[Bacteria isolated from surgical infections and their susceptibilities to antimicrobial agents. Special references to bacteria isolated between April 1998 and March 1999].

The annual multicenter studies on isolated bacteria from infections in general surgery and their antimicrobial susceptibility have been conducted in Japan since July 1982. This paper describes the results obtained in fiscal 1998 (from April 1998 to March 1999). The number of cases investigated as objectives was 225 for one year. A total of 429 strains (121 strains from primary infections and 308 strains from postoperative infections) were isolated from 183 cases (81.3% of total cases). In primary infections, the isolation rates of anaerobes and Escherichia coli were higher than in postoperative infections, while in postoperative infections, those of Gram-positive aerobes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were higher than in primary infections. On the whole, among Gram-positive aerobes, the isolation rate of Enterococcus faecalis was the highest, followed by Staphylococcus aureus with high frequency in isolation from postoperative infections. Among Gram-positive anaerobes, Peptostreptococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. were predominantly isolated. Among Gram-negative aerobes, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter cloacae were frequently isolated. Among Gram-negative anaerobes, Bacteroides fragilis group was the majority of isolates. In primary infections, the percentage of Gram-negative aerobes has gradually increased since fiscal 1995 or 1996 with these years as the turning point, while those of Gram-positive and Gram-negative anaerobes have gradually declined. In postoperative infections, the percentage of Gram-negative anaerobes has increased continuously since the mid-1980s. The percentage of MRSA among S. aureus rose to 89.7%, which was the highest level since the beginning of this study. The susceptibilities of B. fragilis, which did not show apparent changes, were recognized to have decreased against cephems in fiscal 1998. Among other bacteria in B. fragilis group, development of resistance to cephems has continued on a long-term basis since the mid-1980s. E. coli and K. pneuminiae have obviously not changed in susceptibilities, however, the susceptibilities of isolated strains in fiscal 1998 against high-generation cephems, oxacephems and monobactams have declined. We found neither vancomycin-resistant nor teicoplanin-resistant strains of S. aureus and Enterococcus spp.

[Bacteria isolated from surgical infections and their susceptibilities to antimicrobial agents. Special references to bacteria isolated between April 1997 and March 1998].

The annual multicenter studies on isolated bacteria from infections in general surgery and their antimicrobial susceptibility have been conducted in 19 facilities in Japan since July 1982. This paper describes the results obtained during the period from April 1997 to March 1998. The number of cases investigated as objectives was 215 for one year. A total of 420 strains (170 strains from primary infections and 250 strains from postoperative infections) were isolated from 174 cases (80.9% of total cases). In primary infections, the isolation rate of anaerobic bacteria was higher than in postoperative infections, while in postoperative infections, those of aerobic Gram-positive bacteria and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were higher than in primary infections. Among aerobic Gram-positive bacteria, the isolation rate of Enterococcus faecalis was the highest, followed by Staphylococcus aureus, which was frequently isolated from postoperative infections. Among anaerobic Gram-positive bacteria, Peptostreptococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. were commonly isolated from both types of infections. Among aerobic Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli was most predominantly isolated from primary infections, followed by P. aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae in this order, and from postoperative infections, P. aeruginosa was most predominantly isolated, followed by E. coli and K. pneumoniae. Among anaerobic Gram-negative bacteria, Bacteroides fragilis group was the majority of isolates from both types of infections. We found neither vancomycin nor arbekacin resistant strains of S. aureus, and found no vancomycin resistant strains of Enterococcus spp. The susceptibility of P. aeruginosa against carbapenems did not decline in the year 1997, while resistance of B. fragilis group against cephems advanced increasingly.

A phase III randomized study comparing doxifluridine and 5-fluorouracil as supportive chemotherapy in advanced and recurrent gastric cancer.

We conducted a phase III randomized study to investigate effects of supportive chemotherapy with oral doxifluridine (group A, 75 patients) or 5-fluorouracil (group B, 75 patients) in advanced gastric cancer when intensive chemotherapy was not an option. Although there were no significant differences between the groups with regard to survival, hospital-free survival and time to progression, median values of 3 endpoints were superior in group A. Secondary analysis showed that group A patients with prior chemotherapy tended to have longer survival and hospital-free survival and significantly longer time to progression.

[Bacteria isolated from surgical infections and their susceptibilities to antimicrobial agents: special references to bacteria isolated between July 1996 and June 1997].

The annual multicenter studies on isolated bacteria from infections in general surgery and their antimicrobial susceptibility have been conducted in 20 facilities in Japan since July 1982. This paper describes the results obtained during period from July 1996 to June 1997. The number of cases investigated as objectives was 217 for one year. A total of 406 strains were isolated from 177 cases (81.6% of total cases). From primary infections 162 strains were isolated, and from postoperative infections 244 strains were isolated, respectively. From primary infections, anaerobic bacteria were predominant, while from postoperative infections, aerobic Gram-positive bacteria were predominant. Among aerobic Gram-positive bacteria, the isolation rate of Enterococcus spp. was the highest. In postoperative infections, the majority of them were Enterococcus faecalis, while in primary infections, many of them were Enterococcus avium. The isolation rate of Staphylococcus spp., especially from postoperative infections, followed that of Enterococcus spp. Among anaerobic Gram-positive bacteria, Peptostreptococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. were commonly isolated from both types of infections. Among aerobic Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli was the most predominantly isolated from primary infections, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in this order, and from postoperative infections, P. aeruginosa was the most predominantly isolated, followed by E. coli and Enterobacter cloacae. Among anaerobic Gram-negative bacteria, Bacteroides fragilis group was the majority of isolates from both types of infections. The isolation rate of aerobic Gram-negative bacillus has decreased with time, while those of anaerobes like B. fragilis group and of aerobic Gram-positive bacteria have gradually increased in both types of infections. We found vancomycin-resistant strains of neither Staphylacoccus aureus nor Enterococcus spp.; however, the MIC of arbekacin for one of strains of S. aureus was 100 micrograms/ml. Both the MIC90's of meropenem and imipenem/cilastatin against P. aeruginosa isolated in this term were 25 micrograms/ml, which were higher than those against the strains isolated in the previous years. Compared with the isolated strains in the year 1995, progress of resistance against carbapenem antibiotics was confirmed.

[Isolation rate of Enterococcus spp. from surgical infections and their susceptibilities].

Enterococcus spp. isolated from surgical infections during the period from July 1982 to June 1995 were investigated in a multicenter study involving 19 hospitals in Japan, and the following results were obtained. 1. Though the isolation rate of Enterococcus faecalis and other Enterococcus spp. were not high from primary infections, and from postoperative infections the isolation rate of other Enterococcus spp. was also low, the isolation rate of E. faecalis was highest from postoperative infections after 1993. 2. Vancomycin (VCM) showed strongest activity against E. faecalis, and followed by those of ampicillin (ABPC), imipenem. levofloxacin (LVFX) and meropenem in this order. Against other Enterococcus spp., VCM showed strongest activity, and followed by those of ABPC and LVFX. There were no resistant strains against VCM.

[Bacteria isolated from surgical infections and their susceptibilities to antimicrobial agents. Special references to bacteria isolated between July 1995 and June 1996].

Isolated bacteria from infections in general surgery during the period from July 1994 to June 1995 were investigated in a multicenter study in Japan, and the following results were obtained. One hundred and sixty-four strains were isolated from primary infections, and 202 strains were isolated from postoperative infections. From primary infections, anaerobic Gram-positive bacteria were predominant, while from post operative infections, aerobic Gram-positive bacteria were predominant. Among aerobic Gram-positive bacteria, the isolation rate of Enterococcus faecalis was the highest, followed by that of Staphylococcus aureus from postoperative infections. Among anaerobic Gram-positive bacteria, the isolation rate of Peptostreptococcus spp. was the highest from both types of infections. Among anaerobic Gram-negative, Escherichia coli was the most predominantly isolated from primary infections, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in this order, and from postoperative infections, P. aeruginosa was the most predominantly isolated, followed by Enterobacter spp. and Klebsiella spp. Among anaerobic Gram-negative bacteria, the isolation rate of Bacteroides fragilis group was the highest from both types of infections. We noticed that MICs of cefazolin against three out of 23 strains of E. coli were higher than 100 micrograms/ml. Among anaerobic bacteria, there were many resistant strains against penicillins and cephems with MICs higher than 100 micrograms/ml, and the same trend was observed among other Bacteroides spp. and Prevotella spp.

[Bacteria isolated from surgical infections and its susceptibilities to antimicrobial agents. Special references to bacteria isolated between July 1994 and June 1995].

Isolated bacteria from infections in general surgery during the period from July 1994 to June 1995 were investigated by a multicenter study in Japan, and the following results were obtained. One hundred and fifty-three strains were isolated from primary infections, and 143 strains were isolated from postoperative infections. From primary infections, both anaerobic Gram-positive and-negative bacteria were predominant, and from postoperative infections, aerobic Gram-positive bacteria were predominant. Among aerobic Gram-positive bacteria, the isolation rate of Enterococcus faecalis was highest, followed by that of Staphylococcus aureus from both types of infections. Among anaerobic Gram-positive bacteria, the isolation rate of Streptococcus intermedius was highest from primary infections, but from postoperative infections anaerobic Gram-positive bacteria was uncommon. Among aerobic Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli was most predominantly isolated from primary infections, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in this order. From postoperative infections, P. aeruginosa was most predominantly isolated, followed by Serratia marcescens and E. coli. Among anaerobic Gram-negative bacteria, the isolation rate of Bacteroides fragilis group was the highest from both types of infections. We have noticed that resistant strains against imipenem and ofloxacin were increasing among P. aeruginosa and resistant strains against cefazolin were increasing among E. coli. MICs of cefazolin against four out of 30 strains of E. coli were higher than 100 micrograms/ml, and MICs of imipenem was higher than 50 micrograms/ml against 5 out of 22 strains of P. aeruginosa.

[Isolation rate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from surgical infections and their susceptibilities].

Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from surgical infections during the period from July 1982 to June 1995 were investigated in a multicenter study involving 19 hospitals in Japan, and the following results were obtained. 1. Though the isolation rate of P. aeruginosa was not high from primary infections, it was more frequently isolated from postoperative infections throughout the study period. Enterococcus spp., P. aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus including MRSA were predominant among postoperative infections. From the postoperative cases that had previous antibiotic treatment, Enterococcus spp., MRSA and P. aeruginosa were more predominantly isolated than from those without previous treatments with antibiotics. 2. Cefozopran, ceftazidime, cefsulodin, aztreonam, carumonam, gentamicin, amikacin and ofloxacin had strong activities against P. aeruginosa. We recognize recently that antibiotic-resistant strains of P. aeruginosa against imipenem and ofloxacin have been increasing year by year.

[Isolation rate of E. coli from surgical infections and their susceptibilities].

Escherichia coli isolated from surgical infections during the period from July 1983 to June 1995 were investigated in a multicenter study involving 19 hospitals in Japan, and the following results were obtained. 1. Although the isolation rate of E. coli was not high from postoperative infections, it was most frequently isolated from primary infections throughout the study period. E. coli, Klebsiella spp. and anaerobic bacteria were predominant from fresh infections. From the cases that had previous antibiotics treatment, Enterococcus spp. were the most predominant isolates followed by MRSA and Pseudomonas spp. in this order. 2. Against E. coli, cefozopran, carumonam and aztreonam had the strongest activity, followed by cefmenoxime, imipenem, latamoxef, gentamicin and ofloxacin. Recently, we have noticed that antibiotic resistant E. coli strains particularly against cefazolin are increasing year by year.

[Bacteriological and clinical evaluation tazobactam/piperacillin in infectious diseases in surgical field].

We carried out bacteriological and clinical studies on tazobactam/piperacillin (TAZ/PIPC), a combination drug of piperacillin with the new beta-lactamase inhibitor tazobactam, in various infectious diseases in surgical field such as intra-abdominal infections (peritonitis and intra-abdominal abscess), hepatobiliary infections (cholecystitis, cholangitis and hepatic abscess) and secondary infections in wound, etc. The total number of cases treated with the combination drug was 164. Of these cases, 141 cases were assessable for clinical responses including 60 cases with intra-abdominal infections, 38 cases with hepatobiliary infections, and 43 cases with secondary infections. Clinical efficacy rates of the drug were 83.3% in cases with intra-abdominal infections, 86.8% in cases with hepatobiliary infections, and 95.3% in those with secondary infections, hence the overall efficacy rate was 87.9%. In the cases from which beta-lactamase producing strains were isolated, clinical efficacy rates were 84.8% in cases with intra-abdominal infections, 84.6% in those with hepatobiliary infections, and 96.2% in those with secondary infections, hence the overall efficacy rate was 88.9%. Bacteriological efficacy rates were 92.9% in cases with Gram-positive bacterial infections, 64.3% in those with Gram-negative bacterial infections, and 100% in those with anaerobic bacterial infections. Bacteriological efficacy rates were 84.2% in cases with single bacterial infections and 56.5% in those with multi-bacterial infections, and the overall bacteriological efficacy rate was 69.0%. In the cases of infections with beta-lactamase producing strains, bacteriological efficacy rates were 80.0% in cases with Gram-positive bacterial infections, 75.0% in those with Gram-negative bacterial infections, and 100% in those with anaerobic bacterial infections. They were 82.6% in cases with single bacterial infections and 57.9% in those with multi-bacterial infections; the overall bacteriological efficacy rate was 67.2%. The bacterial eradication rate was 79.9% against all the isolates, and it was 79.2% against beta-lactamase producing isolates. In addition, we compared the sensitivity distribution of the isolates to TAZ/PIPC with those to control drugs piperacillin (PIPC), cefotiam (CTM), ceftazidime (CAZ), sulbactam/cefoperazone (SBT/CPZ). The MIC50 and MIC90 values of TAZ/PIPC against all strains were 3.13 micrograms/ml and 50 micrograms/ml, respectively. MIC50 values show that TAZ/PIPC was two times less effective than CAZ and SBT/CPZ but four times more effective than CTM; furthermore, from the MIC90 values, TAZ/PIPC was four times more effective than PIPC, CTM and CAZ. The MIC50 and MIC90 values of TAZ/PIPC against beta-lactamase producing strains were 3.13 micrograms/ml and 50 micrograms/ml, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Bacteria isolated from intraabdominal infection and their susceptibilities to antimicrobial agents].

Bacteria isolated from intraabdominal infections during the period from July 1982 to June 1993 were investigated with regard to their classifications according to a joint research by 9 university hospitals in Japan. The following results were obtained. 1. A total of 971 strains were isolated from 684 out of 597 patients with peritonitis, and 287 strains out of 971 were isolated from postoperative peritonitis. 2. The most predominant organism isolated from patients with acute peritonitis was Escherichia coli (28%), followed by Bacteroides fragilis group (17%), Gram-positive anaerobic cocci (16%), Enterococcus spp. (9%) and Klebsiella spp. (8%). 3. Against E. coli, cefmenoxime, cefuzonam, cefozopran, aztreonam and carumonam showed MIC50 less than 0.05 micrograms/ml. Against B. fragilis group, erthromycin, clindamycin, imipenem, lincomycin and latamoxef showed MIC50 less than 0.78 micrograms/ml. 4. The most predominant organism isolated from patients with postoperative peritonitis was Enterococcus spp. (20%) and followed by Pseudomonas spp. (14%), and Staphylococcus spp. (13%), E. coli (9%), Enterobacter spp. (8%) and Klebsiella spp. (8%). We suggest that cefazolin, cefmetazole, flomoxef, cefmenoxime, cefuzonam, and latamoxef are the first choice agents in empiric therapy for the treatment of acute peritonitis.

Chemotherapy targeting regional lymph nodes by gastric submucosal injection of liposomal adriamycin in patients with gastric carcinoma.

We investigated the delivery of adriamycin (ADR) to the regional lymph nodes of the stomach following the gastric submucosal injection of liposomal adriamycin (Lipo-ADR) in 34 gastric carcinoma patients, as well as following intravenous administration of free ADR (F-ADR) in another 18 patients. Prior to radical gastrectomy, Lipo-ADR was endoscopically injected into the gastric submucosa adjacent to the primary tumor via a needle-tipped catheter. After Lipo-ADR injection, the ADR concentration in the primary and secondary drainage lymph nodes was higher than in the other regional lymph nodes. Thus, the regional nodes more susceptible to metastasis showed higher levels of ADR. In contrast, the intravenous administration of F-ADR produced a similar and far lower ADR concentration in all the nodes. Delivery of ADR to the primary drainage lymph nodes following injection of 5 ml of Lipo-ADR was compared with delivery to the left gastric artery lymph nodes after intravenous administration of an equal dose of F-ADR. The ADR levels (micrograms/g) after gastric submucosal injection were 15.1 +/- 8.30 on day 1 (n = 4); and 11.9 +/- 4.80 on day 4 (n = 6). Those after intravenous administration were 0.29 +/- 0.10 on day 1 (n = 4); and 0.36 +/- 0.0 on day 4 (n = 2). The differences between the two groups were significant (P < 0.05). The ADR levels after the gastric submucosal injection were far higher than those after intravenous administration. These findings indicate that the gastric submucosal injection of Lipo-ADR can specifically deliver ADR to the regional lymph nodes at high concentrations. Such preoperative adjuvant chemotherapy targeting the regional lymph nodes may be useful for preventing the lymph node recurrence of gastric carcinoma.

[Efficacy of arbekacin, a new aminoglycoside antibiotic, in surgical patients with MRSA infections].

The clinical efficacy of a new aminoglycoside antibiotic, arbekacin (ABK), was studied in surgical patients who had been infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Six cases of pneumonia, 2 of wound infections and 2 of intra-abdominal infections were treated by ABK alone or ABK together with beta-lactam antibiotics such as imipenem/cilastatin or cefotiam. The overall clinical efficacies against these MRSA infections were excellent in one case, good in 6 and poor in 3. In six cases treated by ABK alone, good clinical responses were obtained in 4 cases. Among 4 cases that received combination therapy with ABK, good responses were obtained in 3 cases. No adverse reactions were found in ABK monotherapy or in combined therapy. These data suggested that ABK is an effective antibiotic on surgical infections caused by MRSA.

[Year to year changes in isolation frequencies of different bacteria from postoperative infections].

Bacterial species isolated from postoperative infections during the period from July 1982 to June 1993 were studied regarding isolation frequencies of different species in different years in a joint research project involving nine (9) university hospitals in Japan. The obtained results are summarized as follows. (1) Altogether, 1,453 strains were isolated with 153 strains obtained during the most recent one year from July of 1992 through June of 1993. The most numerous source of isolation was postoperative intra-abdominal sepsis. (2) Gram-positive cocci were the most often isolated, among them methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in increasing frequencies until June, 1992. (3) In the last one year, Enterococcus spp. was isolated the most from postoperative infections followed by Staphylococcus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. Rates of isolation of anaerobic bacteria were relatively low with annual isolation frequencies ranging 8 to 15 per cent.

[Study of 5'-DFUR treatment as postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for stomach and colorectal cancer. Tokai GATS Group (pilot study)].

In order to study preliminary the safety of 5'-DFUR treatment as postoperative adjuvant therapy, intermittent and continuous treatment regimens were administered to patients undergoing curative resection of carcinomas of the stomach and the colorectum. Two treatment schedules were employed: 5'-DFUR was either given continuously in a daily oral dose of 600 mg/patient (continuous group) or for 2 weeks in a daily oral dose of 1,200 mg/patient followed by 2 weeks of no treatment (intermittent group). Twenty-one stomach cancer patients and 34 colorectal cancer patients were registered in the study. The rates of adverse drug reactions in the patients who completed treatment were 20.0% (2/10) in the continuous group and 50.0% (4/8) in the intermittent group of gastric cancer patients, and 16.6% (2/12) in the continuous group and 17.6% (3/17) in the intermittent group of colorectal cancer patients. The main adverse drug reactions were gastrointestinal symptoms. The incidence of diarrhea, a problematic side effect of 5'-DFUR, was 4.5% (1/22) in the continuous group and 12.0% (3/25) in the intermittent group. There were no statistically significant differences between the continuous group and the intermittent group in regard to the incidence of adverse drug reactions and survival rate. In addition, as there were no serious adverse drug reactions, both treatment regimens were demonstrated to be highly safe when administered as postoperative adjuvant therapy.

[In vitro antimicrobial susceptibilities and beta-lactamase production of clinical isolates. beta-Lactamase Study Group in Chubu-area].

Antimicrobial susceptibilities and beta-lactamase production of clinical isolates from 1986 to 1991 except 1988 were determined. beta-Lactamase was detected frequently in Escherichia coli (84.7%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (65.4%), Staphylococcus aureus (62.3%), and not frequently in Haemophilus influenzae (22.4%). Methicillin-resistant S. aureus was also resistant to many antimicrobials except to arbekacin and minocycline, and imipenem showed markedly high activity against methicillin-sensitive S. aureus. Susceptibilities of E. coli and K. pneumoniae to cefuzonam, imipenem and ofloxacin were quite high and that of H. influenzae to ofloxacin and cefuzonam was also very high.

[Lipid peroxide and free radical scavengers in congenital heart disease with pulmonary hypertension].

There is a strong possibility that lipid peroxide (LPO) exerts a great influence on the persistence of pulmonary vascular obstruction (PVO) after radical operation of congenital heart disease with pulmonary hypertension (PH). We investigated the relationship between LOP and PVO, and discussed the effects of scavengers. Fourteen cases of infantile open heart surgery were investigated. LPO, superoxide dismutase SOD and reduced glutathione (GSH) were measured in blood and lung tissue. In the cases of PH group, the levels of lung tissue and plasma LPO showed significantly higher than those of PS group (p < 0.05) before and after radical operation. The levels of Pp/Ps and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) of PH cases showed still higher than those of PS group (p < 0.05) even after radical operation. In addition, the levels of plasma and lung tissue SOD, lung tissue GSH of PH cases were lower than those of PG group. These suggest that LPO plays an important role as the cause of PVO before operation and which remains unchanged even after operation. It is to be expected that increase of the free radical scavengers will be effective to suppress the generation of LPO and at last to reduce the level of PVR after operation.

[Phase I study of 5-fluorouracil and l-leucovorin].

Leucovorin, given usually by i.v. injection or orally changes to 5, 10-methylene tetrahydrofolate in tumor as well as normal cells. And in normal FdUMP, an active metabolite of 5-FU, binds tightly to thymidylate synthase in the presence of cofactor, 5, 10-methylene tetrahydrofolate. This interaction leads to potentiate the cytotoxic effect of 5-FU by prolonged inhibition of thymidylate synthase. Phase I study using l-leucovorin (l-LV), an active form of leucovorin, combined with 5-FU, was conducted. In the weekly schedule, 5-FU was fixed to 600mg/m2, and l-LV dose was escalated from 125 mg/m2 to 250mg/m2, if toxicity was acceptable. On the other hand, in the five consecutive-day schedule, 5-FU was fixed to 370mg/m2 and l-LV was escalated from 25mg/m2 to 50mg/m2, 100mg/m2 and 200 mg/m2. l-LV 10mg/m2 was tested as reference. On weekly schedule of l-LV 250mg/m2, grade III diarrhea was seen in 2 cases and grade IV leucopenia was seen in one. In five consecutive-day schedule, at each dose of l-LV, stomatitis, nausea plus vomiting, anorexia, anemia and leucopenia were seen. However, the increase of toxicities were not seen by dose escalation of l-LV. Then, we have been conducted a randomized early phase II study using 250 mg/m2 of l-LV weekly (arm A) and 100mg/m2 (arm B) or 10mg/m2 (arm C) of l-LV for 5 consecutive days in gastric and colorectal cancer by multicenter cooperative study. Plasma concentrations of l-LV were maintained > 10(-5) mol/L for over 5 hrs. after 2 hrs. infusion of 250 mg/m2 of l-LV and for over one hr. after a rapid injection of 100mg/m2 of l-LV.

Mesenteric venous thrombosis in familial free protein S deficiency.

Protein S deficiency reportedly is associated with a high risk for thromboembolism, but mesenteric venous thrombosis is a rare manifestation of this hereditary disorder. We describe an additional case of mesenteric venous thrombosis in a 25-yr-old man with type I protein S deficiency. Total protein S level remained just below the normal range, but free protein S level was less than 10% of normal. Family study revealed that his father had had the same type of disorder. We have reviewed six well-documented cases of mesenteric venous thrombosis with protein S deficiency. It is particularly interesting that those with type I deficiency have had no previous thrombotic episodes (p < 0.05). Our patient was successfully treated with extended bowel resection, but unusual perioperative management was required. Because of extremely edematous mesentery and small bowel, we had to treat him with the abdomen wide open for 2 days between the primary and second laparotomies.

Comparison of prostanoids and their precursor fatty acids in human hepatocellular carcinoma and noncancerous reference tissues.

Eicosanoid production and the compositions of precursor fatty acids were determined in human cancerous and reference liver tissues. Seventeen hepatectomized cases (12 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 5 cases of metastatic liver cancer) were evaluated. The cancerous tissues and the noncancerous reference tissues were separated, lipids were extracted, and the fatty acids were determined as methyl esters by gas chromatography. Prostanoids (6-keto PGF1 alpha and TXB2) were measured by radioimmunoassay. In HCC, the levels of alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3) (0.41 +/- 0.38 x 100 micrograms/g) and docosahexaenoic acid (10.41 +/- 4.96 x 100 micrograms/g) in liver cancer tissue were significantly less than those in the reference tissues. In HCC, the levels of TXB2 reference (1.86 +/- 2.77 pg/mg wet weight) and 6-keto PGF1 alpha were 10-fold higher than those in reference tissues. We speculate that in HCC higher prostanoid levels in the liver are related in part to tumor metabolism.