Rapid Identification of Rickettsiae using the Real-Time PCR

In this study, new real-time PCR method based on the groEL gene was developed and investigated. Four spotted fever group (SFG) strains, four typhus group (TG) strains, and four scrub typhus group (STG) strains were easily differentiated as a distinct entity. This PCR assay was applied to detect Rickettsia DNA from 100 ticks. Twelve Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks were found positive and identified as spotted fever group Rickettsia. This real-time PCR method could simultaneously perform the rapid identification of rickettsiae and the differential diagnosis of SFG, TG, and STG in a single reaction.

Arthroscopic Meniscus Repairs

PURPOSE: The clinical outcomes of the arthroscopic meniscus repairs were reviewed retrospectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty six cases of arthroscopic meniscus repairs which had been performed from September 1993 to December 1998 on the basis of day surgery and followed up for a minimum of one year were analyzed retrospectively about the clinical outcomes, including age, sex, involved meniscus, duration of symptom, tear site, and the associated injuries. We arthroscopically repaired the meniscus which was detached peripherally or vertically over 1 cm in length where the inner portion is found to be salvageable at the outer one-third of the meniscus and where there is a rich blood supply that promotes healing of the torn edges, Inside-out techniques were used for the tears in the middle and posterior one- third of the mensicus and outside-in techniques for the tears in the anterior one-third of the meniscus. Repairs after partial excisions were tried for the tears of the discoid lateral meniscus if possible and the mean follow-up periods was 34 months(ranged, 12~65 months). RESULTS: At the final follow-up evaluation, we obtained 34 cases(76.1 k) of good or excellent clinical results according to the Ikeuchi criteria among 46 arthroscopic meniscus repairs and 9 cases(19.6%) of poor results due to recurrent tears. The best clinical results(80.6%) after repairs according to the comparison of tear patterns is obtained in the longitudinal tears, and the results after repairs for the medial mensicus tears were better than that of the lateral meniscus, but poor results in the tears of the discoid lateral meniscus(64.3%) and tears with associated ligamentous injuries(73.6%), CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic meniscus repair is thought to be a reliable procedure and recommended if possible as the repaired meniscus gives better function than that of meniscectomy.

Conservatively Treated Isolated Medial Collateral Ligament Injury of the Knee Joint / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: To determine the clinical results and healing potential of nonoperatively treated isolated medial collateral ligament injuries of the knee. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-four cases of isolated medial collateral ligament injuries of the knee, which were treated conservatively from Sept. 1993 to Aug. 1998 and followed up for at least one year at Konkuk University Medical Center MinJoong Hospital, were evaluated. Patients with previous knee injuries, knee operations, or general illness as well as with simultaneous knee fractures or other ligament injuries were excluded from the study. Immediate weight-bearing along with knee ROM and muscle strengthening excercise were allowed after the patient became accustomed to H-bar brace fitting. Thirty-three Grade II and 21 Grade I patients were given questionnaires and analyzed radiologically at an average of 44 months (range, 21-70 months) after injury. The methods used included three standardized knee scoring scales for subjective, functional, and objective or roentgenographic evaluations by Indelicato (1990) . RESULTS: Overall, 85.2 % good or excellent clinical results were obtained according to Indelicato's criteria at a short-term followup of a mean 44 months. Some residual medial laxity was common, and poor results were associated with underlying degenerative changes due to old age or from traffic accident. CONCLUSION: The outcome of the conservatively treated Grade I and II isolated medial collateral ligament injuries of the knee joint was generally good or excellent in 85.2 % of the patients. Advantages of the treatment included more rapid rehabilitation with less postoperative surgical complications, even though some residual medial laxity was common. Arthroscopy could also be useful in identifying other associated lesions such as mensicus or ACL tears.