Clinical Prognosis of Lung Cancer in Patients with Moderate Chronic Kidney Disease.

The clinical outcomes of patients with lung cancer coexisting with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are reported to have been conflicting. There is insufficient evidence for treatment and prognosis of lung cancer according to renal function in patients with CKD. We evaluate clinical course and prognostic factors of lung cancer according to the renal function of moderate CKD patients. A retrospective, multicenter study of lung cancer patients with moderate CKD was performed. Moderate CKD was defined as having an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. CKD was classified as stage 3, stage 4, and stage 5 according to eGFR. The cumulative mortality of lung cancer was calculated by competing risks survival analysis, and the risk factors were evaluated by the Cox-proportional hazards model. Among the lung cancer patients with moderate CKD (n = 181), median overall survival (OS) was 11.1 (4.2−31.3) months for stage 3 CKD patients, 6.0 (1.8−16.3) months for stage 4 CKD patients, and 4.7 (2.1−40.1) months for stage 5 CKD patients (p = 0.060), respectively. In a subgroup analysis, CKD stage was associated with an increased mortality in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Cox regression analysis revealed that age ≥ 75 years (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), 1.581; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.082−2.310), Charlson comorbidity index (aHR, 1.669; 95% CI, 10.69−2.605), and stage IV NSCLC (aHR, 2.395; 95% CI, 1.512−3.796) were associated with increased mortality risk, whereas adenocarcinoma (aHR, 0.580; 95% CI, 0.352−0.956) and stage 3 CKD (aHR, 0.598; 95% CI, 0.399−0.895) were associated with decreased mortality risk. In conclusion, the mortality risk of patients with lung cancer was lower in stage 3 CKD compared with stage 4 or 5 CKD. In addition, in the early stages of NSCLC, the CKD stage affected the prognosis, but not in the advanced stage NSCLC.

Incidence and outcomes of adverse drug reactions to first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs and their effects on the quality of life: A multicenter prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: In tuberculosis (TB) treatment, adverse drug reactions (ADRs) can interrupt treatment and decrease the quality of life (QoL). We aimed to prospectively investigate the incidence of ADRs to first-line anti-TB drugs and related outcomes and QoL. METHODS: Adult patients with TB who had been treated with first-line anti-TB drugs in five Korean hospitals were enrolled. ADR questionnaire surveys and blood tests were performed four times serially, and QoL was assessed on the fourth TB treatment week (±2 weeks). RESULTS: Of 410 enrolled patients with TB (males, 62%; mean age, 52.1 ± 18.1 years [those aged ≥65 years, 26.6%]), 67.8% experienced any ADRs (≥ grade 2) to TB drugs. The most common ADR was fatigue (53.2%), followed by itching (42.7%) and anorexia (41.7%). Older adult patients experienced relatively more ADRs, including anorexia, dyspepsia, rash, dizziness, anemia, abnormal hepatic/renal function tests, and increased uric acid levels (p < 0.05). Treatment regimens changed for 9.5% of patients owing to ADRs to anti-TB drugs. Patients with any ADRs and older adult patients had significantly lower QoL than their counterparts (p < 0.05). Old age (odds ratio [OR], 1.02) and being male (OR 2.65) were independently associated with ADRs, whereas active smoking (OR 4.73) and a relatively long treatment phase (OR 5.13) were independently associated with hepatotoxicity. CONCLUSION: ADRs to first-line anti-TB drugs were common and related to relatively low QoL, especially among older adults. Although 9.5% of patients had ADR-related regimen changes, most patients with ADRs completed treatments successfully.

Epidemiology and clinical features of common community human coronavirus disease.

BACKGROUND: We would evaluate the epidemiology, clinical aspects, and prognostic factors of patients of all ages admitted with human corona virus (HCoV). METHODS: This study was retrospectively performed at five university teaching hospitals between 1st January 2018 and 31th March 2020. Routine molecular testing using for multiplex real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods was conducted on the respiratory viruses. We assessed the demographics, laboratory findings, and treatment of patients infected with coronavirus. RESULTS: There were 807 coronavirus-infected patients from 24,311 patients with respiratory virus PCR test admitted to five hospitals over 27 months. All-cause mortality rates of patients admitted for seasonal HCoV disease were 3.1% in all patients and 10.8% in patients aged ≥18 years. The Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed in patients aged ≥18 years. After adjusting for other clinical variables, general weakness symptoms [hazard ratio (HR), 2.651; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.147-6.125, P=0.023], National Early Warning Score (NEWS) ≥2 (HR, 5.485; 95% CI, 1.261-23.858, P=0.023), and coronavirus subtype OC43 (HR, 2.500; 95% CI, 1.060-5.897, P=0.036) were significantly associated with death from coronavirus. CONCLUSIONS: Coronavirus infection can reveal a higher mortality rate in patients of ≥18 than those of <18 years, thus, adult patients require more careful treatment. Furthermore, in adult patients, the factors associated with death from coronavirus include general weakness symptoms, NEWS higher than 2, and OC43 subtype.

Mortality and Prognostic Prediction in Very Elderly Patients With Severe Pneumonia.

INTRODUCTION: Although prognostic prediction scores for pneumonia such as CURB-65 score or pneumonia severity index (PSI) are widely used, there were a few studies in very elderly patients. The aim of the study was to validate prognostic prediction scores for severe pneumonia and investigate risk factors associated with in-hospital mortality of severe pneumonia in very elderly patients. METHODS: During the 6-year study period (from October 2012 to May 2018), 160 patients aged 80 or older admitted to medical intensive unit were analyzed retrospectively. Pneumonia severity was evaluated using CURB-65 score, PSI, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores, A-DROP, I-ROAD, UBMo index, SOAR score, and lactate. The outcome was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: The median age was 85 years (interquartile range: 82-88). Nursing home residents accounted for 71 (44.4%) and in-hospital mortality was 40 (25.0%). Logistic regression showed that chronic lung, mechanical ventilation, hemodialysis, and albumin were associated with in-hospital mortality of pneumonia. Using the receiver operating characteristics curve for predicting mortality, the area under the curve in pneumonia was 0.65 for the SOFA score, 0.61 for the CURB-65 score, 0.52 for the PSI, 0.58 for the A-DROP, 0.52 for the I-ROAD, 0.54 for UBMo index, 0.59 for SOAR score, and 0.65 for lactate. CONCLUSION: The performances of the CURB-65 and PSI are not excellent in very elderly patients with pneumonia. Further studies are needed to improve the performance of prognostic prediction scores in elderly patients.

Completion rate of latent tuberculosis infection treatment in patients aged 65 years and older.

INTRODUCTION: There are insufficient data on the treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in elderly patients. We investigated the completion rate of treatment in elderly LTBI patients. METHODS: A retrospective multicentre study was conducted at five university hospitals in South Korea. We reviewed the electronic medical records of patients aged 65 years and older who were diagnosed with LTBI via positive interferon-gamma release assay results between January 2016 and December 2018. Treatment completion was defined as ingestion of more than 80% of all prescribed medications without loss to follow-up. RESULTS: During the study period, 127 LTBI patients aged 65 years and older visited outpatient department. Among them, 77 patients aged 65-78 years (median age, 69 years [interquartile range, 66-71 years]) who received LTBI treatment were analysed. Common reasons for IGRA testing in elderly patients were health-care worker (n = 33, 42.9%) and household contact with infectious TB patients (n = 18, 23.4%). The overall completion rate of LTBI treatment was 83.1% (n = 64), and the completion rate of 3-month isoniazid plus rifampin regimen was 88.4%. Adverse effects were reported in 23 patients (29.9%), and an increase in aminotransferase level was the most common adverse effect (n = 11, 14.3%). Three patients (3.9%) with the adverse effect discontinued treatment and 10 (13.0%) patients were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: LTBI treatment in patients aged 65-78 years was relatively well tolerated. In LTBI treatment in elderly patients, the majority of discontinuation of treatment was due to loss to follow-up rather than adverse effects of anti-TB medications.

The Impact of Air Pollution, Including Asian Sand Dust, on Respiratory Symptoms and Health-related Quality of Life in Outpatients With Chronic Respiratory Disease in Korea: A Panel Study.

OBJECTIVES: Air pollution is a growing concern in Korea because of transboundary air pollution from mainland China. A panel study was conducted to clarify the effects of air pollution on respiratory symptoms and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in outpatients with and without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Korea. METHODS: Patients filled out a questionnaire including self-reported HR-QoL in February and were followed up in May and July. The study was conducted from 2013 to 2015, with different participants each year. Air quality parameters were applied in a generalized estimating equation as independent variables to predict factors affecting HR-QoL. RESULTS: Lower physical fitness scores were associated with Asian sand dust events. Daily activity scores were worse when there were high concentrations of particulate matter (PM) less than 10 µm in diameter (PM10). Lower social functioning scores were associated with high PM less than 2.5 µm in diameter and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations. High NO2 concentrations also showed a significant association with mental health scores. Weather-related cough was prevalent when PM10, NO2, or ozone (O3) concentrations were high, regardless of COPD severity. High PM10 concentrations were associated with worsened wheezing, particularly in COPD patients. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that PM, NO2, and O3 cause respiratory symptoms leading to HR-QoL deterioration. While some adverse effects of air pollution appeared to occur regardless of COPD, others occurred more often and more intensely in COPD patients. The public sector, therefore, needs to consider tailoring air pollution countermeasures to people with different conditions to minimize adverse health effects.

Does repeated pleural culture increase the diagnostic yield of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from tuberculous pleural effusion in HIV-negative individuals?

BACKGROUND: Despite recent advances in methods for culturing Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), the diagnostic yield of tuberculous pleural effusion (TBPE) remains unsatisfactory. However, unlike repeated sputum cultures of pulmonary tuberculosis, little is known about the role of repeated pleural cultures. We examined whether repeated pleural cultures are associated with increased MTB yield from TBPE. METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective cohort study was performed from January 2012 to December 2015 in South Korea. Patients were categorized into two groups: single- or repeated-culture groups. The diagnostic yield of MTB and clinical, radiological, and pleural fluid characteristics were evaluated. RESULTS: Among the 329 patients with TBPE, 77 (23.4%) had repeated cultures and 252 (76.5%) had a single culture. Pleural culture was performed twice in all 77 patients in the repeated-culture group at a 1-day interval (inter-quartile range, 1.0-2.0). In the repeated-culture group, the yield of MTB from the first culture was 31.2%, which was similar to that in the single-culture group (31.2% vs. 29.8%, P = 0.887). However, the yield of MTB from the second culture (10/77, 13.0%) was more than that from the first. These results may be attributable to the insufficient immune clearance for MTB invasion into the pleural space between the first and second cultures. Over time, the yield of the second cultures decreased from 17.4% to 6.7% and then 6.3%. Finally, the overall yield of MTB in the repeated- and single-culture groups was 44.2% and 29.8% respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that repeated pleural cultures increased MTB yield from TBPE in human immunodeficiency virus-negative individuals. Furthermore, repeated cultures may increase yield when carried out for two consecutive days.

Loculated Tuberculous Pleural Effusion: Easily Identifiable and Clinically Useful Predictor of Positive Mycobacterial Culture from Pleural Fluid.

BACKGROUND: Isolation of M. tuberculosis (MTB) is required in cases of Tuberculous pleural effusion (TBPE) for confirming diagnosis and successful therapy based on drug sensitivity test. Several studies have focused on predictors of MTB culture positivity in TBPE. However, the clinical role of loculated TBPE as a predictor of MTB cultivation from TBPE remains unclear. The aim of this study was to examine possible predictors including loculation of TBPE of MTB culture positivity in TBPE. METHODS: We retrospectively examined associations between clinical, radiological, microbiological, and laboratory characteristics and positive MTB culture from TBPE to determine a potent predictor of culture positivity. RESULTS: From January 2011 to August 2015, 232 patients with TBPE were identified. Of these, 219 were finally analyzed. Among them, 69 (31.5%) were culture positive for MTB in TBPE and 86 (39.3%) had loculated TBPE. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the loculation of TBPE was independently associated with culture positivity for MTB in TBPE (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 40.062; 95% confidence interval [CI], 9.355-171.556; p<0.001). In contrast, the lymphocyte percentage of TBPE (adjusted OR, 0.934; 95% CI, 0.899-0.971; p=0.001) was inversely associated with culture positivity for MTB in TBPE. CONCLUSION: In clinical practice, identification of loculation in TBPE is easy, reliable to measure, not uncommon and may be helpful to predict the possibility of positive mycobacterial culture.

Urinary excretion of 9α,11ß-prostaglandin F2 and leukotriene E4 in patients with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.

BACKGROUND: Increased levels of mast cell-derived eicosanoids, such as prostaglandin (PG) D2 and cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs), have been reported in patients with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), suggesting that mast cell activation is involved in the mechanism of EIB. However, it is still controversial since these results have not been reproduced in other studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of PGD2 and LTE4 in adult asthma with EIB, as measuring urinary levels of their metabolites-9α,11ß-PGF2 and LTE4 before and after an exercise challenge test. METHODS: Eight patients with asthma and EIB and five normal controls without EIB were enrolled. Exercise challenge tests comprised of 6 min of treadmill exercise or free running were performed in all study subjects, and urine samples before and 1 h after the challenge were collected. Urinary levels of 9α,11ß-PGF2 and LTE4 were measured by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in 9α,11ß-PGF2 and LTE4 levels before/after the exercise challenge between patients with EIB and normal controls. No significant increases in urinary levels of 9α,11ß-PGF2 or LTE4 were detected during the exercise challenge in patients with EIB and normal controls. No significant correlations were observed between the percent decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) or percent changes in 9α,11ß-PGF2 and LTE4 levels after the exercise challenge. CONCLUSIONS: Urinary 9α,11ß-PGF2 and LTE4 levels did not increase after an exercise challenge in patients with EIB, suggesting that urinary excretion of 9α,11ß-PGF2 and LTE4 may not be a good marker of mast cell activation in patients with EIB.

Prognostic role of p53 and Ki-67 immunohistochemical expression in patients with surgically resected lung adenocarcinoma: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: p53 mutations and the Ki-67 protein are frequently observed in various types of human cancer; the abnormal expression of p53 and Ki-67 in the tumor is associated with poor survival of lung cancer patients. We aimed to assess the prognostic role of immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of p53 and Ki-67 in lung adenocarcinoma tissue. METHODS: Tumor samples from 136 patients who had undergone surgical resection for lung adenocarcinoma were retrospectively evaluated for p53 and Ki-67 expression by immunohistochemistry. Associations of clinical and pathologic variables with p53 and Ki-67 were determined using the χ(2) test. After excluding two patients (follow-up loss), 134 cases were evaluated for associations between p53, Ki-67, clinical and pathologic variables, and survival by using the Cox proportional hazards regression model and Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: In the 136 patients, p53 was positive in 71.0% (93/131), and Ki-67 showed high in 49.2% (61/124). Unlike p53, Ki-67 was associated with male sex, smoking, and poor tumor differentiation (P=0.004, P=0.001 and P=0.006). Of these, poor tumor differentiation strongly was correlated with high level of Ki-67 expression (P=0.008). Neither p53 nor Ki-67 was associated with increased risk of death (P=0.318, P=0.053); however, age ≥60 years and lymph node involvement were significant predictors of death (P=0.039 and P=0.042). The log-rank test revealed a significant association between Ki-67 and lower survival in all patients (χ(2)=5637; P=0.018); however, the risk was limited to stage III cases (χ(2)=5.939; P=0.015). Unlike p53, patients with high level of Ki-67 expression showed lower 3-year actuarial survival than those without (log-rank test, χ(2)=4.936; P=0.026). CONCLUSIONS: IHC expression of Ki-67 in lung adenocarcinoma tissue shows stronger association with poor tumor differentiation, and negatively affects patients' survival in advanced-stage lung cancer; however, the role of p53 on patient outcome needs further study.

Bee Pollen-Induced Anaphylaxis: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Bee pollen is pollen granules packed by honey bees and is widely consumed as natural healthy supplements. Bee pollen-induced anaphylaxis has rarely been reported, and its allergenic components have never been studied. A 40-year-old male came to the emergency room with generalized urticaria, facial edema, dyspnea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea 1 hour after ingesting one tablespoon of bee pollen. Oxygen saturation was 91%. His symptoms resolved after injection of epinephrine, chlorpheniramine, and dexamethasone. He had seasonal allergic rhinitis in autumn. Microscopic examination of the bee pollen revealed Japanese hop, chrysanthemum, ragweed, and dandelion pollens. Skin-prick with bee pollen extracts showed positive reactions at 0.1 mg/mL (A/H ratio > 3+). Serum specific IgE to ragweed was 25.2, chrysanthemum 20.6, and dandelion 11.4 kU/L; however, Japanese hop, honey-bee venom and yellow-jacket venom were negative (UniCAP®, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Uppsala, Sweden). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) confirmed serum specific IgE to bee-pollen extracts, and an ELISA inhibition assay for evaluation of cross-allergenicity of bee pollen and other weed pollens showed more than 90% of inhibition with chrysanthemum and dandelion and ~40% inhibition with ragweed at a concentration of 1 µg/mL. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and IgE-immunoblot analysis revealed 9 protein bands (11, 14, 17, 28, 34, 45, 52, 72, and 90 kDa) and strong IgE binding at 28-34 kDa, 45 and 52 kDa. In conclusion, healthcare providers should be aware of the potential risk of severe allergic reactions upon ingestion of bee pollen, especially in patients with pollen allergy.

Identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and rifampin resistance in clinical specimens using the Xpert MTB/RIF assay.

PURPOSE: The Xpert MTB/RIF assay is a novel real-time polymerase chain reaction technique for the detection of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) complex and rifampin (RIF) resistance. We evaluated the performance of this assay in identifying MTB and resistance to RIF in clinical specimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed clinical specimens from 383 patients with suspected TB who were hospitalized at a secondary hospital in Korea. Specimens were processed using the Xpert MTB/RIF assay, acid-fast bacilli smear and culture, and drug susceptibility test (DST). RESULTS: Among the 444 clinical samples analyzed, the Xpert MTB/RIF assay identified MTB in 56 (13.8%) of 405 respiratory specimens, but did not detect MTB in the remaining 39 non-respiratory specimens. Of the 65 pulmonary TB patients, 52 (80.0%) were confirmed by using mycobacterial culture as a reference standard. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of the Xpert MTB/RIF assay were 73.85%, 99.03%, 94.12%, and 94.72%, respectively. Among five patients with RIF resistance determined by the Xpert MTB/RIF assay, four (80%) were confirmed as suffering from multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB by DST. CONCLUSIONS: The Xpert MTB/RIF assay appears to be an accurate, simple, and useful technique for detecting MTB, especially in respiratory specimens. However, RIF resistance, if detected, should be verified with DST.

Pulmonary function assessment in the early phase of patients with smoke inhalation injury from fire.

OBJECTIVES: Fire smoke contains toxic gases and numerous chemical compounds produced by incomplete combustion, and may cause injury to the airways. Increased airway reactivity, as well as a decrease in lung function, has been reported as a sequela of smoke inhalation injury. This study was undertaken to assess lung functions in the early phase of patients with smoke inhalation damage from fires. METHODS: A total of 15 patients with fire smoke inhalation (fire smoke group) and 15 subjects with chronic cough but no previous history of lung disease (chronic cough group) were enrolled. For diagnosis of inhalation injury, we performed bronchoscopy, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), as well as arterial carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) at admission. Clinical characteristics, pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and mannitol bronchial provocation tests (BPTs) were analyzed and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: In fire smoke group, initial COHb levels and the PaO2/FiO2 ratio were (14.8±18.49)% and 425.7±123.68, respectively. Of seven patients performing HRCT, 4 (57.1%) showed the CT findings compatible with lung involvement of inhalation injury. Post bronchodilator value of the percent of forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) were (76.0±24.27)% and (79.8±27.82)%, respectively. Pre-and post- bronchodilator forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of the FVC (FEF25-75) and the percent predicted FEF25-75 were 2.41±1.47 vs. 2.65±1.45 L (P=0.045), and (68.7±37.29)% vs. (76.4±36.70)% (P=0.031), respectively. Two patients (13.3%) had positive bronchodilator response (BDR). In fire smoke and chronic cough group, all the subjects showed mannitol BPTs within normal limits. CONCLUSIONS: Fire smoke inhalation leads to mild obstructive small airway disease pattern of pulmonary function in the early phase of patients with fire smoke damage. Further studies, however, need to be followed to identify the relationship between airway narrowing to inhaled mannitol and smoke inhalation injury.

A comparison between the efficiency of the Xpert MTB/RIF assay and nested PCR in identifying Mycobacterium tuberculosis during routine clinical practice.

OBJECTIVES: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is more sensitive, specific, and rapid than the conventional methods of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear and culture. The aim of this study was to determine if the Xpert MTB/rifampicin (RIF) assay had additional advantages over nested PCR for the detection of MTB in a geographical area with intermediate tuberculosis (TB) incidence. METHODS: Between February and December 2013, the Xpert MTB/RIF assay and MTB nested PCR, as well as AFB smear and culture, were simultaneously performed on 198 clinical samples (160 pulmonary and 38 non-pulmonary specimens) collected from 171 patients hospitalized at Hallym University Medical Center for possible TB. The accuracy of the diagnosis of MTB culture-positive TB and the turnaround time of reporting laboratory results were calculated and compared. Rifampin resistance by the Xpert MTB/RIF assay was reviewed with that of conventional drug susceptibility testing (DST). RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the Xpert MTB/RIF assay and MTB nested PCR for diagnosis of MTB culture-positive pulmonary TB were 86.1% vs. 69.4% (P=0.1563), 97.8% vs. 94.1% (P=0.2173), 91.2% vs. 75.8% (P=0.1695), and 96.4% vs. 92.0% (P=0.2032), respectively. The median turnaround times of the Xpert MTB/RIF assay and MTB nested PCR were 0 [0-4] days and 4 [1-11] days, respectively (P<0.001). Two cases of rifampin resistance, as determined by the Xpert MTB/RIF assay, were found to be multi-drug resistant (MDR) pulmonary TB by DST. CONCLUSIONS: The Xpert MTB/RIF assay seemed to be sensitive, specific, and comparable to nested PCR for identifying MTB among clinically suspected TB patients, and the assay can be valuable in giving a timely identification of resistance to rifampin.

The association between airflow obstruction and radiologic change by tuberculosis.

INTRODUCTION: Cigarette smoking is the most commonly encountered risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, it is not the only one and there is consistent evidence from epidemiologic studies that nonsmokers may develop chronic airflow limitation. A history of tuberculosis has recently been found to be associated with airflow obstruction in adults older than 40 years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the radiologic changes by tuberculosis and airflow obstruction in a population based sample. METHODS: A nationwide COPD prevalence survey was conducted. We compared the prevalence of airflow obstruction according to the presence of the radiologic change by the tuberculosis. RESULTS: We analyzed 1,384 subjects who participated in the nationwide Korean COPD survey. All subjects were older than 40 years and took the spirometry and simple chest radiography. We defined the airflow obstruction as FEV1/FVC <0.7. A total of 149 (10.8%) subjects showed airflow obstruction. A total of 167 (12.1%) subjects showed radiologic change by tuberculosis. Among these 167 subjects, 44 (26.3%) had airflow obstruction. For the subjects without radiologic change by tuberculosis, the prevalence of airflow obstruction was only 8.6%. The unadjusted odds ratio for airflow obstruction according to the radiologic change was 3.788 (95% CI: 2.544-5.642). CONCLUSIONS: The radiologic change by tuberculosis was associated with airflow obstruction.

COPD patients with exertional desaturation are at a higher risk of rapid decline in lung function.

PURPOSE: A recent study demonstrated that exertional desaturation is a predictor of rapid decline in lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, the study was limited by its method used to detect exertional desaturation. The main purpose of this study was to explore whether exertional desaturation assessed using nadir oxygen saturation (SpO2) during the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) can predict rapid lung function decline in patients with COPD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 57 patients with moderate to very severe COPD who underwent the 6MWT. Exertional desaturation was defined as a nadir SpO2 of <90% during the 6MWT. Rapid decline was defined as an annual rate of decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)≥50 mL. Patients were divided into rapid decliner (n=26) and non-rapid decliner (n=31) groups. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference in exertional desaturation was observed between rapid decliners and non-rapid decliners (17 vs. 8, p=0.003). No differences were found between the groups for age, smoking status, BODE index, and FEV1. Multivariate analysis showed that exertional desaturation was a significant independent predictor of rapid decline in patients with COPD (relative risk, 6.8; 95% CI, 1.8 to 25.4; p=0.004). CONCLUSION: This study supports that exertional desaturation is a predictor of rapid lung function decline in male patients with COPD.

Interferon-γ Enzyme-Linked Immunospot Assay in Patients with Tuberculosis and Healthy Adults.

BACKGROUND: Interferon-γ assays based on tuberculosis (TB)-specific antigens have been utilized for diagnosing and ruling out latent TB and active TB, but their utility is still limited for TB incidence countries. The aim of this study is to understand the clinical utility of enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot) assays among patients with clinically suspected TB and healthy adults in clinical practices and community-based settings. METHODS: The ELISpot assays (T SPOT.TB, Oxford Immunotec, UK) were prospectively performed in 202 patients. After excluding those with indeterminate results, 196 were included for analysis: 41 were TB patients, 93 were non-TB patients, and 62 were healthy adults. RESULTS: The sensitivity and negative predictive values of the T SPOT.TB assays for the diagnosis of TB were 87.8% and 89.1%, respectively, among patients with suspected TB. The agreement between the tuberculin skin test (10-mm cutoff) and the T SPOT.TB assay was 66.1% (kappa=0.335) in all participants and 80.0% (kappa=0.412) in TB patients. Among those without TB (n=155), a past history of TB and fibrotic TB scar on chest X-rays were significant factors that yielded positive T SPOT.TB results. There was a significant difference in the magnitude of T SPOT.TB spot counts between TB patients and non-TB patients or healthy adults. CONCLUSION: The T SPOT.TB assay appeared to be a useful test for the diagnostic exclusion of TB. A positive result, however, should be cautiously interpreted for potential positives among those without active TB in intermediate TB incidence areas.

Association between pet ownership and the sensitization to pet allergens in adults with various allergic diseases.

PURPOSE: As pet ownership increases, sensitization to animal allergens due to domestic exposure is a concern. Sensitization to animal allergens may occur from indirect exposure, as well as direct ownership of animals. However, there have been conflicting results regarding the association between pet ownership and sensitization to animal allergens in adults. METHODS: In total, 401 patients with various allergic diseases were enrolled in this study. We performed skin prick tests with 55 common inhalant and food allergens, including dog, cat, and rabbit allergens. A mean wheal diameter of 3 mm or greater was considered a positive reaction. The exposure modality to each animal allergen was investigated using a questionnaire and included present ownership, past ownership, occupational exposure, occasional exposure, contact with pet owner, and no contact. Present ownership, past ownership, occupational, and occasional exposure were regarded as direct exposure. RESULTS: The sensitization rate for animal allergens was 20.4% for dog, 15.0% for cat, and 9.0% for rabbit. Direct exposure to dogs (72.0%) was significantly higher than that of other animals (18.4% for cats and 16.7% for rabbits), whereas 'no contact' with cats (78.3%) and rabbits (83.3%) was significantly higher than with dogs (26.8%; P<0.0001). Independent risk factors for sensitization to animal allergens were sensitization to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (OR=2.4, P=0.052), Dermatophagoides farinae (OR=5.1, P<0.001), cat (OR=4.4, P<0.0001), and direct exposure to dogs (OR=1.5, P=0.029) for dog, and sensitization to dog (OR=4.4, P<0.0001) and rabbit (OR=2.6, P=0.036) for cats. Finally, for rabbits, the independent risk factor was sensitization to Alternaria (OR=6.0, P<0.002). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that direct exposure to dogs contributes to the sensitization to dog allergens in patients with allergic diseases, whereas indirect exposure to cats and rabbits may induce sensitization to each animal's allergen.

A case of synchronous presentation of primary non-small cell lung carcinoma and pheochromocytoma.

We report a rare synchronous presentation of primary lung cancer and adrenal pheochromocytoma. A 59-year-old woman was diagnosed with right upper lobe non-small cell lung carcinoma measuring 2.8 cm and a right adrenal gland mass measuring 3.5 cm, which displayed increased metabolic activity on (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography. The adrenal lesion was revealed to be asymptomatic. The patient underwent right adrenalectomy and histological examination revealed a pheochromocytoma. Ten days later, right upper lobectomy was performed for lung cancer. This case indicates that incidental adrenal lesions found in cases of resectable primary lung cancer should be investigated.

An Elderly Man with Fatal Respiratory Failure after Eating a Poisonous Mushroom Podostroma cornu-damae.

A 73-year-old, previously healthy man presented with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dry mouth and febrile sensation 3 hours after eating boiled wild mushrooms. After admission, he showed progressive severe respiratory distress, pancytopenia, azotemia, hypotension, hypoxemia and consolidation of the entire left lung on chest radiography. With a preliminary diagnosis of necrotizing pneumonia, he underwent left pneumonectomy in order to remove all necrotic lung tissue. Lung histology showed extensive hemorrhagic necrosis, massive inflammatory cell infiltration, prominent proliferation of young fibroblasts and the formation of an early-stage hyaline membrane along the alveolar wall. Despite aggressive treatment, including mechanical ventilation, continuous renal replacement therapy and administration of granulocyte colony stimulating factor and broad spectrum antibiotics, he died on hospitalization day 13. Subsequently, the mushroom was identified as Podostroma cornu-damae. This is the first case of a histological evidence of lung involvement by Podostroma cornu-damae poisoning in Korea.