Objectives: This study aimed to analyze trends in the timely diagnosis of malaria cases over the past 10 years in relation to the utilization of different types of healthcare facilities. Methods: The study included 3,697 confirmed and suspected cases of malaria reported between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2022, in the national integrative disease and healthcare management system. Some cases lacking a case report or with information missing from the case report were excluded from the analysis. A generalized linear model with a Poisson distribution was constructed to estimate rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals adjusted for other variables, such as distance. Results: When cases involving diagnosis >5 days after symptom onset in confirmed patients (5DD) were examined according to the type of healthcare facility, the rate ratio of 5DD cases was found to be higher for public health facilities than for tertiary hospitals. Specifically, the rate ratio was higher when the diagnosis was established at a tertiary hospital, even after a participant had visited primary or secondary hospitals. In an analysis adjusted for the distance to each participant’s healthcare facility, the results did not differ substantially from the results of the crude analysis. Conclusion It is imperative to improve the diagnostic capabilities of public facilities and raise awareness of malaria at primary healthcare facilities for effective prevention and control.

Ischemic colitis is an inflammatory condition of the colon that results from insufficient blood supply commonly caused by enterocolitis, vessel occlusion, or shock. In contrast, pseudomembranous colitis is a clinical manifestation of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). Ischemic colitis caused by CDI has rarely been reported. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an efficient treatment for refractory or fulminant CDI, and the indications for its use have recently expanded. However, performing FMT in patients with ischemic colitis is challenging because of the risk of perforation. Here, we have presented a case of ischemic colitis caused by CDI that was successfully treated with FMT via sigmoidoscopy.

To examine the effects of Populus tomentiglandulosa (PT) extract on the expressions of antioxidant enzymes and neurotrophic factors in the cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) region of the hippocampus at 5 min after inducing transient global cerebral ischemia (TGCI) in gerbils, TGCI was induced by occlusion of common carotid arteries for 5 min. Before ischemic surgery, 200 mg·kg PT extract was orally administrated once daily for 7 d. We performed neuronal nuclear antigen immunohistochemistry and Fluoro-Jade B staining. Furthermore, we determined in situ production of superoxide anion radical, expression levels of SOD1 and SOD2 as antioxidant enzymes and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) as neurotrophic factors. Pretreatment with 200 mg·kg PT extract prevented neuronal death (loss). Furthermore, pretreatment with 200 mg·kg PT extract significantly inhibited the production of superoxide anion radical, increased expressions of SODs and maintained expressions of BDNF and IGF-I. Such increased expressions of SODs were maintained in the neurons after IRI. In summary, pretreated PT extract can significantly increase levels of SODs and protect the neurons against TGCI, suggesting that PT can be a useful natural agent to protect against TGCI.
Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; CA1 Region, Hippocampal ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Gerbillinae ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Neuroprotective Agents ; administration & dosage ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; Populus ; chemistry ; Pyramidal Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation ; drug effects

Chest pain in kidney transplant patients is usually caused by cardiac or pulmonary problems. However, it may be rarely caused by opportunistic esophageal infections. A 66-year-old female kidney transplant recipient was admitted because of chest pain. She had been treated with high-dose steroid and immunosuppressants for acute T-cell-mediated rejection. Cardiologic and pulmonary evaluations had normal results. Endoscopic examination revealed three clear ulcerative lesions in the esophagus. Histological and immunohistochemical staining of the endoscopic biopsy specimens revealed coinfection of herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus. The patient was treated with intravenous ganciclovir for 2 weeks. Her symptoms completely resolved, and follow-up endoscopy revealed complete healing of the previous ulcers. Viral esophagitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis in kidney transplant recipients presenting with chest pain.
Aged ; Biopsy ; Chest Pain ; Coinfection ; Cytomegalovirus ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Endoscopy ; Esophagitis ; Esophagus ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Ganciclovir ; Herpes Simplex ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Kidney ; Kidney Transplantation ; Simplexvirus ; Thorax ; Transplant Recipients ; Ulcer

Splenic abscess is a rare disease that generally occurs in immunocompromised patients. It is difficult to distinguish between splenic abscesses and cysts using imaging studies, especially if they are asymptomatic. A 50-year-old asymptomatic man who had received steroid therapy for underlying rheumatoid arthritis was referred to a university hospital due to presence of several splenic cysts, with the largest being 3.5 cm in diameter. Percutaneous aspiration was performed, and fluid analysis showed cysts infected by extended-spectrum, beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli. The patient was treated with ertapenem for four weeks, and the lesion disappeared on follow-up imaging studies. Splenic abscess should be included as a differential diagnosis of splenic cystic lesions in immunocompromised patients.
Abscess ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Escherichia coli ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host* ; Middle Aged ; Rare Diseases

The cervix is a cylindrical structure that is proximally connected to the uterus and distally to the vaginal cavity. The Bishop score has been used to evaluate the cervix during pregnancy. However, alternatives have been evaluated because the Bishop score is uncomfortable for patients, relies on a subjective examination, and lacks internal os data. Elastography has been used to assess the cervix, as it can estimate tissue stiffness. Recent articles on elastography for cervical assessment during pregnancy have focused on its usefulness for prediction of preterm birth and successful labor induction. There is a clinical need for cervical elastography, as an evaluation of biomechanical factors, because cervical length only assesses morphological changes. However, until now, cervical elastography has been studied in the limited field, and not shown a uniformed methodological technique. In this review, the current status, limitations, and future possibility of cervical elastography were discussed. Future studies should focus on overcoming the limitations of cervical elastography. Although the cervical elastography is presently an incompletely defined technique, it needs to be improved and evaluated as a method for use in combination with cervical length.
Cervix Uteri* ; Elasticity Imaging Techniques ; Female ; Humans ; Methods ; Pregnancy* ; Premature Birth ; Uterus

BACKGROUND: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a relatively recently identified respiratory virus that induces respiratory symptoms similar to those of respiratory syncytial virus infection in children. The characteristics of hMPV-infected adults are unclear because few cases have been reported. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of hospitalized adult patients with a positive multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction assay result from 2012 to 2016 at a single tertiary referral hospital in South Korea. We analyzed clinical characteristics of the enrolled patients and divided patients into an acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) group and a non-ARDS group. RESULTS: In total, 110 adults were reviewed in this study. Their mean age was 61.4 years, and the majority (n = 105, 95.5%) had comorbidities or were immunocompromised. Most of the patients had pneumonia on chest X-ray (n = 88, 93.6%), 22 (20.0%) had ARDS, and 12 (10.9%) expired during hospitalization. The mortality rate for patients with ARDS was higher than that of the other patients (36.4% vs. 5.7%, P = 0.001). The risk factor for hMPV-associated ARDS was heart failure (odds ratio, 5.24; P = 0.044) and laboratory values were increased blood urea nitrogen and increased C-reactive protein. The acquisition site of infection was divided into community vs. nosocomial; 43 patients (39.1%) had a nosocomial infection. The risk factors for nosocomial infection were an immunocompromised state, malignancy and immunosuppressive treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that hMPV is one of the important respiratory pathogens important respiratory pathogen that causes pneumonia/ARDS in elderly, immunocompromised individuals and that it may be transmitted via the nosocomial route.
Adult* ; Aged ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; C-Reactive Protein ; Child ; Comorbidity ; Cross Infection ; Heart Failure ; Hospitalization ; Humans* ; Korea ; Metapneumovirus* ; Mortality* ; Pneumonia ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult* ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; Retrospective Studies* ; Risk Factors ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Thorax

BACKGROUND: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a relatively recently identified respiratory virus that induces respiratory symptoms similar to those of respiratory syncytial virus infection in children. The characteristics of hMPV-infected adults are unclear because few cases have been reported. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of hospitalized adult patients with a positive multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction assay result from 2012 to 2016 at a single tertiary referral hospital in South Korea. We analyzed clinical characteristics of the enrolled patients and divided patients into an acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) group and a non-ARDS group. RESULTS: In total, 110 adults were reviewed in this study. Their mean age was 61.4 years, and the majority (n = 105, 95.5%) had comorbidities or were immunocompromised. Most of the patients had pneumonia on chest X-ray (n = 88, 93.6%), 22 (20.0%) had ARDS, and 12 (10.9%) expired during hospitalization. The mortality rate for patients with ARDS was higher than that of the other patients (36.4% vs. 5.7%, P = 0.001). The risk factor for hMPV-associated ARDS was heart failure (odds ratio, 5.24; P = 0.044) and laboratory values were increased blood urea nitrogen and increased C-reactive protein. The acquisition site of infection was divided into community vs. nosocomial; 43 patients (39.1%) had a nosocomial infection. The risk factors for nosocomial infection were an immunocompromised state, malignancy and immunosuppressive treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that hMPV is one of the important respiratory pathogens important respiratory pathogen that causes pneumonia/ARDS in elderly, immunocompromised individuals and that it may be transmitted via the nosocomial route.
Adult ; Aged ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; C-Reactive Protein ; Child ; Comorbidity ; Cross Infection ; Heart Failure ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Korea ; Metapneumovirus ; Mortality ; Pneumonia ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Thorax

Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) patients with severe left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction (those with a gradient of > 100 mm Hg) are at the highest risk of hemodynamic deterioration during pregnancy. Complications of HOCM include sudden cardiac death, heart failure, and arrhythmias. Physiological changes during pregnancy may induce these complications, affecting maternal and fetal health conditions. Therefore, close monitoring with appropriate management is essential for the well-being of both mother and fetus. We report on the case of a 27-year-old female patient with severe LVOT obstruction HOCM, pressure gradient (PG) of 125 mm Hg at resting, and 152 mm Hg induced by the Valsalva maneuver at 34 weeks gestation. This case showed how close monitoring using echocardiography and proper management during the course of pregnancy resulted in successful delivery in the patient with extremely high PG HOCM.
Adult ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic* ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Fetus ; Heart Failure ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Mothers ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnancy, High-Risk ; Valsalva Maneuver ; Ventricular Outflow Obstruction

BACKGROUND: The adverse effects of the phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor roflumilast, appear to be more frequent in clinical practice than what was observed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) clinical trials. Thus, we designed this study to determine whether adverse effects could be reduced by starting roflumilast at half the dose, and then increasing a few weeks later to 500 microg daily. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 85 patients with COPD who had taken either 500 microg roflumilast, or a starting dose of 250 microg and then increased to 500 microg. We analyzed all adverse events and assessed differences between patients who continued taking the drug after dose escalation and those who had stopped. RESULTS: Adverse events were reported by 22 of the 85 patients (25.9%). The most common adverse event was diarrhea (10.6%). Of the 52 patients who had increased from a starting dose of 250 microg roflumilast to 500 microg, 43 (82.7%) successfully maintained the 500 microg roflumilast dose. No difference in factors likely to affect the risk of adverse effects, was detected between the dose-escalated and the discontinued groups. Of the 26 patients who started with the 500 microg roflumilast regimen, seven (26.9%) discontinued because of adverse effects. There was no statistically significant difference in discontinuation rate between the dose-escalated and the control groups (p=0.22). CONCLUSION: Escalating the roflumilast dose may reduce treatment-related adverse effects and improve tolerance to the full dose. This study suggests that the dose-escalated regimen reduced the rate of discontinuation. However, longer-term and larger-scale studies are needed to support the full benefit of a dose escalation strategy.
Clinical Protocols ; Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 4 ; Diarrhea ; Humans ; Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* ; Retrospective Studies