• Title/Summary/Keyword: 경증질환

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Clinical and Bacteriologic Characteristics of Retreated Tuberculosis Patients (재치료 폐결핵환자의 임상적 세균학적 특성)

  • Oh, Seoung-Joon;Yoon, Ki-Heon;Yoo, Jee-Hong;Kang, Hong-Mo
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.42 no.1
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    • pp.19-24
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    • 1995
  • Background: Although pulmonary tuberculosis is effectively controlled with 6 months or 9 months short course standard regimens, comparable numbers of treatment failures ensued because of inadequate treatment mainly due to patient's poor compliance. Indequate treatment with standard regimens during initial treatment may cause emergence of drug resistance and prolong the duration of chemotherapy. Also it may make the patient lesser compliant and finally increase the morbidity and the mortality. Methods: A clinical study was done to evaluate clinical and bacteriological characteristics of 94 patients who were retreated for pulmonary tuberculosis. Results: 1) 62 of the 94 patients were male and 32 patients were female. Mean age is 51 years old in male and 45 years old in female. 2) The extent of the disease on the chest radiograph was minimal in 10(11.1%) patients, moderate in 31(33.3%) patients, and far advanced in 52(55.6%) patients. 3) On sputum bacteriologic examination, 73(77.7%) patients were positive in sputum AFB smear and/or culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. 4) Results of drug sensitivity test performed in 42 patients showed that the resistance to one drug is in 9(20.5%) patients, two drugs in 18(40.8%) patients, and more than three drugs in 14(31.8%) patients. 5) Poor patient's compliance was the leading cause of the retreatment of pulmonary tuberculosis(43.6%) 6) Only 24(25.5%) patients of the 94 retreatment patients were successfully treated and 39(41.6%) patients were dropped out during follow-up. Conclusion: We concluded that poor patient's compliance was the most important cause of treatment failure not only in primary treatment patients but also in retreatment patients. Primary treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis should be completed under strict monitoring of the patient because significant number of retreatment patients had multiple drug resistance and poor outcome.

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The Correlation of Sonographic Finding of Fatty Liver with Hematologic Examination and Body Fat Percentage (초음파상 지방간과 혈액학적 검사 및 체지방률과의 상관관계)

  • Cheon, Hae-Kyung;Lee, Tae-Yong;Kim, Young-Ran
    • Journal of radiological science and technology
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    • v.32 no.4
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    • pp.437-444
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    • 2009
  • Ultrasonography has been used as a basic examination of a medical check up for prevention and diagnostics of diseases. Even the person who has no particular subjective symptoms can have a variety of diseases. Especially fatty liver is found in many cases. In this study, we tested 3582 persons who are in between the ages of 15 to 81 and observed that 1390 persons had fatty liver while 2192 persons are normal. We classified the grade of fatty liver and compared their life styles with the results of liver function test and BMI. The results are as follows. Ratio of the subjects who had a fatty liver is 38.8%. Male and female ratio was 46.2% and 24.2%. On the correlation among the fatty liver, the body mass index and the body fat%, the average value of body mass index and body fat% were significantly higher in the group of the fatty liver than in those of the normal liver. The influence of the related factor and the correlation on the fatty liver was shown that it was more related with the order of age, body mass index, triglyceride, ALT, body fat%, sex, HDL-Cholesterol, LDL-Cholesterol, and GGT. The result of the ultrasonography carried out for the purpose of regular health check up indicates that even the 38.8% of those who was diagnosed as normal condition could have the fatty liver and have possibility of other diseases. Therefore, if there are any troubles related to liver function and lipid through hematologic examination or when practicing follow-up study with ultrasonography concerning the correlation relation between the body fat% and dietary preference, alcohol consumption and exercise, the ultrasonography is definitely useful for prevention and treatment of diseases.

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Neonatal Hearing Screening in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Graduate (신생아 집중치료실 퇴원아의 신생아 청력 선별검사)

  • Cho, Sung-Hee;Kim, Han-A;Kim, El-Len A.;Chung, Jong-Woo;Lee, Byong-Sop;Kim, Ki-Soo;Pi, Soo-Young
    • Neonatal Medicine
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    • v.16 no.2
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    • pp.213-220
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    • 2009
  • Purpose: Hearing loss is one of the common birth defects in humans, with a reported prevalence of 1-3 per 1000 newborns. We investigated the incidence of hearing loss and evaluated the use of neonatal hearing screening test in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) graduates who are at greater risk for hearing loss than normal newborns. Methods: The neonates admitted to the NICU of Asan Medical Center from 1 March, 2003 to 30 March, 2008 who were available for follow-up were included. Those who failed the first auditory brainstem response prior to discharge were retested with the stapedial reflex test, auditory brainstem response and tympanometry in the Otolaryngology department. Results: Of 2,137 neonates, 2,000 (93.5%) neonates were tested prior to discharge. Sixty-seven neonates (3.4%) failed the first newborn hearing screening test. Of 67 infants, 52 infants were retested for a second hearing test. Excluding 10 infants (19.2%) who were lost during follow-up, 16 infants were confirmed to have hearing impairment of which 12 and 4 infants had unilateral and bilateral hearing loss, respectively. Of 16 infants, 5 did not meet the criteria set by the Korean National Health Insurance Corporation. Conclusion: The prevalence of hearing impairment in NICU graduates is about 0.8%, excluding those who were lost for follow up, necessitating a systemic and effective hearing assessment program among these high risk infants and more generous national insurance coverage.

The Changes of Serum Level of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha, Gamma-Interferon and Soluble-Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 Relating to the Progression and Treatment of Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis (폐결핵의 진행정도 및 치료에 따른 혈청내 Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha, Gamma-Interferon 및 Soluble-Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1의 변화)

  • Kim, Myung-Hoon;Ahn, Joong-Hyun;Moon, Hwa-Sik;Park, Sung-Hak;Song, Jeong-Sup
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.45 no.6
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    • pp.1167-1177
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    • 1998
  • Background : Pulmonary tuberculosis is one of the diseases characterized granuloma formation which was controlled by cellular immune reactions. In the process of granulomatous changes, activated alveolar macrophages and T lymphocytes secrete many cytokines including interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-$\alpha$), interferon-gamma(IFN-$\gamma$) which mediate inflammatory reactions. Intercelluar adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) also known to major role player in inflammatory processes, and increased cellular expressions when endothelial cell was stimulated by IL-1, TNF and IFN. Method : To evaluate relationships among cellular immune reactions and clinical stages, pulmonary tuberculosis patients were classified into three groups according to their clinical stages including minimal, moderate and far advanced tuberculosis. TNF-$\alpha$ IFN-$\gamma$, sICAM-1 (soluble form of ICAM-1) were measured at the time of diagnosis and after 6-months anti-tuberculosis medications by radioimmuno assay or enzyme linked immunosolvent assay. Result : TNF-$\alpha$, IFN-$\gamma$, sICAM-1 were significantly increased in moderate and far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis patients but no meaningful changes in minimal staged patients. 6-months anti-tuberculosis medications reduced serum sICAM-1 levels significantly, related to clinical improvement but no significant changes were found in the serum levels of TNF-$\alpha$ and IFN-$\gamma$. In the point of correlations. positive ones revealed between TNF-$\alpha$ and sICAM-1, also between IFN-$\gamma$ and sICAM-1 but no correlation between TNF-$\alpha$ and IFN-$\gamma$. Conclusion : Measurement of serum sICAM-1 could be useful parameter to evaluate the severity of pulmonary tuberculosis and to monitor disease activities during anti-tuberculosis medications.

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The Epidemiologic and Clinical Study of Pulmonary Tuberculosis - Among Students at One Women's University for Recent 10 Years - (일개 여자대학교 학생의 최근 10년간 폐결핵 동태 및 임상경과에 관한 고찰)

  • Choi, Hee-Jung;Hong, Young-Sun;Oh, Ji-Yong;Cheon, Seon-Hee;Kim, Kyung-Ja;Kim, Man-Ae;Min, Hong-Ki;Choi, Sam-Sub;Lee, Kee-Young
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.42 no.4
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    • pp.465-473
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    • 1995
  • Background: The prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis has decreased progressively after the control of the tuberculosis began as national control. But as diabetes, malignancy, immunodeficiency disease recently tend to be increased, the tuberculosis become to the important national health problem. So, this study was designed to observe the state and the change of the prevalence and the clinical status of pulmonary tuberculosis for recent 10 years at one women's university. Method: We retrospectively investigated the epidemiology and the clinical status of 612 patients who were registered at the Ewha Womans University Health Center by analyzing records from 1983 to 1992. Results: 1) The prevalence rate had been steadily decreased from 0.63% in 1983 to 0.11 % in 1992. The prevalence of freshman and the incidence rate according to the entrance year while in the university significantly decreased since 1989. 2) In classifying by registered source, 45.6% of students were detected by annual periodical health examination, 34.5% by entrance physical examination, 12.0% by hospital, 5.4% by health center clinic, 2.5% by reentrance physical examination, sequentially. 3) The students with past history of tuberculosis were 70(11.4%) and 61(10%) suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis. The patients with family history of tuberculosis were 142(23.3%). 4) There were 530(86.6%) with minimal disease, 79(12.9%) with moderate and only 3(0.5%) with far advanced, when classified by the severity of disease. 5) The initial symptoms were mild breathing difficulty in 30.1%, sweating in 14.9%, fatigue in 14.3%, febrile sense in 11.7%, hemoptysis in 8.2%, sequentially. 6) The duration of treatment was $10.6{\pm}3.6$ months in mild group, $14.9{\pm}5.2$ months in the moderate group(P<0.05). 7) The side reactions of the drug were GI trouble in 7.2%, hepatitis in 1.8%, skin rash in 0.8% and streptomycin side in used patients in 9.1%. Conclusion: The prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis among the students in one women's university was significantly lower than that of university students and 20-24 year-old age group announced in tuberculosis survey on a national scale, and significantly decreased since 1989. The treatment effect was desirable in student's group managed by university health center.

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Clinical Investigation of Cervical Tuberculous Lymphadenitis (결핵성 경부 임파선염의 임상적 고찰)

  • Park, Mi-Ran;Kim, Chang-Sun;Seo, Jee-Young;Son, Hyung-Dae;Rheu, Nam-Soo;Cho, Dong-Il
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.44 no.6
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    • pp.1225-1233
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    • 1997
  • Background : Cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis(CTL) is one of the most common extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. Recently overall incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis has decreased, but the incidence of tuberculous lymphadenitis has not decreased. Its duration of treatment is still controversial and the pathogenesis, prognosis and relationship with other site tuberculous are poorly published. So we did a retrograde study of 120 cases of confirmed CTL about its clinical manifestations. Method : All patients were applied fine needle aspiration(FNA) of palpable enlarged cervical lymph nodes and 114 patients were examined for AFB smear and 34 patients for TB culture with aspirated fluid. 57 patients were examined Mantoux test(5TU with PPD-S). With above methods, a total of 120 patients was diagnosed as having CTL. Results : 1) CTL is most prevalent in young women between the age of 20~30 years and the incidence of CTL in female is 2.5 times higher than that of male. It is located most commonly in the posterior cervical area. The most common presenting symptom is painless palpable enlarged cervical lymph nodes. 2) With FNA of enlarged cervical lymph nodes, the percentage of histopathological positivity is 82.3%. The percentage of AFB smear positivity is 38.6%, and that of TB culture positivity is 17.6%(p<0.001). 3) Pulmonary tuberculosis is noted in 79 cases(65.8%). And 42 cases(53.5%) of them had minimal pulmonary tuberculosis. In 14 cases(11.7%), other extrapulmonary tuberculosis coexsisted and pleural tuberculosis was most Common in the order. 4) CTL was treated with anti-tuberculous medication(first line drug) and median treatment duration was 18.5months. During treatment, the size of involved lymph nodes decreased gradually in 62 cases(75.8%), newly developed lymph nodes were found in 25 cases(30.4%), fluctuation formation in 22 cases(26.8%) and fistula formation in 14 cases(17.0%). Conclusion : CTL is prevalent in women between the age of 20~40 years and it involves posterior cervical area most commonly. CTL is treated with long-term anti-tuberculous chemotherapy. We think it is one manifestation of systemic disease and frequently coexisting with pulmonary tuberculosis. Despite anti-tuberculous chemotherapy, the size of involved lymph nodes was increased, new lymph nodes were developed or fluctuation and fistula formed in involved lymph nodes. After sufficient medication, when the patient felt pressure discomfort from enlarged lymph node or fistula was formed, we recommended total excision of involved lymph nodes.

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Analyses on Sound Effects for Soundscape Design of Healing Garden at Psychiatric Hospitals - Focused Psychological and Physiological Effects - (정신병원 치유정원의 음경관 디자인을 위한 소리효과 분석 - 심리적 및 생리적 효과를 중심으로 -)

  • Ahn, Deug-Soo
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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    • v.43 no.1
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    • pp.82-95
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    • 2015
  • This study is intended to obtain a guideline for creating a therapeutic garden soundscape in a psychiatric hospital by analyzing the psychological and physiological effects of auditory components on mental patients. The subjects were 27 inpatients at a psychiatric institute located in Jeollabuk-do. They were recommended by their doctors and had been diagnosed with mild cases of schizophrenia. The survey was carried out in October 2011. With regard to the study, the subjects listened to single sounds(the sound of flowing water, birdsong, wind chimes and music) and 4 sounds composed of some of these, and then Electroencephalography(EEG) and psychological effects were measured. The moving water sound was perceived as pleasing and revitalizing and the birdsong as sonorous and delightful. When designing a healing garden in a psychiatric hospital, the vitality of sound should be considered. In comparison to other single sounds, water sounds were highly preferred and had greater effects on psychological vitality. Music sounds had a significant effect on enhancing tranquility while water sounds affected on both psychological vitality and tranquillity. When comparing single sounds with combined sounds, single sounds such as running water for vitality and music for tranquility had a greater psychological effect than combined sounds. In terms of combined sound preferences, the combination of water and bird sounds had higher preference rates. Generally, combined sounds including water tended to have higher preference rates. The physiological effects of single sounds showed that music had a greater therapeutic effect than natural sounds such as water sounds and birdsong in promoting tranquility. As for combined sounds adopted to enhance physiological tranquility, it is most appropriate to combine music and birdsong or music and water sounds. However, a single music sound is more effective than combined sounds. Overall, analyses of both psychological and physiological reactions showed music and water sounds to be most calming while water sounds promoted the greatest vitality.

Effect of Aprepitant in Patient with Gastroparesis and Related Disorders (위마비증과 만성 구역 구토 증후군 환자에서 Aprepitant의 효과)

  • Jung, Kyoungwon;Park, Moo In
    • The Korean Journal of Gastroenterology
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    • v.72 no.6
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    • pp.325-328
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    • 2018
  • 위마비증(gastroparesis)이나 만성 구역 구토 증후군(chronic unexplained nausea and vomiting)으로 인한 구역과 구토에 대한 치료는 일반적으로 사용하는 위장관 촉진제에 만족스럽지 못한 경우가 많고, 여러 부작용으로 인하여 장기적으로 사용하기 어려워 보다 효과적인 치료 방법이 필요하다. 최근 미국에서 발표된 본 연구는 위마비증이나 연관 증후군 환자에서 구역과 구토 증상을 줄이기 위한 aprepitant(neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist) 치료의 효과를 분석한 것으로, 향후 일반적인 치료에 불응성 위마비증 환자에서 새로운 약제 사용을 시도해볼 수 있어 소개하고자 한다. 본 Aprepitant for the Relief of Nausea (APRON) 연구는 기질적 질환을 배제하기 위하여 최근 2년 이내 위내시경이 정상이며, 적어도 6개월 이상 조기 포만감(early satiety), 식후 만복감(postprandial fullness), 팽만감(bloating) 그리고 명치부 통증(epigastric pain)을 유발하는 증상과 함께 만성적인 구역이 있는 18세 이상의 성인 중 4시간의 위배출 검사를 시행받은 환자를 대상으로 하였다. 객관적인 지표로 0점에서 45점까지 보이는 9-증상 Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index(GCSI)가 2주 이상 총 21점 이상이며, 0-100 mm의 visual analog scale (VAS)의 7일간의 구역 증상 평균 25 mm 이상인 환자를 대상으로 하였다. 일주일에 3일 이상 narcotics를 사용하였거나 와파린이나 pimozide, terfenadien, astemizole, cisapride를 복용하였던 환자, 2배 이상으로 간 효소 수치상승을 보이거나 Child-Pugh score 10점 이상, aprepitant에 알레르기를 보이는 환자는 제외되었다. 그렇지만 metoclopramide나 erythromycin을 안정적으로 사용 중인 환자는 제외되지 않았다. 위배출 검사는 2시간에서 60% 이상 남아 있거나 4시간에서 10% 이상 남아 있는 경우에 지연된 것으로 정의되었으며, 지연된 위배출 검사 결과 자체는 환자의 등록 기준에 포함되진 않았다. 등록 기준에 포함된 환자는 1:1로 무작위 배정되어 하루 한 번 125 mg의 aprepitant 복용군과 위약군으로 나누어져 연구가 진행되었으며, 약제 복용 4주간 2주 간격으로, 그리고 복용 후 2주 뒤까지 구역 증상의 호전 정도와 약제 안전성을 확인하였다. 이러한 효과를 판정하기 위하여 환자가 방문하는 동안 GCSI를 포함한 Patient Assessment of Upper GI Symptoms (PAGI-SYM), Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale, daily VAS, daily diary version of the GCSI 그리고 정신 측정 도구와 삶의 질 도구인 Patient health Questionnaire 15와 Short Form 36 version이 측정되었다. 구역에 대한 aprepitant와 위약의 치료 효과의 일차적 판정은 이전 항암 요법에 대한 aprepitant 연구와 같이 28일 평균 VAS 25 mm 미만이거나 치료 전 7일간의 VAS와 비교하여 28일 치료 기간 동안 25 mm 이상 감소한 경우로 정의하였고, 이차 결과는 구역의 매일 시간, 치료 중 구역이 없는 날짜의 퍼센트, PAGI-SYM score의 개선 등으로 확인하였다. 2013년 4월부터 2015년 7월까지 총 126명의 환자가 등록되어 aprepitant군 63명, 위약군 63명으로 무작위 배정되었다. 전체의 57%인 72명에서 위배출 지연이 보였으며, 나머지 43%에서는 정상 또는 빠른 위배출 소견을 보여 만성적으로 설명할 수 없는 구역과 구토에 포함된 환자군으로 확인되었다. 또한 29%에서 당뇨를 가지고 있었으며, 8%에서 수면제를 사용하고 있었다. 최종적으로 aprepitant군은 59명, 위약군은 63명이 연구를 끝까지 종료하였다. 일차 결과에서 aprepitant 군 46%, 위약군 40%의 구역 호전을 보여 두 치료군 간에 통계적으로 의미 있는 차이는 보이지 않았다(상대 위험도 1.2, 95% CI: 0.8-1.7; p=0.43). 그러나 일차 분석의 두 가지 척도(28일 평균 VAS 25 mm 미만과 기저 VAS보다 평균 28일 VAS의 25 mm 이상 감소)를 모두 함께 고려한 민감도 분석에서는 aprepitant군이 37% (22/59)로 위약군의 17%(11/63)에 비하여 통계적으로 의미 있는 구역의 호전을 보였다(상대 위험도 2.1, 95% CI: 1.1-4.1; p=0.01). 또한 이차 분석을 살펴보면 aprepitant군에서 PAGI-SYM 중증도 지수로 확인하였을 때, 구역(1.8 vs. 1.0; p=0.005)과 구토(1.6 vs. 0.5; p=0.001)의 중증도 및 매일 구역 시간의 감소를 보였고, 28일 동안 구역이 없는 날짜의 퍼센트 증가 소견을 보였다. 다른 이차 결과 분석에서 aprepitant군이 PAGI-SYM 중증도 지수의 GCSI 종합 점수(1.3 vs. 0.7; p=0.001), 상당한 증상호전, 구역 구토의 세부 점수, 팽만감 세부 점수 그리고 위식도 역류 증상 점수에서 호전을 보였고, 매일 일기로 표현한 daily diary version of the GCSI에 상복부 통증 중증도, 전체 증상 그리고 Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale의 종합 점수에서 호전을 보였다. 연구 중 발생한 부작용은 주로 경증과 중등도 정도의 부작용이 주로 발생하였지만, aprepitant군(35% vs. 17% 위약군, p=0.04)에서 더 많이 발생하였다. 결론적으로 위마비증 또는 위마비증 유사 증후군으로 인한 만성 구역 및 구토 환자의 무작위 시험에서 aprepitant는 VAS 점수를 통한 주요 결과를 분석하였을 때는 구역의 중증도를 호전시키지 못하였지만 다른 이차적 결과에 대해서는 위약군에 대하여 호전 소견을 보였다. 따라서 aprepitant에 효과적인 반응을 보이는 위마비증 환자를 감별하는 추가 임상시험이 필요할 것으로 판단된다.

Preparation and Measures for Elderly with Dementia in Korea : Focus on National Strategies and Action Plan against Dementia (한국의 치매에 대한 대응과 대책 : 국가 전략과 활동계획)

  • Lee, Moo-Sik
    • Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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    • v.44 no.1
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    • pp.11-27
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    • 2019
  • Dementia is major epidemic disease of the 21st century in the world. Dementia is one of the major issues in public health globally. Also in Korea, the estimated prevalence of dementia was 8.7%(0.47 million) in 2010, the number will reach the 1 million mark in 2024, it will become a 15.1%(2.71 million) by 2050. Among Koreans aged 65 or older, 725,000 are estimated to be suffering from dementia in 2017. Against dementia, Korea developed three National Dementia Plans in 2008, 2012, and 2016. The 1st plan was came into effect in 2008 and focused on prevention, early diagnostic, development and coordination of infrastructures and management, and improving awareness. The 2nd plan was launched in 2012, addressed the same priorities but had a stronger focus on supporting family members. In 2012 the Dementia Management Act established a statutory basis for organization of the National Dementia Plans. Under the Dementia Management Act, the government is required to produce a comprehensive plan for dementia every 5 years. The Act also orders that the government should register the dementia patients and collect statistics on epidemiology and the management of the dementia conditions. The Dementia Management Act of Korea required the operation of the National Institute of Dementia and Metropolitan/Provincial Dementia Centers to make and carry out dementia management plans throughout the nation. The Act also mandate to establish Dementia Counselling Centers in every public health center and the National Dementia Helpline. The 3rd National Dementia Plan of 2016 aims to build a dementia friendly community to ensure people with dementia and their carer live well. This plan focus on community-based prevention and management of dementia, convenient and safe diagnosis, treatment, and care for people with dementia, the reduction of the care burden for family care-givers of people with dementia, and support for dementia research through research, statistics and technology. In 2017, Moon's government will introduce the "National Dementia Responsibility System," which guarantees most of the burden caused by dementia. This plan include that the introduction of a ceiling on self-pay for dementia diseases, expansion of the application of dementia care standards through alleviating the support criteria for long-term care insurance for mild dementia, expansion of dementia support centers, expansion of national and public dementia care facilities. In the meantime, Korea has accomplished many accomplishments by establishing many measures related to dementia and promoting related projects in a short time, but there are still many challenges.

Soluble IL-2R, IFN-$\gamma$ and Neopterin as Immunologic Markers in Patients with Tuberculosis (결핵 환자에서 면역학적 지표로서의 sIL-2R, IFN-$\gamma$, Neopterin에 관한 연구)

  • Ryu, Yon-Ju;Ryu, Kum-Hei;Kim, Su-Hyun;Lee, Jong-Soo;Cheon, Seon-Hee;Seoh, Ju-Young
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.53 no.3
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    • pp.294-308
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    • 2002
  • Background : The cell-mediated immune response plays an important role in tuberculosis. After being activated by mycobacterial antigens, T lymphocytes express a high affinity receptor (IL-2R) for interleukin-2 (IL-2) on their own surface and release a soluble fraction of the IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) from the cell membrane into the circulation. Neopterin is a metabolite of guanosine-triphosphate, which is produced by stimulated macrophages under the influence of IFN-$\gamma$ with a T lymphocyte origin. Therefore, the utility of sIL-2R, IFN-$\gamma$ and the neopterin levels as immunologic indices of the cell-mediated immune response and severity of disease in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis was assessed. Methods : The serum sIL-2R, IFN-$\gamma$ and neopterin levels were measured in 39 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, 6 patients with tuberculous lymphadenitis prior to treatment and 10 healthy subjects. The serum and pleural sIL-2R, neopterin and ADA levels were measured in 22 patients with tuberculous pleurisy. The patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were divided into a mild, moderate and severe group according to the severity by ATS guidelines. To compare the results from these patients with those of the pretreatment levels, the sIL-2R, IFN-$\gamma$ and neopterin levels were measured in 36 of the 39 patients(1 patient, expired; 2 patients were referred to a sanitarium) with pulmonary tuberculosis after 2 months of treatment. Results : 1) the serum sIL-2R and IFN-$\gamma$ levels were elevated in patients with tuberculosis when compared to those of healthy subjects (p>0.05). The neopterin concentration in the serum was significantly lower in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis($2967{\pm}2132.8$ pg/ml) than in healthy controls($4949{\pm}1242.1$ pg/ml)(p<0.05). 2) In the pulmonary tuberculosis group, the serum sIL-2R and IFN-$\gamma$ levels were higher in patients with severe disease than those in patients with mild and moderate disease. However, the neopterin levels declined as the pulmonary tuberculosis became more severe (p<0.01). 3) The mean serum sIL-2R and IFN-$\gamma$ levels declined from $1071{\pm}1139.4$ U/ml to $1023{\pm}1920.9$ U/ml(p>0.05), $41{\pm}52.8$ pg/ml to $22{\pm}23.9$ gm/ml(p<0.05), respectively, after 2 month of treatment. The mean serum neopterin levels increased from $3158{\pm}2272.6$ pg/ml to $3737{\pm}2307.5$ pg/ml(p>0.05) after a 2 month of treatment. These findings were remarkable in the severe group of pulmonary tuberculosis with a clinical correlation. 4) In the patients with tuberculous pleurisy, the serum sIL-2R and ADA were significantly higher than those in the pleural fluid, However, the neopterin levels in the sera and pleural effusion were similar. Conclusion : On the basis of this study, sIL-2R, IFN-$\gamma$ and neopterin measurements may not only provide an insight into the present state of the cell-mediated immune response, but also serve as parameters monitoring of the prognosis of the disease, particularly in patients with severe pulmonary tuberculosis. In addition, an assay of the pleural sIL-2R levels might signal a stimulated local immunity including T cell activation in the tuberculous pleural effusion.