• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제72권5호
• /
• pp.409-415
• /
• 2012

Background: The isolation of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) has been increasing in South Korea. To date, however, the cause of this increase has not been determined, and it remains unclear whether the use of liquid media has contributed to this increase. The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors associated with NTM isolation and the impact of liquid media on NTM culture. Methods: Mycobacterial smear/culture results of respiratory specimens (sputum and bronchial aspirates), obtained during the years 2002, 2005, and 2010, were retrieved and analyzed retrospectively. Results: During the years 2002, 2005, and 2010, 83,096 sputum specimens were collected from 31,104 patients, and were cultured for mycobacteria, using solid media only in the 2002 and 2005 specimens and both solid and liquid media in the 2010. Of these, 3,516 (4.2%) specimens were smear-positive for acid-fast bacilli (AFB). The annual rate of NTM among positive culture specimens increased from 21% in 2002 to 57.8% in 2010 (p<0.001), as did the proportion of NTM, among AFB smear- and culture-positive specimens, from 12.2% in 2002 to 45.2% in 2010 (p<0.001). In 2010, the NTM culture rate was higher in the liquid than in the solid media (13.9% vs. 8.4%, p<0.001). The NTM rate among AFB-positive specimens was higher in patients aged >50 than ${\leq}$50 years. Conclusion: The rate of NTM isolation has steadily been increasing at the hospital in South Korea, likely due in part to the use of liquid media for the culture.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제72권1호
• /
• pp.55-58
• /
• 2012

Mycobacterium szulgai is a rare nontuberculous mycobacterium found in Korea. It is an opportunistic pathogen and is usually isolated from patients with a history of alcoholism, chronic pulmonary disease, or an immunocompromising condition. We present here a case of M. szulgai isolated from a patient with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis. A 54-year-old man was admitted with dyspnea and febrile sensation. He had a history of pulmonary tuberculosis which occurred 30 years earlier and treatment with anti-tuberculosis medication. His chest computed tomography scan showed cavitary consolidation in both upper lungs. A sputum acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear was positive and anti-tuberculous medication was started. However, a polymerase chain reaction for mycobacterium tuberculosis was negative and anti-tuberculous medication was stopped. M. szulgai was isolated on 3 separate sputum and bronchial wash fluid AFB cultures. He was treated with clarithromycin, rifampicin, and ethambutol. After 1 month, a sputum AFB smear and culture became negative and no additional M. szulgai were isolated during a 16-month treatment.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제67권3호
• /
• pp.199-204
• /
• 2009

Background: To examine the recovery rate of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) from respiratory specimens and the clinical course of NTM pulmonary disease at a 700-bed secondary hospital. Methods: This study analyzed the results of 843 acid-fast bacilli (AFB) culture-positive respiratory specimens from 650 subjects collected between May 2003 and April 2008. In addition, the clinical course of NTM pulmonary disease, diagnosed using criteria established by the American Thoracic Society, was examined. Results: There were 67 (7.9%) NTM isolates recovered from 52 (8.0%) subjects. Among the 535 AFB smear-positive specimens, 34 (6.3%) NTM isolates were recovered. There were 33 (10.7%) NTM isolates were recovered from 308 AFB smear-negative specimens. Of 52 subjects with isolated NTM, M. intracellulare was the most common species at 73.1% (n=33), followed by M. kansassi (n=7), M. abscessus (n=2), M. fortuitum (n=2), and M. avium (n=1). Sixteen (30.8%) patients had NTM pulmonary disease and the most common causative organism was M. intracellulare (n=14, 87.5%). Of these, 6 cases attained negative conversion in culture, 4 cases failed to attain negative conversion because of poor cooperation or expiration from complicated underlying lung disease, and 5 cases were transferred to a higher-grade hospital. Conclusion: The recovery rate of NTM from respiratory specimens was relatively low and the most common species was M. intracellulare. Patients with NTM pulmonary disease showed variable clinical outcomes.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제63권5호
• /
• pp.417-422
• /
• 2007

연구배경: 일차 항결핵제 치료 5개월 이후 배양 음전되었으나 도말 양성을 보이는 폐결핵 환자들의 임상적 특성과 치료 후 경과에 대하여 알아보고자 하였다. 방 법: 2002년 1월 1일부터 2003년 12월 31일까지 일개 결핵 전문 병원에 입원한 환자 중 일차 항결핵제로 치료를 종결하였고 약제감수성 검사상 일차 항결핵제에 모두 감성이거나 리팜핀을 제외한 단일 약제 내성이면서 추적관찰이 되었던 환자를 대상으로 임상적 특성과 재발여부와 이에 관련한 위험인자를 후향적으로 분석하였다. 결 과: 대상 환자는 60명이었고 모두 치료에 성공하였다. 객담 도말 검사상 음전은 평균 $8.3{\pm}2.3$개월이었고, 객담 배양 검사상 음전은 평균 $2.0{\pm}0.8$개월이었다. 당뇨는 14명(23%), 초치료는 46명(77%), 약제감수성 검사상 일차 항결핵제에 모두 감성인 경우가 37명(62%), 흉부방사선사진상 중증인 경우가 49명(81%)이었다. 재발률은 치료 1년 후 3.8%, 2년 후 10%, 5년 후 25.8%이었고 나이, 성별, 당뇨, 치료 2개월째의 배양검사 결과, 과거 치료력, 흉부방사선 사진 소견, 치료기간에 따라 재발률의 차이는 통계적으로 유의하지 않았다. 결 론: 일차 항결핵제로 치료시작 후 5개월에 객담 배양검사는 음전되었으나 도말검사는 양성인 환자들에서 치료약제의 변경 없이 모든 환자에서 치료가 성공되었다. 그러나 높은 재발률에 대한 추가적인 연구가 필요할 것으로 사료된다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제70권4호
• /
• pp.347-351
• /
• 2011

We report here an unusual case of pericardial tuberculoma that was misdiagnosed as thymic carcinoma on an imaging study. A 48-year-old woman was referred for evaluation of an anterior mediastinal mass. Computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest displayed cystic masses mimicking thymic carcinoma at the anterior mediastinum. Pericardiotomy and surgical drainage of the cystic masses were done, and pathologic examination of the excised pericardial specimen showed a chronic granulomatous inflammation with necrosis, compatible with tuberculosis. Acid-fast bacilli were also identified in the specimen. After treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs and steroids, the patient showed clinical improvement. Although tuberculous pericarditis usually presents as pericardial effusion or constrictive pericarditis, it can also present as a pericardial mass mimicking thymic carcinoma on CT. Therefore, we suggest that tuberculous pericardial abscess should be included in the differential diagnosis of a mediastinal mass in Korea, with intermediate tuberculosis prevalence.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제73권1호
• /
• pp.38-47
• /
• 2012

Background: The prevalence rate of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is steadily decreasing in South Korea. However, PTB is a disease with relatively high mortality and morbidity rates throughout Korea. Although there are many studies and statistics about the risk factors of PTB mortality in many countries, there are only a limited number of domestic papers on this topic. The aim of this study is to determine predictive factors for mortality among in-hospital patients associated with PTB. Methods: From December 2006 to January 2011, we reviewed medical records of 2,122 adult patients diagnosed with tuberculosis at a single tertiary hospital in a suburban area. In this study period, 960 patients were diagnosed with PTB by positive Acid fast bacilli smear and/or mycobacterial culture of the respiratory specimen. We compared the groups of patients deceased and patients discharged alive with PTB. The number of dead patients was 82 (47 males, 35 females). Results: Mortality was significantly associated with increased values of white blood cells (WBC), blood urine nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, C-reactive protein (CRP), numbers of involved lung field, and length of hospitalization. Also, it was associated with the decreased values of hemoglobin, lymphocyte, sodium, albumin, and cholesterol. Furthermore, admission through the emergency department, initial intensive care unit admission, and drug resistant PTB affected mortality in PTB patients. Independent predictors associated with PTB mortality are BUN, initial intensive care unit care, and admission during treatment of tuberculosis. Conclusion: In our study, mortality of pulmonary tuberculosis was related with parameters associated with nutritional status, disease severity at the time of admission, and drug resistance.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제70권4호
• /
• pp.342-346
• /
• 2011

Herein we report the case of a 71-year-old woman who complained of fatigue and enlarged right axillary lymph nodes for 18 months. At her first visit, her chest X-ray showed diffuse nodular opacities in both lung fields. Initial excisional biopsy of the axillary lymph nodes showed granulomatous lesions and acid fast bacilli were seen on Ziehl-Neelsen staining. However, even after 15 months of anti-tuberculosis (TB) medication, her right axillary lymph nodes were enlarged. We re-performed an excisional biopsy of the nodes, which showed Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). A retrograde review of the biopsy before anti-tuberculous medication, revealed HL coexisting with TB. HL and TB cause difficulties in differential diagnosis due to similarities in clinical course, imaging procedures and histopathological analysis of the involved tissue. Therefore, it is important to consider the possibility of concurrent HL and TB when patients who undergo treatment for TB or chemotherapy for lymphoma complain of persistent systemic symptoms or enlarged lymph nodes.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제75권5호
• /
• pp.199-204
• /
• 2013

Background: The number of patients with pulmonary disease caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) has been increasing worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term trends in the NTM recovery rate from respiratory specimens over a 10-year period in a tertiary referral hospital in South Korea. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of mycobacterial cultures of respiratory specimens at Samsung Medical Center from January 2001 to December 2011. Results: During the study period, 32,841 respiratory specimens from 10,563 patients were found to be culture-positive for mycobacteria. These included 12,619 (38%) Mycobacterium tuberculosis and 20,222 (62%) NTM isolates. The proportion of NTM among all positive mycobacterial cultures increased from 43% (548/1,283) in 2001 to 70% (3,341/4,800) in 2011 (p<0.001, test for trend). The recovery rate of NTM isolates from acid-fast bacilli smear-positive specimens increased from 9% (38/417) in 2001 to 64% (1,284/1,997) in 2011 (p<0.001, test for trend). The proportion of positive liquid cultures was higher for NTM than for M. tuberculosis (p<0.001). The most frequently isolated NTM were Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (53%) and Mycobacterium abscessus-massiliense complex (25%). Conclusion: The recovery rate of NTM from respiratory specimens in South Korea has increased steadily.

• 대한핵의학회지
• /
• 제34권2호
• /
• pp.129-134
• /
• 2000

목적: 흉부방사선 사진으로 결핵의 진단과 활동성의 판정이 어려운 경우가 많다. 이에 핵의학적 방법으로 결핵의 활동성을 판정하고자 하는 시도들이 있었으며, 핵의학 검사는 결핵의 활동성을 잘 반영하는 것으로 알려져 왔다. 그러나 객담결핵균의 음전을 '활동성'의 소실이라고 표현하는 치료자와 방사능섭취 소실을 '활동성'의 소실이라고 판정하는 핵의학의사 사이에는 용어 사용상의 차이가 있을 수 있다. 객담결핵균의 음전과 방사능섭취의 소실이 서로 일치하는지 여부를 확인하여 보고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법: 세균학적으로 활동성 결핵으로 진단된 15명의 환자들에서 $^{99m}Tc$-MIBI를 이용하여 폐스캔을 시행하였다. 3-7개월간의 항결핵약물치료로 객담 결핵균이 음전된 6명의 환자에 대해 $^{99m}Tc$-MIBI 스캔을 다시 시행하였다. 결핵병소와 정상 폐 부위의 방사능을 측정하여 정상 폐에 대한 결핵병소의 방사능 섭취율을 비교하였다. 결과: 활동성 폐결핵 환자 15명 중 12명(80%)에서 $^{99m}Tc$-MIBI 스캔 양성을 보였다. 항결핵약물치료로 객담 결핵균이 음전된 후 6명에서 $^{99m}Tc$-MIBI 스캔을 반복했을 때 6명 모두에서 섭취율이 치료 전에 비해서 감소하는 경향을 보였다. 그러나 5명에서는 정상 폐에 비해서는 여전히 높았다. 결론: $^{99m}Tc$-MIBI 스캔은 폐결핵 병변에서 염증반응의 정도를 판정하는데 도움이 된다. 그렇지만 객담 결핵균의 음전으로 정의되는 '활동성'과 1:1로 일치하지는 않았다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제61권1호
• /
• pp.54-59
• /
• 2006

연구 배경 : 결핵의 대부분을 차지하는 폐결핵 진단에 객담, 기관지 세척액, 흉수액을 이용한 TB-PCR 검사의 유용성에 대해서는 여러 연구가 있었으나 폐 이외의 결핵 진단을 위한 신선 생검 조직 검체에서의 TB-PCR법 연구는 아직 미흡하다. 이에 저자들은 자동분석법인 COBAS AMPLICOR MTB PCR assay (Roche Molecular System)를 이용하여 신선 생검 조직 검체로 TB-PCR법의 유용성을 알아보았다. 방법 및 대상 : 2004년 10월부터 2005년 12월까지 가톨릭대학교 대전성모병원 병리과와 진단검사의학과에 결핵의진 하에 조직검사와 신선조직을 이용한 항산균 도말검사, 배양검사, TB-PCR 검사가 공히 의뢰된 환자 42예를 대상으로 하였다. 결 과 : 신선 생검 조직 42예를 대상으로 실시한 결과, 임상소견에서 결핵으로 진단된 경우는 18예 이었으며, 그 중 림프절 12예와 폐 조직 2예, 충수 조직 1예, 총 16예(88.9%)에서 PCR 양성을 보였고, 민감도와 특이도, 양성예측도, 음성 예측도는 88.9%, 100%, 100%와 92.3%로 나타났다. 조직학적으로 육아종 소견과 건락성 괴사의 소견 보인 18예(100%)는 모두 결핵으로 진단되었고 그 중 16예(88.9%)에서 PCR 양성을 보였다. 결 론 : 신선 생검 조직 검체를 이용한 TB-PCR 자동분석기의 결과는 임상소견 및 현미경적 소견과 비교 분석 시 민감도와 특이도가 높은 유용한 검사라고 생각되었다.