At the time when owing to COVID-19 pandemic, the public is more interested in infectious diseases and pathogens than in any other period, a book titled “The New Microbiology: From Microbiomes to CRISPR” by the renowned microbiologist Pascale Cossart was translated and published by our colleague. In this book, the author describes important discoveries and new conceptual advances in the field of microbiology over the past century. The author emphasizes that bacteria form a microbiome and lead a social life and explains the impact and importance of the microbiome on human health and ecosystem. Further, the discovery of ‘CRISPR,’ which led to the era of genome editing and gene therapy, has been described in details. This book will dramatically change our perspective regarding all living things, including bacteria, plants, animals, and even insects, as well as our eating habits and daily life, based on the new understanding of microorganisms. I recommend reading this book as I am sure that it will broaden the perspectives of both clinical microbiologists and health care workers.

To evaluate the frequency of EM A and Ki-I antigen expression in the large cell lymphoma and to define the histologic characteristics of Ki-1 positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma, 40 cases of malignant lymphoma, diffuse large cell type were immunostained by Ki-I and EMA monoclonal antibodies. Eight cases of large cell lymphomas expressed EMA, among which 4 cases were positive for Ki-I antibody as well. The positive rate for EMA was much higher in T cell lymphomas than in B cell lymphomas. Among 4 cases of Ki-I positive lymphomas, 2 cases showing membrane staining of Ki-1 with prototypic histologic feature of anaplastic large cell lymphoma were classified as Ki-1 positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma(ALCL). Ki-I positive ALCL were T-cell in one and non-T, non-B cell type in the other, respectively. The remaining 2 cases of Ki-1 positive lymphomas showing cytoplasmic staining were classified as both B-cell centroblastic/centrocytic lymphoma and T-cell pleomorphic large cell lymphoma.

Congenital hepatic fibrosis is an inherited, congenital disorder of the liver, and is occasionally associated with cystic disease of the liver and kidney. We present a case of congenital hepatic fibrosis with Caroli's disease. A 21-year-old woman had suffered from an episodic fever with headaches for 3 years. In laboratory examination, the liver function test was within the normal limits. Esophageal varix was noted by an endoscopic examination. Hepatosplenomegaly and multiple dilated bile ducts were seen by abdominal CT scanning. An orthotopic whole liver transplantation was done. The liver was fibrotic and enlarged. Multiple cystically dilated intrahepatic ducts were noted. Microscopically, diffuse portal fibrosis and widening with proliferation of bile ductules were seen. Intrahepatic bile ducts were markedly dilated and tortuous. The liver cell cords were well preserved.
Bile ; Bile Ducts ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; Caroli Disease* ; Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; Female ; Fever ; Fibrosis* ; Headache ; Humans ; Kidney ; Liver ; Liver Function Tests ; Liver Transplantation ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Rapid screening of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) is very important for controlling and preventing the spread of VRE in hospitals. We compared the performance characteristics of a chromogenic agar (ChromID VRE, bioMerieux, France: CA) to that of Enterococcosel agar (supplemented with 6 microgram/mL of vancomycin :EA) for direct detection of VRE from stool swabs. METHODS: Total 125 rectal swabs were collected from 57 patients in the intensive care units of an 850-bed university hospital over a period of 3 months. The samples were inoculated on EA, CA and into broth enrichment containing 6 microgram/mL of vancomycin (BE). BE was subcultured on CA after overnight incubation. RESULTS: Eighty two samples from 22 patients were positive for VRE by BE. At 24 h, the sensitivity/specificity of EA and CA were 89%/100% and 72%/100%, respectively. At 48 h, the sensitivity/specificity of EA and CA were 94%/89% and 89%/100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: CA provides equivalent sensitivity comparable to EA for the recovery of VRE at 48 h incubation, and has additional advantage of being able to differentiate between vancomycine resistant E. faecium and E. faecalis.
Agar ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; Intensive Care Units ; Mass Screening ; Nitro Compounds ; Vancomycin

No abstract available.

PURPOSE: To evaluate morphologic characteristics of the microcalcifications on mammography that were confirmed pathologically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty five cases of microcalcifications on mammography (fifteen cases of benign lesion, thirty cases of maiignancy) were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The number of microcalcifications within 1 cm2 were more than 5 in 22 cases (73%) of 30 malignancy and less than 5 in 11 cases (73%) of 15 benignity. The heterogeneity of microcalcifications were seen in 26 cases of malignancy (87%) and the homogeneity of microcaicifications were 11 cases of benignity (73%). The morphologic characteristics of the microcalcifications were linear-V shape in 9 cases (30%), punctate shape in 8 cases (27%), fine stippled shape in 7 cases (23%), and round dot shape in 6 cases (20%) of malignancy and, round dot shape in 11 cases (73%), punctate shape in 2 cases (13%), and linear-V shape in 2 cases (13%) of benignity. CONCLUSION: Numerous irregular microcalcifications that are heterogenous in size and morphology were strong indicators of malignancy.
Mammography ; Population Characteristics ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Infection with respiratory virus has been shown to exacerbate asthma in humans. However, the role of a respiratory virus in the pathogenesis of chronic asthma and/or wheezing in young children has not been clearly defined. The objective of this study was to determine whether respiratory virus infections such as RSV, and influenza A virus are related to the productions of IL-11, IFN-gamma, and ECP levels in nasopharyngeal secretions. METHOD: We compared IL-11, IFN-gamma, and ECP levels in nasopharyngeal secretions from 38 non-asthmatic wheezing children with viral infections (RSV in 21 children, influenza A virus in 17 children), and 16 non-asthmatic healthy children who were included as the controls. IL-11, and IFN-gamma levels were analysed by ELISA. ECP concentrations were measured by monoclonal antibody-based fluorometric assay. RESULT: RSV infection in children induced a greater release of IL-11 in nasopharyngeal secretions than in influenza A virus infection, and in the controls. The release of IFN-gamma levels in nasopharyngeal secretions from children with influenza A virus infection was significantly higher than in nasopharyngeal secretions from children with RSV. ECP levels of subjects with viral infection were significantly higher than in control children. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that RSV is a potent inducer of IL-11 elaboration in nasal epithelium and that IL-11 is an important mediator in the pathogenesis of RSV infection. Increased IFN-gamma production in response to the influenza A virus infection may be related to effective Th1 responses.
Asthma ; Child* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Eosinophil Cationic Protein ; Humans ; Influenza A virus* ; Influenza, Human* ; Interferon-gamma ; Interleukin-11* ; Nasal Mucosa ; Respiratory Sounds* ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses*

Core tissue for histologic study is believed by many pathologists to be more diagnostic than material from needle aspiration. Recently introduced automated biopsy gun simplifies core biopsies with increased quantity and quality of samples. Authors performed 38 percutaneous biopsies from 38 patients with 18G automated biopsy guns under US guide. Diagnostic target tissues were obtained in 33 biopsies(87%), inadequate tissues in 4 (11%), and adequate but not of target tissue in 1(3%). There was no major complication requiring treatment, but pain needing analgesics and pain with nausea/vomiting were experienced in 2 and 1 biopsies respectively. Average number of needle passes was 1.5(1-5) We concluded that US-guided gun biopsy was a easy and safe way to obtained tissue samples of good quantity and quality, especially useful in hospitals without constant availability of specialists in cytopathology.
Analgesics ; Biopsy* ; Firearms ; Humans ; Needles ; Specialization

Healthcare personnel (HCP) face a wide range of occupational hazards, including needle-stick injuries, back injuries, latex allergy, violence, and stress. In particular, occupational exposures to infectious agents, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV),or tuberculosis, are devastating to the victims. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates the global burden of disease from occupational exposure to be 40% of hepatitis B and C virus infections and 2.5% of the HIV infections among HCP. Infectious disease cases for which compensation is given by the Korean Occupational Safety and Health Agency are increasing, and tuberculosis is the most common infectious disease compensated by KOSHA for HCP in Korea. While viral respiratory infections are common in health care settings, systematic surveillance has not been established yet in Korea. Infection control programs for HCP, such as engineering control in medical facilities, immunization, post exposure prophylaxis, and use of personal protective equipment need to be improved in Korea. This article describes the epidemiologic characteristics of occupational infectious diseases among HCP in Korea, especially focusing on needle-stick injuries and airborne infections. Also brief commentary is offered concerning effective measures for the control and prevention of occupational infectious disease transmission among HCP.
Back Injuries ; Communicable Diseases ; Compensation and Redress ; Delivery of Health Care ; Disease Transmission, Infectious ; Hepacivirus ; Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis B virus ; HIV ; HIV Infections ; Humans ; Immunization ; Infection Control ; Korea ; Latex Hypersensitivity ; Needlestick Injuries ; Occupational Diseases ; Occupational Exposure ; Occupational Health ; Post-Exposure Prophylaxis ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Tuberculosis ; Violence ; Viruses ; World Health Organization

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic active gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. All patients with ulcers who are infected with H. pylori receive antimicrobial therapy. Therefore diagnosis of H. pylori infection is imperative for the treatment gastritis or ulcer patients. We evaluated the four diagnostic methods and three culture media for the isolation of H. pylori. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rapid urease test(CLO test), modified Gram stain, culture, and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed with 108 gastroscopic biopsy specimens from patients with peptic ulcer or chronic gastritis. Among them 40 specimens were inoculated onto each of 5% sheep blood agar, e99 Yolk emulsion (EYE) agar, and 7% horse blood agar containing antibiotics. RESULTS: The positive rates were the highest by the PCR(72%), 67% by modified Gram stain, 64% by CLO test, and 57% by culture. Among the three media the horse blood agar (selective medial) gave the highest isolation rate (48%), followed by sheep blood agar (45%), and EYE agar (38%). CONCLUSION: Though PCR was the most sensitive method for the detection H. pylori modified Gram stain was sensitive enough, simple, rapid, and economical as the routine diagnostic method of H. pylori. For the culture of H. pylori combination of sheep blood agar as nonselective media and horse blood agar as selective media would show the highest isolation rate.
Agar ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Biopsy* ; Culture Media* ; Diagnosis ; Gastritis ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Horses ; Humans ; Peptic Ulcer ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sheep ; Ulcer ; Urease