Effects of recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin treatment for disseminated intravascular coagulation at a single institution--an analysis of 62 cases caused by infectious diseases and 30 cases caused by hematological diseases.

Objective: Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a clinical condition with high mortality that is characterized by the systemic activation of coagulation pathways resulting in multiple organ failure. Although no standard treatment for DIC has been established, recent reports have indicated that recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin (rTM) is effective against DIC.

Methods: To elucidate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of DIC, we retrospectively analyzed 92 DIC patients who were treated with rTM at Miyazaki Prefectural Hospital over a 4-year period (62 patients had infectious diseases and 30 patients had hematological diseases).

Multicenter prospective evaluation of a novel rapid immunochromatographic diagnostic kit specifically detecting influenza A H1N1 2009 virus.

Background: Definitive diagnosis is crucial in reducing morbidity and mortality from pandemic influenza A H1N1 2009 (A/H1N1/2009), especially in high-risk populations. We recently developed a rapid diagnosis kit (RDK) capable of specifically detecting A/H1N1/2009.

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic capability of the RDK in a multicenter, prospective trial.

Persistent hepatitis associated with chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection.

A previously healthy boy developed persistent hepatitis without fever or lymphoproliferative disorder. Although serologic tests were not indicative, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome and transcripts were detected from the liver tissue, and real time PCR detected extremely high levels of EBV viremia. EBV infection should be included in the differential diagnoses of hepatitis of unknown etiology, even with unremarkable serologic data.