Bacterial Pathogens of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia in a Tertiary Referral Hospital / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: This study evaluates the bacterial pathogens of Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in a tertiary referral hospital. METHODS: A total of 109 bacterial pathogens from 91 adult patients with VAP, who were admitted to the medical intensive care unit from January 2008 to December 2009, were examined. Clinical characteristics, bacterial pathogens, and resistance profiles were analyzed. RESULTS: Staphylococcus aureus (44%) was the most frequently isolated. Acinetobacter baumanii (30%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12%), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (7%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (6%), and Serratia marcescens (2%) were isolated from the transtracheal aspirates or bronchoalveolar lavage in patients with VAP. There was no significant difference of bacterial pathogens between early and late onset VAP. All isolated S. aureus were methicillin resistant S. aureus; the imipenem resistance rate of A. baumanii was 69%. CONCLUSION: The two most frequent pathogens of VAP were S. aureus and A. baumanii. There were no pathogenic differences between early and late onset VAP.

Bacterial Pathogens of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia in a Tertiary Referral Hospital / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: This study evaluates the bacterial pathogens of Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in a tertiary referral hospital. METHODS: A total of 109 bacterial pathogens from 91 adult patients with VAP, who were admitted to the medical intensive care unit from January 2008 to December 2009, were examined. Clinical characteristics, bacterial pathogens, and resistance profiles were analyzed. RESULTS: Staphylococcus aureus (44%) was the most frequently isolated. Acinetobacter baumanii (30%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12%), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (7%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (6%), and Serratia marcescens (2%) were isolated from the transtracheal aspirates or bronchoalveolar lavage in patients with VAP. There was no significant difference of bacterial pathogens between early and late onset VAP. All isolated S. aureus were methicillin resistant S. aureus; the imipenem resistance rate of A. baumanii was 69%. CONCLUSION: The two most frequent pathogens of VAP were S. aureus and A. baumanii. There were no pathogenic differences between early and late onset VAP.

Temozolomide-Associated Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia Successfully Treated with High-Dose Corticosteroid

Temozolomide is an oral alkylating agent with clinical activity against glioblastoma multiforme (GM). It is generally well-tolerated and has few pulmonary side effects. We report a case of temozolomide-associated brochiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) requiring very high-dose corticosteroid treatment. A 56-yr-old woman presented with a 2-week history of exertional dyspnea. For the treatment of GM diagnosed 4 months previously, she had undergone surgery followed by chemoradiotherapy, and then planned adjuvant chemotherapy with temozolomide. After the 1st cycle, progressive dyspnea was gradually developed. Chest radiograph showed diffuse patchy peribronchovascular ground-glass opacities in both lungs. Conventional dose of methylprednisolone (1 mg/kg/day) was begun for the possibility of BOOP. Although transbronchial lung biopsy findings were compatible with BOOP, the patient's clinical course was more aggravated until hospital day 5. After the dose of methylprednisolone was increased (500 mg/day for 5 days) radiologic findings were improved dramatically.

Comparison of Therapeutic Efficacy of Gefitinib and Erlotinib in Patients with Squamous Cell Lung Cancer / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Gefitinib and erlotinib are useful, molecular targeted agents in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who failed previous chemotherapy. We compared the efficacy and toxicity of two drugs in patients with squamous cell lung cancer, most of whom are male smokers. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical information on patients with NSCLC who were treated with gefitinib or erlotinib treatment at Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital between July 2002 and November 2009. The overall response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were compared between the two drugs. RESULTS: A total of 182 (100 gefitinib vs. 82 erlotinib) of 584 patients treated by targeted agents had squamous histology. Of the 182 patients, 167 (91.7%) were male and 159 (87.4%) were smokers. The ORR and disease control rate (DCR) were 4.9% and 40.6%, and there was no significant difference between gefitinib and erlotinib (ORR, 5.0% vs 4.8%; p=0.970; DCR, 40.0% vs 41.4%; p=0.439). The median OS in the gefitinib group was 12.1 months, and that in the erlotinib was 12.7 months (hazard ratio [HR], 1.282; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.771~2.134; p=0.339). The median PFS for the gefitinib group was 1.40 months, compared with 1.37 months for the erlotinib group (HR, 1.092; 95% CI, 0.809~1.474; p=0.564). Skin rash > or =grade 3 was more common in erlotinib (12.2%) than gefitinib (1.0%, p=0.003) groups. CONCLUSION: This retrospective study showed that the two drugs appear to have similar antitumor efficacy and toxicity except for skin rash.

Treatment Outcome of Combination Therapy Including Clarithromycin for Mycobacterium avium Complex Pulmonary Disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The frequency of nontuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary disease in HIV-negative patients is increasing; the most common pathogen in Korea is the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). However, few studies have evaluated the treatment outcome of MAC pulmonary disease in Korea. METHODS: The efficacy of a clarithromycin-containing regimen for MAC pulmonary disease was studied in 42 patients treated for more than 6 months between January 2005 and December 2008. All patients were treated with a regimen consisting of clarithromycin, rifampin, and ethambutol. Streptomycin was added in 10 patients. RESULTS: Among the 42 patients, a negative culture conversion was achieved in 33 (78.6%), and the median duration of treatment in these patients was 19 months (interquartile range [IQR], 16 to 22). Of the 33 patients with a negative culture conversion, 14 completed treatment. During the follow-up period (median, 10 months; IQR, 4 to 20) for the 14 patients, one relapsed at 24 months after treatment completion. The culture conversion rate was significantly higher in patients who were treated with more than 500 mg/day clarithromycin (87.1% vs. 54.5%, p = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: The combined regimen including clarithromycin was effective against MAC pulmonary disease. High-dose clarithromycin of more than 500 mg/day may improve the outcome of patients with MAC pulmonary disease.

Mortality and Prognostic Factors in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome due to Tuberculosis / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to tuberculosis (TB) is a rare disease, but its mortality is believed to be high. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mortality rate and prognostic factors of ARDS. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the demographic, clinical, radiologic, and laboratory data of 19 patients with ARDS due to active pulmonary TB at Chonnam National University Hospital between January 2000 and December 2010. RESULTS: The median age of patients was 71.1 (interquartile range [IQR] 51-74) years. None had a history of TB treatment. The most common symptoms were dyspnea (90%), fever (68%), and cough (53%). The overall in-hospital mortality was 73%. The median acute physiologic assessment and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) III score and pneumonia severity index (PSI) were 81.9 (IQR 59.0-92.0) and 111.0 (IQR 77.0-131.0), respectively. The PSI was significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors (55.0 vs. 122.0; p = 0.016). The rate of TB treatment before admission was significantly higher in survivors than in non-survivors (75% vs. 13%; p = 0.037). The time from admission to treatment initiation was significantly longer in non-survivors than in survivors (3 vs. 0 days; p = 0.049). The median duration of mechanical ventilation was 11 days (IQR 5-16 days). The most common cause of death was a refractory shock (53%). CONCLUSIONS: The overall mortality rate of ARDS due to pulmonary TB was high. A high PSI score and delay of TB treatment may be risk factors for a poor outcome of ARDS due to pulmonary TB.

Apoptosis of T Lymphocytes Isolated from Peripheral Blood of Patients with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

PURPOSE: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways and progressive destruction of lung parenchyma. Apoptosis is critical for the maintenance of normal tissue homeostasis and is in equilibrium with proliferation and differentiation. This study was undertaken to investigate relationship between apoptosis of peripheral blood lymphocytes during exacerbation of COPD and inflammatory response that characterizes this condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen patients with COPD exacerbation, 21 stable COPD, and 12 control subjects were included. T lymphocytes were isolated from peripheral blood using MACS. Apoptosis of T lymphocytes was assessed with FACS using annexin V and 7-aminoactinomycin. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were determined by an immunoassay technique. RESULTS: There was significantly increased percentage of apoptotic lymphocytes, CD 4+, and CD 8+ T cells in the peripheral blood of patients with exacerbation of COPD compared with stable COPD. Serum levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha were significantly increased in patients with exacerbation of COPD compared with stable COPD. Only TNF-alpha presented a positive correlation with apoptotic lymphocytes in patients with exacerbation of COPD. CONCLUSION: Increased apoptotic lymphocytes may be associated with upregulation of TNF-alpha in the peripheral blood of patients with acute exacerbation of COPD.

Influence of Diaphragmatic Mobility on Hypercapnia in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

A reduction in diaphragm mobility has been identified in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and has been associated with a decline in pulmonary function parameters. However, little information exists regarding the potential role of diaphragm mobility on hypercapnia in COPD. A new method of assessing the mobility of the diaphragm, using ultrasound, has recently been validated. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between diaphragm mobility and pulmonary function parameters, as well as that between arterial blood gas values and diaphragm mobility, in COPD patients. Thirty seven COPD patients were recruited for pulmonary function test, arterial blood gas analysis and diaphragm mobility using ultrasound to measure the craniocaudal displacement of the left branch of the portal vein. There were significant negative correlations between diaphragmatic mobility and PaCO2 (r = -0.373, P = 0.030). Diaphragmatic mobility correlated with airway obstruction (FEV1, r = 0.415, P = 0.011) and with ventilatory capacity (FVC, r = 0.302, P = 0.029; MVV, r = 0.481, P = 0.003). Diaphragmatic mobility also correlated significantly with pulmonary hyperinflation. No relationship was observed between diaphragm mobility and PaO2 (r = -0.028, P = 0.873). These findings support a possibility that the reduction in diaphragm mobility relates to hypercapnia in COPD patients.

A Case of Rectus Sheath Hematoma Complicated with Hypovolemic Shock in a Critically-Ill Patient / 결핵및호흡기질환

Rectus sheath hematoma (RSH) is a rare condition caused by hemorrhage into the rectus sheath. It is usually associated with severe cough, abdominal surgery, coagulopathy, and anticoagulation treatment. RSH can be difficult to diagnose and can be misdiagnosed as acute appendicitis, as diverticulitis, or as an ovarian mass. Although RSH usually presents as a benign condition, it can be life threatening, especially in the critically-ill patient. Here, we report a case of fatal RSH due to hypovolemic shock in a critically-ill 73-year-old woman, who had received heparin treatment due to acute myocardial infarction in the intensive care unit and who had been successfully treated by conservative management.

Significance of Repeated Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Testing for Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is important for the confirmatory diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The aim of this study was to analyze the yield of repeated PCR testing in patients with confirmed pulmonary TB. METHODS: The medical records of 130 patients, who had more than two consecutive PCR tests and a M. tuberculosis-positive sputum culture from August, 2006 to December, 2007, were retrospectively reviewed for the purposes of this study. A positive TB-PCR test was defined as at least one positive test result. RESULTS: The cumulative positive PCR test rate was 80% (104/130), with gradually increasing rates of positive findings upon the first, second and third TB-PCR tests with 52.3%, 68.5% and 75.4%, respectively. However, further testing did not increase the positive rate further. CONCLUSION: Repeated PCR testing at least three times for M. tuberculosis is helpful for diagnosis of pulmonary TB.

Plasma C-Reactive Protein and Endothelin-1 Level in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension is a frequent complication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and associated with a worse survival and increased risk of hospitalization for exacerbation of COPD. However, little information exists regarding the potential role of systemic inflammation in pulmonary hypertension of COPD. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the degree of C-reactive protein (CRP) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels in COPD patient with and without pulmonary hypertension. The levels of CRP and ET-1 were investigated in 58 COPD patient with pulmonary hypertension and 50 patients without pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension was defined as a systolic pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa) > or =35 mmHg assessed by Doppler echocardiography. Plasma CRP and ET-1 levels were significantly higher in patients with pulmonary hypertension than in patients without hypertension. There were significant positive correlations between the plasma ET-1 level and CRP level in the whole study groups. For COPD patients, systolic Ppa correlated significantly with plasma CRP levels and plasma ET-1 levels. These findings support a possibility that CRP and ET-1 correlate to pulmonary hypertension in COPD patients.

A Case of Bronchiolitis Interstitial Pneumonitis / 결핵및호흡기질환

Bronchiolitis interstitial pneumonitis (BIP), an unclassified and newly described interstitial pneumonia, has a combined feature of prominent bronchiolitis, interstitial inflammation, and fibrosis. It is distinct from bronchiolitis obliterans or bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP). BIP has a better prognosis than common cases of interstitial pneumonia. However, BIP has a poorer prognosis than BOOP. BIP's response to corticosteroids is not as successful as BOOP's response to this treatment. We encountered the case of a 31-year-old woman with BIP with an initial presentation of dyspnea and a cough that had lasted for 3 months. The patient's chest CT scan demonstrated patchy ground glass opacities and multiple ill-defined centrilobular nodules in both lungs, suggesting military tuberculosis or nontuberculous mycobacterial infection. A video-assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsy resulted in the diagnosis of BIP. Clinical symptoms, pulmonary lesions, and pulmonary function tests were improved after oral glucocorticoid therapy.

A Case of Pulmonary Paragonimiasis with Recurrent Pleural Effusion and Cured by Four Cycles of Chemotherapy / 결핵및호흡기질환

Paragonimiasis is a parasitic infection that occurs following the ingestion of infectious Paragonimus metacercariae, which occurs as a result of eating raw or undercooked freshwater crabs or crayfish. Pulmonary paragonimiasis is the most common clinical manifestation of this infection. Human paragonimiasis occurs sporadically. We experienced a case of pulmonary paragonimiasis in a 35-year-old woman with left lower chest pain. The patient had hypereosinophilia and a pleural effusion. The diagnosis was confirmed by positive ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) that detected Paragonimiasis westermani antibody in the serum. We treated the patient with praziquantel for two days at a daily dosage of 75 mg/kg. Left pleuritic pain and pleural effusion improved after treatment. However, similar symptoms and pleural effusion developed recurrently for the first 3 courses of treatment with praziquantel. Upon the fourth round of treatment, the patient made a full recovery.

Sinus Histiocytosis with Massive Lymphadenopathy: A Case Report with Pleural Effusion and Cervical Lymphadenopathy

Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (SHML) is a rare disorder characterized by a nonneoplastic proliferation of distinctive histiocyte cells within lymph node sinuses and lymphatics in extranodal sites. SHML occurs worldwide and is primarily a disease of childhood and early adulthood. A 26-yr-old man presented with painless palpable lymph node in cervical area. Radiographic studies revealed pleural effusion with lymphadenopathy and calcification in mediastinum. The cervical lymph node biopsy showed dilated sinuses filled with histiocytes with clear cytoplasm. The cells stained positive with CD68 and S-100. These cytologic and immunohistochemical findings were considered consistent with the diagnosis of SHML.

Efficacy of Darbepoetin alfa in Anemia Developed during Chemotherapy for Lung Cancer / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Anemia is quite common in lung cancer patients and known to decrease the quality of life. Darbepoetin alfa is an erythropoiesis-stimulating protein approved for administration to cancer patients. This study examined the efficacy and safety of darbepoetin alfa in lung cancer patients with a hemoglobin concentration 10 g/dl. The efficacy and safety were measured by comparing the hemoglobin concentration and assessing the adverse events. RESULTS: After chemotherapy, the hemoglobin concentration decreased to 9.03+/-0.64 g/dl. With the darbepoetin alfa treatment, the hemoglobin concentration increased to 10.09+/-1.17 g/dl after 4 weeks reaching a peak hemoglobin concentration of 10.45+/-1.18 g/dl. The changes in hemoglobin after 4 and 8 weeks with treatment were 1.08+/-1.24 g/dl and 1.38+/-1.59 g/dl (p<0.01). At least a 1 g/dl or more increase in hemoglobin was observed in 62.4% of patients. There were no serious adverse effects except for some mild reactions. CONCLUSION: Darbepoetin alfa administered to lung cancer patients appears to be an effective, well-tolerated treatment for chemotherapy induced anemia.

An endobronchial hamartoma removed via rigid bronchoscopy under general anesthesia / 대한내과학회지

A 54-year-old man presented with a cough, sputum, and fever. His chest X-ray showed atelectasis in the right middle lobe. Computed tomography revealed obstruction of the bronchus intermedius by an endobronchial tumor. The first bronchoscopic biopsy specimens suggested lipoma. We resected the tumor via rigid bronchoscopy under general anesthesia and the final pathology report revealed a cartilaginous hamartoma. Subsequently, he has been followed for more than 1 year without recurrence.

A Case of Pseudoalveolar Sarcoidosis with Unilateral Pulmonary Infiltration / 결핵및호흡기질환

A sarcoidosis is a multisystemic granulomatous disorder that has a predilection for pulmonary involvement, and the common radiological findings for the disease are bilateral nodular or reticulonodular patterns. Pseudoalveolar sarcoidosis is a rare presentation of sarcoidosis. The radiological finding is an alveolar pattern that involves or compresses the alveoli by clustered interstitial granuloma. A 58-year-old man was admitted due to incidental findings of a unilateral consolidative lesion as seen on chest radiography. A chest computed tomography (CT) examination showed multiple bronchoalveolar consolidations that were suspicious of a malignancy. However, a percutaneous needle biopsy revealed non-caseating granuloma with an asteroid body that was compatible with sarcoidosis. After one month, the consolidative lesions improved without any treatment.

May-Thurner Syndrome in Lung Cancer

May-Thurner syndrome is deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the iliofemoral vein due to compression of the left common iliac vein (CIV) by the overlying right common iliac artery (CIA). In contrast to the right CIV, which ascends almost vertically to the inferior vena cava (IVC), the left CIV follows a more transverse course. Along this course, it underlies the right CIA, which may compress it against the lumbar spine. A 69-year-old man with squamous cell lung cancer presented with acute onset painful left leg swelling. He had been undergoing chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin as a 2nd line treatment after concurrent chemoradiation. Physical examination revealed left leg edema with tenderness and warmth. The D-dimer level was elevated and a lower extremity computed tomographic angiogram (CTA) showed a DVT involving the left infrapopliteal vein to the common iliac vein with collapsed junction between the CIV and IVC. Systemic anticoagulation with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and an IVC filter insertion was performed to prevent further thrombosis, such as a PTE. After IVC filter placement, mechanical thrombectomy was performed on the left femoral vein and left CIV. A vascular stent was then deployed in the left CIV. Left leg swelling seemed to be improved after heparinization, but he had a 2nd episode one week later. Therefore, he underwent a 2nd mechanical thrombectomy and stent deployment of the left external iliac vein. His leg swelling was gradually relieved. He has received LMWH for 3 months, and has received 2 cycles of pemetrexed followed by erlotinib

A Case of Factitious Hemoptysis / 결핵및호흡기질환

Factitious hemoptysis is the bleeding type of Munchausen's syndrome, and this describes a group of patients who intentionally produce symptoms. Because factitious hemoptysis is a very rare manifestation of hemoptysis, it generally passes unnoticed. We report here on a case of factitious hemoptysis in a 15-year-old boy who presented with hemoptysis. During his three hospitalizations, we conducted many diagnostic procedures, including chest CT, laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy and bronchial arteriography, yet we failed to find the definitive cause of the patient's hemoptysis. He kept on complaining of repetitive hemoptysis and seizure-like activity. His father discovered that he had collected his blood into the specimen cup via an intravenous line. After we removed the intravenous line, he did not show blood to us again. We suggest that factitious hemoptysis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hemoptysis of an unclear bleeding focus, and especially when the patient has a bizarre hospital course or unusual behavior. We also include a review of the relevant literature.