Depressive Symptoms in Newly Diagnosed Lung Carcinoma: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors

Background

Depression is a recognized complication of lung cancer underreported in developing countries such as Malaysia. Treating and identifying depression in cancer patients increases survival and quality of life. Our objectives are to study prevalence of depressive symptoms in newly diagnosed lung carcinoma, and examine the relationship of depressive symptoms with other influencing risk factors.

Methods

A 2-year, cross sectional study February 2015–February 2017, was conducted at Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, and Penang General Hospital. One hundred and three patients with newly diagnosed, biopsy confirmed primary lung carcinoma were recruited. Self-rated patient's identification sheet, validated Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D), and Dukes University Religion Index score from three different main languages were used.

Results

Prevalence of current depressive symptoms (CES-D total score ≥16) is 37.9%. The result suggests prevalence of those at high risk of moderate to major depression, may need treatment. Multivariate analysis reveals those with good Eastern Cooperation Oncology Group factor (η2=0.24, p<0.001) married (η2=0.14, p<0.001) with intrinsic religiosity (IR) (η2=0.07, p<0.02) are more resistant to depression.

Conclusion

One in three of lung carcinoma patients, are at increased risk for depression. Clinicians should be aware that risk is highest in those with poor performance status, single, and with poor IR. We suggest routine screening of depression symptoms as it is feasible, to be performed during a regular clinic visit with immediate referral to psychiatrist when indicated.

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in childhood, Langerhans cell histiocytosis in adulthood: More than a chance association?

Described herein, a case of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) in an adult with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) diagnosed at age ten. She presented with cranial diabetes insipidus, later developed hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism and multiple cervical lympadenopathy from which histopathology of excisional biopsy confirmed LCH. Magnetic resonance imaging showed thickened pituitary stalk. Association of ITP and LCH is unknown but the question of LCH presenting as isolated thrombocytopenia in childhood only to be discovered in adulthood when there was pituitary and bone involvement remains. It reemphasizes the need for high index of suspicion and the challenges in diagnosing LCH at the outset.

Hypercalcemic crisis - a fatal case of primary hyperparathyroidism

The scapula is a flat, triangular bone overlying the posterior chest wall and forming the posterior aspect of the shoulder girdle. To the best of our knowledge, there is no previous description of a notch of the medial aspect of the superior border of the scapula in the literature. The imaging findings of a supero-medial scapula border notch mimicking a bone tumour are presented in this case report.

Monitoring treatment response in sputum smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients: comparison of weight gain, sputum conversion and chest radiograph

BACKGROUND

Monitoring treatment response to anti-tuberculous therapy remains unsatisfactory in resource-limited countries where sophisticated and expensive tests are not readily available. Sputum culture for mycobacterium is desirable, but not obtainable in many developing countries. Sputum acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear alone can be misinterpreted in the presence of unviable bacilli or non-tuberculous mycobacteria. Hence the search for a cheaper but reliable monitoring tool, or a combination of several tools, continues. Interesting reports from studies in third world nations have considered weight gain/loss as one such monitoring tool. Since pulmonary tuberculosis is endemic in this country, we take the opportunity to evaluate weight gain and chest radiograph, compared to sputum AFB smear in monitoring patient's response.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of confirmed positive sputum AFB smear patients from January 1999 to December 2004 who attended the Chest Clinic at Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Kuantan, Malaysia. Data on weight, chest radiograph and sputum AFB smear from initiation of therapy to end of treatment and follow-up were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

201 patients were included. At week-4 of anti-tuberculous treatment, only 14.7% had positive sputum smear. At completion of therapy 93.1% had improved chest radiographs. 90% had weight gain, 5% had weight loss and the remaining had no change in weight. Amongst patients with weight loss, there were no significant differences in the underlying illnesses (p=0.376), sputum smear at 4 weeks (p=0.697) and chest X-ray changes (p=0.731). Three patients who initially showed sputum smear conversion had reappearance of positive smear results towards the end of treatment. One of them was diagnosed as treatment failure while the other two remained well after discontinuation of therapy.

CONCLUSION

Weight gain is very common among smear-positive tuberculosis patients after treatment even though weight gain does not correlate well with underlying disease, sputum conversion and chest X-ray changes. Reappearance of smear-positive sputum must be interpreted with caution and not to be regarded as treatment failure without other evidence.

Stereoselective synthesis of (R)-phenylephrine using recombinant Escherichia coli cells expressing a novel short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase gene from Serratia marcescens BCRC 10948

(R)-Phenylephrine [(R)-PE] is an α1-adrenergic receptor agonist and is widely used as a nasal decongestant to treat the common cold without the side effects of other ephedrine adrenergic drugs. We identified a short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SM_SDR) from Serratia marcescens BCRC 10948 that was able to convert 1-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(methylamino) ethanone (HPMAE) into (R)-PE. The SM_SDR used NADPH and NADH as cofactors with specific activities of 17.35±0.71 and 5.57±0.07mU/mg protein, respectively, at 30°C and pH 7.0, thereby indicating that this enzyme could be categorized as an NADPH-preferring short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase. Escherichia coli strain BL21 (DE3) expressing SM_SDR could convert HPMAE into (R)-PE with more than 99% enantiomeric excess. The productivity and conversion yield were 0.57mmolPE/lh and 51.06%, respectively, using 10mM HPMAE. Fructose was the most effective carbon source for the conversion of HPMAE to (R)-PE.

Crystal structures of lysine-preferred racemases, the non-antibiotic selectable markers for transgenic plants

Lysine racemase, a pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP)-dependent amino acid racemase that catalyzes the interconversion of lysine enantiomers, is valuable to serve as a novel non-antibiotic selectable marker in the generation of transgenic plants. Here, we have determined the first crystal structure of a lysine racemase (Lyr) from Proteus mirabilis BCRC10725, which shows the highest activity toward lysine and weaker activity towards arginine. In addition, we establish the first broad-specificity amino acid racemase (Bar) structure from Pseudomonas putida DSM84, which presents not only the highest activity toward lysine but also remarkably broad substrate specificity. A complex structure of Bar-lysine is also established here. These structures demonstrate the similar fold of alanine racemase, which is a head-to-tail homodimer with each protomer containing an N-terminal (α/β)₈ barrel and a C-terminal β-stranded domain. The active-site residues are located at the protomer interface that is a funnel-like cavity with two catalytic bases, one from each protomer, and the PLP binding site is at the bottom of this cavity. Structural comparisons, site-directed mutagenesis, kinetic, and modeling studies identify a conserved arginine and an adjacent conserved asparagine that fix the orientation of the PLP O3 atom in both structures and assist in the enzyme activity. Furthermore, side chains of two residues in α-helix 10 have been discovered to point toward the cavity and define the substrate specificity. Our results provide a structural foundation for the design of racemases with pre-determined substrate specificity and for the development of the non-antibiotic selection system in transgenic plants.

Defaulters among lung cancer patients in a suburban district in a developing country

INTRODUCTION

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence, patient's characteristic and reasons for defaulting follow-up and treatment among patients with lung cancer.

METHODS

Patients with histologically confirmed lung cancer were recruited. Patient's detailed demographic data, occupation, socioeconomic status, and educational level of both the patients and their children were recorded. Defaulters were classified as either intermittent or persistent defaulters. By using Chi-square test, defaulter status was compared with various demographic and disease characteristic factors. The reasons for default were determined.

RESULTS

Ninety five patients were recruited. Among them, 81.1% patients were males; 66.3% were Malays. The mean age (SD) was 60 ± 10.5 years. About 46.3% of the patients had Eastern Cooperation Oncology Group (ECOG) functional status 0/1 and 96.8% of the patients presented with advanced stage (Stage 3b or 4). Overall, 20 patients (21.1%) were defaulters (35.0% intermittent defaulters; 65.0% persistent defaulters). Among the intermittent defaulters, 8 patients defaulted once and one patient defaulted 3 times. Among the 20 defaulters, only 2 (10%) patients turned up for the second follow-up appointment after telephone reminder. Two main reasons for default were 'too ill to come' (38.5.5%) and logistic difficulties (23.1%). No correlation was found between patient education, children education, income, ECOG status, stage of the disease, race, and gender with the defaulter rate.

CONCLUSION

Defaulter rate among lung cancer patients was 21.1%. Children education level is the only significant factor associated with the defaulter rate.

Development of multiplex real-time PCR for the rapid detection of five bacterial causes of community acquired pneumonia

Establishing a microbial diagnosis for patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is still challenging and is often achieved in only 30-50% of cases. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been shown to be more sensitive than conventional microbiological methods and it could help to increase the microbial yield for CAP patients. This study was designed to develop, optimize and evaluate multiplex real-time PCR as a method for rapid differential detection of five bacterial causes of CAP namely Streptococcus pneumoniae, Burkholderia pseudomallei and atypical bacterial pathogens, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Legionella pneumophila. Duplex and triplex real-time PCR assays were developed using five sets of primers and probes that were designed based on an appropriate specific gene for each of the above CAP pathogens. The performance of primers for each organism was tested using SYBR Green melt curve analysis following monoplex realtime PCR amplification. Monoplex real-time PCR assays were also used to optimize each primers-probe set before combining them in multiplex assays. Two multiplex real-time PCR assays were then optimized; duplex assay for the differential detection of S. pneumoniae and B. pseudomallei, and triplex assay for the atypical bacterial pathogens. Both duplex and triplex real-time PCR assays were tested for specificity by using DNA extracted from 26 related microorganisms and sensitivity by running serial dilutions of positive control DNAs. The developed multiplex real-time PCR assays shall be used later for directly identifying CAP causative agents in clinical samples.

The use of multiplex real-time PCR improves the detection of the bacterial etiology of community acquired pneumonia

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is still a major cause of morbidity and mortality especially to children and compromised hosts, such as the old and those with underlying chronic diseases. Knowledge of pathogens causing CAP constitutes the basis for selection of antimicrobial treatment. Previous data have shown that etiological agents can be identified in only up to 50% of patients, but this figure can be improved by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This study was designed to evaluate multiplex real-time PCR as a method for rapid differential detection of five bacterial causes of CAP (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Burkholderia pseudomallei and atypical bacterial pathogens namely Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Legionella pneumophila) in CAP patients attending Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA)/ Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. Two previously developed multiplex real-time PCR assays, duplex for the differential detection of S. pneumoniae and B. pseudomallei and triplex for the atypical bacterial pathogens, were used to detect a bacterial cause of CAP in blood and respiratory samples. Thus, 46 blood and 45 respiratory samples collected from 46 adult CAP patients admitted to HTAA were analysed by multiplex real-time PCR assays and conventional methods. The microbial etiology of CAP could be established for 39.1% (18/46) of CAP patients by conventional methods and this was increased to 65.2% (30/46) with the additional use of real-time PCR. The most frequently detected pathogens were S. pneumoniae (21.7% - all by PCR alone), Klebsiella pneumoniae (17.3%), B. pseudomallei (13% - 83% of them positive by PCR alone and 17% by both culture and PCR), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6.5%), M. pneumoniae (6.5% - all by serology), C. pneumoniae (4.3% - all positive by both PCR and serology), L. pneumophila (2.1% - all by PCR alone), Escherichia coli (4.3%). Haemophilus infuenzae, Acinetobacter lwoffii and Acinetobacter baumannii were detected by conventional methods (2.1% for each).

The bug and the big heart --melioidotic pericardial effusion

Melioidosis is an infection caused by Gram negative bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei leading to abscesses in lungs, liver, spleen, musculoskeletal system, prostate and sepsis. We present a rare case of purulent pericardial effusion caused by melioidosis with concomitant pneumonia and splenic abscesses. The patient underwent pericardiocentesis and successfully recovered from cardiogenic and septic shock.

The man with the boggy head: cranial melioidosis

Melioidosis is known to cause abscesses in various organs, including the cranium, though less commonly. We present a patient with scalp abscess and subdural empyema that was visible on computed tomography of the brain. The neurosurgical drainage grew Burkholderia pseudomallei. Despite our best effort to treat the patient using parenteral antibiotics and surgical drainage, the patient did not survive.

Risk factors associated with development of dengue haemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome in adults in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan Kuantan

A retrospective study was conducted to investigate 183 serologically-confirmed cases of dengue fever (DF) admitted from October 2004 to March 2005 in a large hospital in Pahang. Clinical and laboratory features, progress and outcome of these patients were analysed in order to identify risk factors associated with development of dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Individually, we found that older patients, secondary dengue infection, high baseline haematocrit levels, low platelet levels and prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) ratio were significant associations with bleeding tendencies. Of these risk factors, haematocrit and APTT ratio were two independent significant risk factors on multivariate analysis. Older patients with primary infection and younger patients with secondary infection had significant bleeding tendencies. We also verified the validity of the haematocrit levels suggested as cut-off levels for plasma leakage for the Malaysian population by Malaysian Clinical Practice Guidelines for Dengue Infection in Adults (2003).

A mimicry of melioidosis by Klebsiella ozaenae infection

Klebsiella ozaenae is a Gram negative bacillus. It has been described as a colonizer of oral and nasopharyngeal mucosa and is a cause of atrophic rhinitis. Klebsiella ozaenae has seldom been isolated from serious infections. However, several reports have stated that Klebsiella ozaenae may cause invasive infections and even mortality. We report a 55-year-old man with Klebsiella ozaenae infection causing abscesses involving the right eye and left kidney and possibly also in the brain, lungs and prostate. The isolates were sensitive to ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, gentamicin and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim but resistant to ampicillin. He responded well to 4 weeks of i.v. ceftazidime and i.v. amoxycillin-clavulanic acid. To our knowledge, such a multiorgan infection has not been reported previously for this organism.

Melioidotic prostatic abscess in Pahang

Melioidosis is caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, a Gram-negative bacillus. Melioidosis can affect many organs, including the prostate. However, prostatic abscess due to melioidosis is uncommon. We describe five cases of melioidosis with prostatic abscess. Four of five patients had diabetes mellitus and had more than one organ involvement. The diagnosis of prostatic abscess in our patients was only made with computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis. None of our patients underwent surgical drainage and all remained well after treatment with antibiotics, except for one mortality secondary to severe septicaemia.

Pahang melioidosis registry

Melioidosis has a high annual incidence and mortality rate in Pahang, Malaysia. We initiated the first melioidosis registry in the country on 1st July 2005 to improve the management of melioidosis in the state. Continuous medical education on melioidosis was carried out in all hospitals in the state to highlight the magnitude of the disease and to educate the doctors on the treatment of the disease. All culture confirmed cases were registered and analysed. During the one-year study period from 1st July 2005 till 30th June 2006, a total of 63 patients had positive culture for Burkholderia pseudomallei. The calculated annual incidence of melioidosis in Pahang state was 4.3 per 100,000 population per year (Adult, 6.0 per 100, 000 population per year and paediatric, 1.6 per 100,000 population per year). There were 55 Malays (87.3%), three Chinese (4.8%), four aborigines (6.3%) and one Indonesian. Nine (14.3%) were less than 18 years old. The median age was 49 years (range: 1-68 years). Only one patient (1.6%) had a previous history of confirmed melioidosis. With this programme, we had observed a decline in adult mortality from 54% to 44%, although this was not statistically significant. However, culture-confirmed relapses had dropped from 19% to nil. Several measures need to be taken to decrease mortality from melioidosis in endemic countries.

An unusual cause of haemoptysis and headache: cryptococcosis

Pulmonary cryptococcosis can be clinically silent in non-HIV infected patients but can also present as nodules and masses on the chest radiograph, which can be mistaken for tuberculosis or lung cancer. Common symptoms include fever and cough, and uncommonly haemoptysis. This report illustrates a non-HIV infected patient whose main complaint was haemoptysis and headache. He was diagnosed with pulmonary cryptococcosis from biopsy of an endobronchial mass found on flexible bronchoscopy. Disseminated cryptoccoccal infection should be considered as a differential diagnosis in non-HIV infected patients presenting with haemoptysis and headache. Early recognition and administration of appropriate therapy will improve clinical outcome in these patients.

Medical thoracoscopy: Pahang experience

Medical thoracoscopy has gain its popularity in Malaysia recently. This paper presents our early experience in thoracoscopy using semi-rigid fiberoptic thoracoscope. All thoracoscopy records since October 2006 were retrieved. The patients' records, thoracocentesis investigations results, thoracoscopic findings and all pleural biopsy results were reviewed. Twenty-four thoracoscopic procedures on 22 patients in whom two patients had repeated thoracoscopy. Ten patients were confirmed carcinoma. Eight patients had inconclusive thoracoscopic pleural biopsy results. Three patients underwent pleurodesis for malignant effusion. One patient had adhesiolysis for empyema. There was no procedure-related deaths or intraoperative accidents. Thoracoscopy is a relatively safe procedure.

Genome sequence of the lytic bacteriophage P1201 from Corynebacterium glutamicum NCHU 87078: evolutionary relationships to phages from Corynebacterineae

P1201 is a lytic corynephage of Corynebacterium glutamicum NCHU 87078. Its genome consists of a linear double-stranded DNA molecule of 70,579 base pairs, with 3'-protruding cohesive ends of ten nucleotides. We have identified 69 putative open reading frames, including three apparent genes (thymidylate synthase, terminase, and RNR alpha subunit genes) that are interrupted by an intein. Protein-splicing activities of these inteins were demonstrated in Escherichia coli. Three structural proteins including major capsid and major tail proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE and identified by both LC-MS-MS and N-terminal sequence analyses. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that only about 8.7% of its putative gene products shared substantial protein sequence similarity with the lytic corynephage BFK20 from Brevibacterium flavum, the only corynephage whose genome had been sequenced to date, revealing that the P1201 genome is distinct from BFK20. The mosaic-like genome of P1201 indicates extensive horizontal gene transfer among P1201, Gordonia terrae phage GTE5, mycobacteriophages, and several regions of Corynebacterium spp. genomes.

Transbronchial needle aspiration of mediastinal lymph node

In Malaysia, transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is a relatively new procedure performed only in a handful of respiratory centres. We reviewed TBNA of mediastinal lymph node performed in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA) to determine the yield and its complications. Data was retrieved from endoscopy databases and patients' records, CT thorax images and all cytological and histological slides were reviewed. Twenty-five patients had TBNA performed. TBNA was positive in 15 patients (60%). Overall, 80% had confirmed malignancy after bronchoscopy. Only four patients had documented bleeding after TBNA and in two of them, bleeding stopped spontaneously and another two patients required diluted adrenaline to stop the bleed. No mortality was reported from this procedure. Hence, TBNA is a safe procedure.

Transbronchial needle aspiration of mediastinal lymph node

In Malaysia, transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is a relatively new procedure performed only in a handful of respiratory centres. We reviewed TBNA of mediastinal lymph node performed in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA) to determine the yield and its complications. Data was retrieved from endoscopy databases and patients' records, CT thorax images and all cytological and histological slides were reviewed. Twenty-five patients had TBNA performed. TBNA was positive in 15 patients (60%). Overall, 80% had confirmed malignancy after bronchoscopy. Only four patients had documented bleeding after TBNA and in two of them, bleeding stopped spontaneously and another two patients required diluted adrenaline to stop the bleed. No mortality was reported from this procedure. Hence, TBNA is a safe procedure.

The urine bag used in pneumothorax

Pneumothorax is the presence of air in the pleural cavity. It can be classified into spontaneous, traumatic or iatrogenic. The majority of pneumothorax cases are spontaneous, which can be further classified into primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) or secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP), defined by the absence or presence of obvious underlying lung disease respectively. The treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax includes simple aspiration, intercostal tube drainage or surgical intervention. When intercostal tube drainage is used, it is usually attached to an underwater-seal system. Mobile chest drains, such as the Heimlich valve, replace the underwater-seal and allow outpatient management of spontaneous pneumothoraces. The Heimlich valve however, is costly and not readily available in many local hospitals. Cheaper and easily obtainable alternatives which are also safe are being sought. This is a case report describing the use of the urine bag in the management of a patient with spontaneous pneumothrax.