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ABSTRACT: Measles virus (MV) isolates from patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) differ from wild-type MV virologically. However, few animal models have reported viruses with characteristics of the SSPE virus.The MV Edmonston strain was inoculated into the subarachnoid space of nude mice. All nude mice displayed weight loss and required euthanasia, with a mean survival duration of 73.2 days. The viral load in the brain was 4-400-fold higher than the inoculated load, and brain infection was confirmed by immunostaining. Gene sequencing of the viruses revealed that amino acid mutations occurred more frequently in matrix proteins. The most common mutation was a uridine-to-cytosine transition. The virus exhibited lower free virus particle formation ability than the Edmonston strain. When nude mice were challenged with 2 × 10(2) plaque-forming units (PFU) of the brain-derived virus, the mean survival duration was 34.7 days, which was significantly shorter than that of the mice challenged with 4 × 10(4) PFU of the Edmonston strain (P < 0.01).This study indicated that MV in a nude mouse model of persistent infection exhibited characteristics of the SSPE virus. This model may prove useful in elucidating the pathogenic mechanism of SSPE and developing potential therapeutics.
Journal of Virology 01/2013; · 5.40 Impact Factor
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Toshiki Oguro,
Kei Ishibashi,
Takashi Sugino, Koichi Hashimoto,
Shintaro Tomita,
Norio Takahashi,
Tomohiko Yanagida,
Nobuhiro Haga,
Ken Aikawa,
Tatsuo Suzutani,
Osamu Yamaguchi,
Yoshiyuki Kojima
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ABSTRACT: Interleukin-6 (IL-6), one of the proinflammatory cytokines, is considered to be one of the factors associated with poor prognosis of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Suppressor of cytokine signalling-3 (SOCS3) is rapidly up-regulated by IL-6 and a negative regulator of cytokine signalling. SOCS3 not only suppresses cytokine-mediated JAK/STAT signalling, but also sustains MAPK pathways. In our study, among the RCC cell lines, IL-6 mRNA expression was the highest in the 786-O cells, which also showed the highest level of SOCS3 mRNA expression under the condition of interferon stimulation. In contrast, ACHN cells had the lowest expression of both IL-6 and SOCS3 mRNA under the same condition. Our study is undertaken to evaluate the effect of humanised antihuman IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) antibody, which completely neutralises IL-6 activity, in RCC cell proliferation and its effect on signalling pathways. IL-6R antibody, tocilizumab, significantly suppressed cell proliferation in 786-O cells with interferon stimulation. Western blot analysis revealed that the tocilizumab enhanced the interferon-induced phosphorylation of STAT1 and inhibited SOCS3 expression and the phosphorylation of both STAT3 and ERK. In contrast, the IL-6 inhibited STAT1 phosphorylation, enhanced STAT3 phosphorylation and accelerated cell proliferation in ACHN cells. The in vivo effects of combination therapy with tocilizumab and interferon showed significant suppression of 786-O tumour growth in a xenograft model. Morphological observation of the tumours revealed the apoptosis, invasion of inflammatory cells and fibrosis. These findings suggest that combination therapy using an antihuman IL-6R antibody with interferon may represent a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of RCC.
European journal of cancer (Oxford, England: 1990) 12/2012; · 4.12 Impact Factor
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Hayato Go,
Maki Sato, Koichi Hashimoto,
Takashi Imamura,
Masatoshi Kaneko,
Toshiko Sato,
Aya Goto,
Tsutomu Ishii,
Naohisa Ishibashi,
Nobuo Momoi,
Keiya Fujimori,
Mitsuaki Hosoya
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ABSTRACT: Abstract Background: Although glucocorticoid hormones play important roles in fetal development, the expression of their receptors in the whole blood of preterm infants remains unknown. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) α and β in the whole blood of preterm and term infants. Study design: The study group consisted of 131 infants, of which 54 (41%) were preterm. Whole blood from preterm and term infants was analyzed by real-time PCR to monitor the levels of each receptor mRNA. Results: GRβ mRNA were detected in 96.6% and GRα mRNA in 100% of participants. The GRα and GRβ isoforms were detected at a ratio of 1:0.0002. GRβ mRNA/GAPDH expression in preterm infants was significantly higher than that in term infants (p=0.002). There was significant correlation between GRα/GRβ ratio and birth weight in preterm infants (rs=0.317, p=0.019), as well as between GRβ/GAPDH expression and birth weight (rs=-0.296, p=0.030). Furthermore, in preterm infants, GRβ/GAPDH expression was higher in those with SGA than in those without SGA (p=0.022). Conclusion: Importantly, in preterm infants, both the expression of GRβ and the GRα/GRβ ratio were associated with birth weight. Further studies with larger populations are necessary to determine the relation between the expression of GR and the clinical relevance of preterm infants.
Journal of pediatric endocrinology & metabolism: JPEM 12/2012; · 0.88 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Background/Aims: The recovery process from renal injury in hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) remains obscure. In order to clarify the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin 1 (Ang-1) in the renal recovery from HUS, we produced a model of mild HUS and examined the renal recovery process. Methods: We investigated three groups of mice. Group 1 consisted of mice that received an injection of Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS); group 2 consisted of mice that received an injection of low dose of Stx2 and LPS, and group 3 consisted of control mice. Results: Serum Cr levels in group 1 were greater than those in group 2, and all mice in group 1 died, whereas all mice in group 2 remained alive. Endothelial injury at 24 h in group 1 was higher than in group 2. Electron-microscopic findings demonstrated that the endothelial cells formed immature capillary-like lumina from 7 to 28 days with increases in the expression of CD31-positive cells. Glomerular VEGF expression decreased at 72 h in group 1, but gradually increased in group 2. Glomerular Ang-1 expression peaked from 72 h to 28 days. Ang-1 expression was frequently found in the endothelial cell region of vesicle walls simultaneous with increased CD31-positive staining. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that VEGF and Ang-1 play important roles in the recovery process, particularly in the regeneration of endothelial injury.
American Journal of Nephrology 11/2012; 36(6):516-523. · 2.54 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We investigated the inhibitory effects of an extract of the blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) against pathogens associated with oral, nasopharyngeal and upper respiratory infectious diseases; i.e., respiratory syncitial virus (RSV), influenza virus A and B (IFV-A and IFV-B), adenovirus (AdV), herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), Haemophilus influenzae type B, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus mutans. The extract inhibited viral replication by over 50% at a blackcurrant concentration of less than 1% and inhibited adsorption of the virus on the cell surface by over 95% at a concentration of 10% in the case of RSV, IFV-A and -B, and HSV-1, though the effects against AdV were much lower (The IC(50) of AdV replication was 2.54±0.26, and a 10% concentration of the extract inhibited AdV adsorption on the cell surface by 72.9±3.4%). The antibacterial activities of the blackcurrant were evaluated on the basis of its efficacy as a disinfectant. The extract (10%) disinfected 99.8% of H. Influenzae type B and 78.9% of S. pneumoniae in 10 min, but showed no effect against S. mutans. The blackcurrant extract neutralized with sodium hydroxide also showed antiviral and antibacterial activities, suggesting that these activities were not the result of acidic reactions or the components precipitated under neutralized conditions. These findings demonstrate the potential of the blackcurrant extract as a functional food for oral care.
Microbiology and Immunology 09/2012; · 1.30 Impact Factor
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Aya Takeyama, Koichi Hashimoto,
Masatoki Sato,
Toshiko Sato,
Shuto Kanno,
Kei Takano,
Masaki Ito,
Masahiko Katayose,
Hidekazu Nishimura,
Yukihiko Kawasaki,
Mitsuaki Hosoya
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ABSTRACT: It has not been clarified if there is a correlation between rhinovirus (RV) load and disease severity in the lower respiratory tract infections of hospitalized children. This study was undertaken to elucidate the contribution of the viral load to the development of disease severity in 412 children ≤3 years of age who were hospitalized with lower respiratory tract infections. The RV load in nasopharyngeal aspirates obtained from the patients at the time of admission was measured by real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the clinical symptoms of the patients were assessed using a severity scoring system. Of the 412 patients, 43 (10.4%) were diagnosed with RV infections only, and 15 were determined to have high severity scores. When all patients infected with RV were assessed, there was no correlation between the viral load and the disease severity. However, there was a significant negative correlation between the disease severity and age among children <11 months of age (n = 15, ρ = -0.677, P = 0.006) and a significant positive correlation between the viral load and the disease severity among children ≥11 months of age (n = 28, ρ = 0.407, P = 0.032). Among the patients infected with RV <11 months of age, the disease severity may be associated with an immature immune response and the small diameter of their airways rather than viral load. By contrast, in the patients ≥11 months of age, viral load may contribute to the development of disease severity.
Journal of Medical Virology 07/2012; 84(7):1135-42. · 2.82 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We describe a fatal case of mumps virus-associated acute encephalopathy. In terms of the clinical course and cytokine as well as chemokine profiles, the pathogenesis in our case was different from that of mumps meningoencephalitis but was similar to that of influenza virus-associated acute encephalopathy.
Journal of child neurology 04/2012; · 1.59 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Hydrogenated tetrapropylporphycenes, 2,3-dihydro-2,7,12,17-tetrapropylporphycene 1 and its Ni(II) complex 2, have been prepared and the hydrogenation effects on their electronic structure characterized. A one-electron reduction of 2 promotes dehalogenation of organic halides whose observation is unprecedented for the porphycene compounds.
Chemical Communications 04/2012; 48(44):5413-5. · 6.17 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Classical citrullinemia generally involves hyperammonemic coma in the first few days of life and leads to neurological sequelae in survivors. We report a case of an elder sister who fell into a hyperammonemic coma on the fifth day after birth. She was successfully treated with intravenous benzoate and hemodialysis, and was subsequently diagnosed with citrullinemia on the basis of biochemical analysis. Two years later, a younger sister was born without prenatal diagnosis. We monitored plasma ammonia and citrulline levels after birth, and again diagnosed her with CTLN1 on the basis of biochemical and DNA analyses. There have been few reports of the prospective treatment of citrullinemia; however, our experience indicates the need for the prospective management and the rapid reduction of ammonia levels to avoid neonatal hyperammonemic coma and subsequent sequelae.
Journal of pediatric endocrinology & metabolism: JPEM 01/2012; 25(3-4):371-3. · 0.88 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Myeloid-related protein (MRP) 8/14 complex is a marker of monocyte and neutrophil activation. We evaluated whether serum MRP8/14 complex is associated with clinical manifestations and pathological findings of Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis (HSPN). Patients were divided into two groups based on serum MRP8/14 complex levels at renal biopsy. Group 1 consisted of 18 HSPN patients with less than median (670 ng/ml) MRP8/14 complex levels, and Group 2 of 12 HSPN patients with greater than median levels. Clinical manifestations, laboratory findings and serum E-selectin levels, as a marker of vascular endothelial cell dysfunction, as well as histological and immunohistochemical findings were investigated for both groups. We also measured MRP8/14 complex levels in disease control and healthy control children. Urinary protein excretions, serum MRP8/14 complex levels, and serum E-selectin levels were all higher in Group 2 than in Group 1 patients. Serum MRP8/14 complex levels were higher in HSPN patients than in controls. Serum MRP8/14 complex levels were strongly associated with serum E-selectin levels. Pathological findings revealed that the proportions of patients with ISKDC grades III, IV and V in Group 2 were higher than in Group 1. Our findings suggest that serum MRP8/14 complex levels might be associated with the severity of renal injury and endothelial cell dysfunction in HSPN patients.
Pediatric Nephrology 07/2011; 27(1):65-71. · 2.52 Impact Factor
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Koichi Hashimoto,
Masahiko Katayose,
Hiroko Sakuma,
Yukihiko Kawasaki,
Makoto Sumikoshi,
Hiroshi Sakata,
Masatoki Sato,
Shinichiro Ohara,
Yusaku Abe,
Masahiro Watanabe,
Toshiko Sato,
Kei Ishibashi,
Tatsuo Suzutani,
Mitsuru Munakata,
Mitsuaki Hosoya
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ABSTRACT: There are several reports suggesting that genetic factors contribute to the severity of infection with the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Infants hospitalized with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) due to RSV are at a significantly increased risk for both recurrent wheezing and childhood asthma. Uteroglobin-related protein 1 (UGRP1) is a secretory protein expressed in the airways, and speculated to have anti-inflammatory activity. The presence of the -112G/A polymorphism in the UGRP1 promoter was found to have a significant correlation with asthma phenotype. Also plasma UGRP1 levels were shown to be associated both with this polymorphism and the severity of asthma. The study population consisted of 62 previously healthy infants, ≤12 months of age, who were hospitalized with RSV LRTI, and a control group of 99 healthy adults. Genotyping was performed by restriction fragment length polymorphism. UGRP1 serum levels were determined using ELISA. There were no significant differences in the overall distribution of UGRP1 -112G/A polymorphism genotypes or alleles between the hospitalized infants and healthy adults. A comparison of serum UGRP1 concentration measured at the time of admission and discharge between patients with and without the -112A allele revealed that there was no relation between the presence of the -112A allele and serum UGRP1 in hospitalized infants with RSV infection. Furthermore, there was no relationship between severity of RSV infection and genotype or serum UGRP1 concentration. These results suggest that UGRP1 does not have a major role in the development of severe RSV infection.
Journal of Medical Virology 06/2011; 83(6):1086-92. · 2.82 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We evaluated whether methylprednisolone and urokinase pulse therapy combined with mizoribine (MUPM) was effective in children with severe Henoch-Schoenlein purpura nephritis (HSPN). We studied 12 patients who had been diagnosed with HSPN of at least ISKDC type III. All patients were treated with MUPM. Clinical features, pathological findings, and prognosis were prospectively investigated. Ten patients (responders; nine with ISKDC grade IIIb and one with grade IVb) were treated with MUPM, whereas MUPM was discontinued due to the lack of response in two patients (non-responders; two with grade IVb). Among responders, urinary protein excretion had decreased significantly from 99.7 ± 37.8 to 25.9 ± 33.4 mg/m(2) per hour after 3 months of therapy. The acute index and tubulointerstitial scores decreased significantly from 5.8 ± 1.5 and 3.8 ± 0.6 at the first biopsy to 2.3 ± 1.3 and 1.0 ± 0.8 at the second biopsy, respectively. At the most recent follow-up, eight of the responders had normal urine, and two had minor urinary abnormalities. Non-responders demonstrated continued high levels of urinary protein excretion after 3 months of therapy, and MUPM was discontinued. Our study suggests that MUPM is effective in ameliorating the proteinuria and the histological severity of HSPN in patients with <50% crescents but is not so effective for HSPN in patients with >50% crescents.
Clinical Rheumatology 04/2011; 30(4):529-35. · 2.00 Impact Factor
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Takashi Imamura,
Maki Sato, Koichi Hashimoto,
Tsutomu Ishii,
Aya Goto,
Hayato Go,
Tsutomu Kawarada,
Yukihiko Kawasaki,
Nobuo Momoi,
Niro Ujiie,
Keiya Fujimori,
Mitsuaki Hosoya
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ABSTRACT: To examine the expression levels of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) isoforms in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and serum cortisol levels in cord blood from term infants.
The study population consisted of 172 term infants who were delivered from healthy pregnant women. GRalpha and GRbeta expression levels, and serum cortisol level in cord blood were determined by real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively.
Detection rates of GRalpha, GRbeta, and GAPDH were 100%, 63.4%, and 100%, respectively. The expression level of GRalpha was about 200 times that of GRbeta. There were no associations between GR expression level and clinical variables. There were significant associations of low UmApH, maternal gravidity or parity, and vaginal delivery with a high cortisol level; however, there were no correlations between GR expression levels and cortisol level.
It is considered that glucocorticoid effects could be expected from the fetal period to the neonatal period, because GRalpha expression level was not related to perinatal factors, GRbeta expression level, and cortisol level in term infants. Further studies of larger populations including very preterm and small for gestational age infants are necessary to determine the balance of expression between GRalpha and GRbeta, and cortisol level.
The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine: the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians 03/2011; 24(11):1312-6. · 1.36 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Because the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) prevents infants from contracting miliary tuberculosis and tuberculosis meningitis, BCG vaccination is recommended for those under 6 months old in Japan. Complications such as favorable local inflammatory reactions including redness, induration, and abscess formation may occur, but severe adverse effects such as osteomyelitis, periostitis, and disseminated BCG infection are generally rare. We report an 11-month-old boy with severe combined immunodeficiency dying of serious disseminated BCG infection despite anti-tuberculosis therapy and blood stem cell transplantation. He was vaccinated with disseminated BCG infection at 4 months before severe combined immunodeficiency diagnosis was confirmed by specific RD gene deletion based on allele-specific polymerase chain reaction. Although BCG is considered safe, we should keep in mind that subjects with immunological deficiency may suffer severe BCG complications.
Kansenshogaku zasshi. The Journal of the Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases 03/2011; 85(2):176-9.
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ABSTRACT: To evaluate whether SP-D concentration is a useful biomarker of the severity of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis, we determined SP-D concentrations in patients with RSV bronchiolitis with or without chronic heart disease. We enrolled 52 patients who had been diagnosed with RSV bronchiolitis and required admission to the hospital at the Department of Pediatrics of Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine from 2004 through 2005. These patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 consisted of patients without any underlying disease and Group 2 consisted of patients with chronic heart disease. These patients were assigned to one of three categories. Stage A consisted of patients without oxygen dosage, Stage B of patients who required oxygen dosage, and Stage C of patients required artificial respiration. We evaluated baseline characteristics, clinical features, and serum SP-D concentration in Group 1, Group 2, and a control group (healthy infants without infection). Mean serum SP-D concentrations in patients with RSV bronchiolitis were higher than those in the control group (125.8 ± 49.3 and 44.2 ± 20.1 ng/ml, respectively). Mean serum SP-D concentration was also higher in Group 2 than in Group 1 patients (160.4 ± 56.4 and 112.3 ± 39.4 ng/ml, respectively). Mean serum SP-D concentrations were higher in Stage C than in Stages A or B patients, and mean serum SP-D concentrations were higher in Stage B than in Stage A. These findings suggest that serum SP-D is associated with the severity of RSV bronchiolitis and that it may be a useful biomarker for the severity of RSV bronchiolitis.
Pediatric Pulmonology 01/2011; 46(1):18-22. · 2.53 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We have studied the rate of emergence of antibiotic-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) and Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae) and the subsequent antibiotic use in host patients of those isolates at the Department of Pediatrics, Soma General Hospital, Fukushima. Moreover, we carried out several studies investigating the risks and benefits of antibiotic-free treatment for children with respiratory infections. In this report, we summarize our research and suggest better treatment options for pediatric patients with respiratory infections.
We investigated the necessity of antibiotic use in the treatment of pediatric inpatients with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, and tested our hypothesis that antibiotic-free treatment for common cold will reduce the number of resistant S. pneumoniae strains in the pediatric nasopharynx. Therefore, we restricted prescribing antibiotics for pediatric patients with respiratory infections. The rates of resistant S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae and the medication history of the host patients before and after the intervention were compared.
We found that most of the RSV-infected patients recovered without antibiotic treatment, and that the antibiotic-free treatment inhibited the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains. The rate of penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae decreased but the rate of ampicillin-resistant H. influenzae did not change significantly during the study.
We concluded that patients with respiratory infections can be treated without antibiotics, under careful examination and observation. Continued monitoring of such new interventions as well as recommending their use to other caregivers and physicians will help inhibit the spread of resistant strains.
Fukushima journal of medical science 01/2011; 57(2):33-45.
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ABSTRACT: We report a patient who developed Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) 5 years after she presented with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). A 10-year-old Japanese female was identified with proteinuria and hematuria by a school urinary screening. The first renal biopsy showed mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis with immunofluorescent findings consistent with IgAN. She was treated with prednisolone, warfarin, and dilazep dihydrochloride, and the proteinuria and hematuria disappeared 4 months after the onset of treatment. Five years later she developed abdominal pain, gross hematuria and a classic purpuric rash of HSP after acute pharyngitis. The second renal biopsy showed diffuse mesangial proliferation with cellular crescent formation, and the patient was treated with methylprednisolone pulse therapy, prednisolone and mizoribine, resulting in a gradual decrease in urinary protein excretion. Our patient is unusual in that she developed Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis 5 years after clinical and biopsy evidence of IgAN, which suggests that IgAN and HSP are different clinical manifestations of the same disease, probably sharing a common pathogenesis.
Fukushima journal of medical science 12/2010; 56(2):157-61.
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Shintaro Tomita,
Kei Ishibashi, Koichi Hashimoto,
Takashi Sugino,
Tomohiko Yanagida,
Nobuhiro Kushida,
Keiichi Shishido,
Ken Aikawa,
Yuka Sato,
Tatsuo Suzutani,
Osamu Yamaguchi
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ABSTRACT: Interferon (IFN)-α is one of the most commonly used agents in immunotherapy for patients with advanced stage renal cell carcinoma. However, because of the drug resistance to IFN-α, its benefits are limited. In this study, we examined whether repression of suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins, which are involved in the IFN-induced signaling pathway, can overcome the IFN resistance of renal cell carcinoma. The effect of IFN-α on SOCS3 expression and cell proliferation was examined using IFN-resistant 786-O and IFN-sensitive ACHN cell lines. The effects of SOCS3-targeted siRNA on 786-O xenografts were determined by SOCS3 expression, morphological observation, and tumor volume. The SOCS3 mRNA expression level was significantly increased by IFN-α stimulation in 786-O, but not in ACHN cells. The overexpression of SOCS3 by gene transfection in ACHN cells significantly inhibited the growth-inhibitory effect of IFN-α. Suppression of SOCS3 expression in 786-O cells by siRNA activated the IFN signaling pathway through signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 phosphorylation and recovered sensitivity to IFN-α. An in vivo study indicated that co-administration of SOCS3-targeted siRNA promoted IFN-α-induced cell death and growth suppression in 786-O cell xenograft in nude mice. Morphological observation of the tumors revealed the inhibition of SOCS3-induced apoptosis, invasion of inflammatory cells and fibrosis. SOCS3 could be a key component in the resistance to IFN treatment of renal cell carcinoma. Silencing SOCS3 gene expression could be an effective strategy to enhance the antitumor effect of IFN in human renal cell carcinoma cells.
Cancer Science 09/2010; 102(1):57-63. · 3.33 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The occurrence of drug resistant Streptococcus pneurmoniae (S. pneumoniae) is very high in Japan. Unnecessary use of antibiotics had been thought to cause this problem but previous studies had not clearly showed that the decreasing rate of antibiotic use had been related to the reduction of the prevalence of resistant strains. In this study, we tried to prove that non-antibiotic treatment for common cold would reduce the antibiotic resistant S. pneumoniae in nasopharynx in children. Forty-five children with the common cold were randomly selected from pediatric patients who had taken antibiotics within the past three months. We collected nasopharyngeal swabs from all of the participants and once again after a period of 2 to 3 months without using any antibiotics. Twenty-four of these patients had the S. pneumoniae strains isolated. Then these strains were undergone a susceptibility test and drug-resistant gene detection. The susceptibility test reveled that patients with penicillin-resistant strains decreased from 17 to 7 (p < 0.01). The test also reveled that the decreased number of patients had strains that were resistant to cefditren. The gene detection revealed that none of the patients acquired a higher resistance to penicillin. Our study suggests that the treatment without antibiotics reduces the drug-resistant S. pneumoniae. Controlled antibiotic use in children might prevent children from carrying the antibiotic resistant S. pneumoniae.
Fukushima journal of medical science 06/2010; 56(1):28-37.
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ABSTRACT: Henoch-Schoenlein purpura (HSP) is a systemic disorder characterized by leukocytoclastic vasculitis involving the capillaries with IgA immune complexes deposition, and about 7% of patients with HSP experience recurrence. Most patients with recurring of HSP nephritis show a recurrence of clinical symptoms over a period ranging from 2 to 5 months, even after the disappearance of initial symptoms. Here we report a 9-year-old girl diagnosed with recurrent HSP and severe crescentic glomerulonephritis 3 years after complete resolution of the initial symptoms of HSP. Our case is unique in respect of the recurrence at more than 3 years after the complete resolution of initial symptoms, suggesting that careful followup is required in spite of improved renal symptoms in cases of HSP.
Fukushima journal of medical science 06/2010; 56(1):50-6.
