BACKGROUND: Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) is the most prevalent agent to cause occupational asthma (OA) in Korea. The pathogenic mechanism of TDI-induced OA is still unclear. Involvement of both immunological and non-immunologicaI mechanisms have been suggested. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a possible role of neutrophil in the development of TDI-asthma. OBJECT AND METHOD: Myeloperoxidase (MPO) as a neutrophil activation marker in both serum and induced sputum, and IL-8 in induced sputum were measured. Induced sputa and sera were collected from 15 TDI-induced OA patients (classified to group I) during TDI- bronchoprovocation test and were compared with those from 11 asthmatic subjects with negative TDI-bronchoprovocation test (group II). MPO levels were measured by radioimmunoassay, IL-8 levels, by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and albumin levels, by nephelometry. Sputum MPO and IL-8 levels were presented as a ratio to albumin. RESULT: Serum MPO level tended to decrease during the TDI-bronchoprovocation test in two groups, but no statistical significance was reached (p>0.05). However, the ratios of MPO (the ratio of MPO level measured at 30 min to MPO level at baseline, and the ratio MPO level measured at 360 min to MPO baseline) in group I were significantly lower than group II (p=0.004, p=0.03 respectively). The IL-8/albumin and MPO/albumin levels in induced sputum from group I were significantly increased after the TDI-bronchprovocation test in comparison to the baseline value which was obtained before the bronchoprovocation test (p=0.0l, p=0.02 respectively). There was a significant correlation between the percent increase of IL-8/albumin and the MPO/albumin in induced sputum (r=0.89, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest a possible involvement of neutrophil in the development of bronchoconstiction after the TDI exposure, and IL-8 might contribute to neutrophil recruitment to airway mucosa. Further investigation will be needed to investigate mechanism of neutrophil activation in the pathogenesis af TDI-induced OA.
Asthma, Occupational* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Interleukin-8 ; Korea ; Mucous Membrane ; Nephelometry and Turbidimetry ; Neutrophil Activation* ; Neutrophil Infiltration ; Neutrophils* ; Peroxidase ; Radioimmunoassay ; Sputum* ; Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate

BACKGROUND: Hop Japanese (Hop J) pollens are abundant in the air of Korea during the autumn season. Their significances as a source of allergenic sensitization have been underestimated in this country. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In other to observe clinical features of Hop J-sensitive asthmatic patients in this country, skin prick test with Hop J pollen was performed. The serum specific IgE antibodies to Hop J pollen antigen were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in positive responders (>2+ of A/H ratio) on skin prick test. To confirm the respiratory sensitization, bronchoprovocation test was performed in 17 asthmatic patients sensitive to this pollen. RESULT: Ten asthmatic subjects showed a significant bronchoconstriction following the inhalation of Hop J pollen extract (6 early and 4 dual astmatic responses) and all of them had high serum specific IgE bindings, with minimal bindings in negative responders. They have suffered from seasonal aggravation of asthmatic symptoms with or without rhinitis, and/or conjunctivitis symptoms. The skin reactivity to Hop J had more than 5+ of A/H ratio on skin prick test in nine positive responders, whlie negative responders showed from 1+ to 3+ response. Moreover, four (40%) asthmatic subjects showed a positive response to only the Hop J pollen on skin prick test and an isolated positive asthmatic response to the Hop J bronchoprovocation test. CONCLUSION: We believe that the Hop J pollen should be considered as an allergen during the Autumn season, and thus included in skin test batteries in this area. Some labelled having intrinsic asthma or rhinitis might be sensitized to this pollen or other unknown allergens.
Allergens ; Antibodies ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Asthma ; Bronchoconstriction ; Conjunctivitis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Humulus* ; Immunoglobulin E ; Inhalation ; Korea ; Pollen ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal* ; Seasons ; Skin ; Skin Tests

No abstract available.
Uterine Prolapse*

Background and OBJECTIVE: There has been a few case reports of anaphylaxis due to honeybee in Korea. In order to observe the clinical feature of bee sting anaphylaxis. Moderials and methods: Six patients living in Kyunggi province area were referred under history of anaphylaxis after the bee sting. Atopy was defined by skin prick test result to common inhalant allergen. Serum specific IgE antibody to each bee antigen was detected by radioimmunoassay to identify the causative bee. RESULTS: All six cases were female. Three had atopy and four had combined allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, and urticaria. The etiologic bees consisted of yellow jacket (6 cases), paper wasp (4 cases), yellow hornet (3 cases), white faced hornet (1 case) and honey bee (1 case). Four cases had experienced anaphylaxis after ant bite and they showed positive result on specific IgE to imported fire ant. Specific immunotherapy against causative bee venom was begun using bee venom extracts from Bayer (USA) based upon results of specific IgE anti-body to bee venom. CONCLUSION: The yellow jacket is the most common cause of bee venom anaphylaxis in this area. Further studies will be needed to evaluate possible cross-reactivity between bee and ant venom.
Anaphylaxis* ; Ant Venoms ; Ants ; Asthma ; Bee Venoms* ; Bees* ; Bites and Stings ; Female ; Fires ; Gyeonggi-do ; Honey ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunotherapy ; Korea ; Radioimmunoassay ; Rhinitis ; Skin ; Urticaria ; Wasps

BACKGROUND: There have been few reports suggesting involvement of mast cell and neutrophil to induce bronchoconstriction in aspirin-sensitive asthrna. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate mast cell and neutrophil activation in pathogenesis of aspirin-sensitive asthma. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We observed changes of serum NCA and MPO levels during L-ASA bronchoprovocation test in 14 subjects with aspirin-sensitive asthma. RESULTS: Serum NCA was significantly increased at 30 min(p=0.01) after the inhalation of L-ASA and then, no significant changes were noted at 240 min (p=0.14). NCA was significantly higher in subjects with late asthmatic responses than in those without it (p=0.04). Serum MPO level tended to increase at 30 min with no statistical significance (p=0.08), and then it significantly decreased at 240 min (p=0.05). There was no significant correlation between serum NCA and MPO level (r=0.22, p=0.58). CONCLUSION: These results support the view that NCA derived from mast cell may contribute to neutrophil recruitment into the airway in aspirin-sensitive asthmatic patients.
Asthma ; Bronchoconstriction ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Mast Cells ; Neutrophil Activation ; Neutrophil Infiltration ; Neutrophils*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Mycosis Fungoides* ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing* ; Infliximab

BACKGROUND: IgE antibodies have been considered to play an important role in the pathogenesis of atapic asthma. However, there have been only few studies on the role of IgE in airway secretion in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. This might be partly due to difficulty in sampling of airway seceretion from asthmatic patients. Recently, sputum induction method by inhalation of nebulized hypertonic saline was developed, and proved to be valid and useful method for obtaining airway secretion from asthmatic patients for studying airway inflammation. OBJECTIVE AND METHOD: To evaluate the usefulness of sputum induction method for studying IgE antibodies in airway secretion from atopic asthmatic patients, total IgE levels in induced sputum from 54 atopic asthmatics were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and tried to find an association with sputum eosinophilia. RESULT: Total IgE levels in induced sputum were significantly higher in atopic asthmatic patients(1.27+82.066 IU/ml) than in controls(0.203+0.291 IUgmP)(p<0.05). In atopic asthmatic patients, total IgE levels in induced sputum were not significantly different between patients with and without sputum eosinophilia(>5% of 200 counted leukocytes). There was a significant correlation of total IgE levels between induced sputum and serum in atopic asthmatic patients(r=0.60, p<0.05). Total IgE levels in induced sputum(1.278+ 2.066) were significantly higher than saliva sample(0.504 + 1.111 IU/ml) from atopic asthmatic patients(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that total IgE levels are increased in the induced sputum of atopic asthmat,ic patients and sputum induction method is a useful tool for studying IgE antibodies in airway secretion from asthmatic patients.
Antibodies ; Asthma ; Eosinophilia ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E* ; Inflammation ; Inhalation ; Saliva ; Sputum*

BACKGROUND: The afferent and efferent pathways of fentanyl cough response (FCR) and central organization are poorly understood at present. The aim of this study was to investigate the pretreatment effects of morphine, propofol, atropine, and midazolam on FCR. METHOD: The 120 healthy patients were randomly assigned to six equal pretreatment groups. They received 2ug/kg fentanyl rapidly through a peripheral venous catheter. The patients in each group were pretreated before the time necessary for peak plasma levels with different drugs as follows: group 1, no premedication; group 2, morphine 0.05 mg/kg iv; group 3, morphine 0.05 mg/kg iv naloxone 0.01mg/kg iv; group 4, propofol 0.5 mg/kg iv; group 5, atropine 0.01 mg/kg iv; group 6, midazolam 0.05 mg/kg iv. The patients were observed for any coughing or side effects, including oxygen desaturation, bronchoconstriction, chest wall rigidity and seizure. RESULT: 40% of patients in group 1 (control) had a cough response to fentanyl. Group 2 (morphine) and group 3 (morphine naloxone) showed a reduced FCR of 10%. The incidence of coughing was 60% of the patients in group 4 (propofol), 30% in group 5 (atropine), and 40% in group 6 (midazolam). These were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: FCR is not altered by pretreatment with propofol, atropine, or midazolam, but morphine inhibits cough response and this antitussive effect was not antagonized by naloxone.
Atropine* ; Bronchoconstriction ; Catheters ; Cough* ; Efferent Pathways ; Fentanyl* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Midazolam* ; Morphine* ; Naloxone ; Oxygen ; Plasma ; Premedication ; Propofol* ; Seizures ; Thoracic Wall

PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate the epidemiological trend of rotavirus acute gastroenteritis (RV-AGE) in children. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed in patients (1 month to 18 years of age) with acute gastroenteritis at KEPCO Medical Center from September 2004 to August 2013. Comparative analyses were performed based on periods: pre-vaccine (2004-2006) and post-vaccine (2008-2012) in all patients; 2004-2006 (period A), 2007-2009 (period B) and 2010-2012 (period C) in patients under 5 years of age. RESULTS: Proportion of RV-AGE decreased from 25.0% (337/1,346) in pre-vaccine period to 20.8% (459/2,210) in post-vaccine period (rate ratio (RR), 0.83 [95% CI, 0.73-0.93]; P=0.0029). The median age of patients with RV-AGE in post-vaccine period (2.6 years) was significantly (P<0.0001) higher than that in pre-vaccine period (1.6 years). In patients hospitalized with AGE, proportion of RV-AGE was significantly reduced in patients 6 to 23 months old (RR, 0.62 [95% CI, 0.51-0.75]; P<0.0001). Significant decline in proportion of RV-AGE was observed in patients under 5 years of age: period A, 26.9% (308/1,144); period B, 22.7% (295/1,299); period C, 20.6% (186/902) (P=0.0007). After the introduction of rotavirus vaccine, a significant decreasing trend of RV-AGE proportion was observed in patients 6 to 11 months old (P=0.0018) and 12 to 23 months old (P=0.0152). CONCLUSION: Decrease in RV-AGE proportion and increase in age of patients with RV-AGE were observed after the introduction of rotavirus vaccine in this single center study. Continued and systematic surveillance is needed to assess the impact of rotavirus vaccine.
Child* ; Epidemiology ; Gastroenteritis* ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies* ; Rotavirus Infections ; Rotavirus Vaccines ; Rotavirus*

BACKGROUND: We observed fentanyl known as centrally-acting antitussive agents provoke a cough response in some patients at induction of anesthesia. This may be of clinical importance. METHOD: 121 patients (ASA class I) were assigned randomly to 4 groups. Each group was given different doses of fentanyll Group 1 (n=30); 0.5ug/kg, Group 2 (n=30); 1ug/kg, Group 3 (n=33); 2ug/kg, Group 4 (n=28); 4 g/kgl, within 1 second through a peripheral venous cannula before induction of anesthesia. All patients were observed carefully in order to detect a cough response and any side effects. RESULT: The incidences of FCR (Fentanyl Cough Response) were 0% in Group 1, 10.0% in Group 2, 30.3% in Group 3, and 39.3% in Group 4. The ED50 of FCR was 4.25ug/kg. The mean onset-time from the end of fentanyl administration to the beginning of coughing was 12.5 seconds. FCR was decreased with aging, but not affected by weight, height, or smoking. Other serious side effects were not accompanied. CONCLUSION: Fentanyl can evoke the pulmonary chemoreflex dose-dependently and the ED50 was 4.25 g/kg.
Aging ; Anesthesia ; Antitussive Agents ; Catheters* ; Cough* ; Fentanyl* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Reflex* ; Smoke ; Smoking