Kansenshōgaku zasshi. The Journal of the Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases
-
Kansenshogaku Zasshi · Oct 1999
Comparative Study[Optical immunoassay test for rapid detection of influenza A and B viruses: an evaluation].
The optical immunoassay test (FLU OIA, BioStar, USA) for rapid detection of influenza A and B viral antigens was compared with viral isolation in cell culture. A total of 103 respiratory specimens were tested on 75 pediatric patients with acute respiratory illnesses. Influenza viruses were recovered in 40 specimens (type A: 5, Type B: 35). ⋯ FLU OIA demonstrated 91.4% sensitivity and 92.3% specificity for nasopharyngeal aspirates and 50.0% sensitivity and 91.7% specificity for throat swabs diluted in viral transport media. Nasopharyngeal aspirates showed higher sensitivity than throat swabs for detection of influenza virus by FLU OIA. We believe this rapid test kit is useful for the detection of influenza A and B viruses.
-
Kansenshogaku Zasshi · Mar 1999
Clinical Trial[Evaluation of procalcitonin levels in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome as the diagnosis of infection and the severity of illness].
To understand the presence or absence of bacterial infection in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), the level of procalcitonin (PCT), a precursor of calcitonin, was determined. Subjects consisted of 14 SIRS patients without complication by bacterial infection, 14 SIRS patients complicated by sepsis, and 14 SIRS patients complicated by severe sepsis and septic shock. PCT levels in SIRS patients with sepsis (2.9 +/- 2.3 ng/ml) were significantly higher than those in SIRS patients without complication by infection (0.7 +/- 1.1 ng/ml). ⋯ Levels of CRP, IL-6 and TNF-alpha were also significantly higher in the patients with sepsis compared to those in patients with local infection. Significant correlations were observed between the levels of PCT and those of CRP, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in SIRS patients. It was suggested that to measure the levels of procalcitonin in patients with SIRS is useful to diagnose the infection and severity of illness.
-
Kansenshogaku Zasshi · Jan 1999
Case Reports[Campylobacter fetus bacteremia and thrombophlebitis in a patient with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia].
We report a 67-year-old male with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia who developed Campylobacter fetus subspesis fetus (C. fetus) bacteremia and thrombophlebitis. The patient developed a fever and pain in his left lower limb, and could not walk because of the pain. Radioisotopic venography showed thrombophlebitis in his left lower limb. ⋯ After starting intravenous PAPM/BP, his symptoms resolved promptly. In contrast to Campylobacter jejuni which is a common cause of infectious diarrhea, C. fetus infection has distinct clinical features showing systemic illness such as bacteremia and thrombophlebitis mainly occurring in immunocompromized patients. This organism should be considered as one of the possible pathogenes in the infectious complications of the immunocompromized patients.
-
A 52-year-old male gardener, who traveled to Guam Island several days ago, was admitted to our hospital with fever, cough and dyspnea. His chest X-ray showed bilateral infiltration and he was severely hypoxic and hypotensive on admission. ⋯ Legionella longbeachae was not isolated from the same type of leaf mold that he used as potting soil. This is the first case of Legionella longbeachae pneumonia from whom the organism was isolated in Japan.
-
Kansenshogaku Zasshi · Sep 1998
[Impact of influenza A virus infection as a cause of pediatric hospitalization and use of rapid antigen test of influenza A virus].
From the winter of 1997 to the spring of 1988, a severe epidemic caused by influenza A (H3N2) developed in Japan. During the epidemic (December 1997 to February 1998), 239 children were admitted to the pediatric ward of Nippon Kokan Hospital: as many as 76 (31.8%) were hospitalized with influenza A (H3N2) infection. ⋯ The rapid test showed about 90% sensitivity and specificity, as compared with isolation and serum hemagglutination inhibition test. Directigen Flu A proved to be a reliable, rapid screen for influenza A from symptomatic patients.