7-Aminocoumarin-4-acetic Acid as a Fluorescent Probe for Detecting Bacterial Dipeptidyl Peptidase Activities in Water-in-Oil Droplets and in Bulk.

Droplet-based microfluidic systems are a powerful tool for biological assays with high throughput. Water-in-oil droplets (WODLs) are typically used in droplet-based microfluidic systems to culture microorganisms and perform enzyme assays. However, because of the oil surrounding the nanoliter and picoliter volumes of WODLs, availability of suitable substrates is limited. For instance, although 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin (AMC) is commonly used as a fluorescent probe of the substrate to detect peptidase activity, AMC leaks from WODLs to the oil phase due to its high hydrophobicity. Thus, AMC substrates cannot be used in droplet-based microfluidic systems with WODLs. In this study, we developed a peptidase substrate consisting of a dipeptide and 7-aminocoumarin-4-acetic acid (ACA), an AMC-derived fluorogenic compound. ACA was retained in the WODL for more than 7 days, and the dipeptidyl ACA substrate detected dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP) activity in the WODL. Compared to AMC substrates, the substrate specificity constants of DPPs for ACA substrates increased up to 4.7-fold. Fluorescence-activated droplet sorting made high-throughput screening of microorganisms based on DPP activity using the dipeptidyl ACA substrate possible. Since ACA could be applied to various substrates as a fluorescent probe, detectable microbial enzyme activities for droplet-based microfluidic systems can be largely expanded.

Water-Based Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis without Hydroxy Side Chain Protection.

The development of protecting group-free synthesis has come to the forefront this century, as there is an increasing need to switch to greener synthetic methods. In peptide synthesis, a strategy of maximum protection offers the most efficient synthetic pathway, but minimal side chain protection is more favorable in terms of green chemistry. Here, we describe solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) without hydroxy side chain protection based on an aqueous microwave (MW)-assisted method. First, we investigated the extent of O-acylation of the hydroxy side chain of Ser, Thr, and Tyr occurring in our method, which uses 4-(4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-4-methylmorpholinium chloride. Under aqueous MW-assisted conditions, the coupling reaction proceeded efficiently without substantial O-acylation. Next, we applied the aqueous synthetic protocol without hydroxy side chain protection to synthesis of a laminin-related peptide, H-Tyr-Ile-Gly-Ser-Arg-NH2. HPLC analysis of the crude peptide revealed a single peak, suggesting the absence of side reactions including O-acylation and racemization. We also succeeded in synthesizing a difficult peptide sequence, acyl carrier protein (65-74) peptide, by aqueous SPPS without hydroxy or carboxamide side chain protection. Based on the eighth criterion of the 12 principles of green chemistry, namely, "reduce derivatives", our approach without hydroxy side chain protection will provide a greener peptide synthesis.

Candida guilliermondii-induced chorioretinitis in a patient with eating disorder.

Candidemia is a life-threatening fungal infection among patients undergoing long-term intravenous catheterization, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, or immunosuppressive therapy, as well as patients with severe immunodeficiency or cancer. Endophthalmitis is a rare but severe form of ocular inflammation caused by infection of the intraocular cavity, which can lead to irreversible visual loss if not treated properly and promptly. The initial manifestation typically involves chorioretinitis, which requires early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Candida guilliermondii is a non-Candida albicans yeast species; its frequency of detection in Japan has increased in recent years, and many drug-resistant and less-chorioretinitis-related strains are known. Here, we describe a 17-year-old girl with an eating disorder who exhibited chorioretinitis because of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) caused by C. guilliermondii. The patient was hospitalized with severe weight loss, and she was presumed to develop candidemia because of immunosuppression during central parenteral nutrition therapy with a peripherally inserted central catheter. After onset of CRBSI, the catheter was immediately removed. Antifungal therapy was modified following fundus examination, fungal species confirmation, and drug sensitivity confirmation; thus, the patient recovered without long-term complications. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of C. guilliermondii-induced chorioretinitis in a patient with an eating disorder. Prolonged malnutrition and immunosuppression during nutritional therapy create a risk of candidemia in patients with eating disorders. After the onset of CRBSI, early administration and appropriate use of antifungal agents, with respect to specific ocular complications, are important for reduction of both mortality and ocular complications.

Adolescent eating disorder with catheter-related bloodstream infection.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of adolescent eating disorder requires early improvement of nutritional status. Central venous hyperalimentation is used but catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) is a complication. There have been no reports examining risk factors for CRSBI in eating disorders. METHODS: The subjects were 51 patients who received nutritional therapy with the use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) from January 2012 to December 2019. The courses of weight and white blood cell (WBC) count were examined retrospectively during nutritional therapy. Onset factors for CRBSI were determined and a case series of CRBSI caused by Candida parapsilosis is presented. RESULTS: The day of minimum weight occurred on or before day 7 in 37 of the 51 patients, and this day was preceded by the day with the lowest WBC at a significant rate. The minimum weight day was significantly delayed in CRSBI cases compared with non-CRBSI cases (P = 0.02). In the case series of CRBSI caused by C. parapsilosis, the median WBC count before CRBSI decreased to 2,570 (1,680-3,270)/µL at a median of day (12-90) 36. Catheter-related bloodstream infection developed at a median of day (26-133) 38. The PICC was immediately removed and an antifungal drug was started, leading to cure with no after effects in all subjects. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with an eating disorder treated with nutritional therapy using a PICC, prolonged resistance to weight gain became a risk factor for developing CRBSI. White blood cell counts recover after weight gain, which suggests that there is a risk of developing CRBSI, even with improved appetite and weight gain.

Acquired Removability of Aspartic Protease Inhibitors by Direct Biotinylation.

Protease inhibitors are used as both research tools and therapeutics. Many of these inhibitors consist of substrate amino acid sequence-derived structure with a transition state mimic to interact with the active site of the protease, suppressing enzymatic activity. However, once they bind, macrodilution or protein denaturation is required to remove them, limiting their usage. In this study, we describe a removable protease inhibitor, which is a directly biotinylated analogue to control the activities of HIV-1 protease and human cathepsin D. In the substrate cleavage assay, we observed that the nanomolar inhibitory activities were lost upon the addition of streptavidin, while the enzymatic activities sufficiently recovered. HIV-1 protease mixed with the removable inhibitor, avoiding autolysis, was still active to be detected by adding streptavidin after one year at room temperature. We also observed that the inhibitor was an effective eluent for the simple detection of the activity of proteases purified from human serum and cells. These results demonstrate that direct biotinylation of protease inhibitors could be a novel method for controlling the enzymatic activity from OFF to ON. We proposed the phenomenon that binding equilibrium of inhibitor was shifted from protease to streptavidin with higher affinity, named "inhibitor stripping action by affinity competition", or ISAAC. We anticipate that ISAAC could be applicable for preservatives of proteases and activity-based diagnosis of protease related diseases. Furthermore, removable inhibitor to be designed for targeted proteases changing the inhibitor structure may elucidate enzymatic activity in intrinsic form with natural modifications from various biological samples.

Pharmacological targeting of plasmin prevents lethality in a murine model of macrophage activation syndrome.

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a life-threatening disorder characterized by a cytokine storm and multiorgan dysfunction due to excessive immune activation. Although abnormalities of coagulation and fibrinolysis are major components of MAS, the role of the fibrinolytic system and its key player, plasmin, in the development of MAS remains to be solved. We established a murine model of fulminant MAS by repeated injections of Toll-like receptor-9 (TLR-9) agonist and d-galactosamine (DG) in immunocompetent mice. We found plasmin was excessively activated during the progression of fulminant MAS in mice. Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of plasmin counteracted MAS-associated lethality and other related symptoms. We show that plasmin regulates the influx of inflammatory cells and the production of inflammatory cytokines/chemokines. Collectively, our findings identify plasmin as a decisive checkpoint in the inflammatory response during MAS and a potential novel therapeutic target for MAS.

The role of plasmin in the pathogenesis of murine multiple myeloma.

Aside from a role in clot dissolution, the fibrinolytic factor, plasmin is implicated in tumorigenesis. Although abnormalities of coagulation and fibrinolysis have been reported in multiple myeloma patients, the biological roles of fibrinolytic factors in multiple myeloma (MM) using in vivo models have not been elucidated. In this study, we established a murine model of fulminant MM with bone marrow and extramedullar engraftment after intravenous injection of B53 cells. We found that the fibrinolytic factor expression pattern in murine B53 MM cells is similar to the expression pattern reported in primary human MM cells. Pharmacological targeting of plasmin using the plasmin inhibitors YO-2 did not change disease progression in MM cell bearing mice although systemic plasmin levels was suppressed. Our findings suggest that although plasmin has been suggested to be a driver for disease progression using clinical patient samples in MM using mostly in vitro studies, here we demonstrate that suppression of plasmin generation or inhibition of plasmin cannot alter MM progression in vivo.

[TREATMENT SUPPORT AND TREATMENT QUTCOMES OF PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS IN PATIENTS WITH HIV INFECTION IN OSAKA CITY].

[Objective] To contribute to countermeasures against pulmonary tuberculosis in patients with HIV infection through analyzing and evaluating its treatment outcomes and patient management. [Methods] The 'subjects were pulmonary tuberculosis patients newly registered between 2008 and 2014 in whom concomitant HIV infection was detected. For the control, sex- and generation-matched pulmonary tuberculosis patients newly registered in Osaka City -between 2012 and 2014 were adopted. On analysis, the X² test and Fisher's exact test were used, and a significance level below 5% was regarded as significant. [Results] 1) There were 25 pulmonary tuberculosis patients complicated by HIV. All were male -and the mean age was 43.2 years old. 2) The sputum smear positivity rate was 76.0% in the pulmonary tuberculosis patients complicated by HIV and 50.8 % in 250 control pulmonary tuberculosis patients, showing a significantly higher rate in the former. 3) Risk factors for the discontinuation of medication for tuberculosis: In the patients complicated by HIV, the follow- ing risks of the discontinuation of medication were noted in the order of a decreasing frequency: 'Lack of medication helpers' in 68.0%, 'Side effects' in 48.0%, 'Financial prob- lems' in 32.0%, and 'Liver damage' in 28.0%. Those in the control pulmonary tuberculosis patients were 33.2%, 22.8 %, 16.0%, and 11.6%, respectively, showing a significant difference in each factor. 4) The DOTS executing rates were 68.0% and 94.8% in the patients complicated by HIV and control patients, respectively, showing that it was significantly lower in the patients complicated by HIV. On comparison of the treatment outcomes excluding died, on treatment, transferred out, not evaluated, treatment succeeded in 72.7% in the patients complicated by HIV and 92.9% in the control patients, showing a significantly lower success rate in the patients complicated by HIV. The numbers of risk factors of discon- tinuation in. 16 and 6 patients complicated by HIV in whom treatment succeeded and treatment failed/defaulted were 3.8 and 2.8, respectively, showing that the number was higher in patients with successful treatment, and the DOTS execution rates were 75.0% and 33.3%, respectively, showing a higher rate in the successful treatment cases. [Conclusion] The treatment outcome was significantly poorer in pulmonary tuberculosis patients complicated by HIV than in the control pulmonary tuberculosis patients. More risk factors for the discontinuation of medication were observed and the DOTS execution rate was lower in the patients complicated by HIV, suggesting that risk assess- fient for the discontinuation of medication should be appro- priately performed, and support for medication should be strengthened.

Inhibition of plasmin protects against colitis in mice by suppressing matrix metalloproteinase 9-mediated cytokine release from myeloid cells.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Activated proteases such as plasmin and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are activated in intestinal tissues of patients with active inflammatory bowel diseases. We investigated the effect of plasmin on the progression of acute colitis. METHODS: Colitis was induced in Mmp9(-/-), Plg(-/-), and C57BL/6 (control) mice by the administration of dextran sulfate sodium, trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid, or CD40 antibody. Plasmin was inhibited in control mice by intraperitoneal injection of YO-2, which blocks its active site. Mucosal and blood samples were collected and analyzed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical analyses, as well as for mucosal inflammation and levels of cytokines and chemokines. RESULTS: Circulating levels of plasmin were increased in mice with colitis, compared with controls. Colitis did not develop in control mice injected with YO-2 or in Plg(-/-) mice. Colons from these mice had reduced infiltration of Gr1+ neutrophils and F4/80+ macrophages, and reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Colonic inflammation and colitis induction required activation of endogenous MMP9. After colitis induction, mice given YO-2, Plg(-/-) mice, and Mmp9(-/-) mice had reduced serum levels of tumor necrosis factor and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 5, compared with control mice. CONCLUSIONS: In mice, plasmin induces a feedback mechanism in which activation of the fibrinolytic system promotes the development of colitis via activation of MMP9 or proteolytic enzymes. The proteolytic environment stimulates the influx of myeloid cells into the colonic epithelium and the production of tumor necrosis factor and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 5. In turn, myeloid CD11b+ cells release the urokinase plasminogen activator, which accelerates plasmin production. Disruption of the plasmin-induced chronic inflammatory circuit therefore might be a strategy for colitis treatment.

Development of an activity-based probe for amyloid ß-hydrolyzing antibodies.

We report developing an activity-based probe containing an amyloid ß peptide (Aß) 17-27 and an electrophilic phosphonate diester at the C-terminus. A probe containing an electrophilic moiety is able to react with the nucleophiles on an antibody or an antibody with proteinase activity. The probe reacted with an Aß specific monoclonal antibody and formed a covalent complex. The covalent binding also occurred specifically when the probe reacted with serum containing anti-Aß antibodies. These results suggest that the probe would serve as a powerful tool to isolate Aß specific antibodies that are capable of Aß hydrolysis activity.

Plasmin inhibitors with hydrophobic amino acid-based linker between hydantoin moiety and benzimidazole scaffold enhance inhibitory activity.

In this letter we report the design and synthesis of a series of plasmin inhibitors, which share the amino acid-based linker with limited free rotation between the hydantoin moiety and the benzimidazole scaffold. Our studies led to potent plasmin inhibitors and yielded important new insights into their structure-activity relationship for binding to the active site of plasmin.

Active site-directed plasmin inhibitors: Extension on the P2 residue.

Based on the structure of YO-2 [N-(trans-4-aminomethylcyclohexanecarbonyl)-l-Tyr(O-picolyl)-NH-octyl], active site-directed plasmin (Plm) inhibitors were explored. The picolyl moiety in the Tyr(O-picolyl) residue (namely, the P2 residue) was replaced with smaller or larger groups, such as hydrogen, tert-butyl, benzyl, (2-naphthyl)methyl, and (quinolin-2-yl)methyl. Those efforts produced compound 17 {N-(trans-4-aminomethylcyclohexanecarbonyl)-l-Tyr[O-(quinolin-2-yl)methyl]-NH-octyl} [IC50=0.22 and 77µM for Plm and urokinase (UK), respectively], which showed not only 2.4-fold greater Plm inhibition than YO-2, but also an improvement in selectivity (Plm/UK) by 35-fold. The docking experiments of the Plm-17 complexes disclosed that the amino group of the tranexamyl moiety interacted with the side-chain of Asp753 which formed S1 site.

[DOTS AND TREATMENT RESULTS IN PATIENTS WITH EXTRA-PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS IN OSAKA CITY].

[Purpose] To improve the treatment outcomes by analyzing/evaluating the association between DOTS and treatment outcomes in patients with extra-pulmonary tuber- culosis. [Methods] The subjects were patients with extra-pulmonary tuberculosis newly registered in Osaka City between 2012 and 2014. As controls, patients with pulmonary tuberculosis during this period were enrolled. Patients in whom compli- ance was confirmed once a month or more were regarded as completing DOTS. [Results] There were 434 patients with extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. Treatment was completed in 73.3% of these patients. Defaulted rates accounted for 9.4%. The mortality rate was 13.4%. Treatment is being conducted in 2.8%. Furthermore, 0.7% was transferred out. The results were unclear in 0.5%. We investigated changes in the DOTS and defaulted rates, excluding patients who died, those who were referred to other hospitals, those receiving treatment, and those whose results were unclear. The DOTS rates in 2012, 2013, and 2014 were 85.5, 87.5, and 91.2%, respectively, showing a slight increase. The defaulted rates were 14.5, 10.7, and 7.8%, respectively, showing a decrease. When compar- ing the results between the extra-pulmonary and pulmonary tuberculosis patients, the defaulted rates were 11.4 and 6.2 %, respectively; the percentage was significantly higher in the extra-pulmonary tuberculosis patients. The DOTS rates were 87.7 and 97.2%, respectively; the percentage was sig- nificantly lower in the extra-pulmonary tuberculosis patients. There were 41 defaulted cases. The reasons were "side effects" in 41.5%, "physicians' instructions" in 24.4%, "self- discontinuation/refusal" in 22.0%, and "preferential treatment for other diseases" in 12.2%. In the extra-pulmonary tuberculosis patients, the proportion of those in whom "side effects" led to defaulted was higher than in the pulmonary tubercu- losis patients, and that of those "self-discontinuation/refusal" was significantly lower. [Conclusion] Although the defaulted rate has decreased with an increase in the DOTS rate in patients with extra- pulmonary tuberculosis, both the DOTS and defaulted rates were less favorable than in patients with pulmonary tuber- culosis. In the future, it may be necessary to decrease the defaulted rate by intensifying DOTS. Of the reasons for defaulted, "side effects" and "physicians' instructions" account- ed for a high percentage. Therefore, it may be important to provide medical institutions with information.

[USE OF QuantiFERON® TB-GOLD IN-TUBE IN A CONTACT INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE THE ONSET OF TUBERCULOSIS WITH OR WITHOUT LATENT TUBERCULOSIS INFECTION TREATMENT].

PURPOSE: QuantiFERON® TB-Gold In-Tube (3G) testing was performed on tuberculosis-positive index cases and their contacts. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between 3G test results and the subsequent development of tuberculosis, and to identify effective strategies to prevent the onset of tuberculosis. METHODS: Index cases and their contacts were subjected to 3G testing in a contact investigation in Osaka City in 2011-2012. For index cases, sputum smears were tested, and the infecting organism was identified. For the contacts, the following information was collected: age, results of 3G testing, presence or absence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) treatment, and onset of tuberculosis disease within 2 years of follow-up from the last contact with the index cases. RESULTS: (1) There were 830 index cases, including 774 subjects with pulmonary tuberculosis (93.3%) and 3 with laryngeal tuberculosis (0.4%). From sputum smear tests, 726 patients (87.5%) were determined to be 3G positive, and 83 (10.0%) were determined to be 3G negative. (2) In total, 2,644 contacts were subjected to 3G testing. Of these, 2,072 patients (78.4%) tested negative, 196 (7.4%) showed an equivocal result, and 375 (14.2%) tested positive. Their mean ages were 33.7, 38.0, and 38.8 years, respectively, showing significant differences in tuberculosis status according to age (P < 0.001). (3) Among the 2,072 3G-negative contacts, tuberculosis developed in 2 (0.1%) of 2063. None of these contacts was treated for LTBI. Among the 375 3G-positive contacts, tuberculosis developed in 36 (36.0%) of 100 subjects that were not LTBI treated, while tuberculosis developed in 3 (1.1 %) of 275 subjects that were LTBI treated. A significant difference in the incidence of tuberculosis between treated and untreated 3G-positive contacts was observed (P < 0.001). DISCUSSION: Tuberculosis developed in a high proportion of 3G-positive contacts that were not LTBI treated, suggesting the need for preventive management of 3G-positive contacts.

Oligomerization of neutral peptides derived from the JC virus agnoprotein through a cysteine residue.

The JC virus is the causative agent of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. The viral genome encodes a multifunctional protein known as agnoprotein which is essential for viral proliferation and reported to possess the oligomerization sequence. However, the structural relationship with the oligomerization is unclear. We synthesized 23 amino acid residue neutral peptides derived from the JC virus agnoprotein, Lys22 to Asp44. The secondary structures of these peptides were ß-sheet in aqueous buffer that converted to a helical structure in a hydrophobic environment. These peptides interestingly formed dimers and oligomers under oxidizing conditions. The oligomerization was facilitated by addition of bismaleimides and the derivative without thiol group did not form such oligomers. These results suggest that Agno(22-44) could be transmembrane and one disulfide bond between Cys40 triggers the oligomerization.

Novel type of plasmin inhibitors: providing insight into P4 moiety and alternative scaffold to pyrrolopyrimidine.

Here we report a series of plasmin inhibitors which were originally derived from the parent structure of 1 and 2. Our efforts focused on the optimization of the P4 moiety of 2 and on the quest of alternative scaffold to pyrrolopyrimidine in the parent compounds. The results of the former gave us pivotal information on the further optimization of the P4 moiety in plasmin inhibitors and those of the latter revealed that appropriate moieties extending from the benzimidazole scaffold engaged with S4 pocket in the active site of plasmin.

[TUBERCULOSIS SCREENING BY CHEST RADIOGRAPHY AMONG INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AT JAPANESE LANGUAGE SCHOOLS IN OSAKA CITY].

PURPOSE: With a broader aim of controlling pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) among foreigners, here, we have reported the findings of chest radiography screening for TB among international students at Japanese language schools in Osaka city. METHODS: Between April 2011 and December 2013, 4,529 international students from 19 Japanese language schools in Osaka city underwent chest radiography for TB screening. The chest radiographs were studied in reference to the student's sex, age, nationality, and date of entry to Japan as well as any health conditions present at the time of screening. We further analyzed the bacterial information and pulmonary TB classification based on chest radiography findings of students who were identified to be positive for TB. Information on the implementation of health education was also gathered. RESULTS: The results revealed that 52.5% of the students who underwent chest radiography came from China, 20.3 % from South Korea, and 16.3% from Vietnam. Of the students, 52.9% were male and 47.1% were female. The median age of students was 23 years (range: 14-70 years). The median number of days from the first date of entry to Japan up until the radiography screening was 63 days. Based on the chest radiography findings, 71 students (1.6%) were suspected to have TB; however, further detailed examination confirmed that 19 students (0.4%) had active TB. This percentage is significantly higher than the 0.1% TB identification rate among residents in Osaka city of the same time period (P<0.001), which was also determined by chest radiography. The median age of the 19 TB positive patients was 23 years. Among them, 14 (73.7%) were male. The median time from the date of entry to Japan to the date of the chest radiography screening was 137 days. For 16 of those students, the entry to Japan was within 1 year of the radiography. Of the 19 TB positive patients, 16 (84.2%) did not have respiratory symptoms, 15 (79.0%) had sputum smear negative results, and 17 (89.5%) had no cavity. Health education was conducted in 11 schools (for a total of 12 times) in the 3-year period. A total of 257 language school staff and students attended the health education seminars. DISCUSSION: The identification rate of TB positive students in Japanese language schools was higher than that of the general residents in Osaka city. In addition, most of these students came to Japan within 1 year. It is also important to note that the majority of TB positive students had sputum smear negative results. This study proves that medical examination after entry to Japan would be useful for early detection of TB positive patients. Furthermore, it would be beneficial to conduct chest radiography screenings among students at language schools on a continuous basis. It is also necessary to provide health education to the staff and students in Japanese language schools. Effective methods of disseminating health education, especially on the topic of TB, should be considered.

[EXAMINATION OF TUBERCULOSIS OUTBREAK INDEX CASES IN OSAKA CITY].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze tuberculosis outbreak index cases in order to improve preventative measures. METHODS: Outbreaks reported in Osaka City between 2008 and 2014 were investigated. The index cases were examined according to category group, sex, age, chest radiograph findings, sputum smear examination, patient delay, doctor delay, total delay in case finding, and adherence to regular health examinations. As controls, 467 patients in Osaka City with newly registered sputum smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in 2011 were included. RESULTS: Thirteen outbreaks occurred. The group categories included enterprises (9 outbreaks), preparatory schools (2), a junior high school (1), and other (1). The group of index cases consisted of 12 men (92.3%) and one woman (7.7%), with a mean age of 39.1 years; 11 (84.6%) were 30 to 50 years of age. Their ages ranged from 15 to 54 years. Of the control group of patients with sputum smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis, 69.2% were 60 years or older, with a mean age of 65.4 years. These results suggest that the index case group was significantly younger (p < 0.001). There were ten cases (76.9%) of patient delay (initial visit 2 months or more after onset), and 8 (61.5%) of total delay (diagnosed 3 months or more after onset). These rates were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.001). There were regular health examinations in four cases; among those, one did not see a doctor and another did not receive further examination. Chest radiographs revealed cavities in 12 cases (92.3%). All sputum smears were positive, with grades of 1 + in one case (7.7%), 2 + in two cases (15.4%), and 3 + in 10 cases (76.9%). These cases had a significantly higher rate of smear positivity than those in the control group (p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: The index cases were predominantly male, in their prime, and had higher infectivity rates. These findings suggest the importance of preventing delays in case findings and receiving regular and adequate health examinations.

[PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS TREATMENT OUTCOME AMONG FOREIGN NATIONALS RESIDING IN OSAKA CITY].

UNLABELLED: Abstract PURPOSE: In this study, we analyzed pulmonary tuberculosis treatment outcomes among foreign nationals of different backgrounds. METHODS: The research was conducted between January 2006 and December 2011. One hundred fifty nine foreign nationals residing in Osaka city had pulmonary tuberculosis during this period. Patients were grouped according to treatment outcomes. We conducted three different types of comparisons. First, we compared backgrounds of patients with treatment success or default. Second, backgrounds of patients who continued treatment in Japan or who moved overseas (transfer out) were compared. Third, treatment outcomes of foreign nationals between 20 and 39 years of age were compared with those of age-matched Japanese patients registered between 2010 and 2011. RESULTS: (1) The treatment outcomes were as follows: cured, 53 cases (33.3%); treatment completed, 55 cases (34.6 %); treatment failure, 0 cases (0.0%); treatment default, 14 cases (8.8%); moved overseas, 17 cases (10.7%); moved to another location inside Japan, 13 cases (8.2%); died, 6 cases (3.8%); and under treatment, 1 case (0.6%). (2) Comparison of treatment success and default among foreign nationals with pulmonary tuberculosis revealed a default rate among smear-negative cases of 14.5%, significantly higher than in smear-positive cases (2.1%; P < 0.05). (3) We compared backgrounds between foreign nationals with pulmonary tuberculosis who continued taking treatment in Japan and those who moved abroad (transfer out). The rate of overseas transfer out (44.4%) was higher among patients not covered by health insurance. This was significantly higher than among patients covered by public insurance or assistance (9.0%; P < 0.01). (4) Comparison of foreign and Japanese nationals between 20 and 39 years of age revealed a default rate in foreign nationals with pulmonary tuberculosis of 13.6%. This was significantly higher than that of Japanese patients (4.0%; P < 0.01). The rate of transfer out among foreign nationals with pulmonary tuberculosis was 19.1%, also significantly higher than that of Japanese patients (5.3%; P < 0.001). DISCUSSION: The rates of treatment default and transfer out among patients between 20 to 39 years of age were significantly higher among foreign nationals than in Japanese patients. Lack of knowledge about treatment and language problems may contribute to this finding. This suggests that adequate support and definitive directly observed treatment short-course programs are needed for foreign nationals. Patients who moved abroad (overseas transfer out) may also be ultimately categorized as treatment default. However, it is difficult to determine final treatment outcomes of patients who moved abroad. Further measures are needed to ensure that foreign nationals continue to receive treatment when they transfer overseas.

[RATES OF COMPLETION AND TREATMENT OUTCOMES FOR TYPE OF COMMUNITY DOTS].

AIM: To investigate the relationship between completion rates for community directly observed treatment short-course (DOTS) and treatment outcomes, according to implementation tactics, to improve the treatment outcomes. METHODS AND SUBJECTS: We evaluated 529 newly registered patients with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis who underwent community DOTS (checking medication at least once per week) during 2010 and 2011 in Osaka City. DOTS completion was defined as checking medication 3 times or more per month, with checking medication missed less than 3 consecutive times. DOTS was implemented using the following 4 tactics: healthcare staff visited the patients' home or workplace (visiting type), the patients visited a health and welfare center (HWC type), the patients visited a pharmacy (P type), or the patients visited an outpatient department at a medical center (MC type). Regarding treatment outcomes, resolution of the tuberculosis or treatment completion was defined as "successful treatment", and treatment failure or default was defined as "unsuccessful treatment". We then analyzed the DOTS completion rate for each DOTS implementation tactic. RESULTS: DOTS was completed in 417 (78.8%) of the 529 patients. The completion rates were 79.7%, 75.4%, 75.9%, and 81.3% for patients who underwent visiting (n= 394), HWC (n = 61), P (n = 58), and MC (n = 16) DOTS, respectively; no significant difference was observed. The mean ages for each group were 62.8 years, 53.6 years, 45.0 years, and 56.6 years for patients who underwent visiting, HWC, P, and MC DOTS, respectively; patients who underwent P DOTS were significantly younger (P < 0.001). Among the 4 groups, the visiting DOTS group had the lowest percentage of full-time employees (16.2%) and the highest percentage of unemployed individuals (67.3%). In contrast, the percentage of full-time employees was 63.8% and 50.0% in the P and MC DOTS groups, respectively. The P DOTS group had the lowest unemployment percentage (19.0%) among the 4 groups. Thus, a significant correlation existed between the DOTS implementation tactics and the presence/ absence of the patients' occupations (P < 0.001). Among the 417 patients who completed DOTS, 99.8% achieved successful treatment. Among the 112 patients who did not complete DOTS, 89.3% achieved successful treatment, and this success rate was significantly lower than that for the group who completed DOTS (P < 0.00 1). Among the visiting, HWC, and P DOTS groups, the completion of DOTS resulted in a high treatment success rate. DISCUSSION: Patients who completed DOTS achieved better treatment outcomes; therefore, it is important to provide patients with medication support until their tuberculosis is resolved. The P DOTS group contained a higher percentage of full-time employees and had a significantly lower mean age; this was likely because pharmacies are accessible at night and during the weekend. There was no significant difference in the DOTS completion rates according to implementation tactic, which suggests that it is important to assist patients with their medication according to their needs.