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1.
Int J Infect Dis ; 125: 145-148, 2022 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36397607

ABSTRACT

Halomonas hamiltonii is a gram-negative rod bacterium isolated from highly saline environments. H. hamiltonii has rarely been reported as a human pathogen. Herein, we present the first case report of a purulent lymphadenitis caused by H. hamiltonii worldwide. The patient was a previously healthy girl aged 1 year who was referred to our hospital for left axillary lymphadenitis. Although oral amoxicillin was administered, lymphadenitis did not improve, and an abscess developed. After incision and drainage, the abscess was reduced. No recurrence of lymphadenitis was observed. The pus culture was negative. However, the 16S ribosomal DNA was amplified by the melting temperature mapping method. The amplified 16S ribosomal DNA sequence revealed 99.7% identity of H. hamiltonii. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of H. hamiltonii infection in a lymph node. This pathogen should be considered when diagnosing purulent lymphadenitis in healthy patients with lymphadenopathy of unknown origin.


Subject(s)
Halomonas , Lymphadenitis , Female , Humans , Abscess , Halomonas/genetics , Lymphadenitis/diagnosis , Lymphadenitis/drug therapy , Lymphadenitis/microbiology , Bacteria/genetics , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
2.
BMC Pediatr ; 21(1): 265, 2021 06 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34090356

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous infection of preexisting solitary renal cysts has been documented in adults but is extremely rare in children. To date, no cases of simple renal cysts infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae have been described. Recently, reports have described the diagnosis of bacterial infection using the 16 S rRNA gene as well as the accompanying antimicrobial stewardship for microorganisms that are difficult to culture and for culture-negative cases after preceding antibacterial administration. CASE PRESENTATION: A four-year-old Japanese girl who had a pleuroperitoneal shunt inserted to drain a right pleural effusion due to occlusion of the hepatic portion of the inferior vena cava at three years old visited our hospital due to fever and respiratory discomfort. She was incidentally found to have a right simple renal cyst 10 months before admission. The patient was suspected to have pneumonitis or catheter-related blood stream infection on chest X-ray, which showed right-side pleural effusion. She was diagnosed with invasive pneumococcal infection, as Streptococcus pneumoniae was detected from blood culture on admission. Transient improvements in her symptoms and decreases in the white blood cell count and C-reactive protein level were observed after effective antibiotic administration, but her respiratory condition deteriorated. Enhanced CT showed right renal cyst enlargement and enhancement and thickening of the surrounding wall. Using the melting temperature (Tm) mapping method, S. pneumoniae was rapidly detected directly from pus 4.5 hours after drainage. The specimen culture was negative, but the extracted 16 S rDNA sequence revealed 100 % identity for S. pneumoniae from the same specimen the subsequent day. We successfully performed optimal treatment and reduced medical cost based on the positive Tm mapping method result. CONCLUSIONS: We report the first case of a S. pneumoniae-infected simple renal cyst. The drainage culture was negative, but the Tm mapping method rapidly detected S. pneumoniae directly from the drainage. The Tm mapping method may have great impacts on rapid diagnosis and effective antimicrobial stewardship.


Subject(s)
Kidney Diseases, Cystic , Pleural Effusion , Pneumococcal Infections , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Pneumococcal Infections/complications , Pneumococcal Infections/diagnosis , Pneumococcal Infections/drug therapy , Streptococcus pneumoniae/genetics , Thermography
3.
J Infect Chemother ; 27(2): 185-191, 2021 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32907793

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Valganciclovir (VGCV) has been shown to improve sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and neurological outcomes in patients with neonatal symptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection. However, reports on the pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety of oral VGCV are limited. The aim of this study is to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of VGCV for use in the treatment of cCMV. METHODS: This was a single-center, retrospective observational study conducted at Saitama Children's Medical Center in Japan between 2012 and 2017. CMV DNA copy number, maximum plasma VGCV concentration (Cmax), and adverse events (ADEs) during treatment were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 26 patients with cCMV who received VGCV were included in this study. The median age at VGCV initiation was 9.5 months (range 0-46). Twenty-one patients (81%) had SNHL at baseline. Of these, five patients (19%) presented with improved SNHL, and none experienced worsened SNHL during treatment. The mean VGCV Cmax was 3.5 µg/mL (range 2-5.3), with no significant variation among individual values, and the values were maintained during treatment. Furthermore, there were no correlations between the Cmax values and age, sex, SNHL improvement or ADEs. Neutropenia (<1000/mm3) was observed in six patients (23%); however, no serious ADEs occurred. CONCLUSIONS: VGCV prevented the progression of SNHL without serious ADEs due to its stable pharmacokinetics. This study provides safety and tolerability of VGCV for the treatment of cCMV patients.


Subject(s)
Cytomegalovirus Infections , Hearing Loss, Sensorineural , Antiviral Agents/adverse effects , Child , Child, Preschool , Cytomegalovirus Infections/drug therapy , Ganciclovir/adverse effects , Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/drug therapy , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Japan , Valganciclovir/adverse effects
4.
BMC Pediatr ; 18(1): 369, 2018 11 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30470211

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection leads to sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and neurodevelopmental delays. However, the long-term outcomes of cCMV infection with severe neurological manifestations in infancy remain unclear. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient was a one-month-old girl visited owing to abnormalities in neonatal hearing screening. Central nervous system involvement including intracranial calcification and extensive white matter abnormalities was identified. Right SNHL (50 dB) was detected by auditory brain response (ABR) testing. The cause of her hearing loss was determined to be cCMV infection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a dried blood spot. At 1.5 months of age, the patient was treated with intravenous ganciclovir (GCV) for 5 weeks followed by oral valganciclovir (VGCV) for an additional 6 weeks. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) loads in her urine continued to be detected until she was 10 years old. Fortunately, during this time, her right hearing loss did not deteriorate, and her left hearing remained normal. Furthermore, the extensive abnormal areas of white matter observed at 1 month of age mostly disappeared by the time the patient was 9 years old. Her neurodevelopmental score was normal, and motor milestones were not delayed as of 10 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we report the 10-year follow-up of a patient with cCMV who showed normal neurodevelopment, no progression of hearing loss, and ameliorating magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, despite having various complications and severe neurological findings during infancy.


Subject(s)
Child Development , Cytomegalovirus Infections/congenital , Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/etiology , Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Child , Cytomegalovirus Infections/complications , Cytomegalovirus Infections/diagnostic imaging , Cytomegalovirus Infections/drug therapy , Disease Progression , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Ganciclovir/therapeutic use , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Valganciclovir/therapeutic use , White Matter/diagnostic imaging
5.
Glob Pediatr Health ; 4: 2333794X17736700, 2017.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29085866

ABSTRACT

We studied 3 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who developed thyroid cancer (TC). Potential risk factors for TC development was explored. Fifty-three patients with a clinical diagnosis of rheumatic diseases including SLE at our hospital between July 2014 and December 2014 were enrolled. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory findings were retrospectively compared between TC-positive and TC-negative patients. Among rheumatic diseases, lymphadenopathy/splenomegaly at treatment commencement, and lymphadenopathy/splenomegaly, painless ulcer (oral, nasal, or mucosal), and weight loss during the entire study period were precipitating factors. Lower current values of hemoglobin and methylprednisolone pulse therapy favored TC development. In 29 SLE patients, lymphadenopathy/splenomegaly at treatment commencement, lymphadenopathy/splenomegaly and weight loss during the entire study period, urinary granular casts at treatment commencement, and a lower current value of hemoglobin predisposed patients to TC. Several risk factors of TC are present in pediatric SLE. Patients with SLE should be investigated vigorously for TC with ultrasound.

6.
BMJ Open ; 7(1): e013810, 2017 01 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28110288

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Approximately 8-10% of newborns with asymptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection develop sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). However, the relationship between CMV load, SNHL and central nervous system (CNS) damage in cCMV infection remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the relationship between urinary CMV load, SNHL and CNS damage in newborns with cCMV infection. STUDY DESIGN: The study included 23 368 newborns from two maternity hospitals in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Urine screening for cCMV infection (quantitative real-time PCR) and newborn hearing screening (automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) testing) were conducted within 5 days of birth to examine the incidence of cCMV infection and SNHL, respectively. CNS damage was assessed by MRI of cCMV-infected newborns. RESULTS: The incidence of cCMV infection was 60/23 368 (0.257%; 95% CI 0.192% to 0.322%). The geometric mean urinary CMV DNA copy number in newborns with cCMV was 1.79×106 copies/mL (95% CI 7.97×105 to 4.02×106). AABR testing revealed abnormalities in 171 of the 22 229 (0.769%) newborns whose parents approved hearing screening. Of these 171 newborns, 22 had SNHL (12.9%), and 5 of these 22 were infected with cCMV (22.7%). Newborns with both cCMV and SNHL had a higher urinary CMV DNA copy number than newborns with cCMV without SNHL (p=0.036). MRI revealed CNS damage, including white matter abnormalities, in 83.0% of newborns with cCMV. Moreover, newborns with CNS damage had a significantly greater urinary CMV load than newborns without CNS damage (p=0.013). CONCLUSIONS: We determined the incidence of cCMV infection and urinary CMV DNA copy number in seemingly healthy newborns from two hospitals in Saitama Prefecture. SNHL and CNS damage were associated with urinary CMV DNA copy number. Quantification of urinary CMV load may effectively predict the incidence of late-onset SNHL and neurodevelopmental disorders.


Subject(s)
Central Nervous System/abnormalities , Cytomegalovirus Infections/diagnosis , Cytomegalovirus , DNA, Viral/urine , Hearing Loss, Sensorineural , Hearing , Neonatal Screening , Central Nervous System/virology , Congenital Abnormalities/urine , Congenital Abnormalities/virology , Cytomegalovirus/genetics , Cytomegalovirus/growth & development , Cytomegalovirus Infections/complications , Cytomegalovirus Infections/epidemiology , Cytomegalovirus Infections/virology , Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem , Female , Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/epidemiology , Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/etiology , Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/virology , Humans , Incidence , Infant, Newborn , Japan/epidemiology , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction , White Matter
7.
Mod Rheumatol ; 27(4): 652-656, 2017 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27588444

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the clinical phenotype and outcome of interstitial lung disease (ILD) complicated with juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) or juvenile polymyositis (JPM). METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective study. From 1984 to 2015, we retrospectively reviewed 29 patients who were diagnosed with JDM/JPM, among whom eight cases were ILD and 21 were non-ILD. The clinical features and laboratory findings included chest computed tomography (CT) images that were compared between the patients with ILD and non-ILD. RESULTS: Eight cases (27.6%) were complicated with ILD. The mean age was 6.3 years, and 75% of the patients were women. We found that high fever, arthralgia, muscle weakness, and high serum Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) level were significantly associated with the presence of ILD (p < 0.05). Two patients were positive for the anti-Jo-1 antibody, and two other patients were positive for the anti-MDA5 antibody. Three cases were identified as rapidly progressive (RP)-ILD. The chest CT images of the ILD patients appeared to show ground glass opacity (GGO) with a lower lobe predominance, reticulation, and traction bronchiectasis consolidation. Three patients with RP-ILD showed random subpleural GGO with/without consolidation patterns. Further, three patients with RP-ILD died of respiratory failure (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: ILD is one of the most serious complications of JDM/JPM. In the early phase of ILD, high levels of serum KL-6 can be detected, regardless of the respiratory symptoms. Additionally, RP-ILD can be predicted based on the presence of anti-MDA5 antibodies and the chest CT findings, including random subpleural GGO with/without consolidation patterns.


Subject(s)
Dermatomyositis/complications , Lung Diseases, Interstitial/complications , Lung/diagnostic imaging , Polymyositis/complications , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Dermatomyositis/diagnostic imaging , Female , Humans , Lung Diseases, Interstitial/diagnostic imaging , Male , Polymyositis/diagnostic imaging , Prognosis , Retrospective Studies , Tomography, X-Ray Computed
8.
Clin Immunol ; 147(2): 122-8, 2013 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23583898

ABSTRACT

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a rare inherited disorder characterized by an inability to produce reactive oxygen species, resulting in recurrent life-threatening infections. Curiously, half of the patients with CGD suffer from aseptic bowel inflammation (CGD colitis) due to dysregulated inflammation induced by TNF-α and IL-1ß. Thus, developing therapies that regulate excessive inflammatory responses without interrupting antimicrobial immunity would benefit CGD colitis patients. Here, we show that thalidomide suppressed TNF-α-induced NF-κB activation and ATP-induced IL-1ß secretion, but did not interrupt the production of IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α in response to lipopolysaccharide in CGD monocytes. We report on a CGD colitis patient that showed decreased bowel inflammation characterized by reduced serum levels of inflammatory cytokines without evidence of progression of fungal and bacterial infections present at initiation of thalidomide therapy. Our results suggest that thalidomide could be an efficacious therapeutic option for patients with CGD colitis suffering from serious infections.


Subject(s)
Granulomatous Disease, Chronic/drug therapy , Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use , Inflammation/drug therapy , Thalidomide/therapeutic use , Adenosine Triphosphate/pharmacology , Caspase 1/immunology , Cells, Cultured , Child, Preschool , Cytokines/blood , Cytokines/immunology , Granulomatous Disease, Chronic/immunology , Humans , Inflammation/immunology , Interleukin-1beta/immunology , Lipopolysaccharides , Male , Monocytes/drug effects , Monocytes/immunology , Mycobacterium bovis , NF-kappa B/immunology , Pulmonary Aspergillosis/drug therapy , Pulmonary Aspergillosis/immunology , Tuberculosis/drug therapy , Tuberculosis/immunology , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/pharmacology
9.
J Clin Immunol ; 33(4): 857-64, 2013 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23306776

ABSTRACT

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is caused by defects of NADPH oxidase. The diagnosis of CGD can be made by analysis of NADPH oxidase activity, however, identification of the CGD subgroups is required before performing mutation analysis. The membrane-bound subunits, gp91phox and p22phox, can be quickly analyzed by flow cytometry, unlike the cytosolic components, p47phox and p67phox. We evaluated the feasibility of flow cytometric detection of p47phox and p67phox with specific monoclonal antibodies in two patients with p47phox deficiency and 7 patients with p67phox deficiency. Consistent with previous observations, p47phox and p67phox were expressed in phagocytes and B cells, but not in T or natural killer cells, from normal controls. In contrast, patients with p47phox and p67phox deficiency showed markedly reduced levels of p47phox and p67phox, respectively. These techniques will be useful to rapidly assess the expression of the cytosolic components, p47phox and p67phox, and represents important secondary screening tests for CGD.


Subject(s)
B-Lymphocytes/immunology , Cytosol/metabolism , Flow Cytometry/methods , Granulomatous Disease, Chronic/diagnosis , NADPH Oxidases/metabolism , Phagocytes/immunology , Phosphoproteins/analysis , Adolescent , Adult , Cell Separation , Cells, Cultured , Child , Child, Preschool , DNA Mutational Analysis , Feasibility Studies , Female , Granulomatous Disease, Chronic/immunology , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Mass Screening , Mutation/genetics , NADPH Oxidases/analysis , NADPH Oxidases/genetics , Young Adult
10.
Pediatr Int ; 55(1): 2-6, 2013 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22978387

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: DiGeorge syndrome is a congenital malformation characterized by variable defects of the thymus, heart and parathyroid glands. Athymic patients are classified as exhibiting complete DiGeorge syndrome. Some of these patients may also exhibit oligoclonal T-cell expansion, generalized rash and lymphadenopathy at some point after birth. This rare condition is known as atypical complete DiGeorge syndrome, resembles Omenn syndrome, and has not been fully characterized. METHODS: The clinical and immunophenotypic features of atypical complete DiGeorge syndrome were assessed in two affected Japanese infants. T-cell receptor (TCR) Vß repertoire was analyzed on flow cytometry and complementarity-determining region 3 spectratyping. RESULTS: Both patients had no detectable thymus tissue and profound T-cell lymphopenia soon after birth. Progressive increase of activated T cells, however, as well as eosinophilia, high serum IgE level, generalized rash, and lymphadenopathy were observed during early infancy. A highly restricted TCR Vß repertoire was demonstrated both in CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. CONCLUSIONS: The Omenn syndrome-like manifestations might be associated with the oligoclonal proliferation of activated T cells. Analysis of the immunophenotype and TCR Vß repertoire is helpful to establish the early diagnosis of atypical complete DiGeorge syndrome.


Subject(s)
DiGeorge Syndrome/diagnosis , Biomarkers/blood , DiGeorge Syndrome/immunology , Flow Cytometry , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Lymphocyte Count , Male , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/blood , T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
11.
Rinsho Ketsueki ; 53(11): 1926-31, 2012 Nov.
Article in Japanese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23257675

ABSTRACT

We report a case of a 15-year-old girl with severe aplastic anemia who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation 5 years ago for fulminant hepatic failure during the course of immunodeficiency of unknown etiology. She previously exhibited similar immunodeficiency and experienced recurrent viral infections. She developed jaundice at 9 years of age and was diagnosed with fulminant hepatitis. One month later, she underwent living donor liver transplantation, with the donor being her father. Five years after the liver transplant, pancytopenia was noted; she did not respond to treatment with increasing doses of tacrolimus/prednisone and administration of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor. Bone marrow biopsy was performed, and severe aplastic anemia was diagnosed. Six years after the liver transplant, she underwent bone marrow transplantation (BMT), with the donor being her HLA-matched sibling. However, she developed liver dysfunction with recovery of white blood cells. She developed sepsis, which eventually led to her death on day 30 after BMT.


Subject(s)
Anemia, Aplastic/therapy , Hepatitis/surgery , Liver Transplantation/adverse effects , Adolescent , Anemia, Aplastic/diagnosis , Anemia, Aplastic/etiology , Fatal Outcome , Female , Humans , Living Donors
12.
PLoS One ; 7(2): e27782, 2012.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22383943

ABSTRACT

Mutations in genes for any of the six subunits of NADPH oxidase cause chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), but almost 2/3 of CGD cases are caused by mutations in the X-linked CYBB gene, also known as NAD (P) H oxidase 2. Approximately 260 patients with CGD have been reported in Japan, of whom 92 were shown to have mutations of the CYBB gene and 16 to have chromosomal deletions. However, there has been very little detailed analysis of the range of the deletion or close understanding of the disease based on this. We therefore analyzed genomic rearrangements in X-linked CGD using array comparative genomic hybridization analysis, revealing the extent and the types of the deletion genes. The subjects were five Japanese X-linked CGD patients estimated to have large base deletions of 1 kb or more in the CYBB gene (four male patients, one female patient) and the mothers of four of those patients. The five Japanese patients were found to range from a patient exhibiting deletions only of the CYBB gene to a female patient exhibiting an extensive DNA deletion and the DMD and CGD phenotype manifested. Of the other three patients, two exhibited CYBB, XK, and DYNLT3 gene deletions. The remaining patient exhibited both a deletion encompassing DNA subsequent to the CYBB region following intron 2 and the DYNLT3 gene and a complex copy number variation involving the insertion of an inverted duplication of a region from the centromere side of DYNLT3 into the deleted region.


Subject(s)
Chromosomes, Human, X/genetics , DNA Copy Number Variations , Genetic Linkage , Granulomatous Disease, Chronic/genetics , Sequence Deletion , Centromere , Chromosome Deletion , Comparative Genomic Hybridization , Dyneins/genetics , Female , Gene Duplication , Humans , Infant , Introns , Japan , Male , Membrane Glycoproteins/genetics , Mothers , Mutation , NADPH Oxidase 2 , NADPH Oxidases/genetics , Phenotype , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Sequence Inversion
13.
Mod Rheumatol ; 22(2): 280-3, 2012 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21710356

ABSTRACT

A 6-year-old girl, who had received corticosteroid and cyclosporine on the diagnosis of interstitial pneumonitis related to juvenile dermatomyositis, developed severe thrombocytopenia. Her thrombocytopenia was resistant to repeated intravenous immunoglobulin administration and methylprednisolone pulse therapy. After additional treatment with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), instead of cyclosporine, the thrombocytopenia improved, facilitating a reduction in the dose of corticosteroid without exacerbation of the interstitial pneumonitis. We propose MMF as effective option in the treatment of immune thrombocytopenic purpura with autoimmune disease.


Subject(s)
Dermatomyositis/drug therapy , Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use , Mycophenolic Acid/analogs & derivatives , Purpura, Thrombocytopenic/drug therapy , Child , Cyclosporine/therapeutic use , Dermatomyositis/complications , Dermatomyositis/pathology , Drug Therapy, Combination , Female , Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use , Humans , Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/therapeutic use , Lung Diseases, Interstitial/complications , Lung Diseases, Interstitial/drug therapy , Lung Diseases, Interstitial/pathology , Methylprednisolone/therapeutic use , Mycophenolic Acid/therapeutic use , Pulse Therapy, Drug , Purpura, Thrombocytopenic/complications , Purpura, Thrombocytopenic/pathology , Treatment Failure
14.
J Hum Genet ; 56(8): 577-82, 2011 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21753765

ABSTRACT

Patients with X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) can present with sensorineural deafness. This can result from a gross deletion that not only involved the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) gene, but also TIMM8A, mutations in which underlie the Mohr-Tranebjærg syndrome (MTS). We analyzed the genomic break points observed in three XLA-MTS patients and compared these with deletions break points from XLA patients. Patient 1 had a 63-kb deletion with break points in intron 15 of BTK and 4 kb upstream of TAF7L. Patients 2 and 3 had 149.7 and 196 kb deletions comprising BTK, TIMM8A, TAF7L and DRP2. The break points in patients 1 and 3 were located in Alu and endogenous retrovirus (ERV) repeats, whereas the break points in patient 2 did not show involvement of transposable elements. Comparison of gross deletion sizes and involvement of transposable elements in XLA and XLA-MTS patients from the literature showed preferential involvement of Alu elements in smaller deletions (<10 kb). These results show further insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying gross deletions in patients with primary immunodeficiency.


Subject(s)
Chromosome Deletion , Chromosomes, Human, X/genetics , Membrane Transport Proteins/genetics , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/genetics , Adolescent , Agammaglobulinaemia Tyrosine Kinase , Agammaglobulinemia/genetics , Alu Elements/genetics , Child , Chromosome Breakpoints , Deaf-Blind Disorders/genetics , Dystonia/genetics , Gene Deletion , Genetic Diseases, X-Linked/genetics , Humans , Infant , Intellectual Disability/genetics , Male , Mitochondrial Precursor Protein Import Complex Proteins , Optic Atrophy/genetics , Syndrome , Terminal Repeat Sequences/genetics
15.
Pediatr Blood Cancer ; 57(4): 677-80, 2011 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21681939

ABSTRACT

A 19-month-old male with Chediak-Higashi syndrome developed Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated accelerated phase. Real-time polymerase chain reaction showed high EBV-DNA levels in plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. His condition was refractory to conventional treatments for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, including corticosteroids, cyclosporine, and etoposide. In situ hybridization revealed higher proportion of EBER-1-positive cells in CD19+ cell fraction than in CD8+ cell fraction. Complete remission was achieved by combination therapy with rituximab and cyclosporine; subsequent bone marrow transplantation was successful. Combination therapy with rituximab and cyclosporine could be effective in patients with EBV-infected T and B cells.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived/therapeutic use , Chediak-Higashi Syndrome/drug therapy , Cyclosporine/therapeutic use , Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/drug therapy , Immunologic Factors/therapeutic use , Chediak-Higashi Syndrome/physiopathology , Chediak-Higashi Syndrome/virology , DNA, Viral/analysis , Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/complications , Humans , In Situ Hybridization , Infant , Male , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Rituximab
16.
Int J Hematol ; 93(6): 787-790, 2011 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21509438

ABSTRACT

Although abnormal peripheral blood counts are a key diagnostic finding for acute leukemia in children, between 2003 and 2010 we observed seven pediatric cases without peripheral blood abnormalities and showing abnormal signals in the bone marrow by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The common chief complaint in these patients was bone pain and fever. Bone marrow tests revealed six out of the seven cases to be acute leukemia, whereas one patient was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). There was no evident difference in MRI findings between leukemia patients and JIA patient. In three cases of leukemia, initial bone marrow aspiration failed to show the presence of leukemic cells, and diagnosis was only made by repeated bone marrow examination. Our findings indicate that in some cases MRI detects leukemia at an earlier phase than does bone marrow aspiration, suggesting that MRI is useful for the diagnosis of acute leukemia.


Subject(s)
Leukemia/diagnosis , Leukemia/pathology , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Acute Disease , Adolescent , Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Bone Marrow/pathology , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Karyotyping , Leukemia/drug therapy , Leukemia/genetics , Male , Treatment Outcome
17.
Pediatr Infect Dis J ; 30(3): 208-11, 2011 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20861757

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Children with rheumatic diseases receiving immunosuppressive therapy are a high-risk group for influenza virus infection; however, few data are available regarding the efficacy and safety of influenza vaccine for those individuals. METHODS: This was a prospective study evaluating the immunogenicity and safety of influenza vaccine in 49 children (mean ± standard deviation: 12.1 ± 4.8 years, age range: 0-21 years) with pediatric rheumatic diseases including juvenile idiopathic arthritis (n = 23), systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 12), juvenile dermatomyositis (n = 6), and others (n = 8), who were receiving immunosuppressive therapies. A total of 36 healthy children were selected as a control. The influenza virus type-A and B antibody titers were measured using hemagglutinin inhibition before and after the vaccination. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the percentage of vaccine recipients with an increase in the serum titers ≥ 4× after vaccination (H1N1, H3N2, and B strain) between the 2 groups (P = 0.49, P = 0.25, P = 0.56, respectively), demonstrating similar immunogenicity of the influenza vaccination between patients and control groups. There were no serious adverse effects related to the vaccine in either group. CONCLUSIONS: In the children with pediatric rheumatic diseases receiving immunosuppressive agents, influenza vaccination resulted in serum antibody titers similar to those in the controls without major adverse effects. Such children receiving immunosuppressive therapy are a high-risk group for influenza virus infection, therefore vaccine should be given.


Subject(s)
Immunosuppressive Agents/administration & dosage , Influenza Vaccines/adverse effects , Influenza Vaccines/immunology , Influenza, Human/prevention & control , Rheumatic Diseases/drug therapy , Adolescent , Antibodies, Viral/blood , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Influenza Vaccines/administration & dosage , Male , Prospective Studies , Young Adult
18.
J Chromatogr Sci ; 48(3): 208-11, 2010 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20223087

ABSTRACT

This study developed a simple and sensitive method using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for ganciclovir (GCV) plasma concentrations in cytomegalovirus infectious infants with hearing loss. The method involves a simple protein precipitation procedure that uses no solid-phase or liquid-liquid extraction. The HPLC separation was carried out on a Cadenza CD-C(18) column (3 microm, 4.6 mm x 150 mm) with phosphate buffer (pH 2.5, 25 mM) containing 1% methanol-acetonitrile mixture (4:3, v/v) as a mobile phase at a 0.7 mL/min flow rate. GCV was detected using a fluorescence detection (lambdaex/em: 265/380 nm). The quantification limit was 0.025 microg/mL for 100 microL of plasma sample at which good intra- and inter-assay coefficient of variation values (< 4.96%) and recoveries (94.9-96.5%) were established.


Subject(s)
Antiviral Agents/blood , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods , Chromatography, Reverse-Phase/methods , Ganciclovir/blood , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/economics , Chromatography, Reverse-Phase/economics , Fluorescence , Humans , Infant , Limit of Detection , Linear Models
19.
J Pediatr ; 155(6): 829-33, 2009 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19628217

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) quantification for neonatal mass screening of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). STUDY DESIGN: Real-time PCR based quantification of TRECs for 471 healthy control patients and 18 patients with SCID with various genetic abnormalities (IL2RG, JAK3, ADA, LIG4, RAG1) were performed, including patients with maternal T-cell engraftment (n = 4) and leaky T cells (n = 3). RESULTS: TRECs were detectable in all normal neonatal Guthrie cards (n = 326) at the levels of 10(4) to 10(5) copies/microg DNA. In contrast, TRECs were extremely low in all neonatal Guthrie cards (n = 15) and peripheral blood (n = 14) from patients with SCID, including those with maternal T-cell engraftment or leaky T cells with hypomorphic RAG1 mutations or LIG4 deficiency. There were no false-positive or negative results in this study. CONCLUSION: TRECs quantification can be used as a neonatal mass screening for patients with SCID.


Subject(s)
DNA Repair/genetics , Neonatal Screening/methods , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics , Severe Combined Immunodeficiency/diagnosis , Severe Combined Immunodeficiency/genetics , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Feasibility Studies , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Middle Aged , Predictive Value of Tests , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Ribonuclease P/blood , Severe Combined Immunodeficiency/blood , Young Adult
20.
Kansenshogaku Zasshi ; 83(3): 245-50, 2009 May.
Article in Japanese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19522308

ABSTRACT

A 9-year-old girl developing fever and hyperemia of both bulbar conjunctiva 5 days before admission to the Saitama Children's Medical Center after antibiotics proved ineffective was found on admission to have general fatigue and a temperature of 39 degrees C. Physical examination showed hyperemia of the bulbar conjunctiva, fissures of the lips, redness of the pharynx, and swelling of the cervical lymph nodes. Laboratory tests detected neutrophilia (11,200/microL), mild anemia (11.4g/dL), thrombocytopenia (110,000/microL), and elevated serum aspartate aminotransferase (242IU/L), alanine aminotransferase (328IU/L), and C-rective protein (25.2 mg/dL). Autoantibodies such as anti-nuclear, anti-SS-A/Ro, and anti-Jo-1 were also found. Echocardiography showed no abnormality of the coronary arteries. She was diagnosed as having incomplete Kawasaki disease on day 7 of illness, necessitating that a high dose of immunoglobulin be given intravenously. Her temperature dropped temporarily to 37 degrees C, but she developed erythema of the cheek and fever. Intravenous immunoglobulin was restarted, and minocycline introduced because her daily contact with a pet cat indicated richettsial infection such as Q fever. Mild fever, muscle pain, and elevated C-reactive protein did not improve, but clinical signs and symptoms gradually lessened after ibuprofen was given, then disappeared. A definitive diagnosis of Q fever was made through an over 4-fold rise in phase II IgG antibody titers against Coxiella burnetii, titer of less than 1 : 16 on day 14 of illness, and titer of 1 : 256 on day 34. This case study describes on atypical case of Q fever with clinical manifestations mimicking Kawasaki disease.


Subject(s)
Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome/diagnosis , Q Fever/diagnosis , Acute Disease , Child , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Humans
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