Distinct Clinical Profiles of IgE and IgG Autoantibodies to Thyroid Peroxidase in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria.

Purpose: In chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), autoimmune thyroid disease is the most common autoimmune comorbidity, and many CSU patients have immunoglobulin (Ig)E or IgG autoantibodies to thyroid peroxidase (TPO). It remains unclear how anti-TPO IgE and IgG autoantibodies are linked to each other and are associated with CSU features, activity, and therapeutic responses.

Methods: CSU patients (n = 146, 92 females, mean age 42.

Serum Galectin-10: A biomarker for persistent airflow limitation in adult asthmatics.

Background: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are primary anti-inflammatory medications to control eosinophilic airway inflammation, and prevent asthma exacerbation. However, persistent airflow limitation (PAL) presents in some asthmatics even on ICS treatment, leading to lung function decline. Thus, we evaluated clinical associations of serum galectin-10 (Gal10) and galectin-3 (Gal3) levels in adult asthmatics who had maintained anti-asthma medication.

Association between specific IgE to staphylococcal enterotoxin B and the eosinophilic phenotype of asthma.

Background/aims: Sensitization to staphylococcal superantigens (SAgs) could contribute to asthma severity. However, its relevance with eosinophilic phenotype has not yet been clarified. This study aimed to investigate associations between serum specific IgE levels to SAg and eosinophilic airway inflammation in adult asthmatics.

Clinical and microbiological characteristics of persistent Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, risk factors for mortality, and the role of CD4 T cells.

This study evaluated the determinants of mortality and the T cell immune response in patients with persistent Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB). This was a prospective cohort study and patients with confirmed SAB were enrolled from 2008 to 2020. We compared clinical, microbiological, and genotypic features between surviving and deceased patients with persistent SAB.

8-Iso-prostaglandin F2α as a biomarker of type 2 low airway inflammation and remodeling in adult asthma.

Background: Although 8-iso-prostaglandin F2a has been proposed as a potential biomarker for oxidative stress in airway diseases, its specific role in asthma remains poorly understood.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic potential of 8-iso-prostaglandin F2a in assessing airway inflammation, airway remodeling, airway hyperresponsiveness, and oxidative stress in asthma.

Methods: Blood and urine concentrations of 8-iso-prostaglandin F2a were quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in 128 adults with asthma who had maintained antiasthma medications.

Diagnostic biomarkers for chronic rhinosinusitis in adult asthmatics in real-world practice.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common comorbid condition of asthma that affects the long-term outcome of asthmatic patients. CRS is a heterogeneous disease requiring multiple biomarkers to explain its pathogenesis. This study aimed to develop potential biomarkers for predicting CRS in adult asthmatic patients in a real-world clinical setting.

Case Report: Cryptococcal Meningitis in a Previously Immunocompetent Patient with Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Cryptococcus neoformans infections occur most frequently in immunocompromised patients. Here, we report a case of cryptococcal meningitis in a previously immunocompetent 78-year-old female patient after treatment of COVID-19. Underlying diseases included hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes.

Propensity score matched analysis for the safety and effectiveness of remdesivir in COVID-19 patients with renal impairment.

Backgrounds: Remdesivir (RDV) is an antiviral agent approved for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, is not recommended for patients with renal impairment. Due to limitations associated with prospective clinical trials, real-world data on the safety and efficacy of RDV in patients with renal impairment are necessary.

Methods: Propensity score-matched (PSM) retrospective analysis was conducted between March 2020 and September 2022 in COVID-19 patients with an eGFR < 30 mL/min in four Korean hospitals.

Increased incidence of teicoplanin-non-susceptible Staphylococcus epidermidis strains: a 6-year retrospective study.

Glycopeptide antibiotics (vancomycin and teicoplanin) are usually used for the treatment of Staphylococcus epidermidis infections owing to their increased oxacillin resistance. However, S. epidermidis strains with decreased susceptibility to teicoplanin have become increasingly incident in recent years.

Anti-heat shock protein 10 IgG in chronic spontaneous urticaria: Relation with miRNA-101-5p and platelet-activating factor.

Background: Anti-heat shock protein (HSP) autoantibodies are detected in autoimmune diseases. We sought to ascertain whether anti-HSP10 IgG is present in patients with CSU and to elucidate the role of HSP10 in CSU pathogenesis.

Method: Using a human proteome microarray, six potential autoantibodies had higher expression in 10 CSU samples compared with 10 normal controls (NCs).

Biomarkers for predicting type 2-high and uncontrolled asthma in real-world practice.

Background: Blood eosinophil count (BEC), immunoglobulin (Ig) E, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) are key clinical indicators for identifying type 2 (T2) asthma.

Objective: To provide optimal cutoff points of T2 markers for assessing T2-high or uncontrolled asthma in real-world practice.

Methods: Various clinical and laboratory parameters were analyzed according to the result of T2 markers (BEC, serum-free IgE, and FeNO) in adults with asthma who had maintained antiasthmatic medications.

Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 Enhances Eosinophilic Airway Inflammation in Severe Asthma.

Purpose: Severe asthma (SA) is characterized by persistent airway inflammation and remodeling, followed by lung function decline. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in the pathogenesis of SA.

Methods: We enrolled 250 adult asthmatics (54 with SA and 196 with non-SA) and 140 healthy controls (HCs).

Role of club cell 16-kDa secretory protein in asthmatic airways.

Background: Club cell 16-kDa secretory protein (CC16) is a pneumoprotein and functions as an anti-inflammatory or antioxidant protein. However, altered levels of serum CC16 as well as their effect on airways inflammation have not been fully evaluated.

Methods: We recruited 63 adult asthmatics on maintenance medications and 61 healthy controls (HCs).

Association of eosinophil-derived neurotoxin levels with asthma control status in patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease.

Background: The long-term goals of asthma treatment are to achieve well control of symptoms and to minimize the future risk of asthma exacerbation. Identifying biomarkers for uncontrolled asthma is important for improving the asthma outcome. This study aimed to investigate the association of the levels of eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) with asthma control status in specific asthma phenotype, aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), and aspirin-tolerant asthma (ATA).

Short-Term Effectiveness of Oral Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir Against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant and Culture-Positive Viral Shedding.

Background: Information on the effectiveness of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir against the omicron is limited. The clinical response and viral kinetics to therapy in the real world need to be evaluated.

Methods: Mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with risk factors for severe illness were prospectively enrolled as a treatment group with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir therapy versus a control group with supportive care.

Detection of serum IgG autoantibodies to FcεRIα by ELISA in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Background: Mast cells are a key effector cell in the pathogenesis of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) and activated by circulating FcεRI-specific IgG as well as IgE. This study evaluated the prevalence of circulating autoantibodies to FcεRIα in the sera of CSU patients.

Methods: Eighty-eight patients with CSU and 76 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled.

Increased serum free IgE levels in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU).

Background: IgE bound on the surface of mast cells contributes to the pathogenesis of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). Atopy is a predisposing factor for CSU, where omalizumab is a widely used monoclonal antibody to control urticaria symptoms via capturing serum free IgE. However, the role of serum free IgE is not clarified in CSU.

Serum Amyloid A1: A Biomarker for Neutrophilic Airway Inflammation in Adult Asthmatic Patients.

Purpose: We evaluated the role of serum amyloid A1 (SAA1) in the pathogenesis of airway inflammation according to the phenotype of asthma.

Methods: One hundred twenty-two asthmatic patients and 60 healthy control subjects (HCs) were enrolled to measure SAA1 levels. The production of SAA1 from airway epithelial cells (AECs) and its effects on macrophages and neutrophils were investigated and .

Clinical features of patients with Legionnaires disease showing initial clinical improvement but radiological deterioration: A retrospective single-center analysis.

Patients with Legionnaires disease occasionally experience initial clinical improvement but radiological progression. However, data on this issue are so far limited. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in chest radiograph findings in patients with Legionnaires disease who showed initial clinical improvement and to identify risk factors and outcomes in these patients.

Clinical and Microbiological Characteristics of Hospital-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Bacteremia Caused by a Community-Associated PVL-Negative Strain.

Background: ST72-SCCIV, a community-associated methicillin-resistant (CA-MRSA) strain in Korea, originated in the community and has been spreading in health care settings. Herein, we describe the clinical and microbiological characteristics of patients with hospital-acquired MRSA bacteremia (MRSAB) caused by community-associated strains.

Methods: We analyzed hospital-acquired MRSAB cases caused by ST72-SCCIV using a prospective cohort of patients with SAB in a tertiary hospital in Korea from July 2008 to December 2018.

Changing characteristics of S. aureus bacteremia caused by PVL-negative, MRSA strain over 11 years.

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has emerged as an important cause of infection. We conducted a longitudinal study to evaluate changes in clinical and microbiological characteristics as well as outcomes of sequence type (ST) 72 MRSA bacteremia. We reviewed adult patients enrolled in a prospective cohort with ST72 MRSA bacteremia from August 2008 to December 2018 at Asan Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea.