Bong Suk Shim

Antimicrobial resistance in community-acquired urinary tract infections: results from the Korean Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System

The Korean Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System was established and the first nationwide surveillance of bacterial uropathogens was conducted during the period from January 2008 to June 2009. With the cooperation of 34 medical centers throughout South Korea, a total of 1994 strains belonging to clinically relevant bacterial uropathogens were collected from patients with community-acquired urinary tract infections (UTIs). To compare with past data, understand a trend of antimicrobial resistance, and ultimately determine new regimens for empirical treatment of uncomplicated cystitis, the antimicrobial susceptibilities against Escherichia coli in uncomplicated cystitis to commonly prescribed drugs were investigated. In uncomplicated cystitis, the most prevalent causative organism was E. coli (72.7%), followed by Enterococcus faecalis (10.7%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (3.5%). Among E. coli isolates from acute uncomplicated cystitis, 38.5% were susceptible to ampicillin, 80.7% to amoxicillin/clavulanate, 67.3% to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, 74.6% to ciprofloxacin, 77.5% to levofloxacin, 86.0% to cefazolin, 86.1% to cefuroxime, 93.6% to cefpodoxime, 94.7% to ceftriaxone, 99.5% to amikacin, 80.9% to tobramycin, and 76.6% to gentamicin. An increasing tendency of resistance to ciprofloxacin (24.8%) has been observed compared with the similar studies in 2006 (23.4%) and 2002 (15.2%) from patients with uncomplicated cystitis. These data provide much needed information on the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in community-acquired UTIs in South Korea and will be a useful reference for future periodic surveillance studies.

Correlation between Metabolic Syndrome and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms of Males and Females in the Aspect of Gender-Specific Medicine: A Single Institutional Study.

Purpose We attempted to examine the correlation between metabolic syndrome and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in the aspect of gender-specific medicine. Materials and Methods A total of 922 patients participating in a health examination completed the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire and the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire Short Form (OABq-SF) symptom bother scale from March 2008 to July 2009. Metabolic syndrome was defined by using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria announced in 2001. We analyzed differences in lower urinary tract symptoms according to the presence of metabolic syndrome and the component elements of metabolic syndrome. Results The subjects were 538 males and 384 females with a mean age of 48.8±6.8 years. Among all patients, the number of patients with metabolic syndrome was 143 (15.5%); there were 110 males (20.4%) and 33 females (8.6%), showing a significant difference. There were no differences in scores on the IPSS or OABq-SF with respect to the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome in males. In females, however, there were significant differences in the IPSS and OABq-SF depending on the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome. In males and females, the IPSS total score was significantly correlated with age. Also, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in males and triglyceride in females was significantly correlated with the IPSS total score. Conclusions There are sex differences in the morbidity rate of metabolic syndrome and its effect on lower urinary tract symptoms. Therefore, it is necessary to consider gender-specific medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of LUTS.

Hemodynamic insult by vascular risk factors and pharmacologic erection in men with erectile dysfunction: Doppler sonography study

Abstract To evaluate the penodynamic impact of known vascular risk factors in men with erectile dysfunction, we obtained thorough medical histories covering diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and hypercholesterolemia, alcohol ingestion, and smoking in 265 consecutive patients. We also measured their penile hemodynamic parameters by color duplex ultrasonography after intracavernous prostaglandin E1 injection. In patients with vascular risk factors there was a statistically significant decrease in the peak systolic velocity and increase in the end-diastolic velocity of the cavernosal artery (P < 0.01). Those men who had diabetes had higher average end-diastolic velocities and lower resistance indices (P < 0.01). Smoking and alcohol use also affected penile hemodynamics (P < 0.05). These data confirm that vascular risk factors do increase the likelihood of vasculogenic impotence and that diabetes plays a major role in veno-occlusive dysfunction in the penis.

Screening for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea by Strand Displacement Amplification in Homeless Adolescents Attending Youth Shelters in Korea

We conducted the screening of sexually transmitted infections to define the prevalence of genital Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections and status of sexual risk behavior among homeless adolescents (10-19 yr old) in Korea. Adolescents who ran away from home and are under the care of youth shelters in ten cities in Korea served as the study population. Participants filled out a self-administered questionnaire related to sexuality. First-void urine was analyzed for chlamydial and gonococcal infection by strand displacement amplification (BDProbTecTMET, BD Diagnostic Systems, MD, U.S.A.). A total of 175 adolescents from 15 youth shelters took part in the study. Their median age was 16 yr, and 54.9% of them reported having sexual intercourse at least once. The prevalence of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae among homeless adolescents was 12.6% and 15.4%, respectively. Factors significantly associated with the infections were number of sexual partners during the past year and lifetime. This is the first community-based sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening among adolescent in Korea. Screening programs targeting sexually active adolescents are important for detection of STIs. They should be considered an alternative population-based surveillance system in order to control STIs nationally.

Risk factors for antimicrobial resistance among the Escherichia coli strains isolated from Korean patients with acute uncomplicated cystitis: a prospective and nationwide study.

We investigated the risk factors for resistance to ciprofloxacin, cefazolin, ampicillin and co-trimoxazole in Escherichia coli isolates from urine of Korean female patients with acute uncomplicated cystitis (AUC). A total of 225 patients and their E. coli isolates were prospectively and nationwidely enrolled between May and October, 2006. All the antimicrobials did not show any differences according to the age group. A higher rate of ciprofloxacin resistance was observed in the south (OR: 3.04, 95% CI: 1.19-7.80 for Chungcheong-do & Jeolla-do; OR: 3.04, 95% CI: 1.22-7.58 for Gyeongsang-do) compared to Gyeonggi-do. Two recurrences of AUC in the past year was an important risk factor for antimicrobial resistance (ciprofloxacin; OR: 6.71, 95% CI: 1.86-24.11 and cefazolin; OR: 5.72, 95% CI: 1.20-27.25). However, the resistance to co-trimoxazole and ampicillin was not associated with any of the risk factors. This study also revealed the pattern of multi-drugs resistance in ciprofloxacin resistant E. coli strains. In conclusion, for Korean patients with two more recurrences of AUC in the past year, it is strongly recommended to perform an antimicrobial sensitivity test with a urine sample before empirical treatment.

Early Experience with Hyaluronic Acid Instillation to Assist with Visual Internal Urethrotomy for Urethral Stricture

Purpose The clinical usefulness of hyaluronic acid (HA) instillation during visual internal urethrotomy (VIU) for decreasing the incidence of recurrent urethral stricture was assessed. Materials and Methods Twenty-eight patients were treated by VIU with HA instillation between May 2007 and June 2009. After insertion of a Foley catheter following urethrotomy, HA was instilled via an 18-gauge tube catheter between the urethral lumen and Foley catheter. Seventeen cases were analyzed retrospectively 12 months postoperatively. We evaluated the success rate of this procedure by comparing retrograde urethrography (RGU) results, maximum flow rates, and postvoid residual urine volumes preoperatively and 3 and 12 months postoperatively. Success was defined as either a maximum flow rate of at least 15 ml/s or no visible urethral stricture on RGU at 12 months postoperatively. Results Total success rates were 76.5% (13/17) and 52.9% (9/17) at 3 and 12 months postoperatively, respectively. By etiology, success rates at 3 and 12 months postoperatively, respectively, were 66.7% and 33.3% for inflammation, 66.7% and 50.0% for trauma, and 83.3% and 66.7% for unknown causes. Success rates were 63.6% for strictures less than 10 mm in length and 33.3% for strictures of 10 mm or more in length at 12 months postoperatively. Success rates were 61.5% for single strictures and 25% for multiple strictures at 12 months postoperatively. Conclusions The success rate of VIU with HA instillation was not better than that observed in the literature for conventional VIU.

Significance of Serum Testosterone for Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Elevation and Prediction of Prostate Cancer in Patients with PSA Above 10 ng/ml

Purpose Testosterone is essential for the prostate glands normal growth and development and is also a possible risk factor for prostate cancer. This studys aim was to determine the significance of serum testosterone for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) elevation and prostate cancer prediction in high-risk men. Materials and Methods The study included 120 patients with PSA >10 ng/ml who underwent a transrectal-prostate biopsy. Serum testosterone, prostate volume, and PSA density (PSAD) were checked in all patients. Patients were divided into two groups, patients with and those without prostate cancer; and testosterone-related factors, prostate volume, PSA, PSAD, age, prostate cancer prediction rate, and cancer aggressiveness were evaluated. Results Thirty-five patients (30.2%) were confirmed as having prostate cancer. The average serum testosterone level in patients without and in those with prostate cancer was 452.25±154.62 ng/dl and 458.10±158.84 ng/dl, respectively; average PSA was 17.58±9.02 ng/ml and 18.62±6.53 ng/ml, respectively; and average age was 69.02±7.52 years and 70.69±7.02 years, respectively (p>0.05). Hypogonadal and eugonadal patients showed no significant difference in cancer prevalence (30.3% vs. 32.0%, respectively). The testosterone level did not differ significantly in patients with and those without prostate cancer in either hypogonadal or eugonadal men (p>0.05). Serum testosterone showed no correlation with PSA, PSAD, or age in either group (p>0.05) and was unrelated to prostate cancer risk or aggressiveness (p>0.05). Conclusions In our studys results, serum testosterone at the time of diagnosis was unrelated to PSA elevation, prostate cancer risk, and aggressiveness.

A comparative study of clinical symptoms and treatment outcomes of acute bacterial prostatitis according to urine culture.

Purpose Because acute bacterial prostatitis (ABP) is an urgent condition of the prostate but prostatic massage is contraindicated at the onset of ABP, clinical symptoms and urine tests are used for diagnosis. In this study, we compared the clinical symptoms and treatment outcomes of patients with negative urine culture results, to whom only empirical antibiotics were administered, with those of patients with positive urine culture results. Materials and Methods Patients were divided into two groups according to the results of urine culture. Then, the clinical symptoms and course of each group were analyzed. In addition, age, symptoms, antibiotics, mean inpatient and outpatient length of treatment, and the treatment outcome of each group were also analyzed. Results Of the total 144 patients, the positive urine culture group consisted of 51 patients (35.4%) and the most frequent bacterial strain causing ABP was reported to be Escherichia coli. Fever and storage symptoms were significantly more common in the positive urine culture group than in the negative urine culture group (p=0.031 and 0.047, respectively). Only inpatient treatment was significant longer in the positive urine culture group than in the negative urine culture group (p<0.05). The mean length of treatment of inpatients was 4.8±2.6 days and 6.2±2.9 days in the two groups, respectively. No sequelae such as prostatic abscess or chronic prostatitis were found in either group. Conclusions In the treatment of ABP, the use of empirical antibiotics can be expected to have sufficient effects regardless of bacterial culture. However, it is hard to determine the causative bacteria of ABP by urine culture results only.

Clinical efficacy of roxithromycin in men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome in comparison with ciprofloxacin and aceclofenac: a prospective, randomized, multicenter pilot trial.

Roxithromycin is effective in the treatment of intracellular organisms, including chlamydia and mycoplasma, and exhibits anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects on respiratory diseases. To explore the potential therapeutic benefit of roxithromycin in chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), this study compared the effect of roxithromycin with ciprofloxacin and aceclofenac. A total of 75 patients with CP/CPPS were randomized to three groups in open-label: group 1, ciprofloxacin; group 2, aceclofenac; and group 3, roxithromycin. The patients were treated for 4 weeks and were subsequently followed for 12 weeks. Changes from baseline in the total and domain scores of the NIH Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) were evaluated. The NIH-CPSI score decreased in the roxithromycin, ciprofloxacin, and aceclofenac groups to a similar degree. The NIH-CPSI initial and 12-week total scores were 20.3 and 10.0, respectively, in group 1; 23.6 and 14.3, respectively, in group 2; and 21.1 and 9.8, respectively, in group 3. The three treatment arms did not differ significantly with respect to the efficiency of treatment (p > 0.05). Compared to patients in groups 1 and 2, group 3 patients with Category IIIb disease exhibited favorable results upon follow-up 12 weeks after treatment. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), uroflowmetry, and post-void residual volume were equivalent between the groups. Roxithromycin exhibits similar or favorable effects on the improvement of CP/CPPS compared to ciprofloxacin and aceclofenac. Roxithromycin could be used as a new therapeutic agent for CP/CPPS. Further study of the immunomodulatory action of roxithromycin in CP/CPPS is required.

Current Concepts in Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are the most common infectious diseases worldwide, with over 350 million new cases occurring each year, and have far-reaching health, social, and economic consequences. Failure to diagnose and treat STDs at an early stage may result in serious complications and sequelae. STDs are passed from person to person primarily by sexual contact and are classified into varied groups. Some cause mild, acute symptoms and some are life-threatening. They are caused by many different infectious organisms and are treated in different ways. Syphilis and gonorrhea are ancient afflictions. Now, however, Chlamydia is prevalent and has become the most common bacterial STD. Antimicrobial resistance of several sexually transmitted pathogens is increasing, rendering some regimens ineffective, adding to therapeutic problems. A standardized treatment protocol for STDs is recommended to ensure that all patients receive adequate treatment. Appropriate treatment of STDs is an important public health measure.