Chin-Lin Perng

China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, Taiwan

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Publications (26)67.75 Total impact

  • Article: Association of IS605 and cag-PAI of Helicobacter pylori Isolated from Patients with Gastrointestinal Diseases in Taiwan.
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    ABSTRACT: Background. The cag pathogenicity island (cag-PAI) is one of the most important virulent determinants of Helicobacter pylori. An insertion sequence (IS) element of cag-PAI (IS605) has been found to generate H. pylori strains with varying virulence. Aim. To evaluate the impact of IS605 and cag-PAI on H. pylori strains isolated from Taiwanese patients with severity of gastric diseases. Methods. H. pylori isolates were cultured from gastric biopsies from 99 patients with peptic ulcer, chronic gastritis, and gastric carcinoma. Six distinct, well-separated colonies were isolated from each patient and analyzed by genotyping. Results. cagA, cagE, cagM, cagT, orf10, and orf13 were found to be present in 90.0%-100.0% of the H. pylori isolates. A total deletion of cagA, cagE, cagM, cagT, orf10, and orf13 was found in 1 isolate (1.0%). The IS605 element was found to be positive in 15.2% of the isolates. The presence of IS605 was higher in H. pylori isolated from patients with gastric carcinoma (25.0%) than in patients with duodenal ulcer (6.5%) or chronic gastritis (6.3%) (P < 0.001). Conclusions. The majority of the patients examined had intact cag-PAI. IS605 was present in 15.2% and was higher in H. pylori isolated from patients with gastric carcinoma than in those with peptic ulcer.
    Gastroenterology Research and Practice 01/2013; 2013:356217. · 0.98 Impact Factor
  • Article: Application of stent placement or nasojejunal feeding tube placement in patients with malignant gastric outlet obstruction: A retrospective series of 38 cases.
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    ABSTRACT: Malignant gastric outlet obstruction (MGOO), a late complication of advanced carcinoma of the stomach, duodenum, periampulla or pancreas, causes significant malnutrition and morbidity. The current treatment for MGOO is palliative in nature, with the goal of maintaining the best quality of life possible during the terminal phase of the illness. A total of 38 patients with MGOO were enrolled in our institute from January 2007 to December 2011; 18 patients received nasojejunal (NJ) feeding tube placement, and 20 patients received duodenal stent placement. Food intake, measured by the gastric outlet obstruction scoring system (GOOSS), survival, complications, recurrent obstructive symptoms, and reintervention were evaluated in both groups. No significant differences were noted with regard to patient characteristics, survival rate (NJ group: 140 days vs. stent group: 186 days, p = 0.617), and complication rate. Recurrent obstructions developed more frequently in patients treated with NJ feeding tube placement than in those treated with duodenal stent placement [12 (66.7%) vs. 5 (25%), p = 0.014]. The duration for patency was shorter in the NJ group than in the stent group (median: 40 days vs. 130 days, p = 0.009). The GOOSS score was significantly better in the stent group than in the NJ group. NJ tube placement and duodenal stent placement are both effective and safe treatments for patients with MGOO. Both groups had similar complication rates and survival rates. While NJ tube placement is associated with lower costs, stent placement has a longer duration of patency, superior oral intake, and a lower reintervention rate. We suggest that stent placement should be considered first in patients who are able to afford the related costs.
    Journal of the Chinese Medical Association 12/2012; 75(12):624-9. · 0.79 Impact Factor
  • Article: Polymorphism of N-acetyltransferase 2 gene and the susceptibility to alcoholic liver cirrhosis: interaction with smoking.
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    ABSTRACT: Polymorphism of N-acetyltransferase 2 gene was reported to be associated with the susceptibility of various cancers and liver diseases. However, its relationship to alcoholic liver disease is controversial and open to debate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of NAT2 genetic polymorphisms and the susceptibility to alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) in Chinese, with special emphasis on the interaction of smoking. Peripheral white blood cell DNA from 148 patients with ALC, 104 patients with long-term alcoholic drinking but without cirrhosis (ANC) and 209 healthy controls were genotyped for NAT2 using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The possible confounding factors were included for analysis. There was no statistical difference in the frequency of NAT2 genotype or NAT2 acetylator status among the 3 groups. However, among the chronic alcoholic drinkers, the rapid acetylators with smoking habits had higher percentage of ALC than those without smoking habit (18.9% vs. 9.5%, p=0.002). The adjusted odds ratio for rapid acetylator smoker to have ALC was 3.45 (95% CI=1.53 to 7.76, p=0.003). The genetic factor, NAT2 polymorphism, may interact with environmental factor, smoking, to confer different susceptibilities to ALC. NAT2 rapid acetylators with smoking habit may increase the risk of ALC in Chinese.
    Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research 02/2011; 35(7):1204-8. · 3.34 Impact Factor
  • Article: Conservative management of chronic gastric volvulus: 44 cases over 5 years.
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    ABSTRACT: To investigate clinical outcomes of patients with chronic gastric volvulus (GV) who were managed conservatively over a 5-year period. A total of 44 consecutive patients with chronic GV, as diagnosed by barium study between October 2002 and July 2008 were investigated. All of these patients received conservative management initially without anatomical correction. Their clinical manifestations, diagnostic work-ups, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. We sought to identify independent risk factors for poor outcome by using the Cox proportional hazards model. The enrolled patients were predominantly male (n = 37, 84%) and of advanced age (median: 71 years old, interquartile range: 57.5-78 years). Abdominal pain and fullness were the most common presentations. During the follow-up period (median: 16 mo, up to 69 mo), there was no severe complication, but symptomatic recurrence was noted in 28 patients (64%). Only one patient turned to elective surgery for frequent symptoms. Peritoneal adhesion was the only independent risk factor associated with recurrence (hazard ratio: 2.58, 95% CI: 1.08-6.13, P = 0.033). Symptomatic recurrence of chronic GV is very common although serious complications infrequently occur with conservative management. Peritoneal adhesion is independently associated with recurrence.
    World Journal of Gastroenterology 09/2010; 16(33):4200-5. · 2.47 Impact Factor
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    Article: Multiple organ failure caused by non-exertional heat stroke after bathing in a hot spring.
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    ABSTRACT: Heat stroke is a life-threatening illness, and the disease spectrum can include the involvement of multiple organs to varying degrees. Rhabdomyolysis with renal function impairment is frequently noted in this disease. However, acute hepatic failure has been rarely reported in non-exertional heat stroke. We report a case of acute hepatic failure combined with disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, acute renal failure, and neurological deficit caused by heat stroke after bathing in a hot spring. Molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) treatment was performed daily on days 10-12 of admission. As a result of progressive azotemia, hemodialysis was performed. Unfortunately, after a long course of intensive care, the patient died from septic shock and multiple organ failure. According to available evidence, MARS and hemodialysis are beneficial in treating exertional heat stroke. However, a limited number of studies have treated non-exertional heat-stroke-related acute hepatic failure. Early cooling to reduce the overwhelming heat-stress-related cytokine storm, and advanced MARS to eliminate circulating toxin might have a role in treating this rare but fatal illness.
    Journal of the Chinese Medical Association 04/2010; 73(4):212-5. · 0.79 Impact Factor
  • Article: A randomized controlled trial comparing two different dosages of infusional pantoprazole in peptic ulcer bleeding.
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    ABSTRACT: The optimal dosage of proton pump inhibitor in bleeding peptic ulcers remains controversial. The aim was to compare the clinical effectiveness of two doses of infusional pantoprazole in peptic ulcer bleeding. Peptic ulcer patients (n= 120) with bleeding stigmata were enrolled after successful endoscopic therapy. After an initial bolus injection of 80 mg pantoprazole, patients were randomized to receive continuously infused pantoprazole at either 192 mg day(-1) or 40 mg every 6 h (i.e. 160 mg day(-1)) for 3 days. Clinical outcomes between the two groups within 14 days were compared, with 14-day recurrent bleeding regarded as the primary end-point. Both groups (n= 60 each) were well matched in demographic and clinical factors upon entry. Bleeding totally recurred in 11 (9.2%) patients, with six (10%) in the 192 mg day(-1) group and five (8.3%) in the 160 mg day(-1) group (relative risk of bleeding recurrence between two treatments 1.2; 95% CI 0.39, 3.72). All secondary outcomes between the two groups were similar, including the amount of blood transfusion (mean 1179 ml vs. 1203 ml, P > 0.1), hospital stay (mean 9.5 days vs. 9.9 days, P > 0.1), need for surgery (n= 1 vs. n= 0, P > 0.1), and mortality (n= 1 vs. n= 0, P > 0.1). Following endoscopic haemostasis, infusional pantoprazole at either 192 mg day(-1) or 40 mg every 6 h appear similar.
    British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 03/2010; 69(3):245-51. · 2.96 Impact Factor
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    Article: Serum interleukin-12 levels in alcoholic liver disease.
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    ABSTRACT: Interleukin (IL)-12 is a proinflammatory cytokine produced by antigen-presenting cells upon stimulation by diverse stimuli. This study aimed to explore the relationship between IL-12 serum levels and different stages of alcoholic liver disease, alcoholic intake status and abstinence from alcohol. A total of 35 healthy controls without alcohol consumption and 94 patients with alcoholic liver disease (17 with alcoholic steatosis, 37 with alcoholic hepatitis, 40 with alcoholic cirrhosis) were included. Their serum IL-12 levels were measured and followed-up at the 3(rd), 6(th) and 9(th) months. Data were further analyzed according to abstinence from alcohol or not. Mean serum IL-12 levels were higher in the alcoholic hepatitis group (163.1 +/- 57.8 pg/mL) than in the alcoholic liver cirrhosis group (110.5 +/- 41.6 pg/mL) and alcoholic steatosis group (74.4 +/- 26.2 pg/mL). All of these 3 alcoholic groups had higher serum IL-12 levels than the control group (39.3 +/- 8.3 pg/mL; p < 0.02). Among the patients who abstained from alcohol, there was no difference in serum IL-12 levels between control and steatosis patients at the 9(th) month, but the serum IL-12 levels of the hepatitis and cirrhosis groups were still higher than in the control group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). In addition, the patients who continued to drink alcohol had higher serum IL-12 levels than those who abstained from alcohol in the steatosis, hepatitis and cirrhosis groups. At the cut-off value of 54 pg/mL, IL-12 had good sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of alcoholic liver disease. Serum IL-12 levels reflected the different stages of alcoholic liver disease and can represent the status of continuous alcohol consumption. It has the potential to be a biomarker of alcoholic liver disease.
    Journal of the Chinese Medical Association 02/2010; 73(2):67-71. · 0.79 Impact Factor
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    Article: Dexamethasone inhibits tumor necrosis factor-alpha-stimulated gastric epithelial cell migration.
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    ABSTRACT: Cell migration (restitution) occurs in the early phase of gastric ulcer healing. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha is overexpressed at the ulcer margin and plays a physiologic role in gastric ulcer healing. Dexamethasone, which is a potent corticosteroid, delays rat gastric ulcer healing. We evaluated whether dexamethasone inhibited TNF-alpha-stimulated gastric epithelial cell migration using a rat normal gastric epithelial cell line (RGM-1). An artificial wound model was employed to measure cell migration. Western blot was performed to evaluate the possible mechanisms. Intracellular prostaglandin E2 level was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. TNF-alpha treatment (10 ng/mL) for 12-48 hours significantly increased RGM-1 cell migration, and TNF-alpha treatment increased cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 protein expression 8 hours later and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis 12 hours later compared with control (p < 0.05). Dexamethasone (10(-6) M) significantly inhibited the stimulatory effect of TNF-alpha on RGM-1 cell migration, which was associated with a significant decrease in COX-2 expression and PGE2 level in cells (p < 0.05). TNF-alpha plays a regulatory role in rat gastric epithelial cell migration and dexamethasone inhibited TNF-alpha-stimulated cell migration, which was associated with a decrease in COX-2 expression and PGE2 formation.
    Journal of the Chinese Medical Association 10/2009; 72(10):509-14. · 0.79 Impact Factor
  • Article: Oral or intravenous proton pump inhibitor in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding after successful endoscopic epinephrine injection.
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    ABSTRACT: We aimed to assess the clinical effectiveness of oral vs. intravenous (i.v.) regular-dose proton pump inhibitor (PPI) after endoscopic injection of epinephrine in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding. Peptic ulcer patients with active bleeding, nonbleeding visible vessels, or adherent clots were enrolled after successful endoscopic haemostasis achieved by epinephrine injection. They were randomized to receive either oral rabeprazole (RAB group, 20 mg twice daily for 3 days) or i.v. omeprazole (OME group, 40 mg i.v. infusion every 12 h for 3 days). Subsequently, the enrolled patients receive oral PPI for 2 months (rabeprazole 20 mg or esomeprazole 40 mg once daily). The primary end-point was recurrent bleeding up to 14 days. The hospital stay, blood transfusion, surgery and mortality within 14 days were compared as well. A total of 156 patients were enrolled, with 78 patients randomly allocated in each group. The two groups were well matched for factors affecting the clinical outcomes. Primary end-points (recurrent bleeding up to 14 days) were reached in 12 patients (15.4%) in the OME group and 13 patients (16.7%) in the RAB group [95% confidence interval (CI) of difference -12.82, 10.22]. All the rebleeding events occurred within 3 days of enrolment. The two groups were not different in hospital stay, volume of blood transfusion, surgery or mortality rate (1.3% of the OME group and 2.6% of the RAB group died, 95% CI of difference -5.6, 3.0). Oral rabeprazole and i.v. regular-dose omeprazole are equally effective in preventing rebleeding in patients with high-risk bleeding peptic ulcers after successful endoscopic injection with epinephrine.
    British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 04/2009; 67(3):326-32. · 2.96 Impact Factor
  • Article: OLGA gastritis staging in young adults and country-specific gastric cancer risk.
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    ABSTRACT: Geographical differences have been shown in the clinical outcomes of Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis phenotypes and in gastric cancer risk. This study tested whether the Operative Link on Gastritis Assessment (OLGA) staging correlated with gastric cancer risk in populations from 3 continents. Mapped gastric biopsies were obtained from 316 dyspeptic adults aged less than 41 years from 8 geographic areas that differed in gastric cancer risk. Gastric atrophy was assessed according to internationally validated criteria. Gastritis stage was established according to the OLGA staging system. The most prevalent gastritis stages were 0 to II, which included all subjects entered from Chile, Germany, India, Italy, and Thailand. Gastritis Stages III and IV were limited to the Chinese and Korean populations. Indians had a high prevalence of H pylori infection without high-stage gastritis. In populations at different cancer risk, the gastritis OLGA stage mirrored the gastric cancer incidence. Gastritis staging identifies a subgroup of higher-risk patients.
    International Journal of Surgical Pathology 05/2008; 16(2):150-4. · 1.00 Impact Factor
  • Article: Endoscopic hemoclip versus triclip placement in patients with high-risk peptic ulcer bleeding.
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    ABSTRACT: Hemoclip placement is an effective endoscopic therapy for peptic ulcer bleeding. Triclip is a novel clipping device with three prongs over the distal end. So far, there is no clinical study concerning the hemostatic effect of triclip placement. To determine the hemostatic effect of the triclip as compared with that of the hemoclip. A total of 100 peptic ulcer patients with active bleeding or nonbleeding visible vessels received endoscopic therapy with either hemoclip (N = 50) or triclip placement (N = 50). After obtaining initial hemostasis, they received omeprazole 40 mg intravenous infusion every 12 h for 3 days. The main outcome assessment was hemostatic rate and rebleeding rate at 14 days. Initial hemostasis was obtained in 47 patients (94%) of the hemoclip group and in 38 patients (76%) of the triclip group (P= 0.011). Rebleeding episodes, volume of blood transfusion, the hospital stay, numbers of patients requiring urgent operation, and mortality were not statistically different between the two groups. Hemoclip is superior to triclip in obtaining primary hemostasis in patients with high-risk peptic ulcer bleeding. In bleeders located over difficult-to-approach sites, hemoclip is more ideal than triclip.
    The American Journal of Gastroenterology 04/2007; 102(3):539-43. · 7.28 Impact Factor
  • Article: Effects of 3-day IV pantoprazole versus omeprazole on 24-hour intragastric acidity at 3 days in Chinese patients with duodenal ulcer: A single-center, prospective, randomized, comparative, pilot trial.
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    ABSTRACT: Pantoprazole and omeprazole are irreversible proton pump inhibitors that have been found to significantly reduce intragastric acidity in patients with peptic ulcer and/or esophagitis. It has been reported that gastric acid secretion is lower in the Chinese patients compared with the Western population. Based on a MEDLINE search, no studies of the treatment of intragastric acidity with IV pantoprazole have been conducted in the Chinese population to date. This trial was performed to compare the effects of IV pantoprazole versus omeprazole on 24-hour intragastric acidity in Chinese patients with endoscopically confirmed duodenal ulcer. This single-center, randomized, pilot study was conducted at the Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Chinese patients aged 18 to 80 years with endoscopically confirmed duodenal ulcer were randomly assigned to receive a continuous IV infusion of pantoprazole or omeprazole 160 mg/d for 3 days. On days 4 to 14, patients received pantoprazole 40 mg/d or omeprazole 20 mg/d orally. During endoscopic examination at enrollment, an antral biopsy specimen was obtained for rapid urease test, with each patient's agreement, by a blinded investigator. The primary end point was 24-hour intragastric pH on day 3. Secondary end points were percentage of the total time during the 24-hour period (%t) pH <3 and <4 and proportions of patients with healed ulcers on day-14 endoscopy. Endoscopic examination for monitoring of adverse effects of both drugs was repeated 8 weeks after study completion. A total of 40 patients were enrolled (35 men, 5 women; mean age, 63.3 years; 20 per treatment group). Twenty-four-hour intragastric pH was not significantly different between the omeprazole and pantoprazole groups (mean [SD], 6.61 [1.27] vs 6.84 [0.78]). The %t pH <3 (mean [SD], 8.01% [19.60%] vs 2.70% [7.18%]) and pH <4 (mean [SD], 9.28% [21.41%] vs 3.87% [9.79%]) were not significantly different between the omeprazole and pantoprazole groups. On day-14 endoscopy, ulcers were found to be healed in 3 (15%) patients in each group. In the omeprazole group, 1 (5%) patient experienced mild diarrhea, and 1 (5%) experienced mild abdominal fullness. These adverse effects were considered treatment related. No adverse effects were reported in either treatment group at 8 weeks after the study. The results of this pilot study of 3-day treatment with a continuous IV infusion of pantoprazole or omeprazole 160 mg/d found that these 2 treatments had similar effects on 24-hour intragastric pH in this small population of Chinese patients with duodenal ulcer. Both treatments were well tolerated.
    Clinical Therapeutics 09/2006; 28(9):1303-7. · 2.32 Impact Factor
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    Article: Role of intravenous omeprazole in patients with high-risk peptic ulcer bleeding after successful endoscopic epinephrine injection: a prospective randomized comparative trial.
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    ABSTRACT: Epinephrine injection is the most common endoscopic therapy for peptic ulcer bleeding. Controversy exists concerning the optimal dose of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) for patients with bleeding peptic ulcers after successful endoscopic therapy. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal dose of PPI after successful endoscopic epinephrine injection in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers. A total of 200 peptic ulcer patients with active bleeding or nonbleeding visible vessels (NBVV) who had obtained initial hemostasis with endoscopic injection of epinephrine were randomized to receive omeprazole 40 mg infusion every 6 h, omeprazole 40 mg infusion every 12 h or cimetidine (CIM) 400 mg infusion every 12 h. Outcomes were checked at 14 days after enrollment. Rebleeding episodes were fewer in the group with omeprazole 40 mg infusion every 6 h (6/67, 9%) as compared with that of the CIM infusion group (22/67, 32.8%, p < 0.01). The volume of blood transfusion was less in the group with omeprazole 40 mg every 6 h than in those groups with omepraole 40 mg infusion every 12 h (p= 0.001) and CIM 400 mg infusion every 12 h (p < 0.001). The hospital stay, number of patients requiring urgent operation, and death rate were not statistically different among the three groups. A combination of endoscopic epinephrine injection and a large dose of omeprazole infusion is superior to combined endoscopic epinephrine injection with CIM infusion for preventing recurrent bleeding from peptic ulcers with active bleeding or NBVV.
    The American Journal of Gastroenterology 03/2006; 101(3):500-5. · 7.28 Impact Factor
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    Article: Mucosal polymerase chain reaction for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers.
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    ABSTRACT: Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) has been linked to chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, gastric cancer and MALT-lymphoma. Conventional invasive tests are less sensitive than non-invasive tests in diagnosing H pylori infection in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers. Polymerase chain reaction is a sensitive and accurate method for diagnosing H pylori infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic role of mucosal polymerase chain reaction for H pylori infection in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers. In patients with bleeding, non-bleeding peptic ulcers and chronic gastritis, we checked rapid urease test, histology, bacterial culture and mucosal polymerase chain reaction for detecting H pylori infection. Positive H pylori infection was defined as positive culture or both a positive histology and a positive rapid urease test. For mucosal polymerase chain reaction of H pylori, we checked vacA (s1a, s1b, s1c, s2, m1, m1T, m2), iceA1, iceA2 and cag A. Between October 2000 and April 2002, 88 patients with bleeding peptic ulcers (males/females: 60/28, gastric ulcers/duodenal ulcers: 55/33), 81 patients with non-bleeding peptic ulcers (males/females: 54/27, gastric ulcers/duodenal ulcers: 45/36) and 37 patients with chronic gastritis (males/females: 24/13) were enrolled in this study. In patients with bleeding peptic ulcers, non-bleeding peptic ulcers and chronic gastritis, 45 patients (51%), 71 patients (88%) and 20 patients (54%) respectively were found to have positive H pylori infection (P<0.001). In patients with bleeding peptic ulcers, non-bleeding peptic ulcers and chronic gastritis, polymerase chain reaction for H pylori infection was positive in 54 patients (61%), 70 patients (86%) and 20 patients (54%) respectively (P<0.001). The sensitivity, positive predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of mucosal polymerase reaction for H pylori infection were significantly lower in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers (84%, 79% and 81%) than in patients with non-bleeding peptic ulcers (99%, 99% and 98%) (P<0.001, P<0.01 and P<0.001 respectively). The sensitivity, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of mucosal polymerase reaction for H pylori were significantly lower in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers (84%, 83% and 81%) than in patients with chronic gastritis (100%, 100% and 100%) (P = 0.02, P = 0.02 and P = 0.001). Mucosal polymerase chain reaction for detecting H pylori infection is not reliable in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers.
    World Journal of Gastroenterology 01/2005; 11(3):382-5. · 2.47 Impact Factor
  • Article: Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers.
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    ABSTRACT: Helicobacter pylori has been linked to chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, gastric cancer and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. Invasive tests are less sensitive than noninvasive tests in diagnosing H. pylori infection in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers. The H. pylori stool antigen test has been useful in diagnosing H. pylori in patients with peptic ulcers before and after eradication of H. pylori. The aim of this study was to evaluate the H. pylori stool antigen test in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers. Patients with bleeding and nonbleeding peptic ulcers underwent a rapid urease test, histology, bacterial culture and H. pylori stool antigen test. Positive H. pylori infection was defined as a positive culture or both a positive histology and a positive rapid urease test. Helicobacter pylori stool antigen was assessed with a commercial kit (Diagnostec H. pylori antigen EIA Kit, Hong Kong). Between October 2000 and April 2002, 93 patients with bleeding peptic ulcers (men/women: 78/15, gastric ulcer/duodenal ulcer: 58/35) and 59 patients with nonbleeding peptic ulcers (men/women: 47/12, gastric ulcer/duodenal ulcer: 30/29) were enrolled in this study. Forty-seven (50.5%) patients with bleeding peptic ulcers and 30 (50.8%) patients with nonbleeding peptic ulcers, were found to be infected with H. pylori (p > .1). Helicobacter pylori stool antigen tests were positive in 54 (58.1%) and 30 (50.8%) patients with bleeding peptic ulcers and nonbleeding peptic ulcers, respectively (p > .1). The sensitivity (82% vs. 93%), specificity (68% vs. 93%), positive predictive value (74% vs. 93%), negative predictive value (77% vs. 93%) and diagnostic accuracy (75% vs. 93%) were all lower in patients with bleeding vs. nonbleeding peptic ulcers. The specificity, positive predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy of the H. pylori stool antigen test in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers were significantly lower than those in patients with nonbleeding peptic ulcers (p = .01, p = .02 and p = .003, respectively). The H. pylori stool antigen test is not reliable for diagnosing H. pylori infection in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers.
    Helicobacter 01/2005; 9(6):663-8. · 3.15 Impact Factor
  • Article: Clinical manifestations of two cases with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in I-Lan County.
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    ABSTRACT: Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a new respiratory tract infectious disease caused by a novel coronavirus. As of this report, there were 3 probable SARS cases in I-Lan County. Of them, 1 was deceased in another hospital and the remaining 2 were cured and discharged. This report describes the clinical manifestations of the 2 surviving probable cases. The first case had a travel history to Guangdong province, China, and the second case probably contracted the disease from a hospital outbreak. They both developed infiltrations over uni- or bilateral lungs but recovered without intubations. Their treatment modalities included empirical antibiotics, steroids, and anti-viral agents. As SARS becomes an emerging infectious disease in the 21st century, its clinical manifestations and treatment will be discussed.
    Journal of the Chinese Medical Association 10/2004; 67(9):472-5. · 0.79 Impact Factor
  • Article: Helicobacter pylori cagA, iceA and vacA genotypes in patients with gastric cancer in Taiwan.
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    ABSTRACT: Helicobacter pylori (H pylori ) has been linked to chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastric cancer and MALT-lymphoma. The link of genotypes of H pylori to gastric cancer remains controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the H pylori vacA alleles, cagA and iceA in patients with gastric cancer in Taiwan. Patients with gastric cancer, peptic ulcer and chronic gastritis were enrolled in this study. We obtained biopsy specimens from the stomach at least 2 cm away from the tumor margin in patients with gastric cancer, and from the antrum of stomach in patients with peptic ulcer or chronic gastritis. DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction were used to detect the presence or absence of cagA and to assess the polymorphism of vacA and iceA. A total of 168 patients (gastric ulcer: 77, duodenal ulcer: 66, and chronic gastritis: 25) were found to have positive PCR results of the biopsy specimens from patients with peptic ulcer and chronic gastritis. We found positive cagA (139/168, 83%), m2 (84/168, 50%) and iceA1 (125/168, 74%) strains in the majority of patients. In patients with gastric cancer, the vacA s1a and s1c subtypes were less commonly found than those in non-cancer patients (35/66 vs 127/168, P = 0.0001 for s1a and 13/66 vs 93/168, P<0.0001 for s1c). In the middle region, the m1T strain in patients with gastric cancer was more than that of non-cancer patients (23/66 vs 33/168, P = 0.02). In Taiwan, H pylori with positive vacA s1a, cagA and iceA1 strains are found in the majority of patients with gastric cancer or non-cancer patients. In patients with gastric cancer, the vacA s1a and s1c subtypes are less and m1T is more than in patients with peptic ulcer and chronic gastritis.
    World Journal of Gastroenterology 09/2004; 10(17):2493-7. · 2.47 Impact Factor
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    Article: Genotypes of Helicobacter pylori in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding.
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    ABSTRACT: Helicobacter pylori causes chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastric cancer and MALT-lymphoma. Different genotypes of Helicobacter pylori are confirmed from diverse geographic areas. Its association with bleeding peptic ulcer remains controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the Helicobacter pylori vacA alleles, cagA and iceA in patients with bleeding peptic ulcer. We enrolled patients with bleeding, non-bleeding peptic ulcers and chronic gastritis. Biopsy specimens were obtained from the antrum of the stomach for rapid urease test, bacterial culture and PCR assay. DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction were used to detect the presence or absence of cagA and to assess the polymorphism of vacA and iceA. A total of 168 patients (60.4%) (25 patients with chronic gastritis, 26 patients with bleeding gastric ulcer, 51 patients with non-bleeding gastric ulcer, 26 patients with bleeding duodenal ulcer, and 40 patients with non-bleeding duodenal ulcer) were found to have positive PCR results between January 2001 and December 2002. Concerning genotypes, we found cagA (139/278, 50%), vacA s1a (127/278, 45.7%), and ice A1 (125/278, 45%) predominated in all studied patients. In patients with bleeding peptic ulcers, vacA s1a and m1T were fewer than those in patients with non-bleeding peptic ulcers (37/106 vs 69/135, P=0.017, and 4/106 vs 21/135, P =0.002). In patients with peptic ulcers, H pylori vacA s1a and m1T prevent bleeding complication.
    World Journal of Gastroenterology 03/2004; 10(4):602-5. · 2.47 Impact Factor
  • Article: Helicobacter pylori cagA, iceA and vacA status in Taiwanese patients with peptic ulcer and gastritis.
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    ABSTRACT: Helicobacter pylori causes chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastric cancer and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Different genotypes of H. pylori are confirmed from diverse geographical areas. Its association with clinical diseases remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to investigate the H. pylori vacuolating cytotoxin (vacA) alleles, cytotoxin-associated gene (cagA) and iceA, in patients with peptic ulcer and gastritis. We enrolled patients with peptic ulcer and chronic gastritis. Biopsy specimens were obtained from the antrum and lower body of the stomach. DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to detect the presence or absence of cagA and to assess the polymorphism of vacA and iceA. A total of 133 patients (57 gastric ulcer, 52 duodenal ulcer, 24 chronic gastritis) had positive PCR results from biopsy specimens. Concerning genotypes, we found cagA (79% in the antrum, 92% in the body) and iceA1 (73% in the antrum, 82.8% in the body) strains in the majority of patients. The dominant vacA subtype was s1a (74.4% in the antrum, 75% in the body), followed by s1c (51.1% in the antrum, 60.5% in the body). In the middle region, the m2 strain dominated (49.6% in the antrum, 41.4% in the body), followed by m1T (19.5% in the antrum, 9.5% in the body). Mixed infection occurred in 89 patients (67%). There was no statistical difference in genotypes among the three groups. In Taiwan, H. pylori with positive cagA and iceA1 was found in the majority of cases. H. pylori with vacA s1a strains was the most common vacA subtype, followed by s1c, while s1b was rare. In the middle region, the m2 subtype was predominant followed by m1T. There was no significant association between genotypes and clinical diseases.
    Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology 12/2003; 18(11):1244-9. · 2.87 Impact Factor
  • Article: Endoscopic injection with fibrin sealant versus epinephrine for arrest of peptic ulcer bleeding: a randomized, comparative trial.
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    ABSTRACT: endoscopic epinephrine and fibrin injection in the treatment of bleeding peptic ulcer are reported to be safe, effective, and easy to use. However, a wide range of rebleeding rates has been reported with epinephrine injection. to compare the hemostatic effects of endoscopic injection with fibrin sealant versus epinephrine. between December 1998 and July 2000, 51 patients with active bleeding or nonbleeding visible vessels entered this trial. The clinical parameters were comparable between both groups. In the epinephrine group, we injected 5 to 10 mL of 1:10,000 epinephrine, surrounding the bleeder. In the fibrin sealant group, we injected fibrin sealant 4 mL, surrounding the bleeder. initial hemostasis was obtained in all enrolled patients. Rebleeding was more in the epinephrine group than in the fibrin sealant group (4 [15%] of 26 vs. 14 [56%] of 25, = 0.003 on the intention-to-treat basis, and 4 [16.7%] of 24 vs. 14 [58.3%] of 24, = 0.003 on the per protocol basis, respectively). Volume of blood transfusion, number of surgeries, hospital stay, and number of deaths were similar between both groups. fibrin sealant injection is more effective in preventing rebleeding than epinephrine after endoscopic therapy, but this study showed no difference in outcomes with either therapy.
    Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology 10/2002; 35(3):218-21. · 3.16 Impact Factor