BACKGROUND: The chemiluminescent assay(CLA) is a new in vitro non-radioactive modification of the radioallergosorbent test(RAST). The CLA permits quick, siultaneous detection of total and specific IgE in human serum up to 35 different allergens, as well as their semiquantitative concentrations into classes from 0(negative) to 4(very high). The CLA has shown sensitivity, specificity, and a good correlation with the RAST and also with skin pick testing. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to find the causatix llergens and to evaluate the clinical significance of CLA comparing the results of tbe CLA wi! h hose of the prick test in patients with chronic urticaria. METHODS: We performed the CLA with 35 allergens(MAST immunosunosystems, Inc., California, America) and the prick test with 51 allergens(Bencard Ltd., Bricantord, England) in 70 patients with chronic urticaria. The CLA detects the allergen-IgE reactic say the use of an enzyme-labeled anti-IgE and a coupled photoreagent mixture. lhe amount of the luminescent energy is measured by exposing a polarcid film and then semiquantitation is a sessed by using a densitometer. RESULTS: Except for those over the age of 60, all age-groups ealed a similar positive reaction to the CLA and prick test, but the positive reaction rate o the prick test(91.4%) was higher than that of the CLA(38.6%). The positive reaction rate oringle allergen and compound allergens was 10.0% and 28.6% in the CLA, but 10.0% and 81.4% in the prick test, respectively. In the CLA, the rate of positive reaction was 17(24.3%) in Dermatophagoides(D.) farinae, 15(21.4% ) in D. pteronyssinus, 5(7.1% ) in house dust, an 13(4.3%) in shrimp in that order. In the prick test, the rate of positive reaction was 39(55.7%) in house dust, 35(50.0%) in D. farinae, 29(41.4%) in D. pteronyssinus, and 21(30.0%) in haydrst(30.0%) in that order. The results of the CLA to 3 comrnon allergens showed a concordance rare of 67.6%, sensitivity of 34.3%, and specificity of 97.3% compared with those of the prick case. The levels of total IgE and eosinophils were elevated in 59(n=70, 843%) and in 5(n=56, 84.3%), respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the CLA may be used as an alternative method for the diagnosis of chronic urticaria because it is and coiomic, safe, simple procedure with very high specificity and trelative low sensitivity, and is sirnilt. neously capable of testing to multiple allergens.
Allergens ; California ; Diagnosis ; Dust ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Luminescent Measurements* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Skin ; Urticaria*

Ki-1 antigen was found by a monoclonal antibody, made against a Hidgkin' disease-derived cell line (L428) that reacted with Reed-Sternberg cells in Hodgkins disease and a few lymphocytes around lymphoid follicle. In 1985, Stein et al identified a large cell anaplastic lymphoma showing a distinctive pleomorphic appearance, sinus growth pattern, and reactivity to Ki-l. We report a case of Ki-1 positive large cell anaplastic lymphoma, which was presenting as a elevated plaque on the skin of popliteal fossa in a 69-year-old female.
Aged ; Antigens, CD30 ; Cell Line ; Female ; Hodgkin Disease ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; Lymphoma* ; Reed-Sternberg Cells ; Skin

We report a case of amelanotic melanoma(AMM) in a 53-year-old man who presented a single, 1.5×1.5cm sized, well-demarcated, bright red nodule with erosion on the right heel for 9 months. Histopathologic findings showed irregular junctional activity in the epidermal-dermal junction and alveolar formation in the dermis. The majority of the tumor cells were seen as bizarre and giant cell of epithelioid type with atypical mitotic figure. We could not find melanin pigment in H & E stain.
Dermis ; Giant Cells ; Heel ; Humans ; Melanins ; Melanoma, Amelanotic* ; Middle Aged

Type V hyperlipoproteinemia result from the accumulation of trglyceride(TG)-rich lipoproteins, very low density lipoprotein(VLDL), and chylomicrons. A 53-year old woman has showed asmptomatic, yellowish patches on tie palms and eyelids and papules on the knees with various types of xanthoma including xanthelasma palpebraum, xanthoma striatum palmare, anrl nonspecific papular xanthoma. The blood chemistry revealed a marked elevation of cholesterol and TG, and lipoprotein electrophoresis showed fasting chylomicronemia, prep-b and b-band, On histologic studies, typical foam cells were shown.
Chemistry ; Cholesterol ; Chylomicrons ; Electrophoresis ; Eyelids ; Fasting ; Female ; Foam Cells ; Humans ; Hyperlipoproteinemia Type V* ; Knee ; Lipoproteins ; Middle Aged ; Xanthomatosis

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis(AD) exibit multiple immune akno malities including elevated serum IgE levels and impaired cell mediated immunity, but basic immunology defect is largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immnologic changes after treatment with Cyclosporin A(CsA) in AD patients. MEHTODS: Eight patients of severe AD were treated with CsA(4mg/kg body weight per day) for 5 weeks, and evaluated clinical and immunological parameters before aid after treatment. RESULTS: Peripheral blood eosinophil counts were significantly decreased after treatment(P<0.05), and serum IgE level was decressed but not significantly. In immediate hypersensitivity reaction by pinprick test, antigen score was.significantly decreased, and in the evaiuation of cell mediated immunity to recall antigens, total induration score was significantly increased(p<0.05). The number of helper T cell and helper/suppressor 7 cell ratio in peripheral blood, and the niimber of helper T and suppressor T cell in skin lesion were both significantly decreased after treatment(P<0.05). Clinical state after treatrnent was good in all of patients. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that CsA act on peripheral blood osinophil and immediate and delayed hypersensitivity reaction as well as helper T-cells in peripheral blood and skin lesion, and it may by useful in the treatrnent of severe AD.
Allergy and Immunology ; Body Weight ; Cyclosporine* ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity, Delayed ; Hypersensitivity, Immediate ; Immunity, Cellular ; Immunoglobulin E ; Skin ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer

Atropine is a commonly used eye drug due to the effect of mydrasis and cycloplegia. The true allergic contact dermatitis to atropine is rarely reported. A case of allergic contact dermatitis due to atropine sulfate in a 35-year-old woman was confirmed by the patch test.
Adult ; Atropine* ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact* ; Female ; Humans ; Patch Tests

No Abstract Available.
Depression* ; Primary Health Care*

No Abstract Available.
Depression* ; Primary Health Care*

PURPOSE: Urolithiasis develops more frequently in patients with a family history (FHx). However, little is known about risk factors in stone formers with a FHx. The aim of this study was to examine the clinico-metabolic characteristics of urinary stone formers according to FHx. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A database of 1,068 stone formers who underwent a complete metabolic evaluation was reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups on the basis of the presence of a FHx. Clinical factors and metabolic parameters were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics, such as gender, age, body mass index, stone episodes, or multiple stones, between the two groups (p>0.05, respectively). Compared with stone formers without a FHx, however, serum calcium concentrations were more elevated in stone formers with a FHx. Also, the urinary excretion of calcium was higher in stone formers with a FHx than in those without a FHx. Other urinary metabolites showed no significant differences between the two groups (p>0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that stone formers with a FHx had increased urinary calcium excretion as well as elevated concentrations of serum calcium. This finding suggests that urolithiasis in stone formers with a FHx may be associated with calcium metabolic abnormalities.
Body Mass Index ; Calcium ; Family Characteristics ; Humans ; Risk Factors ; Urinary Calculi ; Urolithiasis

Tego (dodecylic aminoethyl glycine HCl) is an antiseptic detergent used abroad in hospitals, food industries, public baths, and for cleaning machinery. Allergic contact dermatitis may occur in hospital operating-room personnel, swimming instructors, and deep-sea divers. We present two cases of allergic contact dermatitis to Tego in two siblings after dressing the accidental abrasion with Tego . The patch test results showed a strong positive reaction to 0.1% Tego.
Bandages ; Baths ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact* ; Detergents ; Food Industry ; Glycine ; Humans ; Patch Tests ; Siblings* ; Swimming