BACKGROUND: It seems that herpes zoster is caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus and its incidence is increasing. The reactivation of the varicella zoster virus is thought to be associated with the disturbance of the state of immunity in patients with herpes zoster. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the state of immunity in patients with herpes zoster in its acute phase(less than 7 days). METHODS: 1. Thirty patients with acute phase herpes zoster matched by age and sex against a control group, were checked for Helper/Inducer T cell(CD4), Suppressor/Cytotoxic T cell(CD8), NK cell, B cell and activated T cell by three color flow cytometric analysis. 2. Forty patients with herpes zoster measured delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity by means of Multitest' CMI. 3. Thirty patients with herpes zoster measured Ig G, M, A by means of N-antisera method.
Herpes Zoster* ; Herpesvirus 3, Human ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunity, Cellular ; Immunity, Humoral* ; Incidence ; Killer Cells, Natural

No abstract available.
Myasthenia Gravis* ; Thymectomy*

No abstract available.
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1* ; Interleukin-6* ; Keratinocytes*

We report a case of multiple agminated Spitz nevi in a 16-year-old boy who presented with multiple nodules on the right side of his face. His past history revealed that there had been erythematous and brown colored papules on the same site at the age of four. At that time one lesion was excised and histopathological findings showed fairly well circumscribed spindle and epithelioid cell nests consistent with a Spitz nevus. Twelve years later, he presented with multiple agminated brown to black colored nodules on the face. Microscopic evaluation revealed nevus cells diffusely distributed throughout the dermis showing no or little junctional activity. In addition, these cells were embedded in a strikingly desmoplastic stroma which consisted of acellular collagen fiber. Immunohistochemical staining for S-100 protein was positive. To our knowledge this is the first report of multiple agminated Spitz nevi in Korea.
Adolescent ; Collagen ; Dermis ; Epithelioid Cells ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Nevus* ; Nevus, Epithelioid and Spindle Cell ; S100 Proteins

PURPOSE: To report a case of severe vaso-occlusive retinopathy with significant decrease of bilateral visual acuity as the first manifestation associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). CASE SUMMARY: A 23-year-old man was referred to our clinic with bilateral visual impairment of hand motion (HH). Fundus examination revealed severe retinal hemorrhage, cotton-wool patch, occlusive retinal vasculitis with vascular engorgement, and diffuse retinal edema in both eyes. Because of a malar rash on both cheeks, generalized edema was observed on initial examination with hypertension, azotemia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia, The patient was diagnosed with SLE, strongly positive to antinuclear antibody (ANA), and received an intravitreal injection of Bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA) in the left eye in addition to hemodialysis, transfusion, systemic corticosteroid and immunosuppressant treatment due to lupus nephritis. Eighteen months later, the retinal edema, cotton-wool patch and hemorrhage resolved, leaving epiretinal membrane without traction in his left eye and diffuse degeneration of the right eye. Final visual acuity was HM in the right eye and 20/100 in the left eye. CONCLUSIONS: Vaso-occlusive retinopathy in SLE can result in permanent visual impairment. In a patient with a high possibility of SLE retinopathy, a periodic fundus examination and intensive management of systemic disease should be considered.
Anemia ; Antibodies, Antinuclear ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; Azotemia ; Cheek ; Edema ; Epiretinal Membrane ; Exanthema ; Eye ; Hand ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Intravitreal Injections ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Lupus Nephritis ; Papilledema ; Renal Dialysis ; Retinal Hemorrhage ; Retinal Vasculitis ; San Francisco ; Thrombocytopenia ; Traction ; Vision Disorders ; Visual Acuity ; Bevacizumab

PURPOSE: To evaluate the correlation between diabetic retinopathy (DR) and arteriolosclerosis in patients with NIDDM (non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus), to investigate the risk factors of DR, and to assess the change of the correlation according to the risk factors. METHODS: The study subjects were selected from consecutive routine clinical visits by random sampling from July 2002 to June 2003. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of DR, and the patients' charts, fundus examination and blood test were retrospectively reviewed. ETDRS (Early Treatment DR Study) classification for DR and Scheie classification for arteriolosclerosis were used. Statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS program (version 10.0). The confidence interval was set to 95%, and the level of significance was set at p=0.05. RESULTS: DR had a statistically significant correlation with arteriolosclerosis, especially according to duration of diabetes mellitus (p<0.05). Risk factors including diabetes mellitus duration, HgA1c level, and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol level showed statistically significant difference (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: From the result of analysis, DR has a statistically significant correlation with arteriolosclerosis, especially according to the duration of diabetes mellitus. To prevent vision-threatening complications of DR, the degree of arteriolosclerosis as well as risk factors such as diabetes mellitus duration, serum HgA1c level, and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol level should be carefully considered and monitored in the evaluation, progression, and treatment of DR.
Arteriolosclerosis* ; Cholesterol ; Classification ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* ; Diabetic Retinopathy* ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical and social characteristics of non-penetrating ocular injuries and use the results for treatment and prevention. METHODS: A retrospective survey was performed on 468 eyes of 421 patients, who visited our clinic due to non-penetrating ocular injuries from January 2010 to December 2010. The incidence of ocular injuries, sex, age, monthly and seasonal distribution, side, cause, influence of alcohol, and change in visual acuity were reviewed statistically. RESULTS: The incidence of non-penetrating ocular injuries was 4.9%. The incidence was more common in males (82.9%), in the 3rd decade of life (23.5%) and in summer (30.8%). Minor injuries (36.1%) were the most common caused by scratches, finger pricks, nails, or small foreign bodies. The second common cause was violence (16.4%), followed by traffic accidents (14.7%). The injuries related to alcohol represented 12.6% of all cases. When considering initial diagnoses, periorbital contusion and corneal abrasion were the most common. The initial visual acuity was less than 20/200 in 9.4% of the eyes and the final acuity after a 6-months of treatment was less than 20/200 in 3.0% of the eyes. CONCLUSIONS: This survey gathered the clinical and social characteristics as well as new insights into non-penetrating ocular injuries which can be used for treatment and prevention.
Accidents, Traffic ; Contusions ; Eye ; Fingers ; Foreign Bodies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Nails ; Retrospective Studies ; Seasons ; Sociology ; Violence ; Visual Acuity

BACKGROUND: To reduce or prevent myocardial injury during an ischemia-reperfusion episode, some pharmacological interventions, including administering nicorandil or verapamil, have becomepopular in clinical situations. Nicorandil is a N-(2-hydroxyethyl)- nicotinamide nitrate ester, and it's effective mainly by opening the K+ ATP channels in the mitochondrial membrane, and verapamil is useful for reducing the endothelial injury of coronary vessels during ischemia. In this study, we aimed to determine the cardioprotective effect when both drugs are used simultaneously. METHODS: Isolated rat hearts (the Langendorff perfusion model) were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer. After 30 minutes of controlled perfusion, we added nicorandil or verapamil separately and both drugs were administered together in another group (the mixed group) and we then induced ischemia for 30 minutes. We measured the heart rate, the developed ventricularpressure and the dP/dT during the control period during drug infusion and during reperfusion at 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes. RESULTS: During reperfusion, the mixed group showed more favorable results for the developed left ventricular pressure (LVP), the dP/dT and the rate pressure product (RPP). The heart rate was significantly decreased as reperfusion processed in all the groups. CONCLUSIONS: For myocardial protection during ischemia-reperfusion, a mixed drug regimen is more beneficial than a single drug regimen, and this occurs without inducing a significant decrease of the heart rate.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; Animals ; Coronary Vessels ; Heart ; Heart Rate ; Ischemia ; Mitochondrial Membranes ; Niacinamide ; Nicorandil ; Perfusion ; Rats ; Reperfusion ; Ventricular Pressure ; Verapamil

BACKGROUND: Pressure alopecia is the loss of hair following a prolonged immobilization, probably due to pressure-induced local ischemia. It is most commonly observed after surgical procedures under general anesthesia. Most of the studies or reports of pressure alopecia deal with postoperative cases. OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to investigate and understand the clinical manifestations, course and histopathological characteristics of pressure alopecia in various circumstances. METHOD: 27 patients with pressure alopecia, who had visited the Department of Dermatology at Busan Paik Hospital between 1998 and 2004, were examined clinically and histopathologically. RESULTS: The ratio of males to females was 4: 5, and the mean age of patients was 36+/-22 years. The cause of pressure alopecia were classified into 5 groups: open heart surgery, craniectomy, other surgeries, long-term bed rest, and the miscellaneous causes including wearing of hair prosthesis and group punishment. The most commonly involved site was the occipito-parietal area. Histopathological examination showed upper dermal edema and fibrosis, follicular fibrosis, melanin pigments, hair follicles in telogen and catagen stages, perifollicular lymphocytic infiltration and vascular change. The mean operation time was 8.1+/-7.2 hours in the patients with temporary alopecia and 17.8+/-7.6 hours in those with permanent alopecia. The mean operation time of the patients with temporary alopecia was shorter than those with permanent alopecia (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study revealed several causative factors of pressure alopecia including surgery, long-term bed rest, and miscellaneous causes. Therefore, close observation of the pressure site and changing the position of the patient's head at regular intervals are essential during the various surgical and nonsurgical treatments to prevent pressure alopecia.
Alopecia* ; Anesthesia, General ; Bed Rest ; Busan ; Dermatology ; Edema ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Hair ; Hair Follicle ; Head ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Ischemia ; Male ; Melanins ; Prostheses and Implants ; Punishment ; Thoracic Surgery

Eczema herpeticum is a herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection with disseminated skin involvement superimposed on a pre-existing dermatosis such as atopic dermatitis, neurodermatitis, pemphigus vulgaris and Darier's disease. We report a case of eczema herpeticum by HSV-1 infection confirmed by polymerase chain reaction in a 20-year-old man associated with Darier's disease.
Male ; Humans