BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a febrile acute multi-systemic vasculitis, which develops into carditis and coronary aneurysm. This study was performed to investigate cardiac troponin T (cTnT), troponin I (cTnI) and creatinine kinase-MB fraction (CK-MB) for diagnostic and prognostic value in acute KD before IVGG (intravenous gamma globulin). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The KD group comprised of 45 patients hospitalized between Jan. 2000 and Jul. 2003, with 25 non KD febrile illness subjects as controls. The KD group was subdivided into groups A (persistent normal coronary artery, n=20), B (abnormal coronary artery, n=19) and C (carditis, n=6) according to the initial echocardiography. The cTnT, cTnI and CK-MB levels were measured and compared. RESULTS: Comparing the KD and control subjects, the cTnT (0.0101+/-0.0030 vs. 0.0090+/-0.0000 ng/mL, p=0.025) and cTnI (0.0662+/-0.0581 vs. 0.0143+/-0.0112 ng/mL, p=0.000) were significantly elevated in the KD patients. However, all the data were within normal reference ranges. In a comparison among the KD groups, the number of infants, total fever duration and IVGG re-treatment were significantly higher in group B (p=0.021, 0.046 and 0.007, respectively). There were no significant differences in the cTnT, cTnI and CK-MB levels between the 3 groups. The CK-MB and cTnI levels were slightly elevated in group B compare to groups A+C, but these were not statistically significant. The CK-MB, cTnT and cTnI levels were slightly elevated in those with cardiac abnormalities (groups B+C) compare to group A, but these were not significant. The cTnT and cTnI levels were significantly decreased in the subacute phase (p=0.034 and 0.000, respectively). CONCLUSION: The levels of cTnT, cTnI, CK-MB were not very useful tools for detecting and predicting subsequent cardiac damage in KD patients. However, the cTnI level appears to be a more sensitive marker than the cTnT or CK-MB levels in KD patients.
Coronary Aneurysm ; Coronary Vessels ; Creatinine ; Echocardiography ; Fever ; Humans ; Infant ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome* ; Myocarditis ; Reference Values ; Troponin I* ; Troponin T* ; Troponin* ; Vasculitis

Although antenatal diagnostic technique has considerably improved, precise detection and proper management of the neonate with congenital heart disease (CHD) is always a great concern to pediatricians. Congenital cardiac malformations vary from benign to serious conditions such as complete transposition of the great arteries (TGA), critical pulmonary and aortic valvular stenosis/atresia, hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), obstructed total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR), which the baby needs immediate diagnosis and management for survival. Unfortunately, these life threatening heart diseases may not have obvious evidence early after birth, most of the clinical and physical findings are nonspecific and vague, which makes the diagnosis difficult. High index of suspicion and astute acumen are essential to decision making. When patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is opened widely, many serious malformations may not be noticed easily in the early life, but would progress as severe acidosis/shock/cyanosis or even death as PDA constricts after few hours to days. Ductus dependent congenital cardiac lesions can be divided into the ductus dependent systemic or pulmonary disease, but physiologically quite different from each other and treatment strategy has to be tailored to the clinical status and cardiac malformations. Inevitably early presentation is often regarded as a medical emergency. Differential diagnosis with inborn error metabolic disorders, neonatal sepsis, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) and other pulmonary conditions are necessary. Urgent identification of the newborn at such high risk requires timely referral to a pediatric cardiologist, and timely intervention is the key in reducing mortality and morbidity. This following review deals with the clinical presentations, investigative modalities and approach to management of congenital cardiac malformations presenting in the early life.
Arteries ; Decision Making ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; Early Intervention (Education) ; Emergencies ; Heart ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome ; Infant, Newborn ; Lung Diseases ; Parturition ; Referral and Consultation ; Scimitar Syndrome ; Sepsis

BACKGROUND: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are among the most important threats to patient safety. When hospitalized children face these threats, there is morbidity, mortality, prolonged hospitalization, and increased healthcare costs. Research on local healthcare epidemiology is necessary to enhance collective knowledge and evidence formanaging this problem. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of databases of patients who were diagnosed with HAIs at Chung-Ang University Hospital (CAUH) from 2007 through 2011. Cases were selected from the microbiology registry databases. The data on prevalence of HAIs in various wards and its annual trends were compared to previously reported nationwide data. Moreover, we analyzed the patterns of antibiotic susceptibility results for HAI pathogens. RESULTS: A total of 181 HAIs were identified in 122 patients. The HAI rate among pediatric patients at CAUH was 2.4/1,000 person-hospital days. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) (53 episodes, 29.3%) were the most common, followed by pneumonia (33 episodes, 18.2%). Staphylococcus aureus was found to be the most common gram-positive organism, whereas Escherichia coli was the most common gram-negative organism. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) comprised 84% of the S. aureus infections. Imipenem resistance was detected in 58.8% and 55.0% of Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, respectively. CONCLUSION: Between 2007 and 2011, UTIs were the most common type of HAIs, and MRSA was the most common pediatric HAI pathogen, both in the general ward and intensive care unit at the CAUH. Further research on the epidemiology and pathogenesis of HAIs is necessary and prevention measures should be implemented to prevent HAIs in children.
Acinetobacter baumannii ; Child ; Child, Hospitalized ; Delivery of Health Care ; Escherichia coli ; Health Care Costs ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Imipenem ; Intensive Care Units ; Methicillin Resistance ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Patient Safety ; Patients' Rooms ; Pneumonia ; Prevalence ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Retrospective Studies ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Urinary Tract Infections

BACKGROUND: Candida dubliniensis is newly described yeast that is a close phylogenetic relative of C. albicans and isolates mainly from the oral cavity. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to screen for C. dubliniensis using the 'spiking' appearance on a blood agar plate (BAP), germ tube test with human pooled serum (HPS) and fetal bovine serum (FBS) and to investigate the prevalence of C. dubliniensis from respiratory samples in Korea. METHODS: A total 434 isolates of Candida spp. were examined for the presence of 'spiking' on BAP and the germ tube test with HPS and FBS. Also all isolates were tested using the VITEK 2 ID-YST system. RESULTS: No C. dubliniensis was found in the study population. C. albicans was the most frequently isolated species (74.9%). CONCLUSIONS: No C. dubliniensis was identified in our study. Further large-scale studies are needed to isolate and to confirm the prevalence of C. dubliniensis.
Agar ; Candida ; Humans ; Korea ; Mass Screening ; Mouth ; Prevalence ; Yeasts

Edwards syndrome, also called trisomy 18, is one of the most common autosomal anomalies. The survival rate of patients with Edwards syndrome is very low and its characteristic findings include cardiac malformations, mental retardation, growth retardation, specific craniofacial anomalies, clenched hands, rocker-bottom feet, and omphalocele. Compared with the classic Edwards syndrome, the symptom of partial duplication of chromosome 18 is relatively mild with a good prognosis. We report the case of a baby with partial duplication 18q11.2-q12. The characteristic phenotype features of Edwards syndrome were observed in the patient. However, the symptom was milder than the typical Edwards syndrome. At present, we can expect better prognosis for this patient.
Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18 ; Foot ; Hand ; Hernia, Umbilical ; Humans ; Intellectual Disability ; Phenotype ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate ; Trisomy

PURPOSE: Delineation of serum lipid and lipoprotein values in children after Kawasaki disease (KD) is important because of the predilection of this disease for the coronary arteries. METHODS: The KD group was composed of 51 patients who were hospitalized from Jan. 2002 to Dec. 2003. Control was 25 patients with non-KD febrile illness. The levels of total lipid, phospholipid, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1 (apo A1), apolipoprotein B, and Lipoprotein (a) were measured and compared with Echocardiographic findings. Measurements were obtained in four time periods: acute febrile, subacute, convalescent phase and 1 year after KD. RESULTS: HDL-C (33.64+/-7.49 mg/dL vs 50.43+/-14.41 mg/dL, P< 0.01) and apo A1 (99.75+/-6.39 mg/dL vs 113.34+/-11.35 mg/dL, P< 0.05) were decreased more in the acute febrile period of KD than in the control, but these changes were not correlated with cardiac complications. All lipid profiles were markedly elevated in the subacute stage and normalized in the convalescent stage; there were no changes until 1-year follow up. There were no significant differences in the changes of lipid profiles, including Lp (a) and coronary dilatation, in any time periods. CONCLUSION: KD is associated with important abnormalities in lipid metabolism, but these changes were transient and appear to be due to the disease itself. These data lead us to infer that KD dose not cause such permanent changes in lipid abnormalities as to be considered a risk factor for atherosclerosis, beyond that caused by the disease itself.
Child ; Male ; Female ; Humans ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cilostazol is an anti-platelet and arterial vasodilating drug that inhibits phosphodiesterase type III, an enzyme that breaks down cyclic AMP in platelets, vascular smooth muscle cells, cardiac myocytes and adipocytes. Several animal and human studies have shown that cilostazol has the potential to reduce restenosis after coronary angioplasty, but the precise mechanism by which the inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell growth occurs from an increase in cyclic AMP is not yet clear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the effects of cilostazol on cell proliferation and expression of iNOS and p21 by western blotting with the cultured aortic vascular smooth muscle cells stimulated with platelet-derived growth factor BB. RESULTS: In comparison to the control, treatment with cilostazol significantly inhibited (p<0.05) the increase in cell number. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and p21 expression increased with cilostazol treatment, and these effects of cilostazol were eliminated by simultaneous incubation with the NOS inhibitor, L-NAME. These results indicate that cilostazol increases p21 expression at least partially through an iNOS-dependent pathway in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells stimulated with PDGF-BB. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that cilostazol has a direct inhibitory effect on abnormal proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells accompanied by the induction of iNOS-dependent p21 expression, and cilostazol may have potential to prevent restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention by this mechanism.
Adipocytes ; Angioplasty ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Count ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclic AMP ; Humans ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular* ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor

We report a case of catheter-related bacteremia due to Tsukamurella pulmonis. T. pulmonis is a rare cause of opportunistic infection in immunosuppressed patients and in cases of indwelling foreign materials. This infection was nearly impossible to identify using conventional phenotyping methods because of its similarities to the related genera Nocardia, Rhodococcus, Gordonia, Streptomyces, Corynebacterium, and Mycobacterium. This organism was initially misidentified as Mycobacterium aubagnense through PCR-RFLP analysis. We correctly identified this organism using 16S rRNA sequencing combined with phenotyping tests.
Bacteremia ; Catheters ; Corynebacterium ; Humans ; Korea ; Mycobacterium ; Nocardia ; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria ; Opportunistic Infections ; Rhodococcus ; Streptomyces

PURPOSE: To identify the necessity of more reasonable diagnostic criteria and the possibility of early prediction of coronary involvement in the higher risk group, we investigated and compared clinical and laboratory findings in the acute phase and coronary involvements in those younger (n=17) and older(n=53) than one year of age in Kawasaki disease(KD). METHODS: Retrospective chart reviews were performed on 70 patients with KD who were admitted to the Chung-Ang University Hospital from April 1997 to May 2001. RESULTS: Male were significantly higher in the younger age group(M : F ratio 3.3 : 1 vs. 1.0 : 1, P=0.004). Fever durations before intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG) and echocardiography were significantly shorter in the younger group(4.6+/-1.3 vs. 6.2+/-2.5, P=0.004 vs. 0.01, respectively). Cases meeting typical diagnostic criteria were significantly less in the younger group(P=0.006). In the laboratory findings, serum albumin, BUN and K+ levels in the acute febrile phase were significantly higher in the younger group(P=0.002, 0.006, <0.001, respectively) and incidences of coronary artery dilatation in the acute phase were significantly higher in the younger group(P=0.01). CONCLUSION: Although less met the typical diagnostic criteria of KD, infants younger than one year of age are more susceptible to coronary artery change in the acute febrile phase. Therefore, KD should be entertained as a diagnostic possibility in young infants with prolonged fever without distinct fever focus, and echocardiography should be considered as part of the evaluation of these patients, and then early diagnosis and prompt IVIG should be conducted.
Coronary Vessels ; Dilatation ; Early Diagnosis ; Echocardiography ; Fever ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; Incidence ; Infant ; Male ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome* ; Retrospective Studies ; Serum Albumin

PURPOSE: Pneumonia is one of the most common respiratory diseases in hospitalized children, and often recurs. It has been reported that asthma is one of the significant contributing factors to recurrent pneumonia. On the basis of similarities between asthma and recurrent pneumonia, we intended to evaluate the influence of allergy on recurrent pneumonia. METHODS: Seventy one children with recurrent pneumonia were defined as recurrent group(RG) and twenty one children with first episodes of pneumonia were defined as control group(CG). WBC, total eosinophil count, Eosinophilic Cationic Protein(ECP), serum total IgE and specific IgE for eleven common allergens using the CAP system were measured and compared. Recurrent pneumonia was defined as at least two pneumonia episodes in a year, or at least three episodes from birth to the time of our study. Children with previous allergic disorders were excluded. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in WBC, total IgE, and ECP between the two groups. Total eosinophil count in RG was significantly higher than CG(P=0.021), significantly correlating with ECP(r=0.755, P<0.05) and total IgE(r=0.354, P<0.05). When the cut-off value was 0.35 kU/L in CAP test, positive prevalence of CAP in RG was significantly higher than CG(P=0.009). Also, the positive prevalence of house dust mites group, especially Dermatophagoides farinae(D.f.), was significantly higher in RG(P=0.019, 0.025, respectively). When the cut-off value was 0.7 kU/L in CAP test, only a positive prevalence of house dust mites group was significantly higher in RG than CG (P=0.042). The quantitative levels of specific IgE for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus(D.p.) and D.f. were very high in RG(P=0.018, 0.028, respectively), significantly correlating with each other(r=0.639, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Allergic sensitization, especially to house dust mites, is one important contributable factor in recurrent pneumonia in children. Further study, such as bronchial hyperresponsiveness, is needed in children who were sensitized by D.p. or D.f..
Allergens ; Asthma ; Child* ; Child, Hospitalized ; Dermatophagoides farinae ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity* ; Immunoglobulin E ; Parturition ; Pneumonia* ; Prevalence ; Pyroglyphidae