As an acute neurotoxicity, high dose 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced encephalopathy is well-known, but encephalopathy associated with lower dose is rarely reported. Here, we report a case of a male with anal cancer who was treated with 5-FU 1000 mg/m(2), continuous infusion for 5 days q4 weeks. At the second and the fourth cycles of chemotherapy, sudden confusion, cognitive dysfunction and disorientation occurred during 5-FU infusion. They were accompanied by hyperammonemia in the absence of focal neurological deficits or structural abnormalities. These symptoms completely disappeared and the serum ammonia level returned to normal after discontinuation of 5-FU and conservative care. In order to investigate a possible deficit of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD), we checked its mRNA level before and after treatment using real-time PCR. The patient's pre-treatment level was 80% compared with reference group, and it was elevated up to 187% of initial after 5-FU treatment, implying that that his encephalopathy may be 5-FU catabolite type rather than DPD deficiency. In conclusion, we report that encephalopathy can develop even with the dose of 5-FU lower than ever reported, and it should be considered as a differential diagnosis for proper management.
Multiple antibiotic reisistance threatens successful treatment of Acinetobacter baumannii infections worldwide. Increasing interest in the well-known activity of sulbactam against the genus Acinetobacter has been aroused. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes for patients with Acinetobacter bacteremia treated with cefoperazone/sulbactam versus imipenem/cilastatin. Forty-seven patients with Acinetobacter baumannii bacteremia were analyzed through a retrospective review of their medical records for antibiotic therapy and clinical outcome. Thirty-five patients were treated with cefoperazone/sulbactam, and twelve patients with imipenem/cilastatin. The percentage of favorable response after 72 hours was not statistically different between cefoperazone/ sulbactam group and imipenem/ cilastatin group. The mortality rate was not statistically different, too. Cefoperazone/sulbactam was found to be as useful as imipenem/cilastatin for treating patients with Acinetobacter bacteremia.
BackgroundShivering is a frequent event during spinal anesthesia and meperidine is a well-known effective drug for prevention and treatment of shivering. Nefopam is a non-opiate analgesic and also known to have an anti-shivering effect. We compared nefopam with meperidine for efficacy of prevention of shivering during spinal anesthesia.MethodsSixty five patients, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II, aged 20-65 years, scheduled for elective orthopedic surgery under spinal anesthesia were investigated. Patients were randomly divided into two groups, meperidine (Group M, n = 33) and nefopam (Group N, n = 32) groups. Group M and N received meperidine 0.4 mg/kg or nefopam 0.15 mg/kg, respectively, in 100 ml of isotonic saline intravenously. All drugs were infused for 15 minutes by a blinded investigator before spinal anesthesia. Blood pressures, heart rates, body temperatures and side effects were checked before and at 15, 30, and 60 minutes after spinal anesthesia.ResultsThe incidences and scores of shivering were similar between the two groups. The mean arterial pressures in Group N were maintained higher than in Group M at 15, 30, and 60 minutes after spinal anesthesia. The injection pain was checked in Group N only and its incidence was 15.6%.ConclusionsWe conclude that nefopam can be a good substitute for meperidine for prevention of shivering during spinal anesthesia with more stable hemodynamics, if injection pain is effectively controlled.
The spread of Gram-negative bacilli with acquired metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) threatens the successful treatment of major nosocomial infections. The objective of this study was to evaluate the differences in the clinical characteristics of bacteremia caused by MBL-producing Acinetobacter species and MBL non-producing isolates. Two retrospective case-control studies were conducted using data on patients with Acinetobacter bacteremia, who were admitted between January 2001 and December 2005 at a 1500-bed, tertiary-care teaching hospital. Case group 1 (n=27) included patients from whom imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter was isolated in blood culture, and case group 2 (n=7) consisted of those patients from group 1 who yielded MBL-producing isolates. The control group (n=41) included patients from whom carbapenem-susceptible Acinetobacter isolates were isolated in blood culture. Multivariate analysis revealed that the independent risk factors for imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter bacteremia were neutropenia and prolonged use of carbapenem. The independent risk factors for MBL-producing Acinetobacter bacteremia were neutropenia and prolonged use of cephalosporins. The results of this study suggest that a prolonged use of cephalosporins may be associated with MBL-producing Acinetobacter bacteremia.
As such, there is a need for nursing intervention that fosters social support for pregnant immigrant women. Concerted efforts are also required to reduce their stressors. This study could form the basis for developing childbirth management programs for pregnant women who have immigrated to Korea in order to marry.
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