BACKGROUND/AIMS: The notion that acute hepatitis A superimposed on chronic hepatitis B infection leads to a worse outcome than acute hepatitis A alone remains controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) on the severity of acute hepatitis A. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 449 patients hospitalized for acute hepatitis A from January 2000 to February 2010 and compared clinical outcomes based on the presence of HBsAg. RESULTS: Of the 449 patients, 30 patients were in the HBsAg-positive group and 419 in the HBsAg-negative group. The HBsAg-positive group was older than the HBsAg-negative group (36.1+/-8.3 vs 31.8+/-8.5 years, p=0.004); however, other baseline characteristics were similar between the 2 groups. Mean peak values of prothrombin time, serum total bilirubin, and serum creatinine at admission were significantly higher in the HBsAg-positive group. When comparing clinical outcomes between the 2 groups, gastrointestinal bleeding, acute renal failure, and acute liver failure were more frequently observed in the HBsAg-positive group. In particular, the incidence of acute liver failure was approximately 9-fold higher in the HBsAg-positive group than in the HBsAg-negative group (23.3% vs 3.3%; odds ratio [OR], 8.80; p<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that HBsAg (OR, 7.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.56 to 21.57) and age (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.13) were independent risk factors for the occurrence of acute liver failure. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with chronic hepatitis B infection, acute hepatitis A is associated with more severe clinical outcomes, including acute liver failure, compared with patients with acute hepatitis A alone.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Bilirubin ; Creatinine ; Hemorrhage ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis A ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Humans ; Incidence ; Liver ; Liver Failure, Acute ; Multivariate Analysis ; Odds Ratio ; Prothrombin Time ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the discriminating nature of 123I-FP-CIT SPECT in patients with parkinsonism. METHODS: 123I-FP-CIT SPECT images acquired from the 18 normal controls; NC (60.4+/-10.0 yr) and 237 patients with parkinsonism (65.9+/-9.2 yr) were analyzed. From spatially normalized images, regional counts of the caudate, putamen, and occipital lobe were obtained using region of interest method. Binding potential (BP) was calculated with the ratio of specific to nonspecific binding activity at equilibrium. Additionally, the BP ratio of putamen to caudate (PCR) and asymmetric index (ASI) were measured. RESULTS: BPs of NC (3.37+/-0.57, 3.10+/-0.41, 3.23+/-0.48 for caudate, putamen, whole striatum, respectively) had no significant difference with those of essential tremor; ET (3.31+/-0.64, 3.06+/-0.61, 3.14+/-0.63) and Alzheimer's disease; AD (3.33+/-0.60, 3.29+/-0.79, 3.31+/-0.70), but were higher than those of Parkinson's disease; PD (1.92+/-0.74,1.39+/-0.68, 1.64+/-0.68), multiple system atrophy; MSA (2.36+/-1.07, 2.16+/-0.91, 2.26+/-0.96), and dementia with Lewy body; DLB (1.95+/-0.72, 1.64+/-0.65, 1.79+/-0.66)(p<0.005). PD had statistically lower values of PCR and higher values of ASI than those of NC (p<0.005). And PD had significantly lower value of PCR, higher ASI and lower BP in the putamen and whole striatum than MSA (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Dopamine transporter image of 123I-FP-CIT SPECT was a good value in differential diagnosis of parkinsonism.
Alzheimer Disease ; Dementia ; Diagnosis, Differential* ; Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins* ; Dopamine* ; Essential Tremor ; Humans ; Lewy Bodies ; Multiple System Atrophy ; Occipital Lobe ; Parkinson Disease ; Parkinsonian Disorders* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Putamen ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the discriminating nature of 123I-FP-CIT SPECT in patients with parkinsonism. METHODS: 123I-FP-CIT SPECT images acquired from the 18 normal controls; NC (60.4+/-10.0 yr) and 237 patients with parkinsonism (65.9+/-9.2 yr) were analyzed. From spatially normalized images, regional counts of the caudate, putamen, and occipital lobe were obtained using region of interest method. Binding potential (BP) was calculated with the ratio of specific to nonspecific binding activity at equilibrium. Additionally, the BP ratio of putamen to caudate (PCR) and asymmetric index (ASI) were measured. RESULTS: BPs of NC (3.37+/-0.57, 3.10+/-0.41, 3.23+/-0.48 for caudate, putamen, whole striatum, respectively) had no significant difference with those of essential tremor; ET (3.31+/-0.64, 3.06+/-0.61, 3.14+/-0.63) and Alzheimer's disease; AD (3.33+/-0.60, 3.29+/-0.79, 3.31+/-0.70), but were higher than those of Parkinson's disease; PD (1.92+/-0.74,1.39+/-0.68, 1.64+/-0.68), multiple system atrophy; MSA (2.36+/-1.07, 2.16+/-0.91, 2.26+/-0.96), and dementia with Lewy body; DLB (1.95+/-0.72, 1.64+/-0.65, 1.79+/-0.66)(p<0.005). PD had statistically lower values of PCR and higher values of ASI than those of NC (p<0.005). And PD had significantly lower value of PCR, higher ASI and lower BP in the putamen and whole striatum than MSA (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Dopamine transporter image of 123I-FP-CIT SPECT was a good value in differential diagnosis of parkinsonism.
Alzheimer Disease ; Dementia ; Diagnosis, Differential* ; Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins* ; Dopamine* ; Essential Tremor ; Humans ; Lewy Bodies ; Multiple System Atrophy ; Occipital Lobe ; Parkinson Disease ; Parkinsonian Disorders* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Putamen ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

BACKGROUND: Necrotizing fasciitis is a life threatening severe soft tissue infection primarily involving the fascia and the subcutaneous tissue with thrombosis of the cutaneous microcirculation. The purpose of the study was to analyze the microbiological and clinical characteristics of necrotizing fasciitis in Korea and to suggest adequate antibiotic therapy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of three Soonchunhyang University Hospitals in Seoul, Bucheon and Cheonan. Patients admitted for skin graft or secondary treatment were excluded. Blood cultures were obtained at the time of admission and pus cultures were obtained at the time of first operative debridement. RESULTS: Twenty two patients (16 males, 6 females, 16~82 years old, median age: 59 years old) were enrolled for this study. Fourteen pateints underwent surgical treatment and 2 of them died of necrotizing fasciitis. Gram positive organisms were isolated in 13 cases and gram negative organisms were isolated in 11 cases. Third generation cephalosporin resistant gram negative organisms were isolated in 3 cases. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggest that characteristics of necrotizing fascitis in Korea were; high proportion of aged person, predominance of type 2 necrotizing fascitis and increasing tendency of third generation cephalosporin resistant gram negative bacterial infections. Consequently, initial choice of empirical antibiotics for necrotizing fasciitis should consider 3rd generation cephalosporin resistant gram negative organisms. Prompt surgical debridement and adequate antimicrobial therapy are mandatory for improved survival.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Cephalosporin Resistance ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Debridement ; Fascia ; Fasciitis, Necrotizing* ; Female ; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections ; Gyeonggi-do ; Hospitals, University* ; Humans ; Korea* ; Male ; Medical Records ; Microcirculation ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul ; Skin ; Soft Tissue Infections ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; Suppuration ; Thrombosis ; Transplants