Viral gastroenteritis among children is mainly caused by rotavirus, norovirus, astrovirus, or adenovirus strains. However, changing socioeconomic conditions and a rotavirus vaccination program may be affecting the prevalence of these viral infections. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the season-specific trends in viral infections for facilitating prophylaxis and surveillance in our region. We evaluated 345 pediatric patients (203 males, 142 females; age,... |
We present a case of tuberculosis-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in a 14-year-old girl. The patient presented with weight loss, malaise, fatigue, prolonged fever, and generalized lymphadenopathy. Laboratory investigation revealed pancytopenia (white blood cells, 2,020 cells/µL; hemoglobin, 10.2 g/dL; platelets, 52,000 cells/µL), hypertriglyceridemia (229 mg/dL), and hyperferritinemia (1,420 ng/mL). Bone marrow biopsy showed a hypocellular bone marrow with a large numbers of... |
Meningitis is among the most common infections affecting the central nervous system. It can be difficult to determine the exact pathogen responsible for the infection and patients are often treated with empiric antibiotics. This study was conducted to identify the most common clinical characteristics of enteroviral meningitis in children and evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)... |
Viral etiology is common in cases of children with acute diarrhea, and antibiotic therapy is usually not required. Therefore, it is important to determine the distribution of common viruses among children hospitalized with acute diarrhea. We included 186 children who suffered from acute diarrhea and were hospitalized at the Wonkwang University Hospital Pediatric ward from December 1, 2010 to June 30,... |
The purpose of this prospective case-control study was to survey the detection rate of respiratory viruses in children with Kawasaki disease (KD) by using multiplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and to investigate the clinical implications of the prevalence of respiratory viruses during the acute phase of KD. RT-PCR assays were carried out to screen for the presence of respiratory syncytial... |
Methods for quick and reliable detection of Nasopharyngeal (NP) secretions were obtained from 842 pediatric patients admitted with lower respiratory infections at Severance Children's Hospital... |
In autumn 2009, the swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus spread throughout South Korea. The aims of this study were to determine the clinical characteristics of children infected by the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus, and to compare the rapid antigen and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. We conducted a retrospective review of patients ≥18 years of age who presented to... |
Purpose : The F9 gene is known to be the causative gene for hemophilia B, but unfortunately the detection rate for restriction fragment length polymorphism-based linkage analysis is only 55.6%. Direct DNA sequencing can detect 98% of mutations, but this alternative procedure is very costly. Here, we conducted multiplex polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) and conformation sensitive gel electrophoresis (CSGE) to... |
Human rhinoviruses (HRVs) is a nonenveloped, single stranded RNA virus belonging to the family Picornavirudae. Transmission by direct contact such as hand-to-hand, hand-to-nose, and hand-to-eye has been readily demonstrated in experimental settings. HRV are the most frequent causes of common cold infection, however, they are also known to replicate in the lower respiratory tract and associated with more severe respiratory... |
Purpose : The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic nasopharyngeal carriages in children using a multiplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (mRT-PCR) assay kit. Methods : We obtained nasopharyngeal swabs from 33 children without any underlying disease from July 25 to July 28, 2008. The children were free from the signs of respiratory tract infections at the... |
Purpose : Previously, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection was diagnosed by serological examination; currently, many EBV antigen detection methods have been developed and applied clinically for diagnosing EBV infection. To delineate the clinical characteristics of EBV infection, clinical and laboratory findings were evaluated for patients who tested positive in EBV polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Methods : EBV PCR was conducted in 352... |
Purpose : Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases and is also a cause of pneumonia in infants. Respiratory infections by respiratory viruses are also common for infants. The objectives of this study were to identify the clinical manifestations and to determine the prevalence of C. trachomatis respiratory infections and coinfections by respiratory viruses in infants... |
Purpose : Enterovirus infection is a type of viral infection that occurs relatively frequently in children during summer. It has clinical symptoms of non-specific fever, aseptic encephalomeningitis, gastrointestinal diseases, skin rash and, hand-foot-mouth disease. However, it can also occcaisionally, result in fatal symptoms like myocarditis, epicardial inflammation, transverse myelitis, quadriplegia and etc. There have been epidemic enterovirus studies, but not... |
Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of Bartonella henselae DNA, which is known as an etiologic agent of lymphadenitis, in fleas from dogs. Methods : The Bartonella henselae infection was investigated in 42 fleas from 22 dogs in Korea. By using seminested PCR targeting pap31 gene, B. henselae DNA was amplified from fleas. Results :... |
Purpose : Enteroviruses are the most common cause of aseptic meningitis in patients of all ages. A definite diagnosis of enteroviral meningitis can be established by detection of virus directly in CSF specimens. But this is time-consuming and lacks sensitivity, so polymerase chain reaction(PCR) detecting of viral RNA in patient specimens such as CSF, stool has been demonstrated. But little... |
Purpose : Through routine screening for chromosomal defects present in patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia(ALL) by means of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR), we aimed for earlier detection of recurrences, hence evaluating the progress of the disease after treatment, and forecasting the need for further testing. Methods : We analyzed 30 patients who visited the Pediatrics Department of Severance Hospital, from... |
Purpose : The cause of aseptic meningitis remains mostly unknown because viral culture and identification is difficult. Thus, we report a study on 123 children with aseptic meningitis in Gyeongju in 2002 to identify the causing virus and the relationship with the clinical manifestation. Methods : We prospectively investigated the patients, admitted to Dongguk University Hospital, into two groups between April... |
Purpose : Pertussis is a highly communicable infectious disease in children with high mortality, especially in young infants. The incidence of pertussis in South Korea has decreased to about 10 cases a year in late '90s. Doubting previously reported incidences of pertussis, we designed this study to establish exact epidemiology and a diagnostic basis of pertussis. Methods : From Mar. 2000... |
Purpose : Epidemiologic evidence suggests an infectious cause for Kawasaki disease(KD), but the etiology of KD remains unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether viral infections are related in the pathogenesis of KD by detecting viral genomes using nested polymerase chain reaction. Methods : Peripheral blood was obtained from 18 acute KD patients before administration of intravenous gamma... |
Purpose : The control of tuberculosis is seriously threatened worldwide by the recently emerging multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. As a result, early detection of drug resistant M.tuberculosis strain has become very important but conventional laboratory methods are time consuming and delayed results often affect patients adversely in controlling tuberculosis. The authors studied the usefulness of the line probe assay to determine... |
Purpose : The aim of the present study is to detect cagA and vacA genes of Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) strain in gastric biopsy specimens and to evaluate its association with gastric inflammation in children. Methods : The cagA and vacA genes were detected by a direct polymerase chain reaction(PCR) assay of gastric biopsy specimens in 22 patients who were... |
Purpose : Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of lower respiratory disease, especially in children and young adults. The diagnosis, in most cases, is confirmed by serology. M. pneumoniae is difficult to culture because of its fastidious nature, and growth is too slow for diagnostic use. In this prospective study, the sensitivity and specificity of the PCR assay was evaluated... |
Purpose : The aim of this study was to elucidate the pathogenesis of vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus(HBV), and to study the protective efficacy of the vaccine and hepatitis B immune globulin(HBIG). Methods : Eighty-two infants born from HBV carrier mothers were studied. HBV plasma-derived vaccine and HBIG were administered to their neonates. Then, changes of viral markers, anti-preS2... |
Purpose : This study was performed to evaluate the polymerase chain reaction(PCR) in the diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in comparison with the specific antibody test. Methods : Five hundred and ten patients with pneumonia, ranging from the ages of 8 months to 15 years who were admitted in Sung-Ae and Kwangmyung Sung-Ae general hospitals from Nov. 1996 to Oct.... |
Purpose : Pleural effusions may develop during the course of bacterial pneumonia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of the polymerase chain reaction(PCR) method for detection of M ycoplasma pneumoniae, M ycobaterium tuberculosis and Staphylococcus aureus from pleural fluid. Methods : Total 12 samples were obtained from pleural fluid; 2 samples from children with Mycoplasma pneumonia, 5 samples from adults with... |
The clinical significance of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis(Y. pseudotuberculosis) has recently recognized in various part of the world because it can cause a wide range of clinical problems such as mesenteric lymphadenitis, septicemia, reactive arthritis, terminal ileitis, erythema nodosum and acute renal failure. we experienced a case of acute renal failure associated with Y. pseudotuberculosis infection. We applied a nested polymerase chain reaction method for rapid diagnosis... |
Purpose : Pertussis, a respiratory tract infection caused by Bordetella pertussis, is an important cause of morbidity in children. But diagnosis of pertussis is often delayed because of late development of typical symptoms and difficulties in culture. There has been no bacteriologically confirmed case of B. pertussis infection in Korea. Lower respiratoy tract may be involved in pertussis. We performed the polymerase chain reaction(PCR)... |
Purpose : Respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) in the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in chileren less than 2 years old. Complications of RSV infections may be life-threatening in children who are immunosuppressed or who have congenital heart disease. Thus it is imperative that laboratory results be rapid and accurate. We therefore were interested in evaluating the role of RSV... |
Purpose : Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of a wide rage of upper and lower respiratory tract infections, especially in children and young adults. Routine laboratory diagnosis of M.pneumoniae infection is based mainly on serology and, to lesser extent, on cultivation. The cultivation of M.pneumoniae, a fastidious microorganism, is time-consuming and may require 1-3 weeks for results. Serological procedures... |
Vertical transmission of hepatitis C virus(HCV) has been reported recently. The authors experienced one case of vertical transmission of HCV in infant of the mother who had active hepatitis C durig pregnancy. At delivery, HCV RNA(+), IgG anti HCV Ab(+), IgM anti HCV Ab(+), mile elevation of liver aminotransferase level and mile fatty liver of ultrasonography were found in the... |