BACKGROUNDS : Infections due to vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have been reported with increasing frequency in many parts of the world. However, VRE infection is still very rare in Korea. To assess the potential risk of VRE infection in a hospital where such infection is rarely reported, we screened hospitalized patients for fecal colonization with VRE and performed a clinical and epidemiological investigation of VRE colonization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We screened 405 stool specimens from in- and outpatients for the presence of enterococci using EnterococcoselTM agar (BBLR, USA). Dark-brown or black colonies were tested for enterococci and speciated, followed by confirmation for vancomycin resistance using brain-heart infusion agar containing vancomycin (6microgram/mL). Antimicrobial susceptibilities were determined by agar dilution, disk diffusion, and Vitek GPS-IZ. We also performed pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) after SmaI digestion of DNA and polymerase chain reaction for detection of vanA, B and C. To define risk factors for colonization, we reviewed the medical records of patients colonized with VRE or vancomycin- susceptible enterococci (VSE). RESULTS: Twelve (4.1%) of 295 hospitalized patients were colonized with VRE. Six were identified as Enterococcus(E) faecium, 2 each as E. faecalis and E. gallinarum, and 1 each as E. casseliflavus and E. avium. In contrast, only one(0.9%) VRB (E. casseliflavus) was isolated from outpatients. Patients in the intensive careunit (5.4%) and patients whose stool specimens were submitted for Clostridium difficile toxin assay (6.8%) were colonized at higher rate than other inpatients (2.5%), but not at a statistically significant level. Three strains had high-level resistance to van comycin(minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC>256microgram/mL), and the others had low-level resistance (MIC8-16microgram/mL) by agar dilution. But disk diffusion method and Vitek system had problems in detecting some strains with low-level resistance. PFGE patterns of VRE were diverse, suggesting that VRE have been introduced from multiple sources. The vans gene was detected in 3 isolates and vanC gene was found in 9 isolates. Compared with the patients with VSE colonization, patients with VRE had a significantly longer hospital stay, had more frequent invasive procedures or therapeutic interventions such as ventilator, total parenteral nutrition and hemodialysis, showed renal insufficiency more frequently, and were more likely to have received ciprofloxacin or clindamycin therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Although the incidence of VRE infection remains low in Korea, the findings from this study indicate that VRE are not uncommon intestinal colonizers among hospitalized patients. Strict infection control measures including screening for VRE, especially those from patients at risk, close surveillance, judicious use of antibiotics and patient isolation must be implemented to prevent infection and transmission of VRE.
Agar ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Ciprofloxacin ; Clindamycin ; Clostridium difficile ; Colon* ; Diffusion ; Digestion ; DNA ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infection Control ; Inpatients ; Korea ; Length of Stay ; Mass Screening ; Medical Records ; Outpatients ; Parenteral Nutrition, Total ; Patient Isolation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Renal Dialysis ; Renal Insufficiency ; Risk Factors ; Vancomycin ; Vancomycin Resistance ; Ventilators, Mechanical

BACKGROUNDS : Infections due to vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have been reported with increasing frequency in many parts of the world. However, VRE infection is still very rare in Korea. To assess the potential risk of VRE infection in a hospital where such infection is rarely reported, we screened hospitalized patients for fecal colonization with VRE and performed a clinical and epidemiological investigation of VRE colonization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We screened 405 stool specimens from in- and outpatients for the presence of enterococci using EnterococcoselTM agar (BBLR, USA). Dark-brown or black colonies were tested for enterococci and speciated, followed by confirmation for vancomycin resistance using brain-heart infusion agar containing vancomycin (6microgram/mL). Antimicrobial susceptibilities were determined by agar dilution, disk diffusion, and Vitek GPS-IZ. We also performed pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) after SmaI digestion of DNA and polymerase chain reaction for detection of vanA, B and C. To define risk factors for colonization, we reviewed the medical records of patients colonized with VRE or vancomycin- susceptible enterococci (VSE). RESULTS: Twelve (4.1%) of 295 hospitalized patients were colonized with VRE. Six were identified as Enterococcus(E) faecium, 2 each as E. faecalis and E. gallinarum, and 1 each as E. casseliflavus and E. avium. In contrast, only one(0.9%) VRB (E. casseliflavus) was isolated from outpatients. Patients in the intensive careunit (5.4%) and patients whose stool specimens were submitted for Clostridium difficile toxin assay (6.8%) were colonized at higher rate than other inpatients (2.5%), but not at a statistically significant level. Three strains had high-level resistance to van comycin(minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC>256microgram/mL), and the others had low-level resistance (MIC8-16microgram/mL) by agar dilution. But disk diffusion method and Vitek system had problems in detecting some strains with low-level resistance. PFGE patterns of VRE were diverse, suggesting that VRE have been introduced from multiple sources. The vans gene was detected in 3 isolates and vanC gene was found in 9 isolates. Compared with the patients with VSE colonization, patients with VRE had a significantly longer hospital stay, had more frequent invasive procedures or therapeutic interventions such as ventilator, total parenteral nutrition and hemodialysis, showed renal insufficiency more frequently, and were more likely to have received ciprofloxacin or clindamycin therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Although the incidence of VRE infection remains low in Korea, the findings from this study indicate that VRE are not uncommon intestinal colonizers among hospitalized patients. Strict infection control measures including screening for VRE, especially those from patients at risk, close surveillance, judicious use of antibiotics and patient isolation must be implemented to prevent infection and transmission of VRE.
Agar ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Ciprofloxacin ; Clindamycin ; Clostridium difficile ; Colon* ; Diffusion ; Digestion ; DNA ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infection Control ; Inpatients ; Korea ; Length of Stay ; Mass Screening ; Medical Records ; Outpatients ; Parenteral Nutrition, Total ; Patient Isolation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Renal Dialysis ; Renal Insufficiency ; Risk Factors ; Vancomycin ; Vancomycin Resistance ; Ventilators, Mechanical

BACKGROUNDS : Extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) are plasmid-mediated enzymes that confer broad-spectrum resistance to aztreonam, most penicillins, and cephalosporins including ceftazidime, cefotaxime and ceftriaxone. But with most routine susceptibility tests, ESBL-producing strains may not appear to be resistant, which makes it difficult to predict the effectiveness of the beta-lactam agents. In this study, we performed several test procedures to detect ESBL in blood isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae and examined the risk factors for bacteremia due to ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 87 blood culture Isolates of K. pneumoniae during the first 7 month of 1996, 39 showed reduced susceptibilities to at least one of the 4 antibiotics, aztreonam, cefotaxime, ceftazidime and ceftriaxone. Twenty-three of the 39 isolates were assailable for screening for ESBL. Antibiotic resistance was tested by the agar dilution method and beta-lactamase assay using nitrocefin disks. Effect of beta-lactamase inhibition was examined by the doubledisk synergy test using aztreonam, cefotakime, ceftazldime, and ticarc illin/clavulanate disks and by ESBL Etest involving ceftazidime and cert tazidime/clavulanate. Ability to transfer the beta-lactam resistance was tested by conjugation. We also reviewed the medical records of the patients with K. pneumoniae. (21 with and 41 without ESBL) bacteremia to ananlyze their clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Of 23 strains tested, reduced susceptibilities to cefotaxime, aztreon am and ceftazidime were shown in 23, 18, and 18 strains, respectively. All strains were positive for beta-lactamase and its activity was trasfered to E. coli in all strains. Activities of beta-lactamases were shown to be inhibited by clavulanate in 21 strains by the double-disk method, but in only 15 strains by the ESBL Etest. Nineteen of 21 bacteremia were nosocomially acquired. ESBL-producing strains were associated with length of hospitalization, stay in intensive care unit, use of invasive procedures and administration of antibiotics Including penicillins and third-generation cephalosporins. CONCLUSIONS: Although an increasing incidence of and outbreaks by ESBL-producing strains are reported, detection of ESBLs has proved to be difficult. Using several testing methods such as double-disk synergy test, ESBL Etest and conjugation, we estimated that 40.9% of blood isolates of K. pneumoniae produce ESBL. We should pursue for more sensitive and reliable screening methods for the detection of ESBL.
Agar ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Aztreonam ; Bacteremia ; beta-Lactam Resistance ; beta-Lactamases* ; Cefotaxime ; Ceftazidime ; Ceftriaxone ; Cephalosporins ; Clavulanic Acid ; Disease Outbreaks ; Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intensive Care Units ; Klebsiella pneumoniae* ; Klebsiella* ; Mass Screening ; Medical Records ; Penicillins ; Pneumonia ; Risk Factors

The authors experienced a case of typical pellagra in 45-year old male. He has been a heavy alcoholic history about 30 years duratian. Well-marginated erythematous created scaly patches, hyperpigmentation and fissures developed on both forearms and both ear lobes, both periorbicular areas, and Casals and klace on the aa0erior neck repeatedly. The skin leaions were aggravated in summers, improving a little in winters from 3 years ago. The psychoneurotic symptoms, neurologic disturbances, and GI troubles accompanied the skin lesions. Diagnosis was made by the characteristic clinical findings. He was treated with nicotinamide and vitamin B complex, and most of symptoms improved much. Authors reported the case and reviewed the literatures.
Alcoholics ; Diagnosis ; Ear ; Forearm ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Niacinamide ; Pellagra* ; Skin ; Vitamin B Complex

No abstract available.
Hyperlipidemias* ; Obesity* ; Risk Factors* ; Urolithiasis*

No abstract available.
Hyperlipidemias* ; Obesity* ; Risk Factors* ; Urolithiasis*

No abstract available.
Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney* ; Ultrasonography*

Two cases of primary carcinoma of the ureter were reported with review of the literatures.
Ureter*

No abstract available.

The Computed Tomography is the most exact method to find out some diesase, soft tissue or musculoskeletal system. It is searching examination distinguishing normal structure and abnormal states in the spine and spinal canal. This is almost an absolute diagnostic method for spinal stenosis, and it has a special forte becasue it can distinguish the soft tissue around the spine. Thus we can distinguish metastatic cancer, herniated intervertebral disc, hypertrophy of the yellow ligament, and spine tumor very easily. Thirty-two cases of herniated intervertebral disc in lumbar spine were treated for 18 months from Jan. 1981 to Jun. 1982. Of thirty two cases, 18 cases were underwent CT scanning and 9 cases were underwent CT scanning and myelography. We obtained following results: 1. In the 18 cases taking a CT scan we found 6 cases of bulging annulus, 7 cases of herniated disc, one case each of facet syndrome, lateral recess syndrome, and three cases had normal finding. 2. In 9 cases taking CT scan, myelography and operation, 7 cases showed the same positive findings, but one case showed the positive CT scan and myelography, negative surgical exploration, and another case showed positive myelography, negative CT scan surgical exploration. 3. In 9 cases who took only a CT scan, there were 6 cases in which myelography was impossible or refused. Among these 6 cases 4 patients took operation and showed positive findings. 4. The diagnosis of herniated intervertebral disc by means of the CT scan has been made more accurately by the supplementary use of metrizamide and improvement of interpretation. a. When the patient refuses myelography. b. For discrimination of other diseases than herniated intervertebral disc. c. When the patient is allergic to iodine dyes used in myelography. As mention above, not only herniated intervertebral disc, but also many other diseases in spine can be diagnosed and we can decide that the herniated intervertebral disc surgery would by desirable with only the CT scan as nonivasive diagnostic test.
Coloring Agents ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; Intervertebral Disc ; Iodine ; Ligaments ; Methods ; Metrizamide ; Musculoskeletal System ; Myelography ; Spinal Canal ; Spinal Stenosis ; Spine ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed