Effect of Remission Induction Chemotherapy with AD(Cytosine Arabinoside, Daunorubicin) in Adult Acute Myelogenous Leukemia / 대한혈액학회지

BACKGROUND: The goal of acute myelogenous leukemia(AML) therapy is to obtain the complete remission(CR) and to improve disease-free survival. Advances in chemotherapy and supportive care provided significant improvement in CR rate up to 60~85% patients with AML. METHODS: Forty two patients with previously untreated AML at Yeung Nam University Hospital from April 1985 through November 1996 were treated with AD(7-3) regimen for induction chemotherapy and followed by two courses of consolidation with AD(5-2) regimen. And the authors analyzed clinical factors related to the CR and overall survival. RESULTS: Twenty-four of the 42 patients achieved CR, and median duration of remission in 24 patients achieved CR was 56 weeks(4~ 305 +weeks). Median duration of survival in all 42 cases was 46 weeks(2~340 + weeks), and in 24 cases achieved CR was 73 weeks(12~340 +weeks). Causes of induction failure included infection in 9 cases, bleeding in 3 cases and drug resistance in 6 cases. Among the potential prognostic variables including age, initial WBC count, performance status, and presence of Auer rods and infection at the time of diagnosis, none was statistically significantly related to the prognosis. CONCLUSION: Further clinical trials for effective remission induction and postremission chemotherapy are necessary to overcome drug resistance and to increase the CR rate and duration.

A Clinical and Serologic Study of 21 Cases of Tsutsugamushi Disease Confirmed by Serologic test / 영남의대학술지

Tsutsugamushi disease is an acute febrile disease caused by Rickettsia tsutsugamushi, and which has been reported with increasing frequency thorough the nation since 1986. We experienced 21 cases of Tsutsugamushi Disease diagnosed with serologic test occurring in Taegu city and Kyungpook province during October-November, 1989. The results of survey are as follow. 1) Of 21 cases, 12 (57%) were males and 9 (43%) were females, and the peak incidence was the 4th decade. 2) The outbreak was in October to November and the peak incidence was in October. 3) The most frequent symptoms were fever and chill (100%), myalgia (95%), headache (90%), Eschar and rash were observed in 18 patients (86%) and the eschar was detected in all over the body, especially thorax (33%) and lower extremity (22%). 4) Laboratory features were SGOT elevation (83%), SGPT elevation (61%), LDH elevation (67%), leukocytosis (38%). 5) Indirect immunofluorescent antibody test was done in 18 patients and the antibody titer was above 1:320 in all patients. 6) The chloramphenicol, tetracycline or doxycycline regimens were very effective and mean duration of defervescence from initiation of therapy was 1.3 days. 7) The complication such as meningitis or shock, was not seen.

An Outbreak of Tsutsugamushi Disease in Vicinity of Taegu City and Kyungpook Province in 1988 / 영남의대학술지

Since the first cases of tsutsugamushi disease reported in Korea in 1986, many cases has been reported and its occurrence has been increasing. Only 2 cases has been reported in Taegu city and Kyungpook area. We experienced an outbreak of 26 cases of tsutsugamushi disease in this area and their clinical manifestations are; 1. The outbreak occurred in September to November in 1988 and its peak occurrence was in October. 2. Mean age was 52 years old (18 to 69 years old) and peak incidence was in the 6th decade. 3. Major symptoms and abnormal signs are fever/chills (88%), myalgia (65%), headache (54%), nausea and vomiting (31%), and abdominal pain (27%). The eschar was detected on lower part of body in most of cases, and more frequently in male (M:F 100 vs 58%). 4. Patients were treated with tetracyclines (TC) and/or chlorampenicol (CM) and mean duration of defervescence from initiation of antibiotic therapy was 2.1days with TC and 2.5 days with CM. 5. Complications are 2 cases of meningitis and 1 case of shock, and all cases were recovered without any sequelae. As above, tsutsugamushi disease occurs in Taegu city and Kyung Pook area as other part of Korea and clinical manifestations are similar to other reports.