The prevalence of symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema in Korean children: Nationwide cross-sectional survey using complex sampling design

To investigate the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema, we did a cross-sectional survey of 4,003 children aged 6-7 years (students in the 1st year of elementary school) and 4,112 students aged 13-14 years (students in the 1st year of middle school), chosen from a random sample of 45 primary and 40 middle schools across the nation. The Korean-translated modified version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire was used in this survey. The weighted 12-month prevalence of asthma symptoms from the questionnaires was 10.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.2 to 11.4) for children aged 6-7 years and 8.3% (95% CI, 7.4 to 9.2) for children aged 13-14 years. The weighted 12-month prevalence of allergic rhinoconjuctivitis symptoms was 18.9% (95% CI, 17.5 to 20.4) for children aged 6-7 years and 19.2% (95% CI, 17.9 to 20.6) for children aged 13-14 years. The weighted 12-month prevalence of eczema symptoms was 17.9% (95% CI, 16.6 to 19.3) for children aged 6-7 years and 11.2% (95% CI, 10.1 to 12.3) for children aged 13-14 years. Compared with results from a 2000 ISAAC study, the 12-month prevalence of asthma increased from 5.8% to 10.3% in children aged 6-7 years, but there was little change (from 8.7% to 8.3%) in children aged 13-14 years. The prevalence of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema has increased considerably in both age groups.

The management of sinusitis in children / 소아과

Sinusitis is a common medical problem in children. The prevalence of penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae infection has been increased during the last decade. The medical management is based on the choice of antimicrobial agents. This article reviews current literatures on the management of acute bacterial sinusitis and chronic sinusitis, with an emphasis on penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae infection. This article also explores the potential pathophysiologic mechanisms of chronic sinusitis.

Helper T Cell Polarizing Through Dendritic Cells / 소아과

In the last few years, a spectrum of dendritic cells(DCs), including toll like receptors(TLRs), might play a critical role in regulating allergy and asthma. DC plays a central role in initiating immune responses, linking innate and adaptive responses to pathogen. Human peripheral blood has three non- overlapping dendritic subset that expressed various 11 TLRs. These dendritic subsets and TLR contribute significant polarizing influences on T helper differentiation, but how this comes about is less clear. A better understanding of DC immunobiology may lead to the comprehension of allergy pathophysiology to prevent early stage allergic march.

Dendritic Cell Functions in Allergen Recognition and Response / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

Dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial in the defense against pathogens and allergen. The ability of allergens to cause allergic inflammation is contingent upon the presence of microenvironment that either privileges Th2 responses or prohibits these reactions. As a simplification, this review tried to prove a causal relationship between a allergic disease and dendritic cell by satisfying the modified Koch's postulates. DCs express C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) and Toll like receptors (TLRs). DCs take up almost all allergen through CLRs. Uptake of allergen by CLRs leads to the production of anti-inflammatory reactions. Although both TLRs and CLRs have distinct functions, the balance between both receptors is instrumental for the immunological outcome.