Severe autoimmune hemolytic anemia was developed in the 45-year-old man whose anterior mediastinal growing mass, which was proved later as the invasive thymoma, had been found 4 years ago. The hemoglobin level was 6.2g/dl and both the direct and indirect Coombs' tests were positive. Prompt remission of the hemolytic anemia was achieved by thymectomy combined with corticosteroid therapy. Two months after the discontinuation of corticosteroid therapy his hemolytic anemia was recurred. The patient currently has been followed up for 8 months with no signs of local recurrence or hemolytic anemia and he is still receiving 15 mg of perdnisolone daily.
Anemia, Hemolytic ; Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune* ; Coombs Test ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Thymectomy ; Thymoma*

PURPOSE: Home exposure to aeroallergens are an important environmental factor in allergic sensitization and in the development and exacerbation of asthma. Most studies of aeroallergens were dust mite in Korea, but cockroach distribution was little been known in Korea. The aim of this study was to evaluate species of cockroaches and seasonal distribution of cockroaches in Seoul area. METHODS: The study was performed during April 2000 through January 2001, from 63 houses in Korea. The total of 63 residential homes from different districts in Seoul were selected for the home environment survey. Bait traps (10 x 20 x 4 cm2, Zoro Zoro, Taisho Pharmacy, Tokyo, Japan) were placed on four different places of kitchen floor and one in the side of balcony in the house and left for 5 days to capture cockroaches. RESULTS: The cockroaches were captured in 23 houses(36.5%) out of 63 houses. And the inhabitant density of cockroaches was highest in the autumn(43.3%) followed by summer (29.2%), spring(18.3%) and winter(9.2%). In only 3 species were collected in Seoul area. The most common species were Blattella germanica showing 72.5% of the collected cockroaches, followed by Periplaneta japonica(25.2%) Periplaneta americana(2.3%). The total number of captured cockroaches was 504 and the number of nymph was 314(62.2%). Isolated house type showed higher trapping rates than the apartment. Positive skin test rates were 46.2% in the healthy control group and 43.8% in the allergy patients. CONCLUSION: Periplaneta americana was captured in Seoul area, which had not been found previously. The inhabitant density of cockroaches was the lowest in the winter.
Allergens* ; Asthma ; Cockroaches* ; Dust ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Korea ; Mites ; Nymph ; Periplaneta ; Pharmacy ; Seasons* ; Seoul* ; Skin Tests