Background and Objectives: Inconsistencies in nasal nitric oxide (nNO) values, due to anatomical variations and comorbidities, challenge the accurate assessment of upper airway inflammation severity. We hypothesized that changes in nNO levels following treatment for chronic rhinitis would be consistent and provide relative value. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between changes in nNO levels and symptomatic improvements following treatment for chronic rhinitis. Methods: This prospective observational study included 46 participants diagnosed with chronic rhinitis between December 2021 and November 2023. nNO measurements, evaluations of four nasal and two ocular symptoms, and quality of life questionnaires were conducted at baseline and after one month of treatment. Baseline laboratory tests included serum total immunoglobulin E levels, blood eosinophil percentages, and skin prick tests. Results: The Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS), TNSS with ocular symptoms (TNSS eye), and Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) scores significantly decreased following treatment (all p<0.001). nNO levels also decreased significantly after treatment (p=0.036). Moreover, changes in nNO were significantly correlated with changes in TNSS, TNSS eye, and RQLQ scores (p=0.047, r=0.294; p=0.021, r=0.340; and p=0.004, r=0.419, respectively). Conclusion In patients with chronic rhinitis, changes in TNSS, TNSS eye, and RQLQ scores were correlated with changes in nNO levels after treatment. nNO may serve as a potential objective evaluation tool for chronic rhinitis, particularly in patients who have difficulty reporting symptoms.

Background and Objectives: Inconsistencies in nasal nitric oxide (nNO) values, due to anatomical variations and comorbidities, challenge the accurate assessment of upper airway inflammation severity. We hypothesized that changes in nNO levels following treatment for chronic rhinitis would be consistent and provide relative value. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between changes in nNO levels and symptomatic improvements following treatment for chronic rhinitis. Methods: This prospective observational study included 46 participants diagnosed with chronic rhinitis between December 2021 and November 2023. nNO measurements, evaluations of four nasal and two ocular symptoms, and quality of life questionnaires were conducted at baseline and after one month of treatment. Baseline laboratory tests included serum total immunoglobulin E levels, blood eosinophil percentages, and skin prick tests. Results: The Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS), TNSS with ocular symptoms (TNSS eye), and Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) scores significantly decreased following treatment (all p<0.001). nNO levels also decreased significantly after treatment (p=0.036). Moreover, changes in nNO were significantly correlated with changes in TNSS, TNSS eye, and RQLQ scores (p=0.047, r=0.294; p=0.021, r=0.340; and p=0.004, r=0.419, respectively). Conclusion In patients with chronic rhinitis, changes in TNSS, TNSS eye, and RQLQ scores were correlated with changes in nNO levels after treatment. nNO may serve as a potential objective evaluation tool for chronic rhinitis, particularly in patients who have difficulty reporting symptoms.

Background and Objectives: Inconsistencies in nasal nitric oxide (nNO) values, due to anatomical variations and comorbidities, challenge the accurate assessment of upper airway inflammation severity. We hypothesized that changes in nNO levels following treatment for chronic rhinitis would be consistent and provide relative value. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between changes in nNO levels and symptomatic improvements following treatment for chronic rhinitis. Methods: This prospective observational study included 46 participants diagnosed with chronic rhinitis between December 2021 and November 2023. nNO measurements, evaluations of four nasal and two ocular symptoms, and quality of life questionnaires were conducted at baseline and after one month of treatment. Baseline laboratory tests included serum total immunoglobulin E levels, blood eosinophil percentages, and skin prick tests. Results: The Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS), TNSS with ocular symptoms (TNSS eye), and Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) scores significantly decreased following treatment (all p<0.001). nNO levels also decreased significantly after treatment (p=0.036). Moreover, changes in nNO were significantly correlated with changes in TNSS, TNSS eye, and RQLQ scores (p=0.047, r=0.294; p=0.021, r=0.340; and p=0.004, r=0.419, respectively). Conclusion In patients with chronic rhinitis, changes in TNSS, TNSS eye, and RQLQ scores were correlated with changes in nNO levels after treatment. nNO may serve as a potential objective evaluation tool for chronic rhinitis, particularly in patients who have difficulty reporting symptoms.

Background and Objectives: Nonpharmacologic interventions (NPIs), such as social distancing and preventive measures, were administered during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which may influence the incidence of upper respiratory diseases (URDs). The present study compared the incidence of URDs during the COVID-19 pandemic and during the years prior to COVID-19, and investigated the effect of NPIs on URD in the nationwide general population.Subjects and Method This is an epidemiologic study based on the Korean National Health Insurance Database from March 2016 to February 2021. We compared the monthly incidence of URDs from March 2020 to February 2021 (12 months) with that of the past four years. A negative binomial regression model was used to evaluate the annual difference in the incidence of each URD and adjusting temperature, humidity, and the level of particulate matter 10 (PM10). Results: The monthly incidence of ‘the five common URDs’ in 2020 was significantly lower than that in the past four years. The incidence of other chronic diseases, however, such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus, was comparable or higher in the past four years. Among the five common URDs, influenza virus infections decreased most dramatically, nearing 99%, from 296.4-377.1 per 100000 people during the period of 2016 to 2019 to 3.7 per 100000 people in 2020. Conclusion The present study shows that the incidence of ‘five common URDs’ significantly decreased during the era of COVID-19 in Korea. We believe that nationwide NPI might prevent the transmission of COVID-19 as well as other infectious sources associated with URDs.

OBJECTIVES: Alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) is the main inhibitor of human neutrophil elastase, and plays a role in counteracting the tissue damage caused by elastase in local inflammatory conditions. The study evaluated the involvement of AAT in nasal allergic inflammation. METHODS: Forty subjects with mono-sensitization to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dpt) were enrolled. Twenty allergic rhinitis patients frequently complained of nasal symptoms such as rhinorrhea, stuffiness, sneezing, and showed positive responses to the nasal provocation test (NPT) with Dpt (Group I). The other 20 asymptomatic patients showed sensitization to Dpt but negative NPT (Group II). The levels of AAT, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and Dpt-specific IgA antibodies were measured in the nasal lavage fluids (NLFs), collected at baseline, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 3 hours, and 6 hours after the NPT. Nasal mucosa AAT expression was evaluated with immunohistochemical staining from Group I and Group II. RESULTS: At baseline, only the Dpt-specific IgA level was significantly increased in the NLFs of Group I compared with Group II, while ECP and AAT levels were not significantly different between two groups. After Dpt provocation, AAT, ECP, and Dpt-specific IgA levels were significantly increased in the NLFs of Group I during the early and late responses. The protein expression level of AAT was mostly found in the infiltrating inflammatory cells of the nasal mucosa, which was significantly increased in Group I compared to Group II. CONCLUSION: The increment of AAT showed a close relationship with the activation of eosinophils induced by allergen-specific IgA in the NLFs of patients with allergic rhinitis after allergen stimulation. These findings implicate AAT in allergen-induced nasal inflammation.
Antibodies ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Eosinophil Cationic Protein ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; Inflammation ; Leukocyte Elastase ; Nasal Lavage Fluid ; Nasal Mucosa ; Nasal Provocation Tests ; Pancreatic Elastase ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; Sneezing

OBJECTIVES: Alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) is the main inhibitor of human neutrophil elastase, and plays a role in counteracting the tissue damage caused by elastase in local inflammatory conditions. The study evaluated the involvement of AAT in nasal allergic inflammation. METHODS: Forty subjects with mono-sensitization to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dpt) were enrolled. Twenty allergic rhinitis patients frequently complained of nasal symptoms such as rhinorrhea, stuffiness, sneezing, and showed positive responses to the nasal provocation test (NPT) with Dpt (Group I). The other 20 asymptomatic patients showed sensitization to Dpt but negative NPT (Group II). The levels of AAT, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and Dpt-specific IgA antibodies were measured in the nasal lavage fluids (NLFs), collected at baseline, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 3 hours, and 6 hours after the NPT. Nasal mucosa AAT expression was evaluated with immunohistochemical staining from Group I and Group II. RESULTS: At baseline, only the Dpt-specific IgA level was significantly increased in the NLFs of Group I compared with Group II, while ECP and AAT levels were not significantly different between two groups. After Dpt provocation, AAT, ECP, and Dpt-specific IgA levels were significantly increased in the NLFs of Group I during the early and late responses. The protein expression level of AAT was mostly found in the infiltrating inflammatory cells of the nasal mucosa, which was significantly increased in Group I compared to Group II. CONCLUSION: The increment of AAT showed a close relationship with the activation of eosinophils induced by allergen-specific IgA in the NLFs of patients with allergic rhinitis after allergen stimulation. These findings implicate AAT in allergen-induced nasal inflammation.
Antibodies ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Eosinophil Cationic Protein ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; Inflammation ; Leukocyte Elastase ; Nasal Lavage Fluid ; Nasal Mucosa ; Nasal Provocation Tests ; Pancreatic Elastase ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; Sneezing

Anisakidae larvae can cause anisakiasis when ingested by humans. Although several groups have reported a gastrointestinal Anisakis allergy among people in Spain and Japan, our report is the first to summarize the clinical features of 10 Anisakis allergy cases in Korea. We enrolled 10 Korean patients (6 men and 4 women) who complained of aggravated allergic symptoms after ingesting raw fish or seafood. Sensitization to Anisakis was confirmed by detecting serum specific IgE to Anisakis simplex. The most common manifestation of anisakiasis was urticaria (100%), followed by abdominal pain (30%) and anaphylaxis (30%). All patients presenting with these symptoms also exhibited high serum specific IgE (0.45 to 100 kU/L) to A. simplex. Nine patients (90%) exhibited atopy and increased total serum IgE levels. The fish species suspected of carrying the Anisakis parasite were flatfish (40%), congers (40%), squid (30%), whelk (10%), and tuna (10%). Anisakis simplex should be considered as a possible causative food allergen in adult patients presenting with urticaria, angioedema, and anaphylaxis following the consumption of raw fish or seafood.
Abdominal Pain/immunology ; Adult ; Aged ; Anaphylaxis/immunology ; Angioedema/immunology ; Animals ; Anisakiasis/complications/ethnology/*immunology ; Anisakis/*immunology ; Antibodies, Helminth/*blood ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Female ; Food Hypersensitivity/complications/ethnology/*immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E/*blood ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Seafood/*adverse effects/parasitology ; Urticaria/immunology ; Young Adult

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is the secondary most common tumor in HIV-infected individuals. The AIDS-related lymphomas are a late manifestation of HIV infection and may increase in frequency as patients live longer with highly active antiretroviral therapy and effective prophylaxis of opportunistic infections. Histologically AIDS-related NHL are either high (2/3) or intermediate (1/3) grade lymphoma. We report a case of gastric Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in AIDS patient. Two years ago, she was diagnosed as HIV-infected individual in public hospital. She presented with epigastric pain and mass-like sensation. Under the impression of gastric cancer, subtotal gastrectomy was done. But, she diagnosed as diffuse large B cell lymphoma by histologic finding, immunohistochemical study. This is the first report of gastric Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma from AIDS patients in Korea.
Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active ; Gastrectomy ; HIV ; HIV Infections ; Hospitals, Public ; Humans ; Korea ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, AIDS-Related ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin* ; Opportunistic Infections ; Sensation ; Stomach Neoplasms

According to recent studies, the immunogenetic factors are thought to be account for a part of the etiopathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid disease. In Korea, there was one report on the relationship between HLA DR5, DR8, B13 and autoimmune thyroid disease. There were also several reports on a familial hereditary transmission of autoimmune thyroid disease in other countries but not in Korea. We describe the occurrence of autoimmune thyroid disease that affected three members of a family through three generations. This is the first report on familial hereditary transmission of autoimmune thyroid disease in Korea. We report on an 80-year-old woman who presented with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, her 53-year-old daughter who had Graves' disease, and her 29-year-old grand-daughter who had Graves' disease. In order to identify the immunogenetic influence in these cases, HLA haplotypes & thyroid autoantibody were studied. HLA DRB3*02 was obseved in each of the patents. HLA DQB1*0301, DR11, DQB1*05031 and DR14 were observed in the two cases. However, HLA B13, DR5 and DR8 were not observed. The patients are currently undergoing follow-up using PTU, methimazole and synthyroid medication.
Adult ; Aged, 80 and over ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Graves Disease ; Haplotypes ; HLA-B13 Antigen ; Humans ; Immunogenetics ; Korea ; Methimazole ; Middle Aged ; Nuclear Family ; Thyroid Diseases* ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroiditis

We report an unusual case of metastatic thyroid papillary carcinoma directly invades the esophagus presenting as an intraluminal polypoid mass which causes hematemesis. The patient had a past medical history of thyroid nodule. Physical examination was unremarkable except the palpable thyroid mass. Esophagoscopy and esophagography revealed an intraluminal polypoid mass to the left of the cervical esophagus. Chest computed tomography showed round, homogenous, well-enhancing mass and calcifying thyroid nodule is found in front of the mass. Thyroid lobectomy and partial esophageal resection was performed. Microscopic finding showed typical features of thyroid papillary carcinoma. Metastatic thyroid papillary carcinoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of an intraluminal polypoid esophageal mass, particularly if the patient has a known thyroid tumor.
Carcinoma, Papillary* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Esophagoscopy ; Esophagus* ; Hematemesis* ; Humans ; Physical Examination ; Thorax ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Nodule