• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.59-68
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• 2003

Background : In intubated patients, cultures of endotracheal aspirates (EA) are apt to contamination throughout the endotracheal tube. Therefore, the identification of etiologic agents via conventional EA cultures is not always reliable. In order to differentiate a pulmonary infection from a non-infectious disease, and to identify the true etiologic agent of acute pulmonary infection, blinded protected specimen brushing (PSB) was used, and its efficacy evaluated. Methods : In 51 intubated patients, with suspected pneumonia, blind PSB were performed, and the results compared with blood and EA cultures. A protected specimen brush was introduced through the endotracheal tube, and settled at the affected large bronchus. A specimen brush was introduced to the expected region using the blind method. The tip of the brush was introduced with an aseptic technique after vigorously mixed for 1 minute in $1cm^3$ of Ringer's lactate solution. The specimens were submitted for quantitative culture within 15 minutes, with a culture being regarded as positive if the colony forming units were above $10^3/ml$. Results : Of the 51 patients, 15 (29.4%) had community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), 27 (52.9%) hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and 9 (17.6%) non-infectious diseases. The sensitivity and specificity of the quantitative PSB culture for the diagnosis of pneumonia were 52.4 and 88.9%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of EA were 78.6 and 77.8%, respectively. The blind PSB was superior to the EA for the identification of true etiologic agents. Of 53 episodes of 27 HAP patients, MRSA (Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) (41.5%) was the most common causative agent followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15.1%), Klebsiella sp. (7.5%) and Acinetobacter sp. (7.5%). Conclusions : As a simple, non-invasive diagnostic modality, the blind PSB is a useful method for the differentiation of a pulmonary infection from non-infectious diseases and to identify the etiologic agents in intubated patients. A blind PSB can be performed without bronchoscopy, so is safer, more convenient and cost-effectiveness for patients where bronchoscopy can not be performed.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.8
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• pp.882-888
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• 2006

Purpose : Bacteremia is one of the major concerns in the treatment of pediatric cancer patients. This study was to determine the etiologic agents and the pattern of antibiotic susceptibilities in a single tertiary medical center. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the cases of bacteremia in pediatric cancer patients from 1998 to 2005 in Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center. Results : There were 62 cases of bacteremia from 44 patients. Gram-positive organisms(48.3%) were more common than gram-negative organisms(38.7%) or fungi(13%). Among gram-positive organisms, Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common etiologic agent(63.3%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus(16.7%), ${\alpha}$-hemolytic Streptococcus(16.7%), and Streptococcus mitis(3.3%). Among gram-negative organisms, Alcaligenes xylosoxidans was the most common agent(41.7%) and the other organisms were Klebsiella pneumoniae(20.8%), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia(12.5%), Acinetobacter baumanii(8.2%), etc. In febrile neutropenic patients, however, K. pneumoniae was the most common cause of gram-negative bacteremia. All of the isolated K. pneumoniae in our center produced extended-spectrum beta-lactamase and were related with high mortality. S. aureus, S. epidermidis, and Streptococcus species were all susceptible to vancomycin and teicoplanin. Most staphylococci were resistant to penicillin and oxacillin. Most of the gram-negative organisms were susceptible to imipenem. Conclusion : Gram-positive organisms were more commonly isolated than gram-negative organisms in pediatric cancer patients like other studies. We could obtained valuable information on the choice of proper antibiotics in our institution. Further studies will be needed to explain the prevalence of A. xylosoxidans in our center.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.11
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• pp.792-798
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• 2002

Although there is a controversy on the optimal timing for active infective endocarditis(IE), recently good results of early surgical intervention have been published. Herein, we analyzed the results of surgery for active IE according to the duration of preoperative antibiotic treatment. Material and Method : Retrospectively, we analyzed 51 patients who underwent operation for active IE at the department of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery of Samsung medical center from Mar. 1995 to Oct. 2001. Male to female ratio was 39:12, mean age of the patients was 44.5$\pm$17.8 years(range : 13~74). Infected valves were mitral valve in 17(33.3%), aortic valve in 15(29.4%), mitral and aortic valve in 12(23.5), and tricuspid valve in 5(9.8%) cases. Among them, prosthetic valve endocarditis was present in 10(19.6%) cases. Infecting organism was Staphylococcus in 19(37.3%), Streptococcus in 17(33.3%), Enterococcus in 3(5.9%), fungus in 3(5.9%), and other bacteria in 5(9.8%) cases. Organism was not isolated in 6(11.8%) cases, and two organisms were isolated in 4(7.8%) cases. Dividing these patients into two groups according to the duration of preoperative antibiotic treatment(A: less than 7 days, B: more than 8 days), we compared the surgical results between the two groups. Result : There were 16 cases in group A and 35 in group B. Annular reconstruction was performed in 10(62.5%) cases in group A and 10(28.6%) cases in group B, which has statistically significance(p＜0.05). There was one early death in group B. Forty nine patients(96.1%) except two were followed up with mean follow-up duration of 28.7 $\pm$ 23.6 months. Endocarditis was recurred in one in group A, and two in group B. Three late deaths occurred in group B. Recurrence rate and survival were not statistically different between the two groups. Conclusion : Early surgery for active IE showed good results as the result of that which was performed after prolonged antibiotic treatment; therefore, we believe that early surgery for active If could effectively eradicate the infection.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.59-68
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• 1989

Ceftizoxime sodium is a new synthetic ${\beta}$-lactam antibiotic combining potent antibacterial activity with high stability to a wide range of bacterial ${\beta}$-lactamase. This experiment was achieved to evaluate the antibacterial activities of ceftizoxime sodium againist Gram negative enteric bacteria isolated from in outpatient visiting Yeungnam university hospital and to study the emergence of drug induced bacterial varients which resist to ceftizoxime in vitro. The antibacterial activity of the ceftizoxime was compared with that of antibiotics and its effect on population of normal intestinal flora in mice was observed. The results are summarized as follows : 1. Highly effective antibacterial activity of ceftizoxime against Gram negative enteric bacilli was demonstrated and this antibacterial activity was superior to that of ampicillin. 2. Several test strains shows multiple antibiotic resistence. Among 15 strains of Escherichia coli, 1 strain was resistent to ampicillin, cefadroxyl, gentamicin, tetracycline, and 2 strains were resistent to ampicillin, cefadroxyl, tetracycline, five strains of Escherichia coli and Enterobacter cloacae was resistent to amplicillin, tetracycline and Shigella dysenteria was resistent to ampicillin, gentamicin, tetracycline. 3. The frequency of in vitro emergence of resistent varients among ceftizoxime sensitive bacteria in the presence of increasing concentrations of the compound was found to be low. 4. Plasmid was isolated in 6 of 9 strains (6 strains of Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Enterobacter cloaceae and Salmonella typhi) That showed different antibiotic resistance. They were 5 strains of Escherichia coli and 1 strain of Shigella dysenteriae. However, plasmid could not be considered as a hallmark for antibiotic resistance by this. Further studies with curing experiment are to be accomplished for this purpose. 5. Changes in the bacterial count of normal intestinal flora following 25mg/kg/day administration of ceftizoxime over S consecutive days were not significant. In conclusion, ceftizoxime appeared to be a drug of choice in the treatment of Gram negative enteric bacilli infection.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.751-754
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• 2010

A 6-year-old spayed female Persian cat presented with a 3-month history of recurrent ulcerative keratitis with noticeable opacification and vascularization of the right cornea. The lesion was nonresponsive to topical antibiotics and to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Ophthalmic examination showed signs of ocular discomfort, such as epiphora and blepharospasm, in the right eye. Biomicroscopic examination revealed an irregular, edematous, vascularized mass with pink to white tissue on the entire cornea and mild conjunctivitis. A tentative diagnosis of feline proliferative eosinophilic keratitis (FPEK) was made on the basis of clinical appearance. Cytologic examination of the cornea showed a mixture of numerous eosinophils and mast cells, which confirmed the original diagnosis of FPEK. The cat was treated with a topical antibiotic-corticosteroid combination, cyclosporine ointment, trifluridine eye drops, and oral Llysine. The clinical signs improved remarkably 18 days after the cat was first examined. The short-term use of corticosteroids and long-term use of cyclosporine and an anti-viral agent resolved the lesion without recurrence of the disease for 1 year.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.417-421
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• 2018

Carboxytherapy is very similar to mesotherapy in terms of methods, conditions it treats, and outcomes. An important difference consider, however, is that carboxytherapy administers carbon dioxide gas into the subcutaneous layer, just underneath the skin, whereas mesotherapy administers a cocktail of vitamins, minerals, and drugs and into the mesoderm of the skin. There have been many previous case reports of complications of mesotherapy such as hematoma, granulomatous panniculitis, cellulitis, and abscesses. However, complications of carboxytherapy have rarely been reported because the carbon dioxide gas is absorbed within a week and is infused into the subcutaneous and superficial layers. A 27-year-old woman who had twice undergone carboxytherapy to reduce abdominal fat (3 days and 2 weeks ago) at an oriental medical clinic visited the emergency department due to high fever, myalgia, severe back pain, and subcutaneous emphysema from the buttocks to the lower chest wall area. A computed tomography (CT) scan was performed for diagnosis and treatment. We immediately started broad spectrum antibiotics and consulted with the department of radiology, which could not rule out acute peritonitis due to needle injury. A radiologist confirmed abdominal myositis and needle puncture induced acute pyelonephritis. Pyelonephritis can even lead to septicemia, which can have fatal consequences. Therefore, if the patient has costovertebral or back pain after undergoing needle puncture or acupuncture therapy, the emergency physcians need careful initial evaluation for diagnosis and treatment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.644-649
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• 2000

Objective : Acute hydrocephalus can be caused by many pathologic conditions such as sub- arachnoid hemorrhage, intraventricular hemorrhage, inflammatory diseases. External ventricular drainage(EVD) through trephination of the skull is essential procedure for progressing or persistent symptomatic acute hydrocephalus. If the EVD can not be removed in short period, the chance of ventriculitis increases and periodic transposition of the draining catheter should be considered. Shunt procedure can not be performed in acute hemorrhage or infectious condition because of the risk of shunt malfunction or intra-abdominal spreading of the infection, respectively. The authors replaced EVD with continuous lumbar drainage(CLD) for the purpose of controlling acute hydrocephalus and preventing ventriculitis simultaneously, or treating ventriculitis more effectively in case of infection which had already broken out. CLD has many advantages over EVD, although, it can complicate disastrous downward brain herniation in patients with elevated intracranial pressure. The authors performed CLD with EVD maintained and then tested the possibility of the brain herniation with quite simple method. If the CLD was proven as safe through the test, EVD could be replaced with it without terrible herniation. Material and Method : Between September 1998 and April 1999, 10 patients underwent CLD in replacement of EVD. Among them, 5 were patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, 2 were patients with thalamic hematoma and intraventricular hemorhage and 3 were patients with traumatic intracranial hemorrhage. Results : In eight of them the replacements were successfully done and one of them died on account of medical illness. In two of them the replacement could not be performed because of the risk of herniation and all expired owing to ventriculitis. Two patients required permanent shunt operation. Conclusion : This article provides a valuable alternative method of treatment for persistent symptomatic hydrocephalus which can not be managed with shunt operation immediately.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.83-89
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• 2020

Purpose: Group A streptococcus (GAS) is a common pathogen in pediatric patients and often causes acute pharyngotonsillitis and skin and soft tissue infections. In addition, bacteremia with significant morbidity and mortality can also occur. This study was conducted to describe the clinical manifestations and treatment outcomes of pediatric GAS bacteremia patients in Korea. Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective study. From January 2000 to December 2016, pediatric patients aged ≤18 years with GAS bacteremia were studied. Clinical manifestations, underlying diseases, intensive care unit stay, and antibiotic susceptibility were evaluated. Results: During the study period, 19 patients had GAS bacteremia. Ten (53%) were male, and the median age was 7.4 years (range, 0.3-17.4 years). Fourteen (74%) had chronic underlying diseases. Five (26%) were immunocompromised (leukemia and chronic kidney disease). Eight (42%) had lymphatic or vascular malformations, of which seven had lesions with signs of inflammation. Three (16%) developed pneumonia, and two of them received ventilator care. The 30-day mortality rate was 6% (1/19), and the cause of death was bacteremic pneumonia. All GAS isolates were sensitive to penicillin. Fifteen (79%) were sensitive to both erythromycin and clindamycin. Conclusions: This study identified various clinical manifestations of GAS bacteremia. GAS should be considered as a potential pathogen that can cause bacteremia and result in a serious clinical course.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.99-103
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• 2007

Purpose: To report the results of graft retention treatment for infection cases after anterior cruciate ligament(ACL) reconstruction. Materials and Methods: From a group of 511 consecutive ACL reconstruction patients, we report 5 who sustained septic arthritis. All patients underwent arthroscopic lavage, debridement, synovectomy with graft retention, and treatment with intravenous antibiotics. Results: All patients were evaluated at an average of 34 months after operation. The infection was successfully eradicated. No patient showed instability with KT-2000 arthrometer testing. The clinical outcome was inferior to normal ACL reconstruction patients. Two patients were graded as nearly normal and 3 patients were graded as abnormal with International Knee Documentation Committee evaluation form. Conclusion: There were no recurrences of septic arthritis or bone infection with graft retention treatment for infection patients after ACL reconstruction.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.314-317
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• 2005

The potential therapeutic effect of ozone gas on bovine mastitis was investigated. Eighteen quarters from 18 lactating cows with chronic mastitis were included. The 18 quarters were assigned to the control group (treatment with antibiotics for 3 days), experimental group I (0.1 ppm ozone treatment, for 7 days) and experimental group II (1ppm ozone treatment, for 3days). In experimental group I, milk somatic cell counts were lower on day 7 after ozone treatment, compared to the pretreated counts, but were higher than the control counts. In experimental group II, somatic cell counts were significantly decreased (p<0.05) on day 7 compared to the pretreatment counts, and they were lower than the control counts. There were no changes in leukocyte, neutrophil, or lymphocyte numbers, N/L ratios, N/L ratios, or serum total protein in the control and experimental groups. We concluded that ozone gas treatment(1ppm for 3days) might be effective for treatment of bovine mastitis.