• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.44 no.5
• /
• pp.1011-1016
• /
• 2023

We have experienced a case in which herbal medicine was administered to treat drug-induced liver damage and would like to introduce it. A 49-year-old man exhibited a positive result in the interferon-gamma release assay. He had never suffered from tuberculosis in the past, and the route and time of infection could not be confirmed. He had no respiratory or systemic symptoms suggestive of active tuberculosis, and a chest X-ray examination showed no active lung lesions, so he was diagnosed with latent tuberculosis infection. He was confirmed to be within the normal range in the liver function test, renal function test, and complete blood cell count test, and started taking rifampin (600 mg qd). In the screening test performed on the 19th day of taking the drug, other test items were normal, but alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increased to 50 U/L (reference value: 4-40 U/L). In a test performed on the 29th day of taking the drug, ALT was clearly elevated to 102 U/L. Ursodeoxycholic acid and Injinho-tang were taken together with rifampin, and the patient's progress was observed. In a test performed 14 days later, ALT decreased to 26 U/L, within the normal range. It is presumed that Injinho-tang may have partially contributed to alleviating liver damage in this case.

• Journal of applied mathematics & informatics
• /
• v.29 no.5_6
• /
• pp.1097-1115
• /
• 2011

We consider the global stability of a general tuberculosis model with two differential infectivity, n classes of latent individuals and mass action incidence. This system exhibits the traditional threshold behavior. There is always a globally asymptotically stable equilibrium state. Depending on the value of the basic reproduction ratio $\mathcal{R}_0$, this state can be either endemic ($\mathcal{R}_0$ > 1), or infection-free ($\mathcal{R}_0{\leq}1$). The global stability of this model is derived through the use of Lyapunov stability theory and LaSalle's invariant set theorem. Both the analytical results and numerical simulations suggest that patients should be strongly encouraged to complete their treatment and sputum examination.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.94-101
• /
• 2016

Purpose: This study aimed to describe the results of a contact investigation on health care workers after exposure to a house officer with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Methods: Eighty nine out of 101 subjects who had close contact with the index patient agreed to be enrolled in the investigation. The first contact investigation was conducted approximately 30 days after the index patient's onset of symptoms, followed by the second investigation after 10 weeks. In both, clinical manifestations were studied, and chest X-ray and tuberculin skin test (TST)/QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT-G) in dual screening strategy were conducted. Results: The first TST resulted in positive in 34 subjects (38.2%). QFT-G was conducted on 16 subjects who tested positive in the first TST and aged under 36. Six of them (37.5%) were positive. The second TST was conducted on 41 subjects with negative results in the first TST. Seventeen (41.5%) were positive and among them, three (17.6%) showed positive QFT-G. None of the subjects were diagnosed with active TB. The probability of TB infection through contact with the index patient was 7.3% (3/41) in dual screening strategy while it was 41.5% (17/41) in TST strategy. Conclusions: This first hospital-setting contact investigation for tuberculosis in Korea revealed that latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) rates vary depending on different diagnostic strategies. This indicates the need for systematic guidelines for diagnosing LTBI in health care workers who have professional exposure to TB.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.187-200
• /
• 2014

Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) are the most common cause of genital ulceration in humans worldwide. Typically, HSV-1 and 2 infections via mucosal route result in a lifelong latent infection after peripheral replication in mucosal tissues, thereby providing potential transmission to neighbor hosts in response to reactivation. To break the transmission cycle, immunoprophylactics and therapeutic strategies must be focused on prevention of infection or reduction of infectivity at mucosal sites. Currently, our understanding of the immune responses against mucosal infection of HSV remains intricate and involves a balance between innate signaling pathways and the adaptive immune responses. Numerous studies have demonstrated that HSV mucosal infection induces type I interferons (IFN) via recognition of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and activates multiple immune cell populations, including NK cells, conventional dendritic cells (DCs), and plasmacytoid DCs. This innate immune response is required not only for the early control of viral replication at mucosal sites, but also for establishing adaptive immune responses against HSV antigens. Although the contribution of humoral immune response is controversial, $CD4^+$ Th1 T cells producing IFN-${\gamma}$ are believed to play an important role in eradicating virus from the hosts. In addition, the recent experimental successes of immunoprophylactic and therapeutic compounds that enhance resistance and/or reduce viral burden at mucosal sites have accumulated. This review focuses on attempts to modulate innate and adaptive immunity against HSV mucosal infection for the development of prophylactic and therapeutic strategies. Notably, cells involved in innate immune regulations appear to shape adaptive immune responses. Thus, we summarized the current evidence of various immune mediators in response to mucosal HSV infection, focusing on the importance of innate immune responses.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.289-297
• /
• 2019

Objectives: To identify the positive rate of and the risk factors associated with latent tuberculosis infection(LTBI) in mine workers, the objectives of the present study evaluated those among former mine workers. Methods: Between January 2015 and May 2017, former male mine workers who had been subjects for epidemiology research for work-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) and had received QuantiFERON-$TB^{(R)}$ Gold In-Tube(QFT-GIT) from the Institute of Occupation and Environment(IOE) under Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service(KCOMWEL) were selected as the study subjects. To identify significant variables for increased risk of LTBI, logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: A total of 736 male former mine workers were selected as study subjects. The positive rate of LTBI among subjects was 69.2%(509/736). The current smoking[odds ratio(OR), 2.3; 95% confidence interval(CI), 1.1-4.9], COPD(OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 0.9-2.3), department loading(OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 0.9-3.4) and mining(OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 0.9-2.5), and working duration of over 20(OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 0.9-3.1) and over 30 years(OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 0.9-4.9) were associated with increased risk of LTBI. The interferon-gamma(IFN-${\gamma}$) level after stimulation with Mycobacterium tuberculosis(MTB)-specific antigens showed a significantly negative correlation with age(r=-0.126). Conclusions: The present study determined that the high positive rate of LTBI among mine workers was associated with not only the host factors but also the occupational exposure to mine dust.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.82 no.4
• /
• pp.306-310
• /
• 2019

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is increasing in immigrants. We aimed to investigate the current status of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) treatment for North Korean Refugees (NKR) compared to South Koreans Contacts (SKC). Methods: TB close contacts in a closed facility of SKC and NKR who underwent LTBI screening in a settlement support center for NKR were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Among tuberculin skin test (TST) ${\geq}10mm$ (n=298) reactors, the males accounted for 72.2% in SKC (n=126) and 19.5% in NKR (n=172) (p<0.01). The mean age was higher in South Korea ($42.8{\pm}9.9years$ vs. $35.4{\pm}10.0years$, p<0.01). Additionally, the mean TST size was significantly bigger in NKR ($17.39{\pm}3.9mm$ vs. $16.57{\pm}4.2mm$, p=0.03). The LTBI treatments were initiated for all screened NKR, and LTBI completion rate was only 68.0%. However, in NKR, LTBI treatment completion rate was significantly increased by shorter 4R regimen (odds ratio [OR], 9.296; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.159-20.774; p<0.01) and male (OR, 3.447; 95% CI, 1.191-9.974; p=0.02). Conclusion: LTBI treatment compliance must be improved in NKR with a shorter regimen. In addition, a larger study regarding a focus on LTBI with easy access to related data for NKR should be conducted.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.6
• /
• pp.3963-3967
• /
• 2013

Background: The presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can be identified by immunohistochemistry for detection of EBV latent membrane protein (LMP). The role of EBV as an etiologic agent in the development of non-Hodgkin lymphoma has been supported by detection of high levels of latent membrane protein 1 (LMP-1) expression in tumors. However, no study has been conducted in a Pakistani population up till now to determine the frequency of Epstein-Barr virus positivity. The objective of our study was to determine a value for non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients using EBV LMP-1 immunostaining in our institution. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out at the Department of Histopathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), Pakistan from December 2011 to December 2012. It was a cross sectional study. A total of 71 patients who were diagnosed with various subtypes of NHL after histological and EBV LMP-1 immunohistochemical evaluation were studied. Sampling technique was non-probability purposive. Statistical analysis was achieved using SPSS version 17.0. Mean and SD were calculated for quantitative variables like patient age. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for qualitative variables like subgroup of NHL, results outcome of IHC for EBV and gender distribution. Results: Mean age of the patients was $53.6{\pm}16$ years (Mean${\pm}$SD). A total of 50 (70.4%) were male and 21 (29.6%) were female. Some 9 (12.7%) out of 71 cases were positive for EBV-LMP-1 immunostaining, 2 (22.2%) follicular lymphoma cases, 1 (11.1%) case of T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma, 4 (44.4%) cases of diffuse large B cell lymphomas, 1 (11.1%) mantle cell lymphoma and 1 (11.1%) angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma case. Conclusion: In our study, frequency of EBV in NHL is 12.7% and is mostly seen in diffuse large B cell lymphoma. This requires further evaluation to find out whether this positivity is due to co-infection or has a role in pathogenesis.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.225-240
• /
• 2008

Marek's disease virus(MDV) is a highly cell-associated, lymphotropic $\alpha$-herpesvirus that causes paralysis and neoplastic disease in chickens. The disease has been controlled by vaccination which was provided the first evidence for a malignant cancer being controlled by an antiviral vaccine. Marek's disease pathogenesis is complex, involving cytolytic and latent infection of lymphoid cells and oncogenic transformation of $CD4^+$ T cells in susceptible chickens. MDV targets a number of different cell types during its life cycle. Lymphocytes play an essential role, although within them virus production is restricted and only virion are produced. Innate and adaptive immune responses develop in response to infection, but infection of lymphocytes results in immunosuppressive effects. Hence in MDV-infected birds, MDV makes its host more vulnerable to tumour development as well as to other pathogens. All chickens are susceptible to MDV infection, and vaccination is essential to protect the susceptible host from developing clinical disease. Nevertheless, MDV infects and replicates in vaccinated chickens, with the challenge virus being shed from the feather-follicle epithelium. The outcome of infection with MDV depends on a complex interplay of factors involving the MDV pathotype and the host genotype. Host factors that influence the course of MD are predominantly the responses of the innate and adaptive immune systems, and these are modulated by: age at infection and maturity of the immune system; vaccination status; the sex of the host; and various physiological factors.

• Journal of the korean veterinary medical association
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.29-34
• /
• 1980

The latent infection of Toxoplasma in swine, Holstein cow and Korean native cattle raised in Jeonnam prefacture during 1978 was proved serologically. Of the 127 swine, 73($57.4\%$) cases were positive for the indirect hemagglutination test, and

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.59-66
• /
• 2011

Purpose: We previously reported that concurrent reactivation of latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in children with hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is common and EBV reactivation with HAV infection adversely affects the clinical features of hepatitis. However, the incidence of concurrent reactivation was not accurate because the detection of EBV reactivation was based on serologic methods. Therefore, we studied the effects of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-proven EBV reactivation, thus a more precise concurrence, on acute HAV infection in children. Methods: PCR were conducted in 34 patients, who had enrolled previous study and diagnosed with acute HAV infection between January 2008 and June 2010. Their medical records were reviewed. Results: Among 34 patients with acute HAV infection, 12 patients (35.3%) had EBV reactivation which was proven using serologic and molecular biologic techniques. There were significant differences in the peak levels of AST and ALT between the reactivated and non-reactivated groups (p=0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). The duration of full recovery from hepatitis was more prolonged in the reactivated group (p<0.001). Clinical parameters, such as serum protein (p<0.001) and albumin concentrations (p<0.001), atypical lymphocyte count (p=0.001), prothrombin time-international normalized ratio (PT-INR, p<0.001), and splenomegaly (p<0.001), showed significant differences. The clinical features in the reactivated sub-group >10 years of age revealed more liver dysfunction compared to the non-reactivated sub-group. A comparison with a previous study was performed. Conclusion: PCR-proven reactivation of latent EBV in children with HAV infection is common and EBV reactivation with HAV infection adversely affects the clinical features of hepatitis, especially in older children.