JC polyomavirus reactivation is not associated with herpes zoster.

Herpes zoster (HZ) is a neurocutaneous disease caused by Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) as a consequence of declined cell-mediated immunity, immune suppression and immunodeficiency. As reactivation of JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) might be linked with immunodeficiency or immunosuppressive therapy, the relationship between HZ and JCPyV reactivation was investigated. The incidence of JCPyV in urine samples from 102 patients with HZ and 100 healthy individuals from South Korea was determined by PCR. The incidence values for HZ patients and control individuals did not differ significantly (24.5% vs. 20.0%, respectively, P = 0.5391). When different age groups were monitored, the positivity values of 21.1%, 20.0%, and 30% were found for 20-39, 40-59 and over 60 year-old patients, respectively. In order to determine the genotype of JCPyV isolates, their VP1-large T antigen (VT)-intergenic region was PCR amplified, sequenced and analyzed. Three distinct types, namely 1, 2A and 7B were found in 8%, 24%, and 68% of were found among 25 isolates from HZ patients. Using phylogenetic analysis, the type 1 isolates were assigned to the 1C subtype. These results indicate that HZ does not play an important role in JCPyV reactivation and is not associated with JCPyV.

Prevalence of atopic dermatitis in Korea.

This study was designed to estimate the prevalence and personal or family history of atopic dermatitis in school children in 3 areas of Korea: urban (Seoul), industrial (Ulsan) and rural (Chunchon). On the basis of dermatologists' physical examinations and the questionnaires completed by parents or guardians, the prevalence of atopic dermatitis was estimated to be 3.3% in the industrial area, 6.6% in the rural area and 7.8% in the urban area. The frequency of atopic dermatitis decreased with age and was significantly lower in the industrial area than in the rural and urban areas.

Spinal cord injury and snowboarding--the British Columbia experience.

Snowboarding is an alpine sport growing in popularity, particularly among male youth. This study of 10 consecutive cases admitted to the Vancouver Hospital and Health Sciences Centre Acute Spinal Cord Injury Unit, over the 1997 to 1998 winter season, analyzes the epidemiology of snowboarding spinal injury. Information was collected retrospectively on the mechanism, location, and pattern of injury, and personal details of the individuals who suffered the injuries. The average age at time of injury was 22.4 years, with a range of 16 to 29. All but 1 of the cases were self-acknowledged expert-level snowboarders, with an average of 6.25 years experience. Nine of the injured were male. There was only 1 cervical injury, with the majority being low thoracolumbar, and 4 incidences of L-1 fracture. Compression and burst fracture were the predominant vertebral fracture patterns and there was a 50% incidence of significant neurologic injury and deficit. The most common mechanism of injury was axial loading following a failed jump or fall from a height, varying from 2 to 25 feet. The lack of associated injuries in 9 of the cases suggests a limited ability of the extremities to offset such falls. Contributing factors included the inherent riskiness of the sport, participant characteristics, lack of formal instruction, and self-constructed jumps. Poor weather conditions, unfamiliarity with a run, collisions, and consumption of alcohol also played lesser roles. The frequent association between spinal fracture and significant neurologic deficit in this group has not previously been reported in other studies.