Background: Group A streptococcus (GAS) is the most common cause of bacterial pharyngitis. This study aimed to characterize the molecular epidemiology of GAS infection using an emm-typing and emm-clustering approach. Methods: A total of 372 patients from Changwon who showed pharyngitis symptoms were recruited during the sampling period of 2018–2019 and throat cultures were obtained from them. emm typing was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing. emm genotypes and GAS clusters were classified based on a web-based database. Results: Of the 372 throat swab specimens, 101 (27.2%) were positive for GAS. emm typing analysis was performed on 59 GAS isolates. The most prevalent emm type was emm89 (20.3%), followed by emm12 (16.9%). Seven emm clusters were identified: E4 (emm89/ emm28, 32.2%), A-C4 (emm12, 16.9%), E1 (emm4, 13.6%), A-C5 (emm3, 10.2%), E6 (emm75, 8.5%), M6 (emm6, 8.5%), and A-C3 (emm1, 6.8%). Conclusion Diverse and temporal changes were observed in the distribution of emm types and clusters of GAS. Continuous surveillance based on emm genotyping is needed to monitor the epidemiological characteristics of GAS pharyngitis.

No abstract available.
Blood Volume

The effects of kainic acid-induced seizures on GABA and GABA transporter in the rat cerebellum were examined by means of immunohistochemical and Western blot methods. Immunocytochemical analysis showed that kainic acid-induced seizures led to a decreased immunoreactivity for GABA to 3 weeks after seizures with an slight increase in the immunoreactivity of cerebellum 24 h after treatment. Immunoreactivities of GABA transporters, GAT-1 and GAT-3 which are localized neurons and astrocytes, were increased at 24 and 48h and after that weak immunoreactivites for GABA transporters were shown in the cerebellar tissues. Our results indicate that kainic acid-induced seizures exerts specific effects on GABA contents and the GABA transporters in the cerebellum and a decrease of GABA contents might not always associated with the decrease in the number of GABA transporters in the rat cerebellum.
Animals ; Astrocytes ; Blotting, Western ; Cerebellum* ; GABA Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid* ; Kainic Acid ; Neurons ; Rats* ; Seizures*

Background: Blood culture is essential for diagnosis of sepsis. However, usually the available blood volume is not sufficient to meet the guidelines. Thus, periodic monitoring and feedback are essential to improve the quality of blood cultures. Methods: We analyzed blood cultures requested between November 2018 and June 2019, and provided educational intervention and coaching for phlebotomists at the end of February 2019. Then, we evaluated the impact of education on blood cultures in a secondary­‑­care hospital. Blood volume, positive rate, contamination rate, and time to detection (TTD) were compared between the pre- (November 2018 to February, 2019) and post-intervention periods (March to June, 2019). Results: The average blood volume increased significantly from 5.4 mL to 7.1 mL (P < 0.0001) (35.2%) after intervention. Accordingly, the proportion of optimal blood volume (8–12 mL) increased from 9.1% to 37.8% (P < 0.0001). Before the intervention, the positivity rate was 9.6% and the contamination rate was 0.5%, whereas after the intervention, the positivity rate decreased to 9.1% and the contamination rate increased to 1.1%. TTD improved from 14.7 hours to 13.1 hours (P = 0.0420). Conclusion The educational intervention of the phlebotomy team improved the quality of blood cultures, especially blood volumes and TTD. However, the positivity rate did not increase, suggesting that it is affected not only by the blood volumes but also by the severity of the underlying illnesses of the patient in a secondary-care hospital.

Background: Pharyngitis is one of the most common conditions encountered in primary health care facilities. Accurate differentiation of group A streptococcus (GAS) infection from viral infection is difficult. The STANDARD F Strep A Ag FIA (SD BIOSENSOR, Korea) is a rapid antigen detection test (RADT) that has been recently developed for diagnosing GAS pharyngitis. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic performance of the STANDARD F Strep A Ag FIA and compared the results between the RADT and conventional throat culture. Methods: Throat swab samples were obtained from a total of 372 children presenting pharyngitis symptoms in five pediatric clinics in Changwon, Korea from July 2018 to October 2019. A comparative study between STANDARD F Strep A Ag FIA and Sofia Strep A FIA (Quidel, USA) was performed. Two throat swabs were taken simultaneously from each patient for RADT. The third throat swab was stored in a transport tube containing Stuart's transport medium for culture. Performance and kappa index of STANDARD F Strep A Ag FIA were evaluated. Results: GAS infection was detected in 29.3% (109/372) patients, using the STANDARD F Strep A Ag FIA. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 95.0%, 95.2%, 88.1%, and 98.1%, respectively. The STANDARD F Strep A Ag FIA showed an excellent concordance rate of 96.5% and a kappa value of 0.89 compared to Sofia Strep A FIA. Conclusion The STANDARD F Strep A Ag FIA demonstrated an excellent performance along with Sofia Strep A FIA for the diagnosis of GAS pharyngitis.

Neurofibromas are benign neoplasms originating from neural tissues that rarely transform into malignancies. Approximately 25% to 45% of neurofibromas are located in the head and neck; the most common sites are the lateral cervical region and mouth. A 27-year-old female patient visited our hospital complaining of a painful brownish mass in the right elbow that had recently increased in size. She had no history of cancer and was otherwise in excellent health. This mass accounted for 80% of the total elbow circumference. Genetic mutation testing resulted in a diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 1. A wide surgical excision was performed, and the area was repaired using a bilateral large superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator free flap. The flap survived well, with no partial necrosis. Histological findings showed a plexiform neurofibroma measuring 14×12×1.5 cm3. The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful; at an 18-month follow-up, she had good cosmetic and functional outcomes with no signs of relapse.

Large defects in the buttock region are uncommon and pose significant challenges for reconstruction. The skin in this area adheres firmly to the subcutaneous tissue, making mobilization difficult. Attempts to use local or regional flaps to cover defects in this region often result in flap necrosis, leading to an elevated risk of infection and unstable wounds. In addition to these intrinsic challenges, factors such as fecal contamination, difficulty in patient positioning, and suboptimal underlying patient conditions further complicate the reconstruction process. Furthermore, the lack of suitable recipient vessels often hinders free tissue transfer for complex wound coverage in the buttock area. Here, we present a case involving sequential latissimus dorsi and omental free flap coverage to address a large gluteal skin and soft-tissue defect. Our experience highlights the importance of meticulous reconstructive planning and the appropriate selection of recipient vessels for successful buttock reconstruction.

Neurofibromas are benign neoplasms originating from neural tissues that rarely transform into malignancies. Approximately 25% to 45% of neurofibromas are located in the head and neck; the most common sites are the lateral cervical region and mouth. A 27-year-old female patient visited our hospital complaining of a painful brownish mass in the right elbow that had recently increased in size. She had no history of cancer and was otherwise in excellent health. This mass accounted for 80% of the total elbow circumference. Genetic mutation testing resulted in a diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 1. A wide surgical excision was performed, and the area was repaired using a bilateral large superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator free flap. The flap survived well, with no partial necrosis. Histological findings showed a plexiform neurofibroma measuring 14×12×1.5 cm3. The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful; at an 18-month follow-up, she had good cosmetic and functional outcomes with no signs of relapse.

Large defects in the buttock region are uncommon and pose significant challenges for reconstruction. The skin in this area adheres firmly to the subcutaneous tissue, making mobilization difficult. Attempts to use local or regional flaps to cover defects in this region often result in flap necrosis, leading to an elevated risk of infection and unstable wounds. In addition to these intrinsic challenges, factors such as fecal contamination, difficulty in patient positioning, and suboptimal underlying patient conditions further complicate the reconstruction process. Furthermore, the lack of suitable recipient vessels often hinders free tissue transfer for complex wound coverage in the buttock area. Here, we present a case involving sequential latissimus dorsi and omental free flap coverage to address a large gluteal skin and soft-tissue defect. Our experience highlights the importance of meticulous reconstructive planning and the appropriate selection of recipient vessels for successful buttock reconstruction.

Neurofibromas are benign neoplasms originating from neural tissues that rarely transform into malignancies. Approximately 25% to 45% of neurofibromas are located in the head and neck; the most common sites are the lateral cervical region and mouth. A 27-year-old female patient visited our hospital complaining of a painful brownish mass in the right elbow that had recently increased in size. She had no history of cancer and was otherwise in excellent health. This mass accounted for 80% of the total elbow circumference. Genetic mutation testing resulted in a diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 1. A wide surgical excision was performed, and the area was repaired using a bilateral large superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator free flap. The flap survived well, with no partial necrosis. Histological findings showed a plexiform neurofibroma measuring 14×12×1.5 cm3. The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful; at an 18-month follow-up, she had good cosmetic and functional outcomes with no signs of relapse.