In order to designate a status necessary for establishment of preventive measures and guidelines of health education against hepatitis B in the course of secondary school education, knowledge and practice toward hepatitis B virus infection was surveyed by a questionnaire method on total of 4,855 college entrants in the academic year of 1987 and analyzed the data collected using IBM PC(Trigem 88-II) with SAS package program. About two percent of college entrants had past history of HBV infections not showing any difference between both sexes and geographical regions. About one third(33.7%) of total students had tested hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg), only 4% had tested hepatitis B surface antibody(HBsAb) and vaccination rate amounted to 24.6%, one fourth of total subjects. Both serological tests and vaccination were most commonly performed during adolescence, showing higher rates in female students than in male students. The rates also seemed to be higher in those from urban cities than those from rural cities. Students who had acquired correct knowledge that hepatitis B was infected by virus were amounted to 78.5% of college entrants, and remaining 21.5% had misunderstood that rickettsia, bacteria, fungi or parasites were casual agents. Female students were better aware of the causal agents than male students but there was no difference between places of growth. As for mode of transmission of HBV, 51.5% of male students and 47.7% of female students had correct knowledge. A very few student had known that fact that HBV was transmitted by body fluids such as tear (6.9%), nasal discharge(10.1%) and semen or vaginal secretion(19.2%) and majority(75%) of students had misunderstood that hepatitis B virus would be transmitted per os through food ingestion. Approximately one half(48.9%) of college entrants had correctly whom to be vaccinated. Approximately one half of the students knew that hepatoma(57.8%) and liver cirrhosis(57.4%) might complicate with hepatitis B virus infection, whereas 12.0% of the students responded that bronchitis was one of the complications of hepatitis B infection. In summary of the above results, we highly recommend that health education program for eradication of hepatitis B virus infection should be introduced in curricula of secondary school education in this country.
Adolescent ; Bacteria ; Body Fluids ; Bronchitis ; Curriculum ; Eating ; Education ; Female ; Fungi ; Health Education ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Liver ; Male ; Parasites ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Rickettsia ; Semen ; Serologic Tests ; Tears ; Vaccination

Acoustic neuromas arise frequently within the internal auditory canal and cerebellopontine angle. Rarely, a schwannoma may occur primarily within the labyrinth or may extend secondarily into the labyrinth from the internal auditory canal. The authors experienced a very rare case of acoustic neuroma presenting as a tumor of the external auditory canal in a 43 year-old woman. Tumor was removed by a transotic approach and found to be present in the external auditory canal, middle ear, labyrinth, internal auditory canal and cerebellopotine angle. Subtotal resection of the tumor was performed due to severe adhesions to the facial nerve in the proximal internal auditory canal. Serial magnetic resonance imaging is planned to follow up the residual tumor.
Acoustics ; Cerebellopontine Angle ; Ear Canal ; Ear, Inner ; Ear, Middle ; Facial Nerve ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neoplasm, Residual ; Neurilemmoma ; Neuroma ; Neuroma, Acoustic

BACKGROUND: ABO genotyping is being used increasingly when the results of serologic typing are unclear or there is some suspicion of rare ABO subtypes. Conventional molecular diagnostic methods such as PCR- restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), allele-specific PCR, PCR-single stranded conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and sequence-based typing have been used in this field. Recently, a pyrosequencing technique was introduced into clinical laboratories. This study evaluated the possibility of applying pyrosequencing to ABO genotyping. METHODS: A total of 36 samples, which had previously been analyzed by PCR-RFLP and serological method in the Blood Genetics Clinic of Seoul National University Hospital between August 2001 and September 2004 and shown to have the A/A, A/B, A/O, B/B, B/O, O/O, cis-AB/O, cis-AB/A, or cis-AB/B genotypes, were analyzed by pyrosequencing analysis. Briefly, two PCR reactions were carried out separately for one region including nucleotide 261, and for another region including nucleotides 796 and 803. Pyrosequencing was then performed, and the pyrograms were interpreted using an automated interpretation program from the manufacturer and by researchers independently to determine the nucleotides 261, 796 and 803 for ABO genotyping. RESULTS: The ABO genotypes from pyrosequencing and the interpretation of the pyrograms according to the researcher on 36 samples were in complete concordance with the results obtained by PCR-RFLP. The ABO genotypes from the automated interpretation program showed an error in one out of total 108 SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) analyses (eRROR RATE=0.9%) OF 36 SAMPLES. CONCLUSION: ABO genotyping for A, B, O, cis-AB alleles by pyrosequencing of nucleotides 261, 796 and 803 was relatively simple and accurate and could be an another field we can use in clinical laboratories.
Alleles ; Genetics ; Genotype ; Nucleotides ; Pathology, Molecular ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Seoul

BACKGROUND: Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) are mobilized by granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), which causes several side effects in allogeneic donors. We report on side effects of G-CSF administration and determine which side effects could be used in predicting the amount of harvested CD34+ cells. METHODS: Data from the first PBSC collections of 155 healthy donors between 2007 and 2010 were analyzed. Side effects were assessed using adverse event inventory, which was graded from 1 (mild) to 3 (severe) or 4 (disabling). RESULTS: G-CSF administration caused an elevation of WBC counts (mean 44,834/microL) and 86% of them were neutrophils. The mean mononuclear cells in apheresis products was 6.6x10(8)/kg and mean CD34+ cells was 6.0x10(6)/kg. Bone pain was reported by 151 healthy donors (97%) and severe bone pain was related to more CD34+ cells in apheresis products (P=0.041): 39 for grade 1 (5.1x10(6) CD34+cells/kg), 86 for grade 2 (6.0x10(6)), and 26 for grade 3 (7.1x10(6)). In addition, the percentage of collecting more than 5.0x10(6) CD34+cells/kg during the first leukapheresis showed correlation with the severity of bone pain. CONCLUSION: Bone pain was the most common side effect of G-CSF mobilization and more CD34+ cells were harvested in cases of severe bone pain.
Blood Component Removal ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization* ; Humans ; Leukapheresis ; Neutrophils ; Stem Cells* ; Tissue Donors

BACKGROUND: Patients with platelet refractoriness as a result of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alloimmunization can be effectively managed by transfusion of HLA-matched platelets. In this study, we have retrospectively evaluated the effect of HLA-matched platelet transfusion using a hospital based donor pool of 450 HLA typed donors. METHODS: For 17 patients showing platelet refractoriness to random donor platelets [1 hr corrected count increment (CCI) <7, 500/microliter/m2; mean 1, 887/microliter/m2] and HLA alloimmunization, 78 single-donor apheresis platelets from 62 donors were transfused. HLA compatible donors were selected based on HLA match and patients' HLA antibody specificities. RESULTS: An average of 4.6 transfusions per patient were done and effective post-transfusion platelet increments were obtained with a mean 1 hr CCI of 17, 813/microliter/m2. In 76% (59/78) of the total transfusions, an effective platelet increment (1 hr CCI > or =7, 500/microliter/m2) was obtained. HLA crossmatch (NIH method) negative patients showed a significantly higher platelet increment compared with crossmatch positive patients (23, 877 vs 10, 823; P=0.000). Although better transfusion effect was obtained in higher grade HLA match of A-B2U by selection of HLA compatible donors according to patients' HLA antibody specificities, an effective platelet increment was obtained in lower grade matches as well. Platelets transfused < or =24 hours after collection showed a significantly higher platelet increment compared with those stored >24 hours (20, 325 vs 11, 417; P=0.029). CONCLUSIONS: Although many low grade matched donors were selected due to a relatively small size of HLA typed donor pool, effective platelet increments were obtained by selecting platelet donors on the basis of HLA antibody specificity.
Antibody Specificity ; Blood Component Removal ; Blood Platelets* ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; Platelet Transfusion* ; Retrospective Studies ; Tissue Donors

Since precise ABO blood group typing is the most important part of a safe blood transfusion, the cause of an ABO discrepancy should be determined before issuing blood. The authors confirmed the ABO blood group of a 25-year-healthy male using genotyping method in those who showed an ABO blood group discrepancy between the cell and serum types. ABO typing, saliva test, adsorption elution test and serum transferase assay were performed and the presence of a weak B substance and B transferase was suspected without any evidence of the B antigen on red blood cells. Polymerase-chain-reaction restriction-fragment-length-polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis was performed using the restriction enzymes including BstE II, Pvu II, BssH II, Alu I, and Mva I. The genotyping result showed a normal A allele and B allele. DNA analysis of exons 6 and 7 revealed normal A and B sequences. Therefore, we confirmed A(1)B(weak) blood type.
Adsorption ; Alleles ; Blood Transfusion ; DNA ; Erythrocytes ; Exons ; Humans ; Male ; Saliva ; Transferases

Candida species is indigenous fungus of healthy individuals, and frequently found in sputum culture. Candida isolation from the respiratory tract is not generally considered as a marker of lung infection, and definitive diagnosis of Candida pneumonia is confirmed by tissue biopsy. A few cases of Candida pneumonia pathologically confirmed by transthoracic needle aspiration of mycetoma have been reported. In Korea, a case of Candida pneumonia diagnosed by bronchial washing and blood culture was reported, but there is no case report diagnosed by biopsy. We report a case of Candida pneumonia diagnosed by endobronchial biopsy, and antifungal therapy resulted in successful resolution of the pneumonia.
Biopsy* ; Candida albicans* ; Candida* ; Diagnosis ; Fungi ; Korea ; Lung ; Mycetoma ; Needles ; Pneumonia* ; Respiratory System ; Sputum

The incidence of pregnancy in a rudimentary uterine horn is very rare. We experienced a case of ruptured rudimentary uterine horn pregnancy in the second trimester. The patient was treated by resection of the ruptured horn. Some articles concerned to this subject are reviewed briefly.
Animals ; Female ; Horns* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Pregnancy*

BACKGROUND: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a significant complication of heparin therapy induced by antibodies to heparin/platelet factor 4 (PF4) complexes. We investigated the diagnostic performance of four commercial immunoassays that detect the anti-heparin/PF4 antibody. METHODS: Four different anti-heparin/PF4 antibody assays were performed in 39 patients with suspected HIT: HemosIL AcuStar HIT-IgG, HemosIL AcuStar HIT-total antibody (Ab) (Instrumentation Laboratory, USA), STic Expert HIT (Diagnostica Stago, France), and PF4 Enhanced (Immucor GTI Diagnostics, USA). Patients were diagnosed with HIT when the Chong score was > or =5. RESULTS: The estimated sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of HIT were 33.3% and 80.0% for AcuStar HIT-IgG, 55.6% and 53.3% for AcuStar HIT-total Ab, 100.0% and 37.9% for STic Expert HIT, and 33.3% and 66.7% for PF4 Enhanced. All specificities significantly increased when 4Ts scores were included in the diagnosis. The areas under the curves (AUCs) for predicting thrombosis in the AcuStar HIT-IgG, AcuStar HIT-total Ab, and PF4 Enhanced assays were 0.639, 0.522, and 0.681, respectively. When the results of each assay were analysed along with 4Ts scores, the AUC increased to 0.927 in the AcuStar HIT-IgG assay and 0.944 in the AcuStar HIT-total Ab and PF4 Enhanced assays. CONCLUSIONS: The STic Expert HIT assay had high sensitivity but low specificity for diagnosis of HIT. The performances of the three other immunoassays were comparable to each other. Specificity significantly increased when assay data were combined with 4Ts scores. Differences in the diagnostic performance of the four immunoassays were not evident, and simultaneous consideration of clinical scoring systems improved performance.
Antibodies ; Area Under Curve ; Diagnosis* ; Heparin ; Humans ; Immunoassay* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thrombocytopenia* ; Thrombosis

Posttransfusion purpura is a rare but potentially fatal disorder, characterized by the development of severe thrombocytopenia following transfusion. We report the first case of posttransfusion purpura in Korea in a 39-year-old multiparous woman. Nine days after transfusion of two units of red blood cells during cesarian section operation, she developed sudden onset of purpura, gum bleeding, and severe thrombocytopenia. Serological analysis revealed that the patient had antibodies against HPA-3a (Baka) and HLA. She was treated with plasmapheresis and the platelet count dramatically normalized. Though posttransfusion purpura is a self-limited disorder, early diagnosis and proper treatment can shorten the duration of the clinical course.
Adult ; Antibodies ; Early Diagnosis ; Erythrocytes ; Female ; Gingiva ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Korea* ; Plasma Exchange ; Plasmapheresis ; Platelet Count ; Purpura* ; Thrombocytopenia