• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.131-140
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• 1989

Sera from confirmed patients of 5 hydatidosis, 67 neurocysticercosis and 89 other parasitic diseases were tested for specific antibody (IgG) levels by ELISA to cystic quid antigens from metacestodes of Echinococcus granuzosus (HF) and Taenia sodium (CF). All hydatidosis sera reacted positively to both HF and CF while neuro- cysticercosis sera did in 49.3% to HF and 85.1% to CF, The frequencies of cross- reactions were lower in other parasitic diseases to both antigens, By SDS-PAGE, protein bands of 64, 35, 22 and 7 kilodaltons (kDa) were found common in HF and CF. SDS-PAGE/immunoblot exhibited that hl·datidosis sera reacted crossly to CF at 135, 110, 100, 86, 64, 45, 39, 35 and 24 kDa bands while neurocysticercosis sera did to HF at 135, 100, 86, 64, 52, 39, 35, 29 and 24 kDa bands. These results indicated that protein bands of 135, 100, 86, 64, 39, 35 and 24 kDa were major common components in HF and CF. Protein bands of 7 kDa in HF and 15, 10 and 7 kDa in CF did not react crossly and were specific components in respective antigens.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.29 no.3 s.54
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• pp.669-678
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• 1996

Helicobacter pylori is now recognized as causative agent of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer, and strongly associated with development of gastric carcinoma. With development of sensitive and specific serologic tests to identify individuals infected with Helicobacter pylori, the epidemiologic study of this diseases has been investigated. But it's transmission route is not established, yet. The purpose of this study is to measure the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in healthy children and young adults and to evaluate related factors for Helicobacter pylori infection in Korea. The seroprevalence of Ig G antibodies to Helicobacter pylori was determined using a Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay and we obtained the information, such as demographic characteristics, monthly household income, numbers of family members in the house, numbers of persons using same room, type of house, and type of drinking water through the questionnaire survey. The observed overall seropositivity rate was 25.7%. The rate is increased progressively from 5.8% in the age group $1\sim3$ years to 44.4% in the age group $20\sim29$years($\chi^2$ for trend, p<0.001). Especially, the rate increased steeply from 6.5% in the age group $4\sim6$ years to 20.8% in the age group $7\sim9$ years, and this suggested that elementary school age was the major acquisition time of Helicobacter pylori infection. In multivariate logistic regression model, age, numbers of family members in the house, and type of house was statistically significant variables for Helicobacter pylori infection. Each odds ratio(93% CI) were as follows; base to age group $1\sim9$ years, age group $10\sim19$ years $3.6(2.0\sim6.4)$, age group $20\sim29$ years $7.3(4.1\sim13.1)$ and base to group of $1\sim3$ family members, group of $4\sim5$ family members $2.1(1.1\sim4.0)$, group of 6 or more family members $2.7(1.3\sim5.4)$ and base to apartment, single and multihouse $1.9(1.1\sim3.5)$. Sex, monthly household income, numbers of persons using same room, and type of drinking water was not statistically significant for Helicobacter pylori infection.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.149-158
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• 2005

Purpose : To determine the histological findings and treatment outcome in cases of child hood nephrotic syndrome which required renal biopsy. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the clinical, laboratory, pathologic findings and therapeutic outcomes of 159 nephrotic children who received a renal biopsy at the Department of Pediatrics, Kyunghee Medical University Hospital, Seoul from 1984 to 2004 over a period of 21 years. The renal biopsy was performed in nephrotic children who showed atypical features at presentation, or needed cytotoxic therapy because of frequent-relapsing, steroid-dependent, or steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome(SRNS). Results : Minimal change disease(MCD) was found in 52.1$\%$ of the patients, followed by diffuse mesangial proliferation(33.1$\%$), focal segmental gomerulosclerosis(5.3$\%$), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis(2.4$\%$), membranous nephropathy(2.4$\%$), and IgA nephropathy(1.8$\%$). In MCD children, 14.8$\%$ had hematuria, 22.7$\%$ had hypertension, 5.7$\%$ showed decreased renal function, and no patient was found to have an abnormal complement level. Among patients diagnosed with diseases other than MCD, 43.2$\%$ had hematuria, 21.0$\%$ was found to be hypertensive, 7.4$\%$ of children showed decreased renal function and only 3(3.7$\%$) had decreased complement level; the rates of hematuria and SRNS were found to be significantly higher than MCD patients. Among 37 SRNS patients, 30(81.0$\%$) showed a final remission state with long-term steroid therapy, including methylprednisolone pulse therapy, over 4 months, with or without cytotoxic therapy. Conclusion : Almost half of the cases of childhood nephrotic syndrome requiring renal biopsy were not diagnosed with MCD. Among atypical features, hematuria and steroid-resistance would be the most probable indicators for a diagnosis other than MCD. Even in patients with SRNS, long-term methylprednisolone pulse therapy may result in a good remission rate. (J Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2005;9:149-158)

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.48-55
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• 2002

Purpose: Thin glomerular basement membrane nephropathy (TGBMN) is recognized as the leading cause of microscopic hematuria in both children and adults. However thinning of glomerular basement membrane (TCBM) has been found in healthy adult and also is known to be associated with various renal diseases such as Alport syndronh, IgA nephropathy and mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis. The association of TGBM with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) has been very rare so that the present study was undertaken to determine the relationship between TGBM and MCNS. Methods: The study population consisted of 49 children with biopsy- proven MCNS who have been admitted to the pediatric department of Kyungpook University Hospital during the past 5 years from 1997 to 2001. Group I consisted of 8 children associated with TGBM and Group II 41 children without TCBM. Various parameters such as age of illness, duration from discovery of illness to the time of biopsy, family history of hematuria and other laboratory tests were compared between these two groups and the following results were obtained. Results: Age distribution showed slightly older age in Group I ($7.1{\pm}3.5$ years) compared to Group II ($4.8{\pm}2.9$ years). However this was not statistically different (P=0.056). Family history of hematuria was noted in 2 cases in Group II. Though statistically not significant, hematuria was seen in 2 out of 8 cases ($25\%$) in MCNS children with TGBM, compared to 7 out of 41 cases ($17\%$) with MCNS children without TGBM. Other parameters such as BUN, creatinine, 24 hours urine protein excretion, serum protein, albumin, cholesterol, and T4/T8 ratio, showed no difference. Also renal biopsy finding showed no significant difference and the thickness of glomerular basement membrane in Croup I was $188{\pm}30nm$. Conclusion: TGBM was found in 8 out of 49 children with MCNS ($16.3\%$). And this high frequency of occurrence indicates that these association is not an incidental findings. Typical clinical findings of TCBMN was not noted in all of the 8 children with MCNS associated with TGBM, suggesting that thinning of glomerular basement membrane (TCBN) is secondary to rather than the cause of MCNS. (J Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2002;6: 48-55)

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.618-623
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• 2011

Escherichia coli O157:H7 has been considered as a significant food-borne pathogen since its role in causing hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome in humans was recognized. In this study, we developed an immunochromatography (ICG) assay for the detection of E. coli O157:H7. E. coli O157:H7 monoclonal antibody (EC MAb) and colloidal gold were conjugated and its specificity was determined by the ICG treated with EC MAb and antimouse IgG at test and control lines, respectively. The detection limit of the ICG was $1{\times}10^5$ CFU/mL, and no crossreactivity was observed to other E. coli strains and major food-borne pathogens. To determine the minimum enrichment time for the ICG, meats and sprouts were inoculated with $1{\times}10$ CFU/100 ${\mu}L$ of E. coli O157:H7. After enrichment time of 10 and 2 h for meats and sprouts, respectively, up to $1{\times}10$ CFU/100 ${\mu}L$ of E. coli O157:H7 could be detected by ICG.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.323-328
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• 2008

Purpose : Asthma is defined as chronic inflammation of the lower small airways, and bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) is a pathophysiologic feature of asthma. It has been proposed that although there is no direct variable capable of assessing the small airways, a forced expiratory flow of between 25 and 75 percent ($FEF_{25-75}$) might be considered a more sensitive early marker of small airway obstruction than the forced expiratory volume in 1 second ($FEV_1$). Thus, we proposed that the presence and degree of positive responses to bronchial methacholine testing were related to the difference (DFF) and ratio (RFF) between $FEV_1$ and $FEF_{25-75}$ in asthmatic children. Methods : The subjects were 583 symptomatic children, including 324 children with BHR and 259 controls. Pulmonary function tests, methacholine challenge tests, and skin prick tests were performed, and the total eosinophil count, total serum IgE, and serum eosinophil cationic protein level were measured in all subjects. From a concentration-response curve, the methacholine concentration required to produce a decrease of 20% from post-saline $FEV_1$ was calculated ($PC_{20}$). Results : The median DFF and RFF values decreased in controls compared to subjects with bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and this trend was found in groups ranked by its severity. $PC_{20}$ had a negative correlation with DFF and RFF. Cutoff values of 0.5 for DFF and 1.042 for RFF were identified, and sensitivity and specificity were calculated. Conclusion : This study revealed that DFF and RFF might be predictive of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in the context of normal $FEV_1$ in children.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.82-86
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• 2006

Purpose : The isolated microscopic hematuria is the most common abnormality detected by school urinary screening, but there is no consensus about the range of investigations and long-term outcomes of isolated hematuria in children yet. This study aims to elucidate the prognosis of hematuria and the range of diagnostic studies by follow-up results. Methods : Students with isolated hematuria who were referred to the Department of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center from Aug. 1990 to Feb. 2004 were analysed retrospectively. Cases that presented Through significant proteinuria(>250 mg/day), other symptoms of nephritis or renal dysfunction (creatinine clearance <85 mL/min/$1.73m^2$) were excluded. Follow-up was done every six months with checking urinalysis, serum creatinine, protein and albumin. When albuminuria was detected, 24 hour urine protein was checked. Renal biopsy was done when urine protein was over 500 mg/day. Results : A total of 331 students were enrolled in this study. There were 157 males and 174 females. The mean age at presentation was $9.9{\pm}2.3$ years(7-15 years) and mean follow-up period was $2.2{\pm}1.6$ years(1-10 years). Seventy five(22.7 percent) patients showed the resolution of microscopic hematuria. The mean resolution period was $2.6{\pm}1.7$ years(1-8 years). Eight(2.4 percent) patients developed significant proteinuria and renal biopsy was done in four of them. Two cases of mild IgA nephropathy and two of minimal change were detected. None of them developed hypertension. At the end of the follow-up, renal function had remained stable in all subsets of patients. Conclusion : The prognosis of isolated microscopic hematuria was good. This study suggests that invasive studies including renal biopsy are not necessary and a regular follow-up of urinalysis is enough for children with isolated microscopic hematuria.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.489-497
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• 2002

Purpose : The objectives of this study were to investigate the causes of chronic cough and to establish the appropriate diagnostic approach to chronic cough in children. Methods : One hundred and thirty two cases of chronic cough were prospectively evaluated. They visitors to pediatric chronic cough clinics at Kang-nam saint Mary's Hospital of Catholic University from August 2000 to July 2001 for 12 months. Careful history taking by questionnaire, physical examination, radiologic studies of chest and sinus, hematologic and immunologic studies, allergic skin tests, and methacholine challenge tests were performed. Color doppler(CD) ultrasonography were performed and compared with simultaneous 24 Hr. esophageal pH monitoring to diagnose gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD). Results : Age distributions were demonstrated that nine in infants, 82 in early childhood, 38 in late childhood, and three in adolescence. Common causes of chronic cough were bronchial asthma in 40 cases, chronic sinusitis in 22 cases, GERD in seven cases, bronchial asthma combined with sinusitis in 28 cases, bronchial asthma combined with GERD in 14 cases, psychogenic cough in two. cases, foreign body in one case, chronic bronchitis in one case, and bronchiolitis in one case. Comparing with 24 Hr. pH monitoring, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive values of CD ultrasonography were 88%, 69%, 85 %, and 73% respectively. Conclusion : The most common causes of chronic cough in children were bronchial asthma, sinusitis and GERD in order. We suggest that CD ultrasonography can be used as a good, convenient screening method for patients with suspected GERD in outpatient settings.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.377-382
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• 2008

Purpose : The aim of this study is to assess the usefulness of skin test by an inactivated, 1/50 diluted solution of attenuated varicella vaccine in evaluating the immune status to varicella. Methods : Total 41 subjects (22 males, 19 females, aged 1-32 years) were enrolled from July to August, 2005. Past medical history including varicella infection, varicella vaccination were investigated through questionnaires. The skin test solution was prepared from solution of attenuated varicella vaccine(Oka strain) which was inactivated by exposure to room temperature for 10 days and diluted at 1/50 with normal saline. Skin test was done by injecting 0.1 mL of the solution intradermally into the volar surface of the right forearm and sterile normal saline was used as a control on the left forearm. Positive reaction was defined when the transverse diameter of the induration was 5 mm or more. Serum varicella zoster virus specific IgG antibody test by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) was done. Results : In adults, the sensitivity of the varicella zoster virus skin test compared to ELISA was 94.7% and the positive predictive value was 100%. In children, both the positive predictive value and specificity were 100% but the sensitivity and the negative predictive value were 50% and 30.7% respectively. Children showed smaller skin test reactivity compared to adults. Conclusion : The varicella zoster virus skin test using inactivated, 1/50 diluted solution of attenuated varicella vaccine was proved as one of the useful tools for evaluating the immunity and susceptibility of the varicella zoster virus.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.172-176
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• 2009

Purpose: The rapid urease test is a rapid and reliable method for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection. However it requires gastric mucosal biopsies during endoscopy, and the test is not covered by national health insurance for patients with gastric cancer. So, we introduced an alternative method for a rapid urease test using back-table gastric mucosal biopsies from gastrectomy specimen. Materials and Methods: Ninety gastric cancer patients underwent an anti H. pylori IgG ELISA test and gastrectomy. Just after gastrectomy, two gastric mucosal biopsies from the prepyloric antrum and lower body of the gastrectomy specimen were taken from the back table in the operative room, and these were fixed immediately with the rapid urease test kit, and the color change was monitored for up to 24 hours. In this study, H. pylori infection was defined as positive when the serology or rapid urease test showed positive results. Results: The positive rate of the rapid urease test and serology was 91.1% and 77.8%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the rapid urease test and serology were 94.3 and 80.5%, 100 and 100%, 100 and 100%, and 37.5 and 15%, respectively. The accuracy of the rapid urease test was higher than that of serology (94.4 vs. 81.1%, respectively). The rapid urease test showed a higher rate of detecting H. pylori infection than that of serology (McNemar's test, P=0.019). Conclusion: The result of the rapid urease test using back-table gastric mucosal biopsies from a gastrectomy specimen is comparable to the reference data of the conventional rapid urease test using gastric mucosal endoscopic biopsies. Therefore, it can be an alternative diagnostic method for H. pylori infection.