Evaluation of lid speculum with a drape (LiDrape(®)) for preventing surgical-field contamination.

Purpose: To compare the degree of surgical-field contamination in cataract surgeries between a new draping method using a lid speculum with a drape (LiDrape(®)) and a conventional draping method.

Methods: Cataract surgery was performed on 21 eyes using LiDrape(®) (LiDrape(®) group) and on 22 eyes using a conventional draping method (conventional group). Contamination was evaluated by bacterial culture of conjunctival sac scrapings and ocular surface irrigation fluid.

Online reporting system for transfusion-related adverse events to enhance recipient haemovigilance in Japan: a pilot study.

Background: A surveillance system for transfusion-related adverse reactions and infectious diseases in Japan was started at a national level in 1993, but current reporting of events in recipients is performed on a voluntary basis. A reporting system which can collect information on all transfusion-related events in recipients is required in Japan.

Methods: We have developed an online reporting system for transfusion-related events and performed a pilot study in 12 hospitals from 2007 to 2010.

[A case of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans cultured from blood in Japan].

We report a case of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans bacteremia in a 60-year-old-man. In our case, anaerobic blood culture bottle turned out positive after five days' incubation. Gram stain showed the presence of slightly-curved Gram negative rod.

Rapid detection of haptoglobin gene deletion in alkaline-denatured blood by loop-mediated isothermal amplification reaction.

Anhaptoglobinemic patients run the risk of severe anaphylactic transfusion reaction because they produce serum haptoglobin antibodies. Being homozygous for the haptoglobin gene deletion allele (HP(del)) is the only known cause of congenital anhaptoglobinemia, and detection of HP(del) before transfusion is important to prevent anaphylactic shock. In this study, we developed a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)-based screening for HP(del).

Comparison of two control measures of weatherstripping in reducing blowing dust during hospital renovations.

Hospital renovation projects pose risks of invasive infection by fungi from dust that is blown about during the period in question. Control measures to reduce the amount of dust during hospital renovation are thus necessary. Currently, no study has compared different control measures for effectiveness through more than one period of renovation.

Development and validation of a SYBR Green I-based real-time polymerase chain reaction method for detection of haptoglobin gene deletion in clinical materials.

Background: Anhaptoglobinemic patients run the risk of severe anaphylactic transfusion reaction because they produce serum haptoglobin (Hp) antibodies. Being homozygous for the Hp gene deletion (HP(del)) is the only known cause of congenital anhaptoglobinemia, and clinical diagnosis of HP(del) before transfusion is important to prevent anaphylactic shock. We recently developed a 5'-nuclease (TaqMan) real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method.

[Vibrio vulnificus pollution of imported frozen Black Tiger shrimps in Japan].

The Ariake Sea area of Japan is endemic for Vibrio vulnificus infection. V vulnificus was isolated from slime from tidal flats, seawater, and fish Sea year-round as we reported previously. To identify new routes and factors of V vulnificus infection, we studied V.

Usefulness of high-concentration calcium chloride solution for correction of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) in patients with high-hematocrit value.

Introduction: Pseudoprolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) is a serious problem in anticoagulation therapy for patients with high hematocrit, such as cyanotic congenital heart diseases. APTT pseudoprolongation occurs when APTT assay is performed using routinely used vacuum sampling tubes containing citrate. Because the plasma fraction is small in high-hematocrit blood, the prescribed volume of citrate would be excessive for APTT assay, resulting in prolongation of clotting or APTT pseudoprolongation.

[Antibody titers against measles, rubella, mumps and varicella-zoster viruses in medical students].

It is important to identify and immunize susceptible students who have clinical practice to prevent and control hospital infections. The antibody titers to measles, rubella, mumps and varicella viruses were measured in 1,139 students(417 men, 722 women, average age 21.3+/-2.

Characteristic features of QRST integral mapping in patients with high risk Brugada syndrome.

Background: The characteristic features of QRST integral mapping in the Brugada-type resting ECG of patients at a high risk for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias were examined.

Methods And Results: QRST integral mapping was performed in 11 Brugada-type ECG patients with histories of aborted sudden death, spontaneous ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation (VT/VF) or programmed electric stimulation-inducible VT/VF (high risk group); 13 Brugada-type ECG patients without a history of such events (low risk group); and 21 age-matched healthy controls. Individual QRST isointegral maps revealed the minimum integral in the mid-to-right upper chest in 100% and 85% of the control and low risk groups, respectively, whereas this integral was 64% in the upper right back of the high risk group (p<0.

[Antifungal susceptibility of Candida species causing candidemia in Kurume University Hospital and Shaiseikai Hutukaichi Hospital].

Prevention of candidemia has been difficult and empirical therapy may eventually reduce morbidity and mortality. Successful empirical therapies depend on understanding of fungal features and antifungal agents. Susceptibility to amphotericin B (AMPH-B), flucytosine (5-FC), fluconazole (FLCZ), itraconazole (ITCZ), miconazole (MCZ), and micafungin (MCFG) of 41 Candida species isolated from blood were determined.

[Guidelines for safer and more appropriate use of blood transfusion systems in Japan].

The Blood Transfusion Law has been newly established in Japan since 2003. Under the new law, physicians and co-medical staff have to work hard to establish safer blood transfusion systems and more appropriate transfusion of blood components for the patients in their hospitals. Guide lines for transfusion of blood components made by the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Labor in Japan are useful tools to accomplish the aims shown above.

[Seasonal change of Vibrio vulnificus in the slime of tidal flats, seawater, and fishes collected along Ariake Sea, Japan].

To investigate the seasonal change of Vibrio vulnificus in Ariake Sea, Japan, we attempted to isolate V. vulnificus from the slime of tidal flats, seawater, and fishes obtained from three harbors along Ariake Sea. The sample were collected twice a month from January to December, 2001.

[Drug sensitivity and beta-lactamase producibility of various types of bacteria clinically isolated during the period from December 1999 to February 2000].

beta-Lactamase activity and drug sensitivity were measured in 744 strains from 8 species of bacteria isolated at medical institutions in Chikugo District of Fukuoka Prefecture during the period from December 1999 to February 2000. Nitrocefin test revealed that beta-lactamase was positive in 48% of S. aureus, 7% of H.

Heterozygosity for two novel null alleles of the KEL gene causes the Kell-null phenotype in a Japanese woman.

The Kell-null (Ko) phenotype is rare and it does not express the Kell antigens on erythrocyte membranes. Recently, several distinct missense and nonsense base substitutions in the coding region and the donor splice site of intron 3 were identified in the KEL gene in individuals with the Ko phenotype. We analysed both genomic DNA and cDNA sequences of the KEL gene in a Japanese woman with the Ko phenotype.