• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.72 no.5
• /
• pp.452-456
• /
• 2012

Disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection can occur in immunocompromised patients, and rarely in immunocompetent subjects. Due to the extensive distribution of the disease, clinical presentation of disseminated MAC may mimic malignancies, and thorough examinations are required in order to make accurate diagnosis. We report a case of disseminated Mycobacterium intracellulare disease in an immunocompetent patient, which involved the lung, lymph nodes, spleen, and multiple bones. F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography imaging showed multiple hypermetabolic lesions, which are suggestive of typical hematogenous metastasis. However, there was no evidence of malignancy in serial biopsies, and M. intracellulare was repeatedly cultured from respiratory specimens and bones. Herein, we should know that disseminated infection can occur in the immunocompetent subjects, and it can mimic malignancies.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.59 no.6
• /
• pp.606-612
• /
• 2005

Background : It has been reported that nontuberculosis mycobacterium(NTM) isolates account for approximately 10% of patients with a positive Acid-Fast Bacilli(AFB) smear. Therefore, it is necessary to consider NTM pulmonary disease when such a positive test is encountered. The aim of this study was to evaluate the etiologies and clinical characteristics of patients with NTM pulmonary disease who had been treated at a national tuberculosis hospital. Methods : The NTM isolates were recovered from the sputum or bronchial washing specimens submitted to a clinical laboratory of National Masan TB Hospital from August 2002 to July 2003. All samples were identified using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis method, which amplifies the rpoB gene. The patients were diagnosed with NTM disease according to the American Thoracic Society diagnostic criteria. Results : One hundred NTM isolates were recovered from 57 patients. Of the 100 isolates, M. avium complex(MAC) was the most common species, which was found 55%(n=55) of patients, followed by M. abscessus(n=25), and M. fortuitum( n=9). 26(45.6%) patients had NTM disease. Twenty-six (45.6%) patients had NTM disease according to The American Thoracic Society classification. The main organisms involved in NTM disease were MAC(n=19, 73.1%) and M. abscessus(n=5, 19.2%). The pathogenic potential was 67.9% in M. intracellulare and 41.7% in M. abscessus. The predictive factors related to NTM disease were a positive sputum smear (OR 6.4, p=0.02) and the isolation of either MAC or M. abscessus(OR 6.9, p=0.007). Fifteen patients(57.7%) were cured. There were no significant factors associated with the treatment success. Conclusion : There was a relatively high proportion of NTM disease in NTM isolates and the common species were MAC and M. abscessus. The predictive factors for NTM disease were a positive sputum smear and the isolation of either MAC or M. abscessus.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.57 no.3
• /
• pp.242-249
• /
• 2004

Background : Because of the low sensitivity of sputum smear and culture, diagnosis of nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) pulmonary disease, especially in patients with bronchiectasis, is often difficult. We investigated the usefulness of bronchoscopy for the diagnosis of NTM pulmonary disease including M. avium complex (MAC) and M. abscessus in patients with bronchiectasis and multiple pulmonary nodules on chest computed tomography (CT). Methods : We reviewed 48 cases of patients who were performed bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) under suspect of NTM pulmonary disease based on CT findings of bronchiectasis and multiple nodules from April 2002 to June 2003. Results : Twenty five of the 48 patients (54%; 12 MAC, 14 M. abscessus) were diagnosed as NTM pulmonary disease on the basis of the American Thoracic Society diagnostic criteria for NTM pulmonary disease. Sixteen of the 21 patients (76%; 5 MAC, 11 M. abscessus) with 3 or more positive sputum cultures of NTM were confirmed tissue invasion by TBLB. Five of the 24 patients (21%; 4 MAC, 1 M. abscessus) who could not be diagnosed with sputum cultures were diagnosed by bronchoscopic BAL and TBLB. Conclusion : Bronchoscopy is helpful for the diagnosis of NTM pulmonary disease and confirmation of tissue invasion by NTM, not only MAC but also M. abscessus, in patients with bronchiectasis and multiple nodules on chest CT scan.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.40 no.5
• /
• pp.483-494
• /
• 1993

Cell surface antigenic relationships between pathogenic mycobacteria have been investigated by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using phenolkilled cells and their rabbits antisera. Homologous and heterologous reactions of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare antisera before and after homologous and heterologous absorption revealed a close antigenic relationship between strains of the same species and between species if they were members of M. avium(MA)-intracellulare(MI)-scrofulaceum(MG) complex. MAI sera showed a considerable reaction with M. kansasii(MK) and tuberculosis(MTB), but not with the other species. MA(K40004) antiserum reacted with other mycobacteria except few strains of MI and 50~89% of homologous reaction was reduced by heterologous absorption with cells of MI or MS. Intraspecific reaction of MI antisera was natural1y stronger than interspecific reaction and different in extent due to a magnitude of antigenic sharing. Antigenic relationships between N-260D, N-260R, N-260T, and K41014 was somewhat closer than that with N-242D, N-257T, N-28ID, and N-275T. M. nonchromogenicum(MNC) antisera showed a strong interspecific reaction with exception of M. chelonei(MC) and triviale(MTV) to which they reacted weakly or none. Antigenic sharing with M. terrae(MTR) and MG(K30003) was next to intraspecific sharing. NC-3 shared antigens considerably with MA, MC, and M. fortuitum(MF) while NC-11 did not. MTR antisera showed a strong cross-reaction with MI but their homologous reaction was not reduced by MI absorption indicating a paucity of shared antigen of MTR surface. Intraspecific antigenic sharing of course was large with on exception between T-8 and T-13. A considerable amount of antigenic sharing was also found with MNC, MC and MF. Unlike T-8 serum, T-13 antiserum strongly cross-reacted with MA, MG, MK, and MTB. In general, antigenic relationships of mycobacteria, that have been elucidated in this study, well conformed to taxons delineated by the various biological and biochemical means.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.71-79
• /
• 2015

Background: Recent studies have shown that the nontuberculosis mycobacterium (NTM) recovery rate in clinical cultures has increased within Korea. However, another study conducted by a secondary hospital within Daegu reported different results. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to understand and evaluate the microbiological distribution and clinical features of NTM in Daegu. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 11,672 respiratory specimens undergoing acid fast bacilli (AFB) culture from 6,685 subjects who visited Yeungnam University Respiratory Center from January 2012 to December 2013. Results: Of the 11,672 specimens undergoing AFB culture, 1,310 specimens (11.2%) showed positive results. Of these specimens, NTM was recovered from 587 specimens, showing a recovery rate of 44.8%. Identification test for NTM was performed on 191 subjects; the results were as follows: M. avium-intracellulare complex (MAC) 123 (64.4%), M. abscessus 20 (10.5%), M. kansasii 12 (6.3%), and 33 other NTM germ strains. Of the 382 subjects with NTM, 167 were diagnosed with pulmonary NTM disease (43.7%), however virulence differed depending on NTM strain. Multivariate analysis showed that nodular bronchiectasis, the nodules, and finding consistent with cavity under imaging study were statistically significant for triggering pulmonary NTM disease. AFB culture showing MAC and M. abscessus was statistically significant as well. Positive predictive value for NTM polymerase chain reaction (NTM-PCR) was 88.6%. Conclusion: Results for NTM recovery rate within the Daegu area were similar to those for the Seoul metropolitan area. We can assume that NTM infection is increasing in our community, therefore AFB-positive subjects (1) should undergo NTM-PCR, (2) should have their culture results checked for differentiation of mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTB) from NTM, and (3) undergo NTM identification test to confirm its type. Administration of treatment with the above results should be helpful in improving the patients' prognosis.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.151-158
• /
• 1976

The tuberculin test have been widely utilized to diagnose tuberculosis of the dairy cattle. It was reported that approximately 70% of the dairy cattle with positive tuberculin reaction in Korea had been non-pathogenic lesion. So the studies on the specific method to diagnose tuberculosis of them is really need in Korea. Therefore this study investigated upon the diagnostic method for cattle tuberculosis in the aspect of cellular-immunology. The results obtained in this investigation are summarized as follows: 1. All the tuberculin tests to the swine inoculated with BCG.(B group), Mycobacterium avium (A group) and Mycobacterium smegmatis (S group), respectively, were represented high positive reaction and were no differences in the species of inoculated bacteria. 2. In the migration inhibition test using Iymphocyte in circulating blood of the swine inoculated with three species of acid-fast bacteria respectively, the test to A group was represented slight positive for migration in the presence of $15{\mu}g/ml$-PPD and the other reaction were clear and total positive for migration inhibition in the presence of $25{\mu}g/ml$-PPD or more, and the test to B group was the same results as to A group approximately. The test to S group was represented slight positive for migration inhibition in the presence of $15{\mu}g/ml$-PPD, but the results were the same in the presence of $25{\mu}g/ml$-PPD and $35{\mu}g/ml$-PPD. These results showed that there were remarkable differences between group A, B and group S in the presence of $25{\mu}g/ml$-PPD and $35{\mu}g/ml$-PPD. 3. The transformation rates of lymphocyte in PPD treated tissue culture had no significance without any relation between PPD treatment and non-treatment but A group and B group showed significance. And A group and B group showed high significance in comparison with N group and S group in the LSD examination. 4. The infection rated in lymphocyte of BCG inoculated after 3 days tissue culturing were represented those of high infection but its cellular degeneration rates almost did not change. The infection rates in bacilli in N group and S group were low but after 3 days inoculation it shewed higher cellular degeneration.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.83 no.2
• /
• pp.141-146
• /
• 2020

Background: The burden of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) pulmonary disease (PD) is increasing globally. To understand the treatment outcomes and prognosis of NTM-PD, a unified registry is needed. In this project, we aim to construct a multicenter prospective observational cohort with NTM-PD in South Korea (NTM-KOREA). Methods: The primary objective of this study is to analyze treatment outcomes according to the species. In addition, recurrence rate, adverse events, the impact of each drug on treatment outcomes as well as the impact of characteristics of mycobacteriology will be analyzed. The inclusion criteria for the study are as follows: fulfilling the criteria for NTM-PD having one of the following etiologic organisms: Mycobacterium avium complex, M. abscessus subspecies abscessus, M. abscessus subspecies massiliense, or M. kansasii; receiving the first treatment for NTM-PD after enrollment; age >20 years; and consenting to participate in the study. Seven institutions will participate in patient enrollment and about 500 patients are expected to be enrolled. Participants will be recruited from 1 March 2020 until 19 March 2024 and will be observed through 19 March 2029. During the follow-up period, participants' clinical course will be tracked and their clinical data as well as NTM isolates will be collected. Conclusion: NTM-KOREA will be the first nationwide observational cohort for NTM-PD in South Korea. It will provide the information to optimize treatment modalities and will contribute to deeper understanding of the treatment outcomes and long-term prognosis of patients with NTM-PD in South Korea.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.117-124
• /
• 2022

In the event of an outbreak of a livestock epidemic, it has been considered that the existing burial-centered carcass disposal method should be improved ecofriendly for prevention of leachate and odors from burial basically in regard of pathogen inactivation. Therefore, the aim of this study is whether it was possible to treat the carcass of cattle and chickens using the chemical carcass treatment method. It was conducted to establish detailed treatment standards for the chemical treatment method of cattle and chicken carcasses based on the results of the proof of the absence of infectious diseases in cattle chickens. After inoculating cattle carcass with 10 pathogens (foot and mouth disease virus, bovine viral diarrhea virus, Mycobacterium bovis, Mycobacterium avium subsp. Paratuberculosis, Brucella abortus, Bacillus anthracis, Clostridium chauvoei, Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella Typhimurium) and chicken carcasses with low pathogenic avian influenza virus, Clostridium perfringens type C, E. coli and Salmonella Typhimurium, these were treated at 90℃ for 5 hours in a potassium hydroxide liquid solution corresponding to 15% of the body weight. This method liquefies all cadaveric components and inactivates all inoculated pathogens by PCR and culture. Based on these results, it was possible to prove that chemical treatment of cattle and chicken carcasses is effective in killing pathogens and is a safe method without the risk of disease transmission. The chemical treatment method of livestock carcasses can be suggested as an alternative to the current domestic burial-centered livestock carcass treatment method, preventing environmental pollution, and contributing to public health.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.31-36
• /
• 2013

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis is the pathogen of paratuberculosis called Johne's disease. Johne's disease is hardly eliminated because of its long latent period and continuous dissemination, so it is found in ruminants worldwide and can cause substantial economic losses in cattle. It has been reported in many studies on the distribution of Johne's disease in some provinces of Korea that not many, but noticeable numbers of infected cows have been detected since the first detection in 1984. The aims of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Johne's disease obtained from slaughtered cattle in central area of Gyeongnam province, Korea. In this study, the ELISA serum antibody test and PCR were employed on a total of 240 blood and ileac substrate samples from slaughtered cattle in two slaughtering and wholesale centers in Gyeongsangnam-do Livestock Veterinary Research Institute Central Branch. Out of the entire 240 blood samples, three (1.3%) were positive by ELISA, while five (2.1%) were suspected cattle. But ileac substrate samples, eight (3.3%) were positive by PCR. By breeds, positive rates of ELISA and PCR in Korean native cattle were 1.3% and 3.5%, respectively, but no positive cows were found in dairy cattle. By provinces, sero-positive rates of Gyeongnam and Gyeongbuk were 1.6% and 1.3%, respectively. And PCR positive rates of Gyeongnam, Gyeongbuk and other provinces were 2.4%, 5.0% and 2.8%, respectively. These results indicate that it requires the nationwide monitoring test and measure to deal with subclinically infected slaughtering cows.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.303-311
• /
• 2011

Prevalence of infectious agents, including Brucella abortus (BA), Mycobacterium bovis (MB), bovine leukemia virus (BLV), M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MP), Neospora caninum (NC) and Toxoplasma gondii (TG), was investigated in all the cattle raised in Ulleung island during 2007~2010. For BA, the prevalences in head and farm were 8.1% (44/545) and 5.5% (4/73) in 2007, all negative in 2008~2009, and 0.5% (4/774) and 1.7% (1/58) in 2010, respectively. For MB, no sample was positive by PPD or ELISA in 2007~2010. For BLV and MP, no sample was positive by ELISA in 2007~2009. For NC, seroprevalences in head and farm were 0.2% (1/545) and 1.4% (1/73), respectively, in 2007 and all negative in 2008~2009. For TG, seroprevalences in head and farm were 17.6% (97/552) and 54.8% (34/62) by ELISA in 2009. By regions, the seroprevalences of TG in Ulleung-eup, Seo-myeon and Buk-myeon were 26.0%, 9.8% and 16.7%, respectively, which had significant differences (P<0.0001). Tiger cattle were more resistant to TG infection than Hanwoo. The seroprevalence of TG in summer was higher than in autumn. The seroprevalence of TG in cows was higher than in oxen. The seroprevalence of TG in cattle was increased with age. In conclusion, this study indicates that the prevalences of six infectious diseases, except for TG which are widely spread, are relatively low in cattle reared in Ulleung island.