We examined the incidence of anti-Ro antibodies with sera from 60 Korean patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) by double immunodiffusion. Among these 60 sera tested, 31(51.7%) showed evident immunoprecipitations against Ro antigen on the Ouchterlony plates. Several recent studies indieate that the anti-Ro antibody occurs much less frequently in Occidental lupus patients(around 30%) than in Japanese lupus patients (50%). These data may be suggestive that the racial or ethnic baekground might be an important factor determining the serological, and perhaps the clinical features of SLE.
Antibodies* ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Humans ; Immunodiffusion ; Incidence* ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic

No abstract available.
Immunocompromised Host* ; Kluyvera* ; Sepsis*

The type-specific PCR and the sequence analysis of 56 kDa gene of Orientia tsutsugamushi infected in field rodents specimens have shown intratypic genetic heterogeneity in genotype Karp. In sequence comparison, this genetic heterogeneity was mainly due to insertion or deletion of a repeated unit in variable domain I (VDI) region. These results suggested that genetic duplication or deletion of the specific sequence rnight be involved in intratypic genetic heterogeneity of Orientia tsutsugamushi.
Genetic Heterogeneity* ; Genotype* ; Orientia tsutsugamushi* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rodentia ; Sequence Analysis

Filiform polyposis(FP), an unusual form of inflammatory polyposis, has been recently designated to a lesion characterized by multiple, long slender, finger-like projections of mucosa and submucosa of the gastrointestinal tract. We present 5 cases of FP, of which two were associated with irritable bowel syndrome, two with advanced colon carcinoma, and one with active ileotyphlitis(Behcet's disease). The polyps ranged from 1.0 cm to 3 cm; they were either isolated or aggregated, and their numbers were up to 100. The common microscopic feature was filiform polyps which consisted of central submucosal core covered by intact or minimally inflamed intestinal mucosa, comparable with that in reparative processes and formation of inflammatory(redundant) pseudopolyps. We conclude that awareness of FP in non-inflammatory bowel disease may promote the endoscopists to search its underlying disease and prevent unnecessary surgical procedure. Behcets enterocolitis in the ileocecal junction seems an additional preceding disorder of a localized form of FP.
Colon ; Enterocolitis ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Intestinal Mucosa ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; Mucous Membrane ; Polyps

Pathological proliferation of Brgnners gland is rare, and its wide range of morphologieal variations have led to confusing the terminology with considerable lack of agreement. Six cases of duodenal nodular lesions which consisted of pathological proliferation of Brunners glands were examined by light microscopy. Polypectomy was made in two cases, and the remaining 4 cases were examined with endoscopic biopsy materials. Two polypectomy specimens, 2 cm and 3 cm each in great diameters, consisted of protruded ovoid mass with broad and short stalks. Microacopically, all of 6 cases revealed thin strands of fibrous connective tissue which separated the normal-looking Brunners glands in lobules. Individual lobules were composed of groups of acini formed by cuboidal cells admixed with occasional endocrine cells. Presence of glandular and ductal configuration of the Brunners gland aside from thick, randomly arranged bundles of smooth muscle were featured without distinct relation to interlobular septa. Also, one polypectomy case disclosed the nests of fat cells interspersed with the glandular acini. One mucosal biopsy case contained not only the smooth muscle bands but also the intimate mixture of both acini and ducts. We conclude that some of heterogeneous composition of duodenal nodular proliferation of Brunners gland is indicative of a hamartomatous growth.
Adipocytes ; Biopsy ; Brunner Glands ; Connective Tissue ; Duodenum ; Endocrine Cells ; Hamartoma* ; Microscopy ; Muscle, Smooth ; Pathology

Edwards syndrome is first introduced by Edwards and characterized by facial anomalies, multiple cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, urogenital, and skeletal malformations. It results from triplication of part or all of chromosome 18 in some or all of the patient's cells. It has an incidence of 1 in 4,500 live births or less and short life expectancy. Recently we experienced a case of 3-day-old female new born infant with this syndrome. Post mortem examination showed progeric face with prominent occiput, large flabby ears, microphthalmia, and micrognathia, bilateral clenched hands with flexion contraction of middle fingers, and bilateral rockerbottom feet. Internal examination revealed horseshoe kidney, esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula, two accessory spleens, and multiple cardiac anomalies. A trisomy 18 was confirmed by the cytogenetic study.
Infant ; Male ; Female ; Infant, Newborn ; Humans ; Incidence

Frequent anomalies causing a left-sided appendix are situs inversus and malrotation. The ectopic position of the appendix frequently causes a delay or error in diagnosis because of atypical symptoms. A physical examination is of limited value unless dextrocardia is present. A left-sided appendix is a rare anomaly, but when other diseases are ruled out, it must be considered especially at the emergency department.
Appendicitis* ; Appendix ; Dextrocardia ; Diagnosis ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Physical Examination ; Situs Inversus

No abstract available.
Crohn Disease*

No abstract available.
Antibodies* ; Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome* ; Humans* ; Immunization*

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous manifestations of vasculitis can be seen as pleomorphic lesions; purpura, erythema, nodule, bulla, ulcer and so on. In cases of polyarteritis nodosa (PAN), cutaneous presentations of small artery pathology may be seen in about one fourth among those patients with systemic form of PAN, and in all cases of cutaneous form subset. OBJECTIVE: To examine the pattern or morphology of cutaneous lesions found in the skin (especially on the lower legs) among Korean patients with cutaneous form of PAN. Patients AND METHODS: Eight patients with diagnosis-confirmed cases of cutaneous PAN were examined regarding the patterns of cutaneous lesions, as well as possible local symptoms, distributions, duration, and any positive findings in laboratory examinations and systemic review. RESULTS: Clinical patterns of cutaneous lesions observed in the lesional areas among those 8 patients were mottled or atypical reticular erythema (5 cases), subcutaneous nodules (3 cases), scattered erythematous patch (3 cases), ecchymotic erythematous patch (3 cases) and superficial ulcer (1 case). Tenderness was detected at the nodular lesions; predilection site were shin and calf areas; a few laboratory abnormalities and systemic symptoms were found regardless of the duration of skin lesions. CONCLUSION: Common clinical patterns of cutaneous lesion recognized with 8 patients of cutaneous PAN were mottled/atypical reticular erythemas, subcutaneous nodules, erythematous/ecchymotic patches, and these in all cases were seen at the lower legs. In patients with each different clinical presentation, there were no relevancies between the duration and severity of the disease.
Arteries ; Erythema ; Humans ; Leg* ; Pathology ; Polyarteritis Nodosa* ; Purpura ; Skin ; Ulcer ; Vasculitis