by respiratory viruses. Our data empathized the need of referral system for viral diagnosis and of nationwide investigation on respiratory virus infections.

A Case of Mumps Virus Infection Associated with Severe Myositis / 감염

Myositis caused by mumps virus is very rare. Mumps virus has been suggested as a causative agent of inclusion body myositis, but there has been no definite evidence. We experienced a case of severe myositis associated with mumps virus infection. A 21-year old man was admitted because of myalgia, headache, fever, and chill for 2 months. The cerebrospinal fluid analysis performed at a local clinic showed findings compatible with viral meningitis. His blood chemistry results revealed elevated levels of serum creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and serum myoglobin. On the 5th day of admission, the patient showed pain and swelling of parotid gland and scrotum. Electromyography was compatible with inflammatory myopathy. Muscle biopsy of his calf muscle revealed necrotizing (leukocytoclastic) vasculitis and multifocal myolysis with multinucleation. We suspected mumps virus infection because of his symptoms of meningitis, epididymo-orchitis and parotitis. Mumps virus was isolated in throat culture. The past medical history of the patient's mumps virus vaccination was unclear. After 2 weeks of supportive treatment, the patient's condition was improved.

No title in English

No abstract available.

Outbreak of Nosocomial infection caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae Producing Extended-spectrum beta-Lactamase in a Neonatal intensive care unit / 병원감염관리

BACKGROUND: Over the decade, Klebsiella pneumoniae resistant to broad-spectrum oephalosporins have been involved in hospital outbreaks, particulaly in intensive care units. Betwem March 20 and June 12. 1900. an outbreak of sepsis caused by multiresistant K. pneumoniae in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Asan Medical Center. This paper describes bacteriologic, molecular and epidemiologic features of the outbreak. METHODS: For surveillance purpose, stool specimens were obtained from all patients, nurses and house staff in NICU and cultured onto MacConkey agar medium containg cefotaxim, (10 microgram/ml). All K. pneumoniae isolated blood culture isolates form patients with sepsis were tested for antobiogram by microbroth dilution method and for detection of extended-spectrum beta-Iactamase (ESBL) by double disk synergy test and ESBL Etest. Restriction profiles of total genomic DNAs were compared by pulsed filed gel electrophoresis(PFGE) after cleavage by Xbal. beta-Lactamase was tested using nitroefin disks and characterized by transconjugation to Escherichia coli and isoelectric focusing. For infection control, all infected or colonized patients and nurses were cohorted into a separate room and strict barrier precautions were enforced. RESULTS: The outbreak involved 7 patients with sepsis form whom multiresistant. K. pneumoniae were isolated. Surveillance culture revealed that 9 of 37 patients and 2 of 48 nurses and house staff were colonized. The 18 isolates showed 8 different antimicrobial resistance patterns with cefotaxime resistance in all. Test for ESBL was positive in all 18 isolates but only 15 isolates by ESBL Etest. PFGE analysis showed that 6 of the 7 blood isolate from infected patient and 9 of the 11 fecal isolates from surveillance cultures were of the identical or very similar pattern. beta-Lactamase activities were transferable by conjugation in all but one isolate. No additional case of multiresistant. K. pneumoniae infection had been reproted for 6 months since the introduction of strict barrier precautious and other infection control measures. CONCLUSION: The outbreak was caused by ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae which appeared to be introduced into the NICU from multiple sources as was indicated by PFGE patterns. An optimal laboratory method for screening for ESBL remain to be developed as the double disk synergy test and ESBL Etest did not show complete agreement. As for infoction control our results emphasize the necessity of early recognition of outbreaks, cohorting of not only infected but also colonized patients and reinforcement of the barrier precuations for the prevention of further spread of cross-infections.

Prevalence of TEM- and SHV-type Beta-lactamase gene in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in Korea / 감염

BACKGROUND: Resistance to beta-lactams in E. coli is mostly via acquisition of plasmid-mediated beta-lactamase gene. Among the plasmid-mediated beta-lactamases, TEM-1 beta-lactamase is by far the most prevalent among ampicillin-resistant E. coli. The prevalence of TEM-1 or TEM-2 ranged from 61% to 98% across the surveys. Klebsiella species generally have class A chromosomal beta-lactamases, which differ greatly from the class C types. Most K. pneumoniae isolates have chromosomally mediated SHV-1 beta-lactamase in most surveys. There has been only one report of prevalence and types of beta-lactamases in E. coli and K. pneumoniae in Korea. We performed this study to determine the prevalence and types of beta-lactamases in E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolated in Korea. METHODS: Ampicillin resistance was determined by disk diffusion test (E. coli) and agar dilution method (K. pneumoniae). Fifty five isolates of E. coli and 92 isolates of K. pneumoniae which were derived from patients in 2 university hospitals in Korea during 1996 were tested by TEM- and SHV-specific PCR. RESULTS: The ampicillin resistance rate in E. coli and K. pneumoniae was 82% and 94.6%, respectively. TEM-type beta-lactamase gene was found in 53% of E. coli isolates. 93.5% of K. pneumoniae isolates was found to have SHV-type beta- lactamase gene. CONCLUSION: In Korea TEM-type beta-lactamase gene was most prevalent in E. coli, but its prevalence rate was relatively low compared with those in other country. For K. pneumoniae, the isolates with SHV type beta-lactamase gene were predominant.

Outbreak of Multi-resistant Acinetobecter baumannii in Intensive Care Unit of a Newly Opened Hospital / 병원감염관리

BACKGROUND: A sustained outbreak of multi-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii has been noticed in intensive care unit (ICU) of a newly opened hospital. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 72 patients in the ICU whose specimen grew A. baumannii from March to December 1995. To identify risk factors for infection, a case control study was conducted. Comparing clinical characteristics of 19 infected patients with those of 53 colonized cases. Environmental culture was performed in January 1996 to identify the source of infection. We analyzed antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates, and ribotyping was performed with 52 isolates. RESULTS: Nineteen out of 72 patients developed disease: primary sepsis 2, catheter related infection 2, catheter related infection and pneumonia 2, wound infection 5, wound infection and sepsis 2, pneumonia 6. On comparison of clinical characteristics between the infected and colonized groups, central venous catheterization was a significant risk factor for development of disease by A. baumannii (P<0.05) and duration of lCU stay was a factor independently associated with A. baumannii infection by logistic regression analysis. An epidemiologic investigation failed to identify the source of infection, but we found 2 of 3 sinks in lCU were heavily contaminated by the organism. Antibiogram of the isolates showed a multi-drug resistance including amikacin, which was found to increase gradually during the course of the outbreak. Ribotyping showed 3 major subtypes: 2A (18 isolates) 2B (16) 2B'(13) and other types (5). CONCLUSION: The findings from this study support the reports from many parts of the world that A. baumannii plays an increasingly important role as one of the major nosocomial pathogens.

Outbreak of Multi-resistant Acinetobecter baumannii in Intensive Care Unit of a Newly Opened Hospital / 병원감염관리

BACKGROUND: A sustained outbreak of multi-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii has been noticed in intensive care unit (ICU) of a newly opened hospital. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 72 patients in the ICU whose specimen grew A. baumannii from March to December 1995. To identify risk factors for infection, a case control study was conducted. Comparing clinical characteristics of 19 infected patients with those of 53 colonized cases. Environmental culture was performed in January 1996 to identify the source of infection. We analyzed antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates, and ribotyping was performed with 52 isolates. RESULTS: Nineteen out of 72 patients developed disease: primary sepsis 2, catheter related infection 2, catheter related infection and pneumonia 2, wound infection 5, wound infection and sepsis 2, pneumonia 6. On comparison of clinical characteristics between the infected and colonized groups, central venous catheterization was a significant risk factor for development of disease by A. baumannii (P<0.05) and duration of lCU stay was a factor independently associated with A. baumannii infection by logistic regression analysis. An epidemiologic investigation failed to identify the source of infection, but we found 2 of 3 sinks in lCU were heavily contaminated by the organism. Antibiogram of the isolates showed a multi-drug resistance including amikacin, which was found to increase gradually during the course of the outbreak. Ribotyping showed 3 major subtypes: 2A (18 isolates) 2B (16) 2B'(13) and other types (5). CONCLUSION: The findings from this study support the reports from many parts of the world that A. baumannii plays an increasingly important role as one of the major nosocomial pathogens.

Nosocomial pneumonia-analysis of 61 cases of Korean pathogen / 감염

No abstract available.