• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.67 no.2
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• pp.127-130
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• 2009

Bilateral interstitial infiltration in chest radiography, which may be fine granular, reticular or of ground glass opacity, is the typical radiographic findings of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia. Recently, atypical radiographic features, including cystic lung disease, spontaneous pneumothorax or nodular opacity, have been reported intermittently in patients with P. jiroveci pneumonia. We report the case of a 29-year-old woman with a transplanted kidney whose simple chest radiography and HRCT scan showed numerous miliary nodules in both lungs, mimicking miliary tuberculosis (TB). Under the presumptive diagnosis of miliary TB, empirical anti-TB medication was started. However, Grocott methenamine silver nitrate staining of a transbronchial lung biopsy tissue revealed P. jiroveci infection without evidence of TB. These findings suggest that even in TB-endemic area other etiology such as P. jiroveci as well as M. tuberculosis should be considered as an etiology of miliary lung nodules in mmunocompromised patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2004

Background : Recurrent pneumonia in adults is not uncommon. However, there is no domestic data about recurrent pneumonia in adults. Therefore, we investigated the associated diseases and clinical findings of recurrent pneumonia in adults. Methods : Among 5513 patients who were treated in five teaching hospitals of Hallym medical center?over a 5-year period, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the 58 who were compatible with diagnostic criteria of recurrent pneumonia. Results : The number of patients with recurrent pneumonia was 58 (1.05%, 58/5513) during the 5 years. Thirtyseven patients were male and 21 were female. Mean age was 66.4 (${\pm}14.9$) years. Median interval between each pneumonic episode was 18.5 months. Associated diseases were 25 cases of respiratory diseases, 13 of heart diseases, 13 of diabetes mellitus, 7 of lung malignancies, 11 of malignancies other than lung, 7 of neurologic disease, and 8 of miscellaneous diseases. Three cases had no underlying illness. Of the 8 cases with 2 or more times of recurrence, 4 were associated with respiratory diseases, 2 with aspiration pneumonia due to neurologic diseases, 1 with heart disease and 1 with no underlying illness. Recurrent pneumonic episodes affecting the same location were 30 of the total recurrent pneumonic episodes (30/67, 47.8%) and common associated diseases were respiratory diseases including lung malignancies. The etiology of recurrent pneumonia was Streptococcus pneumoniae, methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, atypical organisms, etc. Conclusion : Recurrent pneumonia in adults had a low incidence rate compared with children, but most cases had associated illness. Respiratory diseases including lung cancer were the most common associated illness of recurrent pneumonia.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.66-77
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• 2020

Purpose: The aims of the present study were twofold. First, the research investigated the effect of an individual's risk factors and the prevalence of psychotropic drugs on QTc prolongation, TdP (torsades de pointes), and death. Second, the study compared the risk scoring systems (the Mayo Pro-QT risk score and the Tisadale risk score) on QTc prolongation. Methods: The medical records of intoxicated patients who visited the emergency department between March 2010 and February 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. Among 733 patients, the present study included 426 psychotropic drug-intoxicated patients. The patients were categorized according to the QTc value. The known risk factors of QTc prolongation were examined, and the Mayo Pro-QT risk score and the Tisadale risk score were calculated. The analysis was performed using multiple logistic regression, Spearman correlation, and ROC (receiver operating characteristic). Results: The numbers in the mild to moderate group (male: 470≤QTc<500 ms, female: 480≤QTc<500 ms) and severe group (QTc≥500 ms or increase of QTc at least 60ms from baseline, both sex) were 68 and 95, respectively. TdP did not occur, and the only cause of death was aspiration pneumonia. The statically significant risk factors were multidrug intoxications of TCA (tricyclic antidepressant), atypical antipsychotics, an atypical antidepressant, panic disorder, and hypokalemia. The Tisadale risk score was larger than the Mayo Pro-QT risk score. Conclusion: Multiple psychotropic drugs intoxication (TCA, an atypical antidepressant, and atypical antipsychotics), panic disorder, and hypokalemia have been proven to be the main risk factors of QTc prolongation, which require enhanced attention. The present study showed that the Tisadale score had a stronger correlation and predictive accuracy for QTc prolongation than the Mayo Pro-QT score. As a result, the Tisadale risk score is a crucial assessment tool for psychotropic drug-intoxicated patients in a clinical setting.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.257-266
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• 2005

Background : The study of pneumonia among young men living in a group is rare. prospective study was conducted to determine the etiology, and compare the effects of macrolide and second-generation cephalosporin on the treatment of pneumonia among combat policemen. Patients and Methods : From January 2003 to April 2004, Fifty-two patients with pneumonia were treated with either azithromycin(n=25) or cefuroxime(n=27). In order to determine the cause of the pneumonia, culture studies and serologic tests for antibodies to Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae were carried out. During the two weeks of medication, the Chest X-rays, blood tests and culture studies(if necessary) were followed weekly. A serologic study was followed at the end of the second week. Results : The main pathogens for pneumonia among combat policemen were Mycoplasma pneumoniae(50.0%), Chlamydia pneumoniae(10.8%), and Streptococcus pneumoniae(3.8%). The treatment was successful in most cases(51/52 cases, 98.1%). The effects of azithromycin and cefuroxime were similar (96.0% vs 100%, p>0.05). In one patient who had taken azithromycin, the clinical and radiological findings did not improved until intravenous second generation ce phalosporin had been infused. Conclusion : Atypical pathogens were the main causes of the pneumonia in the combat policemen, and the effects of macrolide and second generation cephalosporin for pneumonia were similar. However, further studies will be needed to determine if single therapy with macrolide is possible.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.71 no.5
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• pp.335-340
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• 2011

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world in all age groups. Viral causes of CAP are less well characterized than bacterial causes. We analyzed the characteristics of hospitalized patients with CAP who had a viral pathogen detected by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Methods: Multiplex real-time PCR was performed for respiratory viruses in samples collected from 520 adults who developed CAP at Chungnam National University Hospital. Clinical, laboratory, and radiological features at presentation as well as other epidemiological data were analyzed. Results: Of 520 patients with CAP, a viral pathogen was detected in 60 (11.5%), and influenza A was the most common. The virus detection rate in patients with CAP was highest in November. Two or more pathogens were detected in 13 (21.7%) patients. Seven patients had severe disease and were administered in the intensive care unit. Most patients (49/60, 81.7%) had comorbidities. However, nine (15%) patients had no comorbidities, and their age was <60 years. The ground glass opacity pattern was the most common radiological feature. Seven (11.7%) patients died from CAP. Conclusion: Viral pathogens are commonly detected in patients with CAP, and a respiratory virus may be associated with the severity and outcome of pneumonia. Careful attention should be paid to the viral etiology in adult patients with CAP.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.202-209
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• 2023

Lophomonas blattarum is an anaerobic protozoan living in the intestine of cockroaches and house dust mites, with ultramicroscopic characteristics such as the presence of a parabasal body, axial filament, and absence of mitochondria. More than 200 cases of Lophomonas infection of the respiratory tract have been reported worldwide. However, the current diagnosis of such infection depends only on light microscopic morphological findings from respiratory secretions. In this study, we attempted to provide more robust evidence of protozoal infection in an immunocompromised patient with atypical pneumonia, positive for Lophomonas-like protozoal cell forms. A direct search of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid via polymerase chain reaction (PCR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and metagenomic next-generation sequencing did not prove the presence of protozoal infection. PCR results were not validated with sufficient rigor, while de novo assembly and taxonomic classification results did not confirm the presence of an unidentified pathogen. The TEM results implied that such protozoal forms in light microscopy are actually non-detached ciliated epithelial cells. After ruling out infectious causes, the patient's final diagnosis was drug-induced pneumonitis. These findings underscore the lack of validation in the previously utilized diagnostic methods, and more evidence in the presence of L. blattarum is required to further prove its pathogenicity.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.48-52
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• 2015

Streptococcus pneumoniae associated hemolytic uremic syndrome (SpHUS) is one of the causes of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, and increasingly reported. They are more severe and leave more long-term sequelae than more prevalent, typical hemolytic uremic syndrome. But it is not so easy to diagnose SpHUS for several reasons (below), and there was no diagnostic criteria of consensus. A 18 month-old-girl with sudden onset of oliguria and generalized edema was admitted through the emergency room. She had pneumonia with pleural effusion and laboratory findings of HUS, DIC, and positive direct Coombs' test. As DIC or SpHUS was suspected, we started to treat her with broad spectrum antibiotics, transfusion of washed RBC and replacement of antithrombin III. On the $3^{rd}$ day, due to severe hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) was started. She showed gradual improvement in 4 days on CRRT and discharged in 16 days of hospital care. At the follow up to one year, she has maintained normal renal function without proteinuria and hypertension. We report this case with review of articles including recently suggested diagnostic criteria of SpHUS.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.260-264
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• 2013

Dapsone (4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone, DDS), a potent anti-inflammatory agent, is widely used in the treatment of leprosy and several chronic inflammatory skin diseases. Dapsone therapy rarely results in development of dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome, which is characterized by fever, hepatitis, generalized exfoliative dermatitis, and lymphadenopathy. Here, we describe the case of an 11-year-old Korean boy who initially presented with high fever, a morbilliform skin rash, generalized lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and leukopenia after 6 weeks of dapsone intake. Subsequently, he exhibited cholecystitis, gingivitis, colitis, sepsis, aseptic meningitis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, pneumonia, pleural effusions, peritonitis, bronchiectatic changes, exfoliative dermatitis, and acute renal failure. After 2 months of supportive therapy, and prednisolone and antibiotic administration, most of the systemic symptoms resolved, with the exception of exfoliative dermatitis and erythema, which ameliorated over the following 4 months. Agranulocytosis, atypical lymphocytosis, aseptic meningitis, and bronchiectatic changes along with prolonged systemic symptoms with exfoliative dermatitis were the most peculiar features of the present case.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.74 no.1
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• pp.23-27
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• 2013

Multicentric Castleman's disease (CD) is a rare atypical lymphoproliferative disorder, which is characterized by various systemic manifestations. Some patients with multicentric CD may have concomitant lung parenchymal lesions, for which lymphoid interstitial pneumonia (LIP) is known to be the most common pathologic finding. Follicular bronchiolitis and LIP are considered to be on the same spectrum of the disease. We describe a case of multicentric CD with pulmonary involvement, which was pathologically proven as follicular bronchiolitis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.709-717
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• 1999

Background & Method : Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia(BOOP) is a specific clinicopathologic condition characterized by chronic inflammatory interstitial infiltrates. Cryptogenic form of BOOP presents subacute clinical course of flu-like illness, such as cough, fever, dyspnea with exertion and other constitutional symptoms. Pathologically it shows the presence of granulation tissue filling the lumen of terminal and respiratory bronchioles, extending into distal airspaces. Recently, we reviewed 24 cases of idiopathic type of BOOP, 5 cases of our hospital and another 19 cases on Korean literatures, and compared with reviewed data from foreign literatures. Results : Mean age was 54 years old and there was female preponderance in domestic reports. Their common presenting symptoms were dyspnea and cough, and mean duration of illness was 41 days. On chest examination, inspiratory crackle was a common finding. The laboratory findings were nonspecific except hypoxemia. Lung function studies revealed restrictive defect or combined obstructive and restrictive pattern in most patients. Bilateral patchy and nonsegmental alveolar opacities constituted characterized radiographic finding, highlighted on high resolution computed tomogram. It showed a favorable prognosis with an excellent responsiveness to corticosteroid therapy. The clinical features and laboratory findings were similar between domestic and foreign cases except female preponderance in Korean cases. Conclusion : If the clinical course is atypical or pregressive under proper treatment, clinicians should reevaluate clinical features and radiographic findings under the consideration of BOOP. Tissue confirmation would be recommended for the definitive diagnosis of BOOP.