• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• 제54권3호
• /
• pp.323-327
• /
• 2016

A man with only yellowing of the skin and eye sclera was diagnosed with clonorchiasis, which rarely manifested jaundice as the initial symptom. However, because of a lack of evidence for a diagnostic gold standard, the time until definitive diagnosis was more than a week. The diagnostic process relied on inquiring about the patient's history, including the place of residence, dietary habits, and symptoms, as well as on serological findings, an imaging examination, and pathological findings. MRCP and CT results showed mild dilatation of intrahepatic ducts and increased periductal echogenicity. The eggs were ultimately found in stool by water sedimentation method after the negative report through direct smear. DNA sequencing of PCR production of the eggs demonstrated 98-100% homology with ITS2 of Clonorchis sinensis. After anti-parasite medical treatment, the patient's symptoms were gradually relieved. Throughout the diagnostic procedure, besides routine examinations, the sedimentation method or concentration method could be used as a sensitive way for both light and heavy C. sinensis infection in the definite diagnosis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• 제59권10호
• /
• pp.395-401
• /
• 2016

Since the outbreak of the enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection in Malaysia in 1997, large epidemics of EV71 have occurred in the Asia-Pacific region. Many children and infants have died from serious neurological complications during these epidemics, and EV71 infection has become a serious public health problem in these areas. EV71 infection causes hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in children, and usually resolves spontaneously. However, EV71 occasionally involves the central nervous system (CNS), and induces diverse neurological complications such as brainstem encephalitis, aseptic meningitis, and acute flaccid paralysis. Among those complications, brainstem encephalitis is the most critical neurological manifestation because it can cause neurogenic pulmonary hemorrhage/edema leading to death. The characteristic clinical symptoms such as myoclonus and ataxia, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis, and brainstem lesions on magnetic resonance imaging, in conjunction with the skin rash of HFMD and the isolation of EV71 from a stool, throat-swab, or CSF sample are typical findings indicating CNS involvement of EV71 infection. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin and milrinone are recommended in cases with severe neurological complications from EV71 infection, such as brainstem encephalitis. Despite the recent discovery of receptors for EV71 in human cells, such as the scavenger receptor B2 and P-selection glycoprotein ligand 1, it is not known why EV71 infection predominantly involves the brainstem. Recently, 3 companies in China have completed phase III clinical trials of EV71 vaccines. However, the promotion and approval of these vaccines in various countries are problems yet to be resolved.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• 제47권6호
• /
• pp.427-431
• /
• 2021

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe a simple, convenient, and reliable new technique using local full-thickness skin graft (FTSG) for skin coverage of a donor-site defect of the radial forearm free flap (RFFF). Patients and Methods: Between April 2016 and April 2021, five patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma underwent mass resection combined with RFFF reconstruction. After RFFF harvesting, donor-site defects were restored by proportional local FTSG. Results: The donor-site defects ranged in size from 24 to 41.25 cm², with a mean of 33.05 cm². Good or acceptable esthetic outcomes were obtained in all five patients. There was no dehiscence, skin necrosis, wound infection, or severe scarring at the graft site through the end of the postoperative follow-up period, and no patient had any specific functional complaint. Conclusion: The proportional local FTSG showed promising results for skin coverage of the donor-site defect of the RFFF. This technique could decrease the need for skin grafts from other sites.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
• /
• 제48권5호
• /
• pp.365-370
• /
• 2010

Herpes virus family is highly infectious to patients, their families and dentists. The diagnosis of herpes infection is based on the characteristic clinical appearance and the location of the lesions. Herpes Simplex Virus(HSV) usually acquired through direct contact with infected lesions or body fluids, and the prevalence of HSV infection increases progressively from childhood. Primary infections provoke herpetic gingivostomatis typically affects the tongue, lips, gingival, buccal mucosa and palate. Recurrent infections give rise to vesiculo-ulcerative lesions at vermilion border of lip(herpes labialis). In the form of chickenpox, Varicella Zoster Virus(VZV) usually is infected in childhood. VZV spreads in the affected primary afferent nerve to the skin and produces a vesicular rash and pain. Epstein-Barr Virus(EBV) infects B cells and cause infectious mononucleosis. Latent EBV infection has also been implicated in Burkitt lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Cytomegalovirus(CMV) is associated with immune-compromised patient such as organ transplantation and AIDS patients.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• 제49권3호
• /
• pp.405-412
• /
• 2022

Although modern medicine has made great strides in the management of burn injuries, associated complications such as pain, infection, dyspigmentation, and scarring have yet to be fully dealt with. Although skin grafting and meshing are routinely performed on burn patients, this method poses a risk for adverse effects. Activated autologous platelet-rich plasma (aaPRP), which is increasingly used in the field of plastic surgery, contains growth factors beneficial for wound regeneration. Seven cases of burns with varying severity and conditions that were treated with intralesional subcutaneous injection and intravenous aaPRP are presented and discussed herein. This case series indicates that subcutaneous and intravenous aaPRP is a safe procedure with the potential to be an alternative when skin grafting cannot be done or as an adjunct treatment to skin grafting.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• 제40권2호
• /
• pp.113-118
• /
• 2023

Skin and joint diseases are relatively common in dogs. Nutritional complementation is one of the various management strategies for these disorders. This study evaluated the safety and clinical efficacy of Kyungokgo-gamibang in dogs with skin and joint diseases. Thirty dogs with diseases were included and divided into three groups: control group (n = 15), skin group (n = 10), and joint group (n = 5). The skin and joint groups were fed skin and joint gums composed of Kyungokgo-gamibang extract with standard treatment for four weeks. The control group included dogs with skin diseases who were administered standard skin infection treatment for 4 weeks. The physical and laboratory results showed no remarkable adverse effects of Kyungokgo-gamibang extract after its administration in dogs. Clinical efficacy was evaluated using quality of life scale, and levels of cytokines, including interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and tumor necrosis factor-α, for 4 weeks in all groups. Dermatologic clinical scales were performed for 4 weeks in the control and skin groups. Both the control and skin groups had significantly decreased dermatologic clinical scales, including pruritus and erythema scales (p < 0.05). Among the cytokine levels, only IL-2 concentration was significantly decreased in the skin group after 4 weeks of administration of the Kyungokgo-gamibang extract (p = 0.032). There was no significant difference between the levels of cytokines on days 0 and 28 in the joint group. The quality of life scale was significantly increased after week 4 compared to week 0 in the skin (p = 0.008) and joint groups (p = 0.041). This study suggests that Kyungokgo-gamibang extract can be applied in managing dogs affected by skin and joint diseases without adverse effects.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• 제43권6호
• /
• pp.586-589
• /
• 2016

A pressure sore wound is often extensive or complicated by local infection involving adjacent soft tissue and bone. In this case, a regional flap after simple debridement is not adequate. Here, we present a case of an extensive pressure sore in the sacral area with deep tissue infection. A 43-year-old female patient with a complicated sore with deep tissue infection had a presacral abscess, an iliopsoas abscess, and an epidural abscess in the lumbar spine. After a multidisciplinary approach performed in stages, the infection had subsided and removal of the devitalized tissue was possible. The large soft tissue defect with significant depth was reconstructed with a free latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap, which was expected to act as a local barrier from vertical infection and provide tensionless skin coverage upon hip flexion. The extensive sacral sore was treated effectively without complication, and the deep tissue infection completely resolved. There was no evidence of donor site morbidity, and wheelchair ambulation was possible by a month after surgery.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• 제43권5호
• /
• pp.359-365
• /
• 2020

This study aimed to investigate the causes of bacterial growth to prevent infection caused by ultrasound gel and gel containers in contact with patients during ultrasonography. To investigate bacterial contamination during manufacturing or storage, we cultured ultrasound gels originally supplied from three manufacturers. To analyze bacterial growth according to the lapse of time and frequency of use of the ultrasound gel container, the gel and container were cultured at regular intervals every week for 4 weeks. In addition, to determine the source of infection, the examiner's hand was inspected with hand plate and the degree of bacterial contamination was measured before the test. As a result of the study, bacteria were not detected in the gel provided at the initial supply, and in the gel and gel container used repeatedly for 4 weeks, the same bacteria residing on the skin were identified in the examiner's hand, such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, Micrococcus luteus, Leuconostoc mesenteroid spp cremoris, Kocuria rhizophila, and etc. Separated strains were classified as those of the low- or non-pathogenicity; however, most of these strains may render fatal consequences to patients of lower level of immunity due to acquired tolerance to antibiotics. At week 1, when the number of tests was the highest, 44 colonies were identified, and at week 4, when the number of tests was the lowest, 4 colonies were identified. As r=0.994, it was found that the number of colonies increased as the number of tests increased. In conclusion, it was confirmed that the cause of the infection was not the ultrasound gel, but the examiner's hand. The ultrasound gel or gel container may be contaminated by skin flora of examiner's hands, which can cause opportunistic infection in patients with low immunity. The ultrasound gel or gel container may be contaminated by skin flora of examiner's hands, which can cause opportunistic infection in patients with low immunity. Therefore, it was confirmed that thorough hand disinfection was necessary to block healthcare-associated infections.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제53권4호
• /
• pp.401-408
• /
• 2002

Background : Tuberculin skin test is a method to examine M. tuberculosis infection and has been used all over the world. But various factors make it difficult to understand testing results. In 2000, the American Thoracic Society recommended that skin test results should be decided by considering risk factors of the tested. In Korea, high tuberculosis infection rate and BCG vaccination rate make it difficult to differentiate current infection, past infection, and no infection by the skin test. This study was attempted to examine a negative predictive value of the skin test to understand how the skin test acts on deciding administration of anti-tuberculosis drug. Methods : From Mar. 1 to Jul. 31 in 2001, the test was performed for patients hospitalized in Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chunchon, Korea by administering Tuberculin PPD RT23 2 TU (0.1 ml)to them that has been currently used in Korea based on Mantoux method. They were decided to be infected with tuberculosis bacilli by following diagnostic standard: 1) tuberculosis bacilli was cultured in sputum by microbiological diagnostic standard or Acid-fast bacilli was proven on a microscopic examination or 2) tuberculosis bacilli was not proven in the aforesaid microbiological test by clinical diagnostic standard, while there was opinion or symptom suitable for tuberculosis by radiographic or histological standard so the doctor decided to apply the tuberculosis treatment. Results : In this study, total 210 patients except 20 patients (8.7%) among 230 hospitalized patients were evaluated. Their average age was 60±16.8 years, and male-female rate was 1.28 : 1 (male: 118, female: 92). Number of patient, who was diagnosed and decided as tuberculosis, was 53(25.2%). Pulmonary tuberculosis was found in 45 patients (84.9%); 22 patients were decided to be positive in the Acid-fast bacilli smear test by microbiological examination (culture positive: 13, culture negative: 9), and 23 patients were decided to be tuberculosis patients by clinical diagnosis standard. Tuberculosis pleuritis was found in 8 patients (15.1%); 4 patients were diagnosed and decided by histological standard, and 4 patients were decided and treated by clinical standard. In differentiating patients into 'Negative' and 'Positive' by the skin test standard of the American Thoracic Society, negative predictive value 92.3%, positive predictive value 47.3%, sensitivity and specificity were 83%, 68.8%, respectively. Conclusion : In hospitalized respiratory patients, there was high negative predictive vlaue 92.3% by tuberculin skin test, therefore skin test would be a important factor for deciding administration of anti-tuberculosis drug on negative skin test patient.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• 제48권3호
• /
• pp.225-229
• /
• 2016

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a chronic infectious agent known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is transmitted in airborne particles, called droplet nuclei which was generated by cough, sneeze, shout, or sing of persons who have TB disease. Most infections of TB do not have symptoms, well known as latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). However, about 10% of LTBI progress to active disease a one or two years after infection. To investigate the LTBI rate of college students who were in contacted with TB patients, we performed chest X-ray, tuberculin skin test (TST) and Interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) to 74 college students. At a results, 65 students were showed negative and 9 students positive results at chest X-ray and 1st TST test. When confirmed the 65 students who were showed negative by 2st TST, the results showed correctly. But, 9 students who were showed positive results on chest X-ray and 1st TST by IGRA, the only 3 students (4.05%) showed positive results. In conclusion, the LTBI rate in this study showed 4.05% (3/74) and we suggest to investigate other students LTBI rate for decreasing tuberculosis.