Use of the Monoclonal Antibody Regdanvimab to Treat Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19:Real-World Data during the Delta Variant Predominance

Regdanvimab is the only monoclonal antibody available in Korea that targets severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. We retrospectively evaluated the clinical characteristics of 374 adults hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who were treated with regdanvimab from September through December 2021. In total, 322 (86.1%) patients exhibited risk factors for disease progression. Most patients (91.4%) improved without additional treatment. No patient died or was transferred to intensive care. This study shows that regdanvimab prevented disease progression in high-risk patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 infections during Delta variant predominance.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Manifested as Pancytopenia during Tuberculosis Treatment / 대한내과학회지

A 49-year-old Chinese woman presented to Ilsan Paik Hospital emergency department with fever and general weakness. Chest computed tomography revealed cavity and peribronchial nodules and consolidation in the right upper lobe. A diagnosis of suspected active tuberculosis was made. A review of the patient’s medication prescribed at another hospital indicated that she had been taking antituberculosis medication for several months. Initially, the patient had anemia and mild thrombocytopenia. In addition, she developed leukopenia and her thrombocytopenia worsened. After discontinuing the antituberculosis medication, her pancytopenia initially improved, but was aggravated again after starting on antituberculosis drugs. Despite discontinuing the antituberculosis medication again, her pancytopenia progressed. As she had a high anti-nuclear antibody titer, another systemic disease was suspected. She was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus and her leukopenia and thrombocytopenia improved after initiation of treatment with systemic steroids and antimalarial drugs

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Manifested as Pancytopenia during Tuberculosis Treatment / 대한내과학회지

A 49-year-old Chinese woman presented to Ilsan Paik Hospital emergency department with fever and general weakness. Chest computed tomography revealed cavity and peribronchial nodules and consolidation in the right upper lobe. A diagnosis of suspected active tuberculosis was made. A review of the patient’s medication prescribed at another hospital indicated that she had been taking antituberculosis medication for several months. Initially, the patient had anemia and mild thrombocytopenia. In addition, she developed leukopenia and her thrombocytopenia worsened. After discontinuing the antituberculosis medication, her pancytopenia initially improved, but was aggravated again after starting on antituberculosis drugs. Despite discontinuing the antituberculosis medication again, her pancytopenia progressed. As she had a high anti-nuclear antibody titer, another systemic disease was suspected. She was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus and her leukopenia and thrombocytopenia improved after initiation of treatment with systemic steroids and antimalarial drugs

Recent Epidemiological Changes in Group B Streptococcus Among Pregnant Korean Women

Background@#Although group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization rate among pregnant Korean women is lower than that among women from many Western countries, recent data show an upward trend. We investigated recent epidemiological changes in GBS among pregnant Korean women in terms of colonization rate, antimicrobial susceptibility, serotype, and resistance genotype. @*Methods@#Vaginal and anorectal swab specimens from 379 pregnant Korean women were cultured on Strep B Carrot Broth with GBS Detect (Hardy Diagnostics, USA), selective Todd-Hewitt broth (Becton Dickinson, USA), and Granada agar plate medium (Becton Dickinson). The antimicrobial susceptibility, serotypes, and macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLS B) resistance genes of the GBS isolates were tested. @*Results@#The GBS colonization rate among pregnant Korean women was 19.8% (75/379).Colonization rates using Strep B Carrot Broth with GBS Detect, selective Todd-Hewitt broth, and Granada agar plate medium cultures were 19.5%, 19.3%, and 15.0%, respectively.Six pregnant women were colonized by non-beta-hemolytic GBS and were detected only in Strep B Carrot Broth with GBS Detect. Resistance rates of GBS to clindamycin, erythromycin, and tetracycline were 16.0%, 28.0%, and 42.7%, respectively. The most common GBS serotypes were V (22.7%), VIII (20.0%), and III (20.0%). The frequency of MLS B resistance genes erm(B) and erm(TR) were 63.6% and 36.4%, respectively. @*Conclusions@#The GBS colonization rate among pregnant Korean women has risen to levels observed in Western countries. To accurately evaluate GBS epidemiology among pregnant Korean women, periodic studies in multiple centers, including primary clinics, are necessary.

Prediction Model for Massive Transfusion in Placenta Previa during Cesarean Section

0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) was 0.922 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.89–0.95]. In external validation, the discrimination was good, with an AUC value of 0.833 (95% CI 0.70–0.92) for this model. Nomogram calibration plots indicated good agreement between the predicted and observed outcomes, exhibiting close approximation between the predicted and observed probability.CONCLUSION: We constructed a scoring model for predicting massive transfusion during cesarean section in women with placenta previa. This model may help in determining the need to prepare an appropriate amount of blood products and the optimal timing of blood transfusion.

Farnesylation-defective Rheb Increases Axonal Length Independently of mTORC1 Activity in Embryonic Primary Neurons

Rheb (Ras homolog enriched in the brain) is a small GTPase protein that plays an important role in cell signaling for development of the neocortex through modulation of mTORC1 (mammalian-target-of-rapamycin-complex-1) activity. mTORC1 is known to control various biological processes including axonal growth in forming complexes at the lysosomal membrane compartment. As such, anchoring of Rheb on the lysosomal membrane via the farnesylation of Rheb at its cysteine residue (C180) is required for its promotion of mTOR activity. To test the significance of Rheb farnesylation, we overexpressed a farnesylation mutant form of Rheb, Rheb C180S, in primary rat hippocampal neurons and also in mouse embryonic neurons using in utero electroporation. Interestingly, we found that Rheb C180S maintained promotional effect of axonal elongation similar to the wild-type Rheb in both test systems. On the other hand, Rheb C180S failed to exhibit the multiple axon-promoting effect which is found in wild-type Rheb. The levels of phospho-4EBP1, a downstream target of mTORC1, were surprisingly increased in Rheb C180S transfected neurons, despite the levels of phosphorylated mTOR being significantly decreased compared to control vector transfectants. A specific mTORC1 inhibitor, rapamycin, also could not completely abolish axon elongation characteristics of Rheb C180S in transfected cells. Our data suggests that Rheb in a non-membrane compartment can promote the axonal elongation via phosphorylation of 4EBP1 and through an mTORC1-independent pathway.

Bronchial Thermoplasty in Patients with Severe Uncontrolled Asthma: First Korean Cases

Bronchial thermoplasty is a nonpharmacological treatment for severe asthma that delivers thermal energy to the bronchial walls and reduces hypertrophied smooth muscle mass. Previous studies have shown its efficacy and safety, resulting in approval from the Food and Drug Administration in 2010. In Korea, the first bronchial thermoplasty was carried out in 2014; 4 patients have undergone the procedure so far. This case series presents the medical history and treatment outcomes of these 4 patients. All patients presented with uncontrolled asthma despite optimal medical treatment. Bronchial thermoplasty was performed at the right lower lobe, left lower lobe, and both upper lobes in order at 3-week intervals. All procedures were performed under general anesthesia. Two patients had significant decreases in exacerbations and required a lower dose of inhaled corticosteroids after the procedure. One patient had slightly fewer exacerbations but failed to reduce the use of systemic corticosteroids. One patient had no change in symptoms. One limitation of bronchial thermoplasty is the difficulty of predicting clinical responders. However, since more therapeutic options are needed in the management of severe asthma, especially T2-low asthma, discussion with experts about the feasibility and necessity of bronchial thermoplasty will ensure the best possible care.

Incidence of Active Tuberculosis within One Year after Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor Treatment according to Latent Tuberculosis Infection Status in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND: We investigated the incidence of active tuberculosis among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, with or without latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). METHODS: The study was performed at a Korean tertiary referral center between January 2011 and June 2017. In total, 740 patients with IBD who underwent LTBI screening tests and were followed-up for ≥ 1 year after TNF inhibitor treatment initiation were enrolled. LTBI was detected on the basis of tuberculin skin test results, interferon-gamma release assay results, chest X-ray findings, and previous tuberculosis treatment history. The patients were classified into LTBI (n = 84) or non-LTBI (n = 656) group. The risk of developing tuberculosis in each group was assessed on the basis of standardized incidence ratio (SIR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for active tuberculosis. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 33.1 years, and patients with Crohn's disease were predominant (80.7%). Within 1 year after the initiation of TNF inhibitor treatment, 1 patient in the LTBI group (1/84; 1.2%) and 7 patients in the non-LTBI group (7/656; 1.1%) developed active tuberculosis. The overall 1-year incidence of tuberculosis among the patients was significantly higher than that among the general population (SIR, 14.0; 95% CI, 7.0–28.0), and SIR was not affected by LTBI status (LTBI group: 14.5, 95% CI, 2.0–102.6; non-LTBI group: 14.0, 95% CI, 6.7–29.4). CONCLUSION: Patients with IBD undergoing TNF inhibitor treatment showed a higher 1-year incidence of tuberculosis than the general population irrespective of LTBI status.

Comparison of the clinical outcome of frozen-thawed embryo transfer with and without pretreatment with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical outcomes of frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) with artificial preparation of the endometrium, using a combination of estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4) with or without a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa), and the modified natural cycle (MNC) with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) trigger. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we evaluated 187 patients during 3 years (February 2012–April 2015). The patients were allocated to the following treatment groups: group A, comprising 113 patients (181 cycles) who received GnRHa+E2+P4; group B, comprising 49 patients (88 cycles) who received E2+P4; and group C, comprising 25 patients (42 cycles) who received hCG+P4. The inclusion criteria were regular menstrual cycles (length 24–35 days) and age 21–45 years. RESULTS: The primary outcome of the study — implantation rate (IR) per embryo transferred — was not statistically different among the 3 groups. Similar results were found for the IRs with fetal heartbeat per embryo transferred (68/181 [37.6%] in group A vs. 22/88 [25.0%] in group B vs. 14/42 [33.3%] in group C) and for the live birth rates (LBRs) per embryo transferred (56/181 [30.9%] in group A vs. 18/88 [20.5%] in group B vs. 11/42 [26.2%] in group C). CONCLUSION: Although the pregnancy outcomes were better in the hormone therapy with GnRHa group, hormone therapy FET with GnRHa for pituitary suppression did not result in significantly improved IRs and LBRs when compared with hormone therapy FET without GnRHa or MNC FET.

Pyrazinamide-Induced Urticaria and Angioedema: a Case Report / 대한내과학회지

Pyrazinamide (PZA) is an anti-tuberculosis drug and an essential component of the standard four-drug regimen for tuberculosis. Here, we report a case of immediate angioedema secondary to PZA administration intended for pulmonary tuberculosis treatment. A previously healthy 48-year-old woman was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis and tuberculous lymphadenitis. Thirty minutes after taking the first dose of isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol, the patient developed facial edema, generalized rash, and dizziness. An oral provocation test was performed on the four drugs, and 1,000 mg pyrazinamide showed a positive result characterized by 50 minutes of urticaria, angioedema, and hypotension. As the prevalence of tuberculosis increases, prescriptions for anti-tuberculosis drugs may increase as well. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of immediate hypersensitivity as well as delayed hypersensitivity to anti-tuberculosis drugs.

Prenatal Diagnosis of Bilateral Pulmonary Agenesis: a Case Report

We report a case of bilateral pulmonary agenesis (BPA), which was suspected during a prenatal US examination and diagnosed by fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). BPA is an extremely rare congenital anomaly and, although many fetal structural defects can be detected with a high degree of confidence after introducing high-resolution US, the prenatal diagnosis of BPA remains problematic. Other thoracic abnormalities, such as a congenital diaphragmatic hernia, congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation, and pulmonary sequestration, should be excluded from the list of possible diagnoses before coming to the conclusion of BPA, because BPA is absolutely incompatible with extrauterine life, and an accurate internal diagnosis can prevent a futile intervention from being performed.