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Biomedical subjects

Cheng-Hsien Lu

Publications and source records attributed to Cheng-Hsien Lu.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Infection of cerebrospinal fluid shunts: causative pathogens, clinical features, and outcomes.

This retrospective chart review describes the clinical features, pathogens, and outcomes of 46 patients with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt infections collected over 16 years. The overall CSF shunt infection rate was 2.1%, broken down into 1.7 and 9.3% in adult and pediatric groups, respectively. Fever and progressive consciousness disturbance were the most clinical features in the adult patient group, whereas disturbance of consciousness and abdominal symptoms and signs were the two most common clinical features in the pediatric patient group. The most frequently isolated microorganisms were of the Staphylococcus spp., including Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase negative Staphylococcus, which accounted for 47% of the episodes. Furthermore, increases in polymicrobial and Gram-negative bacilli infections were observed in our study. Due to the high proportion of oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp. and polymicrobial infections, we recommend initial empirical antibiotics with both vancomycin and a third-generation cephalosporin for cases in which the causative bacteria has not been identified or for which the results of antimicrobial susceptibility tests are not available. For patients who develop smoldering fevers, progressive disturbed consciousness, seizures, or abdominal fullness after ventriculoperitoneal shunt procedures, CSF shunt infections should be suspected. Although some infections have been managed successfully with antimicrobial therapy alone, the timely use of appropriate antibiotics according to antimicrobial susceptibility testing and the removal of the shunt apparatus are essential for successful treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Serotypes of clinical cerebrospinal fluid Cryptococcus neoformans isolates from southern Taiwan and their in vitro susceptibilities to amphotericin B, fluconazole, and voriconazole.

In this study, 34 clinical cerebrospinal fluid isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans were serotyped, and their in vitro susceptibilities to amphotericin B, fluconazole, and voriconazole were analyzed. Of these 34 isolates, serotype A was found in 29 isolates and serotype B in the other five. The voriconazole geometric mean MIC was significantly lower than the amphotericin B/antibiotic medium 3 geometric mean MIC (P < 0.0001 at both 48 and 72 h), as well as the fluconazole geometric mean MIC (P < 0.0001 at both 48 and 72 h). Of the three antifungal agents, only fluconazole, with geometric mean MICs at both 48 and 72 h, showed significant difference between the serotypes A and B of C. neoformans.

Amphotericin B↗
PubMed2004

An adult case of Chryseobacterium meningosepticum meningitis.

Chryseobacterium meningosepticum is an uncommon pathogen causing adult bacterial meningitis. Herein, we report the case history of one 21-year-old woman with this uncommon central nervous system infection. A diagnosis of adult C. meningosepticum meningitis can only be confirmed by a positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture. The patient had insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus as the underlying condition associated with this infection. The clinical presentations were fever, headache, consciousness disturbance, and seizure. CSF analysis revealed a purulent inflammatory reaction. After a 21-day course of intravenous cefepime (6 g/day) treatment, this patient was discharged in a state of complete recovery.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Concomitant stroke and Candida parapsilosis native valve endocarditis: report of one case and literature review.

Cerebrovascular stroke due to Candida (C.) parapsilosis native valve endocarditis (NVE) is rarely reported. Herein, we report a 53-year man with C. parapsilosis NVE and acute ischemic stroke. Diabetes mellitus and recent dental manipulation were the preceding events. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging study revealed occlusion of left common carotid artery, and infarcts of the pons and territory of the branch of left middle cerebral artery. With a total of 4,051 mg amphotericin B therapy and aortic valve replacement, the patient survived with right hemiplegia and dysarthria. In the English literature, there have been 12 patients with C. parapsilosis NVE including our patient over the past 25 years. Intravenous drug abuse was the most common predisposing factor for this infective disorder, followed by hematological malignancy and central venous catheterization. Fever and ischemic phenomenon of lower legs were the common clinical manifestations. Cerebrovascular stroke was present only in our case. Of these 12 patients, one administered fluconazole and miconazole therapy died, while 11 with amphotericin B therapy and one patient with fluconazole monotherapy survived.

Amphotericin B↗
PubMed2003

Shunt surgery for hydrocephalus complicating cryptococcal meningitis in human immunodeficiency virus-negative patients.

From 1988 through 2001, 27 patients with cryptococcal meningitis who had hydrocephalus were identified and were treated by placement of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts. To assess the predictive value of the response to VP shunts in terms of outcome in these patients, univariate analysis for variables was performed. Poor outcome was associated with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 48 h (P=.02). Use of VP shunts did not result in a good response or outcome in comatose patients. Thus, any delay in the diagnosis or treatment of patients with hydrocephalus could cause a deterioration of consciousness and is associated with poor outcome.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed2003

Clinical features and in vitro antimicrobial susceptibilities of community-acquired Klebsiella pneumoniae meningitis in Taiwan.

Twenty-seven adult patients were identified as having community-acquired Klebsiella pneumoniae meningitis. The K. pneumoniae isolates, collected from cerebrospinal fluid samples, were tested for in vitro antimicrobial susceptibilities. The prognostic factors of these 27 patients were also analysed. All of the third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins tested, as well as monobactam, carbapenem and ciprofloxacin, had good activities against the isolated K. pneumoniae strains. None of the clinical isolates was detected as being an extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing pathogen. Among the third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins, ceftizoxime, cefepime, ceftriaxone and cefotaxime had superior activities, with MIC90s about four- to eight-fold lower than those of ceftazidime and moxalactam. Mortality rates of patients classified by different antimicrobial agents were as follows: ceftazidime 38% (8/21) and cefepime 16.7% (1/6). The presence of septic shock and the initial level of consciousness at the start of appropriate antimicrobial therapy were the major determinants of survival and neurological outcomes in these 27 patients. Early diagnosis and choice of appropriate antibiotics according to antimicrobial susceptibilities may improve therapeutic outcomes.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Long-term prognosis for Guillain-Barré syndrome: evaluation of prognostic factors and clinical experience of automated double filtration plasmapheresis.

Sixty patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), aged 16-83 years, have been identified over a period of 7 years. Of 60 patients, 30 received the double filtration plasmapheresis (DFP), 4 received intravenous immunoglobulin, and the other 26 received supportive care only. Therapeutic outcomes at 1 year were determined using a modified Barthel index. At a follow-up of 1 year or longer, 31 patients (52%) had recovered, 24 (40%) had residua, and 5 (8%) had died. According to the statistical analysis, disability at the nadir and electrophysiological signs significantly influenced the long-term outcomes. Complications associated with DFP procedures included physiologic change, technique-related complications, and vascular access-related complications. None of our patients had fatal complications related to DFP treatment. Contrary to the established belief that the disease has a favorable outcome, several hospital-treated patients may still die or present residua even several months after the onset of symptoms. Because disability at the nadir influences the outcomes, early diagnosis and choice of appropriate treatment, which might include DFP, to prevent further neurological deficits, are essential to maximize the potential for survival.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Intracranial suppuration: a clinical comparison of subdural empyemas and epidural abscesses.

BACKGROUND: We compared the clinical features and therapeutic outcomes of intracranial suppurations (IEs) caused by sub-dural empyema (SDEs) and epidural abscesses (EAs). METHODS: Twenty-four patients with IE were retrospectively identified at our institution over a period of 14 years. Therapeutic outcomes at 6 months were determined using the Glasgow Outcome Scale. RESULTS: Among them, 15 had SDE and nine had EA with or without SDE. The three most frequently encountered clinical features Included fever (79%), disturbed consciousness(58%), and seizures (54%). Postneurosurgical or posttraumatic states (42%) and complication after meningitis (38%) were the two most common modes of infection. The overall mortality rate was 8% (2/24). However, if mortality and severe neurologic sequelae were included in the poor outcome group, then 29% (7/24) of our patients would be considered treatment failures. CONCLUSION: In this study, SDE commonly arose following bacterial meningitis with a more fulminant course, but no deaths occurred. In contrast, EA commonly has a more Indolent course and is postoperatively or post-traumatically related, and therefore may have a higher mortality rate based on primary brain pathophysiology alone. Inpatients with meningitis or who undergo postneurosurgical procedures and develop fever, progressive disturbed consciousness, seizures, and focal neurologic signs, immediate neuroimaging studies should be per-formed to determine whether IE is present. Early surgical drainage and aggressive antimicrobial therapy are necessary.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Neonatal bacterial meningitis in southern Taiwan.

To determine the epidemiologic trends, prognostic factors, and therapeutic results of neonatal bacterial meningitis, 60 neonatal patients with culture-proven neonatal bacterial meningitis were enrolled in this study. To compare changes over time, the appearance of disease among the patients was divided into two equal periods (1986-1993 and 1994-2001). Group B streptococci were the most common causative pathogens, accounting for approximately 32% of the episodes. Escherichia coli, the next most common pathogen, was more frequently observed in the second period. Seventy-seven percent of gram-negative bacilli isolates were resistant to ampicillin. Moreover, oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus and ampicillin-resistant group B streptococci strains occurred in the second periods as late-onset neonatal bacterial meningitis. The overall mortality rates for the first and second study period were 17% and 8%, respectively. However, if individuals with poor outcomes were taken into account, 38% of patients were considered treatment failures. Significant prognostic factors included the presence of seizures, thrombocytopenia, and high cerebrospinal fluid protein and low cerebrospinal fluid glucose concentration. Although the mortality rate was significantly reduced in the second period, there has been increasing incidence of the emergence of resistant strains presenting a therapeutic challenge. The presentation in neonatal bacterial meningitis might be nonspecific, and blood culture results were negative in 45% of the episodes. Early diagnosis, choice of appropriate antibiotics, and correction of metabolic derangement are essential to improving outcomes.

Chi-Square Distribution↗
PubMed2003

Short- and long-term clinical results of laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy and total abdominal hysterectomy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare short- and long-term clinical results of laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) and total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-1). SETTING: University-affiliated hospital. PATIENTS: One hundred fifty women who underwent LAVH and 146 who underwent TAH. INTERVENTION: Hysterectomy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Blood loss during surgery, narcotic analgesic consumption, duration of hospital stay, and convalescence time were significantly higher for women who underwent TAH than for those who underwent LAVH (p <0.05). Operating time was significantly longer for LAVH than for TAH (152.2 +/- 32.4 vs 96.5 +/- 29.6 min, p = 0.014). Eight-year follow-up showed no statistically significant differences in vaginal vault prolapse, cystocele, rectocele, enterocele, postcoital spotting, and cuff granulation between procedures (p >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although short-term clinical results revealed some statistically significant differences between LAVH and TAH, long-term follow-up recorded similar frequencies of surgical sequelae.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Small intestine injury in laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To review laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) cases for instances of small intestine injury. DESIGN: Retrospective review (Canadian Task Force Classification II-2). SETTING: Tertiary care university hospital. PATIENTS: Two thousand six hundred eighty-two women. INTERVENTION: LAVH. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Indications for hysterectomy were myomata uteri, adenomyosis, intractable menorrhagia, endometriosis, severe pelvic adhesions, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, endometrial polyps, and hyperplasia. Small bowel injuries occurred in five women (1.9/1000), one (20%) of which was recognized postoperatively. Thermal injuries occurred in two patients, trocar injuries in two, and a dissection wound in one. Two-layer closure was performed for three patients, and partial resection with reanastomosis for two. All patients were discharged without sequelae. CONCLUSION: Small bowel injury during LAVH is not common. It may have unusual characteristics and devastating consequences if not recognized and treated promptly.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Effects of closed suction drainage in reducing pain after laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To estimate whether closed suction drainage of the pelvis after laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) reduces the frequency and intensity of shoulder-tip, abdominal, and back pain. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized study (Canadian Task Force classification 1). SETTING: Teaching medical center. PATIENTS: One hundred sixty-four women. INTERVENTION: LAVH. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: For group 1 (80 women), closed suction (Jackson-Pratt) drains were inserted into the peritoneal cavity and cul-de-sac, whereas for group 2 (84), no drains were placed. Shoulder-tip, abdominal, and back pain were evaluated by visual analog scores (VAS) 3, 24, and 48 hours after surgery. The frequency of shoulder-tip pain was significantly lower in group 1 at 24 hours (23% vs 40%, p = 0.013) and 48 hours (9% vs 21%, p = 0.024; VAS scores at 24 hrs 2.2 +/- 1.1 vs 3.8 +/- 1.3, p = 0.010; VAS scores at 48 hours 1.5 +/- 1.0 vs 2.5 +/- 1.2, p = 0.018). At 48 hours fewer women in group 1 experienced abdominal pain (31% vs 50%, p = 0.039; VAS scores 2.0 +/- 1.1 vs 4.0 +/- 1.3, p = 0.007). No statistically significant differences in frequency and VAS scores for back pain were found at any time. The quantity of oral analgesics was greater for group 2 than for group 1 (12.4 +/- 1.6 vs 9.0 +/- 1.4, p <0.001). Economic evaluation of analgesic requirements and material costs for the two groups showed that simple analgesics were more cost-effective than closed suction drainage in the treatment of pain. CONCLUSION: Closed suction drains may reduce the frequency and intensity of shoulder-tip and abdominal pain and postoperative analgesia requirements after LAVH, but simple oral analgesics are more cost effective.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed2003

Multiloculated pyogenic brain abscess: experience in 25 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience in treating multiloculated pyogenic brain abscess and determine whether there are differences in the bacteriology, predisposing factors, treatment choices, and outcomes between multiloculated and uniloculated brain abscesses. METHODS: We studied clinical data collected during a 16-year period from 124 patients with pyogenic brain abscess, including 25 cases of multiloculated abscess. RESULTS: The incidence of multiloculated brain abscess was 20%. In these 25 patients, hematogenous spread from a remote infectious focus was the most common cause of infection, as it was for the cases of uniloculated abscess. Headache and hemiparesis were the most common symptoms in patients with multiloculated abscess. In patients with uniloculated abscess, fever was the most common symptom. Viridans streptococci were the most commonly isolated pathogens. Bacteroides fragilis was the most common anaerobe in multiloculated abscess, and aerobic gram-negative bacilli were the most common pathogens in patients with uniloculated abscess. Of the patients with multiloculated abscess, 21 were treated surgically and 4 were treated with antibiotics only. Overall, eight patients (38%) needed another operation because of abscess recurrence after the initial operation. In uniloculated abscess, the rate of abscess recurrence after initial surgery was 13.1%. Mortality was 16% in multiloculated abscess and 17.1% in uniloculated abscess. CONCLUSION: Multiloculated abscesses accounted for 20% of our patients with pyogenic brain abscess. Excision seems to be the more appropriate surgical choice in multiloculated abscess. Prognosis for patients with multiloculated abscess can be as good as that for patients with uniloculated abscess. However, clinicians must carefully monitor these patients because the possibility of recurrence after surgery is significantly higher in patients with multiloculated abscess than in those with uniloculated abscess.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Community-acquired spontaneous bacterial meningitis in patients with alcoholic liver disease.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Data on the clinical characteristics of adult alcoholic liver disease (ALD) patients with acute bacterial meningitis is limited. This study analyzed the clinical and laboratory data and therapeutic outcome of 14 men with ALD treated over a 15-year period. METHODS: Standardized forms were used to collect data from medical records of all adult patients with bacterial meningitis admitted to Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung from January 1986 to December 2000. Data collected included microbiological records for cerebrospinal fluid, blood cultures, and all medical records. RESULTS: Three of the 14 patients with ALD had liver cirrhosis (2 with Child's class B and 1 with Child's class C). The causative pathogens of these 14 cases were Klebsiella pneumoniae in 11, Staphylococcus aureus in 2 and Enterococcus in 1. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was the most common underlying disease and was present in 64% of patients (9/14). All patients with DM had K. pneumoniae as the causative pathogen. Bacteremia and thrombocytopenia were found in 64% (9/14) and 50% (7/14) of the patients, respectively. Focal suppurations including brain abscess, intracranial subdural empyema, and cervical epidural abscess were found in 4 patients. The overall mortality rate was 14% (2/14). ALD accounted for 11.5% (14/122) of the underlying conditions of all adult cases of community-acquired spontaneous bacterial meningitis treated during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high incidence of K. pneumoniae infection in adult meningitis patients with ALD, especially those with concomitant DM.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Septic cavernous sinus thrombosis due to Streptococcus constellatus infection.

Adult septic cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST) due to Streptococcus constellatus infection has not been reported. We report a case of CST due to S. constellatus in a 39-year-old man who had typical presentations of septic CST including headache, fever, and ophthalmoplegia, with an evolving course for 10 days before he was sent to our emergency room. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study revealed CST, which was confirmed by cerebral angiography study. Multiple positive blood cultures grew viridans streptococci and further species identification with conventional methods, API-20 STREPT system analysis, and polymerase chain reaction sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA revealed S. constellatus. The presence of sphenoid sinusitis in this patient was also demonstrated by cranial MRI study, and the presence of meningitis by meningeal irritation signs and inflammatory cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings. Chronic alcohol consumption for more than 10 years was the only predisposing condition to this infection. He had a full recovery after 6 weeks of intravenous penicillin G therapy (24 x 10(6) U/day). Almost complete regression of cavernous sinus lesion and resolution of sphenoid sinusitis were shown on follow-up cranial MRI study about 6 months later.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Effect of t-butyl hydroperoxide on Ca2+ movement in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells.

The effect of the oxidant t-butyl hydroperoxide on intracellular free levels of Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells was examined by using fura-2 as a fluorescent dye. t-Butyl hydroperoxide induced an increase in [Ca2+]i in a concentration-dependent fashion between 50-250 microM with an EC50 of 100 microM. The [Ca2+]i signal consisted of a slow rise and a sustained phase. The response was decreased by 65% by removal of extracellular Ca2+. In Ca(2+)-free medium, pretreatment with 1 microM thapsigargin (an endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump inhibitor) abolished 150 microM t-butyl hydroperoxide-induced [Ca2+]i increase, and conversely, pretreatment with t-butyl hydroperoxide abrogated thapsigargin-induced [Ca2+]i increase. The 150 microM t-butyl hydroperoxide-induced [Ca2+]i increase in Ca2+ medium was reduced by 42 +/- 5% by pretreatment with 0.1 microM nicardipine but not by 10 microM verapamil, nifedipine, nimodipine or diltiazem, or by 50 microM La3+ or Ni2+. Pretreatment with 10 microM t-butyl hydroperoxide for 40 min did not affect 10 microM ATP-induced [Ca2+]i increase. Together, the results show that t-butyl hydroperoxide induced significant [Ca2+]i increase in PC12 cells by causing store Ca2+ release from the thapsigargin-sensitive endoplasmic reticulum pool in an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-independent manner and by inducing Ca2+ influx via a nicardipine-sensitive pathway.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2002

Use of ventriculoperitoneal shunts to treat uncontrollable intracranial hypertension in patients who have cryptococcal meningitis without hydrocephalus.

Between 1997 and 2000, 4 human immunodeficiency virus-negative patients in our institution had cryptococcal meningitis with uncontrollable intracranial hypertension. All 4 patients were treated with antifungal drugs as well as ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts for intracranial hypertension. Neurological deficits that were unresponsive to pharmacologic treatment were resolved by use of the VP shunt. Uncontrollable elevation of intracranial pressure associated with cryptococcal meningitis can be resolved by use of a VP shunt, even when imaging studies do not reveal hydrocephalus.

Adult↗