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A 36-year-old man presented with painless swelling in the right side scrotum. Ultrasonography showed a hypoechoic tumor with mosaic pattern. Plain computed tomograghy (CT) revealed a 67 mm scrotal cystic lesion with low density area. We suspected an intrascrotal tumor and performed right side radical orchiectomy. The removed sample was yellow clear and elastic hard. A 7 cm multilocular cystic tumor was present on the head side of the normal testis. The cut-surface and the contents of the mass revealed a jelly-like viscous liquid. On the microscopic examination, the tumor was composed of mucinous stroma and spindle-shaped atypical cells with hyperchromatic oval nuclei and eosinophilic cytoplasm. There was a characteristic network of blood vessesls with hyperhyalinization in the myxoid zones. Immunohistochemically, CDK4, MDM2, AE1/AE3, S-100, Alpha-SMA and desmin were negative, but MUC4 showed focal cytoplasmic positivity in the neoplastic cells. In the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay, no FUS-CREB3L2/FUS-CREB3L1 fusion transcripts were identified although the detectable messages of the housekeeping genes were noted. The tumour was finally diagnosed as a paratesticular low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma. Postoperative course was uneventful and no recurrence or metastasis was seen four months after the operation.

Background. Docetaxel (DOC) was the first regimen that increased the survival and became the standard-of-care in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). However, it is unclear whether switching to second-line chemotherapy or optimal sequencing of cabazitaxel (CBZ) ensures better clinical outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of sequential therapy with DOC and CBZ and the effect of the number of prior DOC cycles on oncological outcomes in patients with mCRPC. Methods. We retrospectively included 46 mCRPC patients who received DOC followed by CBZ at quaternary hospitals in Japan between February 2015 and March 2019. Participants received intravenous DOC (40–75 mg/m2) every 3–4 weeks; CBZ (15–25 mg/m2) was administered every 3–4 weeks. Androgen-deprivation therapy and prednisolone 5 mg (twice daily) were administered throughout both regimens. The primary endpoints were overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary endpoints were the rates of ≥30% and ≥50% reduction in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels at chemotherapy initiation. Results. Participants were divided into two groups according to DOC cycles (Groups A and B: ≤6 and ≥7 DOC cycles, respectively). The rates of ≥30% and ≥50% reduction in PSA levels were higher in Group B than in Group A, but there were no significant differences in both groups. Median OS in Groups A and B was 12.7 and 71.0 months, respectively P < 0.001 ; median PFS in Groups A and B was 3 and 12 months, respectively P < 0.001 . Conclusions. Administration of ≥7 cycles of DOC followed by CBZ may improve oncological outcomes in patients with mCRPC.

Background/aim It has been reported that some adverse events (AEs) of enzalutamide (ENZ) occur more frequently in Japanese patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) due to higher steady-state trough plasma concentrations of ENZ (CSS, ENZ) and its active metabolite (NDE), (CSS, NDE). Thus, we investigated the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of ENZ in Japanese patients with CRPC. Patients and methods Fourteen patients were administered ENZ at a standard dose (160 mg/day) or reduced doses (80 or 120 mg/day). Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), AEs, CSS, ENZ, and CSS, NDE were examined. Results A maximum PSA decrement of ≥50% from baseline was achieved in 92% of patients. AEs were few (>20%) and mild. No differences in CSS, ENZ and CSS, NDE between other ethnic groups in previous literature and our subjects was observed. Conclusion ENZ shows adequate efficacy and safety in Japanese patients with CRPC, even if administered at reduced doses in real-world conditions.

AIM To date, the optimal sequencing of life-prolonging therapies for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) remains unclear owing to a lack of prospective trials. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cabazitaxel (CBZ) treatment and examine the prognostic factors for oncological outcomes in patients with mCRPC who received CBZ after docetaxel (DOC). METHODS This multi-institutional retrospective study included 44 patients with mCRPC who received CBZ. All enrolled patients had histologically confirmed prostate cancer (PCa) with distant metastases and had received DOC before CBZ administration. The primary endpoint was the oncological outcomes, including the overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary endpoints were adverse events due to CBZ and rates of ≥30% reduction in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. RESULTS The median follow-up period was 9.2 months (range, 0.2-34 months). During this time, 34 patients (77%) died of PCa. The median OS and PFS were 12.2 (range, 0.2-34 months) and 1.4 months (range, 0.4-17 months), respectively. According to the PSA decline rate, patients who achieved a ≥30% reduction in PSA levels had significantly longer OS than those who showed a

The antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of bacterial pathogens isolated from patients with complicated urinary tract infections were analyzed using national surveillance data. The data consisted of 881 bacterial strains from eight clinically relevant species. The data were collected for the third national surveillance project from January 2015 to March 2016 by the Japanese Society of Chemotherapy, the Japanese Association for Infectious Disease, and the Japanese Society of Clinical Microbiology. Surveillance was undertaken with the cooperation of 41 medical institutions throughout Japan. Fluoroquinolone required a MIC90 of 2–64 mg/L to inhibit the 325 Escherichia coli strains tested and the proportion of levofloxacin resistant E. coli strains increased to 38.5% from 29.6% in 2011 and 28.6% in 2008. The proportion of levofloxacin resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis decreased from previous reports and the proportion of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae remained low. Among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains, strains with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin (minimum inhibitory concentration, 2 μg/mL) increased to 14.7% from 5.5%. Bacterial strains that produced extended-spectrum β-lactamase included E. coli (79 of 325 strains, 24.3%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (9 of 177 strains, 7.7%), and Proteus mirabilis (6 of 55 strains, 10.9%). The proportion of extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae strains increased from previous surveillance reports.

Background and Objectives: In this study, we aimed to evaluate predictive factors of postoperative fever (POF) after ureterorenoscopic lithotripsy (URSL). Materials and Methods: A total of 594 consecutive patients who underwent URSL for urinary stone disease at Gifu Municipal Hospital and Chuno Kosei Hospital between April 2016 and January 2021 were enrolled in this study. In all patients, antibiotics were routinely administered intraoperatively and the next day after surgery. We used rigid and/or flexible ureterorenoscopes depending on the stone location for URSL. Stones were fragmented using a holmium: YAG laser. The fragments of the stone were manually removed as much as possible using a stone basket catheter. A ureteral stent was placed at the end of the surgery in all cases. Results: The median age and body mass index (BMI) in all patients were 62 years and 23.8 kg/m2, respectively. The median operation duration was 52 min. The most common URSL-related complication was POF in 28 (4.7%) patients. In these patients, the rates of antibiotic administration and ureteral stent insertion before surgery were significantly higher than in those without POF. In multivariate analysis, BMI was associated with POF after URSL. There were no significant differences in predicting POF after surgery in patients who had bacteriuria or received antibiotics before surgery. Conclusions: A low BMI was significantly associated with POF after URS or URSL.

Highlights • The efficacy of butylscopolamine (B) in MRI of the prostate is controversial. • The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of B in MRI. • Visualization of gold markers in the prostate were evaluated on MRI. • The B group was statistically superior to the non-B group. • The B will assist the detection of small gold marker and prostate outline., Purpose The use of butylscopolamine in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the prostate is controversial in the context of diagnostic imaging where local invasion and the presence of metastases are evaluated. However, in radiation oncology, MRI is performed as part of the simulation process, and the objectives differ to the diagnostic setting. MRI is primarily used for accurate target delineation; hence, the use of an agent to reduce intestinal peristalsis and increase image quality may be beneficial. The impact of butylscopolamine on MRI for radiation oncology purposes has not previously been described. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of butylscopolamine in MRI acquired for radiation oncology simulation of the prostate. Methods and materials In total, 67 patients were enrolled in this study. Thirty-five patients received intramuscular injection of butylscopolamine (group A) and 32 patients did not (group B). Visualization of the prostate outline and detection of fiducial gold markers (GMs) in the prostate were evaluated on MRI. Two blinded radiation oncologists (ROs) and one radiation technologist (RT) scored the image quality of the detection of prostate outline and recognition of GMs in the prostate on a scale of 1–5 (1 = poor; 5 = excellent), and the results were evaluated using Mann–Whitney U test and p

Gold markers (GM) are increasingly used for CT and MRI registration during in intensity-modulated radiation therapy for prostate cancer. Additionally, diffusion-weighted imaging has been adopted to measure the effects of radiotherapy for prostate cancer, similar to tests of blood prostate-specific antigen levels. As diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is often affected by a magnetic component, we evaluated the influence of GM on the Diffusion weighted images in three cases. We found that the size range of signal void of GM in MRI was 2–5 mm. We conclude that a GM would not affect the quality of DWI in daily practice.

Short Retraction Notice The paper does not meet the standards of "International Journal of Medical Physics, Clinical Engineering and Radiation Oncology". This article has been retracted to straighten the academic record. In making this decision the Editorial Board follows COPE's Retraction Guidelines. The aim is to promote the circulation of scientific research by offering an ideal research publication platform with due consideration of internationally accepted standards on publication ethics. The Editorial Board would like to extend its sincere apologies for any inconvenience this retraction may have caused. The full retraction notice in PDF is preceding the original paper, which is marked "RETRACTED".

To investigate antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of various bacterial pathogens isolated from complicated urinary tract infection (UTI) cases, the Japanese Society of Chemotherapy, the Japanese Association of Infectious Disease, and the Japanese Society of Clinical Microbiology conducted the second nationwide surveillance from January to September 2011. With the cooperation of 42 medical institutions throughout Japan, 1036 strains belonging to 8 clinically relevant bacterial species were collected. Among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain, the vancomycin (VCM) MIC for 5.5% (3/55) of the strains was 2 μg/mL. Ampicillin, VCM, and linezolid were relatively active against 209 Enterococcus faecalis strains. The proportion of fluoroquinolone (FQ)-resistant strains was >20%. The MIC90 of FQs against the 382 Escherichia coli strains was 2-64 mg/L and the proportion resistant to FQs was approximately 30%. However, susceptibility of E. coli to sitafloxacin was still high (MIC90 = 2 mg/L). Fifty-eight (15.2%) of 382 E. coli, 6 (4.5%) of 132 Klebsiella pneumoniae, 1 (2.4%) of 41 Klebsiella oxytoca and 4 (6.8%) of 59 Proteus mirabilis strains were suspected of producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamase. Of 93 Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, the proportions resistant to imipenem, amikacin, and ciprofloxacin were 21.5%, 4.3%, and 20.4%, respectively. Four strains (4.3%) were found to be multidrug-resistant. In complicated UTI cases, all of MRSA and E. faecalis were susceptible to all anti-MRSA agents. Sitafloxacin was active against other FQ-resistant E. coli strains. The isolation of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing and multidrug-resistant strains increased.

背景：二次性副甲状腺機能亢進症（SHPT）に対するマキサカルシトール（OCT）長期使用に関する報告は稀である．対象と方法：副甲状腺ホルモン（iPTH）が200pg/mLより高く，補正Ca（cCa）が11.5mg/dL未満の血液透析患者70例を対象とした．OCTは週3回，24週間投与された．OCT投与量は1週置きの最初の投与日のiPTHとcCaの値で調整された．24週での評価後，患者はSHPTに対するOCTまたはインターベンション治療が続けられた．約5年後，主治医へのアンケートにより患者の状態が評価された．結果：最初の24週間投与後に，31例（44.3％）でiPTHが200pg/mL以下になり，27例（38.6％）でiPTHが試験前の50％以下に減少した．11例に高Ca血症を認め，それは治療開始前のcCaと相関した（p＝0.0003）．予後調査では，27例が死亡，2例が腎移植を受け，2例が転院後不明であった．5例で副甲状腺摘除術が実施されていた．2006年12月末で，24週投与終了時と比較して，iPTHは有意に低下，cCaは有意に上昇，血清Pは変化を認めなかった．調査の直近6か月では，21例でOCT療法が維持されていたが，8例では中止されていた．この2群を比較した場合，2006年12月末の検査値ではiPTHのみに有意差を認めた．結語：これらの所見はある一部の症例においてはOCTの長期使用がSHPTの治療に有用であることを示唆している．

一般に透析療法でcarnitine (β hydroxy-γ-trimethylamino butyric acid) は低下するといわれている. 透析量の異なる2病院間 (A病院: Kt/V; 1.67, n=13, B病院: Kt/V; 2.24, n=24) で, 血中carnitine濃度を測定し, 1回の透析でのcarnitineの除去量およびCarni-Rihen 500 “KM”™ (L-carnitineTM) 補充 (L-carnitine 1,000-500mg/日) による血中carnitine levelと脂質代謝への影響を検討した. A病院のtotal carnitine (TC) は43.5μmol/l, B病院のTCは37.0μmol/lで, acyl carnitineとfree carnitine比 (AC/FC ratio) はA病院で0.7から0.6に, B病院は1.0から0.6とわずかな改善を示した. また, HD後のTCは約70-90%が除去されていた. 1週間の排液中のTCは847.0±68.4mg, FC 570.0±48.8mg, AC 351.0±25.9mgであった.A病院でのL-carnitineTMの補充による脂質代謝の検討では, 500mg/日の投与ではacyl moietiesの増加によりかえってTG, VLDL, LDL, HDLは増加しアポ蛋白には変化を認めなかった. また, L-carnitineTMの補充によりMDA-LDLは有意に低下したがOX-LDLの改善には有意差を認めず, L-carnitineTMの抗酸化作用は弱く, 投与量によってはむしろ脂質代謝に悪影響を及ぼすことが示唆された. B病院での排液中の濃度とAC/FC ratioの改善度より, LcarnitlneTMの適正補充量は隔日投与で1日500mg程度が望ましいと考えられたが, 今回の検討ではL-carnitineTMの抗酸化作用は弱いものと考えられた.

通常透析量のA病院 (142例: Kt/V 1.67±0.34) と透析量の多いB病院 (101例: Kt/V 3.66±1.40) の243症例を対象に, Kt/V, PCRの値でPCRは0.8, 1.2を, Kt/Vは1.0と1.6を境に透析領域を9区分 (仮にsquare mapと呼称する: 9 square) に分布させた. 現在まで適正透析量といわれているsquare 5 (Kt/V: 1.0-1.6, PCR: 0.8-1.2) には61症例 (25.1%) が分布し, そのTACureaの平均値は49.4±8.3mg/dlであった. square map上ではsquare 5,6,7,8,9のTACureaはNCDSが推奨する50mg/dl以下の値を示した. 将来的に真の適正透析量領域になる可能性があると思われるsquare 7,8には126症例 (51.8%) が分布し, TACureaは, それぞれ49.7±8.5mg/dl, 34.3±7.7mg/dl, であった. いわゆる過剰透析量領域 (大透析量領域: Kt/V: 1.6以上) であるsquare 7,8,9にある140例を, PCRは無視してKt/Vの値のみでさらにa群 (1.6-2.0), b群 (2.0-2.5), c群 (2.5-3.0), d群 (3.0以上) の4群に細分化した. 今回の大透析量領域の細分化群であるa, b, c, d群の4グループ間で透析歴, 年齢に有意差を認めていない. この4群間でTACurea, β2-MG, Ca×P値は, a群とb群を境に有意差を認めたが, Kt/Vでみた透析量2.0以上のb, c, d群間では差を認めなかった. Kt/Vが増大するとともにTACureaは低下していくが, その低下度は次第に緩徐となり, 通常ダイアライザーを用いた通常の透析では, Kt/V値2.0がTACurea, β2-MG, Ca×P値からみた今回の臨床的検討での限界値と考えられる.

We developed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay for detectingBacteroides ureolyticus. No DNA fragments hybridizing the internal probe specific forB. ureolyticus were amplified from the DNAs of other bacterial species tested. This assay can detect the amount of DNA corresponding to 18 cells ofB. ureolyticus. Using this assay, we examined urethral swab specimens from men with nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) and asymptomatic men for the presence ofB. ureolyticus. WhileB. ureolyticus was detected in 6 (12.0%) of 50 asymptomatic men, this was not significantly different from the detection rate of 19.3% (22 of 114 specimens) in men with NGU. This study demonstrates that the PCR-based assay can be applied for detectingB. ureolyticus in clinical specimens and suggests that this assay might develop into a useful tool for analyzing the pathogenicity of this organism in various organs.

A 64-year-old man presented to our emergency room with right back pain on July 10, 2009. At the emergency room, abdominal enhanced computed tomography revealed a cystic lesion in the retroperitoneum. Then he was referred to our department. We performed percutaneous drainage of the retroperitoneal lesion and aspirated white pus. The retroperitoneal cystic lesion proved to be an abscess. Microscopic examination of a Gram stained specimen of the abscess revealed gram-positive bacillary fragments ; therefore, we suspected the pathogen to be Nocardia. He had a history of chronic glomerulonephritis and had received treatment consisting of 20 mg prednisolone, and 75 mg cyclosporine per day. He was regularly visiting the department of cardiovascular for follow-up of chronic heart failure. On the day before his visit to our emergency room, his chest X-ray medicine had revealed a nodular shadow. Then he was referred to the department of respiratory medicine and was scheduled to receive a bronchoscopy later. We suspected the nodule of the lung also to be an abscess of Nocardia. Later, head computed tomography (CT) revealed a brain abscess the pathogen of which was Nocardia. Nocardia is a filamentous, gram-positive, branched bacterium and classified as an aerobic actinobacteria. Nocardia species are difficult to diagnose due to non-specific clinical and histological manifestation. We report this case of disseminated nocardiosis presenting as retroperitoneal abscess. The disseminated nocardiosis was diagnosed without delay by percutaneous drainage and appropriate treatment was provided.

Out of 110 strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from 1985 to 1990, isolation rate of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was investigated. Nineteen strains of 59 S. aureus from outpatients and 20 strains of 51 S. aureus from inpatients were determined as MRSA. Isolation frequency of MRSA from inpatients was increasing in the recent two years. Coagulase type, enterotoxin type and production of toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) were examined in 22 strains of MRSA. Coagulase type II (86%), enterotoxin type C (68%) and TSST-1 positive strain was most dominant. Susceptibility of MRSA to 4 antimicrobial agents were measured, MRSA were sensitive to vancomycin (VCM), arbekacin (ABK) and minocycline, but resistant to flomoxef. Thirty-four patients from whom MRSA was isolated including 20 patients from urine, 13 from pus and 1 from blood, were analyzed clinically. Pyuria was not recognized in some cases in whom MRSA was isolated from their urine. Concomitant polymicrobial infection was frequently noted in those patients with MRSA in their urinary tract. These facts show that the pathogenic role of MRSA in the urinary tract infection was not significant. On the other hand, when MRSA was isolated from pus or blood, serious infections could be caused by MRSA, especially in compromised host. Regarding the treatment in these cases, administration of VCM or ABK was though to be necessary.

CAPD施行時に肉眼的血性排液を認めることは, 女性の生理に起因するものを除き比較的稀である. 今回我々は, 特発性腎破裂の腹腔内穿破により血性排液をきたし, 腎動脈塞栓術によりCAPDを中断することなく保存的に治癒せしめた1例を経験したので報告する. 症例は, CAPD歴1年2か月の30歳男性である. 打撲などの誘因はなく, 突然に左腰背部痛が出現し, 来院した. 受診時, 著明な貧血を呈し, CTにて巨大な左後腹膜血腫を認めた. 安静および輸血にても貧血は進行し, 同夜にはCAPD排液が血性となり, 左腎破裂の腹腔内穿破と診断された. 翌日施行した選択的左腎動脈造影にて, 左腎下極の腎内動脈末梢部の破裂を認めたため, スポンゼルによる腎動脈塞栓術 (TAE) を行い, 十分な止血効果が得られた. 術後は, ヘパリン入りの頻回バッグ交換にて, 凝血塊によるカテーテル閉塞を防ぎ, 腹膜クリアランス値や除水量などの腹膜機能に低下を認めることなくCAPDを維持することが可能であった. 血性排液の原因は多岐にわたり, 必ずしもCAPDや腎不全に直結するわけではないことを念頭において治療を進めることが肝要であると考えられた.

Objective To analyse the efficacy and safety of bacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG) perfusion treatment forcarcinoma in situ (CIS) of the upper urinary tract. Patients and methods Six patients with cytologically diagnosed CIS of the upper urinary tract were treated by BCG instillation via retrograde catheterization using a 6 F ureteric catheter or an 8 F indwelling JJ ureteric stent between the ureter and bladder. BCG (Tokyo 172 strain, 80 mg in 100 mL normal saline) was instilled weekly for 4 or 8 weeks. The efficacy and safety of the treatment was assessed. Results The mean (range) follow-up was 22 (9–38) months; none of the patients died, and all were negative for cytology in urine collected from the upper urinary tracts. However, one patient had recurrent CIS in the prostatic urethra; the patient was treated by intravesical BCG instillation. In all patients, positive cytology became negative after one or two instillations of BCG. The ureter became stenotic in two patients. Although irritative symptoms occurred in all patients, such side-effects disappeared in a few months and were not clinically significant. Conclusion In these six patients retrograde BCG instillation for CIS of the upper urinary tract was effective and safe. Based on the cytology results after only two BCG treatments, the dose or number of BCG instillations could possibly be reduced, but further study is needed.

This study was conducted by the Japanese Society of Chemotherapy and is the first nationwide study on bacterial pathogens isolated from patients with urinary tract infections at 28 hospitals throughout Japan between January 2008 and June 2008. A total of 688 bacterial strains were isolated from adult patients with urinary tract infections. The strains investigated in this study are as follows: Enterococcus faecalis (n = 140), Escherichia coli (n = 255), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 93), Proteus mirabilis (n = 42), Serratia marcescens (n = 44), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 114). The minimum inhibitory concentrations of 39 antibacterial agents used for these strains were determined according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) manual. All Enterococcus faecalis strains were susceptible to ampicillin and vancomycin. Although a majority of the E. faecalis strains were susceptible to linezolid, 11 strains (7.8%) were found to be intermediately resistant. The proportions of fluoroquinolone-resistant Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, and S. marcescens strains were 35.7%, 29.3%, 18.3%, and 15.2%, respectively. The proportions of E. coli, P. mirabilis, K. pneumoniae, and S. marcescens strains producing extended-spectrum β-lactamase were 5.1%, 11.9%, 0%, and 0%, respectively. The proportions of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains resistant to carbapenems, aminoglycosides, and fluoroquinolones were 9.2%, 4.4%, and 34.8%, respectively, and among them, 2 strains (1.8%) were found to be multidrug resistant. These data present important information for the proper treatment of urinary tract infections and will serve as a useful reference for periodic surveillance studies in the future.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae was detected from first-voided urine sediments of male patients with urethritis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Urine and urinary sediment were treated with proteinase K, and DNA was further purified by phenol extraction. Two oligonucleotides based on sequences within a ribosomal RNA gene from N. gonorrhoeae were used as primers for the PCR. A DNA fragment of 206 bp specific for N. gonorrhoeae was amplified by PCR and detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. In 19 specimens of urine sediments collected from 21 patients in whom N. gonorrhoeae was isolated from urethral swab by culture, 206 bp DNA fragment was amplified by PCR. In all specimens of urine sediments from 24 patients in whom cultures for N. gonorrhoeae were negative, no DNA was amplified by the PCR. The overall coincidence rate between the PCR for detecting N. gonorrhoeae in first-voided urine sediments and culture in urethral swab was 95.6% (43/45). PCR procedure for detection of pathogens from first-voided urine sediments would be noninvasive and would be applied for the diagnosis of gonococcal urethritis and chlamydial urethritis.

A method using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was compared to an enzyme immunoassay (Chlamydiazyme) for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis by testing a reference strain and clinical specimens. Two oligonucleotides based on sequences within the major outer membrane protein gene from C. trachomatis serovar L2 were used as primers for the PCR. A DNA fragment of 242 bp specific for C. trachomatis was amplified by the PCR, when DNA of greater than or equal to 10(2) C. trachomatis was used as template for the PCR. A chlamydial antigen was detected by Chlamydiazyme, when greater than or equal to 2.6 x 10(3) C. trachomatis were applied for the enzyme immunoassay. The PCR method was 26 times more sensitive than Chlamydiazyme in detection of C. trachomatis. The PCR method and Chlamydiazyme were carried out to examine 74 urethral swabs obtained from male patients with urethritis for detection of C. trachomatis. In 45 of 74 specimens, the DNA fragment of C. trachomatis was amplified by the PCR, and in 41 of 74, the chlamydial antigen was detected by Chlamydiazyme. The detection rate of the PCR method (60.8%) was higher than that of Chlamydiazyme (55.4%). The positive coincidence rate of the PCR method to Chlamydiazyme was 100% (41/41) and negative coincidence rate was 87.9% (29/33). The overall coincidence rate between the two methods was high (94.6%). Thus, the PCR method was more sensitive than Chlamydiazyme for detection of C. trachomatis and specific for diagnosis of chlamydial urethritis.

A 60-year-old woman underwent detailed examinations for hepatic disorders and pancreatic tumor at the Department of Internal Medicine. A tumor mass in her left renal pelvis and a thickened wall in her left ureter were observed on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images. Retrograde ureteropyelography and drip infusion pyelography images showed a stenosis in 1 vertebral body from the left ureteropelvic junction. Urinary cytology finding was class III-a; however, malignancy could not be disregarded. Since the patient continued to experience severe dorsal pain, a left nephroureterectomy was subsequently performed at the patient's request. Pathological tests showed no malignant findings, and based on the chronic pyelonephritis, we diagnosed her condition as an inflammatory pseudotumor. Not many inflammatory pseudotumors are found in the urinary tract, and even fewer are manifest in the renal pelvis and ureter. Although inflammatory pseudotumors are generally benign, cases of repeated local recurrence exist. Therefore, a meticulous follow-up observation is required.

Prostate cancer is rarely detected from abnormal chest radiographs. We report two cases of prostate cancer detected from pleural effusion. Case 1 is a 76-year-old man who consulted the department of internal medicine of our hospital with dyspnea and abdominal fullness. Pleural effusion and multiple hepatic tumors of unknown origin were pointed out, but he refused any further investigation or treatment for them. Six months later, he consulted a family doctor with urinary frequency and lumbago. Increased serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) level to 864 ng/ml was recognized, then he was referred to our department. Under diagnosis of prostate cancer, T4NOM1c, maximal androgen blockade (MAB) was performed. Serum PSA level was decreased once to 8.1 ng/ml, but then rose gradually and he died 13 months after the beginning of the therapy. Case 2 was a 78-year-old man who was referred to our department to determine the origin of carcinomatous pleuritis detected in a routine general check up of hepatitis C. The serum PSA level was increased to 12,900 ng/ml, and the diagnosis was prostate cancer, T3aNOM1c. Although MAB was performed, the serum PSA level did not decrease markedly. He died 16 month after the beginning of the therapy.

Endoscopic or fluoroscopic pyeloureterotomy was performed in a total of 32 patients (34 ureters) with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) or ureteral stricture from March 1985. Cold incision was performed, using a flexible knife over a guidewire, endoscopically on 23 ureters and fluoroscopically on 11 ureters. The mean operation time was 98.9 +/- 48.3 minutes. Twenty-five (74%) of the 34 ureters showed relief of subjective symptoms, normalized urinalysis and radiographical improvement of hydronephrosis with a mean follow-up period of 11.7 +/- 10.0 months (range: 3-43). The clinical results by etiology were as follows: primary UPJO, 13/16 (81%); secondary UPJO, 4/4 (100%); ureteral stricture, 6/7 (85%); obliteration of ureteral implantation, 2/7 (29%). No major complication was noted with this endourological technique. This endourological technique might be clinically useful for the treatment of UPJO and ureteral strictures.

A 51-year-old man with left renal tumor and multiple lung metastases was admitted to our hospital for treatment. Left nephrectomy was performed, and pathological diagnosis was renal cell carcinoma (clear cell carcinoma, G2, pT3a). Initially, Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) therapy was started for lung metastases. About 40 days after surgery, head magnetic resonance imaging revealed brain metastases, and therefore gamma knife radiosurgery(GKS) was performed. Since chest computed tomography showed no change in lung metastases, we tried a combination of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IFN-alpha therapy to elininate those metastases. As a result, neither lung nor brain metastases could be detected at the 4th month follow-up examination. At 5 months after the IL-2 and IFN-alpha therapy, the patient attempted suicide. Therefore, the IL-2 and IFN-alpha therapy was stopped and an antidepressant was prescribed. Now 11 months after withdrawal of the IL-2 and IFN-alpha, the patient's mental condition remains stable. No recurrence of the cancer has been detected by CT.

Eight quinolone-resistant clinical isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae were shown to carry mutations in their GyrA proteins. Six isolates had a single amino acid change of serine to phenylalanine at the position corresponding to Ser-83 in Escherichia coli. In addition to the change of serine to phenylalanine, two isolates had another change of aspartic acid to asparagine at the position corresponding to Asp-87 in E. coli.

Background: Mycoplasma genitalium is considered a cause of nongonococcal urethritis in men. This organism also is a cause of genital infections in women, and has been detected in women attending sexually transmitted disease clinics in the United Kingdom and Denmark, although its prevalence is unknown in Japanese women. Goals: To determine the prevalence of M. genitalium in the cervices of women with cervicitis or adnexitis as well as in asymptomatic pregnant women in Japan. Study Design: Two hundred women who attended obstetric and gynecologic clinics were recruited. Sixty-four women had cervicitis, 53 had adnexitis, and 3 had both. Eighty pregnant women were asymptomatic for infection. Cervical swab specimens were examined for M. genitalium using a polymerase chain reaction-based assay. Results: Five (7.8%) of 64 women with cervicitis and 3 (5.7%) of 53 women with adnexitis were positive for M. genitalium. After exclusion of Chlamydia-positive women, 5 (8.8%) of 57 women with cervicitis, and 2 (4.1 %) of 49 women with adnexitis were positive for M. genitalium. In none of 80 asymptomatic pregnant women, including a Chlamydia-positive woman, was M. genitalium detected. Overall, 7 (6.6%) of 106 women with Chlamydia-negative genital infections were positive for the M. genitalium. This prevalence was significantly greater than that in asymptomatic pregnant women (P < 0.05). Conclusions: A significantly greater prevalence of M. genitalium was demonstrated in Japanese women with Chlamydia-negative cervicitis or adnexitis, compared with that in asymptomatic pregnant women. This study suggests that M. genitalium may play a pathogenic role in a portion of cases with Chlamydia-negative genital infections.

We evaluated the performances of a ligase chain reaction (LCR)-based assay and two enzyme immunoassays (Chlamydiazyme and IDEIA) in the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in urine specimens. We compared the results of testing urine specimens by these assays with those of urethral swab culture by examining samples from 131 men with nongonococcal urethritis. Discrepant results were analyzed by testing urethral swab specimens for C. trachomatis by a PCR-based assay. After the resolution of discrepant results, the sensitivity of urethral swab culture was 85.3%, whereas those of the LCR assay, Chlamydiazyme, and IDEIA with urine specimens were 94.1, 82.4, and 94.1%, respectively. The LCR assay and IDEIA were more sensitive than was urethral swab culture. In addition, the LCR assay, with a sensitivity equal to that of IDEIA, was more specific. Overall, the LCR assay proved to be superior to the enzyme immunoassays in detecting C. trachomatis in urine specimens. Testing urine specimens by LCR assay should be a helpful alternative method for diagnosing C. trachomatis urethral infection in men with nongonococcal urethritis.

Mycoplasma genitalium causes urethritis in non-human primates, but studies on its pathogenicity in man have been hampered by the difficulty in isolating this oragnism in culture. We have used a specific polymerase chain reaction to examine the role of M. genitalium in non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU). Oligonucleotide primers were used to amplify a 281 bp of 140-KDa adhesin gene of M. genitalium. A characteristic PCR product was amplified, when M. genitalium DNA was template for the PCR. No amplified product was detected in Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA, Mycoplasma hominis DNA or other bacterial DNAs. M. genitalium DNA was detected in urethral swabs from 17 (14.9%) of 114 men with NGU. Three (9.1%) of the 33 men with Chlamydia-positive NGU and 14 (17.3%) of the 81 with Chlamydia-negative NGU were positive for M. genitalium DNA, but 29 men without urethritis were negative. The prevalence of M. genitalium in NGU and in Chlamydia-negative NGU was significantly higher than that in the normal control. These findings suggest that M. genitalium would be a cause of NGU.

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was compared to standard methods (cultures for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis and an enzyme-immunoassay for C. trachomatis) in diagnosis of gonococcal and chlamydial urethritis in 40 male patients with urethritis. Gonococcal urethritis was diagnosed by detection of a 206 bp DNA fragment amplified by PCR with N. gonorrhoeae-specific primers. Chlamydial urethritis was diagnosed by detection of a 242 bp DNA fragment amplified by PCR with C. trachomatis-specific primers. Gonococcal and chlamydial urethritis, gonococcal and non-chlamydial urethritis, non-gonococcal and chlamydial urethritis, and non-gonococcal and non-chlamydial urethritis were diagnosed in 8, 10, 14 and 8 patients, respectively, by the PCR method. In 9 patients with gonococcal and chlamydial urethritis, 10 with gonococcal and non-chlamydial urethritis, 12 with non-gonococcal and chlamydial urethritis, and 9 with non-gonococcal and non-chlamydial urethritis, diagnosed by the standard methods, the coincidence rates of the PCR to the standard methods were 78% (7/9), 90% (9/10), 100% (12/12), and 89% (8/9), respectively. The overall coincidence rate between the PCR and the standard methods in diagnosis of urethritis were high (90%). In addition, N.gonorrhoeae and C.trachomatis could be simultaneously detected from one urethral sample in approximately 6 hours by means of the PCR. Thus, the PCR method could clinically be applied and would offer several advantages to diagnosis of urethritis, compared to the standard methods.

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedure for detection of Ureaplasma urealyticum was developed. A set of oligonucreotides based on sequences within the 16S ribosomal RNA gene from U. urealyticum were used as extension primers for the PCR. A DNA fragment of 397 bp was amplified by the PCR, when U. urealyticum DNA was template for the PCR. No amplified product was detected from other bacterial DNA including those of Mycoplasma genus. The amplified DNA fragment of 397 bp was detected on agarose gel electrophoresis, when DNA of > or = 10(2) cells of U. urealyticum per PCR was used as template for the PCR. Thus, the PCR procedure was shown to be a simple, rapid and specific method for detection of U. urealyticum and could be applied to detection of U. urealyticum from clinical specimens.

When it is difficult and/or it takes a long time to isolate and identify pathogens by culture, a DNA probe method, which is a rapid, simple and specific detection system, is helpful for diagnosis and management of the infections1,2). In addition to their advantages, a system using polymerase chain reactions (PCR) possesses a high sensitivity in detection of pathogens3)-6>. PCR has been already applied for detection of C. trachomatis in urethritis7'8 and cervicitis9) and its usefulness has been demonstrated. We applied PCR for diagnosis of acute chlamydial epididymitis. We reported a case in which chlamydial epididymitis was justified by detection of C. trachomatis from epididymal aspirate by PCR. Case Report A 38-year-old male had contact with a prostitute in February 1991. He consulted our clinic in March 1991, because he had noticed bilateral scrotal pain. Physical examination revealed tender swellings of the lower poles of bilateral epididymis. There were no pathological findings in the spermatic cords or testis. Although urethral discharge was not seen, urinalysis of the midstream urine showed pyuria without bacteriuria. Routine bacterial culture of the urine was negative. The urinary sediment and the urethral sample collected by a swab were examined by an enzyme-immunoassay (Chlamydiazyme(R)) and PCR for detection of C. trachomatis. Under local anesthesia with lidocaine in the left spermatic cord, 0.5 ml of sterile saline was injected into the swollen lower pole of the left epididymis and then aspirated with a syringe. The epididymal aspirate was also examined by Chlamydiazyme(R) and PCR for detection of C. trachomatis. The symptoms ameliorated after a one-week treatment with minocycline, but the tender swellings of the bilateral epididymis remained. The urinalysis was normalized. The urethral sample was collected by a swab for Chlamydiazyme(R) and PCR. After a two-week treatment with minocycline, indurations were still felt in bilateral epididymis, but were not tender. The aspirate was collected from the left epididymis, in the same manner as described above, for detection of C. trachomatis by PCR. The urethral sample and the urinary sediment were treated with 1 ml of the lysis buffer in Chlamydiazyme(R) kit following the protocol. Two hundred pl of the lysates and the epididymal aspirate were used for Chlamydiazyme(R) and 70,ul of them were used for DNA preparation. Chlamydiazyme(R) for detection of C. trachomatis was carried out following the manufactory protocol. For DNA preparation1o1,10 ƒEl of 5% Tween-20, 10 ƒEl of 5%(R) NP-40 and 10

Chlamydia trachomatis was detected from first-voided urine sediments of 97 male patients with urethritis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Since urine and urinary sediments only treated with proteinase K inhibited DNA amplification by PCR, DNA was further purified by phenol extraction and concentrated. Two oligonucleotides based on sequences within the major outer membrane gene from C. trachomatis serovar L2 were used as primers. A DNA fragment of 242 bp specific for C. trachomatis was amplified by PCR and detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. The DNA fragment was amplified by PCR in all specimens of urine sediments from 50 patients with Chlamydiazyme-positive urethral swab. In 38 specimens of urine sediments from 47 patients with Chlamydiazyme-negative urethral swab, PCR was negative. The overall coincidence rate between the PCR for detecting C. trachomatis in first-voided urine sediments and Clamydiazyme in urethral swab was 90.7% (88/97). Detection of C. trachomatis from first-voided urine sediments by PCR was considered to be noninvasive and useful for the diagnosis of male urethritis due to C. trachomatis.

We aim to clarify the prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium in asymptomatic men in Japan. First-catch urine specimens were obtained from 187 asymptomatic Japanese men and examined for the presence of M. genitalium using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay. Two (1.1%) of 187 first-catch urine specimens were positive for M. genitalium. The prevalence of M. genitalium in urine specimens of asymptomatic men in Japan is lower than that in asymptomatic men in the UK (6%) and Denmark (9%).

A significant association of Mycoplasma genitalium with non-gonococcal urethritis has been reported, but the prevalence of this mycoplasma in men with gonococcal urethritis has not been so well studied. In this study, we examined urethral swab specimens from 45 Japanese male patients with gonococcal urethritis for the presence of M. genitalium by using a polymerase chain reaction-based assay. We also sought Chlamydia trachomatis by an enzyme immunoassay Chlamydiazyme . Of the 45 specimens, 2 4.4 were positive for the mycoplasma and 12 26.7 were positive for C. trachomatis. The findings suggest that M. genitalium may be a cause not only of non-gonococcal urethritis but also of postgonococcal urethritis.