A Case of Colonic Stricture due to Ischemic Colitis / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Ischemic colitis is the most common form of ischemic injury to the gastrointestinal tract and this frequently occurs in the elderly. It manifests with sudden, left lower abdominal pain, diarrhea and hematochezia. Radiologic modalities such as barium enema may be helpful in delineating the degree and location of ischemic colitis, but colonoscopy is the procedure of choice for making the diagnosis. Ischemic colitis generally runs a benign course lasting a few days and it requires only supportive treatment in most cases. Complications of ischemic colitis and recurrence are rare. We report here on a case of colonic stricture that was caused by ischemic colitis, and we include a brief review of the relevant literature.

Characteristics of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Reactive Blood Donors Following Nucleic Acid Amplification Test Screening / 대한수혈학회지

BACKGROUND: The Korean Red Cross has established three nucleic acid amplification test (NAT) centers, and the organization has begun NAT screening for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) for domestic blood donors commencing from February 2005. As a result, between February 2005 and July 2006, it was found that 80 of a total of 3,481,972 donors that were screened were positive for HIV-1 as determined by the NAT. This report will describe the characteristics of the HIV-1 positive reactive donors. METHODS: We attempted to determine the number of HIV-1 positive reactive donors for each NAT center, and attempted to characterize the donors by gender, age, RNA viral load, and the distribution of HIV-1 subtype. RESULTS: Among the 80 HIV-1 positive reactive donors determined by the NAT, 57.5% of the donors were in their twenties and all but one of the donors was male. Of all of the donors, 82.5% were repeated donors and four donors showed antibody negative window periods. The average quantity of HIV-1 RNA for 78 donors was 1.12x105 copies/mL and for the four donors that showed the antibody negative window periods was 2.68x105 copies/mL. The HIV-1 subtypes of 76 cases were all B of group M. CONCLUSION: NAT screening contributes to the safety of the domestic blood supply. Therefore, it is necessary to continue to study the characteristics of the blood that was found to show HIV positivity by the NAT.

A Case of Kikuchi's disease accompanied by Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis

Kikuchi's disease usually occurs in young women and is characterized by localized lymphadenitis (mostly cervical) usually associated with fever. It is considered a self-limited disease and most patients recover spontaneously within a few weeks to 6 months without any serious sequelae. However, patients with Kikuchi's disease require a systemic survey and regular follow-up for several years because it may be associated with other diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus. To our knowledge, there are very few reports of Kikuchi's disease accompanied by hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Biopsy of a right cervical lymph node in a 35-year-old female who presented with fever and masses in the right cervical region showed necrotizing lymphadenitis and a diagnosis of Kikuchi's disease was reached. She was started on methylprednisolone pulse therapy (500 mg for 3 days) but developed generalized rash and fever. Laboratory data showed pancytopenia, elevation of serum transaminase and ferritin levels. Bone marrow and liver biopsy showed proliferation of histiocytes and Kupffer's cells engulfing lymphocytes, platelets and red blood cells, respectively. We report a case of Kikuchi's disease accompanied by hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

A Case of Kikuchi's disease accompanied by Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis

Kikuchi's disease usually occurs in young women and is characterized by localized lymphadenitis (mostly cervical) usually associated with fever. It is considered a self-limited disease and most patients recover spontaneously within a few weeks to 6 months without any serious sequelae. However, patients with Kikuchi's disease require a systemic survey and regular follow-up for several years because it may be associated with other diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus. To our knowledge, there are very few reports of Kikuchi's disease accompanied by hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Biopsy of a right cervical lymph node in a 35-year-old female who presented with fever and masses in the right cervical region showed necrotizing lymphadenitis and a diagnosis of Kikuchi's disease was reached. She was started on methylprednisolone pulse therapy (500 mg for 3 days) but developed generalized rash and fever. Laboratory data showed pancytopenia, elevation of serum transaminase and ferritin levels. Bone marrow and liver biopsy showed proliferation of histiocytes and Kupffer's cells engulfing lymphocytes, platelets and red blood cells, respectively. We report a case of Kikuchi's disease accompanied by hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

Hemophagocytic Syndrome Associated with Kikuchi's Disease

A 13-yr-old female was admitted to our hospital with fever, seizure, and cervical lym-phadenopathy. Laboratory data showed pancytopenia, elevation of serum transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, triglyceride, and ferritin levels. Lymph node biopsy revealed features of Kikuchi's disease and there were signs of histiocytosis and hemophagocytic phenomenon in bone marrow. She recovered after treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin and corticosteroids therapy. Hemophagocytic syndrome can be associated with Kikuchi's disease especially in childhood and seems to have a less aggressive clinical course and better prognosis.