Association between Tuberculin Responses and Serum IgE

PURPOSE: Atopy is a state of allergic response, mediated by IgE, to common environmental allergens. In recent decades, there has been an increase in prevalence of atopic disorders in children in developed countries. The factor associated with the rise of atopy incidence may be declining exposure to some infection opportunities. The aim of this study is to determine if the immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis can suppress atopy by investigating the association between tuberculin responses and serum IgE. METHODS: We divided the patients into two groups according to tuberculin skin test. Group A showed positive response (induration diameter > or =10mm), while Group B showed negative response (induration diameter< l0mm). A comparison was made between the two groups in terms of age, sex, serum total IgE and allergen-specific IgE. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients comprised Group A and 72 comprised Group B. The mean serum total IgE concentration and the number of patients showing positive MAST in Group B was significantly higher than that of Group A (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: In our study, there was an inverse association between delayed hypersensitivity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and atopy.

A Case of Extrapelvic Endometriosis with Abdominal Pain in a 13-Year-Old Girl

Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial tissue, e.g. gland and stroma, outside the uterus. Extrapelvic endometriosis is a rare condition but it occurrs in the gastrointestinal tract, kidney, pancreas, umbilicus, perianal area, abdominal scar tissue, lung or central nervous system except spleen. We have experienced a case of extrapelvic endometriosis in an adolescent girl, who complained of severe left upper quadrant abdominal pain and vomiting. The lesion was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography and computerized tomography, and confirmed histologically by exploratory laparotomy and mass excision biopsy. During menstration after surgery, she had no complaint of abdominal pain nor dysmenorrhea. We report this case with a review of associated literature.

A Case of Primary Gastric Lymphoma in Puberty / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

Primary gastric lymphoma is relatively uncommon, accounting for 3% to 8% of all malignancies arising in the stomach. The most common symptom is abdominal pain, closely followed by weight loss, anorexia, weakness due to anemia, nausea, and vomiting. The diagnosis of gastric lymphoma usually requires a biopsy at the time of gastroscopy or laparotomy. Microscopically, the vast majority of gastric lymphoid tumors are non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of B cell origin. Survival rates for all types of gastric lymphoma generally exceed those for adenocarcinoma and other malignancies of the stomach. We experienced one case of primary gastric lymphoma in puberty with a brief review of the literature.

Relationship between Chest Radiography and Cell-mediated Immunity in Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia

PURPOSE: Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonias have been one of the most common causes of lower respiratory tract diseases during childhood. It is suggested that pathologic changes seen in the lung tissues were the histologic expression of the host immune response. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the chest radiographic pattern of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia and the level of the cell-mediated immunity of the host. METHODS: Chest radiographic changes and the results of tuberculin skin test (5TU PPD) were studied during the acute stage of infection in 76 patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. Chest radiographic findings were used to divide the patients into two groups; one group had a predominance of diffuse reticulonodular infiltration (Group A; n=40), while the remainings showed a predominance of segmental or lobar consolidation (Group B; n=36). A comparison was made between the two groups in terms of age, gender, total leukocyte and lymphocyte count, mycoplasma antibody titer, severity of pneumonia, and pleural effusion. RESULTS: Sixty out of 70 patients had negative tuberculin skin test and the positive rate of PPD reaction was higher in Group A (14/40) compared to Group B (2/40) (P0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that the cell-mediated immunity of patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia might influence the radiographic pattern of the pulmonary lesions.