Sparganosis is a rare parasitic infection caused by Spirometra species. Although it was relatively common in the past, it is now often overlooked. In this study, we review cases diagnosed through histopathological examination at a single institution in recent years to raise awareness of this neglected parasitic disease. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed cases of human sparganosis identified in the pathology archives of a single institution in South Korea between 2004 and 2025. A comprehensive review was conducted, including demographic data, clinical features, lesion locations, imaging findings, exposure history (such as dietary habits), and histopathologic findings. Results: A total of 15 patients were identified, including 10 females and 5 males, with a mean age of 65.1 years. Lesions were most commonly located in the lower extremities and breast. Imaging findings were largely nonspecific, with ultrasonography being the most frequently used modality. In most cases, clinical suspicion of sparganosis was absent, and excision was performed under the impression of a benign or malignant tumor. Histologically, variably degenerated parasitic structures were identified within granulomatous inflammation. However, preserved features such as calcospherules and tegumental structures facilitated definitive diagnosis. Conclusions: This study underscores the importance of recognizing the characteristic histopathological features of sparganosis, which can allow for accurate diagnosis even in the absence of clinical suspicion. Although rare, sparganosis remains a relevant diagnostic consideration in endemic regions, particularly in East Asia.

The recent approval of trastuzumab deruxtecan for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–low and HER2-ultralow breast cancer mandates an adequate assessment of these categories. Methods: Seven breast pathologists from the Breast Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists held an on-site expert consensus meeting. Fifteen sets of virtual whole slide images (WSI) of hematoxylin and eosin stain and HER2 immunohistochemistry were provided. The pathologists were given 60 minutes to submit their diagnosis of HER2 expression into null, ultralow, 1+, 2+, or 3+. Afterwards, in-depth discussion and consensus diagnoses were made by real-time visualization of the WSI. Results: After the consensus meeting, unanimous 100% agreements were seen only in five (33.3%) of the examined cases, which consisted of three 1+ cases and two 2+ cases. Two cases (13.3%) had mild disagreement, with only one pathologist’s disagreement. Of note, eight cases (53.3%) showed significant disagreement, defined by more than two pathologists’ disagreement. All HER2-null cases were reclassified as ultralow after consensus review, suggesting potential widespread underclassification of ultralow cases in clinical practice. Conclusions: Experts had significant discrepancies in interpreting HER2-low/ultralow status. It is important to assess if the distinction between HER2-low and ultralow is strictly required and if HER2-null breast cancer exists in reality.

The Wikstroemia genus is highly regarded in traditional Asian medicine for its diverse therapeutic applications, including the treatment of inflammatory and infectious conditions. Among its members,Wikstroemia trichotoma (Thunb.) Makino remains a promising medicinal resource which is yet to be chemicallycharacterized. To ensure the chemical consistency of W. trichotoma, we developed and validated the first HPLC method for the simultaneous quantification of three major marker compounds: chlorogenic acid (1), miconioside B (2), and matteucinol 7-O-apiofuranosyl(1→6)-glucopyranoside (3). Chromatographic separation was achieved on a C18 column using a gradient elution system of 0.1% formic acid in water and 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile. Detection was optimized using a photodiode array (PDA) detector at 280 and 325 nm, based on the absorption maxima of the markers. The method was validated in accordance with the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) guidelines. The results demonstrated high linearity (r2 > 0.999), with limits of detection and quantitation ranging from 4.28–6.42 and 12.97–19.47 μg/ mL, respectively. Intra- and inter-day precision (% RSD ≤ 1.83%) and accuracy (recoveries of 92.5–101.7%) were within acceptable limits. Quantitative analysis revealed the contents of 1, 2, and 3 in the W. trichotoma extract to be 19.9, 139.8, and 264.9 mg/g, respectively. This study provides a reliable analytical framework for the standardization, quality control, and future pharmacological evaluation of W. trichotoma.

Itching is a representative manifestation of urticaria. However, under certain conditions, urticaria may be characterized by nociceptive sensations, such as stinging or tingling, either instead of or in addition to itching. Three patients with chronic urticaria (CU) who experienced nociceptive pain accompanied by itching were identified and treated with immunoglobulin/histamine complex (IHC) therapy. Nociceptive pain resolved along with improvement in CU symptoms after 8 injections of IHC in the first patient and after 4 injections in the second and third patients. Nociceptive pain may present as a symptom of CU. The clinical characteristics of the transition from itching to nociceptive pain, together with the observed outcomes of IHC therapy, appear to support the intensity theory explaining this shift, which may be mediated by histamine. Further clinical and basic immunological studies are warranted to clarify the underlying mechanisms.

Purpose: This study aimed to report the real-world outcomes of intravesical gemcitabine for bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG)–unresponsive, high-risk, non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (HR-NMIBC) in Korean patients who were unable or unwilling to undergo radical cystectomy (RC). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 131 patients (median age, 69 years; 88.5% men) treated with intravesical gemcitabine for BCG-unresponsive HR-NMIBC at nine centers between May 2019 and April 2022. The primary endpoint was 1-year recurrence-free survival (RFS). The secondary endpoints included factors influencing RFS, progression-free survival (PFS), cystectomy- free survival, cancer-specific survival (CSS), overall survival (OS), and safety. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and risk factors for recurrence were assessed using Cox regression models. Results: Patients were followed up for a median duration of 25 months, with carcinoma in situ (CIS) in 41.9% of the patients. The 1-year and 2-year RFS rates were 68% and 42%, while the 1-year and 2-year PFS rates were 87% and 77%, respectively. No significant factors influencing RFS were identified. Seventeen patients underwent RC during a median follow-up of 16 months, with the condition in three patients progressing to muscle-invasive disease on final pathological analysis. The 2-year CSS and OS rates were 98% and 97%, respectively. Intravesical gemcitabine was well-tolerated, with only seven patients (5.3%) unable to complete the full induction course. Conclusion Our research highlights the potential of intravesical gemcitabine as a viable bladder-sparing treatment option for BCG-unresponsive HR-NMIBC, providing real-world evidence on its safety, efficacy, and tolerability.

Background/Aims: The absence of standardized clinical minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) breakpoints for Helicobacter pylori infection has resulted in inconsistent resistance definitions, even within the same research group in Korea. Therefore, establishing epidemiological cutoff values (ECOFFs) is essential for standardization. Methods: The MIC distributions for antibiotics commonly used against H. pylori infection in South Korea were analyzed from 2015 to 2023. A total of 5,925 primary H. pylori isolates were collected from five data sources, and MIC values were determined using the serial 2-fold agar dilution method. The ECOFFinder program was used to establish ECOFFs for six antibiotics. Results: The tentative ECOFFs for amoxicillin and clarithromycin were 0.125 μg/mL. The ECOFFs for levofloxacin, metronidazole, and tetracycline were 0.5, 8.0, and 0.25 μg/mL, respec-tively. The ECOFF for rifabutin could not be determined due to insufficient data. On the basis of these ECOFFs, the resistance rate was 17.9% for amoxicillin, 31.9% for clarithromycin, 40.9% for levofloxacin, 24.7% for metronidazole, and 11.5% for tetracycline. Conclusions This comprehensive analysis defined regional antibiotic resistance patterns and established Korea-specific ECOFFs, providing a foundation for determining clinical breakpoints and optimizing H. pylori eradication strategies.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive treatment modality used as an alternative to surgery in patients with benign thyroid nodules, recurrent thyroid cancers (RTCs), and primary thyroid microcarcinomas. The Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR) initially developed recommendations for the optimal use of RFA for thyroid tumors in 2009 and revised them in 2012 and 2017. As new meaningful evidence has accumulated since 2017 and in response to a growing global interest in the use of RFA for treating malignant thyroid lesions, the task force committee members of the KSThR decided to update the guidelines on the use of RFA for the management of RTCs based on a comprehensive analysis of current literature and expert consensus.

Background: Haemophilus influenzae is the causative pathogen for various infectious diseases, such as respiratory infections, otitis media, sinusitis, and meningitis. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and molecular characteristics of β-lactam resistance in non-typeable H. influenzae isolates in South Korea. Methods: In total, 115 non-duplicated H. influenzae isolates were included in this study.Bacterial identification and serotyping were performed using matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of bexA, respectively. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested using the broth microdilution method.The production of β-lactamase was determined using nitrocefin disks. The presence of blaTEM and blaROB was confirmed using PCR. ftsI was analyzed to identify amino acid mutations in penicillin-binding protein (PBP) 3. Results: Resistance rates to ampicillin, amoxicillin–clavulanate, and cefuroxime were 67.8%, 13.9%, and 32.2%, respectively. None of the isolates were resistant to cefotaxime or ceftriaxone. Among 78 ampicillin-resistant isolates, 71 were β-lactamase-producing ampicillinresistant (BLPAR), and 7 were β-lactamase-non-producing ampicillin-resistant. All BLPAR isolates carried blaTEM, and none carried blaROB. Among 16 amoxicillin–clavulanate-resistant isolates, 15 β-lactamase producers harbored blaTEM. Four to 7 PBP3 mutations per isolate were detected in all 16 non-β-lactamase-producing ampicillin-resistant or cephalosporinresistant isolates. Conclusion Beta-lactam resistance in non-typeable H. influenzae isolates is highly prevalent in South Korea, primarily because of blaTEM and various PBP3 mutations. Therefore, continuous monitoring of antimicrobial resistance rates and mechanisms in non-typeable H.influenzae is necessary.

Purpose: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most prevalent endocrine malignancy, and the global incidence has been steadily increasing over the years. Although PTC generally exhibits favorable prognosis, a subset of patients experiences aggressive progression and increased mortality. Current prognostic approaches, reliant on clinic-pathological factors, have limitations, underscoring the need for innovative biomarkers. MicroRNAs (miRs) have emerged as promising candidates due to their roles in cellular processes and cancer progression. Among them, the present study investigated the role of miR-18b in PTC, exploring its potential as a prognostic biomarker. Methods: Utilizing PTC cell lines (TPC1, K1), we examined miR-18b expression and its regulatory effects. The present study used web-based tools to predict the target of miR-18b and to investigate the prognostic impact of miR-18b on thyroid cancer. Results: Through a series of cell proliferation, invasion assay, gap closure, and colony formation assays, we identified that miR-18b suppresses PTC aggressiveness. Dual-luciferase assays confirmed that miR-18b directly targeted the 3’-untranslated region of CDK2 and suppressed the expression of CDK2. In addition, miR-18b significantly attenuates the interaction between cyclin A or cyclin E with cyclin-dependent kinase 2 according to co-immunoprecipitation assay.Western blotting of cell cycle proteins and flow cytometry revealed miR-18b–induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Conclusion Our findings underscore miR-18b’s potential as a biomarker for predicting the prognosis of PTC and suggest that it functions through direct regulation of CDK2, influencing cell cycle dynamics. This study not only enhances our understanding of miR-18b in thyroid cancer but also highlights its potential in refining prognostic evaluations and therapeutic strategies.

This review examines the challenges associated with occupational disease surveillance in Korea, particularly emphasizing the limitations of current data sources such as the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (IACI) statistics and special health examinations. The IACI system undercounts cases due to its emphasis on severe diseases and restrictions on approvals. Special health examinations, although they cover a broad workforce, are constrained by their annual scheduling, which leads to missed acute illnesses and subclinical conditions. The paper also explores the history of occupational disease surveillance in Korea, highlighting the fragmented and disease-specific approach of earlier systems. The authors introduce the newly established Korea Occupational Disease Surveillance Center (KODSC), a comprehensive nationwide system designed to gather, analyze, and interpret data on occupational diseases through a network of regional centers. By incorporating hospital-based surveillance and focusing on acute poisonings and other sentinel events, the KODSC aims to overcome the limitations of previous systems and promote collaboration with various agencies. Although it is still in the early stages of implementation, the KODSC demonstrates potential for improving data accuracy and contributing valuable insights for public health policy.