It has been reported that stressful events in early life influence behavior in adulthood and are associated with different psychiatric disorders, such as major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder.Maternal separation (MS) is a representative animal model for reproducing childhood stress. It is used as an animal model for depression, and has well-known effects, such as increasing anxiety behavior and causing abnormalities in the hypothalamicpituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This study investigated the effect of MS on anxiety or aggression-like behavior and the number of GABAergic neurons in the hippocampus. Mice were separated from their dams for four hours per day for 19 d from postnatal day two. Elevated plus maze (EPM) test, resident-intruder (RI) test, and counted glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67) or parvalbumin (PV) positive cells in the hippocampus were executed using immunohistochemistry. The maternal segregation group exhibited increased anxiety and aggression in the EPM test and the RI test. GAD67-positive neurons were increased in the hippocampal regions we observed:dentate gyrus (DG), CA3, CA1, subiculum, presubiculum, and parasubiculum. PVpositive neurons were increased in the DG, CA3, presubiculum, and parasubiculum.Consistent with behavioral changes, corticosterone was increased in the MS group, suggesting that the behavioral changes induced by MS were expressed through the effect on the HPA axis. Altogether, MS alters anxiety and aggression levels, possibly through alteration of cytoarchitecture and output of the ventral hippocampus that induces the dysfunction of the HPA axis.

Gastric variceal bleeding has relatively low incidence rate compared to esophageal variceal bleeding. However, gastric variceal bleeding tends to lead to a massive bleeding and rebleeding which in turn leads to high mortality rate. In cases where endoscopic approach is limited, Ballon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) could be considered as a next modality of seizing acute bleeding. Venous catheterization should be preceded to perform venous embolization, however, in cases of hypovolemic shock status, alternative approaches are required. We are reporting a case of 60-year old female with hypovolemic status due to a massive hematemesis, who went through a percutaneous transhepatic glue embolization to control gastric variceal bleeding.
Adhesives* ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices* ; Female ; Hematemesis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypovolemia ; Incidence ; Mortality ; Shock

Septic pulmonary thromboembolism resulting from fungal infection is rare. A 32-year-old woman with acute paraquat intoxication was treated with high-dose intravenous steroid and cyclophosphamide pulse therapy. She presented with a prolonged fever, dyspnea, and multiple pneumonic infiltrations. Central venous catheterization was necessary for total parenteral nutrition. The response to antibiotic therapy was disappointing and Candida tropicalis was cultured in the blood repeatedly. Vegetations were found in the superior vena cava on echocardiography and both pulmonary arteries had massive thromboembolism on computed tomography (CT). Intravenous amphotericin B and anticoagulation therapy showed improvement. When patients with central venous catheters and recurrent fungemia present with dyspnea and fever, septic pulmonary thromboembolism and other disseminated infections, such as infective endocarditis or endophthalmitis, should be kept in mind.
Amphotericin B ; Candida ; Candida tropicalis ; Catheterization, Central Venous ; Central Venous Catheters ; Cyclophosphamide ; Dyspnea ; Echocardiography ; Endocarditis ; Endophthalmitis ; Female ; Fever ; Fungemia ; Humans ; Paraquat ; Parenteral Nutrition, Total ; Pulmonary Artery ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Thromboembolism ; Thrombosis ; Vena Cava, Superior

BACKGROUND: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) requires prompt and appropriate treatment. Since methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a frequent pathogen in VAP, rapid identification of it, is pivotal. Our aim was to evaluate the utility of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) as a useful method for etiologic diagnoses of MRSA pneumonia. METHODS: We performed qPCR for mecA, S. aureus-specific femA-SA, and S. epidermidis-specific femA-SE genes from bronchoalveolar lavage or bronchial washing samples obtained from clinically-suspected VAP. Molecular identification of MRSA was based on the presence of the mecA and femA-SA gene, with the absence of the femA-SE gene. To compensate for the experimental and clinical conditions, we spiked an internal control in the course of DNA extraction. We estimated number of colony-forming units per mL (CFU/mL) of MRSA samples through a standard curve of a serially-diluted reference MRSA strain. We compared the threshold cycle (Ct) value with the microbiologic results of MRSA. RESULTS: We obtained the mecA gene standard curve, which showed the detection limit of the mecA gene to be 100 fg, which corresponds to a copy number of 30. We chose cut-off Ct values of 27.94 (equivalent to 1x10(4) CFU/mL) and 21.78 (equivalent to 1x10(5) CFU/mL). The sensitivity and specificity of our assay were 88.9% and 88.9% respectively, when compared with quantitative cultures. CONCLUSION: Our results were valuable for diagnosing and identifying pathogens involved in VAP. We believe our modified qPCR is an appropriate tool for the rapid diagnosis of clinical pathogens regarding patients in the intensive care unit.
Adenosine ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage ; Coat Protein Complex I ; DNA ; Humans ; Critical Care ; Intensive Care Units ; Limit of Detection ; Methicillin Resistance ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Pneumonia ; Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sprains and Strains ; Stem Cells

Staphylococcus aureus is a well-known pathogen involved inright-sided endocarditis with predisposing factors, and the clinical course may be acute and rapidly progressive. Intravenous drug abuse, pacemakers or central vascular catheters, and congenital heart diseases are well-known predisposing factors. However, right-sided endocarditis as a result of S. aureus infection is very rare in patients without these predisposing factors. Here, we report the case of a previously healthy 25-year-old male with native tricuspid valve infective endocarditis by methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, complicating multiple septic pneumonia and septic pulmonary artery thrombosis. The patient was treated with antibiotics and surgical thromboembolectomy with tricuspid valve repair.
Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Endocarditis ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Male ; Pneumonia ; Pulmonary Artery ; Staphylococcus ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Substance Abuse, Intravenous ; Thrombosis ; Tricuspid Valve ; Vascular Access Devices

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are predominantly known as medication-induced diseases. However, at our institution, we have experienced more cases of non-drug-related SJS and TEN than expected. Therefore, we studied the difference between non-drug-related and drug-related SJS and TEN in terms of clinical characteristics and prognoses. METHODS: The etiologies, clinical characteristics, and treatment outcomes for 82 adult patients with SJS and TEN were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 71 patients (86.6%) were classified as having SJS, and the other 11 patients (13.4%) were classified as having TEN. Drug-related cases were more common (43, 52.4%) than non-drug-related cases (39, 47.6%). Anticonvulsants (12/82, 14.6%) and antibiotics (9/82, 11%) were the most common causative medications. Anemia (p = 0.017) and C-reactive protein of > or = 5 mg/dL (p = 0.026) were more common in the drug-related cases than in the non-drug-related cases. Intravenous steroid therapy was used as the main treatment regimen (70/82, 85.4%). Of the 82 patients, 8 (9.8%) died during the clinical course. A univariate analysis for mortality showed statistical significance for the following: kidney function abnormality, pneumonia, hemoglobin of < 10 g/dL, and combined underlying diseases. In a multivariate analysis, only pneumonia was statistically significant (odds ratio, 25.79; p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Drugs were the most frequent cause of these diseases. However, non-drug-related causes also contributed to a significant proportion of cases. Physicians should keep this in mind when documenting patient history. In addition, early recognition and treatment may be important for better outcomes.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Epidermal Necrolysis, Toxic/diagnosis/*etiology/mortality/*therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Odds Ratio ; Republic of Korea ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/chemically induced/diagnosis/*etiology/mortality/*therapy ; Survival Analysis ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Frequent pathogens of nosocomial meningitis were investigated and the adequacy of empiric antibiotic therapy was assessed. Outcomes of nosocomial meningitis were also evaluated. METHODS: Ninety-one patients, who were diagnosed and treated for nosocomial meningitis at a single tertiary hospital in Daegu, Korea for 10 years, were included. Medical record and electronic laboratory data on the causative pathogens, antibiotics used, and outcomes were retrospectively investigated. RESULTS: Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (40.9%) was the most common pathogen, followed by Acinetobacter (32.5%). Both were cultured as a single organism in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Seventy-eight patients (85.7%) had infections related to external ventricular drains (EVD). The most common empirical antibiotics were extended-spectrum beta-lactam antibiotics plus vancomycin (35/91, 38.6%). Of the 27 patients who had cultured Acinetobacter in CSF, 10 (37%) were given the wrong empirical antibiotic treatment. Seven of the 27 patients (26.9%) with cultured Acinetobacter died, and overall mortality of the 91 patients was 16.5%. In the multivariate analysis, the presence of combined septic shock (p < 0.001) and a persistent EVD state (p = 0.021) were associated with a poor prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Acinetobacter is one of the leading pathogens of nosocomial meningitis and may lead to inadequate coverage of empiric antibiotic therapy due to increasing resistance. An EVD should be removed early in cases of suspected nosocomial meningitis, and carbapenem might be required for the poor treatment response.
Acinetobacter/classification/*isolation & purification ; Acinetobacter Infections/cerebrospinal fluid/diagnosis/*drug therapy/*microbiology ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/*therapeutic use ; Cerebrospinal Fluid/microbiology ; Cross Infection/cerebrospinal fluid/diagnosis/*microbiology/mortality/*therapy ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Meningitis, Bacterial/cerebrospinal fluid/diagnosis/*drug therapy/*microbiology/mortality ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Odds Ratio ; Republic of Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Staphylococcal Infections/cerebrospinal fluid/diagnosis/*drug therapy/*microbiology/mortality ; Staphylococcus/classification/*isolation & purification ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endogenous endophthalmitis (EE) is rare. However, the visual outcome of patients with EE is very poor. Many cases of EE caused by Gram-negative bacterial infections have recently been reported. This study was conducted to explore the most frequent pathogens, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes of EE. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out in 23 patients diagnosed with EE through clinical manifestations and ophthalmic examinations in three hospitals between January 2000 and April 2011. Samples from 23 patients with EE were analyzed microbiologically. RESULTS: Pathogens were identified in 18 (78%) of the 23 blood, liver aspirate, and/or vitreous humor samples. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most frequent organism (13/23, 57%). Abdomino-pelvic imaging (21/23, 91%) was performed to evaluate the primary site of infection. The most common primary infection was liver abscess (14/23, 61%). Despite administration of intravenous antibiotics and intravitreal injection, only six of 23 patients showed improvements in visual acuity. Thirteen (57%) experienced worse visual acuity. Four (17%) were eventually enucleated. CONCLUSIONS: In patients diagnosed with EE, abdomino-pelvic CT is required to exclude the presence of liver abscess. If a liver abscess is identified, percutaneous drainage should be considered. Considering the rapid progression and poor prognosis of EE, early diagnosis and immediate management are vital. We currently suggest that empiric antibiotics for treatment of EE should have activity against Gram-negative bacilli such as K. pneumoniae.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Drainage ; Early Diagnosis ; Endophthalmitis ; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections ; Humans ; Intravitreal Injections ; Klebsiella ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Liver ; Liver Abscess ; Pneumonia ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Visual Acuity ; Vitreous Body

Staphylococcus aureus is a well-known pathogen involved inright-sided endocarditis with predisposing factors, and the clinical course may be acute and rapidly progressive. Intravenous drug abuse, pacemakers or central vascular catheters, and congenital heart diseases are well-known predisposing factors. However, right-sided endocarditis as a result of S. aureus infection is very rare in patients without these predisposing factors. Here, we report the case of a previously healthy 25-year-old male with native tricuspid valve infective endocarditis by methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, complicating multiple septic pneumonia and septic pulmonary artery thrombosis. The patient was treated with antibiotics and surgical thromboembolectomy with tricuspid valve repair.
Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Endocarditis ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Male ; Pneumonia ; Pulmonary Artery ; Staphylococcus ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Substance Abuse, Intravenous ; Thrombosis ; Tricuspid Valve ; Vascular Access Devices

Good's syndrome (GS) is a rare cause of acquired combined B- and T-cell immunodeficiency in adults. GS is also known as a rare form of paraneoplastic syndrome of thymoma that may persist after thymectomy. Some reported GS cases have been related to various diseases as a result of humoral immunodeficiency, but no report to date has related GS to cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in Korea. We report two cases of CMV retinitis as a manifestation of GS with severe cellular immunodeficiency. In the first case, a 61-year-old woman was diagnosed with GS manifesting as CMV retinitis combined with coincident pulmonary tuberculosis and soft-tissue tuberculosis. In the second case, a 56-year-old man had CMV retinitis and CMV pneumonia. Both patients had a history of thymoma and had received total thymectomies, and were diagnosed with GS a few years thereafter.
Adult ; Cytomegalovirus ; Cytomegalovirus Retinitis ; Female ; Humans ; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes ; Korea ; Middle Aged ; Paraneoplastic Syndromes ; Pneumonia ; Retinitis ; T-Lymphocytes ; Thymectomy ; Thymoma ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary