Two cases of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia with A2063G mutation in the 23S rRNA gene in siblings.

We describe 2 cases of pneumonia caused by the same macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae in siblings. M. pneumoniae was identified using real-time PCR.

Elevated Serum Levels of IL-21 in Kawasaki Disease.

Purpose: The serum level of immunoglobulin (Ig)E has been reported to be elevated in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD). We investigated whether interleukin (IL)-21, rather than IL-4, could be related to elevated serum levels of IgE in KD.

Methods: Sera from 48 patients with KD and 12 controls with high fever were collected to determine the level of IgE using an immunoassay system and the levels of IL-4 and IL-21 were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.

Evaluation of new hemagglutinin-based rapid antigen test for influenza A pandemic (H1N1) 2009.

Background: A new rapid antigen test (RAT), based on hemagglutinin, was developed for the improvement of influenza A pandemic (H1N1) 2009 detection.

Objective: To evaluate the performance of the new RAT for the diagnosis of influenza A pandemic (H1N1) 2009.

Study Design: The new RAT included 2009 H1N1 hemagglutinin-based band and influenza A and influenza B nucleoprotein-based bands.

Identification of adenovirus, influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, and respiratory syncytial virus by two kinds of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a shell vial culture in pediatric patients with viral pneumonia.

Purpose: Early identification of causative agents in lower respiratory infection of pediatric patients can reduce morbidity and prevent an overuse of antimicrobials. Two kinds of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a commercial shell vial viral culture were performed to identify causative agents in pediatric patients.

Materials And Methods: Nasopharyngeal aspirates of 220 children diagnosed with viral pneumonia were obtained.

Predicting factors for refractory kawasaki disease.

Background And Objectives: About 10-15% of Kawasaki disease (KD) is refractory to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy. This study was designed to investigate the predicting factors for refractory KD.

Subjects And Methods: We reviewed retrospectively the clinical records of 77 patients with typical KD admitted at Wonju Christian Hospital from January, 2005, to December, 2008.

Relationship between gallbladder distension and lipid profiles in kawasaki disease.

Background And Objectives: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute systemic vasculitis in children which causes coronary arterial dilatation (CAD) and gallbladder distension (GBD). There is a dearth of investigating the relationship between the severity of KD and GBD with lipid profiles.

Subjects And Methods: A total of 80 patients with 'complete KD' who were diagnosed from January 2005 to May 2009 was enrolled in this study.

Programmed death-1 (PD-1) gene polymorphisms lodged in the genetic predispositions of Kawasaki Disease.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the association of programmed death-1 gene (PD-1) polymorphisms with genetic predispositions to Kawasaki disease (KD). A total of 73 patients with KD and 100 healthy controls were enrolled from 2007 to 2008. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms of the PD-1 gene, rs41386349 and rs2227981, were analyzed.

The role of a whole blood interferon-gamma assay for the detection of latent tuberculosis infection in Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccinated children.

The tuberculin skin test (TST) has limitations in children who are under the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) effect. Our aim was to evaluate the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-G IT) blood test for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in children and to compare results with those of the TST. QFT-G IT and TST data were collected from 227 children between 0 and 15 years of age, split into 4 risk groups.

Low-dose methotrexate therapy for intravenous immunoglobulin-resistant Kawasaki disease.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of low-dose oral methotrexate (MTX) as a treatment for patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) which was resistant to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).

Patients And Methods: The patients who had persistent or recrudescent fever after treatment with IVIG were subsequently treated with low-dose oral MTX [10mg/body surface area (BSA)] once weekly.

Results: Seventeen patients developed persistent or recrudescent fever after treatment of KD with IVIG and were consequently given MTX.

Analysis of clinical presentations of Bruton disease: a review of 20 years of accumulated data from pediatric patients at Severance Hospital.

Purpose: X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is a humoral immunodeficiency disease caused by a mutation in the Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) gene resulting in defective B cell differentiation. Because it is a relatively rare disorder, it is difficult for clinicians to have a comprehensive understanding of XLA due to a lack of exposure to the disease. Clinical presentations of patients with XLA were analyzed and discussed to improve care plans.