• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 2012

A total of 450 stool samples were collected from inpatient and outpatient clinics of Pediatric Department, Minia University Hospital, Minia District, Egypt. Two groups of patients were studied, including 200 immunosuppressed and 250 immunocompetent children. Stool samples were subjected to wet saline and iodine mounts. A concentration technique (formol-ether sedimentation method) was carried out for stool samples diagnosed negative by wet saline and iodine mounts. Samples were stained by 2 different methods; acid fast stain (modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain) and Giemsa stain. Total 188 cases (94%) were diagnosed positive for parasitic infections among immunosuppressed children, whereas 150 cases (60%) were positive in immunocompetent children ($P$<0.0001). The most common protozoan infection in immunosuppressed group was $Cryptosporidium$ $parvum$ (60.2%), followed by $Blastocystis$ $hominis$ (12.1%), $Isospora$ $belli$ (9.7%), and $Cyclospora$ $caytenensis$ (7.8%). On the other hand, $Entamoeba$ $histolytica$ (24.6%) and $Giardia$ $lamblia$ (17.6%) were more common than other protozoans in immunocompetent children.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.302-304
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• 2022

Adrenal gland infection is a clinical entity of great importance, but it is a largely unrecognized pathology. Immunosuppressed individuals are at a higher risk of presentation. Herein, we describe a young female patient, recently diagnosed with HIV, who presented with severe sepsis due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, associated with a left adrenal abscess. She was initially treated with antibiotics; however, due to the persistence of the systemic inflammatory response and bacteremia, endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage was performed. This procedure was successful in resolving the clinical situation. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided adrenal gland drainage can be a safe, efficacious, and minimally invasive option for managing antibiotic-refractory adrenal abscesses in immunosuppressed patients.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.574-581
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• 2023

Nocardiosis is an uncommon opportunistic bacterial infection which becomes a significant health problem due to its increasing incidence and high mortality rate. However, many nocardiosis patients are underdiagnosed by physicians. To summarize the clinical characteristics and management of nocardiosis would help with better diagnosis and prognosis of nocardiosis. This retrospective study was conducted based on the medical records of nocardiosis patients between January 2015 and December 2021 in a tertiary hospital in China. Overall, 44 nocardiosis patients with 54 specimens were included. The patients consisted of 26 males and 18 females with a mean age of 50.4 ± 13.2 years. Among 44 patients, 26 (59.1%) were previously given immunosuppressive therapy. Connective tissue diseases (CTDs) were the most common underlying disease (16/44). The most frequent infection sites were the lungs (17/44) and skin or soft tissues (8/44). Common symptoms included cough (23/44), expectoration (18/44), fever (15/44), and subcutaneous abscesses (15/44). Forty-five out of 54 specimens (83.3%) required over 48 hours of culture time for nocardiosis detection. Thirty-six patients were cured or improved, 5 patients were discharged from the hospital due to poor prognosis, and 1 patient died. The average diagnosis time of poor prognosis cases was 19.7 days, which was significantly longer than those of improved or cured patients (7.3 days). Immunosuppressed patients comprise a large part of nocardiosis cases, which is worth attention in clinical practice. Early diagnosis, specifically through prolonged cultivation time of specimen, could help achieve better prognosis of nocardiosis patients.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.575-585
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• 2000

This study was performed to observe the influence of host immune response on the chemotherapy of mice experimentally infected with Fasciola hepatica. Following immunosuppression with prednisolone or immunoenhancement with Freund's complete adjuvant(FCA), mice were experimentally infected with 3 Fasciola hepatica metacercariae and treated with closantel at 1 week post infection. In the group of mice infected with metacercariae alone, 2 mice of 10 were dead at 10 weeks post infection(20% mortality), and adult flukes were recovered from the liver and the peritoneal cavity of the remaining 8 mice(100% infectivity). In the group of mice treated with prednisolone and infected with metacercariae, 8 of 10 mice died before euthanasia with a mean time of death earlier than the control group (p<0.05). In the group of immunosuppressed mice infected with metacercariae and treated with closantel 20mg/kg, 4 of 10 mice died before sacrifice. In the group of mice infected and treated with closantel 20mg/kg, mortality and infectivity was 10% and 30%, respectively. Similar results were observed in mice infected and treated with closantel 5mg/kg which resulted in 10% and 50% mortality and infectivity, respectively. These results indicated that the efficacy of closantel treatment was decreased in immunosuppressed mice, while the pathogenicity was increased. In immunoenhanced mice infected with metacercariae, on the other hand, the efficacy of chemotherapy with both 5mg/kg or 20mg/kg closantel resulted in only 10% infectivity. The results shown in this study strongly suggest that a close interaction between chemotherapy against F hepatica with closantel and the host immune system exists. Considering that fascioliasis is a zoonosis, treatment regimen against the infection to immunosuppressed patients may require a concurrent prescription of an appro-priate immuno-enhancing adjuvant.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.53-58
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• 1995

Open lung biopsy still has important roles for the marking of diagnosis of diffuse infiltrative lung disease even though transbronchial bronchoscopic lung biopsy and percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy gain popularity nowadays. This is clinical retrospective review of the 56 patients with diffuse infiltrative lung disease undergoing open lung biopsy by minithoracotomy from 1984 to Dec. 1992 in the Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery of Catholic University Medical College. 27 men and 29 women, aged 17 to 73 year [mean 49 year , were enrolled & divided into 2 groups;Group A consisted of patients with immunocompromised state [n=19 , Group B patients with non-immunocompromised state[n=38 . Pathologic diagnosis was made in 54 cases[96.4% of these two groups and as follows: infectious; 12 patients[21.4% , Neoplastic; 10 patients[17.9% , granulomatous; 4 patients[7.1% , interstitial pneumonia; 12 patients[21.4% , Pulmonary fibrosis; 8 patients[14.3% , others; 3 patients[5.4% , nonspecific; 5 patients[8.9% , and undetermined; 2 patients[3.6% . Therapeutic plans were changed in 39 patients[69.6% after taking of tissue diagnosis by open lung biopsy. Group B has higher incidence of infectious diseases and change of therapeutic plan than the Group A. The postoperative complications developed in 8 cases[14.3% ,and there is no difference of incidence between the 2 groups. 4 patients belongs to group A, died of respiratory distress syndrome [2 and sepsis [2 which were not related with open lung biopsy procedure. In conclusion, open lung biopsy is a reliable method to obtain a diagnosis in diffuse pulmonary infiltrates and can be performed safely, even in acutely ill, immunosuppressed patients.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.231-236
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• 2021

Mucormycosis is an invasive, rapidly progressive, life-threatening fungal infection, with a propensity for diabetic, immunosuppressed, and trauma patients. The classic rhinocerebral variation is most common in diabetic patients. While the cutaneous form is usually caused by direct inoculation in immunocompetent patients. Cutaneous mucormycosis manifests in soft tissue and risks involvement of underlying structures. Tibial osteomyelitis can also occur secondary to cutaneous mucormycosis but is rare. Limb salvage is typically successful after lower extremity cutaneous mucormycosis even when the bone is involved. Herein, we report two cases of lower extremity cutaneous mucormycosis in diabetic patients that presented as acute worsening of chronic pretibial ulcers. Despite aggressive antifungal therapy and surgical debridement, both ultimately required amputation. Such aggressive presentation has not been reported in the absence of major penetrating trauma, recent surgery, or burns.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.229-236
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• 2020

Background: Oncologic resection of the scalp confers several obstacles to the reconstructive surgeon dependent upon patient-specific and wound-specific factors. We aim to describe our experiences with various reconstructive methods, and delineate risk factors for coverage failure and complications in the setting of scalp reconstruction. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted, examining patients who underwent resection of fungating scalp tumors with subsequent soft-tissue reconstruction from 2003 to 2019. Patient demographics, wound and oncologic characteristics, treatment modalities, and outcomes were recorded and analyzed. Results: A total of 189 patients were appropriate for inclusion, undergoing a range of reconstructive methods from skin grafting to free flaps. Thirty-three patients (17.5%) underwent preoperative radiation. In all, 48 patients (25.4%) suffered wound site complications, 25 (13.2%) underwent reoperation, and 47 (24.9%) suffered from mortality. Preoperative radiation therapy was an independent risk factor for wound complications (odds ratio [OR], 2.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-7.3; p=0.028) and reoperations (OR, 4.45; 95% CI, 1.5-13.2; p=0.007). Similarly, the presence of an underlying titanium mesh was an independent predictor of wound complications (OR, 2.49; 95% CI, 1.1-5.6; p=0.029) and reoperations (OR, 3.40; 95% CI, 1.2-9.7; p=0.020). Both immunosuppressed status (OR, 2.88; 95% CI, 1.2-7.1; p=0.021) and preoperative radiation therapy (OR, 3.34; 95% CI, 1.2-9.7; p=0.022) were risk factors for mortality. Conclusion: Both preoperative radiation and the presence of underlying titanium mesh are independent risk factors for wound site complications and increased reoperation rates following oncologic resection and reconstruction of the scalp. Additionally, preoperative radiation, along with an immunosuppressed state, may predict patient mortality following scalp resection and reconstruction.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.414-421
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• 2013

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in fermented foods have attracted considerable attention recently as treatment options for immune diseases, the incidence of which has been increasing worldwide. The ability of 500 strains of LAB, isolated from kimchi, to induce TNF-${\alpha}$ production in peritoneal macrophages was investigated. Lactobacillus plantarum HY7712 most strongly induced TNF-${\alpha}$ production as well as NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. However, HY7712 inhibited NF-${\kappa}B$ activation in LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophages. When HY7712 was orally treated in cyclophosphamide (CP)-immunosuppressed mice for 5 or 15 days, it reversed the body and spleen weights, blood RBC and WBC levels, and splenocyte and bone marrow cells that were reduced by CP. Orally administered HY7712 increased concanavalin A-induced T cell proliferation to 84.5% of the normal group on day 15, although treatment with CP alone markedly reduced it to 53.7% of the normal group. Furthermore, orally administered HY7712 significantly induced the expressions of IL-2 and IFN-${\gamma}$ in ConA-induced splenic cytotoxic T cells of CP-treated mice. Orally administered HY7712 restored the CP-impaired phagocytosis of macrophages in mice. Orally administered HY7712 also restored the cytotoxicity of NK and cytotoxic T cells derived from spleen and bone marrow against YAC-1 in CP-immunosuppressed mice. Based on these findings, orally administered HY7712 may accelerate the recovery of cyclophosphamide-caused immunosuppression, without evident side effects, by immunopotentiating NK and Tc cells, and may provide a mechanistic basis for using HY7712 as an alternative means in lessening chemotherapyinduced immunosuppression in cancer patients.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.79-81
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• 2015

Oral hairy leukoplakia occurs on the lateral surface of the tongue that clinically as an asymptomatic white lesion. It is mainly found in patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection. However, it rarely outbreak immunosuppressed patients after organ transplantation, or the patients taking steroids or immunosuppressants. It is the result of proliferating Epstein-Barr virus in the oral epithelium. Most of human immunodeficiency virus infected patients with oral hairy leukoplakia are highly contagious and possible to progress acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Therefore, the early diagnosis of oral hairy leukoplakia is very important. Taking a thorough history and human immunodeficiency virus screening test is highly recommended in case oral hairy leukoplakia is detected. In this case, a 29-year-old man presented with whitish lesion on lateral border of tongue is diagnosed as oral hairy leukoplakia and human immunodeficiency virus infection.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.159-165
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• 2000

Subsequent to an allogenic stem cell transplantation(ASCT) on patients with hematologic malignancy(AML, ALL, CML, multiple myeloma, lymphoma etc.), chronic GVHD(graft versus host disease), which is an immunological reaction, occurs. With treatment results from patients who were diagnosed with ALL(acute lymphocytic leukemia), undergone BMT(bone marrow transplantation) and showed oral and skin lesions due to GVHD, treatment of oral manifestations of leukemia and its general management were studied. 90% of patients with chronic GVHD show change in the oral mucosa causing oral manifestations such as leukoplakia, lichenoid change of the oral mucosa, mucosal atrophy, erythema, ulceration and xerostomia. In treating GVHD, extensive systemic immunosuppression cause bacterial, viral, fungal infection that are fatal, and even if the treatment is successful, the patient is already in a severe immunosuppressed state. Therefore, localized target therapy is preferred. In another words, topical application(rinse, cream, ointment etc.) of cyclosporin and steroid in treating oral chronic GVHD is highly recommended, and the use of PUVA(Psoralen Ultraviolet A) and thalidomide is reported to be effective. In treating such diseases, dental treatment to control pain and prevent secondary infection of oral manifestations is very important. To those patients with systemic diseases who show limited effect by general dental treatment, non-invasive treatment such as the dental laser, in addition to the use of drugs, may be necessary to actively treat pain and help the healing process. For greater results, new effective methods are to be developed for treatment.