Insufficient vaccination and inadequate immunization rates among Korean patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.

This study aimed to evaluate self-reported vaccination rates, immunity, knowledge of and attitudes toward vaccination among Korean patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as well as to identify factors associated with proper vaccination.Between November 2013 and February 2015, consecutive patients with IBD were invited to complete a standardized questionnaire on vaccination. Moreover, immune status for common vaccine-preventable diseases was evaluated via serologic tests.

Aspergillus-associated cerebral aneurysm successfully treated by endovascular and surgical intervention with voriconazole in lupus nephritis patient.

During the last five decades, long-term therapy with immunosuppressive agents such as pulse cyclophosphamide in conjunction with high-dose corticosteroids has enhanced both patient survival and renal survival in patients with diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis. Nevertheless, severe side effects such as infectious complications remain the main cause of morbidity and mortality. Central nervous system aspergillosis is uncommon but life-threatening in lupus patients.

Hepatitis B virus reactivation in rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis patients treated with anti-TNFα agents: a retrospective analysis of 49 cases.

Clinical guidelines regarding anti-viral prophylaxis for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers starting anti-TNFα agents are not yet fully established, even in endemic regions of HBV infection. We retrospectively collected the clinical data of 52 HBsAg carriers with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or ankylosing spondylitis (AS) that had been administered anti-TNFα treatment at seven medical centers in South Korea. Periodic data of liver function tests and serum HBV DNA were both utilized to assess HBV reactivation.