Identification of Coronavirus Isolated from a Patient in Korea with COVID-19

ObjectivesFollowing reports of patients with unexplained pneumonia at the end of December 2019 in Wuhan, China, the causative agent was identified as coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), and the 2019 novel coronavirus disease was named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization. Putative patients with COVID-19 have been identified in South Korea, and attempts have been made to isolate the pathogen from these patients.MethodsUpper and lower respiratory tract secretion samples from putative patients with COVID-19 were inoculated onto cells to isolate the virus. Full genome sequencing and electron microscopy were used to identify the virus.ResultsThe virus replicated in Vero cells and cytopathic effects were observed. Full genome sequencing showed that the virus genome exhibited sequence homology of more than 99.9% with SARS-CoV-2 which was isolated from patients from other countries, for instance China. Sequence homology of SARS-CoV-2 with SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV was 77.5% and 50%, respectively. Coronavirus-specific morphology was observed by electron microscopy in virus-infected Vero cells.ConclusionSARS-CoV-2 was isolated from putative patients with unexplained pneumonia and intermittent coughing and fever. The isolated virus was named BetaCoV/Korea/KCDC03/2020.

The High-Voltage Electron Microscopy in Biomedical Research / 대한해부학회지

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) provides high resolution images, which are useful in studying ultrastructure of cells and tissues. We have to use very thin section about 60~100 nm thickness due to poor penetration power of the conventional TEM at 100 kV. To overcome this limitation, TEMs using higher accelerating voltage have been developed. TEMs can be categorized into conventional TEM, intermediate TEM, high voltage TEM (HVEM), and ultrahigh voltage TEM according to their accelerating voltage. HVEM using 500~1,000 kV has an enough penetration power to observe thick specimen up to 3~4 micro, which is useful understanding 3 dimensional configuration of the cell and tissue. HVEM was built up in Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI, Daejeon, Korea) at 2004, maximum accelerating voltage is 1.3 MV in Korea. Many results showed up to the present various fields of science such as medical science, biology, agriculture and so on. Here, we briefly summarize recent biomedical applications of HVEM to provide an insight of HVEM for morphologist.

A Case of Telangiectatic Cutaneous Metastasis from Breast Cancer / 대한피부과학회지

About 25% of patients with breast cancer develop one of the several clinicopathological types of cutaneous metastasis. Telangiectatic cutaneous metastases are very rare and may present with telangiectasia, erythema, papulovesicles, purpuric patch or plaque. Histopathologically, they demonstrate ectatic, dilated dermal blood vessels that contain atypical tumor cells and thrombi. We report a rare case of telangiectatic metastatic breast carcinoma on the scalp and shin, which presented with cutaneous angiosarcoma-like violaceous plaques.

A Case of Sudden Unilateral Visual Loss Following Injection of Filler into the Glabella / 대한피부과학회지

Dermal fillers have been used with increasing frequency over the past three decades in the management of facial lines and atrophic scars and in the correction of facial contours. Injectable soft tissue fillers are ideal for office procedures because of their associated ease, cost, and minimal discomfort. Although complications are rare, they can occur with any dermal filler. However, although most complications are mild and transient, severe, persistent, or recurrent adverse effects can occur. Serious complications include complete or partial visual loss caused by occlusion of a retinal artery. We report a case of a 65-year-old female who experienced sudden visual loss and local necrosis of the glabellar area, secondary to retinal branch artery occlusion, following injection of a filler. Prompt consultation with an ophthalmologist is recommended when there is evidence of visual problem arising after facial injection with dermal fillers.

Two Cases of Eczematoid Reactions following BCG Vaccinations / 대한피부과학회지

The adverse effects of BCG vaccination span diversely from systemic to local reactions. However, the adverse effects of BCG vaccination on the skin are rare and these can appear as non-specific or specific skin reactions. We experienced two cases of non-specific skin reaction, which occurred on a vaccine-injected site. Eczematous lesions with the clinical and pathological findings have not previously been report in the English dermatologic literature. Herein, we present two interesting cases of non-specific skin reactions from dermatological complications of BCG vaccination.

A Case of Linear Lupus Panniculitis in Child / 대한피부과학회지

Lupus panniculitis is an uncommon clinical variant of cutaneous lupus erythematosus. The cutaneous lesions of lupus panniculitis are characterized by subcutaneous nodules or plaques. The overlying skin can often appear unchanged, but may also be associated with discoid lupus erythematosus and appear erythematous, atrophic, telangiectatic or poikilodermatous. The mean age of incidence is between 30~40 years, and children are rarely affected. Furthermore, a linear distributions of the lesions has rarely been reported. We herein describe a case of 8-year-old girl with linear lupus panniculitis on the face, and propose that the possibility of this disease be considered in cases where linear subcutaneous nodular lesions occur in children or young adults.

A Case of Palmoplantar Lichen Planus / 대한피부과학회지

Lichen planus is an inflammatory disorder that affects the skin, mucous membrane, nails and hair. According to the literature, lichen planus on the palms and/or soles occurs rarely and does not usually have classical clinical features. We report a case of lichen planus in a 26-year-old man, who presented with papules on his palms and soles.

A Case of Palmoplantar Lichen Planus / 대한피부과학회지

Lichen planus is an inflammatory disorder that affects the skin, mucous membrane, nails and hair. According to the literature, lichen planus on the palms and/or soles occurs rarely and does not usually have classical clinical features. We report a case of lichen planus in a 26-year-old man, who presented with papules on his palms and soles.