Performance Evaluation of MEDITAPE UC-11A Strip Test in Estimating the Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio and Urine Protein-to-Creatinine Ratio

30 mg/g), the concordance rate, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of UACR, analyzed using MEDITAPE UC-11A, were 80.5, 97.5, 67.0, 70.3, and 97.1%, respectively. Using UPCR, analyzed via quantitative assay, as a reference to estimate proteinuria (UPCR >0.15 g/g), the concordance rate, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of UPCR, analyzed using MEDITAPE UC-11A, were 86.7, 94.4, 81.5, 77.6, and 95.6%, respectively.CONCLUSIONS: UACR and UPCR, analyzed using MEDITAPE UC-11A, exhibited relatively high sensitivity and NPV, which is beneficial for laboratory screening for both albuminuria and proteinuria.

A Case of Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction Attributable to Anti-Jk(b) Abolished in the Enzyme Phase Reaction / 대한수혈학회지

We report a case of an intravascular hemolytic reaction attributable to anti-Jk(b) antibodies that were not detected using an enzyme phase antibody identification test. A 61-year-old male who had received two units of red blood cells was admitted to the emergency room because his urine was dark. LISS/Coombs gel column agglutination tests suggested the presence of anti-Jk(b) and anti-E antibodies. However, his serum was negative for the Jk(b) antigen when an enzyme phase test was performed. A positive reaction was evident, however, when EDTA-treated plasma was tested; this excluded any possible complement-mediated reaction. The patient was diagnosed with an intravascular hemolytic transfusion reaction, caused by anti-Jk(b), and was later discharged without specific complications after receiving antigen-negative blood transfusions.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia With MLL Rearrangement and CD4+/CD56+ Expression can be Misdiagnosed as Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm: Two Case Reports

No abstract available.

Comparison of the Clinical Performance of Binax NOW RSV Versus Multiplex RT-PCR for Detection of Respiratory Syncytial Virus

BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most important causes of lower respiratory tract infection. The rapid antigen test is a simple, cheap, and quick method for RSV detection, however, it has an acknowledged low sensitivity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the rapid antigen test by comparing it with a multiplex reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). METHODS: A total of 557 nasopharyngeal aspirates or swabs that were submitted for both a rapid antigen test, Binax NOW RSV (Binax; Alere Scarborough, Inc., USA) and multiplex RT-PCR, Seeplex RV7 (Seegene Inc., Korea) were included in this study. We performed both tests according to the manufacturer's recommendations and analyzed the diagnostic performances of a rapid antigen tests based on the results of multiplex RT-PCR. RESULTS: Among the 557 specimens, the positive rates determined from the rapid antigen test and multiplex RT-PCR were 12.2% (N=68) and 25.1% (N=140), respectively. The relative sensitivity and specificity of the rapid antigen test were 46.4% and 99.3% based on the multiplex RT-PCR, respectively. Positive and negative predictive values were 95.6% and 84.7%, respectively. The diagnostic sensitivity was lower (28.6%) in children >36 months compared with children < or =36 months of age. Test sensitivity declined when RSV infection was accompanied by infection with other respiratory viruses. CONCLUSIONS: Binax NOW RSV exhibited good diagnostic performance, easy handling, and rapidity. However, it does have the possibility of false-negative results, and additional tests are needed when there is clinical suspicion of RSV infection.

Evaluation of the Automated Hematology Analyzer Sysmex XN-2000 and the Accuracy of Differential Leukocyte Counts Using the Low WBC Mode

BACKGROUND: The XN-series (Sysmex, Japan) is the new hematology analyzer from Sysmex, with new channels to improve the accuracy of differential leukocyte count and platelet count in the low cell count range. We evaluated the analytical performance and low white blood cell (WBC) mode of the XN-2000. METHODS: Precision, linearity, and carryover were evaluated for the analyzer. We analyzed the accordance of complete blood count (CBC), reticulocyte count, and differential leukocyte count between the XN-2000 and XE-2100 (Sysmex), using 200 samples from normal controls and patients. For 80 samples with a WBC count 0.9800 for all CBC parameters except mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, mean platelet volume, and platelet distribution width, and >0.9900 for differential leukocyte count except monocytes and basophils. The low WBC mode provided accurate counts for neutrophils and lymphocytes, with r>0.9300 for samples with a WBC count of 0.1-1.5x10(9) cells/L. CONCLUSIONS: The XN-2000 showed good analytical performance and correlation with the existing model, the XE-2100. The XN-2000 provided accurate results for differential leukocyte count in samples with a WBC count of 0.1-1.5x10(9) cells/L, and reduced manual slide reviews.

Clinical Significance of Clonal Rearrangement of the Immunoglobulin Gene in the Bone Marrow of Patients with B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

BACKGROUND: In the early stages of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), it can be difficult to recognize minimal morphological changes in the bone marrow (BM). In particular, when the quality of the BM biopsy is poor, determining BM involvement is limited to microscopic findings on BM aspiration. In this study, we compared the results of clonal immunoglobulin (IG) gene rearrangements with BM morphology results in B-cell NHL patients who underwent BM analysis as a staging workup and evaluated the usefulness of the clonal IG gene rearrangements for staging. METHODS: Forty two B-cell NHL patients were analyzed. Clonal rearrangements of the IG heavy chain (IGH), kappa light chain (IGK) and lambda light chain (IGL) genes were detected using the IdentiClone(TM) Clonality assay (InVivoScribe Technologies, USA). Clinical characteristics and outcomes were evaluated based on the detection of monoclonal IG gene rearrangements. RESULTS: Monoclonal IG gene rearrangements were found in 9 of 42 patients (21.4%). Microscopic BM involvement was found in only 2 of 42 patients (4.8%). The monoclonality rate of IG genes in BM was correlated with clinical stage and the international prognostic index (P<0.01). Patients with monoclonal IG gene rearrangements in BM had a significantly higher relapse rate (P=0.014) and poorer overall survival at 2 yr (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Clonality analysis of BM in B-cell NHL can contribute to identification of patients with occult BM involvement with a significantly poorer overall survival despite normal BM histology.

Postsurgical Wound Infection Caused by Mycobacterium conceptionense Identified by Sequencing of 16S rRNA, hsp65, and rpoB Genes in an Immunocompetent Patient / 대한임상미생물학회지

Rapidly growing mycobacteria are ubiquitous in the environment and are increasingly being recognized as opportunistic pathogens. Recently, a new species, Mycobacteium conceptionense, has been validated from the Mycobacterium fortuitum third biovariant complex by molecular analysis. However, there are few reports, and postsurgical wound infection by this species is rare. We report a case of postsurgical wound infection caused by M. conceptionense in an immunocompetent patient that was identified by a sequencing analysis of 16S rRNA, hps65, and rpoB genes.

Evaluation of DNA Extraction Methods and Their Clinical Application for Direct Detection of Causative Bacteria in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Culture Fluids from Patients with Peritonitis by Using Broad-Range PCR

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to compare several DNA extraction methods and 16S rDNA primers and to evaluate the clinical utility of broad-range PCR in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) culture fluids. METHODS: Six type strains were used as model organisms in dilutions from 10(8) to 100 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL for the evaluation of 5 DNA extraction methods and 5 PCR primer pairs. Broad-range PCR was applied to 100 CAPD culture fluids, and the results were compared with conventional culture results. RESULTS: There were some differences between the various DNA extraction methods and primer sets with regard to the detection limits. The InstaGene Matrix (Bio-Rad Laboratories, USA) and Exgene Clinic SV kits (GeneAll Biotechnology Co. Ltd, Korea) seem to have higher sensitivities than the others. The results of broad-range PCR were concordant with the results from culture in 97% of all cases (97/100). Two culture-positive cases that were broad-range PCR-negative were identified as Candida albicans, and 1 PCR-positive but culture-negative sample was identified as Bacillus circulans by sequencing. Two samples among 54 broad-range PCR-positive products could not be sequenced. CONCLUSIONS: There were differences in the analytical sensitivity of various DNA extraction methods and primers for broad-range PCR. The broad-range PCR assay can be used to detect bacterial pathogens in CAPD culture fluid as a supplement to culture methods.

Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia after Aplastic Crisis due to Parvovirus B19 Infection in a Patient with Hereditary Spherocytosis

Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is a genetic disorder characterized by the production and destruction of spherocytes due to a deficiency of red cell membrane cytoskeletal proteins, resulting in the clinical presentation of chronic hemolytic anemia. This disease can be accompanied by an aplastic crisis due to parvovirus B19 infection. Parvovirus B19 infection causes diseases such as erythema infectiosum and arthritis, and can also trigger various autoimmune diseases, including autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). Here, we report a rare case of AIHA developing 3 months after an aplastic crisis due to parvovirus B19 infection in an 11-year-old boy with HS and provide the relevant literature review.

Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia after Aplastic Crisis due to Parvovirus B19 Infection in a Patient with Hereditary Spherocytosis

Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is a genetic disorder characterized by the production and destruction of spherocytes due to a deficiency of red cell membrane cytoskeletal proteins, resulting in the clinical presentation of chronic hemolytic anemia. This disease can be accompanied by an aplastic crisis due to parvovirus B19 infection. Parvovirus B19 infection causes diseases such as erythema infectiosum and arthritis, and can also trigger various autoimmune diseases, including autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). Here, we report a rare case of AIHA developing 3 months after an aplastic crisis due to parvovirus B19 infection in an 11-year-old boy with HS and provide the relevant literature review.

Detection of Anti-Lua in an Unexpected Antibody Screening Test: A Case Report and Literature Review / 대한수혈학회지

Lutheran a antigen (Lua) is detected in 6 to 8% of Caucasians and Africans. In Korean and other Asian populations, it is very rare or nearly absent. Therefore, although Lua has a considerable immunizing capacity, sensitization to Lua is a rare event. Here we report on a rare case of anti-Lua in a 70 year-old female patient with Lu (a-/b+) phenotype and review the relevant literature. Due to the paucity of Lua positive panel cells in antibody screening and identification tests, detection of this rare antibody to Lua antigen is not feasible. Therefore, we should keep in mind the possibility of the misleading false negative result in detection of antibody to this low incidence antigen.

Lamellar Body Counts in Fetal Rabbits' Experimental Diaphragmatic Hernia and Tracheal Ligation

Experimental tracheal ligation (TL) has been shown to reverse the pulmonary hypoplasia associated with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and to normalize gas exchange. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the TL would correct the surfactant deficiency present in the fetal rabbit model of CDH by using lamellar body count. Lamellar bodies are synthesized and secreted by the type II pneumocytes of fetal lung. The phospholipids present in these bodies constitute the major component of pulmonary surfactant. Twenty-one pregnant New Zealand rabbits underwent hysterotomy and fetal surgery on gestational day 24. Two fetuses of each pregnant rabbit were operated. In the fetus of one end of bicornuate uterus, left DH was created by excision of fetal diaphragm through open thoracotomy (DH Group). In the fetus of the other end of bicornuate uterus, left DH and TL were created (TL Group). The fetuses were delivered by Cesarean section on gestational day 31. Fourteen in control group, 12 in the DH group and 13 in TL group were born alive. En bloc excision of lungs, bronchi and trachea was done in all newborn rabbits. A five Fr catheter was inserted through trachea and repeated irrigations with 10 cc normal saline were done. The irrigated fluid was centrifuged at 280 xg for 5 minutes and the lamellar bodies were counted with the upper level fluid in platelet channel of electronic cell counter. The average lamellar body counts were 37.1 +/- 14.2 x 10(3)/microL in control group, 11.5 +/- 4.4 x 10(3)/microL in DH group, and 6.5+/- 0.9 x 10(3)/microL in TL group. Lamellar body count in DH group was lower than in control group and did not increase after TL. This study shows TL has no therapeutic effect on decreased surfactant level of CDH and the pregnant rabbit is appropriate for the animal model of CDH.

Prevalence of Plasmid-mediated Quinolone Resistance and Its Association with Extended-spectrum Beta-lactamase and AmpC Beta-lactamase in Enterobacteriaceae / 대한진단검사의학회지

BACKGROUND: We investigated the prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance and its association with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and AmpC beta-lactamase in Enterobacteriaceae. METHODS: A total of 347 non-duplicated isolates of Enterobacteriaceae were collected between August and October 2006 from 2 hospitals. Qnr determinant screening was conducted using PCR amplification, and all positive results were confirmed by direct sequencing. Qnr-positive strains were determined on the basis of the presence of ESBL and AmpC beta-lactamase genes. RESULTS: The qnr gene was detected in 47 of 347 clinical Enterobacteriaceae isolates. Among the 47 qnr-positive strains, Klebsiella pneumoniae (N=29) was the most common, followed by Escherichia coli (N=6), Enterobacter cloacae (N=6), Citrobacter freundii (N=5), and Enterobacter aerogenes (N=1). These isolates were identified as qnrA1 (N=6), 8 qnrB subtypes (N=40), and qnrS1 (N=1). At least 1 ESBL was detected in 38 of the 47 qnr-positive strains. Qnr-positive strains also showed high positive rates of ESBL or AmpC beta-lactamase, such as TEM, SHV, CTX-M, and DHA. DHA-1 was detected in 23 of 47 qnr-positive strains, and this was co-produced with 1 qnrA1 and 22 qnrB4. Strains harboring MIR-1T and CMY were also detected among the qnr-positive strains. Antimicrobial-resistance rates of qnr-positive strains to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, norfloxacin, nalidixic acid, and moxifloxacin were 51.1%, 46.8%, 46.8%, 74.5%, and 53.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The qnr genes were highly prevalent in Enterobacteriaceae, primarily the qnrB subtypes. They were closely associated with EBSL and AmpC beta-lactamase.

Three-way Translocation of MLL/MLLT3, t(1;9;11)(p34.2;p22;q23), in a Pediatric Case of Acute Myeloid Leukemia / 대한진단검사의학회지

The chromosome band 11q23 is a common target region of chromosomal translocation in different types of leukemia, including infantile leukemia and therapy-related leukemia. The target gene at 11q23, MLL, is disrupted by the translocation and becomes fused to various translocation partners. We report a case of AML with a rare 3-way translocation involving chromosomes 1, 9, and 11: t(1;9;11)(p34.2;p22;q23). A 3-yr-old Korean girl presented with a 5-day history of fever. A diagnosis of AML was made on the basis of the morphological evaluation and immunophenotyping of bone marrow specimens. Flow cytometric immunophenotyping showed blasts positive for myeloid lineage markers and aberrant CD19 expression. Karyotypic analysis showed 46,XX,t(1;9;11)(p34.2;p22;q23) in 19 of the 20 cells analyzed. This abnormality was involved in MLL/MLLT3 rearrangement, which was confirmed by qualitative multiplex reverse transcription-PCR and interphase FISH. She achieved morphological and cytogenetic remission after 1 month of chemotherapy and remained event-free for 6 months. Four cases of t(1;9;11)(v;p22;q23) have been reported previously in a series that included cases with other 11q23 abnormalities, making it difficult to determine the distinctive clinical features associated with this abnormality. To our knowledge, this is the first description of t(1;9;11) with clinical and laboratory data, including the data for the involved genes, MLL/MLLT3.

Factors to Predict Autologous CD34 Positive Cells Harvest in the Patients with Malignant Lymphoproliferative Disorder / 대한혈액학회지

BACKGROUND: Autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) has been used as a major treatment strateg for malignant lymphoproliferative disorder. The number of CD34 positive cells in the harvested product is a very important factor for achieving successful transplantation. We studied the factors that can predict the number of CD34 positive cells in the harvested product of multiple myeloma (MM) and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients after mobilizing them with chemotherapy plus G-CSF. METHODS: A total of 69 patients (MM 25 patients, NHL 44 patients) with malignant lymphoproliferative disorder had been mobilizedwith chemotherapy and granulocyte colony-stimulating growth factor from January, 2003 to July, 2008. We analyzed the clinical characteristics, the peripheral blood (PB) parameters and the number of CD34 positve cells in the PB and their correlation with the yield of PBPCs collected from the mobilized patients. RESULTS: The total number of leukapheresis sessions was 134 (mean: 1.94 session per patient), and the mean number of harvested CD34 positive cell per patient was 12.47x10(6)/kg. The number of harvested CD34 positive cells was correlated with the patient's height, the number of peripheral blood hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) and the number of PB CD34 positive cells at the harvest (P or =23.7/microliter) at the harvest might be the predictor of harvesting more than 3x10(6)/kg CD34 positive cell for autologous PBSCT in patients with malignant lymphoproliferative disorder.

Prognostic Significance of FLT3 Internal Tandem Duplication in Acute Myeloid Leukemia with Normal Karyotype / 대한혈액학회지

BACKGROUND: Activating mutations of the fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 gene (FLT3) by internal tandem duplication (ITD) in the juxtamembrane region are found in 20~30% of the adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The allelic ratio of FLT3/ITD (ITD-AR), as assessed by Genescan analysis, has been reported to carry prognostic significance in AML patients who have normal karyotype. METHODS: FLT3/ITD was studied by PCR in 113 adults with AML including 55 patients with normal karyotype. Genescan analysis was performed for the PCR products to determine the allelic distribution. The results were correlated with the prognostic factors. RESULTS: FLT3/ITD was found in 23% of the total AML patients and in 32.7% of those patients with normal karyotype. The mutation was related to a high WBC count, a high serum LD level and a low percentage of CD34 positive cells. The ITD-AR ranged from 0.05 to 8.27 (median, 0.61). The patients with a high ITD-AR (> or =0.7) had significantly higher WBC count and LD level than those without FLT3/ITD. On multivariate analysis, a high ITD-AR as well as FLT3/ITD were confirmed to be independent adverse prognostic factors for AML patients with normal karyotype. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that a high ITD-AR and FLT3/ITD had major adverse impacts on the prognostic relevance for AML patients with normal karyotype.

Septic Peripheral Embolism in Left Leg fromAggregatibacter aphrophilus Endocarditis / 대한임상미생물학회지

Aggregatibacter aphrophilus is a facultatively anaerobic gram-negative coccobacillus or bacillus that grows with no dependence on X factor and variable requirement for V factor. The organism is normal flora in the human oral cavity and upper respiratory tract and, rarely, causes invasive infections such as bacteremia, endocarditis, brain abscess, or osteomyelitis. We report a case of septic peripheral embolism in left leg from A. aphrophilus endocarditis. A 49-year-old man with known hypertension presented with acute muscle pain in the left leg. On physical examination, a regular heartbeat with a pansystolic murmur was heard. There were decreased pulses in the left popliteal and dorsalis pedis arteries and coldness of the left foot, although sensory and motor functions were intact. Angiography revealed an embolus in a branch of the left femoral artery. He underwent emergency embolectomy, and gram-negative bacilli grew in the embolus cultures. The same microorganism was isolated in two pairs of blood culturs and subsequently identified as A. aphrophilus. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed mitral regurgitation and multiple vegetations on the mitral valve. The patient was treated with a third-generation cephalosporin for 4 weeks and mitral valve replacement in view of the diagnosis of infective endocarditis and septic peripheral embolism.

Screening and Identification of Unexpected Red Cell Antibodies by Simultaneous LISS/Coombs and NaCl/Enzyme Gel Methods

We evaluated the clinical usefulness of simultaneous LISS/Coombs and NaCl/Enzyme testing using the gel method for screening and identification of unexpected antibodies in 15,014 samples. When unexpected antibodies were detected by either screening test, those antibodies were identified using both the LISS/Coombs and the NaCl/Enzyme gel test. The positive screening rates of the LISS/Coombs, NaCl/Enzyme, and combined tests (excluding 25 autoantibody cases) were 0.48%, 1.29%, and 1.39%, respectively. Among the 57 samples positive by both screening methods, the antibodies in 19.3% could be identified only by the NaCl/Enzyme method. Among the 137 samples positive only by NaCl/Enzyme screening, 74.5% showed positive results in antibody identification only by the NaCl/Enzyme test, although 7.3% were also positive in the LISS/Coombs test. The NaCl/Enzyme method thus showed about threefold higher detection rates than the LISS/Coombs method, especially in screening for Rh antibodies, and higher exact identification rates and discriminatory power for identifying mixed antibodies. Addition of the NaCl/Enzyme method to routine laboratory procedures may detect and identify considerable numbers of significant antibodies that might be missed if only the LISS/Coombs method is used.

The Optimal Wavelength of Spectrophotometric Broth Microdilution Antifungal Susceptibility Test for Flucytosine and Three Azoles / 대한진단검사의학회지

BACKGROUND: There is no guideline for the appropriate wavelength at which to measure the optical density (OD) value in broth microdilution antifungal susceptibility testing, although a spectrophotometric reading method is commonly used. The present study aimed to analyze the difference in the OD values over the range of visible light and to ascertain the optimal wavelength for the spectrophotometric method of microdilution testing. METHODS: We measured the OD of background blank controls of broth medium, antifungal agents, and inocula of five type strains using a Synergy HT multi-detection microplate reader at 5-nm intervals from 380 nm to 760 nm. We also estimated the OD differences between the 50% of growth control and blank control. RESULTS: The OD of the blank control showed a parabola shape with two peaks and steadily decreased at longer wavelengths. The curves of the antifungal agent were similar to those of blank controls, and the influence of each antifungal agent on the OD was minimal. For the difference in OD between 50% of growth control and the blank control, the curve was the opposite of the blank control, and the OD increased steadily at the wavelengths above 600 nm. CONCLUSIONS: The range between 600 nm and 700 nm was the optimal wavelength for broth microdilution antifungal susceptibility testing, although any wavelength within the visible light spectrum can be used.

Primary Isolated Bone Marrow Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma with Hemolytic Anemia as the First Manifestation / 대한혈액학회지

Primary isolated bone marrow disease as a presenting feature of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is very rare. We describe the first Korean case of isolated bone marrow diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with hemolytic anemia as the first manifestation. A32-year-old man was admitted to our hospital presenting with fever and hematuria. He had severe anemia and high lactate dehydrogenase activity. His peripheral blood smear and laboratory findings were suggestive of intravascular hemolytic anemia. The bone marrow biopsy revealed involvement with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. A computed tomographic scan showed splenomegaly, but no lymphadenopathy. Our case shared some clinical features with the Asian variant of intravascular B-cell lymphoma, but there was infrequent involvement of the sinusoids of lymphoma cells and no hemophagocytosis. Our patient was treated with R-CHOP regimen for six cycles and he is in remission after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.