Predictive factors for acute brain lesions on magnetic resonance imaging in acute carbon monoxide poisoning.

BACKGROUND: Acute brain lesions on diffusion-weighted-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning were associated with delayed neurological sequelae. This study was conducted to identify the risk factors associated with acute brain lesions on MRI after acute CO poisoning and to help select patients who need acute-phase brain MRI after acute CO poisoning in the emergency department (ED). METHODS: This retrospective observational study included 103 adult patients who were hospitalized at a tertiary-care hospital between November 2016 and September 2019 and underwent brain MRI because of acute CO poisoning. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to identify predictive factors for acute brain lesions on MRI after acute CO poisoning. RESULTS: Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of <9 at ED presentation (odds ratio [OR] 17.749, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.098-101.690, P = 0.001) and the initial troponin-I level at presentation in the ED (OR 13.657, 95% CI 1.415-131.834, P = 0.024) were predictive factors for acute brain lesions on MRI in acute CO poisoning. The receiver operating characteristics curve for initial troponin-I showed an area under the curve of 0.761 (95% CI 0.638-0.883, P < 0.001) and the optimal cutoff value was 0.105 ng/mL. CONCLUSIONS: Acute-phase brain MRI in acute CO poisoning can be considered for patients who present at the ED with a GCS score <9 or troponin-I level >0.105 ng/mL.

Geographic distribution of Tick-borne encephalitis virus complex.

A comprehensive understanding of the geographic distribution of the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) complex is necessary due to increasing transboundary movement and cross-reactivity of serological tests. This review was conducted to identify the geographic distribution of the TBEV complex, including TBE virus, Alkhurma haemorrhagic fever virus, Kyasanur forest disease virus, louping-ill virus, Omsk haemorrhagic fever virus, and Powassan virus. Published reports were identified using PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library. In addition to TBEV complex case-related studies, seroprevalence studies were also retrieved to assess the risk of TBEV complex infection. Among 1406 search results, 314 articles met the inclusion criteria. The following countries, which are known to TBEV epidemic region, had conducted national surveillance studies: Austria, China, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, and Slovakia. There were also studies/reports on human TBEV infection from Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Netherland, and Turkey. Seroprevalence studies were found in some areas far from the TBEV belt, specifically Malaysia, Comoros, Djibouti, and Kenya. Kyasanur forest disease virus was reported in southwestern India and Yunnan of China, the Powassan virus in the United States, Canada, and east Siberia, Alkhurma haemorrhagic fever virus in Saudi Arabia and east Egypt, and Louping-ill virus in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and east Siberia. In some areas, the distribution of the TBEV complex overlaps with that of other viruses, and caution is recommended during serologic diagnosis. The geographic distribution of the TBEV complex appears to be wide and overlap of the TBE virus complex with other viruses was observed in some areas. Knowledge of the geographical distribution of the TBEV complex could help avoid cross-reactivity during the serologic diagnosis of these viruses. Surveillance studies can implement effective control measures according to the distribution pattern of these viruses.

Subcapsular Splenic Hemorrhage in Vivax Malaria.

In malaria, splenic rupture is a serious complication potentially leading to death. Subcapsular hemorrhage of spleen is thought to be an impending sign of splenic rupture; however, the characteristics of subcapsular hemorrhage are not well known. We report 3 cases of subcapsular hemorrhage of the spleen in vivax malaria, with varying degrees of severity. Case 1 showed subcapsular hemorrhage without splenic rupture, was treated by antimalarial drug without any procedure. The healing process of the patient's spleen was monitored through 6 computed tomography follow-up examinations, over 118 days. Case 2 presented subcapsular hemorrhage with splenic rupture, treated only with an antimalarial drug. Case 3 showed subcapsular hemorrhage with splenic rupture and hypotension, treated using splenic artery embolization. They all recovered from subcapsular hemorrhage without any other complications. These 3 cases reveal the process of subcapsular hemorrhage leading to rupture and a potentially fatal outcome. The treatment plan of subcapsular hemorrhage should be determined carefully considering the vital signs, changes in hemoglobin, and bleeding tendency.

Hemodynamic changes after propacetamol administration in patients with febrile UTI in the ED.

OBJECTIVES: Clinical studies have indicated that transient hypotension can occur after propacetamol administration. This study aimed to analyze the hemodynamic changes after propacetamol administration in patients visiting the ED due to febrile UTI. We also examined the incidence of propacetamol-induced hypotension and compared the clinical characteristics of patients with persistent hypotension, defined as requiring additional fluids or vasopressors, to those with transient hypotension. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the electronic medical records of patients who visited the ED between June 2015 and May 2016, were diagnosed with febrile UTI, and treated with propacetamol, was conducted. RESULTS: We included 195 patients in this study; of these, 87 (44.6%) showed hypotension. In all patients, significant decreases in systolic blood pressure (SBP; 135.06±20.45mmHg vs 117.70±16.41mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (DBP; 79.74±12.17mmHg vs 69.69±10.96mmHg), and heart rate (97.46±17.14mmHg vs 90.72±14.90mmHg) were observed after propacetamol administration. The basal SBP and DBP were higher in the hypotension than in the non-hypotension group (basal SBP: 144.4±22.3mmHg vs 127.6±15.3mmHg; basal DBP: 83.3±12.6mmHg vs 76.9±11.0mmHg). Patients with persistent hypotension had a lower baseline BP, which was not elevated despite fever, and a higher rate of bacteremia than those with transient hypotension. CONCLUSIONS: Although febrile UTI patients treated with propacetamol in the ED showed hemodynamic changes, these changes did not have a large effect on their prognosis. However, in patients who showed bacteremia or a normal initial BP despite fever, the possibility of developing persistent hypotension should be considered.

Risk factors of urinary tract infection caused by extended spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli in emergency department.

OBJECTIVES: The incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI) due to extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli has increased over recent years. Initial empirical therapy is often ineffective for these resistant isolates resulting in prolonged hospitalization and increased mortality. This study was conducted to determine the risk factors of UTI caused by ESBL E. coli in the emergency department (ED). METHODS: This is a retrospective case-control study at a university hospital in Korea with UTI patients who visited ED between June 2015 and December 2016. We compared case patients with ESBL E. coli UTI (n = 50) to control patients with non-ESBL-producing E. coli UTI (n = 100), which were matched for age and sex. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore risk factors. RESULTS: Our study showed that hospital-acquired infection (OR = 3.86; 95% CI = 1.26-11.8; p = .017), prior UTI within 1 year (OR = 3.26; 95% CI = 1.32-8.05; p = .010), and underlying cerebrovascular disease (OR = 3.24; 95% CI = 1.45-7.25; p = .004) were independent risk factors for acquisition of ESBL-producing E. coli. Notably, 35 (70%) out of 50 case patients had community-acquired infection, and 68% and 54% of ESBL E. coli were resistance to ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, respectively. On the contrary, 98% of ESBL E. coli was susceptible to amikacin. CONCLUSION: The main risk factors identified in our study should be considered when treating UTI patients in ED. Amikacin may improve the outcome of empirical treatment without increasing carbapenem utilization.

Hemodynamic changes in patients with influenza A after propacetamol infusion in the emergency department.

OBJECTIVES: Recently, there has been an emerging clinical data suggesting that intravenous propacetamol may cause iatrogenic hypotension. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate hemodynamic changes after propacetamol infusion in the emergency department (ED) with the patients of influenza A. Secondary objective was to assess the incidence of propacetamol-induced significant hypotension and to evaluate factors associated with this adverse effect by comparing two groups of patients with or without a significant reduction in blood pressure (BP). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the patients with laboratory-confirmed influenza A who received intravenous propacetamol for the control of fever in the ED during the 2015-16 influenza season. RESULTS: 101 patients of influenza A were included in this study. Overall, all the vital signs including BP, pulse rate and body temperature recorded after propacetamol administration were lower than the pre-infusion values. A significant reduction in BP was observed in 30 (29.7%) patients and 6 (20%) of them required crystalloid infusion. Interestingly, pre-infusion BPs were higher in the group of propacetamol-induced significant hypotension, yet there was no difference in post-infusion BPs between the groups. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge this is the first study on the effect of intravenous propacetamol in the ED patients with influenza A infection. We hypothesized that the group with a significant reduction in BP could have higher sympathetic tone, consequently showing higher pre-infusion BPs and pulse rate. And there was no difference in post-infusion BPs because baroreflex homeostasis could compensate further decrease in BPs.

Fatal Pulmonary Edema in a Child After Jellyfish Stings in Korea.

Jellyfish have been increasing at a global scale in recent years. These blooms not only have deleterious effects on marine ecosystems, they also increase the risk of jellyfish stings and accompanying envenomation. Here, we report a fatal case of pulmonary edema caused by jellyfish envenomation in a child in Korea. The patient died 4 h after envenomation despite cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Nemopilema nomurai was the suspected species of jellyfish encountered by the patient, although we are unable to confirm this. With this case report, we aim to inform on the serious issue of toxicity associated with jellyfish species that bloom mainly along Korean, east Chinese, and Japanese shores and to discuss appropriate first aid methods in case of jellyfish stings.

Two Imported Cases of Babesiosis with Complication or Co-Infection with Lyme Disease in Republic of Korea.

Babesiosis, caused by Babesia microti and B. divergens, is transmitted by Ixodid ticks. Symptoms of babesiosis vary from a mild flu-like illness to acute, severe, and sometimes fatal and fulminant disease. In Korea, 7 imported babesiosis cases and 1 endemic case have been reported. We report 2 cases of severe babesiosis initially mistaken as malaria. The first patient was complicated by shock and splenic infarction, the other co-infected with Lyme disease. As the population traveling abroad increases every year, physicians should be aware of babesiosis which mimics malaria, co-infection with other diseases, and its complications.

Severe Plasmodium vivax infection in Korea.

BACKGROUND: Although severe malaria by Plasmodium vivax has been increasingly reported, there are marked variations in the type and rate of the complications by geographic area. This is possibly because of the presence of concurrent falciparum malaria or bacteraemia, and of differences in underlying immune status among the infected subjects. Furthermore, published studies on P. vivax in temperate regions are limited. The present study investigated severe vivax malaria in Korea, where only vivax malaria occurs. Hence, other compounding factors are rare. Additionally, most of the patients are possibly non-immune to this malarial disease. METHODS: Adults with vivax malaria observed in one 860-bed university hospital from January 2006 to December 2012 were retrospectively evaluated. Seventeen patients who had travelled overseas within 6 months before the presentation of malaria were excluded. Severe vivax malaria was diagnosed according to World Health Organization criteria. Other complications were also investigated. RESULTS: Two-hundred and ten patients were enrolled, of which 88 (41.9%) were treated as inpatients and the remainder as outpatients. Eleven patients were treated in an intensive care unit; among them, five patients received mechanical ventilation, and one needed extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy (ECMO) additionally. Severe vivax malaria was identified in 44 patients (21.0%), and the most common severe complication was pulmonary manifestation (40/188, 21.9%), which was followed by cerebral malaria (5/210, 2.4%), shock (4/210, 1.9%), spontaneous bleeding (3/210, 1.4%), metabolic acidosis (3/210, 3.5%) and acute kidney injury (2/210, 1.0%). Unusual complications, such as splenic infarction (ten patients) and retinal haemorrhage (two patients) were sometimes observed. There were no deaths, but the case involving ECMO was potentially fatal. CONCLUSIONS: Plasmodium vivax infection can be severe to be fatal and is frequently associated with various complications in non-immune adults. The frequency of each complication seems to differ from other countries. Hence, further investigation is needed to elucidate the causes and mechanisms responsible for these differences.

Machine learning model for predicting ciprofloxacin resistance and presence of ESBL in patients with UTI in the ED.

Increasing antimicrobial resistance in uropathogens is a clinical challenge to emergency physicians as antibiotics should be selected before an infecting pathogen or its antibiotic resistance profile is confirmed. We created a predictive model for antibiotic resistance of uropathogens, using machine learning (ML) algorithms. This single-center retrospective study evaluated patients diagnosed with urinary tract infection (UTI) in the emergency department (ED) between January 2020 and June 2021. Thirty-nine variables were used to train the model to predict resistance to ciprofloxacin and the presence of urinary pathogens' extended-spectrum beta-lactamases. The model was built with Gradient-Boosted Decision Tree (GBDT) with performance evaluation. Also, we visualized feature importance using SHapely Additive exPlanations. After two-step customization of threshold adjustment and feature selection, the final model was compared with that of the original prescribers in the emergency department (ED) according to the ineffectiveness of the antibiotic selected. The probability of using ineffective antibiotics in the ED was significantly lowered by 20% in our GBDT model through customization of the decision threshold. Moreover, we could narrow the number of predictors down to twenty and five variables with high importance while maintaining similar model performance. An ML model is potentially useful for predicting antibiotic resistance improving the effectiveness of empirical antimicrobial treatment in patients with UTI in the ED. The model could be a point-of-care decision support tool to guide clinicians toward individualized antibiotic prescriptions.

Factors affecting patients who attempted suicide in the emergency department due to the prolonged pandemic of COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the characteristics of patients who attempted suicide in the emergency department before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We compared data from patients in the emergency department following suicide attempts between January 2018 and December 2021. The patients were categorized into two groups: "pre-COVID-19" and "during COVID-19" pandemic. RESULTS: The findings revealed an increasing trend of suicide attempts during the study period. Suicide attempts were reported at 1,107 before the COVID-19 pandemic and 1,356 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients who attempted suicide during the COVID-19 pandemic were younger (38.0±18.5 years vs. 40.7±18.4 years, P<0.01), had a smaller proportion of men (36% vs. 44%, P<0.01), and had fewer medical comorbidities (20.2% vs. 23.6%, P<0.05). The group during the COVID-19 pandemic reported better hygiene conditions (50.5% vs. 40.8%, P<0.01) and lower alcohol consumption (27.7% vs. 37.6%, P<0.01). Patients who attempted suicide during the COVID-19 pandemic had higher rates of use of psychiatric medications and previous suicide attempts. The most common reasons for the suicide attempt were unstable psychiatric disorders (38.8%), poor interpersonal relationships (20.5%), and economic difficulties (14.0%). Drug poisoning (44.1%) was the most common method of suicide attempts. Subgroup analysis with patients who attributed their suicide attempts to COVID-19 revealed a higher level of education (30.8%) and employment status (69.2%), with economic difficulties (61.6%) being the primary cause of suicide attempts. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the prolonged duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on social and economic factors have influenced suicide attempts.

Thrombophlebitis of superior mesenteric vein with bacteremia of Gemella sanguinis and Streptococcus gordonii.

Pylephlebitis is a condition with thrombophlebitis of the portal mesenteric venous system. Herein, we report a patient suggesting odontogenic bacteremia as a risk factor of pylephlebitis. He was diagnosed as superior mesenteric vein thrombophlebitis, and blood cultures grew Gemella sanguinis and Streptococcus gordonii.

Tracheal Rupture Related to Endotracheal Intubation during Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

Postintubation tracheal rupture is rare, but serious. Emergency intubation is often conducted during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and the risk of postintubation tracheal rupture can be increased during CPR. We describe here a case of postintubation tracheal rupture in a 65-year-old female who was transferred from another hospital after CPR. Postintubation tracheal rupture in this case is thought to have been related to malposition of the endotracheal tube (ETT), elevation of the intratrachea pressure due to chest compression, and an overinflated cuff. However, the most important factor is considered to be the overinflated cuff, which is often caused by manual palpation. Therefore, emergency physicians should consider using a manometer to check the cuff pressure of the ETT, even during CPR. When spontaneous circulation is restored, the pressure of the cuff must be measured with a manometer.

Splenic Infarction in Plasmodium vivax Infection in South Korea.

Splenic infarction caused by malaria can be fatal, but its incidence and clinical presentation are not well-known. Thus, we investigated the prevalence and characteristics of splenic complications in patients with vivax malaria from 2005 to 2017 in a university hospital. Among 273 patients who were diagnosed with Plasmodium vivax infection by blood smear, 92 underwent abdominal computed tomography or ultrasonography. Twelve patients had splenic infarction. All patients with splenic infarction recovered after treatment with antimalarial drugs, without surgery and intervention. Although anemia and prolonged fever may be risk factors for splenic infarction, the incidence of these events was insufficient for a detailed analysis.

Current Status of Tick-Borne Diseases in South Korea.

BACKGROUND: Bites with tick-borne pathogens can cause various bacterial, viral, or parasitic diseases in humans. Tick-transmitted diseases are known as contributing factors to the increasing incidence and burden of diseases. The present article investigated the epidemiology of tick-borne diseases in South Korea. METHODS: The incidence and distribution of common tick-borne diseases in Korea (Lyme disease, Q fever, and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome [SFTS]) were investigated and analyzed, using data from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) infectious disease reporting system. A literature review was compiled on the current status of uncommon tick-borne diseases (Rickettsia, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, bartonellosis, tularemia, tick-borne encephalitis, and babesiosis). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: In South Korea, SFTS is an emerging disease, showing a rapid increase in reports since 2012, with high mortality. Likewise, reports of Lyme disease and Q fever cases have also been rapidly increasing during 2012-2017, although caution should be taken when interpreting these results, considering the likely influence of increased physician awareness and reporting of these diseases. Other tick-borne diseases reported in South Korea included spotted fever group rickettsiae, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, tularemia, Bartonella, and babesiosis. Evidences on human infection with tick-borne encephalitis virus and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever were recently unavailable, but both need constant monitoring.

Clinical Predictors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Bacteremia in Emergency Department.

OBJECTIVES: Pseudomonas aeruginosa shows higher mortality rate compared to other bacterial infections and is susceptible to a limited number of antimicrobial agents. Considering inadequate empirical treatment of Pseudomonas bacteremia has been associated with increased mortality, it is important for emergency physicians to identify infections by P. aeruginosa. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective case-control study to investigate the clinical predictors of patients diagnosed as Pseudomonas bacteremia in the emergency department (ED) from June 2012 to December 2016. Patients with blood culture positive for Escherichia coli in the same period were chosen as the control group, and type of infection was matched for each patient. RESULTS: A total of 54 cases with Pseudomonas bacteremia and 108 controls with E. coli bacteremia were included. In the case group, 76% was community-acquired infection, 44% received inappropriate empirical treatment in the ED, and in-hospital mortality was 30%. Multiple logistic regression showed that respiratory tract infection was an independent risk factor for Pseudomonas bacteremia (OR 6.56, 95% CI 1.78-23.06; p = 0.004), whereas underlying diabetes mellitus (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.07-0.61; p = 0.004) and presentation as urinary tract infection (OR 0.06, 95% CI 0.02-0.18; p < 0.001) were negative clinical predictors. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that antipseudomonal antibiotics should be considered beyond simple coverage of Gram-negative bacteria in the ED, especially if the patient is likely to have pneumonia. Having diabetes or presenting with urinary tract infection could be clinical factors unfavorable to use of antipseudomonal antibiotics.

Symptomatic bradycardia due to nicotine intoxication. / Bradicardia sintomática causada por intoxicação por nicotina.

Nicotine is a dangerous substance extracted from tobacco leaves. When nicotine is absorbed in excessive amounts, it can lead to respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. The commercialization of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) has allowed users to directly handle e-cigarette liquid. Consequently, the risk of liquid nicotine exposure has increased. We describe our experience of managing the case of a patient who orally ingested a high concentration of liquid nicotine from e-cigarette liquid. The patient presented with bradycardia and hypotension, which are symptoms of parasympathetic stimulation, together with impaired consciousness. He recovered following treatment with atropine and a vasopressor.