Relationship between the ratios of CD4/CD8 T-lymphocytes in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lymph nodes in patients with sarcoidosis

BackgroundEvaluating the ratio of CD4/CD8 T-lymphocytes in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) is important for understanding the clinical and pathological conditions of patients with sarcoidosis. However, few studies have thus far demonstrated the usefulness of evaluating the relationship between the ratios of CD4/CD8 T-lymphocytes in the mediastinal lymph nodes and BALF. This study aimed to investigate and identify the relationships between CD4/CD8 T-lymphocyte ratio in the mediastinal lymph nodes and BALF in patients with sarcoidosis.MethodsThirty-three consecutive patients with sarcoidosis with enlarged mediastinal and/or hilar lymphadenopathy were enrolled in the study, and endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were simultaneously performed. The CD4/CD8 T-lymphocyte ratios in the mediastinal lymph nodes and BALF were evaluated using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry, respectively.ResultsThe interobserver variability in the CD4/CD8 ratio in the mediastinal lymph nodes as determined by immunostaining was low, and the pathological and cytological profiles of T-lymphocytes in the mediastinal and/or hilar lymph nodes and BALF were correlated in patients with sarcoidosis. Additionally, the CD4/CD8 T-lymphocyte ratios in BALF were significantly higher than those in the mediastinal lymph nodes. Importantly, non-caseating granulomas were detected at a high rate by using EBUS-TBNA.ConclusionsPerforming EBUS-TBNA in patients with sarcoidosis allows correct diagnosis as well as the estimation of the ratio of CD4/CD8 T-lymphocytes in BALF.     

Direct effectiveness of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine against invasive pneumococcal disease and non-bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia in elderly population in the era of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine: A case-control study

BackgroundWhile herd effects and serotype replacement by childhood pneumococcal protein conjugated vaccines (PCVs) continues to accumulate worldwide, direct effectiveness of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) against pneumococcal diseases in the elderly has been challenged. We estimated the direct effectiveness of PPV23 in the elderly population.MethodsFor a hospital-based case-control study, cases of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and non-bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia (NBPP) (adults ≥ 65 years) were identified in 14 hospitals participated in the pneumococcal surveillance program from March 2013 to October 2015, following implementation of PPV23 national immunization program (NIP) for the elderly in the Republic of Korea. Controls matched by age, sex, and hospital were selected at ratios of 1:2 (IPD) or 1:1 (NBPP). Clinical data and vaccination records were collected. Vaccine effectiveness was calculated as (1-adjusted odds ratio) × 100.ResultsWe enrolled 148 IPD and 557 NBPP cases, and 295 IPD and 557 NBPP controls for analyses. Overall effectiveness of PPV23 against IPD was 28.5% [95% confidence interval (CI) −5.8%–51.6%] and against NBPP was 10.2% (-15.1-30.6) in all patients ≥ 65 years. However, in subgroup analysis of patients aged 65–74 years, PPV23 was protective against IPD [effectiveness 57.4% (19.4–77.5)] and against NBPP [effectiveness 35.0% (2.3–56.7)]. Furthermore, serotype-specific effectiveness of PPV23 against IPD was 90.6% (27.6–98.8) for PPV23-unique serotypes and 81.3% (38.6–94.3) for PPV23 serotypes excluding serotype 3.ConclusionsThis study indicates that PPV23 with broad serotype coverage might be beneficial in preventing IPD and NBPP due to non-PCV13 serotypes in the young-elderly, with potentially increasing effectiveness in the setting of childhood PCV NIP.     

Patellar Fracture After Total Knee Arthroplasty With Retention: A Retrospective Analysis of 2954 Consecutive Cases

BackgroundTo the best of our knowledge, there have been no large case studies on patellar fracture after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with patella retention.MethodsFrom 2005 to 2019, 2954 consecutive TKAs with patella retention were retrospectively reviewed. The incidence of patellar fracture was confirmed. Perioperative demographic factors associated with patellar fracture were compared between the nonpatellar fracture control (randomly selected after age and sex matching) and patellar fracture patient groups. To confirm the prognosis of identified patellar fractures, Hospital for Special Surgery knee score, union rates, and complications after treatment were evaluated. Treatment outcomes were compared as per the treatment method, and fracture type was classified by shape.ResultsFor primary TKAs with patella retention, patellar fracture occurred in 32 of 2883 cases (incidence 1.11%). When comparing the preoperative demographic factors between the patellar fracture and control groups, there was a significant difference in knee flexion of the affected limb. Twenty-three cases were treated nonoperatively, and nine cases were treated operatively. Of the 32 patellar fractures, 28 had confirmed union, and the HSS score at the latest follow-up increased significantly from the preoperative score. The only complication noted after treatment was nonunion in three cases. We found no significant differences in treatment results as per the treatment method and fracture type.ConclusionPatellar fracture after TKA with retained patella is infrequent, with relatively improved clinicoradiological results over those of patellar fracture after TKA with resurfaced patella reported in the literature. The improved results did not differ as per the treatment method and fracture type.     

Three-Dimensional Computed Tomographic Analysis of Normal and Aneurysmal Aortic Roots: Is There a Specific Geometric Pattern in the Aortic Root?

Current knowledge of the aortic root geometric anatomy and its surgical implications remain limited. We analyzed multiple predefined parameters of the aortic root to increase our understanding of the geometric changes that occur in normal and aneurysmal transformations. Between November 2003 and September 2015, the aortic roots of 107 healthy subjects (control group) and 105 annuloaortic ectasia (AAE) patients (AAE group) were analyzed using multiplanar reformatted computed tomographic images. The intercommissural distance (ICD), sinus width (SW), and sinus volume (SV) of the left (LCS), right (RCS), and noncoronary sinuses (NCS) of Valsalva were adopted as study parameters. In the control group, all study parameters of the LCS were smaller than those of the RCS and the NCS. In the AAE group, all parameters of the LCS were significantly smaller than those of the RCS or NCS, but the RCS and NCS parameters were similar. Proportionately less LCS enlargement relative to either the RCS or NCS was observed in root aneurysm(AAE group) than in the control group. We observed a distinct aortic root geometric pattern which was characterized by the LCS being smaller than either the RCS or NCS, while the latter were similar. This geometric configuration was significantly accentuated in AAE patients due to the greater disproportionate disparity in the LCS relative to either the RCS or NCS than in the roots of normal control subjects. Clin. Anat. 32:117–123, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Efficacy and Tolerability of Pitavastatin Versus Pitavastatin/Fenofibrate in High-risk Korean Patients with Mixed Dyslipidemia: A Multicenter,Randomized, Double-blinded,Parallel, Therapeutic Confirmatory Clinical Trial

PurposeDyslipidemia is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Statins are known to effectively reduce not only low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level but also death and nonfatal myocardial infarction due to coronary heart disease. The risk for CVD from atherogenic dyslipidemia persists when elevated triglyceride (TG) and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels are not controlled with statin therapy. Therefore, statin/fenofibrate combination therapy is more effective in reducing CVD risk. Here, we assessed the efficacy and tolerability of pitavastatin/fenofibrate combination therapy in patients with mixed dyslipidemia and a high risk for CVD.MethodsThis multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, therapeutic-confirmatory clinical trial evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of fixed-dose combination therapy with pitavastatin/fenofibrate 2/160 mg in Korean patients with a high risk for CVD and a controlled LDL-C level (<100 mg/dL) and a TG level of 150–500 mg/dL after a run-in period with pitavastatin 2 mg alone. In the 8-week main study, 347 eligible patients were randomly assigned to receive pitavastatin 2 mg with or without fenofibrate 160 mg after a run-in period. In the extension study, patients with controlled LDL-C and non–HDL-C (<130 mg/dL) levels were included after the completion of the main study. All participants in the extension study received the pitavastatin/fenofibrate combination therapy for 16 weeks for the assessment of the tolerability of long-term treatment.FindingsThe difference in the mean percentage change in non–HDL-C from baseline to week 8 between the combination therapy and monotherapy groups was −12.45% (95% CI, −17.18 to −7.72), and the combination therapy was associated with a greater reduction in non-HDL-C. The changes in lipid profile, including apolipoproteins, fibrinogen, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein from baseline to weeks 4 and 8 were statistically significant with combination therapy compared to monotherapy at all time points. Furthermore, the rates of achievement of non–HDL-C and apolipoprotein B targets at week 8 in the combination therapy and monotherapy groups were 88.30% versus 77.98% (P = 0.0110) and 78.94% versus 68.45% (P = 0.0021), respectively. The combination therapy was well tolerated, with a safety profile similar to that of statin monotherapy.ImplicationsIn these Korean patients with mixed dyslipidemia and a high risk for CVD, combination therapy with pitavastatin/fenofibrate was associated with a greater reduction in non–HDL-C compared with that with pitavastatin monotherapy, and a significantly improvement in other lipid levels. Moreover, the combination therapy was well tolerated, with a safety profile similar to that of statin monotherapy. Therefore, pitavastatin/fenofibrate combination therapy could be effective and well tolerated in patients with mixed dyslipidemia. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03618797.     

Second Kidney Transplant Outcomes in Dialysis Dependent Recipients by Induction Type in the United States

BackgroundWe examined the association between induction type for a second kidney transplant in dialysis-dependent recipients and the long-term outcomes.MethodsUsing the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, we identified all second kidney transplant recipients who returned to dialysis before re-transplantation. Exclusion criteria included: missing, unusual, or no-induction regimens, maintenance regimens other than tacrolimus and mycophenolate, and positive crossmatch status. We grouped recipients by induction type into 3 groups: the anti-thymocyte group (N = 9899), the alemtuzumab group (N = 1982), and the interleukin 2 receptor antagonist group (N = 1904). We analyzed recipient and death-censored graft survival (DCGS) using the Kaplan-Meier survival function with follow-up censored at 10 years post-transplant. We used Cox proportional hazard models to examine the association between induction and the outcomes of interest. To account for the center-specific effect, we included the center as a random effect. We adjusted the models for the pertinent recipient and organ variables.ResultsIn the Kaplan-Meier analyses, induction type did not alter recipient survival (log-rank P = .419) or DCGS (log-rank P = .146). Similarly, in the adjusted models, induction type was not a predictor of recipient or graft survival. Live-donor kidneys were associated with better recipient survival (HR 0.73, 95% CI [0.65, 0.83], P < .001) and graft survival (HR 0.72, 95% CI [0.64, 0.82], P < .001). Publicly insured recipients had worse recipient and allograft outcomes.ConclusionIn this large cohort of average immunologic-risk dialysis-dependent second kidney transplant recipients, who were discharged on tacrolimus and mycophenolate maintenance, induction type did not influence the long-term outcomes of recipient or graft survival. Live-donor kidneys improved recipient and graft survival.     

Increasing prevalence of blaOXA-23-carrying Acinetobacter baumannii and the emergence of blaOXA-182-carrying Acinetobacter nosocomialis in Korea

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. have been increasingly reported worldwide with the production of OXA-type carbapenemases as the main mechanism of carbapenem resistance. The prevalent bla_OXA genes are known to vary significantly depending on time and place of isolation. We investigated the prevalence of bla_OXA genes by PCR in Acinetobacter spp. isolated in Korea. Among a total of 336 isolates collected from Hospital A from 2002 to 2011, the overall proportion of bla_OXA-23-like, ISAba1-associated bla_OXA-51-like, and bla_OXA-182 genes were 44.0%, 49.7%, and 5.1%, respectively. The bla_OXA-58-like gene was detected in only 1 isolate. A drastic increase in Acinetobacter isolates with bla_OXA-23-like genes and a decrease in isolates harboring ISAba1-associated bla_OXA-51-like genes have been observed since the mid-2000s. The bla_OXA-23-like genes were detected in all carbapenem-nonsusceptible isolates collected in 2011 from 9 hospitals. The OXA-182, which belongs to the fifth group of OXA-type carbapenemase, was detected in Acinetobacter baumannii isolates recovered as early as 2002. It is worrisome results that bla_OXA-182-carrying Acinetobacter nosocomialis has emerged and caused outbreaks of infection.