Mycobacterium smegmatis keratitis after radial keratotomy--a case report.

A 42-year-old woman who developed a corneal ulcer in the left eye after radial keratotomy. The acid-fast stain showed that numerous clusters of acid-fast bacilli and Mycobacterium smegmatis were isolated on the culture. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented case of Mycobacterium smegmatis keratitis in the world literature. The sensitivity test showed that this organism resistant to all the anti-tuberculous agents and antibiotics we test. An initial response to amikacin and kanamycin was found, but relapse of infiltrate was noted one month later. The regimen was therefore changed to a combination of amikacin with ofloxacin. This patient had a favorable response to the topical therapy with amikacin and ofloxacin.

[A community-based study on risk factors of hypertension in Luh-Guu Township].

This is a community-based study on hypertension conducted in 1987 to assess the risk of demographic factors and life style of inhabitants aged over 30 in Luh-Guu Township. One-stage cluster sampling was applied. Through home visit interview, the height, weight, and blood pressure as well as demographic and life style data were taken, and 1171 (57.4%) valid data were completed. Hypertension was defined by American National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute as BP greater than = 140/90mmHg. The prevalence of hypertension was 29.2% (the prevalence was 13.4% if defined by the WHO criteria), and only 27.4% of those hypertensives were self-aware. Univariate analysis found that age, educational level, marital status, job condition, smoking habit, father's hypertension history, and usage of contraceptive were correlated with hypertension. With obesity index in addition to the above 6 factors, except contraceptive usage, as independent variables, the multiple logistic regression analysis showed that, only age and obesity index were significantly correlated with hypertension and the best model were fitted.

[Clinical experience in systemic lupus erythematosus (author's transl)].

Thirty-four cases of SLE treated during the past seven years (1974-1981) in Taipei Municipal Jen-Ai Hospital are reported and analyzed. Diagnosis of SLE was based on ARA preliminary criteria and Hahn's preliminary criteria. There were 32 females (94.2%) and 2 males (5.8%). The mean age at diagnosis was 28.5 years (range 14-51). Clinical manifestations were as follows: facial erythema 24 cases (70.6%), Raynaud's phenomenon 4 cases (11.4%), oral or nasopharyngeal ulceration 7 cases (20.6%), arthritis without deformity 22 cases (64.7%), proteinuria 21 cases (61.8%), pleural or pericardial effusions 13 cases (38.2%), psychosis or convulsions 9 cases (26.5%), hematological abnormalities 25 cases (73.5%). Laboratory findings were as follows: positive ANA test 33/34 (97.0%), hypocomplementemia 10/13 (76.9%), direct Coombs' test 4/18 (22.2%), indirect Coombs' test 1/13 (7.6%), LE cell 19/34 (55.9%), RA Latex 7/17 (41.7%), polyclonal gammopathy 15/17 (88.2%), anemia 25/34 (73.5%), leukopenia 12/34 (35.3%), thrombocytopenia 10/34 (29.4%). Three cases were complicated by herpes zoster, one by hyperthyroidism, and one by autoimmune thyroiditis. Ten cases died, including 4 renal failure, 2 heart failure, 2 cases of committed suicide and 1 case of CNS involvement.