Analysis of Genetic Mutations in Quinolone Resistance and Virulence Factor Gene Profile of Enterococcus faecalis

Purpose@#To investigate the resistance rate of Enterococcus faecalis which is one of the causative strains of endophthalmitis to three fluoroquinolone drugs, the quinolone resistance gene mutation patterns, and the presence of virulence factor genes. @*Methods@#Between April 1, 2014, and January 16, 2018, 416 eyes of 208 patients undergoing cataract surgery, intravitreal injection, or vitrectomy were examined to identify conjunctival commensals. Patients with infective keratitis and infective endophthalmitis were also examined for the presence of E. faecalis. Before the procedure and surgery, samples for identification of conjunctival commensals were collected from the lower conjunctival sac of both eyes. In addition, corneal and vitreous specimens were collected from patients with keratitis and endophthalmitis, respectively. E. faecalis isolated by culturing the samples was tested for drug susceptibility, the presence of gene sequence mutations, and virulence factor genes. @*Results@#In total, 342 strains were identified in samples from the conjunctiva and included six isolates of E. faecalis. The study was conducted with a total of 16 isolates of E. faecalis, including two from cases of keratitis and eight from cases of endophthalmitis. Six of the 16 strains (37.5%) were resistant to quinolone antibiotics. Point mutations were detected mainly in gyrA and parC. The virulence factors esp, efba, asa1, ace, cylA, and gelE were present in the strains and showed no differences between the quinolone-resistant and quinolone-sensitive strains. Gelatinase activity test was negative for all strains. @*Conclusions@#The resistance rate of enterococcal clinical isolates identified in the ocular area was 37.5%. The increase in resistance to quinolone antibiotics seems to be related to the presence of mutations in gyrA and parC genes. E. faecalis identified in the eye is thought to possess the virulence factors genes esp, efba, asa1, ace, cylA, and gelE.

Surgery in a Patient with Sensory Exotropia with an Abnormally Attached Lateral Rectus Muscle

Purpose@#We report surgical repair of an abnormally attached lateral rectus muscle in a sensory exotropia patient.Case summary: A 21-year-old man visited our hospital with lateral deviation in the right eye. The patient had a history of trauma (11 years previously) to the right eye, which showed 30 prism diopters of exotropia. In accordance with a diagnosis of sensory exotropia, 7.5-mm lateral rectus muscle recession and 6-mm medial rectus muscle resection were planned in the right eye. During surgery, the lateral rectus muscle was inserted into the sclera at a distance of 12 mm from the corneal limbus. To compensate for this, the lateral rectus muscle was recessed with an adjustable suture. After surgery, the patient showed 8-10 prism diopters of exotropia. A 2-mm recession was achieved by suturing. After surgery, the patient did not show exotropia, while after 3 months of follow-up the patient showed about 4 prism diopters of esotropia. @*Conclusions@#Despite abnormal attachment of an extraocular muscle, it is possible to obtain a good cosmetic result if the surgery is performed according to the preoperative plan. Suturing can be helpful if the surgical field is difficult to secure during the surgery.

Clinical Features Indicating Nigrostriatal Dopaminergic Degeneration in Drug-Induced Parkinsonism

OBJECTIVE: Patients with drug-induced parkinsonism (DIP) may have nigrostriatal dopaminergic degeneration. We studied the clinical features that may indicate nigrostriatal dopaminergic degeneration in patients with DIP. METHODS: Forty-one DIP patients were classified into normal and abnormal [¹⁸F] FP-CIT scan groups. Differences in 32 clinical features and drug withdrawal effects were studied. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients had normal (Group I) and 13 patients had abnormal (Group II) scans. Eight patients of Group I, but none of Group II, had taken calcium channel blockers (p = 0.040). Three patients of Group I and six of Group II had hyposmia (p = 0.018). After drug withdrawal, Group I showed greater improvement in Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale total motor scores and subscores for bradykinesia and tremors than Group II. Only hyposmia was an independent factor associated with abnormal scans, but it had suboptimal sensitivity. CONCLUSION: None of the clinical features were practical indicators of nigrostriatal dopaminergic degeneration in patients with DIP.

Wernicke's Encephalopathy Mainly Involving the Cerebellum

No abstract available.

Cortical Hypometabolism in Opsoclonus-Myoclonus Syndrome

Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome (OMS) is characterized by opsoclonus and arrhythmic myoclonic jerks predominantly involving the trunk, limbs, and head. We present two patients with OMS after respiratory tract infection who exhibited diffuse cerebral hypometabolism, particularly in the parieto-occipital cortex on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography (F-FDG PET). This metabolic change might be a consequence rather than a direct cause of motor symptoms, which may be attributable to brainstem or cerebellar pathology.

Seroprevalence of Trichinella sp. in Wild Boars (Sus scrofa) from Yanggu-gun, Gangwon-do, Korea

A total 7 outbreaks of trichinellosis have occurred in Korea, mostly as a result of consumption of raw wild boar (Sus scrofa) meat. Since only 1 serological survey on wild boars had yet been performed in Korea, the present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of trichinellosis in wild boars and some species of rodents by artificial digestion and serological examinations in Yanggu-gun, Gangwon-do, the endemic area of trichinellosis. Both the wild boar and rodent muscle samples revealed no Trichinella larvae by direct examination and artificial digestion method. However, serological examinations revealed that 4 wild boar sera samples out of 118 (3.4%) were positive to Trichinella antigen. Although the recovery of Trichinella larvae ended in a failure, it is proved for the first time that the sylvatic cycle of Trichinella has been maintained in wild boars of Gangwon-do, Korea.

Clinical and Genetic Characterization of Female Dystrophinopathy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies are the most common X-linked recessive muscular dystrophies. Dystrophin gene mutations usually affect men, but reportedly 2.5-7.8% of women are affected and are classified as symptomatic carriers. The aim of this study was to clinically and genetically characterize symptomatic female dystrophinopathy carriers. METHODS: The clinical and genetic data of 11 female dystrophinopathy carriers among 285 patients who underwent multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis for the dystrophin gene were reviewed. Women with muscle weakness and/or dilated cardiomyopathy were classified as symptomatic carriers, while subjects with high serum creatine kinase (CK) levels and/or minor myopathic signs such as muscle cramps and myalgia were classified as asymptomatic. RESULTS: Twelve female carriers were identified, but 1 symptomatic carrier who also had Turner syndrome was excluded from the study. Of the 11 included female carriers, 4 were symptomatic and 7 were asymptomatic. The age at symptom onset in the symptomatic female carriers ranged from 15 to 31 years (mean, 30.6 years), and the age at diagnosis for asymptomatic carriers ranged from 4 to 38 years (mean, 24.5 years). Serum CK levels were markedly elevated (mean, 1,301 IU/mL) in three of the four (75%) symptomatic female carriers, and mildly elevated in three of the seven (42%) asymptomatic female carriers. Symptomatic female carriers typically presented with asymmetric bilateral leg weakness as the initial symptom, with aggravated symptoms after labor. CONCLUSIONS: Female dystrophinopathy is not uncommon, and it is an important factor with respect to males with dystrophinopathy who may be born to such patients. Screening with MLPA is useful because it can aid in early diagnosis and appropriate management.

Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes by Gabapentin in Cultured Dorsal Root Ganglion in a Rat Neuropathic Pain Model

Neuropathic pain is a chronic pain disorder caused by nervous system lesions as a direct consequence of a lesion or by disease of the portions of the nervous system that normally signal pain. The spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model in rats that reflect some components of clinical pain have played a crucial role in the understanding of neuropathic pain. To investigate the direct effects of gabapentin on differential gene expression in cultured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells of SNL model rats, we performed a differential display reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis with random priming approach using annealing control primer. Genes encoding metallothionein 1a, transforming growth factor-beta1 and palmitoyl-protein thioesterase-2 were up-regulated in gabapentin-treated DRG cells of SNL model rats. The functional roles of these differentially expressed genes were previously suggested as neuroprotective genes. Further study of these genes is expected to reveal potential targets of gabapentin.

Spargana in a Weasel, Mustela sibirica manchurica, and a Wild Boar, Sus scrofa, from Gangwon-do, Korea

To know the status of sparganum (plerocercoid of Spirometra erinacei) infection in the Korean wild life, several species of wild animals were captured in Gangwon-do and examined for their status of infection with spargana. From February to December 2011, a total of 62 wild boars, 5 badgers, 1 weasel, 1 Siberian chipmunk, and 53 wild rodents were captured, and their whole muscles were examined with naked eyes for the presence of spargana worms. From the weasel and 1 wild boar, a total of 5 spargana specimens were extracted. The weasel was for the first time recorded as an intermediate or paratenic/transport host of S. erinacei in Korea, and both the weasel (Mustela sibirica manchurica) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) were added to the list of wild animals carrying spargana.

Comparison between Source-induced Dissociation and Collision-induced Dissociation of Ampicillin, Chloramphenicol, Ciprofloxacin, and Oxytetracycline via Mass Spectrometry

Mass spectrometry (MS) is a very powerful instrument that can be used to analyze a wide range of materials such as proteins, peptides, DNA, drugs, and polymers. The process typically involves either chemical or electron (impact) ionization of the analyte. The resulting charged species or fragment is subsequently identified by the detector. Usually, single mass uses source-induced dissociation (SID), whereas mass/mass uses collision-induced dissociation (CID) to analyze the chemical fragmentations Each technique has its own advantages and disadvantages. While CID is most effective for the analysis of pure substances, multiple-step MS is a powerful technique to get structural data. Analysis of veterinary drugs ampicillin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, and oxytetracycline serves to highlight the slight differences between SID and CID. For example, minor differences were observed between ciprofloxacin and oxytetracycline via SID or CID. However, distinct fragmentation patterns were observed for ampicllin depending on the analysis method. Both SID and CID showed similar fragmentation spectra but different signal intensities for chloramphenicol. There are several factors that can influence the fragmentation spectra, such as the collision energy, major precursor ion, electrospray mode (positive or negative), and sample homogeneity. Therefore, one must select a fragmentation method on an empirical and case-by-case basis.

Trichinosis Caused by Ingestion of Raw Soft-Shelled Turtle Meat in Korea

Reptiles, unlike mammals, have been considered to be unsuitable hosts of Trichinella spp., though larvae have been detected in their muscles and human outbreaks related to their consumption have, in fact, occurred. Herein we report 2 Korean cases of trichinosis, possibly transmitted via consumption of reptile meat. Both patients suffered from myalgia, headache, and facial edema. Laboratory examinations revealed leukocytosis with eosinophilia (54% and 39%, respectively) and elevated creatinine phosphokinase. ELISA was performed under the suspicion of trichinosis, showing positivity at the 29th and 60th day post-infection. Since they had consumed raw soft-shelled turtle meat, turtle was strongly suggested to be an infection source of trichinosis in Korea next to the wild boar and badger.

Heavy Metal Risk Management: Case Analysis

To prepare measures for practical policy utilization and the control of heavy metals, hazard control related institutions by country, present states of control by country, and present states of control by heavy metals were examined. Hazard control cases by heavy metals in various countries were compared and analyzed. In certain countries (e.g., the U.S., the U.K., and Japan), hazardous substances found in foods (e.g., arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury) are controlled. In addition, the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) recommends calculating the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of individual heavy metals instead of the acceptable daily intake (ADI) to compare their pollution levels considering their toxicity accumulated in the human body. In Korea, exposure assessments have been conducted, and in other countries, hazardous substances are controlled by various governing bodies. As such, in Korea and other countries, diverse food heavy metal monitoring and human body exposure assessments are conducted, and reducing measures are prepared accordingly. To reduce the danger of hazardous substances, many countries provide leaflets and guidelines, develop hazardous heavy metal intake recommendations, and take necessary actions. Hazard control case analyses can assist in securing consumer safety by establishing systematic and reliable hazard control methods.

Brain-in-Brain Artifact (BIBA) in a Patient with Hydranencepaly: A Case Report

Hydranencephaly is a condition that is characterized by an absent brain mantle along with the subadjacent white matter, with replacement of the cerebral hemispheres by a thin-walled membranous sac containing CSF. During brain sonograpy in a neonate with hydranencephaly, we have found a brain-in-brain appearance as an unusual sonographic artifact. We report here on this interesting sonographic artifact in a neonate with hydranencephaly, and this artifact was due to multipath reflection artifact of the ultrasound beam/wave, and we explain the underlying physics.

Discovery of Maritrema jebuensis n. sp. (Digenea: Microphallidae) from the Asian Shore Crab, Hemigrapsus sanguineus, in Korea

Maritrema spp. (Digenea: Microphallidae) are parasites of birds, but have not been found in the Republic of Korea. In this study, metacercariae of Maritrema sp. were discovered in the Asian shore crab, Hemigrapsus sanguineus, caught in the mud-flats of Jebu-do, Hwasung-gun, Gyeonggi-do, and the adult flukes were confirmed by experimental infection into mice. Based on the symmetric ribbon-like vitellarium, adult flukes of Maritrema sp. were identified, but did not belong to previously described species in terms of the following morphologic characteristics: ceca reaching to the lateral wall at the anterior border of the ovary; ventral sucker larger than oral sucker; a prominent metraterm; and vitellarium forming a complete ring. Hence, we named this microphallid M. jebuensis n. sp. after the island where the second intermediate hosts were collected. From this study, it has been shown that Maritrema sp. is distributed in Korea and transmitted by the Asian shore crab, H. sanguineus.

Observation of the Free-living Adults of Strongyloides stercoralis from a Human Stool in Korea

A 76-year-old Korean man living in Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do, visited one University Hospital with dyspnea and abdominal pain. He has been undergoing transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for the past three years for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Abdominal pain developed 10 days ago, and became worse several days prior to coming to the emergency room. Physical examination revealed tenderness over the umbilicus. Eosinophil count was 22% without increase in the number of white blood cells. Stool examination showed adult and larval nematodes, which were subsequently identified as free-living adult worms and rhabditiform larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis. Follow-up stool examination performed six days later demonstrated only rhabditiform larvae of S. stercoralis. This is the first report on the recovery of free- living adult worms from human stool in the world.

Observation of the Free-living Adults of Strongyloides stercoralis from a Human Stool in Korea

A 76-year-old Korean man living in Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do, visited one University Hospital with dyspnea and abdominal pain. He has been undergoing transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for the past three years for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Abdominal pain developed 10 days ago, and became worse several days prior to coming to the emergency room. Physical examination revealed tenderness over the umbilicus. Eosinophil count was 22% without increase in the number of white blood cells. Stool examination showed adult and larval nematodes, which were subsequently identified as free-living adult worms and rhabditiform larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis. Follow-up stool examination performed six days later demonstrated only rhabditiform larvae of S. stercoralis. This is the first report on the recovery of free- living adult worms from human stool in the world.

Voided Urine Cytology of Small Cell Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder: A Case Report / 대한세포병리학회지

Primary small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder is an extremely rare but important entity. We experienced a case of small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder diagnosed by urine cytology. A 59-year-old man presented with gross hematuria and dysuria, and a calcified mass was detected at the left ureterovesical junction by cystoscopy. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed focal wall thickening at the left lateral side of the urinary bladder, and urine cytology findings were of an inflammatory background and atypical small round cells with minute hyperchromatic or pyknotic nuclei, scant cytoplasm, and rare nucleoli. In addition, atypical cells were scattered in an isolated single cell pattern or in small loose clusters with prominent nuclear molding. Subsequent histological and immunohistochemical examinations confirmed a diagnosis of small cell carcinoma.

Gynaecotyla squatarolae (Digenea: Microphallidae) from rats experimentally infected with metacercariae from the shore crab, Macrophthalmus dilatatus

Metacercariae of Gynaecotyla squatarolae (Digenea: Microphallidae) were discovered from the shore crab, Macrophthalmus dilatatus, purchased at a market in a coastal town of Taean-Eup, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea. Their adult flukes were confirmed by experimental infection of rats. The metacercariae of G. squatarolae were elliptical (391.1 x 362.5 micrometer), and the excysted metacercariae had progenetic genital organs, including the ovary and testes. To obtain adult flukes, 6 Sprague-Dawley rats were fed 500 metacercariae each, and killed at days 2, 4, and 6 post-infection. The adult flukes were identified as G. squatarolae (Yamaguti, 1934) Yamaguti, 1939, based on morphological characters, including 2 ventral suckers (1 large and 1 small), a large genital atrium equipped with the cirrus and the metraterm, separated male and female genital pores, a transversely long cirrus pouch, and extensive vitelline follicles. In the present study, it has been first proven that the shore crab M. dilatatus is a second intermediate host for G. squatarolae in the Republic of Korea.

Atypical Mesoblastic Nephroma: A case report

Congenital mesoblastic nephroma (CMN) is generally considered to be a rare benign renal tumor in neonates, requiring only total excision. However, an atypical mesoblastic nephroma (AMN) may behave aggressively, in contrast to a congenital mesoblastic nephroma. AMN shows atypical gross and microscopic features such as hemorrhage, necrosis, high cellularity, and a mitotic index. We report a case of atypical mesoblastic nephroma which presented in a 2 month-old male infant. Grossly, the tumor involved the upper and the midportion of the left kidney. On section, the cut surface was flesh,which was hemorrhagic necrotic, multicystic degenerative, grayish-white, and heterogenous. Microscopically, the tumor showed a high degree of cellularity and an arrangement of monophagic ovoid spindle cells in sheets and vague interlacing bundles. The individual tumor cells showed fusiform to oval nuclei, indistinct scanty pale-eosinophilic cytoplasm, and many mitotic features.

Assessment of Left Atrial Function Using Instantaneous Pressure-Volume Relations in Mitral Stenosis before and after Percutaneous Mitral Balloon Valvuloplasty

BACKGROUND: The left atrium functions as a reservoir for blood stored during ventricular systole, a conduit for pulmonary venous flow during ventricular diastole, and as a pump augmenting left ventricular filling during atrial systole. Cardiac angiography and Doppler echocardiography have been used in the assessment of atrial function. These measurements are, however, quite sensitive to ventricular and atrial loading conditions. Instantaneous pressure-volume relations of the left atrium have been described by a time-varying elastance model in the isolated left atrium and intact circulation in animal models. The mitral stenosis can be characterized hemodynamically as increased afterload of the left atrium. Percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty, which results in a dramatic increase in the mitral orifice area in patients with mitral stenosis, is a well-suited clinical model for physiological assessment of the left atrial function in response to acute change of the left atrial afterload. The purpose of this study was 1) to evaluate the feasibility of the left atrial pressure-volume loop using automatic boundary detection method, 2) to obtain the left atrial pressure-volume loop in patients with mitral stenosis and to compare with that of normal controls, and 3) to assess the changes of the left atrial wall tesion and stroke work after percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty in patients with mitral stenosis using the left atrial pressure-volume relations. METHODS: Twelve patients had simultaneous measurements of left atrial pressure and left atrial volume using trasseptal catheterization and two-dimensional echocardiography with automatic boundary detection technology. The left atrial pressure-volume was constructed by a computer workstation interfaced with an ultrasound system. Left atrial volumetric parameters, areas of A and V loops, and peak wall tension were measured and compared before and after percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty. RESULTS: 1) The left atrial pressure-volume loop could be obtained without complications in the control group as well as in patients with mitral stenosis. 2) The left atrial peak wall tension and A and V loop areas were significantly increased in mitral stenosis compared to the control group. 3) Left atrial maximal volume, minimal volume and volume before active atrial contraction were significantly increased in mitral stenosis compared to control group. 4) Left atrial ejection fraction and left atrial active emptying fraction were significantly reduced in mitral stenosis. Left atrial passive emptying fraction was slightly reduced in mitral stenosis compared to control group without statistical significance. 5) Left atrial peak wall tension and A loop area were significantly reduced after percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty. 6) There were no significant changes in left atrial maximal volume, minimal volume, volume before active atrial contraction, total volume change, passive emptying volume, active emptying volume, passive emptying fraction, active emptying fraction, V loop area and left atrial ejection fraction after percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty. CONCLUSION: The left atrial stroke work and peak wall tension can be assessed quantitatively using left atrial pressure-volume relations in patients with mitral stenosis and those are significantly reduced after percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty. The analysis of left atrial pressure-volume loop is a potentially useful means in the assessment of left atrial function.