A New Bacterial Growth Graph Pattern Analysis to Improve Positive Predictive Value of Continuous Monitoring Blood Culture System.

False positive signals (FPSs) of continuous monitoring blood culture system (CMBCS) cause delayed reporting time and increased laboratory cost. This study aimed to analyze growth graphs digitally in order to identify specific patterns of FPSs and true positive signals (TPSs) and to find the method for improving positive predictive value (PPV) of FPS and TPS. 606 positive signal samples from the BACTEC FX (BD, USA) CMBCS with more than one hour of monitoring data after positive signal were selected, and were classified into FPS and TPS groups using the subculture results.

Comparison of three rapid influenza diagnostic tests with digital readout systems and one conventional rapid influenza diagnostic test.

Background: Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) show variable sensitivities in clinical settings. We aimed to compare three digital RIDTs and one conventional RIDT.

Methods: We assessed 218 nasopharyngeal swabs from patients between neonates and 90 years old in 2016.

Correction Equation for Estimation of Actual Potassium Concentration in Hemolyzed Specimen.

Background: A spuriously elevated serum potassium value could possibly cause medical decision errors because it leads to masked hypokalemia or pseudohyperkalemia. The aim of this study was to develop a correction equation for falsely elevated potassium level caused by hemolysis.

Methods: A total of 988 samples with a hemolysis index (HI) value greater than the potassium alert HI value were recollected within two hours from initial collection.

Scoring system for detecting spurious hemolysis in anticoagulated blood specimens.

Background: The identification of in vitro hemolysis (IVH) using a hematology analyzer is challenging because centrifugation of the specimens cannot be performed for cell counts. In the present study, we aimed to develop a scoring system to help identify the presence of hemolysis in anticoagulated blood specimens.

Methods: Thirty-seven potassium EDTA anticoagulated blood specimens were obtained, and each specimen was divided into 3 aliquots (A, B, and C).

A case associated with comorbidities among cerebral infarction, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, and triple x syndrome.

A 46-year-old female presented to the emergency room due to the chief complaint of left-sided weakness. By imaging study, she was diagnosed with cerebral infarction. Thrombolytic and antiplatelet agents were not considered due to the "golden hour" for treatment having passed and a low platelet count.

Development of an integrated reporting system for verifying hemolysis, icterus, and lipemia in clinical chemistry results.

Background: Hemolysis, icterus, and lipemia (HIL) cause preanalytical interference and vary unpredictably with different analytical equipments and measurement methods. We developed an integrated reporting system for verifying HIL status in order to identify the extent of interference by HIL on clinical chemistry results.

Methods: HIL interference data from 30 chemical analytes were provided by the manufacturers and were used to generate a table of clinically relevant interference values that indicated the extent of bias at specific index values (alert index values).

Macrolide resistance of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and its detection rate by real-time PCR in primary and tertiary care hospitals.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in primary and tertiary care hospitals and its macrolide resistance rate.

Methods: Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from 195 pediatric patients in primary and tertiary care hospitals from October to November 2010. The AccuPower MP real-time PCR kit (Bioneer, Korea) was used for the detection of M.

Delta neutrophil index discriminates true bacteremia from blood culture contamination.

Background: Delta neutrophil index (DNI) has been reported to be useful in the diagnosis of sepsis. We evaluated the role of DNI for differentiating true bacteremia from blood contamination and compared the DNI value with previously validated markers such as procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Methods: The blood culture positive group was subdivided into true bacteremia (n=199) and contamination (n=158).

Two cases of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia with A2063G mutation in the 23S rRNA gene in siblings.

We describe 2 cases of pneumonia caused by the same macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae in siblings. M. pneumoniae was identified using real-time PCR.

Evaluation of the MicroScan MICroSTREP plus antimicrobial panel for testing β-hemolytic streptococci and viridans group streptococci.

Background: In order to determine the clinical usefulness of the MicroScan (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, USA) MICroSTREP plus antimicrobial panel (MICroSTREP) for testing antimicrobial susceptibility of β-hemolytic streptococci (BHS) and viridans group streptococci (VGS), we compared the accuracy of MICroSTREP with that of the CLSI reference method.

Methods: Seventy-five BHS and 59 VGS isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility to ampicillin, penicillin, cefotaxime, meropenem, erythromycin, clindamycin, levofloxacin, and vancomycin by using MICroSTREP and the CLSI agar dilution method.

Results: The overall essential agreement with regard to minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) (within ±1 double dilution) between MICroSTREP and the CLSI reference method was 98.

Actinomyces graevenitzii bacteremia in a patient with alcoholic liver cirrhosis.

We report the first case of Actinomyces graevenitzii septicemia in a patient with alcoholic liver cirrhosis. It was identified as A. graevenitzii by morphologic and 16S rRNA sequencing.

Rhodococcus erythropolis septicaemia in a patient with acute lymphocytic leukaemia.

Rhodococcus erythropolis rarely causes infection in humans. We report the second case of R. erythropolis septicaemia in a 7-year-old child.

A Case of Clostridium perfringens Septicemia with Fatal Hemolytic Complication.

Massive intravascular hemolysis secondary to Clostridium perfringens septicemia is rare but often fatal. We report a case of a fatal clostridial hemolytic complication in a 71-year-old woman with probable refractory anemia. The patient was admitted to the emergency room due to a comatose mental state and a high fever.

Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and macrolide resistance genes of beta-hemolytic viridans group streptococci in a tertiary Korean hospital.

The aim of this study was to investigate antimicrobial susceptibilities and macrolide resistance mechanisms of beta-hemolytic viridans group streptococci (VGS) in a tertiary Korean hospital. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of seven antimicrobials were determined for 103 beta-hemolytic VGS isolated from various specimens. The macrolide resistance mechanisms of erythromycin-resistant isolates were studied by the double disk test and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Macrolide resistance trends in beta-hemolytic streptococci in a tertiary Korean hospital.

Purpose: Erythromycin-resistant beta-hemolytic streptococci (BHS) has recently emerged and quickly spread between and within countries throughout the world. In this study, we evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and erythromycin resistance mechanisms of BHS during 2003-2004.

Materials And Methods: The MICs of seven antimicrobials were determined for 204 clinical isolates of BHS from 2003 to 2004.

Correlation of serotypes and genotypes of macrolide-resistant Streptococcus agalactiae.

Despite the necessity for studies of group B streptococci (GBS), due to the increase in serious adult infections, the emergence of new serotypes, and the increased resistance to macrolide antibiotics, such studies have been limited in Korea. The primary purpose of the present study was to determine the frequency trends of GBS serotypes, including serotypes VI, VII, and VIII. The final objective was to elucidate the relationship between the genotypes and serotypes of macrolide-resistant GBS isolates from a Korean population.

Serotypes and genotypes of erythromycin-resistant group B streptococci in Korea.

Among 78 erythromycin-resistant group B streptococcus (GBS) isolates from Korea, ermB was detected in 58 (74.4%), mefA was detected in 14 (17.9%), and ermTR was detected in 6 (7.

Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and macrolide resistance genes of beta-hemolytic streptococci in Korea.

In 540 beta-hemolytic streptococci, the rates of resistance to tetracycline, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, and clindamycin were 80.0, 22.8, 20.

Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and macrolide resistance genes of viridans group streptococci from blood cultures in Korea.

Objectives: Our aim was to study the antimicrobial susceptibilities and macrolide resistance mechanisms of viridans group streptococci (VGS) in a Korean tertiary hospital.

Methods: MICs of five antimicrobials were determined for 106 VGS isolated from blood cultures. The macrolide resistance mechanisms of erythromycin non-susceptible isolates were studied by the double-disc test and PCR.

Penicillin-resistant Aerococcus viridans bacteremia associated with granulocytopenia.

Aerococcus viridans, a catalase-negative gram-positive coccus rarely causing bacteremia, was isolated from blood cultures of a 52-yr-old man under the granulocytopenic condition. The isolate showed the typical characteristics of A. viridans, i.