• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.5
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• pp.358-364
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• 2009

Background: The appropriate empirical antimicrobial choice in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) should be advocated by community-based information on the etiologic pathogens, their susceptibility to antimicrobials, clinical characteristics and outcomes. Jeju is a geographically isolated and identical region in Korea. However, there is no regional reference on adult CAP available. This study investigated the etiologic agents and clinical outcomes of adult patients diagnosed with CAP in Jeju, Korea, to help guide the empirical antimicrobial choice. Methods: A prospective observational study for one year in a referral hospital in Jeju, Korea. Patients diagnosed with CAP were enrolled with their clinical characteristics. Microbiological evaluations to identify the etiologic agents in the adult patients with CAP were performed with blood culture, expectorated sputum smear and culture, antibody tests for mycoplasma, chlamydophila, and antigen tests for legionella and pneumococcus. The clinical outcomes of the initial empirical treatment were analyzed. Results: Two hundred and three patients with mean age of 64 and 79 females were enrolled. Ten microbials from 90 cases (44.3%) were isolated and multiple isolates were confirmed in 30. Among the microbial isolates, S. pneumoniae (36.3%) was the most common, followed by M. pneumoniae (23.0%), C. pneumoniae (17.0%), S. aureus (9.6%) and P. aeruginosa (5.9%). The initial treatment failure (23.8%) was related to the isolation of polymicrobial pathogens, elevated inflammatory markers, and the presence of pleural effusion. Among the 30 isolates of S. pneumoniae, 16 (53.3%) were not susceptible to penicillin, and 19 isolates (63.3%) to erythromycin and clarithromycin. However, 29 isolates (96.7%) were susceptible to levofloxacin and ceftriaxone. Conclusion: S. pneumoniae, M. pneumoniae, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa are frequent etiologic agents of adult CAP in Jeju, Korea. The clinical characteristics and antibiotic resistance should be considered when determining the initial empirical antimicrobial choice. Respiratory quinolone or ceftriaxone is recommended as an empirical antimicrobiotic in the treatment of adult CAP in Jeju, Korea.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.295-301
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• 1995

Background: The serious problems in retreatment of pulmonary tuberculosis are a significant proportion of drug resistance. Preferably retreatment should contain the drugs which has never used before, so drug retreatment is limited in selection. A new antibacterial substance, ofloxacin(OFX) is the activity against mycobacterium tuberculosis and it has been used in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. The present report concerns the result of retreatment of pulmonary tuberculosis patients containing OFX treated at National Kongju Tuberculosis Hospital. Method: A retrospective study was made through the regular follow up of 92 smear positive cases, who were treated by four drugs regimen between Mar 1991 and June 1994 at National Kongju Tuberculosis Hospital. Four drugs were, namely prothionamide, cycloserine, ofloxacin and streptomycin(kanamycin or tuberactinomycin). The duration of follow up was over one year. Results: 1) Out of 92 cases with positive sputum AFB smear, 67(73%) achieved the negative conversion. 2) Considering the negative sputum conversion in all the groups, the vast majority(85%) of sputum conversion occurred within the first 4 months. 3) The roentgenological improvement occurred in 49 percent on the whole and when the extent of disease was minimal, moderately, far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis, sputum AFB smear negative response to retreatment was 100%, 93%, 68%, respectively. 4) When the duration of patient's illness was less than 1 year, 1 to 3 years, 3 to 5 years and more than 5 years, sputum AFB smear negative response to retreatment was 87%, 76%, 65% and 55%, respectively. 5) Adverse reaction to prothionamide, with complaints of gastrointestinal troubles was common and hepatic dysfunction without jaundice was observed in 7 percent, convulsion in 1 percent, that to cycloserine occurred renal dysfunction & psycosis & convulsion, 2%, 1%, 1%, respectively. Tinnitus with KM occurred in 1% and dirrhea with OFX in 4%. Conclusion: The duration of patient's illness was shorter, sputum AFB smear negative response rate was better. Radiologic responses were not remarkable, but extent of disease by national tuberculosis association was smaller, the result of retreatment was better. Adverse reaction of the secondary antituberculosis agent was mainly observed gastrointestinal troubles, as regard to tolerance to the secondary drugs the role of the physician is of very important value and toxic effects can be overcome by the strong confidence.