Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) and acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) are common diseases caused by human adenoviruses (HAdV) and enteroviruses, respectively, in South Korea. However, there are limited studies on the molecular epidemiology of viral conjunctivitis in South Korea. The main objective of this study was to characterize the genotypes of adenoviruses and enteroviruses causing viral conjunctivitis in the southwest region of South Korea. We collected conjunctival swabs from 492 patients with suspected cases of viral conjunctivitis from 6 ophthalmic hospitals in Gwangju Metropolitan City, in South Korea, between 2012 and 2016. Of the 492 samples tested, HAdVs and enteroviruses were detected in 249 samples (50.6%) and 19 samples (3.9%), respectively. The genotype analysis detected HAdV-8 in 183 samples (73.5%), HAdV-37 in 14 samples (5.6%), and HAdV-3, and HAdV-4 in 9 samples (3.6%) each. We detected coxsackievirus A24 (CVA24) and coxsackievirus B1 (CVB1) in 8 samples (42.0%) and 4 samples (21.0%), respectively. We also reported for the first time HAdV-56-infected cases of EKC in South Korea. Furthermore, we found three cases of coinfection with HAdV and enterovirus genotypes in our samples. HAdV-8 and CVA24, the main causes of EKC and AHC, respectively, worldwide, were also found to be the predominant genotypes in our study.
Adenoviridae ; Adenoviruses, Human ; Coinfection ; Conjunctivitis, Acute Hemorrhagic ; Conjunctivitis, Viral* ; Enterovirus ; Genotype ; Gwangju ; Humans ; Keratoconjunctivitis ; Korea* ; Molecular Epidemiology*

Actinomycosis is a slowly progressive, chronic infectious disease. It is caused by the genus Actinomyces, which are gram-positive anaerobic bacteria. It presents as a mass-like lesion, composed of bacterial nidus and characteristic granulomatous inflammatory fibrosis. As such, it has frequently been mistaken for a malignancy. Surgical resection is a common procedure in these patients prior to a definite diagnosis. Although actinomycosis can occur in a variety of regions, including oral-cervicofacial, thoracic, and abdominopelvic cavities, the involvement of the pancreas is very rare. We report a case of a 44-year-old male with a symptomatic actinomycosis caused by a mass in the tail of the pancreas. The diagnosis was made using an endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy without surgical resection. After the treatment with antibiotics, the pancreatic mass was confirmed to be resolved on the follow-up computed tomography.
Actinomyces ; Actinomycosis* ; Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria, Anaerobic ; Biopsy ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Communicable Diseases ; Diagnosis ; Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration ; Endosonography ; Fibrosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Pancreas ; Pancreatitis, Chronic* ; Tail

Most of neuroendocrine tumors are usually found in the gastrointestinal tract. Recently, the incidence of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors seems to have increased. However, only a few cases of neuroendocrine tumor arising from the minor duodenal papilla have been reported. Currently, several options are available to treat the tumors of the minor duodenal papilla. Endoscopic papillectomy is increasingly performed as a minimally invasive alternative treatment to conventional surgical resection. We present two cases of neuroendocrine tumor arising from minor duodenal papilla, which were successfully resected by endoscopic papillectomy. Although surgical resection is considered to be a standard treatment for gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors, our experience suggests that endoscopic papillectomy can be a minimally invasive alternative treatment for neuroendocrine tumors arising from the minor duodenal papilla.
Gastrointestinal Tract ; Incidence ; Neuroendocrine Tumors* ; Pancreatic Ducts

Most of neuroendocrine tumors are usually found in the gastrointestinal tract. Recently, the incidence of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors seems to have increased. However, only a few cases of neuroendocrine tumor arising from the minor duodenal papilla have been reported. Currently, several options are available to treat the tumors of the minor duodenal papilla. Endoscopic papillectomy is increasingly performed as a minimally invasive alternative treatment to conventional surgical resection. We present two cases of neuroendocrine tumor arising from minor duodenal papilla, which were successfully resected by endoscopic papillectomy. Although surgical resection is considered to be a standard treatment for gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors, our experience suggests that endoscopic papillectomy can be a minimally invasive alternative treatment for neuroendocrine tumors arising from the minor duodenal papilla.
Gastrointestinal Tract ; Incidence ; Neuroendocrine Tumors* ; Pancreatic Ducts

PURPOSE: For conservative treatment of shaft fractures, the butterfly fragments that were somewhat larger in the closed intra-medullary (IM) nailing. The results of treatment were monitored using radiography separately for the weight-bearing femur and non-weight-bearing humerus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 27 from Group I and 31 from Group II. In the two groups, the displacement and angulation changes in the fragments, and the degree of improvement of these two factors, were compared using follow-up radiography. RESULTS: The mean angulation of fragments in Groups I and II were 9.2degrees and 9.6degrees, and the mean degree of displacement of the fragments in Groups I and II were 16.7 mm and 21.2 mm, respectively. Follow-up radiography showed that the above factors improved in both groups. The degree of displacement was significantly lower in the normal cases than in the complicated cases (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Displacement and angulation gradually improved in both groups. It was found that the degree of displacement after the initial reduction is more important than the influence of anatomical position or weight bearing. This indicates that care should be taken when inserting IM nails to prevent displacement or angulation.
Butterflies ; Displacement (Psychology) ; Extremities ; Femur ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; Fractures, Comminuted ; Nails ; Weight-Bearing

We present a case of ileal stenosis with delayed presentation 3 months after car accident. Ileal stenosis after blunt abdominal trauma is a rare clinical entity. We present CT and small bowel series 3 months after trauma. Image showed segmental thickening of intestinal wall and proximal bowel dilation. At surgery, a stenotic bowel loop was adjacent to a fibrotic mesentery. Histological examination showed ulcers, inflammatory cells and fibroblasts infiltrated to the muscularis mucosae, submucosa, and mesentery. The most likely cause, supported by most authors, implicates an injury to the mesentery. Post-traumatic ischemic bowel stenosis may result from even small tears and contusions of mesentery. Posttraumatic intestinal stenosis should be included in the differential diagnosis in a patient with a history of blunt abdominal trauma and signs of intestinal obstruction.

PURPOSE: The skin hyperpigmentation or hypermelanosis caused by burns results in social withdrawal due to cosmetic problem and depression as a psychiatric aspect. The treatment of the skin hyperpigmentation includes sunscreen, whitening material, skin massage, laser therapy and plastic surgery. Placenta extract can be used to reduce and inactivate the synthesis of the important enzyme (tyrosinase) that compose melanin. This study was performed to estimate the effect of intradermal injection of placenta extract (placenta hydrolysate) for the postburn hyperpigmentation. METHODS: Total 10 subjects who have postburn hyperpigmentation were selected. Two sites of skin area from each subject were randomly selected as possible as symmetrical body area, the one site was to be 'treated site' with placenta extract, the other site was untreated 'control site'. The injection was performed weekly for about 4 weeks only to the 'treated site', not to the control site. The both site were measured by pigment index using Mexameter. The index was also converted to the percentage that indicate a change of after-injection to before-injection. RESULTS: The pigment index of 'treated site' was 399.5+/-63.9 before treatment, and then it had decreased to 333.6+/-59.5 after 4 weeks of injection. The change after injection compared to before injection was significant statistically (p< 0.05). In the control sites which did not have placenta injection, the pigment index had changed from 284.5+/-67.8 to 290.7+/-52.3. But it was not significant statistically (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: As a result, in the posttburn hyperpigmentation scar, the intradermal injection of placenta extract may be helpful in the management of hyperpigmentation or rehabilitation process of the hypertrophic scar.
Burns ; Cicatrix ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; Cosmetics ; Depression ; Hyperpigmentation ; Injections, Intradermal ; Laser Therapy ; Massage ; Melanins ; Placenta ; Skin ; Surgery, Plastic

PURPOSE: To elucidate a potential association between Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection and iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) in infants and children in terms of the other factors related to iron utilization and storage although the association of ferritin was previously studied. METHODS: We evaluated 135 infants (aged 6-24 months) admitted at Gyeongsang National University Hospital from 2000 to 2006. Western blot assays using the HP CagA antigen (120 kD) were conducted to identify infections. The concentrations of six parameters were measured: hemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin, soluble serum transferrin receptors, interleukin-6, prohepcidin, and C-reactive protein. In addition, the infants were classified into IDA, anemia from inflammation (AI), unclassified anemia (UCA), and normal groups on the basis of Hb and ferritin concentrations. RESULTS: In the IDA group (n=20), seven infants were infected with HP, with the other infants showing no evidence of infection. The mean Hb levels in the IDA group were significantly lower in HP-infected infants than those uninfected (7.1 vs. 8.2 g/dL, respectively); the mean ferritin levels were also significantly lower in the infected infants (3.2 vs. 6.8 microgram/L). The other four parameters did not differ significantly among the IDA infants. No correlations were found between the six parameters and HP infection status in the other groups. CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in the HP infection rates among the study groups. However, in the IDA group, the HP-infected infants had significantly lower serum ferritin and Hb levels than the HP-negative infants (P<0.05).
Anemia ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides ; Blotting, Western ; C-Reactive Protein ; Child ; Ferritins ; Helicobacter ; Helicobacter pylori ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Infant ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6 ; Iron ; Protein Precursors ; Receptors, Transferrin

PURPOSE: To elucidate a potential association between Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection and iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) in infants and children in terms of the other factors related to iron utilization and storage although the association of ferritin was previously studied. METHODS: We evaluated 135 infants (aged 6-24 months) admitted at Gyeongsang National University Hospital from 2000 to 2006. Western blot assays using the HP CagA antigen (120 kD) were conducted to identify infections. The concentrations of six parameters were measured: hemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin, soluble serum transferrin receptors, interleukin-6, prohepcidin, and C-reactive protein. In addition, the infants were classified into IDA, anemia from inflammation (AI), unclassified anemia (UCA), and normal groups on the basis of Hb and ferritin concentrations. RESULTS: In the IDA group (n=20), seven infants were infected with HP, with the other infants showing no evidence of infection. The mean Hb levels in the IDA group were significantly lower in HP-infected infants than those uninfected (7.1 vs. 8.2 g/dL, respectively); the mean ferritin levels were also significantly lower in the infected infants (3.2 vs. 6.8 microgram/L). The other four parameters did not differ significantly among the IDA infants. No correlations were found between the six parameters and HP infection status in the other groups. CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in the HP infection rates among the study groups. However, in the IDA group, the HP-infected infants had significantly lower serum ferritin and Hb levels than the HP-negative infants (P<0.05).
Anemia ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides ; Blotting, Western ; C-Reactive Protein ; Child ; Ferritins ; Helicobacter ; Helicobacter pylori ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Infant ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6 ; Iron ; Protein Precursors ; Receptors, Transferrin

PURPOSE: The concentration of soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) is estimated as an iron parameter to evaluate erythropoiesis and iron status. The aim of our study is to evaluate the correlation between sTfR concentration and inflammatory parameters and to distinguish iron deficiency anemia from anemia of inflammation. METHODS: One hundred and forty-four infants younger than two years of age who visited Gyeongsang University Hospital for 7 years from 2000 to 2006 were enrolled. Patients who had hemoglobin (Hb) <11 g/dL and ferritin <12 mg/L were excluded. Routine hematologic lab, serum ferritin, sTfR, and inflammatory markers [C-reactive protein(CRP), interleukin-6(IL-6), and absolute neutrophil count (ANC)] were investigated. RESULTS: In all patients, the sTfR concentration showed a correlation with Hb, ferritin, MCV, and ANC, but not with CRP and IL-6. In multiple regression models, positive correlations were found between sTfR concentration and IL-6 (r=0.078, P=0.043), and negative correlations were found between sTfR concentration and ANC (r=-0.117, P=0.033) and MCV (r=-0.027, P=0.009). CONCLUSION: sTfR concentration was influenced by inflammatory parameters. Therefore, sTfR does not appear to be a useful parameter for discriminating between iron deficiency anemia and anemia of inflammation in infants.
Anemia ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; Erythropoiesis ; Ferritins ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Infant ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6 ; Iron ; Neutrophils ; Pyridines ; Receptors, Transferrin ; Thiazoles ; Transferrin