PURPOSE: We evaluated the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of mycoplasma pneumonia. METHODS: A total of 559 medical records of children with mycoplasma pneumonia admitted to The Catholic University of Korea, Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The mean annual number of cases was 51. There was a higher occurrence in autumn (September-November, 41.7%) and in winter(26.7%). Outbreaks of mycoplasma pneumonia were noted in 1993-94, 1997, 2001, and 2003. The age distribution showed a peak frequency of 5-6 years of age and 68.2 percent of patients were in 3-8 years of age. The male-to-female ratio was 1.2:1. In comparison between 1994 and 2003, there was a difference in age distribution with a peak frequency of 5-6 years of age in 1994, and of 3-4 years of age in 2003. There were outbreaks during autumn and winter in 1993-94, and during summer and autumn in 2003. CONCLUSION: Outbreaks of mycoplasma pneumonia occurred every 2-4 years in Daejeon in accordance with nationwide epidemics during 1993-2003. The peak incidence of age in the recent outbreak was younger than in the outbreak which occurred 10 years ago, and in outbreaks in Western countries.
Age Distribution ; Child ; Disease Outbreaks ; Epidemiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae* ; Mycoplasma* ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma* ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: From May 2000 to January 2008, We experienced the 10 cases of the thenar free flap for the coverage of the large volar soft tissue defect in the finger. METHODS: The pedicles of the flap were the superficial palmar artery of radial artery and subcutaneous vein, and we anastomosed them to the digital artery and subcutaneous vein of the finger. RESULTS: The average size of the flaps was 12cm2 and it was large enough to cover the entire color soft tissue defect of a phalanx or the defect of the neighbored phalanges. All of donor wounds were closed primarily. CONCLUSION: The color and skin texture of the flap was matched with the volar skin of the finger functionally and cosmetically and the debulking of the flap was not necessary. Other advantages were constant anatomic pedicle of the flap, minimal donor site morbidity, one operation field. We consider that the thenar free flap is another reliable and useful method for the reconstructing of the large volar defect of the finger especially at the situation of emergency.
Arteries ; Fingers ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Humans ; Radial Artery ; Skin ; Tissue Donors ; Veins

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is an important microsporidian protozoa that causes intestinal disorders in humans. We collected 191 fecal samples from roadkill deer carcasses, among which 13 (6.8%) showed positive reaction for E. bieneusi by polymerase chain reaction assay. Phylogenetic analysis revealed 6 distinct genotypes, 1 of which was novel. All genotypes belonged to Group 1, which has low host specificity, indicating possible transmission through sylvatic cycle. E. bieneusi infection was predominant in female deer (p<0.05).

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is an important microsporidian protozoa that causes intestinal disorders in humans. We collected 191 fecal samples from roadkill deer carcasses, among which 13 (6.8%) showed positive reaction for E. bieneusi by polymerase chain reaction assay. Phylogenetic analysis revealed 6 distinct genotypes, 1 of which was novel. All genotypes belonged to Group 1, which has low host specificity, indicating possible transmission through sylvatic cycle. E. bieneusi infection was predominant in female deer (p<0.05).

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is an important microsporidian protozoa that causes intestinal disorders in humans. We collected 191 fecal samples from roadkill deer carcasses, among which 13 (6.8%) showed positive reaction for E. bieneusi by polymerase chain reaction assay. Phylogenetic analysis revealed 6 distinct genotypes, 1 of which was novel. All genotypes belonged to Group 1, which has low host specificity, indicating possible transmission through sylvatic cycle. E. bieneusi infection was predominant in female deer (p<0.05).

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is an important microsporidian protozoa that causes intestinal disorders in humans. We collected 191 fecal samples from roadkill deer carcasses, among which 13 (6.8%) showed positive reaction for E. bieneusi by polymerase chain reaction assay. Phylogenetic analysis revealed 6 distinct genotypes, 1 of which was novel. All genotypes belonged to Group 1, which has low host specificity, indicating possible transmission through sylvatic cycle. E. bieneusi infection was predominant in female deer (p<0.05).

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is an important microsporidian protozoa that causes intestinal disorders in humans. We collected 191 fecal samples from roadkill deer carcasses, among which 13 (6.8%) showed positive reaction for E. bieneusi by polymerase chain reaction assay. Phylogenetic analysis revealed 6 distinct genotypes, 1 of which was novel. All genotypes belonged to Group 1, which has low host specificity, indicating possible transmission through sylvatic cycle. E. bieneusi infection was predominant in female deer (p<0.05).

Purpose : The clinical features and microbiologic characteristics of acute pyelonephritis (APN) have been changing due to an increased prevalence of chronic disease, overuse and/or misuse of antibiotics and so on. We investigated the causative organisms and their antibiotic sensitivity profile and clinical manifestation with the purpose to suggest a proper empirical therapy of the disease. METHODS: We analysed the medical records of 246 APN patients older than 15 years who were admitted at Hallym University, Kandong Sacred Heart Hospital from January 1997 to December 2001, excluding hospital-acquired infections. RESULTS: Patients were 46.2+/-19.0 years old with male : female ratio of 1 : 10.2. The severity score was 4.43+/-1.63 out of 8. The average duration of hospital admission was 6.1+/-2.8 days and all of the cases were cured without a complication such as septic shock or renal abscess. In 133 cases, their etiologic microorganisms were identified, among which E. coli was the most common (91.7%). Antibiotic sensitivity of the isolated E. coli strains were as follows; 29.8% to ampicillin, 44.2% to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazol, 75% to ciprofloxacin, 86.8% to cefazolin and 99.2% to amikacin. CONCLUSION: E. coli was the most common pathogen of community-acquired APN. Ampicillin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazol and cephalothin are inappropriate for its empirical therapy. Ciprofloxacin, 3rd generation cephalosporins and aminoglycosides are effective as the first-line empirical agent.
Abscess ; Amikacin ; Aminoglycosides ; Ampicillin ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Cefazolin ; Cephalosporins ; Cephalothin ; Chronic Disease ; Ciprofloxacin ; Female ; Heart ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Records ; Prevalence ; Pyelonephritis* ; Shock, Septic

Purpose : The clinical features and microbiologic characteristics of acute pyelonephritis (APN) have been changing due to an increased prevalence of chronic disease, overuse and/or misuse of antibiotics and so on. We investigated the causative organisms and their antibiotic sensitivity profile and clinical manifestation with the purpose to suggest a proper empirical therapy of the disease. METHODS: We analysed the medical records of 246 APN patients older than 15 years who were admitted at Hallym University, Kandong Sacred Heart Hospital from January 1997 to December 2001, excluding hospital-acquired infections. RESULTS: Patients were 46.2+/-19.0 years old with male : female ratio of 1 : 10.2. The severity score was 4.43+/-1.63 out of 8. The average duration of hospital admission was 6.1+/-2.8 days and all of the cases were cured without a complication such as septic shock or renal abscess. In 133 cases, their etiologic microorganisms were identified, among which E. coli was the most common (91.7%). Antibiotic sensitivity of the isolated E. coli strains were as follows; 29.8% to ampicillin, 44.2% to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazol, 75% to ciprofloxacin, 86.8% to cefazolin and 99.2% to amikacin. CONCLUSION: E. coli was the most common pathogen of community-acquired APN. Ampicillin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazol and cephalothin are inappropriate for its empirical therapy. Ciprofloxacin, 3rd generation cephalosporins and aminoglycosides are effective as the first-line empirical agent.
Abscess ; Amikacin ; Aminoglycosides ; Ampicillin ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Cefazolin ; Cephalosporins ; Cephalothin ; Chronic Disease ; Ciprofloxacin ; Female ; Heart ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Records ; Prevalence ; Pyelonephritis* ; Shock, Septic

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic lateral ankle instability also have peroneal tendinopathy often. However, preoperative MRIs of these patients are vague in many cases. Our study was performed to see the reliability of MRI findings of peroneal tendinopathy in patients with chronic lateral ankle instability. METHODS: MRI images for 82 patients who had chronic lateral ankle instability, and had received surgical treatment between March 2006 and November 2009 were compared with impressions from operating rooms. The mean age of patients was 36.4 years (range, 15 to 64 years), 82 ankles were studied, and patients with rheumatoid diseases were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Of the 82 cases, 26 were true positives, 38 true negatives, 13 false positives and 5 false negatives. Of 39 cases of peroneal tendinopathy diagnosed from MRI, 14 had peroneal tendon partial tears, 15 tenosynovitis, 3 dislocations, 17 low-lying muscle bellies, and 6 peroneus quartus muscles. Of 31 cases of peroneal tendinopathy observed in surgery 11 had peroneal tendon partial tears, 4 tenosynovitis, 5 dislocations, 12 low-lying muscle belliess, and 1 peroneus quartus muscle. Sensitivity and specificity of peroneal tendinopathy were 83.9% and 74.5%, respectively. Positive predictive value was 66.7%. Negative predictive value was 88.4%. Accuracy rate was 78.0%. CONCLUSIONS: MRI is a useful diagnostic tool for detecting peroneal tendinopathy in patients with chronic lateral ankle instability. However, MRI is vague in many cases. Therefore, a thorough delicate physical examination and careful observation is needed.
Adolescent ; Adult ; *Ankle Joint/surgery ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Instability/*complications/surgery ; *Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Observer Variation ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tendinopathy/*diagnosis/etiology/surgery ; Tendon Injuries/complications/diagnosis ; Young Adult