BACKGROUND: Human cancel can be induced by various environmental factors such as virus, chemicals, and radiations. However, susceptibility of host to these environmental factors is not well studied. The purpose of this study was to investigate the chromosomal vulnerability to gamma-1rradiation of peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients with luring, gastric, and liver cancer. METHODS: Micronuclei (MN) test was done in 15 patients with gastric cancer, 18 patients with lung cancer, and 20 normal controls. Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) test was done in 13 patients with hepatocellular cancer and 14 normal controls. RESULTS: The baseline frequency of MN before irradiation in patients with lung cancer and gastric cancel was significantly higher than in controls (47+/-8, 73+/-9, and 8+/-l, respectively; p<0.01). After gamma-irradiation, the frequency of MN was also significantly higher than in controls (223+/-19, 269+/-43, and 285+/-56, respectively; p<0.05). The frequency of SCE in Patients with hepatocellular cancer was significantly higher her than in controls (9.0+/-0.6, 4.3+/-0.7, respectively; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: From this preliminay data, we concluded that chromosomes of peripheyal blood lymphocytes in patients with various cancers were more vulnerable to gamma-irradiation as compared to normal controls.
Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lymphocytes* ; Sister Chromatid Exchange ; Stomach Neoplasms

We report a rare case of fungemia due to Exophiala (Wangiella) dermatitidis in a 4-month-old female infant who was admitted to an intensive care unit with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). E. dermatitidiswas repeatedly isolated from blood cultures (on the 28th and 32nd day of hospitalization) of the patient, who died on the 44th day of hospitalization. The fungus was identified by its morphological characteristics and DNA sequencing of both the D1/D2 domain and the ITS region of rDNA. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of E. dermatitidis fungemia in Korea.
DNA, Ribosomal ; Exophiala ; Female ; Fungemia ; Fungi ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Infant ; Intensive Care Units ; Korea ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Sudden Infant Death

BACKGROUND: The incidence of Bacillus cereus bacteremia is increasing, but the identification of Bacillus species remains difficult. Brilliance Bacillus cereus agar (BBC agar; Oxoid, UK) is a new CHROMagar medium that allows selective isolation and identification of B. cereus; however, its clinical usefulness is seldom studied. We evaluated the usefulness of BBC agar to identify B. cereus isolates recovered from blood cultures. METHODS: We analyzed a total of 53 blood isolates that showed a Bacillus-like morphology on Gram staining. All isolates were identified by using both the API Coryne (bioMerieux, France) and API 50CH/B (bioMerieux) systems. They were subsequently subcultured on BBC agar, incubated for 24 hr, and then examined for characteristic blue-green colonies. The clinical characteristics of patients whose isolates were identified as B. cereus were assessed. RESULTS: Of the 53 isolates, 18 were identified as B. cereus by API 50CH/B. With the API 50CH/B system used as gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity for the identification of B. cereus were 100% (18/18) and 100% (35/35), respectively, using BBC agar, and 67% (12/18) and 100% (35/35), respectively, using the API Coryne system. Of the 18 patients with B. cereus bacteremia, 15 showed infectious signs, and 3 had more than 2 blood cultures positive for B. cereus on separate days. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows, for the first time, that BBC agar, with its good agreement and ease of use, is a valuable alternative to the API 50CH/B system for the presumptive identification of B. cereus isolates from blood cultures.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Agar/chemistry ; Aged ; Bacillus cereus/*isolation & purification ; Bacteremia/*diagnosis/microbiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chromogenic Compounds/*chemistry ; Culture Media ; Female ; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections/*diagnosis/microbiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Sensitivity and Specificity

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a small double-stranded DNA virus. Of HPV, type 16 and 18 are associated with high risk in the development of cervical cancer. In order to evaluate HPV infections, several HPV typing and detection methods have been developed. The aim of this study was to compare the detection rates of HPV 16 and 18 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in situ hybridization(ISH), and PCR in situ in uterine cervical cancers. METHODS: PCR, ISH and PCR in situ were performed for the detection of HPV DNA in fifty-one formalin fixed, paraffin embedded blocks of uterine cervical cancer tissues. Twenty uterine cervical specimens from patients with uterine myomas were used as controls. RESULTS: The detection rates of HPV 16 and HPV 18 in cervical cancers were 56.9% (29/51) and 45.1% (23/51) by PCR, 9.8% (5/51) and 5.9% (3/51) by ISH, 17.6% (9/51) and 11.8% (6/51) by PCR in situ, respectively. In control group, the detection rate of HPV 16 and 18 by PCR were 10% (2/20) and 5% (1/20), but HPV was not detected by both ISH and PCR in situ. CONCLUSION: PCR was the most sensitive method for the detection of HPV. However, PCR in situ was more informative fort the specific detection and cell localization of HPV DNA.
DNA ; Formaldehyde ; Human papillomavirus 16 ; Human papillomavirus 18 ; Humans* ; In Situ Hybridization* ; Leiomyoma ; Paraffin ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*

We describe here a case of central venous catheter (CVC)-related bacteremia caused by Microbacterium species in a 14-year-old patient, who had received chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. All nine blood cultures obtained from admission day 2 to day 62 yielded the same yellow-pigmented coryneform rod. Both Vitek 2 (bioMerieux, USA) and MicroScan (Dade Behring, USA) identified the isolate as Micrococcus species, and the API Coryne (bioMerieux, France) identified the isolate as Rhodococcus or Brevibacterium species. However, the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed a 99% identity with Microbacterium species. The bacteremia was recurrent or persistent over 60 days despite alternate systemic antibiotic therapy, but blood culture became negative after an addition of teicoplanin lock therapy for eradicating CVC-related bacteremia. This represents the first report of CVC-related Microbacterium bacteremia cured by antibiotic lock therapy in Korea.
Adolescent ; Bacteremia ; Brevibacterium ; Central Venous Catheters ; Genes, rRNA ; Humans ; Micrococcus ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; Rhodococcus ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; Teicoplanin

The importance of quality control for dramatically growing genetic tests continues to be emphasized with increasing clinical demands. Diagnostic genetics subcommitee of KSQACP performed two trials for cytogenetic study in 2002. Cytogenetic surveys were performed by 33 laboratories and answered correctly in most laboratories except some problems in nomenclature and analysis for mosaicism and cytogenetics of neoplasia. The molecular genetic test surveys include M. tuberculosis, HCV, HBV, leukemia/lymphoma, ABO genotyping, ApoE genotyping, spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), and mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke like episodes (MELAS). HBV, SCA, SMA, MELAS tests were the first challenge of the genetic survey. Molecular genetic survey showed excellent results in most participants, however, ABO genotyping tests should be improved by new methods in a few laboratories. External quality assessment program for diagnostic genetics could be helpful to give participants many chances of continuous education and of interesting case materials.
Acidosis, Lactic ; Apolipoproteins E ; Cytogenetics ; Education ; Genetics* ; Korea* ; MELAS Syndrome ; Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathies ; Molecular Biology ; Mosaicism ; Muscular Atrophy, Spinal ; Quality Control ; Spinocerebellar Ataxias ; Stroke ; Tuberculosis

The importance of quality control for dramatically growing genetic tests continues to be emphasized with increasing clinical demands. Diagnostic genetics subcommitee of KSQACP performed two trials for cytogenetic study in 2003. Cytogenetic surveys were performed by 33 laboratories and answered correctly in most laboratories except some problems in nomenclature and analysis for FISH and complex cytogenetic abnormalities in neoplasia. The molecular genetic test surveys include M. tuberculosis, HBV, HPV, leukemia/lymphoma, ApoE genotyping, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, myoclonic epilepsy and ragged red muscle fibers, and spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy. HPV, myoclonic epilepsy and ragged red muscle fibers, and spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy were the first challenge of the genetic survey. Molecular genetic survey showed excellent results in most participants, however, HPV tests should be improved by quality control in a few laboratories. External quality assessment program for cytogenetic analysis could be helpful to give participants many chances of continuous education and of interesting case materials.
Apolipoproteins E ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Cytogenetic Analysis ; Cytogenetics ; Education ; Epilepsies, Myoclonic ; Genetics* ; Korea* ; Molecular Biology ; Muscle Fibers, Slow-Twitch ; Muscular Disorders, Atrophic ; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne ; Quality Control ; Tuberculosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The level of cardiac specific troponin (cTn) may be important in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), but with normal electrocardiography (ECG). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Three hundred and nineteen patients (61+/-11 years, M:F=212:107), with ACS and normal ECG, who underwent a diagnostic coronary angiogram (CAG), between July 2000 and June 2001, were analyzed according to their cTn level. The clinical characteristics, initial CAG findings and major adverse cardiac events (MACE), during a one-year clinical follow-up, were compared between positive and negative cTn groups. RESULTS: Of the enrolled patients, 191 had a negative cTn (group A, 61+/-10 years, M:F=131:60), and 128 a positive cTn (group B, 60+/-11 years, M:F=81:47), and 176 (55.2%) were shown to have significant coronary artery stenosis on CAG. There were no significant differences in risk factors between the two groups. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 64+/-9%, and was lower in group B than in group A (59+/-10% vs. 67+/-7%, p<0.05). cTn positivity was associated with the percentage of significant coronary artery stenosis present (88% vs. 32%, p<0.05), a smaller minimal luminal diameter (1.09+/-0.44 mm vs. 2.68+/-0.33 mm, p<0.05) and a larger diameter of stenosis (68+/-6% vs. 44+/-6%, p<0.05). A multi-vessel lesion was more common in group B than in group A (58.3% vs. 30.3%, p<0.05). During the one-year follow-up period, 36 patients developed MACE, resulting in 3 deaths, 7 acute myocardial infarctions and 34 patients with restenosis. MACE was observed in 9 patients of group A and in 27 of group B (4.7% vs. 21.1%, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The troponin levels are valuable for the early diagnosis, and prediction of the long-term prognosis, in patients with ACS and a normal ECG.
Acute Coronary Syndrome* ; Angina, Unstable ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Disease ; Coronary Stenosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Electrocardiography* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; Phenobarbital ; Prognosis ; Risk Factors ; Stroke Volume ; Troponin*

BACKGROUND: We investigated the species distribution and amphotericin B (AMB) susceptibility of Korean clinical Aspergillus isolates by using two Etests and the CLSI broth microdilution method. METHODS: A total of 136 Aspergillus isolates obtained from 11 university hospitals were identified by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and beta-tubulin genomic regions. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of AMB were determined in Etests using Mueller-Hinton agar (Etest-MH) and RPMI agar (Etest-RPG), and categorical agreement with the CLSI method was assessed by using epidemiological cutoff values. RESULTS: ITS sequencing identified the following six Aspergillus species complexes: Aspergillus fumigatus (42.6% of the isolates), A. niger (23.5%), A. flavus (17.6%), A. terreus (11.0%), A. versicolor (4.4%), and A. ustus (0.7%). Cryptic species identifiable by beta-tubulin sequencing accounted for 25.7% (35/136) of the isolates. Of all 136 isolates, 36 (26.5%) had AMB MICs of > or =2 microg/mL by the CLSI method. The categorical agreement of Etest-RPG with the CLSI method was 98% for the A. fumigatus, A. niger, and A. versicolor complexes, 87% for the A. terreus complex, and 37.5% for the A. flavus complex. That of Etest-MH was < or =75% for the A. niger, A. flavus, A. terreus, and A. versicolor complexes but was higher for the A. fumigatus complex (98.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Aspergillus species other than A. fumigatus constitute about 60% of clinical Aspergillus isolates, and reduced AMB susceptibility is common among clinical isolates of Aspergillus in Korea. Molecular identification and AMB susceptibility testing by Etest-RPG may be useful for characterizing Aspergillus isolates of clinical relevance.
Amphotericin B/*pharmacology ; Antifungal Agents/*pharmacology ; Aspergillus/*drug effects/isolation & purification ; DNA, Fungal/chemistry/genetics/metabolism ; Hospitals ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Mycoses/diagnosis/microbiology ; Republic of Korea ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Tubulin/genetics

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of cardiac troponin as a marker for the detection of minor myocardial injury following percutaneous coronary interverntion (PCI). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In 79 patients who underwent successful PCI under the diagnosis of stable angina, serum creatinine kinase MB isoenzyme (CK-MB), cardiac troponin T (cTnT), and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) were measured before and at 6, 12 and 24 hours after PCI, and the angiographic findings and procedural characteristics of PCI were compared between the elevated and the normal enzyme groups. RESULTS: Abnormal values of one or more markers following PCI were observed in 17 patients (22%) ; 11 after stenting and 6 after balloon angioplasty alone. The frequency of abnormal cTnI levels was 19% and was significantly higher than that of CK-MB (6%, p < 0.01). No significant differences in target vessel number, target artery, ACC/AHA type, TIMI flow, stenting, time and number of ballooning, maximal inflation pressure or balloon diameter and length were observed between the two groups. Small side branch occlusions developed in 23% of the elevated enzyme group and in 3% of the normal enzyme group. CONCLUSION: Minor myocardial injury can be detected by cTnI and is observed frequently in patients with stable angina following PCI. A small side branch occlusion is related with elevated cTnI.
Angina Pectoris ; Angina, Stable ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; Arteries ; Coronary Disease ; Creatinine ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Inflation, Economic ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention* ; Phosphotransferases ; Stents ; Troponin I ; Troponin T ; Troponin*