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1.
Archives of Craniofacial Surgery ; : 193-197, 2023.
Article in English | WPRIM | ID: wpr-999510

ABSTRACT

An epidermal cyst, also known as an epidermoid cyst or epidermal inclusion cyst, is the most prevalent type of cutaneous cyst. This noncancerous lesion can appear anywhere on the body, typically presenting as an asymptomatic dermal nodule with a visible central punctum. In the case presented herein, an epidermal cyst with uncommon features was misdiagnosed as a lymphatic malformation based on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A 61-year-old man came to us with a swollen left cheek that had been present for 11 months. The preoperative MRI revealed a 3 × 3.8 × 4.6 cm lobulated cystic lesion with thin rim enhancement in the left masticator space. The initial differential diagnosis pointed toward a lymphatic malformation. We proceeded with surgical excision of the lesion via an intraoral approach, and the specimen was sent to the pathology department. The pathological diagnosis revealed a ruptured epidermal cyst, indicating that the initial diagnosis of a lymphatic malformation based on preoperative MRI was incorrect. Epidermal cysts located under the muscle with no visible central punctum are uncommon, but should be considered if a patient presents with facial swelling.

2.
Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine ; : 444-447, 2017.
Article in English | WPRIM | ID: wpr-184091

ABSTRACT

No abstract available.


Subject(s)
Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell
3.
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology ; : 297-304, 2016.
Article in English | WPRIM | ID: wpr-728443

ABSTRACT

Klotho functions as a tumor suppressor predominantly expressed in renal tubular cells, the origin of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Altered expression and/or activity of growth factor receptor have been implicated in ccRCC development. Although Klotho suppresses a tumor progression through growth factor receptor signaling including insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), the role of Klotho acting on IGF-1R in ccRCC and its clinical relevance remains obscure. Here, we show that Klotho is favorable prognostic factor for ccRCC and exerts tumor suppressive role for ccRCC through inhibiting IGF-1R signaling. Our data shows the following key findings. First, in tumor tissues, the level of Klotho and IGF-1R expression are low or high, respectively, compared to that of adjacent non-neoplastic parenchyma. Second, the Klotho expression is clearly low in higher grade of ccRCC and is closely associated with clinical outcomes in tumor progression. Third, Klotho suppresses IGF-1-stimulated cell proliferation and migration by inhibiting PI3K/Akt pathway. These results provide compelling evidence supporting that Klotho acting on IGF-1R signaling functions as tumor suppressor in ccRCC and suggest that Klotho is a potential carcinostatis substance for ccRCC.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Renal Cell , Cell Proliferation , Prognosis , Receptor, IGF Type 1
4.
Journal of Korean Medical Science ; : 879-885, 2016.
Article in English | WPRIM | ID: wpr-34234

ABSTRACT

Store-operated calcium (Ca2+) entry (SOCE) is the principal Ca2+ entry route in non-excitable cells, including cancer cells. We previously demonstrated that Orai1 and STIM1, the molecular components of SOCE, are involved in tumorigenesis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC). However, a clinical relevance of Orai1 and STIM1 expression in CCRCC has been ill-defined. Here, we investigated the expression of Orai1 and STIM1 in CCRCC, and compared their expression with clinico-pathological parameters of CCRCC and the patients' outcome. Immunohistochemical staining for Orai1 and STIM1 was performed on 126 formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue of CCRCC and western blot analysis for Orai1 was performed on the available fresh tissue. The results were compared with generally well-established clinicopathologic prognostic factors in CCRCC and patient survival. Membrane protein Orai1 is expressed in the nuclei in CCRCC, whereas STIM1 shows the cytosolic expression pattern in immunohistochemical staining. Orai1 expression level is inversely correlated with CCRCC tumor grade, whereas STIM1 expression level is not associated with tumor grade. The higher Orai1 expression is significantly associated with lower Fuhrman nuclear grade, pathologic T stage, and TNM stage and with favorable prognosis. The expression level of STIM1 is not correlated with CCRCC grade and clinical outcomes. Orai1 expression in CCRCC is associated with tumor progression and with favorable prognostic factors. These results suggest that Orai1 is an attractive prognostic marker and therapeutic target for CCRCC.


Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Blotting, Western , Carcinoma, Renal Cell/diagnosis , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Immunohistochemistry , Kidney Neoplasms/metabolism , Neoplasm Proteins/genetics , ORAI1 Protein/genetics , Prognosis , Retrospective Studies , Stromal Interaction Molecule 1/genetics
5.
Korean Journal of Medicine ; : 397-405, 2015.
Article in Korean | WPRIM | ID: wpr-180828

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The Oxford classification of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is a pathology-based prognostic classification system. However, further study is needed to determine its validity. We studied the relationships between the Oxford classification and established prognostic factors and renal survival. We also examined associations between electron microscopy findings and these parameters. METHODS: We reviewed and reclassified 213 patients who were diagnosed with IgAN from 1997 to 2007 using the Oxford and World Health Organization (WHO) classification systems. The patients were also categorized by a pathologist using electron microscopy findings, including foot process fusion, glomerular basement membrane thickness, and electron-dense deposits. We examined the correlations between light and electron microscopy data and known prognostic factors (e.g., age, sex, proteinuria, serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR], and blood pressure). The same procedure was applied to renal survival. RESULTS: Patient age increased with the grades of segmental sclerosis (S) and tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis (T) (P < 0.05). eGFR decreased significantly with increasing mesangial hypercellularity (M) (p = 0.0034), S (p = 0.0003), endocapillary hypercellularity (E) (p = 0.0411), and T (P < 0.0001). MSET differed significantly by sex (P < 0.0001). The 24-h urine protein/creatinine ratio increased significantly with the degrees of S (p = 0.036), E (p = 0.0155), and T (p = 0.015). The serum creatinine level was significantly higher in patients with T2 than T1 or T0 (P < 0.0001). At the time of biopsy, the degree of tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis affected the doubling of serum creatinine or end-stage renal disease. However, the electron microscopy findings did not predict the renal outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis is significantly associated with proteinuria and renal progression in IgAN.


Subject(s)
Humans , Biopsy , Classification , Creatinine , Fibrosis , Foot , Glomerular Basement Membrane , Glomerular Filtration Rate , Glomerulonephritis, IGA , Kidney Failure, Chronic , Microscopy, Electron , Pathology , Prognosis , Proteinuria , Sclerosis , World Health Organization
6.
Korean Journal of Urology ; : 515-518, 2015.
Article in English | WPRIM | ID: wpr-171068

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: It is well known that testicular germ cell tumors arise with increased frequency in patients with cryptorchidism. In addition, intratubular germ cell neoplasia (ITGCN) is a precursor lesion to testicular germ cell tumor. Approximately 50% of patients with ITGCN will develop an invasive of testicular germ cell tumors within 5 years. Therefore, we evaluated that the incidence of ITGCN in postpubertal cryptorchidism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2002 and August 2012, orchiectomy specimens from 31 postpubertalpatients (aged 12 or over) with cryptorchid testis were reviewed. The specimens were evaluated for ITGCN using immunohistochemical stains of placental-like alkaline phosphatase and Oct 3/4 with routine hematoxylin-eosin stain. Additionally, the degree of spermatogenesis was assessed using the Johnsen score. RESULTS: Mean age was 34 years (range, 17 to 74 years) at surgery. All patients were diagnosed as unilateral cryptorchidism. One patient (3.2%) of 20-year-old had ITGCN in surgical specimen with all positive markers. Histological assessment of spermatogenesis showed that mean Johnsen score was 3.42 (range, 1 to 9). Majority of patients (27 of 31) presented impaired spermatogenesis with low Johnsen score lesser than 5. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the risk of malignancy and low spermatogenesis, we should perform immunohistochemical stains and discuss preventative orchiectomy for the postpubertal cryptorchidism.


Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Alkaline Phosphatase/metabolism , Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism , Carcinoma in Situ/diagnosis , Cryptorchidism/complications , Disease Progression , Infertility, Male/etiology , Isoenzymes/metabolism , Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/diagnosis , Orchiectomy , Puberty , Retrospective Studies , Spermatogenesis , Testicular Neoplasms/diagnosis
7.
Yonsei Medical Journal ; : 861-870, 2014.
Article in English | WPRIM | ID: wpr-137021

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Both insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 signaling are key regulators of energy metabolism, cellular growth, proliferation, and survival. The IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) is overexpressed in most types of human cancers including renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with poor prognosis. Insulin receptor (IR) shares downstream effectors with IGF-1R; however, the expression and function of IR in the tumorigenesis of renal cancer remains elusive. Therefore, we examined the expression of IR and its prognostic significance in clear cell RCC (CCRCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining for IR was performed on 126 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded CCRCC tissue samples. Eight of these cases were utilized for western blot analysis. The results were compared with various clinico-pathologic parameters of CCRCC and patient survival. RESULTS: IR was expressed in the nuclei of CCRCC tumor cells in 109 cases (87.9%). Higher IR expression was significantly correlated with the presence of cystic change, lower Fuhrman nuclear grade, lower pathologic T stage, and lower TNM stage, although it wasn't significantly related to diabetes status and patient survival. Western blot analyses supported the results of the immunohistochemistry studies. CONCLUSION: IR expression in CCRCC may be associated with favorable prognostic factors.


Subject(s)
Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Blotting, Western , Carcinoma, Renal Cell/metabolism , Immunohistochemistry , Prognosis , Receptor, Insulin/metabolism
8.
Yonsei Medical Journal ; : 861-870, 2014.
Article in English | WPRIM | ID: wpr-137015

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Both insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 signaling are key regulators of energy metabolism, cellular growth, proliferation, and survival. The IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) is overexpressed in most types of human cancers including renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with poor prognosis. Insulin receptor (IR) shares downstream effectors with IGF-1R; however, the expression and function of IR in the tumorigenesis of renal cancer remains elusive. Therefore, we examined the expression of IR and its prognostic significance in clear cell RCC (CCRCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining for IR was performed on 126 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded CCRCC tissue samples. Eight of these cases were utilized for western blot analysis. The results were compared with various clinico-pathologic parameters of CCRCC and patient survival. RESULTS: IR was expressed in the nuclei of CCRCC tumor cells in 109 cases (87.9%). Higher IR expression was significantly correlated with the presence of cystic change, lower Fuhrman nuclear grade, lower pathologic T stage, and lower TNM stage, although it wasn't significantly related to diabetes status and patient survival. Western blot analyses supported the results of the immunohistochemistry studies. CONCLUSION: IR expression in CCRCC may be associated with favorable prognostic factors.


Subject(s)
Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Blotting, Western , Carcinoma, Renal Cell/metabolism , Immunohistochemistry , Prognosis , Receptor, Insulin/metabolism
9.
Kidney Research and Clinical Practice ; : 109-111, 2014.
Article in English | WPRIM | ID: wpr-84047

ABSTRACT

Oxalate nephropathy is commonly caused by ethylene glycol, vitamin C, and foods like star fruit that contain a lot of oxalate. Peanuts also have high oxalate contents. However, case reports of peanut-induced oxalate nephropathy are not common. Here, we describe a case of peanut-induced acute oxalate nephropathy with acute kidney injury and intend to demonstrate the conditions under which peanut-induced oxalate nephropathy is likely to occur.


Subject(s)
Acute Kidney Injury , Arachis , Ascorbic Acid , Ethylene Glycol , Fruit , Oxalates
10.
The Journal of the Korean Society for Transplantation ; : 246-249, 2014.
Article in Korean | WPRIM | ID: wpr-111533

ABSTRACT

Kidney transplantation is the preferred treatment in end stage renal disease for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients. Removal of the native kidney is not usually recommended for ADPKD patients during a transplantation procedure because the operation time may be prolonged or the risk of bleeding may be higher. Therefore, native kidney removal is indicated for patients with chronic pain by enlarged kidney, frequent complications from cysts, such as infection or bleeding, and renal tumor development. Here, we report a case of a patient whose native kidneys were removed during a kidney transplantation procedure, and multifocal adenomas were identified in the removed kidneys after the procedure.


Subject(s)
Humans , Adenoma , Chronic Pain , Hemorrhage , Kidney , Kidney Failure, Chronic , Kidney Transplantation , Polycystic Kidney Diseases , Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant
11.
Obstetrics & Gynecology Science ; : 401-404, 2014.
Article in English | WPRIM | ID: wpr-110048

ABSTRACT

Endometrial carcinomas arising in a bicornuate uterus are rare, only five case of which have been previously reported. We present a case of endometrial cancer arising in a bicornuate uterus, occurring in a 65-year-old woman. Unlike previously reported cases, our case showed mixed endometrial adenocarcinoma and undifferentiated carcinoma in one horn and focal adenocarcinoma in the other. Adequate tissue sampling of both horns is necessary for accurate diagnosis of malignancy in patients with a bicornuate uterus. Physicians should be aware of the possibility of this abnormality in cases when endometrial cancer is suspected but histology fails to confirm.


Subject(s)
Aged , Animals , Female , Humans , Adenocarcinoma , Carcinoma , Diagnosis , Endometrial Neoplasms , Horns , Uterus
12.
Yonsei Medical Journal ; : 650-657, 2013.
Article in English | WPRIM | ID: wpr-193938

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: ROS1 is an oncogene, expressed primarily in glioblastomas of the brain that has been hypothesized to mediate the effects of early stage tumor progression. In addition, it was reported that ROS1 expression was observed in diverse cancer tissue or cell lines and ROS1 is associated with the development of several tumors. However, ROS1 expression has not been studied in breast cancer to date. Therefore, we investigated ROS1 expression at the protein and gene level to compare expression patterns and to verify the association with prognostic factors in invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of the breast. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tissue samples from 203 patients were used. Forty-six cases were available for fresh tissue. We performed immunohistochemical staining and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: ROS1 expression was significantly lower in proportion to higher histologic grade, higher mitotic counts, lower estrogen receptor expression, and a higher Ki-67 proliferation index, although ROS1 expression was not significantly associated with the survival rate. The result of real-time PCR revealed similar trends, however not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Higher ROS1 expression may be associated with favorable prognostic factors of IDC and its expression in IDC is related to the proliferation of tumor cells.


Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Breast Neoplasms/metabolism , Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/metabolism , Cell Proliferation , Immunohistochemistry , Neoplasm Grading , Prognosis , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/genetics , Proto-Oncogene Proteins/genetics , Survival Analysis
13.
Korean Journal of Urology ; : 207-208, 2013.
Article in English | WPRIM | ID: wpr-147373

ABSTRACT

A 44-year-old male patient who had undergone augmentation penoplasty 20 years previously presented with a slowly growing penoscrotal mass. The penile mass was excised totally and the pathologic diagnosis was an epidermal cyst. Epidermal cysts are benign disorders that can occur in any part of the body. However, an epidermal cyst as a late complication of augmentation penoplasty is extremely rare. We report this case of a penile epidermal cyst that developed after augmentation penoplasty.


Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Epidermal Cyst , Penis
14.
Korean Journal of Pathology ; : 124-129, 2013.
Article in English | WPRIM | ID: wpr-56551

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Simian virus 40 (SV40), a polyomavirus, was discovered as a contaminant of a human polio vaccine in the 1960s. It is known that malignant mesothelioma (MM) is associated with SV40, and that the virus works as a cofactor to the carcinogenetic effects of asbestos. However, the reports about the correlation between SV40 and MM have not been consistent. The purpose of this study is to identify SV40 in MM tissue in Korea through detection of SV40 protein and DNA. METHODS: We analyzed 62 cases of available paraffin-blocks enrolled through the Korean Malignant Mesothelioma Surveillance System and performed immunohistochemistry for SV40 protein and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for SV40 DNA. RESULTS: Of 62 total cases, 40 had disease involving the pleura (64.5%), and 29 (46.8%) were found to be of the epithelioid subtype. Immunostaining demonstrated that all examined tissues were negative for SV40 protein. Sufficient DNA was extracted for real-time PCR analysis from 36 cases. Quantitative PCR of these samples showed no increase in SV40 transcript compared to the negative controls. CONCLUSIONS: SV40 is not associated with the development of MM in Korea.


Subject(s)
Humans , Asbestos , DNA , Immunohistochemistry , Korea , Mesothelioma , Pleura , Poliomyelitis , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Polyomavirus , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction , Simian virus 40 , Viruses
15.
Infection and Chemotherapy ; : 319-322, 2012.
Article in English | WPRIM | ID: wpr-166980

ABSTRACT

Erythema elevatum diutinum (EED) is emerging as a specific HIV-associated dermatosis which can be easily misdiagnosed as Kaposi's sarcoma or bacillary angiomatosis. Until now, no case of HIV-associated EED had been reported in Korea. We report a case of EED in a 49-year-old man with HIV infection. The patient was diagnosed with HIV-infection and treated with a combination of anti-retroviral agents and dapsone. Two years after the start of treatment the lesion had regressed.


Subject(s)
Humans , Middle Aged , Angiomatosis, Bacillary , Anti-Retroviral Agents , Dapsone , Erythema , HIV , HIV Infections , Korea , Sarcoma, Kaposi , Skin Diseases , Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous
16.
Korean Journal of Pathology ; : 311-317, 2012.
Article in English | WPRIM | ID: wpr-32995

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) is associated with the expression and function of estrogen receptors and the proliferation of tumor cells, and has been considered a very important factor in breast tumor progression and prognosis. Several studies have reported an association between HDAC1 expression and poorer prognosis in cancers including breast cancer, with a few exceptions. However, because of the dearth of studies on HDAC1 expression in breast cancer, its significance for breast cancer prognosis has not been well defined. Therefore, we examined HDAC1 expression in invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), the most common breast cancer, and investigated its potential prognostic significance. METHODS: We used 203 IDC tissue samples. Immunohistochemical stains for HDAC1 and real-time polymerase chain reaction for HDAC1 mRNA were performed and the results were compared to generally well-established prognostic factors in breast cancer and patient survival rates. RESULTS: HDAC1 expression was significantly reduced in proportion to higher histologic grade, higher nuclear pleomorphism score, and higher mitotic counts, and with lower estrogen receptor expression. Furthermore, it was significantly associated with the survival rate. CONCLUSIONS: HDAC1 expression is a good prognostic indicator in IDC.


Subject(s)
Humans , Breast , Breast Neoplasms , Carcinoma, Ductal , Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast , Coloring Agents , Estrogens , Histone Deacetylase 1 , Prognosis , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction , Receptors, Estrogen , RNA, Messenger
17.
Korean Journal of Pathology ; : 324-330, 2012.
Article in English | WPRIM | ID: wpr-32993

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Fibroadenoma (FA) and phyllodes tumor (PT) are stromal tumors of breast and are histologically similar. There are no established differences in tumorigenesis and oncogene expression among them. Ras homolog enriched in brain (RHEB) plays an important role in cell growth and cell-cycle control, histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) is an important factor in breast tumor progression and prognosis, and WEE1 homolog (WEE1) functions as a tumor suppressor. No studies on the expressional differences of these proteins in FA and PT have been reported to date. METHODS: The expression of these proteins in FA, PT, and normal breast was compared. We used 102 cases of FA and 25 cases of benign PT. RESULTS: In epithelial cells, the expression of RHEB, HDAC1, and WEE1 was lowest in PT, higher in FA, and most enhanced in normal breast. In addition, the expression of RHEB and HDAC1 was higher in the stromal cells of PT than in FA and normal breast. CONCLUSIONS: Both epithelial and stromal cells of FA and PT express these proteins, which indicates that epithelial cells play an important role in the development of stromal tumors. In addition, the expressional differences of these proteins may be associated with the tumorigenesis of breast stromal tumors.


Subject(s)
Brain , Breast , Breast Neoplasms , Cell Transformation, Neoplastic , Epithelial Cells , Fibroadenoma , Histone Deacetylase 1 , Oncogenes , Phyllodes Tumor , Prognosis , Proteins , Stromal Cells
18.
Annals of Dermatology ; : S41-S44, 2011.
Article in English | WPRIM | ID: wpr-190417

ABSTRACT

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a rare hereditary disorder characterized by formation of blisters following minor trauma. It has been traditionally categorized by the level of basement membrane zone separation into EB simplex (EBS), junctional EB (JEB), and dystrophic EB (DEB). Recently, hemidesmosomal EB has been proposed as a fourth category, which includes EB with muscular dystrophy and EB with pyloric atresia. We report here on a case of concomitant occurrence of EB and pyloric atresia, a rare form of EB.


Subject(s)
Basement Membrane , Blister , Ectodermal Dysplasia , Epidermolysis Bullosa , Gastric Outlet Obstruction , Methylmethacrylates , Muscular Dystrophies , Polystyrenes , Pylorus
19.
Journal of Korean Medical Science ; : 785-789, 2010.
Article in English | WPRIM | ID: wpr-157567

ABSTRACT

Multicystic dysplastic kidney (MCDK) is a relatively common developmental anomaly in infants and children and has a good prognosis. In contrast, a malignant rhabdoid tumor of the kidney (MRTK) is one of the most lethal neoplasms of early life. However, the presentation of such a lethal tumor combined with multicystic dysplasia has not been reported to date. In this report, we describe a case of MRTK in a 5-yr-old girl who also had multicystic dysplasia. She was previously diagnosed with MCDK at birth due to a huge palpable mass on the right side of the abdomen. The right kidney was extensively replaced by numerous grossly dilated, variable-sized cysts. Microscopically, the tumor cells show a diffusely infiltrative growth pattern, which revealed large non-cohesive, round-to-polygonal tumor cells with vesicular nuclei. Some tumor cells had eccentric nuclei and large, round, eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusions. There were metanephrons present, with the central ureteric bud and peripheral branches surrounded by condensing mesenchyma, immature glomeruli, and metaplastic cartilage in the adjacent parenchyma. To our knowledge, this is the first combined case of the two aforementioned diseases and this case may, in fact, suggest a new disease entity.


Subject(s)
Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Diagnosis, Differential , Kidney Neoplasms/complications , Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney/complications , Prognosis , Rhabdoid Tumor/complications
20.
Korean Journal of Dermatology ; : 596-603, 2008.
Article in Korean | WPRIM | ID: wpr-163675

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Lyme disease, an infection caused by Borrelia(B.) burgdorferi, has been reported in many countries. But in Korea, only 5 cases of serologically diagnosed lyme disease have been reported. Because several strains of B. burgdorferi were isolated from Ixodes ticks which were captured in Kangwon and Chungbuk province, there might be more cases of serologically undiagnosed lyme diseases presenting with erythema migrans. OBJECTIVE: To understand the clinical patterns and laboratory findings of erythema migrans in Korea. METHODS: A clinical survey was retrospectively performed on 9 patients with erythema migrans which occurred after tick bites. RESULTS: Among 9 patients with erythema migrans, 3 patients were male and 6 patients were female. The onset age of erythema migrans ranged from 26 to 71 years old (mean, 51.3 years old). The mean duration of erythema migrans after tick bite was 26.4 days and the diameter of the lesion ranged from 6 to 34 cm (mean, 18.3 cm). All cases developed from May to September and systemic symptoms such as fatigue, fever and/or chills, myalgia, palpitation, headache, arthralgia and dyspnea were present at the time of hospital visits of 3 patients. Clinically, 3 patterns of erythema migrans were seen; typical target pattern, homogenous and erythematous plaque pattern, and linear solitary plaque pattern with central postinflammatory pigmentation. Only 2 of the 7 patients (28.6%) were seropositive for IgM and IgG antibody titers by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in consecutive serologic tests. PCR for Borrelia DNA in paraffin-embedded tissue showed full negativity in 6 patients with erythema migrans. CONCLUSION: Although lyme disease is not endemic in Korea, some patients with erythema migrans might be undiagnosed as lyme disease serologically with erythema migrans. To take into consideration false negative serelogic results in early erythema migrans, early oral tetracycline therapy should be included through clinical and historical diagnosis.


Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Age of Onset , Arthralgia , Bites and Stings , Borrelia , Chills , DNA , Dyspnea , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Erythema , Fatigue , Fever , Glossitis, Benign Migratory , Headache , Immunoglobulin G , Immunoglobulin M , Ixodes , Korea , Lyme Disease , Pigmentation , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Retrospective Studies , Serologic Tests , Tetracycline , Ticks
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