[Early phase medical system review in Kobe 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic].

We discuss the efficacy 3 pandemic influenza, measures planned against an anticipated outbreak. First was an exclusive influenza outpatient clinic. Second was a medical call center for febrile illness subjects needing with fever clinic recommendation. The last was isolation. Before the outbreak, we had thought that all confirmed or suspected new influenza case should be quarantined. May 2009 brought the first A1/H1 pandemic influenza outbreak to Kobe, Japan. After the first infection announcement, call center and fever clinic consultations skyrocketed, filling all 55 designated Kobe hospital bed within 48 hours. Inquiries at call centers increased more rapidly than numbers of subjects rushing to fever clinics. Just after designated hospital beds were filled, medical service restrictions were rapidly relaxed. Our experiences suggest that compulsory hospitalization broke down quickest in the fever case overflow, so medical call centers may be crucial in preventing fever clinic overflows by subjects with fever of unknown origin not recommended to consult fever clinics. Those with severe influenza symptoms should be given priority in hospitalization and flexible policies are recommended.

[First outbreak report of VIM-1 metallo-beta-lactamase producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Japan].

VIM-1 metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from 35 Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital patients from September 2007 to July 2008. All but one were highly resistant to all beta-lactams, aminoglycoside, and fluoroquinolone, and one susceptible to amikacin. Strains negative to a disk diffusion screening test using sodium mercaptoacetate for detecting MBL numbered 35. PCR for MBL indicated all strains were positive for bla(VIWM-1). These strains were indistinguishable by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, indicating an outbreak of infections caused by VIM-1 MBL producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa. After intervention to control contact, the outbreak was controlled.

[A case with multiple myeloma in which serum forms gel precipitation upon exposure to air].

We present the case of a 69-years-old man who was admitted to hospital with multiple myeloma. IgG-kappa type monoclonal protein was detected in the serum. When we separated the serum obtained from blood sample of the patient and the lid of the collecting tube was opened, the patient's serum became gelled immediately. When the lid of the collecting tube remained closed, the patient's serum did not become gelled even at 4 degrees C. Moreover, the gelled serum of the patient did not resolve at 56 degrees C. Taken together, these results indicated that gel formation of the patient's serum may not be due to cryoglobulin. It was found that the pH of the patient's serum elevated to pH 8.0 quickly after exposed to air. It was also found that the patient's serum, but not the sera of other IgG-kappa multiple myeloma patients, became gelled as soon as PBS of pH 8.0 was added. These results highly suggest that the patient's serum becomes gelled at pH 8.0. However, the isoelectric focusing of isolated precipitation in the patient showed fractions around the pH 8.5-8.7 zone, which was different from the pH at which the precipitation began to form. We think that this may be the first report of a multiple myeloma patient whose serum becomes gelled after exposed to air.