House dust mites, Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssius have been identified as the main sources of house dust allergen and are considersed the most important causative allergen in the ethology of allergic respiaratory disease and allergic rhinitis. To evaluate the incidence of positive skin reactivity to house dust mites and relationship between total serum IgE levels and specific IgE antibody to house dust mites, we performed allergic skin test (scratch) in 182 children with allergic respiatory disease and atopic dermatitis. We also checked serum total IgE by PRIST method and specific IgE antibody to D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus by ELISA. Our results showed that positive skin reaction was observed in 79% of patients in D. farinae, 71% in D. pternyssinus. There was a significant correlation between serum total IgE and IgE antibody specific to D. farinae (r=0.55, p<0.001). Serum total IgE and specific IgE antibody to D. petronyssinus had no significant correlation (r=0.39, p<0.001). D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus had close correlation in the skin test (r=0.82, p<0.0001) and relative concentration of specific IgE antibody (r=0.73, p<0.0001). The agreement between skin reaction and relative concentration of specific IgE to House dust mites was 68% in D. farinae and 63% in D.pteronyssinus.
Child* ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Dermatophagoides farinae ; Dust* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay* ; Ethology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E* ; Incidence ; Pyroglyphidae* ; Rhinitis ; Skin Tests ; Skin*

No abstract available.
Humans ; T-Lymphocytes*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Buckwheat is considered one of the most important food allergens in Korea. Although a very small amount is ingested or inhaled, it can cause serious allergic reactions. However, the major allergens of buckwheat still remain to be elucidated. The aim of our study was to identify and characterize the major allergen of buckwheat seed. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Dialysis membrane with a cut-off MW 1kD was used for the preparation of crude buckwheat seed allergen extract. SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions and IgE immunoblotting were performed using sera from 15 buckwheat sensitive subjects. Isoelectric focusing and lectin blotting assay were done. RESULT: Western blot analysis showed more than 15 IgE-reactive buckwheat proteins. Among them, a 24kD protein was shown to be the most frequently bound to sera from allergic subjects (54%). Isoelectric point of 24kD protein was around 5.9. In lectin blotting assay, 24kD protein did not bind to Con A nor five other lectins. CONCLUSION: A 24kD protein was the most frequently recognized allergenic component in buckwheat seed. Isoelectric point was around 5.9. Glycosylation was not detected in 24kD of buckwheat protein.
Allergens ; Blotting, Western ; Dialysis ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Fagopyrum* ; Glycosylation ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoblotting ; Immunoglobulin E ; Isoelectric Focusing ; Isoelectric Point ; Korea ; Lectins ; Membranes

Massive fetomaternal hemorrhage is major cause of neonatal anemia. And neonatal anemia is fatal disease of high mortality rate. Massive fetomaternal hemorrhage is defined as hemorrhage of fetal blood above 150 mL in the maternal circulation. Massive fetomaternal hemorrhage is infrequent but represents a fatal cause of perinatal death. To identify fetal blood in the maternal circulation, Kleihauer-Betke test or flow cytometry has been usually used. But recently HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) is used in the detection and quantification of fetomaternal transfusion. In fetomaternal transfusion, anemic newborn must be treated when circulatory failure is present. Circulatory failure often necessitates blood transfusion. We report two cases of severe anemia due to massive fetomaternal hemorrhage in full term baby. Each case was diagnosed by high performance lipuid chromatography and treated with exchange transfusion in order to avoid fluid overload and subsequent heart failure.
Anemia ; Anemia, Neonatal ; Blood Transfusion ; Chromatography ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; Fetomaternal Transfusion ; Flow Cytometry ; Heart Failure ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy ; Shock

BACKGROUND: The abnormal barrier function in atopic dermatitis(AD) is caused by a reduction in the amounts of ceramides in the intercellular lipids in the stratum corneum(SC). Replenishing the SC via the topical application of ceramides and pseudoceramides leads to effective recovery of the barrier function of skin. OBJECTIVES: An open clinical crossover evaluation was conducted to investigate the effects in AD of a multi-lamellar emulsion(MLE) that contained pseudoceramide(PC-9s). METHODS: The study group included 30 AD patiendaverage age: 4.4 yr, range: 1-8 yr), who applied MLE or a commercial moisturizing cream(CMC, 5% urea) alternately for four weeks each. We divided the subjects into two subgroups and started with different treatments in each subgroup. Treatment efficacy was evaluated using the average subjective satisfaction scores for each symptom and the global clinical response. In addition, the SCORAD(Scoring AD) index was adopted to evaluate the severity of AD as objectively as possible. The patients were evaluated using this index every other week. RESULTS: Although the SCORAD improved in both subgroups, the patients had better results (p<0.05) when applying MLE(31-35% decrease) than CMC(13% increase to 14% decrease). The subjective satisfaction scores of the symptoms and signs of patients, including itching, erythema, and dry skin, were higher in the MLE group than in the CMC group, and the global response to treatment was also better in the MLE group. During the follow-up period, AD improved in all patients. MLE was more effective than CMC in our patients. CONCLUSIONS: The topical application of a multi-lamellar emulsion containing pseudoceramide is an effective regimen for improving symptoms of AD.
Ceramides ; Cross-Over Studies* ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Erythema ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Pruritus ; Skin ; Treatment Outcome

Anemia, iron deficiency (ID), and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are common disorders. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of anemia, ID, and IDA in Korean females. We examined the associations between IDA, heavy metals in blood, vitamin D level and nutritional intakes. The study was performed using on data collected from 10,169 women (aged > or =10 yr), including 1,232 with anemia, 2,030 with ID, and 690 with IDA during the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V; 2010-2012). Prevalence and 95% confidence intervals were calculated, and path analysis was performed to identify a multivariate regression model incorporating IDA, heavy metals in blood, vitamin D level, and nutritional intakes. The overall prevalence of anemia, ID and IDA was 12.4%, 23.11%, and 7.7%, respectively. ID and IDA were more prevalent among adolescents (aged 15-18 yr; 36.5% for ID; 10.7% for IDA) and women aged 19-49 yr (32.7% for ID; 11.3% for IDA). The proposed path model showed that IDA was associated with an elevated cadmium level after adjusting for age and body mass index (beta=0.46, P<0.001). Vitamin D levels were found to affect IDA negatively (beta=-0.002, P<0.001). This study shows that the prevalence of anemia, ID, and IDA are relatively high in late adolescents and women of reproductive age. Path analysis showed that depressed vitamin D levels increase the risk of IDA, and that IDA increases cadmium concentrations in blood. Our findings indicate that systematic health surveillance systems including educational campaigns and well-balanced nutrition are needed to control anemia, ID, and IDA.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency/*blood/*epidemiology ; Body Mass Index ; Cadmium/*blood ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoradiometric Assay ; Middle Aged ; Nutrition Surveys ; Prevalence ; Regression Analysis ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk ; Vitamin D/*blood ; Young Adult

We report a case of multiple piloleiomyoma in a 50-year-old man. About 30 years ago, multiple red colored firm papules with pain developed on the left lower leg. The skin lesions gradually increased in number and size arranging in a group. Some lesion became more painful after cold exposure. About a few years ago, new lesions developed on the left back and flank abdomen. The histologic findings showed poorly demarcated and were composed of interlacing bundles of smooth muscle fibers with varying amounts of collagen bundles being intermingled. Masson's trichrome and smooth muscle actin stain showed typical leiomyoma, and s-100 stains revealed an increased amount of nerve fibers interlacing within muscle fibers and the surrounding tissue. We diagnosed our case as unilateral multiple piloleiomyoma arising from arrector pilorum muscle. Pain was ameliorated with oral nifedipine alone.
Abdomen ; Actins ; Collagen ; Coloring Agents ; Humans ; Leg ; Leiomyoma ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Smooth ; Nerve Fibers ; Nifedipine* ; Skin

Primary cutaneous CD30(Ki-1) positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma(ALCL) is a rare subset of cutaneous lymphoma, with a much better prognosis. ALCL is a heterogeneous process that may have a T-cell, B-cell, or indeterminant(null) phenotype and which may or may not express the anaplastic lymphoma kinase(ALK) oncoprotein. We report a case of ALCL in a 72 year old man. About 4 months ago, multiple erythematous firm ulcerative mass and satellite nodules developed on the right lower leg. The skin lesions rapidly increased in number and size. Some lesions became painful and centrally ulcered. The histologic findings showed a diffuse infiltrate of large lymphocytes with large nuclei, prominent and multiple nucleoli, and ample cytoplasm. Immunohistochemical stainings for CD30, CD5 were positive but stainings for LCA, CD3, CD45RO, CD20, cytokeratin, EMA, and ALK were negative. Therefore, we diagnosed our case as CD 30+/ALK- ALCL.
Aged ; B-Lymphocytes ; Cytoplasm ; Humans ; Keratins ; Leg ; Lymphocytes ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic* ; Phenotype ; Prognosis ; Skin ; T-Lymphocytes ; Ulcer

Subcutaneous panniculitic T-cell lymphoma(SPTCL) is categorized as a rare subtype of peripheral T-cell lymphoma. It is characterized by primary involvement of the subcutaneous fat in a manner mimicking panniculitis with/without hemophagocytic syndrome. They share a generally aggressive course and are highly associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection. EBV infection plays an important role in the tumorigenesis and may be related to cutaneous lymphoma with hemophagocytic manifestations. We have seen a patient, a 67-year-old woman with tender erythematous nodules on both upper extremities and abdomen. With time, the skin lesion showed ulcerative change on her right thigh. She has also suffered from fever, weight loss, arthralgia, and general weakness without hepatosplenomegaly or lymphadenopathy for 4 months. During the admission, she complained of nausea, vomiting and dysarthria. On the MRI examination, we found a multi-focal solid lesion on her brain. The histopathological findings of the biopsy from her abdominal skin lesion showed a septal and lobular, histiocytic panniculitis with bean bag cells and atypical lymphoid cells identified as NK like T-cells and also dense diffuse infiltrates localized in the lower dermis and subcutaneous tissue, with minimal epidermal and upper dermal infiltrates without destructive change of blood vessels. The infiltrating atypical lymphoid cells expressed the phenotype of LCA, CD45RO, CD3, CD8, CD56 and also positive for EBV by in situ hybridization. Our case showed a clonal TCR gamma gene rearrangement by polymerase chain reaction. She was subjected to a course of treatment(cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisolone and radiation therapy) under the diagnosis of SPTCL. but died of sepsis due to urinary tract infections after 2 months.
Abdomen ; Aged ; Arthralgia ; Biopsy ; Blood Vessels ; Brain ; Carcinogenesis ; Central Nervous System* ; Dermis ; Diagnosis ; Dysarthria ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; Female ; Fever ; Genes, T-Cell Receptor gamma ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Lymphocytes ; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, T-Cell* ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Nausea ; Panniculitis ; Phenotype ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prednisolone ; Sepsis ; Skin* ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; T-Lymphocytes* ; Thigh ; Ulcer ; Upper Extremity ; Urinary Tract Infections ; Vincristine ; Vomiting ; Weight Loss

The goal of this study was to evaluate the sonographic findings of thyroid metastases arising from non-thyroid primaries. The study over a 5-year period comprised nine patients who had histopathologically proven metastatic disease to the thyroid. Ultrasonography was available in all cases. Ultrasound-guided needle aspiration was performed on 10 suspected nodules as determined by ultrasound. The Ultrasonographic findings were analyzed in two different ways. The first analysis included only those nodules biopsed, and the second analysis included all the nodules, biopsed and non- biopsed. The primary neoplasms were breast carcinoma (n=6), uterine leiomyosarcoma (n=1), cervical carcinoma (n=1), and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (n=1). Excluding 2 nodules, the 8 remaining metastatic nodules exhibited ill-defined hypoechoic character with heterogeneous texture. The other two nodules showed relatively circumscribed iso- or hypo-echoic character with cystic portion. From the analysis of ultrasonographic findings including all thyroid nodules irrespective of pathologic proof, 7 cases - excluding the 2 cases from the 9 cases - showed unilateral or bilateral multiple nodules suspected of metastasis. There was no evidence of microcalcification in any thyroid nodules. In conclusion, the sonographic findings of the thyroid metastatic nodules were not specific, but unilateral or bilateral multiple suspected thyroid nodules without evidence of microcalcification may be suggestive of metastatic nodules among patients with a known primary non-thyroidal tumor.
Adult ; Female ; Human ; Middle Age ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology/*secondary/*ultrasonography