• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.454-458
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• 2002

Purpose : Bacillus Calmette-$Gu\acute{e}rin$(BCG) lymphadenitis is one of the most common complications of BCG vaccination. The involved lymph nodes usually subside spontaneously, but they may become enlarged and form an abscess. Treatment of these infants is controversial. The Pan American Health Organization recommends local isoniazid or rifampicin instillation for patients with suppurative BCG lymphadenitis. Methods : The study group comprised 37 patients who presented with BCG lymphadenitis over the last three years. BCG lymphadenitis was diagnosed if the affected patient developed an ipsilateral axillary or supraclavicular lymphadenitis, with no other identifiable cause for the lymphadenitis. We used rifampicin instillation therapy for patients with suppurative BCG lymphadenitis. Results : Lymphadenitis regressed spontaneously in three patients. Thirty four patients showed a progression to abscess formation. Among 34 patients with suppurative lymphadenitis, drainage developed spontaneously during the follow-up period in nine patients before therapy. Twenty five patients received needle aspiration and local rifampicin instillation therapy. Reaspiration was performed in seven patients. One of these patients still has large lymph nodes after the second attempt. Conclusion : Needle aspiration and local rifampicin instillation therapy into the node is a safe and effective form of treatment for suppurative BCG lymphadenitis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.40-45
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• 2006

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the types of lymphadenitis after BCG vaccination and the effect of local rifampicin instillation on the treatment of suppurative BCG lymphadenitis. Methods : A total of 32 otherwise healthy infants with suppurative BCG lymphadenitis, who visited the Department of Pediatrics of Chonbuk National University Hospital, from March 2002 through June 2004, were enrolled in this study. They were treated with needle aspiration and local rifampicin instillation. We investigated the time the lymphadenitis took to be suppurative, accompanying clinical manifestations, and the treatment effects. Results : Of the 32 infants, 19 were male and 13 were female. They were full term babies and one preterm baby with a gestational age of 30 weeks. They received intradermal administration, with the BCG vaccine of $Pasteur^{(R)}$(French) strain mostly on the left deltoid area(96.9 percent). Regional lymphadenitis occurred in 1 to 11 months after BCG vaccination, mostly 1-5 months after vaccination (78.1 percent). Among the infants, 87.5 percent had unilocular lesion but 12.5 percent had more than one enlarged lymph node cares. Most of the lymphadenitis presented in the left axillary area(77.8 percent), and the left supuraclavicular area(11.1 percent). After one to three times of needle aspiration with rifampin instillation, all infants recovered completely without surgical excision or severe complication. Conclusion : The regional lymphadenitis is the most common complication in infants who receive intradermal BCG vaccination. This study supports that in suppurative BCG lymphadenitis the needle aspiration and local rifampicin instillation is very effective and can be a more economical treatment modality.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.667-673
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• 2009

Purpose : Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) is critical in the immune response to mycobacterial infections. The purpose of this study was to analyze TLR2 surface expressions and TLR2-mediated tumor necrosis factor-alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in patients with BCG vaccine-associated suppurative lymphadenitis. Methods : Peripheral monocytes were separated from 16 patients with BCG vaccine-associated suppurative lymphadenitis and 10 healthy controls using a magnet cell isolation kit. Monocytes ($1{\times}10^6$ cells/well) were incubated with a constant amount of $Pam_3CSK_4$ ($100{\mu}g/mL$) for 24 hours. TLR2 surface expression on monocytes was analyzed by FACS analysis and TLR-2 mRNA expression was determined by RT-PCR. TLR2-mediated $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 production were measured by ELISA. Results : In patients with BCG vaccine-associated suppurative lymphadenitis, low TLR2 expression on monocytes ($3.39{\pm}$1.2% versus $4.64{\pm}2.6%$) together with significantly lower TLR2 mRNA expression than in the healthy controls was seen after $Pam_3CSK_4$ stimulation. TLR2-mediated $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 production in patients with BCG vaccine-associated suppurative lymphadenitis ($TNF-{\alpha}$, $775.5{\pm}60.8pg/mL$; IL-6, $4,645.8{\pm}583.9pg/mL$) were also lesser than that in healthy controls ($TNF-{\alpha}$, $1,098.5{\pm}94.3pg/mL$; IL-6, $6,696.3{\pm}544.3pg/mL$). Conclusion : These findings suggest that low TLR2 expression on monocytes might be associated with increased susceptibility to BCG vaccine-associated suppurative lymphadenitis.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.137-146
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• 2006

Purpose : A regional lymphadenitis is the most frequent adverse reaction of BCG. In order to find out developmental factors and establish a strategy of management, we investigated the clinical courses of children with lymphadenitis following BCG on the aspect of BCG strains, suppurative rates according to the sizes of lymph node and the clinical difference with or without treatment. Methods : From January 1997 to June 2004, 52 children less than 24 month-age-old diagnosed as BCG lymphadenitis in Department of Pediatrics, St. Vincent's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea were enrolled. The type of BCG strain, place of vaccination, location and size of lymphadenitis were assessed with medical records, retrospectively. Finally, we analysed the correlations between BCG strains or the sizes of lymph node and natural remission or suppuration. Results : The first detected mean age of BCG lymphadenitis was 5.5 month-age. The larger of the measurement was at the first visiting, the younger of age that was first presented. The most frequent location was the same sided axillary region of BCG injection. Among 52 subjects, 46 cases(88.5%) were vaccinated with intradermal Pastuer strain, and only 5 cases(9.6%) were done with percutaneous multipunctured Tokyo strain. Twenty eight cases(53.8%) were regressed naturally, otherwise 24 cases(46.2%) were suppurated. The larger those were sized, the higher freqeuncies those were suppurated on, significantly. Treatment with medications could not prevent the suppuration and could not shorten the healing periods. Conclusion : We predict that there are differences between the occurrent rate of BCG lymphadenitis and BCG strains or methods. Treatment with medication is not recommended owing to its ineffectiveness. Especially, in case of non-suppurative lymphadenitis should be onlyless influence on the tuberculin skin test, cause less adverse reactions, and is inexpensive. observed without treatment, because it could be regressed naturally. An ideal BCG makes a scar, We should make an effort to choose the best BCG strain that can fulfill such requirements.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.181-190
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• 2001

Purpose : Lymphadenitis is the most common complication of BCG vaccination and has various clinical course and prognosis, but there are no accurate guidelines for management of BCG lymphadenitis. We performed this study to reveal the clinical course of BCG lymphadenitis and provide guidelines for its management. Methods : From January, 1997, to May, 2000, 73 patients in the 3~24 months were enrolled. We investigated retrospectively the size, site, and number of lymphadenitis, tuberculin skin test induration, used BCG strains, vaccination age, injection site, treatment and clinical course. The effects of various variables on clinical course were evaluated. Results : 1) There were no statistically significant difference between lymphadenitis size and tuberculin test induration diameter, spontaneous resolution rate, and suppuration rate. 2) Later vaccination(${\geq}1$ mo) and supraclavicular lymphadenitis increased suppuration rate. Using domestic BCG product increased surgical treatment rate. 3) According to treatment(observation vs antituberculous medication), medication did not affect the prevention of suppuration and ironically increased the rate of suppuration and surgical treatment. 4) Suppurative lymphadenitis required more surgical treatment than non-supurative one. Conclusions : Clinical course of BCG lymphadenitis is affected by vaccination age, used BCG strains, site of lymphadenitis, antituberculous medication and suppuration, but not affected by size and number of lymphadenitis. For management of BCG lymphadenitis, systemic antituberculous medicaion is not recommended and regular follow up with observation should be the mainstay. But for suppuration, active surgical en bloc resection should be the treatment of choice.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.80-86
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• 2009

Purpose : This study was performed to determine the clinical course of BCG lymphadenitis. Methods : Between May 2005 and April 2009, the medical records of 33 patients with BCG lymphadenitis were retrospectively reviewed. If needed, needle aspiration was recommended without surgical resection or antituberculous medication. Results : Of the 33 patients who were identified, 21 were males and 12 were females. Among the 33 patients, 32 were full-term babies. The mean age was 6 months (range, 2-35 months) and the most prevalent site of the lesion was the left axilla. BCG lymphadenitis was observed 1-34 months after BCG vaccination, mostly 1-6 months after vaccination. The size of the enlargement was generally 1-3 cm. The strains were identified as French (n=14), Danish (n=7), and Tokyo (n=12). BCG lymphadenitis regressed spontaneously in 19 patients. After 1-5 needle aspirations, 14 patients recovered completely. Complete regression of lymphadenitis was recorded over an average period of 4 months. Conclusion : Clinicians need to be aware of the clinical features of BCG lymphadenitis. For management of BCG lymphadenitis, regular follow-up with observation should be the mainstay. Needle aspiration is a safe and easy treatment for suppurative BCG lymphadenitis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.46-50
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• 2006

Purpose : Intradermal BCG vaccine has not well been accepted by pediatric practitioners due to BCG lymphadenitis. Therefore, this study was undertaken to find out the incidence of lymphadenitis following intradermal BCG vaccination and its clinical outcome. Methods : One thousand and fifty infants, who received intradermal BCG(French 1173 P2, Korea Tuberculosis Association) vaccination in the Well Baby Clinic of Hanyang University Hospital from July 2001 to January 2004, were included in the study. Severe local reactions at the injection site and any mass noted on surrounding areas were reported to, and evaluated by, pediatricians. Surgical procedures, either surgical resection or needle aspiration, were recommended when lymph nodes progressed to suppurate without regression. Results : Twenty infants(1.9 percent) developed lymphadenitis 2 to 8 months following vaccination. The incidence of BCG lymphadenitis was significantly higher in infants born with intrauterine period of <38 weeks and birth weight of <2,700 g. The lymph nodes became suppurative in 7/17 infants (41.2 percent) and four infants required surgical procedures with which the rate for the requirement of surgical procedures among intradermal BCG vaccinnes approximated to be 0.45 percent. There was no correlation between the size of lymph nodes and suppuration, however surgical procedures were required significantly more often for lymph nodes of greater than 3 cm in diameter. Conclusion : The incidence of BCG lymphadenitis following intradermal BCG(French 1173 P2, Korea Tuberculosis Association) vaccinations would be more than 1.9 percent, when considering cases of lymphadenits not reported. More efforts need to be paid to decrease the incidence of BCG lymphadenitis in order to promote intradermal BCG vaccination in Korea.