Effectiveness of Malaria Antibody Test for Screening Blood Donors / 대한수혈학회지

The Republic of Korea has been using malaria antibody assays to screen blood donors and reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted malaria (TTM). This study examined the effectiveness of the current malaria antibody test for screening blood donors and calculated the positive predictive value (PPV) with the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) as the reference. The reactive rate and PPV of the malaria antibody screening assay during particular period from 2020 to 2021 were 0.82% (248/30,309) and 0.40% (1/248), respectively. The low PPV of current malaria antibody screening in blood donors suggests that the effectiveness of this test is limited in terms of balancing blood safety and supply in low-prevalence situations.

Twenty-Five Year Trend Change in the Etiology of Pediatric Invasive Bacterial Infections in Korea, 1996–2020

Background@#The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has contributed to the change in the epidemiology of many infectious diseases. This study aimed to establish the pre-pandemic epidemiology of pediatric invasive bacterial infection (IBI). @*Methods@#A retrospective multicenter-based surveillance for pediatric IBIs has been maintained from 1996 to 2020 in Korea. IBIs caused by eight bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella species) in immunocompetent children > 3 months of age were collected at 29 centers. The annual trend in the proportion of IBIs by each pathogen was analyzed. @*Results@#A total of 2,195 episodes were identified during the 25-year period between 1996 and 2020. S. pneumoniae (42.4%), S. aureus (22.1%), and Salmonella species (21.0%) were common in children 3 to 59 months of age. In children ≥ 5 years of age, S. aureus (58.1%), followed by Salmonella species (14.8%) and S. pneumoniae (12.2%) were common. Excluding the year 2020, there was a trend toward a decrease in the relative proportions of S. pneumoniae (rs = −0.430, P = 0.036), H. influenzae (rs = −0.922, P 3 months of age. These findings can be used as the baseline data to navigate the trend in the epidemiology of pediatric IBI in the post COVID-19 era.

A Study of the Molecular Characteristics of the Serologic D-- Blood Type in Korean Blood Donors / 대한수혈학회지

Background@#The Korean Red Cross has conducted serologic tests for C, c, E, e antigens and found 18 D-- donors.In this study, we performed RHCE genotyping to identify the molecular characteristics of the serologic D-- blood type in Korean blood donors. @*Methods@#We performed RHCE-specific PCR-based electrophoresis to check the amplification pattern of each exon.Sanger sequencing was conducted to find the variants in the nucleotide sequence. We determined the RHCE genotype based on the electrophoresis and Sanger sequencing results. @*Results@#Total eight out of 18 D-- donors were participated in this research. In the PCR-based electrophoresis tests, RHCE exons 3, 4, and 6 were not amplified in samples #4, #6, and #8. Also, sample #2 showed an abnormal band pattern of RHCE exon 9. The Sanger sequencing results showed that the nucleotide sequences of the RHCE exons 5, 7, and 8 in samples #4, #6 and #8 corresponded to the nucleotide sequences of RHD exons 5, 7, and 8, respectively, suggesting the possibility of a RHCE-RHD(3-8)-RHCE hybrid allele. The nucleotide sequences of RHCE exons 7 and 8 in sample #2 were the same as the nucleotide sequences of RHD exons 7 and 8, respectively.In samples #1, #3, #5, and #7, no specific variants known to cause D-- phenotype were found. @*Conclusion@#RHCE genes partially replaced by the RHD genes were found in four out of eight participants and three of them were identified as ?RHCE*02N.07, which is known as the RHCE null allele. A further study with complete RHCE sequencing could be helpful for an understanding of the molecular mechanisms of samples in which no significant variants were identified.

Immunogenicity and Safety of a Newly Developed Tetanus-Diphtheria Toxoid (Td) in Healthy Korean Adolescents: a Multi-center, Randomized, Doubleblind, Active-Controlled Phase 3 Trial

Background@#Although the combination tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) is recommended at adolescence in developed countries, the tetanus and diphtheria toxoid vaccine (Td), which is less costly, is recommended instead in some parts of the world. A new Td, BR-TD-1001, was developed by a Korean manufacturer for distribution to endemic regions and for use in the initial step of novel Tdap development. @*Methods@#This phase 3, randomized, double-blind, multi-center trial, conducted in Korea, aimed to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of BR-TD-1001. Healthy children aged 10 to 12 years were randomized 1:1 to receive either BR-TD-1001 or the control Td (Td-pur, GlaxoSmithKline). Antibodies were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. @*Results@#A total of 218 subjects (BR-TD-1001, n = 108; control, n = 110) were enrolled and included in the safety analysis. Vaccine-mediated antibody responses were similar in both groups. We confirmed the non-inferiority of BR-TD-1001 against the control, Td; 100% of both groups achieved seroprotection against diphtheria and tetanus. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between groups in the proportion of participants who demonstrated boost responses against diphtheria and tetanus toxoids. The incidence of solicited local and systemic adverse events (AEs), unsolicited AEs, and serious AEs did not differ significantly between groups. @*Conclusion@#The BR-TD-1001 satisfied the immunological non-inferiority criterion against diphtheria and tetanus, with a clinically acceptable safety profile.

Risk Factor Analysis for Secondary Malignancy in Dexrazoxane-Treated Pediatric Cancer Patients / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Dexrazoxane has been used as an effective cardioprotector against anthracycline cardiotoxicity. This study intended to analyze cardioprotective efficacy and secondary malignancy development, and elucidate risk factors for secondary malignancies in dexrazoxane-treated pediatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data was collected from 15 hospitals in Korea. Patients who received any anthracyclines, and completed treatment without stem cell transplantation were included. For efficacy evaluation, the incidence of cardiac events and cardiac event-free survival rates were compared. Data about risk factors of secondary malignancies were collected. RESULTS: Data of total 1,453 cases were analyzed; dexrazoxane with every anthracyclines group (D group, 1,035 patients) and no dexrazoxane group (non-D group, 418 patients). Incidence of the reported cardiac events was not statistically different between two groups; however, the cardiac event-free survival rate of patients with more than 400 mg/m2 of anthracyclines was significantly higher in D group (91.2% vs. 80.1%, p=0.04). The 6-year cumulative incidence of secondary malignancy was not different between both groups after considering follow-up duration difference (non-D, 0.52%±0.37%; D, 0.60%±0.28%; p=0.55). The most influential risk factor for secondary malignancy was the duration of anthracycline administration according to multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Dexrazoxane had an efficacy in lowering cardiac event-free survival rates in patients with higher cumulative anthracyclines. As a result of multivariate analysis for assessing risk factors of secondary malignancy, the occurrence of secondary malignancy was not related to dexrazoxane administration.

Evaluation of Waning Immunity at 6 Months after Both Trivalent and Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccination in Korean Children Aged 6–35 Months

BACKGROUND: The titer of influenza vaccine-induced antibodies declines over time, and younger children have lower immunogenicity and shorter duration of immunity. This study aimed to compare persistence of antibody at 6 months after influenza vaccination according to influenza virus strains, vaccine type, antigen dose, and primed status in children aged 6 to 35 months. METHODS: A total 124 healthy children aged 6 to 35 months were enrolled from September to December 2016 at 10 hospitals in Korea and randomly assigned to either a full dose of quadrivalent influenza vaccine or a half dose of trivalent influenza vaccine with Victoria B strain group. Hemagglutination inhibition antibody titers (that measure the seroprotection rates) were assessed for the recommended influenza strains at 6 months post vaccination. RESULTS: The seroprotection rates at 6 months for strains A (H1N1), A (H3N2), B/Yamagata, and B/Victoria were 88.7%, 97.4%, 36.6%, and 27.6%, respectively. The seroprotection rates for A (H1N1), A (H3N2) and B (Victoria) were 91.4%, 98.7% and 27.5% in a full dose of quadrivalent vaccine vs. 83.7%, 94.6% and 27.9% in a half dose trivalent vaccine, respectively. The seroprotection rate for the B (Yamagata) strain was 23.8% in the quadrivalent group and 14.0% in the trivalent group. CONCLUSION: Persistence of antibodies at 6 months was more favorable against the influenza A strains than against the B strains. Persistence of antibodies to additional B strain at 6 months was superior in the quadrivalent vaccine group. The immunity of primed children with different B strains was not superior to that of the unprimed group with another B strain.

Erratum: Addition of a Co-Author: Etiology of Invasive Bacterial Infections in Immunocompetent Children in Korea (2006–2010): a Retrospective Multicenter Study

The authors regret that one co-author (Kyung-Hyo Kim) was missing in the article.

Single or Dual Infection with Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Human Rhinovirus: Epidemiology and Clinical Characteristics in Hospitalized Children in a Rural Area of South Korea

PURPOSE: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human rhinovirus (hRV) are the most common causes of child respiratory viral infections. We aimed to investigate epidemiological and clinical characteristics of RSV and hRV single infections and coinfections. METHODS: Nasopharyngeal aspirates of hospitalized children aged <5 years were tested using multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from October 2014 to April 2017. Their medical records were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: RSV or hRV was detected in 384 patients who divided into 3 groups: patients with RSV (R group, n=258); patients with hRV (H group, n=99); and patients with both (RH group, n=27). The R group (median age, 6 months) consisted of 248 (96.1%) patients with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), and 14 (5.4%) needed oxygen inhalation. Infants aged <12 months (63.2%) had respiratory difficulty and were supplied oxygen more often. The H group (median age, 16 months) consisted of 56 (56.6%) patients with LRTI, 4 (4%) required oxygen inhalation, and 1 (1.0%) required mechanical ventilation. Infants (40.4%) showed longer hospitalization compared to patients aged ≥12 months (5 vs. 4 days, P<0.05). The RH group consisted of 24 (88.9%) patients with LRTI, and 2 (7.4%) needed oxygen inhalation. Hospitalization days and oxygen inhalation and mechanical ventilation rates did not differ between single infections (R and H groups) and coinfections (RH group). CONCLUSIONS: RSV was detected more often in younger patients and showed higher LRTI rates compared to hRV. Single infections and coinfections of RSV and hRV showed no difference in severity.

Safety and Immunogenicity of an Egg-Cultivated Quadrivalent Inactivated Split-virion Influenza Vaccine (GC3110A) in Healthy Korean Children: a Randomized, Double-blinded, Active-controlled Phase III Study

BACKGROUND: The frequency with which the 2 B lineages have been found to cocirculate in a season has been on the rise, which has spurred the need for a quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) to protect against both B lineages. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that QIV include both B lineages beginning in the 2013–2014 flu season. This study was conducted to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of an egg-cultivated QIV in healthy Korean children and adolescents aged ≥ 6 months to < 19 years. METHODS: A total of 528 subjects were randomized 4:1 to receive either a QIV (GC3110A) or a trivalent influenza vaccine. Hemagglutination inhibition antibody responses were assessed 28 days after the last dose. Safety was also evaluated. RESULTS: The proportion of subjects in the GC3110A group who achieved seroconversion was confirmed to exceed 40% across all age groups. The proportion of subjects aged ≥ 6 months to < 3 years in the GC3110A group who achieved seroprotection failed to meet the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) standard of 70%. Potential causes may include the small number of subjects, as well as the small dosage. However, results pertaining to the other age groups satisfied the MFDS standard. The safety profile was also comparable to that of the control. CONCLUSION: The new quadrivalent split influenza vaccine may offer broader protection to children and adolescents aged ≥ 3 years to < 19 years of age against both influenza B lineages than the existing trivalent influenza vaccines (Registered at the ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02541253).

Etiology of Invasive Bacterial Infections in Immunocompetent Children in Korea (2006–2010): a Retrospective Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND: Invasive bacterial infections in apparently immunocompetent children were retrospectively analyzed to figure causative bacterial organisms in Korea. METHODS: A total of 947 cases from 25 university hospitals were identified from 2006 to 2010 as a continuance of a previous 10-year period study from 1996 to 2005. RESULTS: Escherichia coli (41.3%), Streptococcus agalactiae (27.7%), and Staphylococcus aureus (27.1%) were the most common pathogens in infants < 3 months of age. S. agalactiae was the most prevalent cause of meningitis and pneumonia and E. coli was the major cause of bacteremia without localizing signs in this group. In children 3 to 59 months of age, Streptococcus pneumoniae (54.2%), S. aureus (20.5%), and Salmonella spp. (14.4%) were the most common pathogens. S. pneumoniae was the leading cause of pneumonia (86.0%), meningitis (65.0%), and bacteremia without localizing signs (49.0%) in this group. In children ≥ 5 years of age, S. aureus (62.8%) was the predominant pathogen, followed by Salmonella species (12.4%) and S. pneumoniae (11.5%). Salmonella species (43.0%) was the most common cause of bacteremia without localizing signs in this group. The relative proportion of S. aureus increased significantly over the 15-year period (1996–2010) in children ≥ 3 months of age (P < 0.001), while that of Haemophilus influenzae decreased significantly in both < 3 months of age group (P = 0.036) and ≥ 3 months of age groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: S. agalactiae, E. coli, S. pneumoniae, and S. aureus are common etiologic agents of invasive bacterial infections in Korean children.

Epidemiology and Clinical Severity of the Hospitalized Children with Viral Croup

PURPOSE: In this study, the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients admitted for viral croup were analyzed to evaluate disease severity based on the organism that caused the infection. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 302 patients who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics at the Wonju Severance Hospital between May 2013 and December 2016 for viral croup. Patients who showed positive results on multiplex polymerase chain reaction were subsequently diagnosed with respiratory virus infection. The Westley scoring system was used to evaluate the severity of viral croup. RESULTS: Of the 302 patients, 149 were admitted due to severe viral croup, including 88 boys and 61 girls, with a boy-to-girl ratio of 1.44:1. About 110 cases of parainfluenza virus infection have been reported, which accounted for almost half of the total cases. The other identified viruses included influenza virus, human rhinovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus. Analysis of the association between severe viral croup and causative pathogen revealed that only parainfluenza type 2 virus showed a significantly high risk. Parainfluenza type 2 virus did not show an age-based difference in frequency but showed relatively a higher frequency of infections during the summer and fall. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, parainfluenza virus type 2 was the only virus associated with severe viral croup. To facilitate proper preventive management, treatment, and prognosis evaluation of viral croup, prospective and multicenter studies should assess the additional variables and the severity of the virus. Additionally, further studies should be conducted to assess age-dependent influences, as well as the regional and seasonal incidence of viral infection.

Diagnostic Significance of the Delta Neutrophil Index and Other Conventional Parameters in Neonatal Bacteremia

PURPOSE: We investigated the effectiveness of the delta neutrophil index (DNI) for the prediction of neonatal bacteremia and compared it to other indices. METHODS: A total of 146 pediatric patients, aged less than 31 days, admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Wonju Severance Christian Hospital with fever before or during hospitalization were enrolled in this study. We divided the patients into two groups based on the existence of neonatal bacteremia and performed blood culture tests on both groups. We examined white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count, DNI, platelet count, and C-reactive protein (CRP) test. We used a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to evaluate their diagnostic significance. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients were diagnosed with neonatal bacteremia. The mean gestational age was 38.74 weeks and the mean birth weight was 3.20 kg. The mean gestational age of the control group was 33.34 weeks and the mean birth weight was 2.20 kg. Causative organisms of bacteremia included Staphylococcus aureus (n=22), Staphylococcus epidermidis (n=18), and Streptococcus agalactiae (n=8). Both DNI and CRP were significantly associated with neonatal bacteremia after adjusting for gestational age and birth weight. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for DNI (0.70) was higher than that for CRP (0.68). CONCLUSIONS: The DNI can be used to effectively predict neonatal bacteremia. The prediction will be more accurate if DNI is used in conjunction with other indices. In future, it will be useful to compare DNI with other indices and investigate its relationship with prognosis.

Early Changes in the Serotype Distribution of Invasive Pneumococcal Isolates from Children after the Introduction of Extended-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines in Korea, 2011-2013

This study was performed to measure early changes in the serotype distribution of pneumococci isolated from children with invasive disease during the 3-year period following the introduction of 10- and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) in Korea. From January 2011 to December 2013 at 25 hospitals located throughout Korea, pneumococci were isolated among children who had invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). Serotypes were determined using the Quellung reaction, and the change in serotype distribution was analyzed. Seventy-five cases of IPD were included. Eighty percent of patients were aged 3-59 months, and 32% had a comorbidity that increased the risk of pneumococcal infection. The most common serotypes were 19A (32.0%), 10A (8.0%), and 15C (6.7%). The PCV7 serotypes (4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, 23F, and 6A) accounted for 14.7% of the total isolates and the PCV13 minus PCV7 types (1, 3, 5, 7F and 19A) accounted for 32.0% of the total isolates. Serotype 19A was the only serotype in the PCV13 minus PCV7 group. The proportion of serotype 19A showed decreasing tendency from 37.5% in 2011 to 22.2% in 2013 (P = 0.309), while the proportion of non-PCV13 types showed increasing tendency from 45.8% in 2011 to 72.2% in 2013 (P = 0.108). Shortly after the introduction of extended-valent PCVs in Korea, serotype 19A continued to be the most common serotype causing IPD in children. Subsequently, the proportion of 19A decreased, and non-vaccine serotypes emerged as an important cause of IPD. The impact of extended-valent vaccines must be continuously monitored.

Detection of Rotavirus Genotypes in Korea 5 Years after the Introduction of Rotavirus Vaccines

Rotavirus (RV) is one of the most important viral etiologic agents of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children. Although effective RV vaccines (RVVs) are now used worldwide, novel genotypes and outbreaks resulting from rare genotype combinations have emerged. This study documented RV genotypes in a Korean population of children with AGE 5 yr after the introduction of RVV and assessed potential genotype differences based on vaccination status or vaccine type. Children less than 5-yr-old diagnosed with AGE between October 2012 and September 2013 admitted to 9 medical institutions from 8 provinces in Korea were prospectively enrolled. Stool samples were tested for RV by enzyme immunoassay and genotyped by multiplex reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. In 346 patients, 114 (32.9%) were RV-positive. Among them, 87 (76.3%) patients were infected with RV alone. Eighty-six of 114 RV-positive stool samples were successfully genotyped, and their combinations of genotypes were G1P[8] (36, 41.9%), G2P[4] (12, 14.0%), and G3P[8] (6, 7.0%). RV was detected in 27.8% of patients in the vaccinated group and 39.8% in the unvaccinated group (P=0.035). Vaccination history was available for 67 of 86 cases with successfully genotyped RV-positive stool samples; RotaTeq (20, 29.9%), Rotarix (7, 10.4%), unvaccinated (40, 59.7%). The incidence of RV AGE is lower in the RV-vaccinated group compared to the unvaccinated group with no evidence of substitution with unusual genotype combinations.

Macrophage Activation Syndrome Triggered by Herpes Viral Infection as the Presenting Manifestation of Juvenile Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a rare complication in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that can be triggered by infections. Due to the fact that MAS may mimic clinical features of underlying rheumatic disease, or be confused with an infectious complication, its detection can prove challenging. This is particularly true when there is an unknown/undiagnosed disease; and could turn into an even greater challenge if MAS and SLE are combined with a viral infection. A-14-year-old female came to the hospital with an ongoing fever for 2 weeks and a painful facial skin rash. Hepatomegaly, pancytopenia, increased aspartate aminotransferase, elevated serum ferritin and lactate dehydrogenase were reported. No hemophagocytic infiltration of bone marrow was reported. The patient was suspected for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Her skin rashes were eczema herpeticum, which is usually associated with immune compromised conditions. With the history of oral ulcers and malar rash, positive ANA and low C3, C4 and the evidence of hemolytic anemia, she was diagnosed as SLE. According to the diagnostic guideline for MAS in SLE, she was diagnosed MAS as well, activated by acute HSV infection. After administering steroids and antiviral agent, the fever and skin rash disappeared, and the abnormal laboratory findings normalized. Therefore, we are reporting a rare case of MAS triggered by acute HSV infection as the first manifestation of SLE.

Immunogenicity and safety of a tetravalent measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine: an open-labeled, randomized trial in healthy Korean children

PURPOSE: This study (NCT00751348) evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of a combined measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccine compared to co-administration of measles-mumps-rubella and varicella (MMR+V) vaccines in Korean children during their second year of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Healthy children aged 11-24 months received one dose of MMRV or MMR+V. Antibody titers against measles, mumps and rubella were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and against varicella using an immunofluorescence assay. Parents/guardians recorded adverse events in diary cards for up to 43 days post-vaccination. The primary objective was to demonstrate non-inferiority of MMRV to MMR+V for all antigens in terms of seroconversion rates (SCRs), defined as a group difference with a lower limit of the 95% confidence interval (CI)>-10%. RESULTS: Of 474 subjects enrolled, 458 (MMRV, 301; MMR+V, 157) were included in the according-to-protocol cohort. For measles (98.0% vs. 99.4%), rubella (99.7% vs. 100%) and varicella (98.9% vs. 100%) SCRs, the lower limits of the 95% CIs for group differences were greater than -10%; however, for mumps SCRs (88.8% vs. 94.2%), it was -10.40%. The primary objective of non-inferiority in mumps SCRs was therefore not met, although the observed group difference in a post-hoc analysis of anti-mumps antibodies using a plaque reduction neutralization assay was 0.39% with a 95% CI lower limit of -4.03%. Adverse events occurred at comparable frequencies for both groups, except for more frequent fever in MMRV recipients. CONCLUSION: Based on the pre-specified non-inferiority criterion, SCRs of the MMRV vaccine were non-inferior to that elicited by MMR+V vaccines for all antigens except mumps.

Clinical and Laboratory Findings of the 2012 Winter Seasonal Influenza A and B Outbreak at a Single Institution / 소아감염

PURPOSE: The aim for this study was to investigate clinical manifestation of seasonal influenza A and B during the 2012 winter season in Wonju, South Korea. Their clinical and laboratorial characteristics and effect of oseltamivir were compared and analyzed. METHODS: Children under the age of 18 years who visited the Wonju Severance Christian Hospital with fever or acute respiratory symptoms and who were diagnosed with influenza A or B by rapid antigen test from nasopharyngeal swab were selected for the study. The medical records of patients were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Influenza A was detected in 374 patients (83.7%), and influenza B in 72 (16.6%). The incidence of influenza A was highest in February (n=186), while that of influenza B was highest in March (n=36). The most common symptoms were fever (n=434, 97.1%) and cough (n=362, 81.0%). No significant differences were observed between influenza A and B in symptoms and laboratory data. Patients who had used oseltamivir within 2 days showed statistically lower admission rate, shorter admission duration, and lower incidence of pneumonia. CONCLUSION: This study found no statistical difference between influenza A and B, in symptoms, progression, and laboratory test, but those who were treated with oseltamivir given within 2 days of the onset of fever experienced more positive outcomes.

Comparison among Known Severity Scoring Scales in the Evaluation of Acute Gastroenteritis in Children / 소아감염

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the disease severity of children suffering from gastroenteritis using different scales. The results are compared and subsequently classified on the basis of the type of virus causing the disease in order to investigate the differences in clinical characteristics and disease severity according to pathogen. METHOD: This study was conducted prospectively with patients under 5 years of age diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis and hospitalized at 9 medical institutions in 8 regions across the Republic of Korea. Disease severity was evaluated using the Vesikari Scale, the Clark Scale, and the modified Flores Scale. Fecal samples collected from patients were used to detect rotavirus and enteric adenovirus by enzyme immunoassay, and for RT-PCR of norovirus, astrovirus, and sapovirus. RESULTS: There were a total of 214 patients with a male : female ratio of 1.58 : 1, of which 35 were under the age of 6 months (16.4%), 105 were aged 6-23 months (49.1%), and 74 were aged 24-59 months (34.5%). The rate of concordance between the Vesikari and Clark Scales was 0.521 (P<0.001) and, in severe cases, the Vesikari Scale was 60.7% and Clark Scale was 2.3%, indicating that the Clark Scale was stricter in the evaluation of severe cases. CONCLUSIONS: In children with gastroenteritis, there were differences in disease severity based on the scale used. Therefore, to achieve consistent results among researchers, either only a single scale or a measure of all scales should be used to determine disease severity.

Early Steroid Therapy in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Presented with Fever / 임상소아혈액종양

BACKGROUND: During early diagnostic studies on Acute Lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients, it is difficult to differentiate the origin of fever. Antibiotics are administered first until defervescence prior to chemotherapy. Thus, we tested the effect of administration of both antibiotics and prednisone in early phase prior to chemotherapy.METHODS: From January 1, 1989 to March 20, 2013, 28 patients diagnosed with ALL at Wonju Severance Christian hospital were selected. They were febrile but had no evidence of infection. Prednisone was given with antibiotics prior to chemotherapy to group 1, and antibiotics only to group 2. Age, sex, height, weight, initial complete blood cell count, blood chemistry, time to recover from febrile state, time to initiate remission induction therapy, period of remission induction therapy and time to complete remission were recorded.RESULTS: Ages and heights showed statistical differences between groups. Initial neutrophil counts, hemoglobin, C-reactive protein level and platelet counts revealed no differences. Prednisone was administered 3 days after the admission in group 1 and 5 days in group 2. Fever subsidence time, times to start remission induction, duration of the treatment, time to complete remission did not suggest significant difference. However, log-rank test demonstrated that the fever subsided earlier in group 1 (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Early glucocorticoid use in febrile ALL patients without evidence of infection revealed contradictory results on fever subsidence time depending on different statistical methods, and a prospective study with larger sample is required to corroborate the finding.

Early Steroid Therapy in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Presented with Fever / 임상소아혈액종양

BACKGROUND: During early diagnostic studies on Acute Lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients, it is difficult to differentiate the origin of fever. Antibiotics are administered first until defervescence prior to chemotherapy. Thus, we tested the effect of administration of both antibiotics and prednisone in early phase prior to chemotherapy. METHODS: From January 1, 1989 to March 20, 2013, 28 patients diagnosed with ALL at Wonju Severance Christian hospital were selected. They were febrile but had no evidence of infection. Prednisone was given with antibiotics prior to chemotherapy to group 1, and antibiotics only to group 2. Age, sex, height, weight, initial complete blood cell count, blood chemistry, time to recover from febrile state, time to initiate remission induction therapy, period of remission induction therapy and time to complete remission were recorded. RESULTS: Ages and heights showed statistical differences between groups. Initial neutrophil counts, hemoglobin, C-reactive protein level and platelet counts revealed no differences. Prednisone was administered 3 days after the admission in group 1 and 5 days in group 2. Fever subsidence time, times to start remission induction, duration of the treatment, time to complete remission did not suggest significant difference. However, log-rank test demonstrated that the fever subsided earlier in group 1 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Early glucocorticoid use in febrile ALL patients without evidence of infection revealed contradictory results on fever subsidence time depending on different statistical methods, and a prospective study with larger sample is required to corroborate the finding.