• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.167-174
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• 2009

Purpose : Pertussis was very common in the past, but reported cases have dramatically decreased. The improvement of vaccination programs and unreadiness of laboratory confirmation seems to have developed this situation. This study investigated the frequency of pertussis among infants with a paroxysmal cough and compared the clinical characteristics between infants with and without pertussis. Methods : Between June and November 2006, 27 infants admitted to the hospital that were 15-90 days old with a history of a cough for more than seven days were enrolled. The cough was described as: paroxysmal, whooping, and post-tussive vomiting. PCR and cultures for Bordetella pertussis with nasopharyngeal aspirates were obtained. The patients were divided into two groups: (1) the pertussis group that had positive results by PCR or culture; (2) the control group that had negative results by PCR and culture. Clinical and laboratory characteristics were compared between the two groups. Results : Among the 27 cases, five (18.5%) were finally diagnosed with pertussis. Only one out of the five pertussis cases was initially diagnosed with a pertussis-like syndrome on admission. Compared to the group without pertussis, the pertussis group had a significantly higher frequency of: no fever (P =0.043), a paroxysmal cough (P =0.040), cyanosis (P =0.001), non-immunized status for DTaP (P =0.047), normal auscultation (P =0.028), normal chest X-ray findings (P =0.027), high absolute lymphocyte count (P =0.039), and low CRP (P =0.046). The patients with the diagnosis of pertussis had a significantly longer duration of coughing (27.2${\pm}$10.6 vs. 12.6${\pm}$5.6 days, P =0.039). Conclusion : Pertussis should be suspected in any infant with typical symptoms of pertussis in addition to: a persistent cough without fever, accompanied by paroxysms or cyanosis prior to the age of DTaP immunization. Active laboratory confirmation should be carried out to confirm more cases with pertussis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.409-414
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• 2001

Background : Legionella pneumophila has been recognized as an important cause of community-acquired pneumonia(CAP) requiring hospitalization. However, epidemiological data on the occurrence of legionella-related pneumonia is unavailable in Korea. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the etiological importance of legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 in patients hospitalized with CAP. Method : The CAP patients over 16 year-old were recruited from July 1999 to June 2000 at the Chunchon Sacred Heart Hospital. Fifty four patients (male 29, female 25, average age $63.8{\pm}15.3$) were included in this study. A diagnosis of a legionella pneumophila infection was based on a urinary antigen test using the Binax Company enzyme immunoassay. The severity of pneumonia was assessed using the Fine's PORT scoring system. Result : The average Fine's PORT score was 99.7(${\pm}44.9$). According to the risk classification proposed by the Infectious Disease Society of America, the number of patients in each class(from class I to class V) were 6(11.1%), 13(24.1%), 9(16.7%), 14(25.8%), and 12(22.2%), respectively. Thirty two patients(59.3%) were initially admitted to the intensive care unit. The mortality rate was 16.7%(9 in 54). In all patients, urinary antigens to Legionella pnewnophila serogroup 1 were not detected. Conclusion : Legionella pnewnophila may play little role in causing adult CAP in Korea. Therefore, the routine use of macrolide in the empirical treatment of the CAP patients based upon the ATS guidelines(1993) in Korea should be reevaluated.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.161-172
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• 2002

Background : To Investigate the association between bronchial anthracofibrosis (AF) and tuberculosis (TB), and the clinical utility of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on bronchial specimens for rapid diagno-sis of active pulmonary TB in patients with bronchial AF. Method : Thirty patients (25 women and 5 men ranging in age from 53 to 88), who were diagnosed with bronchial AF by a bronchoscopic exami-nation, were enrolled in this study. PCR targeting the IS6110 segment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was performed on the bronchial wash fluid and anthracofibrotic bronchial tissue. The PCR results were compared with the bacteriological, histological, and clinical findings. Results : Eighteen of the 30 patients (60%) were associated with TB, nine of whom were confirmed as having active TB. The remaining 9 had a past history of TB. The sputum or bronchial aspirate AFB smear, culture, and histological findings were positive in 4 (13%), 9 (30%), and 5 (17%) patients, respectively. PCR of the AF tissue and bronchial wash fluid was positive in 5 (17%) and 11 (37%) of the 30 patients, respectively. PCR was more sensitive than the AFB smears for diagnosing pulmonary TB (22 % us 89 %, respectively, p<0.05). All 5 patients with positive AF tissue PCR results also had both histological findings and positive bronchial wash fluid PCR results. Of the 3 patients with positive PCR but negative bacteriological or histological results, 2 of these patients appeared to have active tuberculosis on a clinical basis. Conclusion: Although TB-PCR did not reveal an increased association between bronchial AF and TB compared with traditional methods, PCR on the bronchial wash fluid appears to be useful for the rapid diagnosis of pulmonary TB in patients with bronchial AF. TB-PCR on AF bronchial tissue itself did not yield additional benefits for diagnosing TB, which suggests that an AF lesion itself may not be an active or original site of the infection, but a secondary change of TB.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.767-774
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• 1999

Background : Tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenitis (TML) is a relatively commonly encountered in Korea. However, there were no datas available on TML without other combined tuberculous infections in Korea. We retrospectively analyzed clinical manifestations, radiologic findings, Chest CT scan findings, the duration of treatment, and follow up Chest CT scan findings of 23 cases who had only TML. Method : 23 cases from 1991 to 1997 with TML confirmed by biopsy and had no other combined tuberculous infections were studied retrospectively. Results : Of the 23 cases, 7 cases were male and 16 female. The male to female ratio was 1 : 2.4. Mean age was 31 years and the most prevalent age group was the 3rd decade(43%). The most common presenting symptoms were fever(39%) followed by no symptom, cough, swallowing difficulty, and chest discomfort. On simple chest X-ray, mediastinal enlargement were noted in 20 cases(90%). The most frequently involved site was the paratracheal node in 11 cases with the right to left side involvement ratio being 4.6 : 1. On chest CT scan, the most commonly enlarged node was the paratracheal node(33%) followed by the subcarinal(20%), hilar(13%), tracheobronchial (8%), subaortic(8%), supraclavicular(8%) and anterior. mediastinal nodes. 6 cases were dropt out due to incomplete follow up. Thirteen cases were treated with HERZ regimen and the mean duration of treatment was 14 months. Three cases were treated with second line drug regimens(Tarivid, Pyrazinamide, Streptomycin plus Ethambutol or Para-aminosalicylic acid) for 18 months. In HERZ groups, one case was recurred after 10 months later and retreatment was done by same HERZ regimen during 12 months. Follow up chest CT scan after completion of treatment were done in 13 cases and that revealed more than a 50% decrease in size in 77% of the cases and no interval change in 23% of the cases. Conclusion : In cases of TML without other combined tuberculous infection, the minimal duration of treatment was required 12 months by HERZ regimen and 18 months by a 2nd line regimen or more. Further studies will be needed to confirm the treatment duration for TML without other combined tuberculous infections.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.11-17
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• 2005

Background : Interferon-gamma ($IFN-{\gamma}$) is essential in the immune response to mycobacterial infections, and a complete or partial deficiency in the $IFN-{\gamma}$ receptor 1 ($IFN{\gamma}R1$) or the $IFN-{\gamma}$ receptor 2 ($IFN{\gamma}R2$) have been reported to confer susceptibility to a disseminated infection with nontuberculous mycobacteria. However, similar mutations in the $IFN-{\gamma}$ receptor have not been specifically examined in the patients with clinical tuberculosis. Methods : This study searched for mutations in the $IFN-{\gamma}$ receptor gene that resulted in a partial $IFN-{\gamma}$ receptor deficiency in six patients with disseminated tuberculosis. The previously identified $IFN{\gamma}R1$ and $IFN{\gamma}R2$ coding regions were sequenced after amplification. Results : There was no partial $IFN{\gamma}R1$ deficiency including a homozygous recessive missense mutation causing an amino-acid substitution in the extracellular domain of the receptor (I87T) and a hotspot for small deletions (818delT, 818del4, 818insA) found in any of the patients. In addition, a partial $IFN{\gamma}R2$ deficiency of the homozygous missense mutation (R114C) was not found in any of the patients. Conclusion : Genetic defects causing a partial $IFN-{\gamma}$ receptor deficiency were not identified in our patients with disseminated tuberculosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.5-10
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• 2007

Background: Korean national guidelines for examining contacts with active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) are a tuberculin skin test (TST) and chest radiographs. The treatment of a latent TB infection as performed only in those younger than six years of age who test positive for TST. Although there is a high incidence of active TB in young Korean soldiers, the current national guidelines for controlling contacts with active TB in soldiers are insufficient. This study highlights the problems with the Korean guidelines for controlling a TB outbreak in a small military unit. Material and Methods: In December of 2005, there was a tuberculosis outbreak in a military unit with a total of 464 soldiers in Kyung Gi province. The chest radiographs were taken of all the soldiers, and TST were carried out on 408 candidates. Results: In the first screening of the chest radiographs, two active TB patients were detected. By August of 2006, four additional cases were detected, making a total of six cases after the outbreak. All the patients showed active pulmonary TB or TB pleuritis. When the results of TST in the close contacts and non-close contacts were compared, there was a significant difference in the absolute size of the induration($9.70{\pm}7.50mm$ vs. $6.26{\pm}7.02mm$, p<0.001) as well as the ratio of patients showing an induration > 10mm (50.0% vs. 32.0%, p<0.001) and 15mm (33.2% vs. 20.9%, p= 0.005). Conclusion: Although the national guidelines for managing a TB outbreak in a military unit were followed, there were continuous instances of new active TB cases. This highlights the need for new guidelines to prevent the spread of TB.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.239-247
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• 1994

Background: T cell mediated immunity is important in the defense mechanism of tuberculosis. Since ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cell receptor was found to react with 65 kD heat shock protein of M.tuberculosis, there have been some reports on the role of ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells in the defense against M.tuberculosis. But until now, the role of the ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells in tuberculosis is not clear. Methods: We therefore measured the percentage of ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells of peripheral blood by flowcytometry before and after stimulation with Con-A, PPD and H37Ra lysate and compared between tuberculosis patients and healthy controls. Results: ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells of pheripheral blood in pulmonary tuberculosis patients was $7.5{\pm}5.2%$, showing no difference compared with healthy control($10.0{\pm}4.8%$). But IL-2R(+) ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells were higher in tuberculosis compared with healthy control($4.8{\pm}5.1%$ vs. $1.8{\pm}2.8%$). After stimulation with PPD or Con-A, the percentage of ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells showed no significant change, but IL-2R(+) ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells increased significantly in both tuberculosis($17.9{\pm}13.4%,\;57.6{\pm}20.2%$ respectively) and healthy control group($11.5{\pm}9.1%,\;80.8{\pm}9.3%$). After stimulation with H37Ra lysate, percentage of ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells showed increasing tendency in healthy control group, but it was not statistically significant. Conclusion: In this study, we could not demonstrate the role of ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells in the peripheral blood of pulmonary tuberculosis. It is suggested that further studies will be needed in the regional sites of M.tuberculosis infection.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.410-415
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• 1993

Background: The lung abscess predominantly occurs on a dependent region, because its major predisposing factor is aspiration. However, a lung abscess appeared on a nondependent region occasionally. Traditionally bronchoscopy has been performed in patients with lung abscess on a nondependent region for evaluating the endobronchial obstruction such as bronchogenic carcinoma. But the clinical characteristics and necessities of bronchoscopy in patients with lung abscess located at nondependent region have not been discussed previously. Thus, we investigated the underlying etiologies and the necessities of bronchoscpy in patients with lung abscess in a nondependent region. Method: Fifteen patients with cavitary lesion on a nondependent location have been studied retrospectively by reviewing their clinical records, chest PAs, computerized tomograms, and bronchoscopic findings. Results: 1) Most patients were older than 30 years except one, and their mean age was 51 years. The ratio of male to female was 6.5:1. 2) The underlying etiologies were bacterial infections in 13 cases, and tuberculous infection in two cases. However, bronchogenic carcinoma was not found as its etiology. 3) Among thirteen bacterial lung abcess, tweleve cases located at right middle lobe. 4) The findings of bronchoscopy were non-speicifc mucosal change in 8 cases and segmental obstructions in 2 cases. There were no malignant evidences in the finings of cytology and bronchscopic biopsy. 5) Among thirteen bacterial lung abcess, eleven patients showed good clinical reponse to antibiotic therapy. Conclusion: The necessity of early bronchoscopy may need to be re-evaluated in the lung abscess on a nondependent region, unless evidences of bronchial obstruction or bronchogenic carcinoma exist. The pulmonary tuberculosis shoud be regarded as the underlying etiology of the nondependent lung abscess.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.624-631
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• 1994

Background: Genus of Aspergilli are ubiquitous saprophytic molds in nature, but its change from a saprophytic fungus to a pathogenic organism has occurred since the use of various antibiotics. The fungus affects the chronically ill and debilitated population. Recently frequency of the fungal infection is increasing in Korea with abuse of antibiotics and glucocorticoids. Method: We analyzed medical records of 52 patients with pulmonary aspergillosis seen at Hanyang University Hospital from 1980 to 1994. The results were as follows; Results: 1) Ages ranged between second to eighth decades with majority(50%) in the fourth to fifth decades. The male to female ratio was 1.1:1. 2) Hemoptysis and productive cough, the leading symptoms, occurred in 42.3% and 25% respectively. 3) On chest X-ray fingings, the characteristic "fungus ball" pattern were observed in 53.8% of the 52cases. 4) Sputum culture for aspergilli were positive in 21.6% of the cases. We performed fine needle aspiration in 22 patients and the diagnostic yield was 100%. 5) Thirty-six patients had history of treatment with antituberculous drugs under diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis for an average of 27.3 months. But sputum analysis for acid-fast bacilli were positive in 5.6%(2cases of 36cases), and postoperative pathologic findings showed that 38.9%(12 cases of 28cases) were combined with tuberculosis. 6) Right upper and left upper lobes were predominantly involved(34.6% and 19.2% respectively) and lobectomies were performed in 21 cases. 7) Underlying diseases were present in 47 cases and 48.9% of them were pulmonary tuberculosis. Conclusion: These results showed that pulmonary aspergillosis usually develops in patients with open cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis. And we must consider the possibility of pulmonary aspergillosis in a patient with hemoptysis and cavitary lung lesion.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.311-320
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• 1999

Background: In recent years, tuberculosis has re-emerged as a major health problem in both industrialized & developing countries. Recent advances in identifying & purifying antigens secreted in active tuberculosis infection have lead to the development of serological assays based on a number of immunodominant antigens. To date, the most sensitive and specific of these antigens has been the 38-kDa antigen. Method: Two rapid membrane-based serologic assays using antigen(38-kDa) from mycobacterium tuberculosis for the diagnosis of tuberculosis were evaluated in 22 patients with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis, 14 patients with inactive pulmonary tuberculosis, and 9 patients with non-tuberculous lung disease. Result: The evaluation of validity(sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, false positivity and false negativity) of STAT-PAK ULTRA FAST$^{(R)}$ were 77.3%, 28.6%, 63.0%, 44.4%, 71.4 %, and 22.7% for differential diagnosis of active pulmonary tuberculosis and inactive pulmonary tuberculosis, respectively. The evaluation of validity of STAT-PAK ULTRA FAST$^{(R)}$ were 77.3%, 33.3%, 73.9%, 37.5%, 66.7%, and 22.7% for differential diagnosis of active pulmonary tuberculosis and non-tuberculosis. The evaluation of validity of ICT Tuberculosis$^{(R)}$ were 54.5%, 57%, 66.7%, 44.4%, 42.9%, and 45.5% for differential diagnosis of active pulmonary tuberculosis and inactive pulmonary tuberculosis. The evaluation of validity of ICT Tuberculosis$^{(R)}$ were 54.5%, 100%, 100%, 47.4%, 0%, and 45.4% for differential diagnosis of active pulmonary tuberculosis and non-tuberculosis. Conclusion: We concluded no effectiveness of STAT-PAK ULTRA FAST$^{(R)}$ & ICT tuberculosis$^{(R)}$on serologic diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. In the future, further large-scale study should be needed for serologic diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.