• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.78-81
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• 2008

Purpose: In this study, we evaluated unstable serum data of HBe antigen (HBeAg) or HBe antibody (HBeAb) in patients who experienced HBeAg seroconversion. This study have been performed to assist a medical technologist in the recognition of patients who were chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Materials and Methods: A total number of 3 patients were enrolled in this study. All patients experienced HBeAg seroconversion. Serum data of HBeAg and HBeAb were measured by radioimmunoassay. Results: The data of HBeAg or HBeAb showed an unstable change during seroconversion from HBeAg to HBeAb in chronic type B hepatitis (CBH). Conclusions: Serum data of HBeAg or HBeAb can change during HBe seroconversion. These data suggest that patients with HBe seroconversion can experience an unstable oscillation of HBeAg or HBeAb value from positive to negative. Unstable data can appear naturally due to the seroconversion process.

• The Korean Nurse
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.38-43
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• 1990

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.78-82
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to survey the anti-HBs positivity and titers of antibody in current students who received nationwide vaccination against Hepatitis B virus which targeted infants in 1995. The subjects were 262 students in Gyeongnam province from April 2014 to October 2014. The positive rate of anti-HBs was 55.3% (145 people) and the negative rate of anti-HBs was 44.7% (117 people). Positivity was shown to be higher in women than men. However, there was no statistically significant difference. Of the HBV-vaccinated subjects, 117 (44.7%) had anti-HBs titer <10, which is judged to be negative, 126 (47.8%) had anti-HBs titer 10-499.9 mIU/mL, which is judged to be positive, and 22 (7.3%) had anti-HBs titer more than 500 mIU/mL. The rate of anti-HBs with lower titer (10-99.9 mIU/mL) was 62% in the positive group. Classifying the antibody titer according to age, the rate of anti-HBs positivity in titer with less than 100 mIU/mL was indicated to be 78.3% in cases of 19-20 year old and 46.7% in 21-22 year old, 52.3% in 23-24 year old. A case of the lower titer with 10-99.9 mIU/mL, showed significant difference according to age. As a result of research, the antibody titers is decreased depending on the passage of time. Hence, the checking of anti-HBs titer is needed after Hepatitis B vaccination and many healthy adults will need periodic boosters of hepatitis B vaccine to maintain production of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.261-266
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• 2018

To determine the clinical utility of an immunoblot test and RT-PCR-hybridization test, 160 samples from patients with a chronic HCV infection were analyzed by two tests. A total of 133 samples out of 150 positive samples were positive by RT-PCR-hybridization. The true positive rate of the immunoblot tests and the concordance rate of the two tests was 88.6% and 89.3%, respectively. Serotyping and genotyping were performed to evaluate the distribution of the HCV subtype in Korean isolates. HCV serotypes 1 and 2, and genotypes 1b and 2a were the most common sources of HCV infections in this group. In 49 cases studied with the serotypes and genotypes, serotypes 1 and 2 were 57.1% and 42.9%, respectively. Genotypes 1b, 1b/2b, 2a, 2a/2c, and 2b were 51.0%, 2.0%, 34.7%, 8.2%, and 4.1%, respectively. This study shows that immunoblot tests are more useful for screening HCV infections. The RT-PCR-hybridization test confirmed the HCV infection in patients with positive immunoblot test results. The serotype test is preferred over the genotype test for monitoring the progression or response to treatment. On the other hand, there were no significant differences in the response to an ${\alpha}$-interferon treatment of HCV infection with serotype type 1 or type 2 in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2007

HCV is a single-stranded RNA virus and more than 1 million new cases are reported annually worldwide. The six major HCV genotypes and numerous subtypes vary in their geographic distribution. It is thought that genetic heterogeneity of HCV may account for some of the differences in disease outcome and response to treatment observed in HCV infected persons. In this study, we determined HCV genotypes among chronic Korean HCV patients and evaluated direct sequence PCR protocols developed. For the study, 232 chronic HCV patient sera were used. HCV RNA was extracted and two pairs of consensus PCR primers were selected in 5'UTR region for amplification of HCV RNA. Amplification products obtained from the HCV positive cases were subjected to automatic sequencing. Sequences were compared with those in GenBank by using the BLAST program. From this study, five HCV genotypes, 1b, 2a, 2b, 2c and 3a were found. HCV genotypes 4, 5 and 6 were not determined. HCV genotype 1b (53.9%, 125/232) and 2a (35.8%, 83/232) were most frequently found. This group was followed by 2b (3.9%, 9/232), 3a (3.4%, 8/232) and 2c (3.0%, 7/232). The data presented here suggest a complex distribution of HCV types and they were well correlated with other reports on Koreans and will be helpful for type-specific follow-up of Korean HCV patients. This study showed that 5'UTR direct sequence analysis is a sensitive and rapid method to identify HCV genotypes.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.190-196
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• 1993

The prognosis of chronic hepatitis C is very variable. In some, the disease is progressive and cirrhosis can develop from chronic hepatitis C. Hepatitis C virus(HCV) may act as a trigger towards hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis. Interferon has been used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in abroad, 16 patients with chronic C liver disease were treated with ${\alpha}$-interferon (alfa-2b; "Intron A" Schering Corp. Kenilworth. NJ). All patients were given ${\alpha}$-interferon in subcutaneous doses of 3 million units three times weekly for 1 to 9 months. During therapy, CBC and ALT levels were checked weakly to monthly. After therapy, patients were followed for 1 to 8 months. Among 16 patients treated with ${\alpha}$-interferon, progressive decrease of ALT levels was observed in 14(87.5%). In 11 patients(68.8%), ALT levels fell into the normal range during therapy, and in 9 of 11, within one month after therapy, 6 months after the completion of therapy in 4 of 9 patients(44.4%) whose ALT levels were in the normal range, ${\alpha}$-interferon seems to have effect in controlling disease activity in patients with chronic hepatitis C. But the changes in the usage of ${\alpha}$-interferon, dose and duration, long term follow up and more convenient and simple tests for HCV detection are recommended for the better effect and the exact evaluation on the effect of ${\alpha}$-interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.504-507
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• 2009

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) are chronic autoimmune liver diseases. Overlap syndrome is defined as a condition in which the clinical, biochemical, and histological features of these autoimmune diseases are overlapped. Thus, it is difficult to appreciate overlap syndrome as an actual diagnostic entity. Only a few cases of the overlap syndrome of AIH and PSC have been reported, especially in children. Moreover, PSC is known to be the most frequent liver disorder associated with inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis. We report one case of AIH-PSC overlap syndrome in a child who was diagnosed as having ulcerative colitis.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.189-193
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• 2012

Oral pigmentation has numerous etiologies. It can be associated with congenital diseases and syndromes, certain acquired diseases, and systemic medications. Pigmented lesions caused by serious disease such as melanoma should be diagnosed correctly, because it would be fatal. For appropriate differential diagnosis, clinicians should know about the etiologies causing oral pigmentation and take patients history carefully. Biopsies would be necessary for histopathological findings. Close follow up for clinical symptoms are also necessary. In this case report, we presented a case of oral hyperpigmentation in Asian patient who was receiving pegylated interferon and ribavirin combination therapy for hepatitis C virus infection.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.120-128
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• 2000

Purpose : Active immunization against hepatitis A with an inactivated vaccine reveals excellent immunogenicity, tolerability and protective efficacy. Inactivated hepatitis A vaccines have been selectively used since 1996 in Korea to prevent hepatitis A. This study was performed to assess the immunogenicity and reactogenicity after two doses of HM175 strain hepatitis A vaccine in healthy Korean children. Methods : 128 healthy children(M/F; 65/63) aged 1 to 15 years, who were seronegative for hepaitatis A, participated in this study. A alum-adsorbed vaccine containing 720 EL.U of antigen form HM175 hepatitis A strain per 0.5 mL dose was injected intramuscularly on the deltoid area. The second dose was given 6 months later, Anti-HAV antibodies were measured by ELISA before and 1 month after each vaccination to assess the immunogenicity. Any local and general adverse events were reported by patients parents with the prepared questionnaire after each vaccination. Results : 120 volunteers(M/F; 60/60) completed the whole series of the study. Seroconversion occurred in all cases after primary and booster vaccination. The mean anti-HAV antibody titer after primary vaccination was 389.2mIU/mL, and 3,609mIU/mL after booster vaccination. And levels of anti-HAV antibodies after booster immunization were significantly higher in female children. The most common local adverse event was soreness on the injection site, but it was mild and resolves within 3 days. Fever was not reported after booster vaccination. Conclusion : Based on these data, we conclude that the inactivated HM175 strain hepatitis A vaccine is highly immunogenic and tolerable in healthy Korean children.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.186-196
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• 2004

Purpose: Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic inflammatory liver disease with unknown cause that is characterized by liver histology, circulating autoantibodies and increased levels of immunoglobulin G. Only sporadic reports are available on autoimmune hepatitis in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical, biochemical, and histological features, and the long-term outcome of autoimmune hepatitis in Korean children. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 14 children diagnosed as having autoimmune hepatitis at Seoul National University Children's Hospital from 1990 to 2004, and analyzed clinical, biochemical, and histological features, and clinical outcomes. Results: Mean age at diagnosis was 9 years and 11 of the 14 children were female. Six children presented with acute hepatitis-like manifestations. Jaundice and fatigue were the most common symptoms. Other autoimmune diseases accompanied in 6 children. Anti-nuclear antibody was detected in 13 patients and anti-smooth muscle antibody was positive in 8. All 14 patients were type 1 autoimmune hepatitis. The main histologic findings were interface hepatitis, rosette formation, and cirrhosis. Clinical and biochemical features were improved in six patients treated with ursodeoxycholic acid. Eight patients were treated with corticosteroid alone or in combination with azathioprine and five of them are in biochemical remission. Conclusion: Autoimmune hepatitis is an inflammatory liver disease, which has a favorable long-term outcome if it is diagnosed and treated promptly. Therefore, autoimmune hepatitis should be suspected in children with chronic hepatitis of unknown etiology, especially in female patients who show hypergammaglobulinemia or some clinical features of autoimmune disease.