• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.153-160
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• 1999

Purpose : Present study was undertaken to find out significance of clinical presentation, initial laboratory data and renal biopsy findings on subsequent clinical course of IgA nephropathy in children. Methods : Clinical and laboratory data were analysed retrospectively from 60 children who have been admitted to the Pediatric Department of Kyungpook National University Hospital for the past 11 years and diagnosed as IgA nephropathy. Renal biopsy findings were graded according to the pathologic subclass proposed by Haas. Results : Pathologic grading according to Haas subclassification showed 10 cases in subclass I, 36 in II, 12 in IV and 2 in V and none in subclass II. Sex distribution showed male predominance (male to female ratio = 3 : 1) and mean age at onset of disease was $10.4{\pm}2.8$ years. Episodes of gross hematuria was seen in 71.7% and IgA level increased in 28.3% of children and these were not associated with pathologic grading nor clinical outcomes. With increasing subclass grading, serum protein and albumin decreased and 24 hours urinary protein excretion increased. Normalization of urinalysis (disappearance of hematuria) was seen in 14% at 1-2 years and 37.1% at 3-4 years of follow up period. In 3 cases, renal function deteriorated progressively and they belonged one each to the Haas subclass III, IV and V. Conclusion : In children with IgA nephropathy, progression to chronic renal failure appears to be quite high and pathologic grading according to Haas' subclassification seems to predict patient's outcome faily well. However, firm conclusion cannot be drawn from present study due to the small numbers of patients and short follow-up period. Therefore further multicenter study involving larger numbers of patients and longer periods of follow-up over 10 years was to be undertaken.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.4
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• pp.295-299
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• 2009

Background: There are various etiologies causing bronchiectasis, but the cases without definite causes account for a quite high proportion. It is also uncertain that immunoglobulin G subclass deficiency (IgGSD) is associated with bronchiectasis. Therefore, we tried to measure the frequency of IgGSD in patients with bronchiectasis of unclear etiology, and to observe the clinical features of those patients with bronchiectasis and IgGSD. Methods: For the outpatients of a university hospital who were diagnosed as bronchiectasis by chest CT, we produced comprehensive history taking and physical examinations, and finally selected 31 patients with bronchiectasis of unclear etiology. Results: Two patients had total immunoglobulin G deficiency. The frequency of IgGSD was comparatively high (n=14). When we compared IgGSD group to normal immunoglobulin G subclass group, there were no significant differences in sex, age, and the frequency of sinusitis, bronchial asthma, and the abnormal lung function. Conclusion: In cases of bronchiectasis without definite causes, it can be considered to measure the level of immunoglobulin G subclass. It is also probably worthwhile to further evaluate the relationship between IgGSD and bronchiectasis.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.637-644
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• 2013

This study aimed to investigate the antibody responses in mice immunized with Gnathostoma spinigerum crude antigen (GsAg) incorporated with the combined adjuvant, a synthetic oligonucleotide containing unmethylated CpG motif (CpG ODN 1826) and a stable water in oil emulsion (Montanide ISA720). Mice immunized with GsAg and combined adjuvant produced all antibody classes and subclasses to GsAg except IgA. IgG2a/2b/3 but not IgG1 subclasses were enhanced by immunization with CpG ODN 1826 when compared with the control groups immunized with non-CpG ODN and Montanide ISA or only with Montanide ISA, suggesting a biased induction of a Th1-type response by CpG ODN. After challenge infection with live G. spinigerum larvae, the levels of IgG2a/2b/3 antibody subclasses decreased immediately and continuously, while the IgG1 subclass remained at high levels. This also corresponded to a continuous decrease of the IgG2a/IgG1 ratio after infection. Only IgM and IgG1 antibodies, but not IgG2a/2b/3, were significantly produced in adjuvant control groups after infection. These findings suggest that G. spinigerum infection potently induces a Th2-type biased response.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.143-148
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• 2005

Purpose : Hypogammaglobulinemia has been observed in nephrotic syndrome, but its pathophysiology remains unknown. We evaluated serum immunoglobulins, IgG subclasses, and vaccine-induced viral antibodies(anti-hepatitis B surface IgG and anti-measles IgG) in children with minimal change nephrotic syndrome(MCNS). Methods : Using the stored sera, the levels of immunoglobulin(IgC, IgM, IgA, and IgC) and IgG subclasses(IgG 1, 2, ,3, and 4), anti-HBs Ab and anti-measles IgG of 21 children with MCNS were analyzed and compared to those of 25 age-matched healthy children. Results : The mean values of IgG and IgG1 were $390{\pm}187\;mg/dL$ and $287{\pm}120\;mg/dL$ in nephrotic children, and $1,025{\pm}284\;mg/dL$ and $785{\pm}19\;mg/dL$ in control children, respectively. The values of the total IgG and the 4 IgG subclasses in nephrotic children were all significantly depressed(P<0.001), but the IgM($251{\pm}183\;mg/dL\;vs. 153{\pm}55\;mg/dL$, P=0.02) and IgE values(P=0.01) were elevated, and the IgA values were not changed. The seropositivity of anti-HBs IgG was 42.9$\%$(9 of 21 cases) in the MCNS group and 52$\%$(13/25) in the control group, and that of anti-measles IgG was 75$\%$(16/21) and 92$\%$(23/25), respectively, but there was no statistical difference between the two groups. Conclusion : IgG and IgG subclass levels in MCNS children are all depressed without significant seronegativity of the vaccine-induced viral antibodies. Further studies are needed to resolve the cause of hypogammaglobulinemia in MCNS. (J Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2005;9:143-148)

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.294-300
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• 2005

Uncaria Tomentosa and Maytenus are known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatoidal effects after either a single application or application over a short-term period. We applied these natural products to Wister rats every day for two weeks and investigated the effects of this long-term application on inflammation. This was done by measuring footpad edema, which was induced by a locally injected carrageenan. There was a dramatic reduction in edema in both U. Tomentosa- and Maytenus-treated rats; furthermore, the reduction lasted as long as three days for rats treated with U. Tomentosa. When the Balb/C mice underwent similar treatment for one month, the level of IgM in the blood of U. Tomentosa-treated mice decreased while the level of IgG in Maytenus-treated mice increased. This suggests that the long lasting effects of U. Tomentosa may be related to a low level of IgM and the subclass switch from IgM to IgG. Since the anti-inflammatory effects of U. Tomentosa lasts for three days, it may prove useful in treating rheumatoid arthritis when applied for an extended period of time, especially since this product is known to have minimal side effects.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.121-128
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• 2005

Economic animal husbandry workers exposed to organic dust can be suffered from immunologic disorders. Our study was to determine immunological parameters related with occurrence of respiratory allergic diseases to animal husbandry workers in Korea for the first time. Peripheral blood were obtained from twenty-five pig barn workers, forty-nine chicken farming workers and fifty-one non-agricultural control workers. Significantly upregulated plasma IgE level was observed with pig-barn workers than that of chicken farming workers or healthy community control subjects. Furthermore, level of histamine, a hallmark of allergy induction, was upregulated in the pig and chicken farming workers in comparison with that of the control subjects. Downregulation of $IFN_\gamma$ and $TNF_{\alpha}$ production from T cells was apparent in the animal husbandry workers compared with the control subjects. Meanwhile, T cells collected from the pig barn workers demonstrated significantly higher production of IL-4 and IL-10 than the other groups. There were also alterations in IgG subclass distribution. In conclusion, immunological modulation probably leading to occupational allergic diseases can be occurred in the economic animal husbandry workers and the pig barn workers could be the most risky group to the work-related allergic disease.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2002

Since 1993, the White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) disease occurred in China among cultured shrimps resulting in mass mortality. Epizootiological surveys undertaken during the outbreak period of 1993-1994 indicated that all stages of Penaeus chinensis, P. japonicus and P. monodon were infected. Consequent to the transport of contaminated shrimp seedlings and seawater, the disease spread all over the farms of China. The disease was more rapidly transmitted at temperatures above $25^{\circ}C$. Challenge experiments showed the causative agent was highly virulent. White spots appeared on the carapace of both span-taneous and experimentally infected shrimps. Moribund shrimps contained turbid hemolymph, hypertrophied Iymphoid organ and a necrotic mid-gut gland. Electron microscopy showed the presence of viral particles in the gills, stomach, lymphoid organ, and epidermal tissue of the infected shrimp. The visions were slightly ovoid with an envelope and averaged 350 $\times$ 150 nm; nucleocapsids measured 375 $\times$ 157 nm. With discontinuous sucrose gradient of 35, 50 and 60% (w/v), the virus was separated from hemolymph of the infected shrimp. The estimated molecular weight of genomic DNA was 237 Kb with EcoR I, 247 Kb with Hind III and 241kb with Pst I. A total of 9 hybridoma colones secreting monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were produced from mouse myeloma and spleen cells immunized with WSSV. The immunofluorescence assay of gill tissue showed that the MAbs reacted with diseased but not with healthy shrimp. The MAbs belonged to IgGl, IgG2b subclass and IgM class, all with kappa light Immune-electron-microscopy with colloidal gold marker showed the presence of 5 MAbs epitopes on the envelope and one on the capsid of the virus. Baculoviral mid-gut gland necrosis showed the specificity of the MAbs produced. For diagnosis 5 different methods were selected. Using Kimura primers for PCR, or MAbs for immunoblot, ELISA or FAT method, in situ hybridization was carried out to show the gene. All these methods detected WSSV in the organ samples of the diseased shrimp but not in healthy one.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.763-766
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• 2013

A synthetic peptide was prepared based on the antigenic region of Paragonimus westermani pre-procathepsin L, and its applicability for immunodiagnosis for human paragonimiasis (due to Paragonimus heterotremus) was tested using an ELISA to detect IgG4 antibodies in the sera of patients. Sera from other helminthiases, tuberculosis, and healthy volunteers were used as the references. This peptide-based assay system gave sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values of 100%, 94.6%, 96.2%, 100%, and 88.9%, respectively. Cross reactivity was frequently seen against the sera of fascioliasis (75%) and hookworm infections (50%). Since differential diagnosis between paragonimiasis and fascioliasis can be easily done by clinical presentation and fascioliasis serology, this cross reaction is not a serious problem. Sera from patients with other parasitoses (0-25%) rarely responded to this synthetic antigen. This synthetic peptide antigen seems to be useful for development of a standardized diagnostic system for paragonimiasis.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.92-96
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• 2018

Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) is characterized by increased susceptibility to chronic and recurrent infections of the skin, mucous membranes, and nails by Candida species. It is a primary immunodeficiency disorder that is difficult to diagnose because of its heterogeneous clinical manifestations and genetic background. A 20-month-old boy who did not grow in height for 3 months was diagnosed as having hypothyroidism and he had hepatitis which was found at 5 years old. He presented with persistent oral thrush and vesicles on the body, the cause of which could not be identified from laboratory findings. No microorganism was detected in the throat culture; however, the oral thrush persisted. Immunological tests showed that immunoglobulin (Ig) subclass IgG and cluster of differentiation (CD)3, CD4, and CD8 levels were within normal limits. We prescribed oral levothyroxine and fluconazole mouth rinse. The patient was examined using diagnostic exome sequencing at the age of 6 years, and a c.1162A>G (p.K388E) STAT1 gene mutation was identified. A diagnosis of CMC based on the STAT1 gene mutation was, thus, made. At the age of 8 years, the boy developed a malar-like rash on his face. We conducted tests for detection of antinuclear antibodies and anti-dsDNA antibodies, which showed positive results; therefore, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was also suspected. Whole exome sequencing is important to diagnose rare diseases in children. A STAT1 gene mutation should be suspected in patients with chronic fungal infections with a thyroid disease and/or SLE.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.125-131
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• 2011

Through the present study, we produced a monoclonal antibody against aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) using AFB1-carboxymethoxylamine BSA conjugates. One clone showing high binding ability was selected and it was applied to develop a direct competitive ELISA system. The epitope densities of AFB1-CMO against BSA and KLH were about 1 : 6 and 1 : 545, respectively. The monoclonal antibody (mAb) from cloned hybridoma cell was the IgG1 subclass with ${\lambda}$-type light chains. The $IC_{50}s$ of the monoclonal antibody developed for AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2 were 4.36, 7.22, 6.61 and 29.41 ng/ml, respectively, based on the AFB1-KLH coated ELISA system and 15.28, 26.62, 32.75 and 56.67 ng/ml, respectively, based on the mAb coated ELISA. Cross-relativities of mAb to AFB1 for AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2 were 60.47, 65.97 and 14.83% in the AFB1-KLH coated ELISA, and 59.41, 46.66 and 26.97% in the mAb coated ELISA, respectively. Quantitative calculations for AFB1 from the AFB1-Ab ELISA and AFB1-Ag ELISA ranged from 0.25 to 25 ng/ml ($R^2$ > 0.99) and from 1 to 100 ng/ml ($R^2$ > 0.99), respectively. The intra- and inter-assay precision CVs were < 10% in both ELISA assay, representing good reproducibility of developed assay. Recoveries ranged from 79.18 to 91.27%, CVs ranged from 3.21 to 7.97% after spiking AFB1 at concentrations ranging from 5 to 50 ng/ml and following by extraction with 70% methanol solution in the Ab-coated ELISA. In conclusion, we produced a group specific mAb against aflatoxins and developed two direct competitive ELISAs for the detection of AFB1 in feeds based on a monoclonal antibody developed.