OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in serum YKL-40 level and humoral immune function and their significance in children with recurrent pneumonia.

METHODSBlood samples were collected from 30 children with recurrent pneumonia (recurrent pneumonia group), 30 children with acute pneumonia (acute pneumonia group), and 30 healthy children (control group). Serum YKL-40 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The correlation between serum YKL-40 level and laboratory indices related to humoral immune function was analyzed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the diagnostic value of serum YKL-40 level for recurrent pneumonia.

RESULTSThe recurrent pneumonia group had a significantly higher serum YKL-40 level than the acute pneumonia and control groups (P<0.05). The acute pneumonia group had a significantly higher serum YKL-40 level than the control group (P<0.05). Serum levels of IgG and complement 4 in the recurrent pneumonia group were significantly lower than in the acute pneumonia group (P<0.05). Serum YKL-40 level was negatively correlated with serum IgG level (r=-0.309, P=0.047) and serum complement 4 level (r=-0.324, P=0.039). The area under the ROC curve of serum YKL-40 level for diagnosing recurrent pneumonia was 0.958 (95%CI: 0.921-0.994).

CONCLUSIONSHumoral immune function is low in children with recurrent pneumonia. Serum YKL-40 may be involved in the occurrence of recurrent pneumonia and can be used as a reference index for diagnosing recurrent pneumonia.

Child, Preschool ; Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1 ; blood ; Complement C4 ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Immunity, Humoral ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Male ; Pneumonia ; immunology ; Recurrence

BACKGROUND: We comprehensively profiled cytogenetic abnormalities in multiple myeloma (MM) and analyzed the relationship between cytogenetic abnormalities of undetermined prognostic significance and established prognostic factors. METHODS: The karyotype of 333 newly diagnosed MM cases was analyzed in association with established prognostic factors. Survival analysis was also performed. RESULTS: MM with abnormal karyotypes (41.1%) exhibited high international scoring system (ISS) stage, frequent IgA type, elevated IgG or IgA levels, elevated calcium levels, elevated creatine (Cr) levels, elevated β2-microglobulin levels, and decreased Hb levels. Structural abnormalities in chromosomes 1q, 4, and 13 were independently associated with elevated levels of IgG or IgA, calcium, and Cr, respectively. Chromosome 13 abnormalities were associated with poor prognosis and decreased overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to demonstrate that abnormalities in chromosomes 1q, 4, and 13 are associated with established factors for poor prognosis, irrespective of the presence of other concurrent chromosomal abnormalities. Chromosome 13 abnormalities have a prognostic impact on overall survival in association with elevated Cr levels. Frequent centromeric breakpoints appear to be related to MM pathogenesis.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Calcium/blood ; *Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 13 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4 ; Creatine/blood ; Female ; Hemoglobins/analysis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A/blood ; Immunoglobulin G/blood ; Karyotyping ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma/*diagnosis/genetics/mortality ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

We tested correlations between anti-Helicobacter pylori IgG and IgA levels and the urease test, anti-CagA protein antibody, degree of gastritis, and age. In total, 509 children (0-15 years) were enrolled. Subjects were stratified as 0-4 years (n = 132), 5-9 years (n = 274), and 10-15 years (n = 103) and subjected to the urease test, histopathology, ELISA, and western blot using whole-cell lysates of H. pylori strain 51. The positivity rate in the urease test (P = 0.003), the degree of chronic gastritis (P = 0.021), and H. pylori infiltration (P < 0.001) increased with age. The median titer for anti-H. pylori IgG was 732.5 IU/mL at 0-4 years, 689.0 IU/mL at 5-9 years, and 966.0 IU/mL at 10-15 years (P < 0.001); the median titer for anti-H. pylori IgA was 61.0 IU/mL at 0-4 years, 63.5 IU/mL at 5-9 years, and 75.0 IU/mL at 10-15 years (P < 0.001). The CagA-positivity rate was 26.5% at 0-4 years, 36.5% at 5-9 years, and 46.6% at 10-15 years for IgG (P = 0.036), and 11.3% at 0-4 years, 18.6% at 5-9 years, and 23.3% at 10-15 years for IgA (P < 0.001). Anti-H. pylori IgG and IgA titers increased with the urease test grade, chronic gastritis degree, active gastritis, and H. pylori infiltration. Presence of CagA-positivity is well correlated with a high urease test grade and high anti-H. pylori IgG/IgA levels.
Adolescent ; Antibodies, Bacterial/*blood ; Antigens, Bacterial/*analysis/immunology ; Bacterial Proteins/*analysis/immunology/metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chronic Disease ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Gastritis/pathology ; Helicobacter Infections/blood/microbiology/*pathology ; Helicobacter pylori/isolation & purification/*metabolism ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A/*blood ; Immunoglobulin G/*blood ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Severity of Illness Index ; Urease/metabolism

OBJECTIVES: The seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) among high-risk groups overseas is high, but studies in these groups are rare in South Korea. We conducted the present study from April to November 2012 to obtain data on the seroprevalence and associated risk factors for HEV among slaughterhouse workers in South Korea. METHODS: Slaughterhouse workers from 80 workplaces nationwide were surveyed in South Korea in 2012. The subjects comprised 1848 cases: 1434 slaughter workers and 414 residual products handlers. By visiting 80 slaughterhouses, which were mixed with 75 of which also performed residual products handling, we conducted a questionnaire survey for risk factors and obtained blood samples in order to determine the seropositivity and seroprevalence of HEV. Anti-HEV IgG and IgM were measured using HEV IgG and IgM enzyme-linked immunospecific assay kits and HEV antigen was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: The seropositivity of anti-HEV IgG was 33.5% (slaughter workers 32.8% and residual products handlers 36.2%), and among the seropositive individuals the seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgM was 0.5% (slaughter workers 0.5%, residual products handlers 0.7%). The response rate of HEV-antigen as measured by RT-PCR was 0.2%. Risk factors significantly related to anti-HEV IgG seropositivity were age, sex , and working duration (slaughter workers only). CONCLUSIONS: There were significant risk factors (sex, age, and working duration) for HEV identified in our study. All three positive cases for HEV-antigen by RT-PCR were related to pig slaughter but without statistical significance. To prevent HEV, an educational program and working guidelines may be needed for high risk groups.
Abattoirs ; Adult ; Aged ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Hepatitis Antibodies/blood ; Hepatitis E/*diagnosis/epidemiology/virology ; Hepatitis E virus/genetics/*immunology/metabolism ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G/blood ; Immunoglobulin M/blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Risk Factors ; Workplace

OBJECTIVETo study the application of serodiagnosis of human bocavirus (HBoV) lower respiratory tract infection in children.

METHODFrom January to April, 2013, samples including serum, sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALFs) were obtained from 714 children hospitalized with ALRI. Serums were tested for HBoV-specific IgG and IgM antibodies by ELISA and all kinds of samples were tested for HBoV DNA by quantitative real-time fluorescent PCR. The results of HBoV serologic tests, viral DNA in sputum and their combination were compared with those of HBoV DNA in serums and/or BALFs, which was considered as the "standard". Their consistence and differences were evaluated, and the diagnostic parameters including sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, consistency rate, Kappa value and J value were calculated. Age distributions of the HBoV positive patients tested by the latter two methods were also compared.

RESULTThe positive rate of HBoV serology was 13.2% (94/714) . The results of HBoV serology, its DNA in sputum and their combination were all consistent with those of HBoV DNA in serums and/or BALFs (χ(2) = 91.834, 124.662, 138.643, P < 0.001 for all comparisons) . Differences were significant by McNemar test (χ(2) = 23.547, 33.440, 12.410, P all <0.001) . All the diagnostic parameters for single HBoV serologic test or single viral DNA test in sputa were approximate. However, they were improved to 70.4%, 94.8%, 38.0%, 98.6%, 93.7%, 0.463(P < 0.001), 0.65 for sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, consistency rate, Kappa value and J value, respectively, when the methods were combined. HBoV was found positive mainly in children under 3 years of age, especially in the 1 year group. The positive rates were the highest in both group -1 year, and group -3 years was the next. However, the rate was the lowest in group >3 years and in the group -6 months.

CONCLUSIONDiagnostic power can be improved and age distribution can be demonstrated when serologic tests were combined with traditional sputum DNA detection in children with HBoV lower respiratory tract infection.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Age Distribution ; Antibodies, Viral ; analysis ; blood ; Antigens, Viral ; analysis ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Human bocavirus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Infant ; Male ; Parvoviridae Infections ; diagnosis ; virology ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; diagnosis ; virology ; Sensitivity and Specificity

BACKGROUND: Measurement of the ABO antibody (Ab) titer is important in ABO-incompatible transplantation. However, to the best of our knowledge, no standard protocol or external survey program to measure the ABO Ab titer has been established in Korea. We investigated the current status of ABO Ab titer measurements at various laboratories in Korea and the impact of the protocol provided to reduce interlaboratory variations in the methods and results of ABO Ab titers. METHODS: The Korean external quality assessment of blood bank laboratories sent external survey samples with a questionnaire to 68 laboratories across Korea for the measurement of ABO Ab titers in May 2012. After 6 months, a second set of survey samples were sent with a standard protocol to 53 of the previously surveyed laboratories. The protocol recommended incubation at room temperature only and use of the indirect antihuman globulin method for the tube test as well as and the column agglutination test (CAT). RESULTS: Several interlaboratory variations were observed in the results, technical procedures, and methods selected for measurement. We found that 80.4% laboratories hoped to change their protocol to the provisional one. Additionally, CAT showed significantly lower variation among laboratories (P=0.006) than the tube test. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides baseline data regarding the current status of ABO Ab titer measurement in Korea. The standard protocol and external survey were helpful to standardize the technical procedures and select methods for ABO Ab titer measurement.
ABO Blood-Group System/*immunology ; Agglutination Tests/*standards ; Antibodies/*analysis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G/analysis ; Immunoglobulin M/analysis ; Laboratories/*standards ; Questionnaires ; Republic of Korea ; Temperature

BACKGROUND: Most immune reactions related to transfusion and transplantation are caused by IgM ABO antibodies. However, IgG also plays an important role in these reactions. Therefore, a method to measure antibodies, including IgG, is necessary. We investigated ABO antibody titers of healthy individuals using a column agglutination technique (CAT) with or without dithiothreitol (DTT) and compared them with titers obtained using a conventional tube method. METHODS: Among healthy adults who underwent a medical examination, 180 individuals (60 with blood group A, 60 with group B, and 60 with group O) were selected. Antibody titrations were performed using the immediate spin (IS) tube, anti-human globulin (AHG) tube, and CAT with or without DTT methods. RESULTS: Higher median values of anti-B and anti-A titers in groups A and B individuals, respectively, were obtained using the IS method than using the AHG method. Higher values for group O individuals were obtained using the AHG method. Higher median titers of anti-B and anti-A in group O individuals were obtained using CAT without DTT than using the AHG method. Median titers of anti-B and anti-A in all blood groups were higher in CAT without DTT than in CAT with DTT, especially for group O individuals. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend CAT with and without DTT for titration of anti-A and anti-B, especially in group O individuals, to provide more sensitive results that include IgG data. Adjustment of insurance coverage of fees associated with antibody titration might be necessary, considering the actual cost of reagents and personnel.
ABO Blood-Group System/*immunology ; Adult ; *Agglutination Tests/instrumentation ; Antibodies/*analysis/immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G/immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged

BACKGROUND: The dramatic increase in use of the IgG test for toxoplasma, rubella, cytomegalovirus (CMV), and herpes simplex virus (HSV) [TORCH] has led to the requirement for a high-efficiency method that can be used in the clinical laboratory. This study aimed to compare the results of BGI-Array ELISA TORCH IgG (BGI-GBI, China) screening method to those of Virion/Serion TORCH IgG ELISA (Virion/Serion, Germany). METHODS: Serum specimens (n=400) submitted for routine IgG testing by Virion/Serion ELISA were also tested using the BGI-Array ELISA method. The agreements of these two kinds of method were analyzed by kappa-coefficients calculation. RESULTS: Following repeat testing, the BGI-Array ELISA TORCH IgG assays demonstrated agreements of 99.5% (398/400 specimens), 98% (392/400 specimens), 99% (396/400 specimens), and 99.5% (398/400 specimens), respectively. The BGI-Array ELISA IgG assays provided results comparable to Virion/Serion ELISA results, with kappa-coefficients showing near-perfect agreement for the HSV (kappa=0.87), rubella (kappa=0.92) and CMV (kappa=0.93) and substantial agreement for the toxoplasma (kappa=0.80) IgG assays. The use of the BGI-Array ELISA TORCH IgG assays could reduce the turnaround time (1.5 hr vs. 5 hr by Virion/Serion ELISA for 100 specimens) and were easy to use. CONCLUSIONS: BGI-Array ELISA TORCH IgG shows a good agreement with Virion/Serion ELISA methods and is suitable for clinical application.
Antibodies, Viral/blood ; Cytomegalovirus/immunology/*metabolism ; *Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G/*analysis/blood ; Protozoan Infections/diagnosis ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Rubella virus/immunology/*metabolism ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Simplexvirus/immunology/*metabolism ; Toxoplasma/immunology/*metabolism ; Virion/*immunology/metabolism ; Virus Diseases/diagnosis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is sometimes associated with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP). Infiltration of immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-positive plasma cells is sometimes detected in the colonic mucosa of AIP or UC patients. This study aimed to clarify the relation between UC and IgG4. METHODS: Associations with UC were reviewed in 85 AIP patients. IgG4 immunostaining was performed on biopsy specimens from the colonic mucosa of 14 AIP and 32 UC patients. RESULTS: UC was confirmed in two cases (type 1 AIP, n=1; suspected type 2 AIP, n=1). Abundant infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells in the colonic mucosa was detected in the case of suspected type 2 AIP with UC and two cases of type 1 AIP without colitis. Abundant infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells was detected in 10 UC cases (IgG4-present, 31%). Although 72% of IgG4-absent UC patients showed mild disease activity, 70% of IgG4-present patients showed moderate to severe disease activity (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: UC is sometimes associated with AIP, but it seems that UC is not a manifestation of IgG4-related disease. Infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells is sometimes detectable in the colonic mucosa of UC patients and is associated with disease activity.
Adult ; Aged ; Colitis, Ulcerative/*blood/complications ; Colon/*chemistry ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G/*analysis ; Intestinal Mucosa/*chemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatitis/*blood/complications ; Retrospective Studies

A 52-year-old woman presented with lower back pain, progressive symmetrical paraparesis with sensory impairment, and sphincter disturbance. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the whole spine revealed multiple intradural extramedullary serpiginous-mass lesions in the subarachnoid space continuously from the prepontine to the anterior part of the medulla oblongata levels, C7, T2-T8, and T12 vertebral levels distally until the end of the theca sac and filling-in the right S1 neural foramen. Sparganosis was diagnosed by demonstration of the sparganum in histopathological sections of surgically resected tissues and also by the presence of serum IgG antibodies by ELISA. DNA was extracted from unstained tissue sections, and a partial fragment of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene was amplified using a primer set specific for Spirometra spp. cox1. After sequencing of the PCR-amplicon and alignment of the nucleotide sequence data, the causative agent was identified as the larva of Spirometra erinaceieuropaei.
Animals ; Antibodies, Helminth/blood ; Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Helminth Proteins/genetics ; Histocytochemistry ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G/blood ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polyradiculopathy/*pathology ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Sparganosis/*diagnosis/*pathology ; Spine/radiography ; Spirometra/classification/genetics/*isolation & purification