The Incidence Rate of Lymphadenitis after Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccination

PURPOSE: Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) lymphadenitis is a relatively frequent local adverse reactions after BCG vaccination. Its incidence rate is usually <1%. However, this rate may be different according to BCG strain, vaccination method or skill, etc. In the Republic of Korea, two BCG strains are used: intradermal Danish-1331 or percutaneous Tokyo-172. We surveyed the incidence rates of BCG lymphadenitis. METHODS: This survey was performed in total 25 centers (5 general hospitals, 20 private pediatric clinics). Immunized type of BCG strain in study subjects was verified by directly observing the scar. The occurrence of BCG lymphadenitis was asked to their parent. In cases of BCG lymphadenitis, location, diameter size, progression of suppuration, and treatment method were investigated, as well. RESULTS: The total number of study subjects was 3,342. Among these, the subjects suitable for enrollment criteria (total 3,222; Tokyo strain 2,501, Danish strain 721) were analyzed. BCG lymphadenitis regardless of its size developed in each five of subjects per strains, therefore, its incidence rate was 0.20% in Tokyo and 0.69% in Danish strain, respectively (P=0.086). However, when applying the WHO criteria - the development of lymph node swelling with diameter 1.5 cm or more, the incidence rate of BCG lymphadenitis was 0.16% (4 cases) in Tokyo and 0.42% (3 cases) in Danish strain, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence rate of lymphadenitis in two BCG types, percutaneous Tokyo and intradermal Danish strain BCG, is 0.20% and 0.69%, respectively. Both rates are acceptable.

Use of Fluorescent in Situ Hybridization to Evaluate the Number of Chromosomes in Buccal Smear Cells in Normal Newborn Infants

No abstract available.

A Case of Congenital Pericardial Defect

Congenital absence of the pericardium is thought to be uncommon. There are two types, complete and partial, of different clinical features. Complete type is innocuous but partial type is potentially fatal due to herniation. This case was referred for an unusual appearance of chest radiograph taken after admissio n for bronchopneumoia without any cardiac symptoms. Plain chest radiograph showed an unusual bulging on the left inferior cardiac boarder. The diagnosis was made on the characteristic findings as a partial defect of right side pencardium in the cardiac gated cinemagnetic resonance imaging study. We presented a case of pericardial defect with brief review of the related literatures.