OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of malaria is increasing in recent years and also multidrug resistant malaria is increasing around the world and there is an increasing concern about imported malaria in nonendemic areas. Now many drugs are tried to find out effect on multidrug resistant malaria. We performed this study to investigate the thrapeutic effect of halofantrine in the treatment of chloroquine resistant imported malaria. METHODS: From Feb. 1992 to May 1995, we experienced 35 patients infected with malaria and treated 14 patients among 35 patients with halofantrine. RESULTS: 1) All 14 patients were sailor with a mean age of 39.4 years and infected with malaria. 2) The majority of patients were infected with malaria at Africa. 3) 10 patients were infected with Plasmodium falciparum and the remainder were undetermined. 4) In the 11 cases of chloroquine resistant malaria treated with quinine plus tetracycline combination therapy or Fansidar, 4 cases could not be tolerable due to side effects and resistance to the therapy, we substituted halofantrine for above regimens. 5) In the 10 cases, treated after May 1994, halofantrine was the first choice of treatment because they were the cases of malaria infected in the mid-Africa where the prevalence of chloroquine resistant malaria is high. 6) With halofantrine, all 14 cases were treated with minimal side effects suc4 as nausea, vomiting, anorexia, abdominal pain and fatigue. CONCLUSION: We think halofantrine is a simple and effective regimen against chloroquine resistant malaria and consider this agent as an alternative therapeutic regimen on chloroquine resistant malaria.
Abdominal Pain ; Africa ; Anorexia ; Chloroquine* ; Fatigue ; Humans ; Malaria* ; Military Personnel ; Nausea ; Plasmodium falciparum ; Prevalence ; Quinine ; Tetracycline ; Vomiting

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Dominant genotype of hepatitis A virus (HAV) in Korea had been known to be genotype 1A in 1990s. Recently, the epidemiologic change of HAV genotype was reported with an upsurge of acute hepatitis A in Korea. The aim of this study was to investigate the change of HAV genotypes and clinical characteristics in Gwangju and Jeonnam province. METHODS: From November 2008 to October 2009, a total of 82 patients with acute hepatitis A were enrolled prospectively. HAV genotype was determined using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of the PCR products of VP1/2A region of HAV. RESULTS: HAV RNA was detected in 82% (67/82). The genotype IIIA (88%, 59 cases) was significantly more frequent than genotype IA (12%, 8 cases) (p< or =0.01). The subtypes of genotype IIIA were AJ299467 Norway (49%), HA-JNG04-09 Japan (27%), HS-14-12-00 Spain (22%) and H-122 Sweden (2%). The subtypes of IA were FH1 Japan (50%) and HA J04-3 Japan (50%). The substitutions of amino acid were more frequent in genotype IIIA than IA (p< or =0.01). There was no difference in the clinical characteristics between the patients with genotype IIIA and IA. CONCLUSIONS: Genotype IIIA was a dominant genotype of recent HAV infection in Gwangju and Jeonnam province. This study provides valuable epidemiologic information of genetic distributions of HAV in Korea.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) findings with the pathological characteristics of prostate cancer (PCa). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted retrospectively by analyzing the data for 970 patients who underwent prostate biopsies. Gleason scores and other clinical variables were compared between PCa patients with and without hypoechoic lesions on TRUS. RESULTS: Of the 970 patients, PCa was diagnosed in 291 (30%). Of these, high-grade PCa (Gleason score of 7 or more) was diagnosed in 190 (65%). The cancer detection rate was higher in patients with hypoechoic lesions (43.9%) than in those without hypoechoic lesions (21.4%, p<0.001). High-grade PCa was detected more often in patients with hypoechoic lesions than in those without hypoechoic lesions (p<0.001). Independent predictors for high-grade PCa by logistic regression analysis included hypoechoic lesions on TRUS and abnormal digital rectal examination findings. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PCa who had hypoechoic lesions on TRUS had more aggressive pathological disease than did those without lesions. Therefore, hypoechoic lesions on TRUS could be a marker for clinically significant PCa.
Biomarkers ; Biopsy ; Digital Rectal Examination ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis ; Prostate ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Retrospective Studies

Intramural gastric abscess is a rare condition representing a localized form of suppurative gastritis. According to the extent of the disorder, suppurative gastritis is classified into diffuse and localized types. The diffuse or phlegmonous type is more common and involves the entire stomach with inflammation spreading to all layers from the submucosa. The localized form referred to as "intramural gastric abscess" accounts for 5% to 15% of cases. The pathogenic mechanism includes direct invasion by microorganisms and hematogenous spread from a distant source. Cases are usually diagnosed with a combination of imaging modalities such as ultrasound, computed tomography, endoscopic ultrasound, and esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Herein we report a case of intramural gastric abscess that developed following ingestion of a fish bone. It was successfully treated with endoscopic incision and drainage of pus.
Abscess ; Cellulitis ; Drainage ; Eating ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Gastritis ; Inflammation ; Stomach ; Suppuration

BACKGROUND: Many studies have demonstrated that increased cell proliferation in gastric epithelium is associated with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Increased epithelial proliferation is one of the earliest mucosal changes observed in gastric carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of H. pylori infection for epithelial proliferation at different stages of gastric carcinogenesis from chronic gastritis to adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Gastric biopsy specimens were collected from 129 patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsy. Histologically, there were 29 patients with chronic gastritis, 26 chronic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia, 31 low grade dysplasia, 18 high grade dysplasia, and 25 gastric adenocarcinoma. Status of H. pylori infection was determined by rapid urease test, modified Giemsa stain and 13C-urea breath test. Epithelial cell proliferation was assessed by immunohistochemical method using anti-PCNA antibody. RESULTS: The grade of epithelial proliferation was higher in H. pylori infected patients than uninfected patients (p=0.007) and progressively increased at different stages from chronic gastritis to gastric adenocarcinoma (p<0.001). The analysis of epithelial proliferation according to H. pylori infection status in each histologic group showed that the grades of epithelial proliferation were higher in H. pylori infected patients than uninfected patients in all groups except adenocarcinoma group. CONCLUSION: H. pylori infection causes increased gastric epithelial cell proliferation and may play an important role in gastric carcinogenesis.
Adenocarcinoma ; Azure Stains ; Biopsy ; Breath Tests ; Carcinogenesis ; Cell Proliferation ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelium ; Gastritis ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Humans ; Metaplasia ; Urease

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Though endoscopic therapies such as variceal ligation and sclerotherapy has been performed, bleeding from the large esophageal and gastric varices still poses significant risk of death. Decrease of portal pressure by TIPS (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt) or surgical shunt was indicated as cause of failure of endoscopic therapies. Treatment of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate has been especially effective for gastric variceal bleeding, but comparison with other treatments had not been reported yet. In this study, the effect of cyanoacrylate injection therapy was cross-examined with the result of TIPS in acute esophagogastric variceal bleedings. METHODS: From April 1995 to June 2002, endoscopic cyanoacrylate injection therapy (43 cases) and TIPS (63 cases) were performed in our hospital. Each group was analysed regarding their clinical results including initial hemostasis rate, rebleeding rate, survival duration, mortality and morbidity. RESULTS: Initial hemostasis rate was 95.3% in cyanoacrylate group and 92.1% in TIPS group. Cumulative probability of rebleeding was not different between two groups. Overall complication rates associated with the procedure were 50.8% in TIPS group and 9.3% in cyanoacrylate group. There was no significant difference between two groups in their survival rates. CONCLUSIONS: Cyanoacrylate injection therapy was relatively safe, and has comparable results with TIPS for uncontrollable and severe esophagogastric variceal bleedings.
Acute Disease ; Comparative Study ; Enbucrilate/*administration & dosage/*analogs & derivatives ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; English Abstract ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices/surgery/*therapy ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/*therapy ; *Hemostasis, Endoscopic ; Humans ; Injections ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Portasystemic Shunt, Transjugular Intrahepatic ; Tissue Adhesives/*administration & dosage

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatitis A is an acute infectious disease transmitted by fecal-oral route. As the incidence of hepatitis A has been increased in Gwangju and Chonnam province of Korea recently, the number of hepatitis A patients in hospital employees has also increased. Thus, we investigated the seroprevalence of IgG anti-HAV in hospital employees below 40 years old. METHODS: We analysed the seroprevalence of anti-HAV IgG from 1,002 Chonnam national university hospital empolyees (men: 190, women: 812) who were below 40 years old. The age group was divided by 5 years; 21-25 years old 199 (19.9%), 26-30 years old 426 (42.5%), 31-35 years old 215 (21.5%), 36-40 years old 162 (16.1%). RESULTS: Overall seropositive rate of IgG anti-HAV was 32.8% (329/1,002). The seropositive rate of men was 40.5% (77/190) and that of women was 31.0% (252/812). The seropositive rates of each age group were 1.5% (3/199) in 21-25 years old, 21.6% (92/426) in 26-30 years old, 48.4% (104/215) in 31-35 years old, and 80.2% (130/162) in 36-40 years old. The seropositivity rate of the high risk group (doctors, nurses, technicians) was 28.9% (234/809). CONCLUSIONS: The seropositive rate of IgG anti-HAV was the lowest in early twenties of hospital employees and below 50% in early thirties. Therefore, hepatitis A vaccination may be warranted in the hospital empolyees below the early thirties.
Adult ; Female ; Hepatitis A/*epidemiology ; Hepatitis A Antibodies/*blood ; Hepatitis A Virus, Human/immunology ; Hospitals ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G/*blood ; Male ; Occupational Diseases/*epidemiology ; *Personnel, Hospital ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Young Adult

INTRODUCTION: Cholecystokinin (CCK) belongs to a group of endogenous molecules known as brain-gut neuropeptides and functions as a neuropeptide as well as a gut hormone. It remains unclear whether genetic variation of the CCK receptor plays a role in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The aim of this study was to determine and compare the allele and genotype frequencies of the CCK1 receptor polymorphisms between healthy controls and patients with IBS. METHODS: Genotyping of 80 patients with IBS (who met the Rome III criteria) and 76 healthy controls was performed. We performed PCR amplification for the CCK1 receptor intron 1 779 T > C and Exon 1 G > A. We confirmed polymorphisms by direct sequencing method. RESULTS: There was a significantly different trend for genotypic distributions of the CCK1 receptor polymorphism between patients with IBS and healthy controls (p for trend = 0.048). The CCK1 receptor intron 1 779 T >C polymorphic type was more common in patients with 'IBS-constipation predominant (IBS-C) and IBS-mixed (IBS-M) forms' (19/31, 61.3%) than healthy controls 32/76, 42.1% adjusted odd ratio 2.43, 95% Confidence interval 1.01-5.86). The genotypic distributions of the CCK1 receptor exon 1 polymorphism were not significantly different between the two groups (p for trend = 0.223). CONCLUSIONS: CCK1 receptor polymorphisms were associated with IBS. In particular, the CCK1 receptor intron 1 779 T > C polymorphic type was associated with 'IBS-C and IBS-M'. Further studies are needed in larger number of patients with an even distribution of IBS subtypes.
Alleles ; Cholecystokinin ; Exons ; Genetic Variation ; Genotype ; Humans ; Introns ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; Neuropeptides ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, Cholecystokinin ; Rome

X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (X-SCID) is a rare, life-threatening immune disorder, caused by mutations in the gamma c chain gene, which encodes an essential component of the cytokine receptors for interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-15, and IL-21. A 13-month-old boy with recurrent infections who had reduced serum immunoglobulin levels and decreased numbers of CD3, CD16/56 cells was evaluated for gamma c chain gene mutation and protein expression. The patient had a C-to-T point mutation at nucleotide position 690, one of the hot spots, resulting in a single amino acid substitution of cysteine for arginine (R226C), as determined by direct sequencing and PCR-RFLP. The patient's mother was a heterozygous carrier. Percutaneous umbilical cord blood sampling was performed at the 6-month of gestation in a subsequent pregnancy. As the immunophenotype of the fetus showed an identical pattern, the pregnancy was terminated and genetic analysis of the abortus confirmed recurrence. This is the first report of the molecular diagnosis of X-SCID in Korea. Genetic analysis of the gamma c chain gene is useful for definite diagnosis and genetic counseling for X-SCID.
Arginine/chemistry ; Cysteine/chemistry ; DNA/metabolism ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Genetic Counseling/*methods ; Heterozygote ; Human ; Immunoglobulins/metabolism ; Immunophenotyping/methods ; Korea ; *Linkage (Genetics) ; Male ; *Mutation ; Pedigree ; Point Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Receptors, Immunologic/*genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Severe Combined Immunodeficiency/*diagnosis/*genetics ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Time Factors ; *X Chromosome

PURPOSE: The prognosis for patients with stage IV gastric cancer is very poor. However, recently, some studies have reported benefits from a gastric resection for metastatic gastric cancer. This clinical study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of a noncurative gastrectomy in treating stage IV gastric cancer with hepatic metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 98 gastric cancer patients who had undergone gastric resection, in spite of hepatic metastasis, between January 1990 and December 1996 at the Department of Surgery in 11 General Hospitals in Korea. RESULTS: The average age was 58 years old, and the male-to-female ratio was 69: 29. The laboratory tests were unable to predict hepatic metastasis. In 54 cases, hepatic metastasis was not identified before the surgery. The most common location of gastric cancer was antrum (72 cases). The most common gross type was Bonmann type III (78 cases). The serosa-exposed cases were 80. The peritoneal seeding was combined in 17 cases. A total gastrectomy was performed in 18 cases and a distal gastrectomy in 80. Lymph-node dissection was performed in 23 Dl, and 51 D2 cases. Hepatic resection was performed in 36 cases, The frequent histologic types were moderately differentiated and poorly differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy was done in 70 cases. The complication rate (7%) was low. The median survival time was 15 months, with mean survival time of 18 months. The 2-year and 3-year survival rates were 23%, and 7%, respectively. In the univariate analysis, good survival was closely related to limitation of hepatic metastasis to one lobe, a few metastases to both lobes, negativity of peritoneal seeding and lymph node dissection more than D2 (p<0.05), CONCLUSIONS: An aggressive gastric resection for stage IV gastric cancer with hepatic metastasis might be beneficial in lengthening the survival period. A prospective study is needed, especiaUy one with an exact evaluation and analysis of the quality of life between the gastrectomy and nonresection groups.
Adenocarcinoma ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Gastrectomy* ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Korea ; Lymph Node Excision ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Prognosis ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Survival Rate