연구 배경: IFN-γ는 결핵에 대한 방어기전에서 가장 중요한 역할을 하는 사이토카인이다. 최근 일부 다제내성결핵환자에서 치료제로써 사용되어 왔으나 아직 그 효과는 확실히 알려져 있지 않다. 본 연구는 난치성 다제내성폐결핵 환자에서 피하주사 IFN-γ의 효과를 알아보기 위하여 시행되었다. 방 법: 6명의 다제내성폐결핵 환자에서 기존의 항결핵치료를 유지하면서 200만 IU의 IFN-γ를 1주 3회, 피하주사하였다. 16주간 치료후 반응이 없으면 치료를 중단하였고, 반응이 있거나 판정이 모호한 경우에는 12주간 더 연장하여 사용하였다. 치료중 4주간격으로 객담 항산균 도말 및 배양검사, 임상상, 및 단순흉부촬영을 시행하였다. 결 과: 대상환자는 남녀비가 4:2이었고 평균 연령은 37세(15-61)이었다. 5명에서 과거 폐결핵의 기왕력이 있었다. 약제감수성검사상 isoniazid와 rifampicin을 포함하여 평균 6.8(±1.2)개의 항결핵약제에 내성을 보였고, IFN-γ 치료 전 10.8개(±1.3) 약제를 투여하였다. IFN-γ 치료 28주 후 총 2명에서 균음전되었다. 그러나 IFN-γ 종료후 다시 균배양 양성으로 재발되었다. 모든 환자에서 IFN-γ 피하주사를 종료할 만한 중증 부작용은 관찰되지 않았다. 결 론 : 일부 난치성 다제내성폐결핵 환자에서 피하주사 IFN-γ 병합치료는 균음전 및 치료성공을 유도하였다. 추후 최적 용량, 치료기간, 투여경로, 및 반응의 예측인자를 찾기 위한 연구가 진행되어야 할 것으로 사료된다.
연구배경 : MAC는 NTM 폐질환의 가장 흔한 원인균이다. Clarithromycin과 같은 새로운 항생제의 사용에도 불구하고, 아직까지 MAC 폐질환의 내과적 치료성적은 만족스럽지 못한 실정이다. 본 연구는 MAC 폐질환 환자를 대상으로 clarithromycin이 포함된 내과적 치료의 효과를 알아보고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법 : 2000년 1월부터 2003년 12월까지 삼성서울병원 호흡기내과에서 진단된 MAC 폐질환 환자 56명 중 clarithromycin이 포함된 병합 항생제 치료를 6개월 이상 시행한 환자 15명을 대상으로 하여 후향적 조사를 시행하였다. 결 과 : 남자가 6명(40%) 여자가 9명(60%)이었고, 연령의 중앙값은 67세(범위 53-87세)였다. 원인균은 M. intracellulare가 12명(80%), M. avium이 3명(20%)이었고, 객담 도말 양성환자가 13명(87%)이었다. 5명(27%)의 환자는 upper lobe cavitary form, 그리고 10명(67%)은 nodular bronchiectatic form이었다. 모든 환자에서 clarithromycin, rifampin, ethambutol을 투여하였고, 8명(53%)의 환자는 streptomycin을 함께 사용하였다. 치료기간은 중앙값 17개월(범위 8-22개월)이었다. 6개월 이상 치료한 15명 중 8명(53%)에서 균음전에 성공하였다. 6개월 치료 후 단순흉부방사선촬영에서 10명(67%)이 호전되었고 5명(33%)은 변화가 없었다. 균음전에 실패한 1명은 폐절제술을 시행하였다. 폐절제술을 시행한 환자를 제외하고 12개월 이상 내과적 치료를 시행한 9명 중 4명(44%)이 균음전에 성공하였다. 12개월 치료 후 단순흉부방사선촬영에서 6명(67%)이 호전을 보였다. 전체적으로 내과적 치료 후 균음전에 성공한 환자는 9명(60%)으로, 이 중 5명의 환자는 치료 시작 1-2개월 후부터 배양 음성이 유지되었다. 1명의 환자에서 위장관 장애와 시신경염으로 치료를 중단하였다. 결 론 : MAC 폐질환에서 clarithromycin을 포함한 내과적 치료 후 균음전에 성공한 환자는 60%에 불과하였다. 보다 효과적인 치료약제의 개발이 필요하며, 내과적 치료에 반응하지 않는 환자에서는 폐절제술을 고려하여야 할 것으로 사료된다.
연구배경 : 기관지확장증을 가진 환자의 객담에서 NTM이 분리되는 경우 집락상태와 폐침범을 구별하는 것은 쉽지 않다. 본 연구는 기관지확장증과 다발성 결절이 관찰되는 환자에서 NTM 폐질환을 진단하는데 기관지내시경술의 유용성을 알아보고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법 2002년 4월부터 2003년 6월까지 흉부 전산화단층촬영에서 기관지확장증과 동반된 다발성 결절로 NTM 폐질환이 의심되어, 기관지내시경을 통해 기관지폐포세척술과 경기관지폐생검을 시행한 48명의 환자를 대상으로 후향적 조사를 시행하였다. 결 과 : 48명의 환자 중 여자가 34명(71%)이었고, 연령은 중앙값 60세(범위 21-80세)였다. 최종진단은 NTM 폐질환 26명(54%; M. abscessus 14명, MAC 12명), 기관지확장증에 동반된 비특이적 세기관지염 15명(31%), 폐결핵 3명(6%) 등이었다. 기관지내시경 시행 전 객담에서 3회 이상 NTM이 분리된 환자 21명 중 6명(29%)에서 경기관지폐생검 조직 도말 양성, 14명(67%)에서 조직 배양 양성, 5명(24%)에서 육아종이 관찰되어 전체적으로 16명(76%)에서 NTM 폐 침범의 소견을 확인하였다. 객담검사만으로 NTM 폐질환을 진단하지 못한 27명의 환자 중 3명의 폐결핵 환자를 제외한 24명의 환자 중 5명(21%)에서 기관지내시경 검사를 통해서 NTM 폐질환을 진단할 수 있었다. 시술 후 발열이 25명(52%), 기흉이 1명(2%)에서 발생하였다. 결 론 : 흉부 전산화단층촬영에서 기관지확장증과 동반된 다발성 결절이 관찰되면서 객담에서 NTM이 여러 차례 분리되는 환자에서 기관지내시경술은 NTM의 폐 조직침범을 확인하는데 도움이 될 수 있으며, NTM 폐질환이 의심되지만 객담검사만으로 NTM 폐질환 진단기준을 만족하지 못하는 환자에서 기관지내시경술은 NTM 폐질환의 진단에 도움이 될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.
Background:Bacterial infections in diabetic patients are an important cause of increased morbidity and mortality. It has been reported that bacterial infections in diabetics showed more impaired PMN functions such as reduced PMN respiratory burst and decreased microbicidal activity in inflammed tissues. Also, apoptosis(programmed cell death) is postulated to be a key mechanism for neutrophil elimination. It is very important that PMN apoptosis keeps the balance from an area of inflammation. Actuallly, as little was known about PMN apoptosis and respiratory burst in diabetes, we investigated PMN apoptosis and hydrogen peroxide production after endotoxin exposure. Methods:Peripheral venous blood samples were collected by routine venipuncture from healthy volunteers and diabetics to harvest neutrophils. We respectively measured the PMN apoptosis, the production of hydrogen peroxide, and the cell viability. Results:Normal neutrophils showed a tendency to decreased apoptosis after endotoxin treatment. In patients with diabetes, PMN apoptosis was significantly decreased compared with healthy controls. In addition, the LPS-induced neutrophils in diabetics demonstrated more decreased apoptosis. However, the production of hydrogen peroxide was not different between groups. Conclusion:These observations suggest that the decreased PMN apoptosis in diabetics with endotoxin exposure may also affect the increased susceptibility and severity of infections.(Tuberc Respir Dis 2004; 57:250-256)
Background:There are many combinations of treatment for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Recent studies have showed the efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in NSCLC. At present, however, there is no consensus about the optimal dosages and timing of radiation and chemotherapeutic agents. The aims of study were to determine the feasibility, toxicity, response rate, and survival rate in locally advanced NSCLC patients treated with doxetaxel and cisplatin based CCRT. Method:Sixteen patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC were evaluated from May 2000 until September 2001. Induction chemoradiotherapy consisted of 3 cycles of docetaxel (75 mg/m2/IV on day 1) and cisplatin (60 mg/m2/IV on day 1) chemotherapy every 3 weeks and concomitant hyperfractionated chest irradiation (1.15 Gy/BID, total dose of 69 Gy) in 6 weeks. Patient who had complete or partial response, and stable disease were applied consolidation chemotherapy of docetaxel and cisplatin. Results:All patients showed response to CCRT. Four patients achieved complete response (25%), partial responses in 12 patients (75%). The major common toxicities were grade III or more of neutropenia (87.3%), grade III esophagitis (68.8%), pneumonia (18.8%) and grade III radiation pneumonitis (12.5%). Thirteen patients were ceased during follow-up period. Median survival time was 19.9 months (95% CI; 4.3-39.7 months). The survival rates in one, two, and three years are 68.7%, 43.7%, and 29.1%, respectively. Local recurrence was found in 11 patients (66.8%), bone metastasis in 2, and brain metastasis in 1 patient. Conclusion:The response rate and survival time of CCRT with docetaxel/cisplatin in locally advanced NSCLC were encouraging, but treatment related toxicities were high. Further modification of therapy seems to be warranted. (Tuberc Respir Dis 2004; 57:257-264)
Background:RASSF1A, which is one of tumor suppressor genes, is frequently inactivated by hypermethylation of the promoter region in a variety of human cancers, including lung cancer. This study was performed to investigate the association between RASSF1A methylation and the clinicopathological factors in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Methods:Eighty-one samples from the patients with squamous cell carcinoma of lung were examined. The promoter methyation of RASSF1A was analyzed by methylation specific PCR and sequencing. Statistical analysis was made to examine the association between RASSF1A methylation and the clinicopathological parameters. Results:RASSF1A methylation was observed in 37.0 % (30 of 81) of the patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. RASSF1A methylation was found to be associated with cellular differentiation(p=0.0097) and the overall survival(p=0.0635). However, there was no association between RASSF1A methylation and the other clinicopathological parameters, such as the pathological TNM stage, the recurrence rate, lymph node invasion and the amount of cigarettes smoked. Conclusion:RASSF1A methylation might be associated with a poor prognosis in patients with squamous carcinoma of the lung. A larger scale study is needed.(Tuberc Respir Dis 2004; 57:265-272)
Methotrexate is commonly used in rheumatoid arthritis as an anti-inflammatory agent, but treatment with methotrexate can lead to severe side effects, especially pulmonary complication. Interstitial pneumonitis is one of the most important pulmonary adverse effects of methotrexate and most patient present with a subacute febrile illness and peripheral eosinophilia is seen in about a half of patients. Almost all patients have abnormal chest roentgenograms and bibasilar interstitial infiltration with alveolar pulmonary consolidations is the most characteristic finding. Interstitial inflammation with mononuclear cell infiltration is a characteristic pathologic feature and findings that suggest acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis, such as bronchiolitis, granuloma formation with giant cells, and infiltration with eosinophils are often present. Methotrexate-induced pneumonitis is a potentially life threatening and unpredictable complication but it is difficult to make a definite diagnosis in the absence of high index of clinical suspicion. Early recognition and appropriate management may avoid the serious outcome. Herein we report a case of methotrexate-induced pneumonitis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.(Tuberc Respir Dis 2004; 57:273-277)
The incidence of a pulmonary leiomyosarcoma as a primary lung tumor is quite rare. We report a case of primary leiomyosarcoma with a cardiac invasion in a 76 year old man. He was admitted due to left anterior chest wall pain for one month. Chest computed tomography showed a 9×8×10cm sized , large round mass in the left upper and lower lobes, and an amorphous low density lesion within the left atrium. Chest magnetic resonance imaging showed a large round mass in the left upper and lower lobes with growth into the left atrium. A diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma with prominent osteoclast-like giant cells was made based on the microscopic and immunohistochemical findings of a permanent specimen by explothoracotomy. The pathologic features of the tumor showed round mononuclear hyperchromatic cells and multinucleated giant cells that resembled osteoclasts. The immunohistochemical staining showed that the giant cells are positive for CD68 but negative for the muscle markers while the round cells were positive for the muscle marker. The patient refused further treatment and died after two months.(Tuberc Respir Dis 2004; 57:278-283)
Central diabetes insipidus (DI) is a disease caused by insufficient release of antidiuretic hormone. Central DI with lung cancer is very rare. Most of them are caused by the pituitary metastasis, and rarely, by the paraneoplastic syndromes. Central DI is diagnosed by the water deprivation test. The treatment consists of surgical resection, radiotherapy and administration of desmopressin. We report an unusual case of central DI with non-small cell lung cancer. The diagnosis was confirmed by water deprivation test. After the administration of desmopressin, the urine osmolarity was increased. The patient’s symptoms and urine osmolarity were improved by intranasal desmopressin.(Tuberc Respir Dis 2004; 57:284-288)