Gonorrhea infection increases the risk of prostate cancer in Asian population: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

This nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study evaluated the risk of developing prostate cancer among patients with gonorrhea. We identified cases of newly diagnosed gonorrhea in men between 2000 and 2010 from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Each patient with gonorrhea was matched to four controls, based on age and index year. All subjects were followed up from the index date to December 31, 2010. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to assess the risk of prostate cancer. A total of 355 men were included in the study group, and 1,420 age-matched subjects without gonorrhea were included in the control group. After adjusting for age, comorbidities, urbanization level, hospital level, and monthly income, gonorrhea was significantly associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer (adjusted hazard ratio = 5.66, 95% confidence interval = 1.36-23.52). Men aged 45-70 years and those with lower monthly income were more strongly associated with prostate cancer in the study group than the control group. The higher risk for developing prostate cancer were also found in those without syphilis, without genital warts, without diabetes mellitus, without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, without benign prostatic hypertrophy, without chronic prostatitis, and without alcoholism. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed the risk of prostate cancer was significantly higher in the study group than in the control group. Gonorrhea may be involved in the development of prostate cancer. More intensive screening and prevention interventions for prostate cancer should be recommended in men with gonorrhea.

[Effect of nicorandil on ventricular arrhythmia in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction underwent emergent percutaneous coronary intervention treatment].

Objective: To investigate the effect of nicorandil on ventricular arrhythmia in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with emergent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 120 acute STEMI patients treated with emergent PCI in our hospital from January 2015 to June 2016 were randomly divided into control group and experiment group (n=60 each). Patients in both groups received conventional therapy.Patients in experiment group took 10 mg nicorandil orally before PCI and received oral nicorandil treatment (15 mg/d, three times daily) for 3 days.QT disperse(QTd), correct QTd(QTcd) and the occurrence rate of ventricular arrhythmia were compared between two groups. Results: QTd at 6, 24, 48 and 72 hours((70.6±4.4), (67.2±5.3), (55.7±8.5), (48.2±8.2) ms, respectively) after PCI was significantly lower in the experiment group than those of control group ((77.1±7.1), (71.3±6.5), (65.1±8.1), (57.2±5.4) ms, all P<0.05). The level of QTd was also significantly lower in the experiment group at 6, 24, 48 and 72 hours((77.5±7.7), (67.7±8.6), (61.2±7.5), (52.9±8.4) ms, respectively) after PCI comared to those of control group ((88.6±8.1), (79.2±7.8), (74.4±7.4), (69.6±8.6) ms, all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of reperfusion arrhythmia during PCI procedure between the two groups.The prevalence of the ventricular premature beat in the experiment group (25/60, 41.7%) was significantly lower than in the control group(45/60, 75.0%) within 3 days after PCI(P<0.01), the prevalence of the no sustained ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation in the experiment group(6/60, 10.0%) was also significantly lower than in the control group (18/60, 30.0%, P<0.01) within 3 days after PCI. Conclusions: Nicorandil use prior and post PCI could decrease the occurrence rate of ventricular arrhythmia in STEMI patients undergoing emergent PCI, and this effect might be related with reduced QTd and QTcd post medication.

Clinical manifestations and prognostic factors of Morganella morganii bacteremia.

Although Morganella morganii causes a variety of clinical infections, there are limited studies on M. morganii bacteremia after the year 2000. A total of 109 patients with M. morganii bacteremia at a medical center in Taiwan from 2003 to 2012 were studied. Among them, 30.3 % had polymicrobial bacteremia and 75.2 % had community-acquired infection. The most common underlying diseases were hypertension (62.4 %) and diabetes mellitus (38.5 %). The urinary tract (41.3 %) was the major portal of entry, followed by the hepatobiliary tract (27.5 %), skin and soft tissue (21.1 %), and primary bacteremia (10.1 %). Susceptibility testing of M. morganii isolates showed ubiquitous resistance to first-generation cephalosporins and ampicillin-clavulanate; resistance rates to gentamicin, piperacillin-tazobactam, and ciprofloxacin were 30.3 %, 1.8 %, and 10.1 %, respectively. Overall, the 14-day mortality was 14.7 %. Univariate analysis revealed that elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) values [p = 0.0137, odds ratio (OR) 5.26], intensive care unit (ICU) admission (p = 0.011, OR 4.4), and higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) scores (p < 0.001, OR 1.62) were significantly associated with mortality. The APACHE II score remained the only significant risk factor for mortality in multivariate analysis (p = 0.0012, OR 1.55). In conclusion, M. morganii bacteremia patients were mostly elderly, with one or more comorbidities. Most of the patients had community-acquired infection via the urinary and hepatobiliary tracts. Furthermore, prognosis can be predicted according to disease severity measured by the APACHE II score.

Serological comparison of antibodies to avian influenza viruses, subtypes H5N2, H6N1, H7N3 and H7N9 between poultry workers and non-poultry workers in Taiwan in 2012.

In Taiwan, avian influenza virus (AIV) subtypes H5N2, H6N1 and H7N3 have been identified in domestic poultry, and several strains of these subtypes have become endemic in poultry. To evaluate the potential of avian-to-human transmission due to occupational exposure, an exploratory analysis of AIV antibody status in poultry workers was conducted. We enrolled 670 poultry workers, including 335 live poultry vendors (LPVs), 335 poultry farmers (PFs), and 577 non-poultry workers (NPWs). Serum antibody titres against various subtypes of viruses were analysed and compared. The overall seropositivity rates in LPVs and PFs were 2·99% (10/335) and 1·79% (6/335), respectively, against H5N2; and 0·6% (2/335) and 1·19% (4/335), respectively, for H7N3 virus. Of NPWs, 0·35% (2/577) and 0·17% (1/577) were seropositive for H5N2 and H7N3, respectively. Geographical analysis revealed that poultry workers whose workplaces were near locations where H5N2 outbreaks in poultry have been reported face greater risks of being exposed to viruses that result in elevated H5N2 antibody titres. H6N1 antibodies were detected in only one PF, and no H7N9 antibodies were found in the study subjects. Subclinical infections caused by H5N2, H6N1 and H7N3 viruses were thus identified in poultry workers in Taiwan. Occupational exposure is associated with a high risk of AIV infection, and the seroprevalence of particular avian influenza strains in humans reflects the endemic strains in poultry in this region.

Patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease have higher risk of colorectal adenoma after negative baseline colonoscopy.

AIM: The study aimed to determine whether nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an independent risk factor of adenoma after negative baseline colonoscopy. METHOD: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 1522 health-check individuals who underwent two consecutive colonoscopies at Taipei Veterans General Hospital between 2003 and 2010. Those developing an adenoma after an initial negative baseline colonoscopy (adenoma group) were compared with those in whom the second colonoscopy was negative (nonadenoma group). Anthropometric measurements, biochemical tests and the presence of NAFLD were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The adenoma group had a higher prevalence of NAFLD than the nonadenoma group (55.6% vs 38.8%; P < 0.05). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, NAFLD was an independent risk factor (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.07-1.98) for adenoma formation after a negative baseline colonoscopy. The risk of colorectal adenoma increased when NAFLD patients had other morbidities including metabolic syndrome, hypertension or smoking (OR = 2.85, 4.03 and 4.17). CONCLUSION: NAFLD is an independent risk factor for colorectal adenoma formation after a negative baseline colonoscopy. The risk is higher in individuals with NAFLD and other comorbidities, such as hypertension, smoking or metabolic syndrome.

Surveillance of avian influenza A(H7N9) virus infection in humans and detection of the first imported human case in Taiwan, 3 April to 10 May 2013.

On 3 April 2013, suspected and confirmed cases of influenza A(H7N9) virus infection became notifiable in the primary care sector in Taiwan, and detection of the virus became part of the surveillance of severe community-acquired pneumonia. On 24 April, the first imported case, reported through both surveillance systems, was confirmed in a man returning from China by sequencing from endotracheal aspirates after two negative throat swabs. Three of 139 contacts were ill and tested influenza A(H7N9)-negative.

Prevalence of food allergy in Taiwan: a questionnaire-based survey.

AIM: Food allergy is common in children and adults, and could be potentially fatal in minor groups. It is important for physicians to identify the prevalence of food allergies and to recognise common food allergens to make precise diagnosis and choose correct therapeutic approaches. METHODS: We used a nationwide, cross-sectional, random questionnaire-based survey to estimate the self-reported and expert-screened prevalence of food allergies and to identify the common food allergens in Taiwan. In this study, the perceptional diagnosis of food allergies was screened by physicians according to descriptions of convincing symptoms and medical recordings; in the meantime, non-allergic adverse reactions to foods, including food intolerance or food avoidance, were clarified. RESULTS: A total of 30 018 individuals who met the inclusion criteria was evaluated, and 6.95% of them were diagnosed as victims of food allergies. The prevalence was 3.44% in children under 3 years of age, 7.65% in children aged 4-18 years and 6.40% in adults respectively. About 77.33% of the food allergy population had experienced recurrent allergic attacks. Systemic reactions happened about 4.89% in food allergies group. The most commonly reported food allergen in Taiwan is seafood, including shrimp, crab, fish and mollusc. In addition, mango, milk, peanuts and eggs were also important food allergens in the general population; while milk, shellfish, peanuts and eggs were common in children. CONCLUSIONS: Less than 10% of the Taiwan population suffers from food allergy with different allergic symptoms to variable food allergens in different age groups.

Enhancement of anaerobic biohydrogen/methane production from cellulose using heat-treated activated sludge.

Anaerobic digestion is an effective technology to convert cellulosic wastes to methane and hydrogen. Heat-treatment is a well known method to inhibit hydrogen-consuming bacteria in using anaerobic mixed cultures for seeding. This study aims to investigate the effects of heat-treatment temperature and time on activated sludge for fermentative hydrogen production from alpha-cellulose by response surface methodology. Hydrogen and methane production was evaluated based on the production rate and yield (the ability of converting cellulose into hydrogen and methane) with heat-treated sludge as the seed at various temperatures (60-97 degrees C) and times (20-60 min). Batch experiments were conducted at 55 degrees C and initial pH of 8.0. The results indicate that hydrogen and methane production yields peaked at 4.3 mmol H2/g cellulose and 11.6 mmol CH4/g cellulose using the seed activated sludge that was thermally treated at 60 degrees C for 40 min. These parameter values are higher than those of no-treatment seed (HY 3.6 mmol H2/g cellulose and MY 10.4 mmol CH4/g cellulose). The maximum hydrogen production rate of 26.0 mmol H2/L/d and methane production rate of 23.2 mmol CH4/L/d were obtained for the seed activated sludge that was thermally treated at 70 degrees C for 50 min and 60 degrees C for 40 min, respectively.

Improved optical transmission and current matching of a triple-junction solar cell utilizing sub-wavelength structures.

Sub-wavelength antireflective structures are fabricated on a silicon nitride passivation layer of a Ga0.5In0.5P/GaAs/Ge triple-junction solar cell using polystyrene nanosphere lithography followed by anisotropic etching. The fabricated structures enhance optical transmission in the ultraviolet wavelength range, compared to a conventional single-layer antireflective coating (ARC). The transmission improvement contributes to an enhanced photocurrent, which is also verified by the external quantum efficiency characterization of the fabricated solar cells. Under one-sun illumination, the short-circuit current of a cell with sub-wavelength structures is enhanced by 46.1% and 3.4% due to much improved optical transmission and current matching, compared to cells without an ARC and with a conventional SiN(x) ARC, respectively. Further optimizations of the sub-wavelength structures including the periodicity and etching depth are conducted by performing comprehensive calculations based on a rigorous couple-wave analysis method.

Impacts of peripheral obestatin on colonic motility and secretion in conscious fed rats.

Obestatin, a novel putative 23-amino acid peptide, was found to be derived from a mammalian preproghrelin gene by using a bioinformatics approach. Although the effects of obestatin on food intake and upper gut motility remain controversial, no studies have been carried out to explore its influence on lower gut motility and secretion. We investigated the impacts of intravenous (IV) injection of obestatin on rat colonic motor and secretory functions. Colonic transit time, fecal pellet output, and fecal content were measured in freely fed, conscious rats, which were chronically implanted with IV and colonic catheters. To test the validity of this animal model, human/rat corticotropin-releasing factor (h/rCRF) served as a stimulatory inducer of colonic motility and secretion. IV injection of obestatin (45, 100, and 300 nmol/kg) did not affect the colonic transit time, whereas IV injection of h/rCRF (30 nmol/kg) effectively accelerated colonic transit time. IV obestatin, in every dose we tested, also did not modify fecal pellet output, frequency of watery diarrhea, total fecal weight, fecal dried solid weight, or fecal fluid weight in the first hour after injection. On the other hand, IV injection of h/rCRF significantly enhanced fecal pellet output, as well as increased the frequency of watery diarrhea, total fecal weight, fecal dried solid weight, and fecal fluid weight during the first hour after injection compared with IV saline controls. In conclusion, peripheral obestatin administration has no impact on colonic motility and secretion in conscious fed rats.

Influences of chlorine content on emission of HCl and organic compounds in waste incineration using fluidized beds.

HCl and some organic compounds are the precursors of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) in municipal solid waste incinerators. In this work, a lab-scale fluidized bed incinerator is adopted to study the relationship between the organic and the inorganic chlorine contents of artificial wastes and the emissions of HCl and organic compounds. The lower threshold limit (LTL) of chlorine content below which HCl and organic compounds are not generated is studied. Experimental results showed that organic chlorides had a greater potential to release chlorine than inorganic chlorides. The generation of organic pollutants fell, but the emissions of HCl increased with the temperature. The concentrations of chlorophenols (CPs)/chlorobenzenes (CBs) increased with chlorine contents. No LTL existed for HCl regardless of whether CaO was added. The LTL for CPs was between 0.1 and 0.3wt% of inorganic chloride, but there was none for organic sources. For CBs, the LTL was between 0.5 and 1.0wt% for inorganics at 700 and 800 degrees C, but 0.1-0.3 wt% at 700 degrees C and 0.3-0.5 wt% at 800 degrees C for organics. The production of PAHs and benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) was related to the surplus hydrogen ions that were not reacted with the chlorine. Adding CaO inhibited the production of HCl, CBs and CPs, but did not seriously affect PAHs and BTEX.

Significance of Rome II-defined functional constipation in Taiwan and comparison with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology and impact of functional constipation on Asians remain unclear. AIM: To determine the prevalence of functional constipation, its social/medical impact, and its distinction from constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (C-IBS) in Taiwan. METHODS: A Rome II questionnaire was administered to an apparently healthy adult Chinese population (n = 2865). RESULTS: The prevalence of functional constipation was 8.5% and it was 2.7% for C-IBS. The functional constipation subjects were predominantly female and had excessive gastrointestinal-related doctor visits, absenteeism and sleep disturbance compared with controls (P < 0.01). Among functional constipation subjects, approximately 40% were 'consulters' with excessive doctor consultations, absenteeism and sleep disturbance. Female gender, the presence of sleep difficulty and higher constipation symptom scores were predictive of their consultation behaviour (P < 0.05). No differences existed in demographic variables, doctor consultations and absenteeism between 172 functional constipation and 54 C-IBS subjects. However, the C-IBS subjects experienced more severe constipation symptoms and sleep disturbance than functional constipation subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Functional constipation in Taiwan is comparable with that in other countries. The clinical presentation of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome differ somewhat from that of functional constipation.

Survival benefit of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma larger than 10 cm in diameter.

BACKGROUND: The safety and survival benefit of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for patients with huge hepatocellular carcinoma is uncertain. AIM: To evaluate the role of embolization in unresectable hepatocellular carcinomas larger than 10 cm. METHODS: Twenty-six consecutive patients who had an unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma larger than 10 cm and refused aggressive treatment, were enrolled as the control group. Another 31 patients matching with the control cases and undergoing embolization for huge unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma served as the embolization group. Survival between the two groups was compared. RESULTS: Two patients (7%) died from embolization-related complications. Patients in embolization group had longer survival than those in control group (median survival: 9.13 vs. 2.1 months). The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates in embolization group were 42%, 13% and 7% respectively. The 1- and 3-year survival rates for patients in control group were 8% and 0% respectively. In multivariate analysis, embolization and prothrombin ratio < or =1.2 were two independent factors associated with a better survival. CONCLUSIONS: Embolization-related mortality is low for huge hepatocellular carcinoma, and the technique provides survival benefit in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinomas larger than 10 cm in diameter.

Endocarditis and pericarditis complicating pneumococcal bacteraemia, with special reference to the adhesive abilities of pneumococci: results from a prospective study.

The incidence of pneumococcal cardiac infections is unknown and the pathogenicity of such complications is poorly understood. In a prospective, international, observational study, eight of 844 patients hospitalised with Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteraemia developed endocarditis (n = 5) or pericarditis (n = 3). The clinical and microbiological characteristics of these patients were compared with those of control patients. The corresponding incidence of pneumococcal endocarditis was c. 1-3/1 million inhabitants/year. There was no common pattern in the medical history of patients with an infectious cardiac complication. The severity of illness upon admission was comparable with that for patients without infectious cardiac complications, as was the 14-day mortality rate (25% and 17%, respectively). For encapsulated S. pneumoniae, no significant differences were found between patients with infectious cardiac complications and controls in adherence assays. However, non-encapsulated S. pneumoniae showed higher hydrophobicity and increased adherence to human epithelial cells.

Calcium effect on fermentative hydrogen production in an anaerobic up-flow sludge blanket system.

The effects of calcium ions on a granular fermentative hydrogen production system were investigated in four lab-scale UASB reactors that fed on sucrose (20 g COD/L). The reactors were seeded with anaerobic sewage sludge microflora and operated at a temperature of 35 +/- 1 degrees, pH of 6.7 with hydraulic retention times (HRTs) of 24-6h. The experimental results indicated that calcium ion addition (75 - 150 mg/L) could enhance the granulation and elevate hydrogen production efficiency. However, an overly-high calcium concentration (300 mg-Ca(+2)/L) deteriorated the hydrogen productivity. A calcium concentration of 150 mg-Ca(+2)/L resulted in a peak HP of 3.6 mol H2/mol-sucrose and HPR of 807 mmol-H2/L-d at HRTs of 8 and 6 h, respectively. The EPS concentration of biohydrogenic biomass was higher than that of the aerobic or methanogenic biomass. The protein/carbon-ratio ranged from 0.17 to 0.26%. The multinomial regression analysis shows that the 75 - 150 mg-Ca(+2)/L calcium concentrations and HRT of 6 h were the optimal operating conditions to efficiently produce hydrogen.

Government Response to the Discovery of a Rabies Virus Reservoir Species on a Previously Designated Rabies-Free Island, Taiwan, 1999-2014.

Taiwan had been considered rabies free since 1961. In 2013, Taiwan confirmed the detection of rabies virus in wild Taiwan ferret-badgers. Up to December 2014, there have been 423 rabies-confirmed ferret-badgers and three cases of spillover infection into non-reservoir hosts. Genetic analysis indicates that TFBV is distinct from all other known rabies virus variants. To date, ferret-badger rabies is known to occur only in China and Taiwan. The temporal dynamics of rabid ferret-badgers in Taiwan suggests that the epizootic appears to have subsided to enzootic levels as of December 2014. According to the current epidemiologic data, there is only one TFBV strain in Taiwan. TFBV is still sequestered to the mountainous regions. Humans are at risk mainly through exposure to the virus from infected domestic meso-carnivores, mainly dogs and cats. Dogs and cats should be vaccinated to establish an immunological barrier to stop the spread of the disease from mountainous regions to domestic meso-carnivores.

Social and medical impact, sleep quality and the pharmaceutical costs of heartburn in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the social and medical burdens of heartburn in Asia. AIM: To assess the impact of heartburn in Taiwan. METHODS: We applied a questionnaire to 2018 apparently healthy adult Chinese receiving a routine health maintenance programme. Costs of heartburn-related prescriptions were obtained from the Bureau of National Health Insurance of Taiwan. RESULTS: Heartburn prevalence (>1 episode/week) was 7%. Smoking and increased body mass index were associated with heartburn occurrence. Heartburn sufferers reported more atypical gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms, e.g. chest pain, dysphagia and globus. They were more likely to consult physicians, and have an increased frequency and number of days of absenteeism, irrespective of upper gastrointestinal or nongastrointestinal-related illnesses. They experienced sleep disturbances more frequently. The 62 heartburn consulters (48%) were more likely to have co-existing globus, visited physicians more, had more absenteeism, suffered from more sleep disturbances and had higher costs for antacids, proton pump inhibitors, hypnotic/sedatives, tranquilizers and antidepressants than nonconsulters. CONCLUSIONS: Heartburn prevalence in Taiwan is lower than in Western countries. Nevertheless, heartburn in Taiwanese creates a significant burden in terms of social impact, health resource utilization, sleep quality and pharmaceutical costs. The increased costs of psychoactive drugs in consulters suggest that anxiety/depression affects their health-seeking behaviour.

Gender difference on the symptoms, health-seeking behaviour, social impact and sleep quality in irritable bowel syndrome: a Rome II-based survey in an apparent healthy adult Chinese population in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the gender effect on irritable bowel syndrome in Asia. AIM: To assess the gender difference in Chinese subjects with irritable bowel syndrome meeting Rome II criteria. METHODS: Irritable bowel syndrome was identified from an apparently healthy adult population receiving a routine health maintenance program (n = 2018). RESULTS: Female gender is not a factor associated with irritable bowel syndrome or irritable bowel syndrome-related health care-seeking behaviour. Female irritable bowel syndrome subjects, irrespective of consulting behaviour for irritable bowel syndrome, are likely to have < 3 bowel movements/week, hard/lumpy stools and abdominal fullness/bloating (P < 0.05). Female irritable bowel syndrome subjects are prone to be absent from school/work with more days of absenteeism, irrespective of consultation status (P < 0.05). Only female irritable bowel syndrome consulters have more absenteeism for their irritable bowel syndrome-related symptoms, reporting more sleep disturbances than their male counterparts (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In an apparent healthy adult population in Taiwan, gender difference is present in Rome II defined Chinese subjects with irritable bowel syndrome as regards bowel symptoms, social impact and sleep quality. Female predominance was not found in irritable bowel syndrome subjects and irritable bowel syndrome-related health care-seeking behaviour in the current population. Both irritable bowel syndrome non-consulters and consulters have similar gender difference profiles in presenting symptoms, suggesting that bowel symptoms per se may not be the only factor leading to health care-seeking behaviour. The gender differences in sleep problems were observed solely in irritable bowel syndrome consulter.

Risk factors and outcome for colistin-resistant Acinetobacter nosocomialis bacteraemia in patients without previous colistin exposure.

The clinical characteristics of patients with colistin-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii bacteraemia have been documented, but those of patients with bacteraemia caused by other Acinetobacter species remain unknown. Previous exposure to colistin has been shown to be associated with the emergence of colistin resistance, but may be not the only predisposing factor. In the current study, we highlight the risk and outcome of patients without previous exposure to colistin who acquired colistin-resistant Acinetobacter nosocomialis (ColRAN) bacteraemia. This 11-year single-centre retrospective study analysed 58 patients with ColRAN bacteraemia and 213 patients with colistin-susceptible A. nosocomialis (ColSAN) bacteraemia. Antimicrobial susceptibilities were determined with an agar dilution method. The clonal relationship of ColRAN isolates was determined with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. A conjugation mating-out assay was conducted to delineate the potential transfer of colistin resistance genes. Multivariable analysis was performed to evaluate the risk factors for ColRAN bacteraemia. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was independently associated with ColRAN bacteraemia (OR 3.04; 95% CI 1.45-6.37; p 0.003). Patients with ColRAN bacteraemia had higher APACHE II scores, but the two groups showed no significant differences in 14-day mortality (10.3% vs. 10.3%) or 28-day mortality (15.5% vs. 15.0%). ColRAN isolates had greater resistance than ColSAN isolates to all antimicrobial agents except for ciprofloxacin (0% vs. 6.6%). There were 16 different ColRAN pulsotypes, and two major clones were found. Colistin resistance did not transfer to colistin-susceptible A. baumannii or A. nosocomialis. These results show that COPD is an independent risk factor for acquisition of ColRAN bacteraemia. The mortality rates were similar between patients with ColRAN and ColSAN bacteraemia.