Colonic Perforation Caused by Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Enteritis After Total Gastrectomy: A Case Report.

A 68-year-old man underwent total gastrectomy and splenectomy for adenocarcinoma and low anterior resection for carcinoma in tubulo-villous adenoma of the rectum. Broad-spectrum antibiotics were administered for postoperative pancreatic fistula. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus enteritis occurred on the 50th postoperative day and cecal perforation followed.

Is granular formulation of lanthanum carbonate more effective than chewable tablets?

Maintenance dialysis patients at our hospital who had been receiving lanthanum carbonate (LC) chewable tablets were switched to the same dosage of the granules, and the differences in serum phosphorus (P) levels were compared, together with stratifying patients at the baseline characteristics. Compared to average serum P level of 5.48 mg/dL for 2 months prior to switching, the average level for 2 months after switching was 4.

Covering the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube prevents peristomal infection.

Background: Because oropharyngeal bacteria can be brought through the abdominal wall during percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), peristomal infection is one of the most frequent complications in patients who undergo the procedure. This study aimed to determine whether covering the PEG tube with a sheath that could be detached in the stomach could help prevent peristomal infection.

Methods: In three community hospitals in Japan, data from 449 patients with swallowing dysfunction were prospectively collected between March 2000 and February 2002 for non-covered PEG (n=206) and between March 2002 and February 2004 for covered PEG (n=243).

Cysteine proteinase inhibitors in elapid and hydrophiid snake venoms.

The ability of elapid and hydrophiid snake venoms to inhibit cathepsin L was tested. All nine species of elapid and three species of hydrophiid snake venoms tested showed inhibition against cathepsin L. All of these venoms tested also showed inhibition against papain as well as against cathepsin L.