Clinical features of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy caused by a Lys183 deletion mutation in the cardiac troponin I gene.

BACKGROUND: Mutations that cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) have been identified in 9 genes that code proteins in the sarcomere. Previous reports have demonstrated that cardiac troponin I (cTnI) gene mutations may account for familial HCM; however, the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with HCM caused by cTnI gene mutations are not known. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analyzed cTnI gene mutations in 130 unrelated probands with HCM and their families to clarify the genotype-phenotype correlations. We identified 25 individuals in 7 families with a Lys183 deletion (Lys183 del) mutation in exon 7 of the cTnI gene. The disease penetrance in subjects aged >20 years was 88% by echocardiography and 96% by ECG. Sudden death occurred in 7 individuals of 4 families at any age. Overall, 7 (43.8%) of 16 individuals aged >40 years had left ventricular systolic dysfunction, and 3 (18.8%) displayed dilated cardiomyopathy-like features. Of affected individuals, 4 of 5 individuals aged >40 years followed by echocardiography showed septal thinning and decreased fractional shortening during >5 years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The Lys183 del mutation in the cTnI gene in patients with HCM is associated with variable clinical features and outcomes. HCM caused by the Lys183 del mutation has a significant disease penetrance. This mutation is associated with sudden death at any age and dilated cardiomyopathy-like features in those aged >40 years. However, it remains unclear whether screening of families with HCM for this mutation will be useful in patient management and counseling.

Left ventricular functional reserve in patients with syndrome X: evaluation by continuous ventricular function monitoring.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate cardiac functional reserve in patients with syndrome X. BACKGROUND: Syndrome X is characterized by stress-induced anginal pain and ST segment depression, normal findings on coronary angiography and normal left ventricular function at rest. Reduced coronary vasodilative reserve and abnormal myocardial lactate metabolism have been described in such patients. METHODS: To assess left ventricular functional reserve in patients with syndrome X, continuous radionuclide monitoring of left ventricular end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume and ejection fraction was performed in 12 patients and 13 normal control subjects during supine bicycle ergometer exercise. RESULTS: In control subjects, end-diastolic volume increased at peak exercise from 100% to 106.5% (p < 0.01), end-systolic volume decreased from 39.1% to 22.6% (p < 0.01) and ejection fraction increased from 60.9% to 78.6% (p < 0.01). In patients with syndrome X, end-diastolic volume increased at peak exercise from 100% to 106% (p < 0.01), and end-systolic volume decreased at ST segment depression < or = 0.5 mm (the ST point) from 37% to 28.8% (p < 0.01) but increased at peak exercise to 44.7% (p < 0.01 vs. the ST point). Thus, ejection fraction increased at the ST point from 63% to 72.7% (p < 0.01) but decreased at peak exercise to 57.7% (p < 0.01 vs. the ST point and control subjects) in proportion to the degree of ST segment depression. In nine patients (75%), ejection fraction at peak exercise was lower than baseline values. All patients and control subjects showed a rapid ejection fraction increase just after exercise during the recovery period. The degree of ejection fraction "overshoot" in patients was similar to that in control subjects, but the interval from the end of exercise to the overshoot in patients was significantly longer than that in control subjects (118 vs. 65 s, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with syndrome X subjected to exercise stress, left ventricular function remained normal before the onset of ST segment depression. Once ST segment depression appeared, left ventricular function deteriorated in proportion to the degree of depression, and reduced left ventricular function persisted into the recovery period. Continuous ventricular function monitoring is thus a useful predictor of reduced left ventricular functional reserve in patients with syndrome X.

Effects of short-term aminophylline administration on cardiac functional reserve in patients with syndrome X.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the effect of adenosine receptor blockade by aminophylline on cardiac functional reserve in patients with syndrome X. BACKGROUND: Aminophylline may have a potentially antiischemic effect through the inhibition of adenosine and, thus, the coronary steal phenomenon in patients with syndrome X. METHODS: A single-blind, placebo-controlled study of an intravenous infusion of aminophylline (6 mg/kg body weight over 15 min) or placebo (20 ml of saline solution over 15 min) was performed during continuous radionuclide monitoring of left ventricular ejection fraction in 12 patients performing supine bicycle ergometric exercise. RESULTS: Aminophylline increased exercise time (aminophylline 400 s vs. placebo 355 s, p < 0.01), decreased degree of ST segment depression (aminophylline 1.6 mm vs. placebo 2.4 mm, p < 0.01) and either abolished (seven patients) or diminished (five patients) chest pain during exercise. Aminophylline also increased left ventricular ejection fraction at rest (aminophylline 66.5% vs. placebo 62.3%, p < 0.05) but did not improve its deterioration at peak exercise (aminophylline 60.1% vs. placebo 56.6%, p = NS) or shorten the abnormally prolonged interval between the end of exercise and the overshoot (aminophylline 115 s vs. placebo 130 s, p = NS). CONCLUSIONS: Aminophylline infusion increases ischemic threshold and prolongs exercise duration in patients with syndrome X. It is hypothesized that aminophylline acts by inhibiting the coronary steal phenomenon through adenosine receptor blockade. It does not improve the deterioration in left ventricular function at peak exercise or the delayed response in ejection fraction in the recovery period, presumably because the beneficial effects of aminophylline that result from the redistribution of coronary blood flow are limited.

Left ventricular systolic dysfunction during exercise and dobutamine stress in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to characterize stress-induced left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). BACKGROUND: Myocardial ischemia and diastolic dysfunction occur in patients with HCM. We hypothesized that, in the setting of transient myocardial ischemia, left ventricular systolic dysfunction occurs during exercise and dobutamine stress. METHODS: We studied 39 patients with HCM but without obstructive symptoms at rest or coronary artery disease. A continuous ventricular function monitor equipped with cadmium telluride detectors (VEST) was used to evaluate left ventricular function during supine bicycle ergometer exercise. Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) was also performed. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and regional wall motion were determined from echocardiographic images. RESULTS: Changes in the LVEF correlated between exercise and dobutamine stress (r = 0.643, p < 0.0001). The LVEF decreased more than 5% at peak exercise in 17 of patients (group II), while the other patients had normal responses (group I). New regional wall motion abnormalities during dobutamine infusion were detected in 18 of 110 (16.4%) segments in group I and 42 of 85 (49.4%) segments in group II. Decreased or unchanged regional wall motion occurred more frequently in hypertrophied segments than in nonhypertrophied segments (p < 0.0001). There were significant inverse correlations between the LVEF responses during both stresses and the number of abnormal segments noted during dobutamine stress in all patients (VEST: p < 0.005; DSE: p < 0.0005). Signs of left ventricular obstruction were observed in 11 of 39 patients during DSE. However, there was no significant correlation between the LVEF response and the dobutamine-induced left ventricular pressure gradient. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise-induced systolic dysfunction occurred in 50% of patients with HCM. In these patients, regional wall motion abnormalities were present in hypertrophied segments.

Collagen remodelling in myocardia of patients with diabetes.

AIMS: To investigate collagen remodelling in the interstitium of the heart in patients with diabetes. METHODS: Immunohistochemical study of the biopsied myocardium using type specific anticollagen antibodies (I, III, IV, V, VI) was performed in 12 patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and six non-diabetic patients. There was no history of hypertension or coronary artery stenosis in any of the patients. RESULTS: Noticeable accumulations of collagen types I, III, and VI in the myocardial interstitium were recognised in both groups, but little accumulation of types IV or V was found. Types I and III mainly stained in the perimysium and perivascular region, while type VI predominantly stained in the endomysium. There was no disease specific accumulation of collagen in diabetes mellitus. The percentage of total interstitial fibrosis in the myocardium was significantly higher in the diabetic group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Although the percentages of collagen types I and VI did not differ between the two groups, the percentage type of III was significantly higher in the diabetic group than in the controls (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Collagen remodelling mainly as a result of an increase in collagen type III in the perimysium and perivascular region, occurs in the hearts of patients with diabetes.

Correlation between histopathological changes and mechanical dysfunction in diabetic rat hearts.

Recent clinical and experimental studies have suggested that diabetic patients may develop myocardial dysfunction in the absence of coronary heart disease and hypertension. In this study, the correlation between histopathological changes and myocardial dysfunction was studied in experimental diabetic rat hearts. Male Wistar rats were made diabetic at 9 weeks of age with a single intravenous injection of streptozotocin 50 mg/kg. The diabetic rats were studied along with age-matched control and insulin-treated rats at 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks after the induction of diabetes to investigate isolated papillary muscle contraction and the histopathological picture simultaneously. In the isometric contractions, resting and developed tensions were similar. Time to peak tension and time to 1/2 relaxation were prolonged and the peak rate of tension rise and tension fall was depressed. On histological examination of left ventricular walls, diameters of myocytes were similar at all disease durations. Interstitial fibrosis and disarrangement of myocytes after 12 weeks were slightly increased in the diabetic hearts. Mechanical parameters did not worsen in parallel with the duration of diabetes and histological changes, but correlated with the blood glucose level. These data suggest that short-term mechanical defects in the experimental diabetic rat heart result from the metabolic disorder itself, with histopathological changes occurring later.

Correlation between myocardial dysfunction and changes in myosin isoenzymes in diabetic rat hearts.

We investigated the relationship between papillary muscle function and the myosin isoenzyme pattern, collagen content, and the type of myocardial collagen in diabetic rats to elucidate the mechanism of short-term myocardial dysfunction in diabetes. Diabetes was induced in 9-week-old male Wistar rats with a single intravenous injection of streptozotocin. One-half of the diabetic rats were treated with insulin. Age-matched control rats were also studied. The time to peak tension (TPT) of isometric papillary muscle contraction, time to 1/2 relaxation, and time from the peak tension to the peak decrease in tension (TPN) were significantly prolonged in diabetic rats at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. The peak increase and decrease in tension were slower in the diabetic rats compared with control rats. The level of the myocardial myosin isoenzyme V3 was greater in diabetic rats than in control rats at each interval. Findings in insulin-treated rats were similar to those in controls. The collagen content and the ratio of type I collagen to type III collagen were similar in all groups. The V3 level was significantly correlated with mechanical parameters (TPT versus %V3: r = 0.81, p < 0.01; TPN versus % V3: r = 0.78, p < 0.01). Our findings suggest that short-term myocardial dysfunction in diabetic rats is related to changes in the myosin isoenzyme pattern.

Quantitative assessment of diffuse coronary artery disease using a three-dimensional reconstruction method compared with intravascular ultrasound images.

BACKGROUND: It can be difficult to estimate the degree of stenosis in patients with diffuse coronary artery disease (CAD), because of the lack of a normal reference segment. If the size of normal coronary lumen has a direct relation to size of distal myocardial bed, it could be used to estimate the 'normal' cross-sectional area of coronary lumen. Accordingly, we could estimate the degree of stenosis of coronary arteries with diffuse disease by comparing them with calculated 'normal' areas of lumen. OBJECTIVE: To assess the validity of the above hypothesis. METHOD: Fourteen subjects without coronary atherosclerosis (group A) and 16 patients with CAD (group B) underwent simultaneous bidirectional coronary arteriography. Using these coronary arteriograms, we determined the relationship between cross-sectional area of coronary lumen measured by using a computerized edge-detection system and summed distal branch length calculated by using our computerized three-dimensional reconstruction method. RESULTS: For group A, we found a close correlation between area of lumen and branch length (r= 0.948). However, for group B, there were some segments for which the measured area of lumen was clearly smaller than that expected from the relationship for group A. From this relationship for group A, we calculated the stenosis ratios of 22 segments and, to confirm their accuracy, we compared the stenotic ratios with those measured on intravascular ultrasound images. The stenotic ratio of each segment of stenotic coronary artery calculated by our method agreed significantly well with the results obtained from the ultrasound measurements (r= 0.980). CONCLUSIONS: These observations validate a novel approach to quantifying diffuse CAD using clinical arteriograms.

Myocardial scintigraphic study with 123I 15-(p-iodophenyl)-3(R,S)-methylpentadecanoic acid in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

123I 15-(p-iodophenyl)-3(R,S)-methylpentadecanoic acid (BMIPP) myocardial scintigraphy and exercise stress thallium (TI)-201 myocardial scintigraphy were performed in 17 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) to evaluate the existence of abnormal fatty acid metabolism in the myocardium and the relationship between this abnormality and myocardial ischemia. On the BMIPP scintigraphy, abnormalities were found in 12 of 17 patients (71%). Five patients showing no abnormalities on the BMIPP scintigraphy had well preserved exercise tolerance and had longer exercise duration than the others showing BMIPP scintigraphic abnormalities (P < 0.001). On the evaluation of the segmental abnormalities, TI scintigraphic abnormalities were found in 15 (50%) of 30 segments showing decreased accumulation of BMIPP. On the other hand, BMIPP scintigraphic abnormalities were found in all segments showing decreased accumulation of TI. The sites of decreased accumulation of BMIPP and TI were in good agreement with the sites of wall hypertrophy. Four patients showing BMIPP scintigraphic abnormalities and no T1 scintigraphic abnormalities were in higher New York Heart Association functional classes, had shorter exercise duration (P < 0.05) than the 5 patients showing no abnormalities on either scintigraphy. It is concluded that abnormalities of fatty acid metabolism in the heart are detected at a high rate in patients with HCM, and may be due in part to factors other than myocardial perfusion disturbance.

Asymmetrical septal hypertrophy in patients with hypertension: a type of hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy combined with hypertension?

To determine whether asymmetrical septal hypertrophy (ASH) in patients with essential hypertension (HT) is a type of hypertensive left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) combined with HT, we investigated a group of 7 hypertensive patients with ASH compared with 12 HCM patients and 10 healthy controls using radionuclide angiography and right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy. The LV time-volume curve and its first and second derivative curves were constructed from cardiac output and time-activity curves constructed by combined forward and reverse-gating from the R wave. The LV wall thickness and ejection fraction were significantly greater in both the HT and HCM groups than in the control group, whereas there were no differences in these indices between the HT and HCM groups. Rapid filling volume index and rapid filling fraction showed significantly lower values in the HCM group than in the control group (p < 0.005). In contrast to the HCM group, these indices in the HT group did not differ from those in the control group. The time to peak filling rate was prolonged in the control, hypertension, and HCM groups in increasing order. Histopathological study revealed a higher incidence of myocardial cell disarray in the HCM than in the HT group. The above results suggest that ASH in hypertensive patients is a type of hypertensive LV hypertrophy.

[Diagnosis of neonatal enterovirus meningitis by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction].

We evaluated the potential clinical utility of a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for neonatal enterovirus meningitis, comparing the results with viral culture and white blood cell (WBC) counts in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Of the 41 cases of enteroviral infection, 31 cases (76%) were finally diagnosed as meningitis by either viral culture, CSF WBC count or RT-PCR. Of those with culture positive and negative, the RT-PCR positive rates were 10 (100%) and 6/13 (46%), respectively. Of those with and without WBC increase in the CSF, the RT-PCR positive rates were 18/20 (90%) and 5/14 (36%), respectively. There was one RT-PCR positive case (1/6, 17%) among those with culture negative and no WBC increase in the CSF. RT-PCR performed on CSF is a sensitive and specific method for the diagnosis of neonatal enterovirus meningitis.

[Epidemiological study on Chlamydia trachomatis infection in pregnant housewives and investigation on its influence on outcome of pregnancy and on their newborns].

We surveyed Chlamydial infection with Chlamydiazyme for 3010 pregnant housewives in Hokkaido. Four hundred and fourty six out of the 3010 pregnant housewives were also be retrospectively investigated for the influence of C. trachomatis on outcome of pregnancy and on their newborns. The results were as follows. 1) Of the 3010 pregnant housewives, 217 (7.2%) were C. trachomatis-antigen positive, when their endocervical specimens were tested. There was no difference in the positive rate of C. trachomatis among the six cities where our investigation was performed. 2) A high C. trachomatis-positive rate (21.9%) was achieved in the pregnant teen-aged housewives with a significant decrease as age increased. 3) As for placenta previa, threatened abortion, preterm delivery and small for date infants, the incidence was higher in the untreated C. trachomatis positive group than in the C. trachomatis negative group. 4) The weeks of gestation and birth weight of newborns in the untreated C. trachomatis positive group were significantly lower than those of the C. trachomatis negative group. 5) No statistical significance was found in the incidence of premature rupture of membrane, fatal distress, spontaneous abortion nor postpartum fever between the C. trachomatis negative group and the untreated C. trachomatis positive group. These results suggest that Chlamydial infection in pregnant housewives is widely spread in Hokkaido and gives some disadvantage to pregnancy outcome and newborns. Consequently, Chlamydial infection in pregnant women must be appropriately diagnosed and treated in the early stage of pregnancy.

[Study on Chlamydia trachomatis antigen detection in first-voided urine sediments].

C. trachomatis antigen in first-voided urine sediments was detected by a new EIA kit using a monoclonal antibody, IDEIA CHLAMYDIA (IDEIA, Novo Nordisk), in males with urethritis and females with cervicitis. The result was compared with that by Chlamydiazyme (Abbott). 1. C. trachomatis antigen detection in male urethritis (285 cases) by the IDEIA test: The antigen detection rate was 37.9% (108/285) in urethral smears, and 33.7% (96/285) in first-voided urine sediments of the patients. The positive co-incidence rate between urethral smears and first-voided urine sediments was 82.4% (98/108). Thus, the detection of the antigen seems feasible in first-voided urine sediments. 2. Comparison of C. trachomatis antigen detection by the IDEIA and Chlamydiazyme tests: In 78 male cases with urethritis undergoing both tests, the rates of antigen detection from urethral smears and first-voided urine sediments were studied. The detection rate from urethral smears was 41.0% (32/78) for IDEIA, and 37.2% (29/78) for Chlamydiazyme. In first-voided urine sediments, the rate was 35.9% (28/78) for IDEIA and 24.4% (19/78) for Chlamydiazyme. In both specimens, the detection sensitivity was higher for IDEIA. 3. C. trachomatis antigen detection in chlamydial cervicitis (28 cases) by the IDEIA test: The antigen detection rate was 46.4% (13/28) in urethral smears and 60.7% (17/28) in first-voided urine sediments. The detection rate in first voided urine sediments was higher. Thus, in patients suspected of having chlamydial cervicitis, it seems necessary not only to search the antigen in cervical smears but also to study the first-voided urine sediments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Study on Chlamydia trachomatis antigen detection by an EIA kit using a monoclonal antibody--comparison with a polyclonal EIA kit in urogenital infections].

We evaluated the clinical usefulness of a new EIA kit using a monoclonal antibody, IDEIA CHLAMYDIA (IDEIA, Novo Nordisk), for detection of C. trachomatis antigen from the genital tracts of male and female cases. The results were compared with those by Chlamydiazyme (Abbott). 1. C. trachomatis antigen detection by the IDEIA and Chlamydiazyme tests before treatment; IDEIA has a significantly higher detection rate (38.0%, 105/276) than Chlamydiazyme (29.8%, 80/276), for C. trachomatis antigen from urethral smears of 276 male patients with urethritis. In 646 female cases, including cervicitis and so on, IDEIA detected C. trachomatis antigen from cervical smears in 14.5% (94/648) of the total, while Chlamydiazyme did so in 11.9% (77/648). When considering the different results using IDEIA and Chlamydiazyme, approximately 20% of the IDEIA-positive cases were Chlamydiazyme-negative. However, when IDEIA was negative, less than 1% showed Chlamydia-positive. 2. C. trachomatis antigen detection during and after treatment; We studied the clinical courses of 14 male urethritis and 8 female cervicitis cases who had had positive results with both IDEIA and Chlamydiazyme before treatment. Two of the 14 urethritis cases showed positive results with IDEIA, but not with Chlamydiazyme after either 7 or 14 days treatment by an antimicrobial agent. These two also had symptoms indicating persistent urethritis. One of the 8 female cervicitis cases showed a positive result with IDEIA but not with Chlamydiazyme after 7 days treatment by an antimicrobial agent, and this case also had symptoms indicating persistent cervicitis. Thus, these clinical findings suggest that IDEIA can detect even a small quantity of antigen soon after treatment, but Chlamydiazyme can not. In conclusion, IDEIA has a higher sensitivity than Chlamydiazyme, in the detection of C. trachomatis antigen, suggesting that IDEIA is more useful.

[A clinical study of genital herpes and the clinical efficacy of acyclovir tablets].

A clinical study for genital herpes was conducted on 154 patients and the efficacy of treatment with oral acyclovir was investigated in 51 of these patients. The diagnosis was confirmed by direct immunofluorescence or viral isolation from the lesion. This disease has increased in both males and females in recent years and was found in 2.3-2.9% of the out-patients examined in 1986. Seventy percent of the patients were between 20 and 30 years old. About 70% of the male patients had phimosis. In patients with the first infection, bilateral eruption (62%) and lymphadenopathy (54%) were more common than unilateral lesions. However, in those with recurrent infection, unilateral eruption (72%) and lymphadenopathy (52%) were more common. Sixty two percent of those with the first infection had scattered eruption on external genitalia, but 71% with recurrent infection, had lesions concentrated in several areas. Local symptoms such as pain in the external genitalia (male: female, 16%: 85%), pain in the lower extremities (26%: 45%), discomfort in the lower extremities (20%: 41%) and systemic symptoms such as malaise (22%: 48%) and anorexia (4%: 35%) were seen more frequently in females than in males. In addition, systemic symptoms such as fever (first episode: recurrent episode, 36%: 4%), malaise (34%: 9%) and anorexia (18%: 2%) were seen more frequently in patients with the first episode than in those with recurrence. HSV type 1 infections were found in 16% of males and 28% of females with the first episode, but were less common in the recurrent episode, 0% and 13%, respectively. Direct immunofluorescence was positive in 75 (59%) of 128 samples diagnosed by viral isolation. Treatment with oral acyclovir tablets, 200 mg five times daily, was very effective in 26 of 30 patients (87%). No side effects were observed. In this study, acyclovir tablet has been shown to be a very effective and well-tolerated treatment for genital herpes infections.

[Epidemiological and therapeutic study on gonorrheal infection--study on NY-198 (lomefloxacin) single administration therapy. Sapporo Clinical Research Group for STD].

The efficacy of single administration of NY-198 in the treatment of gonococcal infections was studied employing male patients with gonorrheal urethritis and female patients with gonorrheal cervicitis. The clinical efficacy was evaluated on the basis of the efficacy rates which was estimated on each observation day for each patient. In the male patients, NY-198 was administered in a dose of 200 mg in 25 cases and a dose of 400 mg in 65 cases. The rate of eradication of N. gonorrhoeae (i.e. efficacy) on the 3rd day of administration was 96% in the 200 mg administration group and 100% in the 400 mg administration group. On the 7th day after administration, the eradication rate was 100% in both the 200 mg and 400 mg administration groups. When the eradication rate on the 7th day was statistically estimated for patients who returned to the hospital only on the 3rd day, it was 97.9% in the 200 mg administration group. In the female patients, NY-198 was administered in a dose of 200 mg to 4 cases and a dose of 400 mg to 5 cases. The eradication rate on each observation day was 100% in both dosage groups. In conclusion, single administration of NY-198 in a dose of 200 mg or 400 mg was highly effective, and considered to be a therapeutic method highly useful clinically.

[Endoscopic diagnosis of Barrett's adenocarcinoma].

Biopsy specimens can reveal that esophageal cancer is an adenocarcinoma but they cannot show that its origin is Barrett's mucosa. Therefore we must show during endoscopy that the tumor exists in Barrett's mucosa. We reported that Barrett's esophagus could be clearly diagnosed at endoscopy as the columnar mucosa lying on the longitudinal vessels in the lower esophagus. We define Barrett's esophagus as "the columnar mucosa in the esophagus which exists continuously more than 2 cm in circumference from the stomach." Short-segment Barrett's esophagus (SSBE) is "the columnar mucosa which exists in the esophagus continuously from the stomach but its length has a part under 2 cm in length." Endoscopically Barrett's adenocarcinoma is visualized as a lesion with a reddish and uneven mucosal surface. Barrett's adenocarcinomas occur in the SSBE as well. Endoscopic observation at periodic intervals is necessary not only for cases with Barrett's esophagus but also with SSBE. A further examination is necessary to determine the application of EMR for superficial Barrett's adenocarcinoma.

Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction amplification of respiratory syncytial virus genome from neonatal nasal swab samples.

In order to make a rapid and accurate diagnosis of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, nasal swabs obtained from 14 neonates suspected of having this disease were examined for the presence of RSV genome by reverse transcription (RT) and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, along with enzyme immunoassay (EIA), serum neutralization testing and virus isolation. The RT-PCR method was sensitive enough to detect a 0.1 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) per milliliter by nested PCR. The RSV antigen was detected from the samples at more than 100 TCID50 per milliliter by EIA. Nine patients were positive for the presence of RSV genome by first PCR on the day of admission, and eight were also positive by nested PCR even on the fifth hospital day. Among nine PCR positives, four patients were positive for EIA and five for virus isolation. No cases were serologically diagnosed. The cases that were negative for RT-PCR were also negative according to the other methods. In the clinical setting, the RT-PCR assay is more useful for diagnosis of RSV infection than other methods when the suspected cases are negative by EIA assay.