Liver biochemical tests and dengue fever.

The impact of dengue on liver function was studied by biochemical tests on 125 male and 145 female patients diagnosed with this disease during an outbreak that extended from November 1987 to December 1988. Abnormal levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (G-GT) were observed in 93.3%, 82.2%, 7.2%, 16.3% and 83.0% of the patients, respectively. The elevation of transaminases was mild to moderate in most cases, but was 10-fold greater than the normal upper limit for AST and ALT in 11.1% and 7.4% of the patients, respectively. Initially, the level of AST was greater than that of ALT, increasing to maximum levels nine days after the onset of symptoms, then decreasing to normal levels within two weeks. Results of the biochemical tests did not differ significantly between the cases with and without hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus infection, but significantly higher elevations of AST, ALT, and G-GT were observed in patients with episodes of bleeding. Liver biopsies of two patients showed features of lobular hepatitis. Of the five fatal cases, three died of hepatic failure. It is concluded that dengue fever may cause hepatic injury and transaminase elevation similar to that in patients with conventional viral hepatitis. In epidemic or endemic areas, dengue fever infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hepatitis.

Vibrio vulnificus infection in Taiwan: report of 28 cases and review of clinical manifestations and treatment.

From May 1985 through July 1990, 28 episodes of Vibrio vulnificus infection in 27 patients were encountered in five major hospitals in Taiwan. The ages of patients ranged from 19 to 76 years; the ratio of male to female patients was 2:1. Eighteen episodes manifested as bacteremia and eight as wound infections alone. One patient each developed gastroenteritis and pneumonia after nearly drowning. Twenty-three patients exhibited skin manifestations. Twenty patients had underlying diseases. All patients were treated with antibiotics, and 14 also underwent some form of surgical treatment (incision and drainage, fasciotomy, debridement, or amputation). Thirteen of the 28 episodes were preceded by precipitating factors; most were due to ingestion of seafood or exposure of abraded skin to salt water. Ten of the 18 septicemic patients died--most within 48 hours of hospitalization. One patient without bacteremia who had a wound infection died. Results of in vitro susceptibility studies suggested that ampicillin or a third-generation cephalosporin would be effective. Susceptibility to aminoglycosides was observed for greater than 90% of isolates. We recommend combined therapy with a third-generation cephalosporin or ampicillin and an aminoglycoside along with appropriate surgical therapy for the treatment of V. vulnificus infection.

Brain abscess following endoscopic injection sclerotherapy: report of a case.

A 33-year-old male patient with hepatitis B surface antigen positive cirrhosis, received 2 courses of endoscopic injection sclerotherapy for bleeding esophageal varices. A Streptococcus viridans brain abscess developed 2 weeks after the first sclerotherapy (or 1 week after the second sclerotherapy). In cirrhotic patients, an increase in pulmonary vasodilatation and pulmonary arteriovenous shunting has been well recognized. Sclerosant as well as bacteria may pass through a pulmonary arteriovenous shunt and reach the brain, directly after an infection of esophageal varices. Brain ischemia and a bacterial infection may occur at the same time, this can accelerate the development of a pyogenic brain abscess. Careful observation for the early detection and treatment of infection following endoscopic sclerotherapy is essential.

[Clinical evaluation of fosfomycin].

A total of 15 patients with a variety of infectious disease were treated with fosfomycin in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaoshiung. The drug was administered by iv drip infusion in doses of 204g per day for 5-28 days. The clinical response was satisfactory in 6 (100%) of 6 patients with urinary tract infection, 8 (80%) of 10 with septicemia and 1 with pneumonia. Overall, fosfomycin was effective in 13 (86%) of all patients treated. Except for 1 isolate of the pathogen, B. fragilis, and another 1 isolate of oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, all the other 16 pathogens isolated, including Escherichia coli, Aeromonas, Klebsiella. Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were successfully eradicated. Only 1 case developed skin rash. So fosfomycin is a useful agent and gram (-) organisms including oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Salmonella cholerasuis bacteremia and mycotic aneurysm of abdominal aorta--report of five cases.

From August 1986 to October 1987, there were 5 cases of primary mycotic aneurysm of the lower abdominal aorta in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaoshiung. All patients were proved to have Salmonella cholerasuis (Sal. chol.) septicemia by blood culture. The ages ranged from 60 to 80 years old, the mean age was 71.6 years old. The male to female ratio was 4 to 1, 3 patients had diabetes mellitus (DM) and 3 had hypertension. The duration of symptoms lasted from 1 week to 2 months before diagnosis. Clinically, all patients had sepsis with fever, chills, leucocytosis, and complained of pain in the lower abdomen (80%), at flank (20%) or low back (20%). Abdominal tenderness was present in 3 (60%). Two patients underwent surgery, 1 expired during the operation, the other expired 1 month after operation because of retroperitoneal abscess and sepsis. Three were discharged in septic shock and expired within 1 day. The mortality rate was 100%. The diagnosis of complicated aneurysm of the lower abdominal aorta was established in all by computed tomography (CT). In conclusion, when there are clinical manifestations of sepsis, positive blood culture for Sal. chol., and pain or tenderness in the lower abdomen, flank area or back, one should consider the possibility of mycotic aneurysm of the lower abdominal aorta. Although the prognosis is poor, early surgical intervention may improve the outcome. And the diagnosis is best established by CT.

Two to three days treatment of typhoid fever with ceftriaxone.

Pharmacokinetic properties of ceftriaxone, such as sustained tissue drug levels over 24 hours after a single injection; good penetration of the antibiotic into cells; significant biliary excretion as active unchanged compound and high potency against S. typhi, should make it possible to significantly shorten the treatment of typhoid fever. To test this hypothesis a pilot, open study was initiated. 17 adult patients suffering from uncomplicated typhoid or paratyphoid fever, documented by blood culture, were treated with 4g ceftriaxone once daily for three days (4 patients) or two days (15 patients). The cure rate of 17 assessable patients was 94.2% (one failure). One possible relapse was observed two months after treatment. It is to be noted that no patient in the study suffered from a severe form of the disease.