[Retrospective Analysis of Factors Decreasing the Efficacy of Tazobactam/Piperacillin for Pneumonia in Elderly Patients].

　Tazobactam/piperacillin (TAZ/PIPC) is an antimicrobial drug agent with a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity and is recommended as first-line therapy for hospital-acquired pneumonia, nursing- and healthcare-associated pneumonia, and other severe pneumonias. Nevertheless, in clinical settings, TAZ/PIPC is not fully effective in the treatment of pneumonia in the elderly. In the present study, we retrospectively investigated the efficacy of TAZ/PIPC for pneumonia in elderly patients and identified factors that reduced its efficacy.

[A clinical analysis of elderly dementia patients with physical comorbidities].

Aim: To investigate the current status of elderly dementia patients with physical illnesses and identify optimal care strategies for this growing population.

Methods: This retrospective study included elderly dementia patients who (i) received in-patient treatment for a physical comorbidity at the dementia ward of the Juntendo Tokyo Koto Geriatric Medical Center, and (ii) who were discharged from April 2009 to March 2011.

Results: The study population was 390 patients (144 males, 246 females), with a mean [±SD] age of 80.

[Blood culture results in elderly febrile patients].

Aim: We retrospectively evaluated blood culture results in elderly patients (≥65 years) with a fever due to infection.

Methods: We examined the bacteria isolated from blood cultures and compared them to bacteria detected in infected lesions that caused bacteremia. We compared the types of bacteria isolated in the two groups (the community-acquired group and the hospital-acquired group).

A case of diaphragmatic paralysis complicated by herpes-zoster virus infection.

Diaphragmatic paralysis is commonly caused by surgical and traumatic injuries, malignant neoplasm, and neurodegenerative disorders. However, in rare instances, diaphragmatic paralysis due to herpes-zoster virus infection has been reported. Here, we describe an 85-year-old woman who developed left hemidiaphragmatic paralysis within 19 days of the appearance of a typical herpes-zoster rash involving the C4-5 dermatome on the left side.

[A case of intravascular large B-cell lymphoma with rapidly progressive cognitive impairment after cerebral infarction].

A 67-year-old man started to show symptoms of dementia and developed convulsions accompanied by presyncope. Since an old cerebral infarction was found, he was given a diagnosis of symptomatic epilepsy, treated with antiepileptics. Dementia progressed rapidly, resulting in admission to a dementia ward.

[Clinical analysis of mortality in elderly patients with community-acquired pneumonia].

Aim: Community-acquired pneumonia remains a common and serious disease for elderly persons. The incidence and mortality rates of pneumonia are higher in the elderly. We analyzed the mortality and prognostic factors in 200 elderly patients with community-acquired pneumonia.