Metabolic Complications among Korean Patients with HIV Infection: The Korea HIV/AIDS Cohort Study

Currently, metabolic complications are the most common problem among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, with a high incidence. However, there have been very few studies regarding metabolic abnormalities published in Asia, especially in Korea. This cross-sectional study was performed to investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for metabolic abnormalities in 1,096 HIV-infected patients of the Korea HIV/AIDS cohort study enrolled from 19 hospitals between 2006 and 2013. Data at entry to cohort were analyzed. As a result, the median age of the 1,096 enrolled subjects was 46 years, and most patients were men (92.8%). The metabolic profiles of the patients were as follows: median weight was 63.8 kg, median body mass index (BMI) was 22.2 kg/m², and 16.4% of the patients had a BMI over 25 kg/m². A total of 5.5% of the patients had abdominal obesity (waist/hip ratio ≥ 1 in men, ≥ 0.85 in women). Increased levels of fasting glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides were present in 10.4%, 6.0%, 5.5%, and 32.1% of the patients. Decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were observed in 44.2% of the patients. High systolic blood pressure was present in 14.3% of the patients. In multivariate analysis, high BMI and the use of protease inhibitors (PIs) were risk factors for dyslipidemia in HIV-infected patients. In conclusion, proper diagnosis and management should be offered for the prevalent metabolic complications of Korean HIV-infected patients. Further studies on risk factors for metabolic complications are needed.ope

Mortality Risk Factors for Patients with Septic Shock after Implementation of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign Bundles

BACKGROUND: Septic shock remains a leading cause of death, despite advances in critical care management. The Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) has reduced morbidity and mortality. This study evaluated risk factors for mortality in patients with septic shock who received treatment following the SSC bundles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included patients with septic shock who received treatments following SSC bundles in an urban emergency department between November 2007 and November 2011. Primary and secondary endpoints were all-cause 7- and 28-day mortality. RESULTS: Among 436 patients, 7- and 28-day mortality rates were 7.11% (31/436) and 14% (61/436), respectively. In multivariate analysis, high lactate level (odds ratio [OR], 1.286; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.016-1.627; P=0.036) and low estimated glomerular filtration rate (OR, 0.953; 95% CI, 0.913-0.996; P=0.032) were independent risk factors for 7-day mortality. Risk factors for 28-day mortality were high lactate level (OR, 1.346; 95% CI, 1.083-1.673; P=0.008) and high Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (OR, 1.153; 95% CI, 1.029-1.293; P=0.014). CONCLUSION: The risk of mortality of septic shock patients remains high in patients with high lactate levels and acute kidney injury.ope

An Imported Case of Brucella melitensis Infection in South Korea

Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection that is usually transmitted from cattle to humans through ingestion of animal milk, direct contact with animal parts, or inhalation of aerosolized particles. In Korea, brucellosis seem to be transmitted through close contact with blood, fetus, urine, and placenta of domestic cow that has been infected by Brucella abortus, or inhalation of B. arbortus while examining or slaughtering cow. Brucella melitensis infection is rare in Korea and there have been no reported cases of B. melitensis originating from other countries until now. This report details a case of complicated brucellosis with infective spondylitis in a 48-year-old male construction worker recently returned from Iraq. Infection with B. melitensis was confirmed using 16s rRNA sequencing and omp31 gene analysis. The patient was successfully treated using a combination of rifampin, doxycycline, and streptomycin, in accordance with WHO guidelines. This is the first reported case of complicated brucellosis with infective spondylitis in Korea caused by B. melitensis originating from Iraq.ope

The impact of production of extended-spectrum β-lactamases on the 28-day mortality rate of patients with Proteus mirabilis bacteremia in Korea

BACKGROUND: The incidence of Proteus mirabilis antimicrobial resistance, especially that mediated by extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), has increased. We investigated the impact of ESBL production on the mortality of patients with P. mirabilis bacteremia in Korea. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with P. mirabilis bacteremia between November 2005 and December 2013 at a 2000-bed tertiary care center in South Korea were included in this study. Phenotypic and molecular analyses were performed to assess ESBL expression. Characteristics and treatment outcomes were investigated among ESBL-producing and non-ESBL-producing P. mirabilis bacteremia groups. A multivariate analysis of 28-day mortality rates was performed to evaluate the independent impact of ESBLs. RESULTS: Among 62 P. mirabilis isolates from 62 patients, 14 expressed ESBLs (CTX-M, 2; TEM, 5; both, 6; other, 1), and the 28-day mortality rate of the 62 patients was 17.74%. No clinical factor was significantly associated with ESBL production. The 28-day mortality rate in the ESBL-producing group was significantly higher than that in the non-ESBL-producing group (50% vs. 8.3%, p = 0.001). A multivariate analysis showed that ESBL production (odds ratio [OR], 11.53, 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.11-63.05, p = 0.005) was independently associated with the 28-day mortality rate in patients with P. mirabilis bacteremia. CONCLUSIONS: ESBL production is significantly associated with mortality in patients with bacteremia caused by P. mirabilis. Rapid detection of ESBL expression and prompt appropriate antimicrobial therapy are required to reduce mortality caused by P. mirabilis bacteremia.ope

An increased chloride level in hypochloremia is associated with decreased mortality in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock

Only a few observational studies investigated the association between hypochloremia and mortality in critically ill patients, and these studies included small number of septic patients. Also, no study has evaluated the effect of an increase in chloride (Cl-) concentration in hypochloremia on the mortality. A total of 843 Korean septic patients were divided into three groups based on their baseline Cl- level, and Cox analyses were performed to evaluate the 28-day mortality. Moreover, the change in Cl- level (ΔCl) from baseline to 24, 48, or 72 hour was determined, and Cox analyses were also conducted to evaluate the relationship of ΔCl with mortality. 301 (35.7%) patients were hypochloremic (Cl-  110 mEq/L). During the follow-up period, 119 (14.1%) patients died. Hypochloremia was significantly associated with an increased mortality after adjusting for several variables, but an 1 mEq/L increase of ΔCl within 24 hour in patients with hypochloremia was significantly related to a decreased mortality. Caution might be required in severe septic patients with hypochloremia considering their increased mortality rate. However, an increased Cl- concentration might decrease the mortality rate of such patients.ope

Risk factors for mortality in patients with low lactate level and septic shock

BACKGROUND: According to the new definition of septic shock, vasopressor therapy and hyperlactatemia are essential for diagnosis. However, there is controversy regarding the cutoff value for lactate, and prognostic factors in patients with septic shock and hypolactatemia. This study evaluated the prognostic significance of the cutoff value for lactate level in septic shock patients. METHODS: The retrospective observational cohort study enrolled 1043 patients aged ≥18 years who meet the revised definition of septic shock. Clinical outcomes of patients with hyperlactatemia were compared with hypolactatemia. RESULTS: Of the 1022 eligible patients, 369 had an arterial lactate level ≤2 mmol/L. More patients in the high lactate group had poor prognosis than in the low lactate group. A high Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (SOFA) score group was significant (p < 0.001) in predicting lactate levels. On the subgroup analysis of risk factors affecting mortality in the low lactate group, high Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ (APACHEⅡ) score (p = 0.003), high C-reactive protein (p = 0.034), and chronic heart failure (p = 0.001) were independently associated with 28-day mortality. CONCLUSION: Arterial lactate is a very reliable diagnostic and prognostic predictor of septic shock. However, despite low arterial lactate, patients with a high APACHEⅡ score, high C-reactive protein levels, and chronic heart failure had a poorer prognosis.ope

Multicystic Mass Infection in the Subcutaneous Tissue around Joint Developed by Aspergillus in a Liver Transplant Patient.

Invasive aspergillosis can be occured in immune-compromised patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, solid organ transplantation and prolonged neutropenia. The major area of invasive aspergillosis involves the sinopulmonary tract but can occur around the joint areas rarely. A 72-year-old man, who had received a liver transplant 6 years earlier, presented with a mass lesion around the right knee joint that developed 3 year earlier. Knee MRI revealed a multicystic subcutaneous mass around the knee joint. An excision was performed, and many fungal hyphae that were morphologically most consistent with Aspergillus spp. were observed in tissue. After amphotericin B therapy for 2 weeks, the patient did not show any evidence of a recurrence of invasive aspergillosis for 15 months. As Aspergillus spp. can cause a range of infections in solid organ transplants, invasive aspergillosis must be considered in patients with a recurrent cystic mass lesion.ope

Predictive factors for unfavorable outcomes of tuberculous pericarditis in human immunodeficiency virus-uninfected patients in an intermediate tuberculosis burden country

BACKGROUND: In areas where Mycobacterium tuberculosis is endemic, tuberculosis is known to be the most common cause of pericarditis. However, the difficulty in diagnosis may lead to late complications such as constrictive pericarditis and increased mortality. Therefore, identification of patients at a high risk for poor prognosis, and prompt initiation of treatment are important in the outcome of TB pericarditis. The aim of this study is to identify the predictive factors for unfavorable outcomes of TB pericarditis in HIV-uninfected persons in an intermediate tuberculosis burden country. METHODS: A retrospective review of 87 cases of TB pericarditis diagnosed at a tertiary referral hospital in South Korea was performed. Clinical characteristics, treatment outcomes, complications during treatment, duration of treatment, and medication history were reviewed. Unfavorable outcome was defined as constrictive pericarditis identified on echocardiography performed 3 to 6 months after initial diagnosis of TB pericarditis, cardiac tamponade requiring emergency pericardiocentesis, or death. Predictive factors for unfavorable outcomes were identified. RESULTS: Of the 87 patients, 44 (50.6%) had unfavorable outcomes; cardiac tamponade (n?=?36), constrictive pericarditis (n?=?18), and mortality (n?=?4). 14 patients experienced both cardiac tamponade and constrictive pericarditis. During a 1 year out-patient clinic follow up, 4 patients required repeat pericardiocentesis and pericardiectomy was performed in 0 patients. In the multivariate analysis, patients with large amounts of pericardial effusion (P?=?.003), those with hypoalbuminemia (P?=?.011), and those without cardiovascular disease (P?=?.011) were found to have a higher risk of unfavorable outcomes. CONCLUSION: HIV-uninfected patients with TB pericarditis are at a higher risk for unfavorable outcomes when presenting with low serum albumin, with large pericardial effusions, and without cardiovascular disease.ope

A Case of Septic Arthritis Caused by Persistent MRSA Bacteremia with Successful Treatment Through Linezolid.

Vancomycin is the primary antibiotic administered for treatment of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infection; however, treatment failure of vancomycin is currently not uncommon in patients with in vitro vancomycin susceptibile S. aureus (MIC < or = 2 microg/mL) infection. In this report, we describe a case of septic arthritis caused by persistent MRSA bacteremia and treated successfully with linezolid after failure of initial vancomycin therapy.ope

A Case of Native Valve Infective Endocarditis Caused by Bacillus cereus.

Bacillus cereus is a ubiquitous organism that often contaminates microbiological cultures but rarely causes serious infections in humans. It is the causative organism of infective endocarditis (IE), a disease typically associated with intravenous (IV) drug abusers. Thus, almost all reported cases have involved the tricuspid valve. We report a case of native mitral valve (MV) IE caused by B. cereus in a 54 year-old man with moderate MV regurgitation but no apparent history of IV drug use. He presented with fever and dyspnea on exertion, symptoms which had been ongoing for 2 months. B. cereus infection was determined by blood culture examination. A transthoracic echocardiography revealed that mobile vegetations had attached to the MV. He was treated with IV antibiotics for a total of 6 weeks and received MV replacement surgery. He has maintained a good clinical recovery without complications since discharge.ope