Disseminated Mycobacterium avium Complex Infection in a Non-HIV-infected Patient Undergoing Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis / 대한진단검사의학회지

Isolated bone marrow infection by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is extremely rare. Recently, we encountered a case of bone marrow Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection, which presented as a fever of unknown origin shortly after starting continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The patient was diagnosed with MAC infection on the basis of PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and sequencing of DNA obtained from bone marrow specimens. Although this was a case of severe MAC infection, there was no evidence of infection of other organs. End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing dialysis can be considered immunodeficient; therefore, when these patients present with fever of unknown origin, opportunistic infections such as NTM infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Annual Report on External Quality Assessment in Blood Bank Tests in Korea (2009) / 임상검사와정도관리

BACKGROUND: We report here the results of surveys for external quality assessment of blood bank tests performed in 2009. METHODS: Survey specimens were sent three times to 488, 491 and 490 participant institutes, and the response rates for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trial were 97.7%, 98.0%, and 98.0%, respectively. Test items for the surveys were ABO grouping, Rh (D) typing, crossmatching, direct antiglobulin test, antibody screening and antibody identification test. RESULTS: The average accuracy rates of ABO grouping and Rh typing were 99.6-100% and 98.5-100%, respectively. In crossmatching test, the accuracy rates were 99.3-99.8% for the compatible samples, 92.7-100% for the incompatible samples, and 92.6-93.1% for the samples which could be detected as incompatible only by antiglobulin method. The accuracy rates of direct antiglobulin test were 98.5-100% for negative samples and 98.1-98.8% for positive samples. The correctresults were reported by 98.0-100% of the surveyed institutions for antibody screening test and 82.9-100% for antibody identification test. Nineteen institutions gave repeatedly incorrect answers for crossmatching test. Eight institutions out of them gave incorrect answers for all the test specimens sent out 3 times last year. CONCLUSIONS: The overall results of this survey were good, however, it is required that the institutions where the incorrect results were reported should perform corrective actions for quality improvement.

Marternal Plasma ADMA Level, Placenta eNOS and Placenta Antioxidant Marker According to the Presence or Absence of Uterine Artery Notch on Color Doppler in the Third Trimester Pregnancies / 대한주산의학회잡지

PURPOSE: We examined pregnancy outcomes and maternal plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) concentrations in the presence or absence of uterine artery notch, and analyzed their relationships to the expression of placental endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and antioxidant enzymes, including manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and catalase. METHODS: We assessed uterine artery doppler waveforms in 30 women who had been hospitalized for delivery. Plasma concentrations of ADMA were also measured. Tissue samples of placentas were obtained from 15 patients with diastolic notch and 15 patients without diastolic notch, according to uterine Doppler velocimetry analysis. We evaluated the placental expression of eNOS, MnSOD, GPX and catalase with Western blot analysis and eNOS with immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The maternal plasma ADMA concentration increased significantly in the group with bilateral Uterine artery notch compared with the group without uterine artery notch (P=0.04). The expression of eNOS in the placenta significantly increased and the expression of MnSOD and GPX decreased significantly in the group with uterine artery notch at the third trimester. CONCLUSION: Uterine artery diastolic notch in pregnant women is associated with high maternal plasma ADMA, increased placental eNOS, and decreased MnSOD and GPX.

Annual Report on External Quality Assessment in Blood Bank Tests in Korea (2008) / 임상검사와정도관리

We report here the results of surveys for external quality assessment of blood bank tests performed in 2008. Survey specimens were sent three times to 460, 470 and 473 participant institutes, and the response rates for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trial were 97.6%, 97.7%, and 97.7%, respectively. Test items for the surveys were ABO grouping, Rh (D) typing, crossmatching, direct antiglobulin test, antibody screening and antibody identification test. The average accuracy rates of ABO grouping and Rh typing were 100% and 98.3-100%, respectively. In crossmatching test, the accuracy rates were 97.5-99.7% for the compatible samples, 92.4-99.2% for the incompatible samples, and 88.2-98.9% for the samples which could be detected as incompatible only by antiglobulin method. The accuracy rates of direct antiglobulin test were 98.4-99.7% for negative samples and 93.4-99.7% for positive samples. The correct results were reported by 99.6-100% of the surveyed institutions for antibody screening test and 98.2-100% for antibody identification test. Twenty-three institutions gave repeatedly incorrect answers for crossmatching test. Ten institutions out of them gave incorrect answers for all the test specimens sent out 3 times last year.

Clinical efficiency of 50 g oral glucose challenge test, 75 g and 100 g oral glucose tolerance test for screening and diagnosis of gestational diabetes / 대한주산의학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical efficiency of 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with those of 100 g OGTT for diagnosing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) after abnormal 50 g oral glucose challenge test (OGCT). METHODS: Data of 616 pregnant women delivered at Ewha Womans University Dongdaemoon hospital from January, 2003 to June, 2007 was reviewed and analyzed retrospectively. The positive diagnostic rate of GDM for the group resulted in the range of 130 and 140 mg/dl and in 140 mg/dl and higher on the 50 g OGCT group was analyzed. Pregnancy and fetal outcomes were compared for the women who showed positive results in the 75 g and 100 g OGTT. RESULTS: Of the 28 pregnant women whose results were in the range of 130 and 140 mg/dL on the 50 g OGCT, three women (10.7%) were diagnosed as GDM. Among women who showed the results of 140 mg/dL and higher, positive rate of GDM by 75 g OGTT (51.6%) was significantly higher than those by 100 g OGTT (31.6%) (p=0.047). The positive result group of 75 g and 100 g OGTT did not show significant differences in pregnancy and fetal outcomes except that BMI of 100 g OGTT positive group was more increased at early pregnancy (25.2+/-3.53 kg/m2 vs 22.9+/-3.26 kg/m2, p=0.043). CONCLUSION: 75 g OGTT may be a more convenient and useful tool in the diagnosis of GDM to protect for adverse outcomes in untreated gravidas with minimal hyperglycemia.

Annual Report on External Quality Assessment in Blood Bank Tests in Korea (2007) / 임상검사와정도관리

We report here the results of external quality assessment of blood bank tests performed in 2007. Survey specimens were sent three times to 448, 450, and 455 participant institutes, and the response rates were 99.3%, 97.3%, and 98.0%, respectively. Test items for the surveys were ABO grouping, Rh(D) typing, crossmatching, direct antiglobulin test, antibody screening and identification test. The average accuracy rates of ABO grouping and Rh typing were in the range of 99.5-100% and 98.9-100%, respectively. In crossmatching test, the accuracy rates were 96.0-97.1% for the compatible samples, 89.6-92.4% for the incompatible samples, and 89.6-92.4% for the samples which could be detected as incompatible only by antiglobulin method. The accuracy rates of direct antiglobulin test were 98.0-99.7% for negative samples and 96.3-99.0% for positive samples. The correct results were reported by 95.7-100% of the surveyed institutions for antibody screening test and 98.2-100% for identification test. Fifteen institutions gave repeatedly incorrect answers for crossmatching. Five institutions out of them gave incorrect answers for all the test specimens sent out 3 times last year.

Annual Report on External Quality Assessment in Blood Bank Tests in Korea (2007) / 임상검사와정도관리

We report here the results of external quality assessment of blood bank tests performed in 2007. Survey specimens were sent three times to 448, 450, and 455 participant institutes, and the response rates were 99.3%, 97.3%, and 98.0%, respectively. Test items for the surveys were ABO grouping, Rh(D) typing, crossmatching, direct antiglobulin test, antibody screening and identification test. The average accuracy rates of ABO grouping and Rh typing were in the range of 99.5-100% and 98.9-100%, respectively. In crossmatching test, the accuracy rates were 96.0-97.1% for the compatible samples, 89.6-92.4% for the incompatible samples, and 89.6-92.4% for the samples which could be detected as incompatible only by antiglobulin method. The accuracy rates of direct antiglobulin test were 98.0-99.7% for negative samples and 96.3-99.0% for positive samples. The correct results were reported by 95.7-100% of the surveyed institutions for antibody screening test and 98.2-100% for identification test. Fifteen institutions gave repeatedly incorrect answers for crossmatching. Five institutions out of them gave incorrect answers for all the test specimens sent out 3 times last year.

Two cases of paratubal cysts manifesting as huge pelvic masses in young women / 대한산부인과학회지

Paratubal cysts come from paraovarium of the broad ligament between the fallopian tube and ovary. Overall, these cysts constitute 10% of all adnexal masses and are commonly incidental findings upon surgical exploration for other reasons. They more commonly occur in women between 30 and 40 years of age. We report two cases of rapidly growing, huge paratubal cysts in young women, which are presented with brief review of literature.

A case of synchronous double primary vulvar cancer and PET-negative renal cell carcinoma / 부인종양

We report a case of synchronous double primary vulvar cancer and renal cell carcinoma. Kidney mass was incidentally detected during preoperative evaluation of vulvar cancer, and was finally confirmed as a renal cell carcinoma. Although the initial result of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography was negative for a renal malignancy, nephrectomy was performed under the radiological and urologic impression of renal cell carcinoma which was supported by computerized tomography findings. Histological analysis finally confirmed a renal cell carcinoma. This is the first case report of synchronous double primary vulvar cancer and renal cell carcinoma, which emphasizes multidisciplinary approach to unexpected lesions when the clinical experience of one specialist is limited.

Clinical significance of CA19-9 in mature cystic teratoma of the ovary / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this investigation was to analyze the association between ovarian tumor markers and the clinicopathologic features of ovarian mature cystic teratoma. METHODS: The medical records of 195 patients whose pathologic diagnosis were made as mature cystic teratoma after surgery from June, 2000 to July, 2006 at Ewha Womans University Mok-dong Hospital were reviewed. The proportions of elevation of each tumor marker were evaluated in all patients and CA19-9 which showed the greatest elevation rate was selected as a promising relevant tumor marker. The patients were alloted to either Group I showing elevated CA19-9 or Group II showing normal level of CA19-9. The relationship between CA19-9 level and demographic data or clinicopathologic features were investigated by usual statistical method. RESULTS: The mean age of all patients was 35.4+/-12.8, and the average size of tumor was 7.1+/-3.5cm. Bilaterality of the mature cystic teratoma was 12.8%. The proportion of the patients showing elevated levels was greatest in CA19-9 as 33.3% (65/195), compared with 12.0% in CA-125, 5.8% in CEA, 1.1% in AFP. Significant difference between Group I and Group II were found in age, parity, tumor size, and bilaterality. Bilaterality and tumor size were greater in Group I, and age and proportion of parous women were lower in Group I. On the other hand, the rate of ovarian torsion or laparotomy conversion showed no difference. Likelihood ratio for bilaterality which may be clinically used during surgical procedure were 2.2 for CA19-9 suggesting its potential role in gynecologic practice. CONCLUSION: This study shows that CA19-9 may be a useful tumor marker associated with tumor size and bilaterality in ovarian mature cystic teratoma. Further confirmative study with larger sample size is in need in order to establish its definite clinical role in ovarian mature cystic teratoma.

Annual Report on External Quality Assessment in Blood Bank Tests in Korea (2005) / 임상검사와정도관리

We report here the results of surveys for external quality assessment of blood bank tests performed in 2005. Response rates for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trial were 97.0%, 96.8%, and 97.1% respectively. Test items for the surveys were ABO grouping, Rh(D) typing, crossmatching, direct antiglobulin test, antibody screening and identification test. The average accuracy rates of ABO grouping and Rh typing were in the range of 99.5-100% and 99.7-100% respectively. In crossmatching test, the accuracy rates were 94.3-98.2% for the compatible samples, 88.5-92.9% for the incompatible samples, and 88.5-92.9% for the samples which could be detected as incompatible only by antiglobulin method. The accuracy rates of direct antiglobulin test were 98.9-99.3% for negative samples and 89.2-96.9% for positive samples. The correct results were reported by 98.3-100% of the surveyed institutions for antibody screening test and 98.9-100% for identification test. Seventeen institutions gave repeatedly incorrect answers for crossmatching. Thirteen institutions out of them gave incorrect answers for all the test specimens sent out 3 times last year.

Annual Report on External Quality Assessment in Blood Bank Tests in Korea (2004) / 임상검사와정도관리

We report here the results of surveys for external quality assessment of blood bank tests performed in 2004. Response rates for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trial were 96.4%, 96.8%, and 96.8%, respectively. Test items for the surveys were ABO grouping, Rh(D) typing, crossmatching, direct antiglobulin test, antibody screening and identification test. The average accuracy rates of ABO grouping and Rh typing were in the range of 100% and 100%, respectively. In crossmatching test, the accuracy rates were 96.2-97.8% for the compatible samples, 75.5-90.6% for the incompatible samples, and 75.5-90.6% for the samples which could be detected as incompatible only by antiglobulin method. The accuracy rates of direct antiglobulin test were 98.8-100% for negative samples and 87.3-98.8% for positive samples. The correct results were reported by 98.8-100% of the surveyed institutions for antibody screening test and 100% for identification test. Forty six institutions gave repeatedly incorrect answers for crossmatching. Nine institutions out of them gave incorrect answers for all the test specimens sent out 3 times last year.

Annual Report on External Quality Assessment in Blood Bank Tests in Korea (2003) / 임상검사와정도관리

We report here the results of surveys for external quality assessment of blood bank tests performed in 2003. Response rates for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trial were 93.1%, 91.7%, and 90.1%, respectively. Test items for the surveys were ABO grouping, Rh(D) typing, crossmatching, direct antiglobulin test, antibody screening and identification test. The average accuracy rates of ABO grouping and Rh typing were in the range of 99.7-100% and 99.7-100%, respectively. In crossmatching test, the accuracy rates were 97.4-100% for the compatible samples, 83.4-100% for the incompatible samples, 87.2-92.4% for the samples which were incompatible in albumin phase, and 83.4-88.8% for the samples which could be detected as incompatible only by antiglobulin method. The accuracy rates of direct antiglobulin test were 97.9-99.6% for negative samples and 93.8-95.0% for positive samples. The correct results were reported from 95.9-100% of the surveyed institutions for antibody screening test and 98.8-100% for identification test. Forty six institutions gave repeatedly incorrect answers for crossmatching. Nine out of 46 institutions gave incorrect answers for all the test specimens sent out 3 times last year.

Annual Report on External Quality Assessment in Blood Bank Tests in Korea (2002) / 임상검사와정도관리

We report here the results of surveys for external quality assessment of blood bank tests performed in 2002. Response rates for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trial were 91.0%, 91.6%, and 91.8%, respectively. Test items for the surveys were ABO grouping, Rh(D) typing, crossmatching, direct antiglobulin test, antibody screening and identification test. The average accuracy rates of ABO grouping and Rh typing were in the range of 99.4-100% and 97.4-100%, respectively. In crossmatching test, the accuracy rates were 92.5-98.3% for the compatible samples, 73.7-99.7% for the incompatible samples, 88.0% for the samples which were incompatible in albumin phase, and 73.7% for the samples which could be detected as incompatible only by antiglobulin method. The accuracy rates of direct antiglobulin test were 96.3-98.4% for negative samples and 95.9-97.0% for positive samples. The correct results were reported by 98.6-100% of the surveyed institutions for antibody screening test and 100% for identification test. Forty six institutions gave repeatedly incorrect answers for crossmatching. Nine institutions out of them gave incorrect answers for all the test specimens sent out 3 times last year.

Evaluation of ACL-300 automated coagulation analyzer for the plasmafibrinogen assay / 대한임상병리학회지

No abstract available.

Evaluation of ACL-300 automated coagulation analyzer for the plasmafibrinogen assay / 대한임상병리학회지

No abstract available.

A Case of Corneal Ulcer Caused by Paecilomyces in Diabetic Patient Wearing Soft Contact Lens

Fungal corneal ulcer is well known longstanding and troublesome disorder in eye clinic. Paecilomyces, a well known saprophytic fungi, is rarely pathogenic in normal humal being. Authors experienced a case of corneal ulcer caused by Paecilomyces in diabetic patient wearing soft contact lens, that was proved by Gram stain and Sabouraud agar culture. We report this as the first case of corneal ulcer caused by Paecilomyces in Korea.