Kuntjoro Harimurti

Nasopharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae in adults infected with human immunodeficiency virus in Jakarta, Indonesia.

This study investigated the distribution of serotype and antimicrobial susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae carried by adults infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Jakarta, Indonesia. Specimens of nasopharyngeal swab were collected from 200 HIV infected adults aged 21 to 63 years. Identification of S. pneumoniae was done by optochin susceptibility test and PCR for the presence of psaA and lytA genes. Serotyping was performed with sequential multiplex PCR and antibiotic susceptibility with the disk diffusion method. S. pneumoniae strains were carried by 10% adults with serotype 6A/B 20% was common serotype among cultured strains in 20 adults. Most of isolates were susceptible to chloramphenicol (80%) followed by clindamycin (75%), erythromycin (75%), penicillin (55%), and tetracycline (50%). This study found resistance to sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim was most common with only 15% of strains being susceptible. High non-susceptibility to sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim was observed in S. pneumoniae strains carried by HIV infected adults in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Accuracy of serum-specific IgE test with microfluidic array enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for diagnosing inhalant allergen sensitization in asthma and/or rhinitis allergy patients in Jakarta, Indonesia

Background Asthma and allergic rhinitis are a global health burden. Inhalant allergens worsen the symptoms and clinical manifestations of asthma and allergic rhinitis. Skin prick test is the gold standard for diagnosing allergen sensitization but is associated with some limitations. In contrast, in vitro serum-specific immunoglobulin E (SSIgE) test is convenient and is not associated with an anaphylactic risk. Objective The present study compared the accuracy of the SSIgE test by using microfluidic array enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with that of the skin prick test for diagnosing inhalant allergen sensitization in patients with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis. Methods This diagnostic study included patients with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis. Of these, 100 patients underwent the SSIgE test for diagnosing sensitization to house dust mites (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, and Blomia tropicalis), dog dander, cat dander, and cockroach allergen. All the patients also underwent the skin prick test for diagnosing allergen sensitization. The sensitivity, specificity, predictive value, and likelihood ratio (LR) of the SSIgE test were evaluated for each allergen. Results Sensitivity of the SSIgE test for diagnosing house dust mite sensitization was 48%–77%, with the highest sensitivity (77%) observed for diagnosing D. farinae sensitization. Specificity of the SSIgE test for diagnosing house dust mite sensitization was 64%–95%, with the highest specificity (95%) observed for diagnosing B. tropicalis sensitization. Although the SSIgE test showed high specificity and LR+ for diagnosing cockroach allergen sensitization, it showed low sensitivity (12%). Moreover, the SSIgE test showed high specificity (89%) but low sensitivity (3%) for diagnosing dog dander sensitization and high specificity (88%) but low sensitivity (10%) for diagnosing cat dander sensitization. Conclusion The SSIgE test using microfluidic array ELISA shows moderate accuracy for diagnosing house dust mite sensitization and low accuracy for diagnosing cockroach allergen and dog and cat dander sensitization.

Factors Associated with Surveillance for Early Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Liver Cirrhosis Patients

Background: The minimal number of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients diagnosed through surveillance is proposed as the cause of persistently low number of survival. It is important to identify the proportion of surveillance for early detection of HCC in patients with liver cirrhosis and related factors. This study aimed to determine the proportion of surveillance for early detection of HCC in patients with liver cirrhosis and related factors. Method: A cross-sectional study of patients with liver cirrhosis at RSCM from January to December 2013. The data was obtained from medical records and confirmed by telephone. Surveillance was required for abdominal ultrasound with or without AFP at least once a year within 3 years after that period. Factors studied were gender, ethnicity, education level, income level, availability of medical insurance, location of residence, surveillance education, cirrhosis aetiology, and severity of cirrhosis. Then, logistic regression test was used in the multivariate analysis. Results: From 200 patients, 50 patients (25,0%) underwent surveillance, 150 patients (75,0%) did not. Bivariate analysis revealed 4 variables with p < 0.25, gender (p = 0,056), ethnicity (p = 0, 231), surveillance education (p = 0,005), and severity of cirrhosis (p = 0, 005). Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factors for surveillance were surveillance education (OR = 2,598; CI 95% (1,325 - 5,094), p = 0,005) and severity of cirrhosis (OR = 1.815; CI 95% = 1,210-2,724; p = 0,004). Conclusion: Surveillance education and severity of cirrhosis were the factors associated with surveillance for early detection of HCC in liver cirrhosis patients.

Papilla Vaters Tumor in Elderly: an Interdisciplinary Issue

Tumors of the papilla Vater are very rare. Papilla Vater’s tumors are benign or malignant tumors in the ampulla of Vater and periampullary region. Blockage of ampulla leads to the development of obstructive jaundice; intermittent cholangitis, epigastric discomfort and weight loss. Treatment possibilities include endoscopic ampulectomy, surgical transduodenal excision of tumors of the ampulla and pancreatoduodenectomy (PDE). Prognosis depends on histological typing of the tumor and their clinical stage. We report a case of papilla Vater’s tumor in elderly with comorbidities based on literature review. A 68-year-old female patient was referred for evaluation of intra and extra hepatic bile duct dilatation noted on abdominal ultrasonography. She complained of intermittent epigastric and right upper abdominal pain, with yellowish skin for two months. The laboratory findings showed leukocytosis, hyperbilirubinemia, abnormal liver function test, and high Ca 19-9. An endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) revealed a distal obstruction caused by papilla Vater’s tumor. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) with contrast, revealed a dilated common bile duct and pancreatic duct. The histologic evaluation was highly suggestive for dysplasia. She is now on a schedule for a Whipple procedure. To make a true diagnosis and optimal treatment of papilla Vater’s tumor is multimodal. By doing a comprehensive geriatric assessment, with a careful modality selection, a Whipple procedure can be performed in elderly (65 years) safely. The post operative morbidity and mortality depends on their multi morbidity. Surgical, endoscopic, or radiologic biliary decompression; relief of gastric outlet obstruction; and adequate pain control may improve the quality of life but do not affect overall survival rate. By building a great interdisciplinary teamwork, the quality of life increased as follows. Keywords: papilla Vater tumor, elderly, Whipple procedure