Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Human parechoviruses (HPeVs) are RNA viruses that have characteristics similar to those of enteroviruses and usually cause mild respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms. Human parechovirus type 3 (HPeV3), first reported in 2004, is exceptional because it can provoke sepsis and meningoencephalitis leading to neurological sequelae, and even death, in neonates and young infants. Pediatricians and researchers are increasingly aware that HPeV3 is responsible for serious disease in neonates and young infants. Retrospective studies and several reports of epidemics of HPeV3 infection have provided data on epidemiology, clinical symptoms and signs, laboratory findings, and outcomes. However, the pathogenesis of HPeV3 infection remains unclear, which explains the lack of specific antiviral therapy and effective prevention measures. Maternal antibodies are important in protection against severe HPeV3-related disease, and this may be a clue regarding its pathogenesis. HPeV3 epidemics are likely to continue, and because the clinical manifestations of HPeV3 are severe, determining the pathogenesis of HPeV3 infection and establishing specific antiviral therapies are important goals for future research.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jiac.2017.04.009

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Four infants born prematurely presented with multiple apnea episodes caused by human parechovirus type 3 (HPeV3) infection. All patients required oxygen supplementation, and one patient required mechanical ventilation. HPeV3 infection might be included in the differential diagnosis of apnea in neonates and young infants, especially those born prematurely.

DOI： 10.1111/ped.12869

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Human parechovirus type 3 (HPeV3) is an emerging pathogen that causes sepsis and meningoencephalitis in young infants. To test the hypothesis that maternal antibodies can protect this population, we measured neutralizing antibody titers (NATs) to HPeV3 and other genotypes (HPeV1 and HPeV6) in 175 cord blood samples in Japan. The seropositivity rate (≥1:32) for HPeV3 was 61%, similar to that for the other genotypes, but decreased significantly as maternal age increased (p<0.001). Furthermore, during the 2014 HPeV3 epidemic, prospective measurement of NATs to HPeV3 in 45 patients with severe diseases caused by HPeV3 infection showed low NATs (≤1:16) at onset and persistently high NATs (≥1:512) until age 6 months. All intravenous immunoglobulin samples tested elicited high NATs to HPeV3. Our findings indicate that maternal antibodies to HPeV3 may help protect young infants from severe diseases related to HPeV3 and that antibody supplementation may benefit these patients.

DOI： 10.3201/eid2111.150267

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BACKGROUND: Human parechovirus type 3 (HPeV3) epidemics occur worldwide and can lead to severe disease in neonates and young infants. Little is known about the source of HPeV3 infection. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the source of HPeV3 infection and the role of asymptomatic children in the families of infected children. STUDY DESIGN: During a 2014 HPeV3 epidemic in Niigata, Japan, we analyzed (1) clinical information on sick contacts for 43 neonates and young infants with HPeV3-related disease diagnosed by PCR analysis of serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid and (2) stool samples from symptomatic and asymptomatic siblings/cousins of index patients. To confirm transmission, the P1 (VP0, VP3, and VP1) and 3D(pol) regions of HPeVs were sequenced and analyzed. RESULTS: Sick contact with family members was confirmed for 51% (n=22) of patients. Among the 30 symptomatic family members, 67% (n=20) were siblings, 20% (n=6) were mothers, and 13% (n=4) were other relatives. Stool samples from symptomatic and asymptomatic siblings/cousins of 4 HPeV3-infected patients yielded positive results for HPeVs on PCR analysis. Furthermore, the P1 and 3D(pol) nucleotide sequences of family members were 100% identical to those of the respective index cases. CONCLUSIONS: Identification of genetically identical virus from HPeV3-infected patients and asymptomatic children in their families suggests that the latter are a source of infection in neonates and young infants with HPeV3-related diseases.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jcv.2015.07.300

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Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Human parechoviruses (HPeVs) are single-stranded, positive-sense RNA viruses and are classified in the genus Parechovirus of the family Picornaviridae. Echovirus 22 and 23 were reclassified as HPeV1 and 2 in 1999. Although HPeVs were considered to be one of the common viruses which cause mild gastroenteritis and respiratory infections, the concept of HPeVs has changed significantly after the discovery of HPeV3 in 2004. HPeV3 infection is an emerging infectious disease which attracts the attention of pediatricians, because it can cause sepsis and meningoencephalitis in neonates and infants younger than 3 months, which could lead to neurological sequelae and death. In Japan, the epidemics of HPeV3 infection have occurred every 2 or 3 years since 2006 and we had an epidemic in 2014 summer. Fever, severe tachycardia, poor activity and appetite are typical symptoms of HPeV3 infection.In addition, abdominal distention, umbilical protrusion, palmar-plantar erythema,and mottled skin are occasionally observed in patients with HPeV3 infection. Currently diagnosis is usually made by PCR using serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid. The reason why severe disease occur only in neonates and young infants remain unknown; however, negative or low maternally derived neutralizing antibody titers to HPeV3 are suggested to be a risk factor for developing severe HPeV3-related diseases in neonates and young infants. So far, no specific antiviral therapy is available, thus supportive care is the only option. It is likely that epidemics of HPeV3 continue to occur given there are children with absence or lack of neutralizing antibodies against HPeV3. The research related to HPeV3 pathogenesis, specific therapy, and prevention are definitely warranted.

DOI： 10.2222/jsv.65.17

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BACKGROUND: Human parechovirus type 3 (HPeV3) infection can cause sepsis-like syndrome and meningoencephalitis in neonates and young infants. Although maculopapular rash is a reported clinical manifestation of HPeV3 infection, the frequency and detailed characteristics of rash in neonates and young infants with HPeV3 infection are unknown. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical characteristics of neonates and young infants who received a diagnosis of HPeV3 infection on the basis of real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid specimens at the National Center for Child Health and Development in Tokyo between November 2010 and September 2011. RESULTS: Fifteen neonates and young infants were diagnosed as having HPeV3 infection; median age was 33 days (range: 10-81 days). The most common clinical presentation on admission was fever (80%), the median duration of which was 3 days (range: 1-4 days). Five (33%) children required admission to the intensive care unit for close observation, and 2 (13%) required mechanical ventilation for cardiovascular instability. After hospitalization, all children developed rash, mainly on the extremities, at a mean of 3 days (range: 1-5 days) after fever onset. The most striking finding was that 80% (12/15) of patients developed a distinctive palmar-plantar erythematous rash, which disappeared after a median of 3 days (range: 2-7 days). All patients were discharged from hospital without serious sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: Palmar-plantar erythema in febrile neonates and young infants may be a diagnostic clue of HPeV3 infection.

DOI： 10.1097/INF.0b013e31827b1fd0

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BACKGROUND: Evidence regarding cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) for congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (ccTGA) is insufficient. The timing to perform CRT and optimal pacing sites have not been systematically studied. We performed CRT for ccTGA with a complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) by pacing the dorsal site of right ventricular inflow (dRVI) and anterior RV outflow tract (aRVOT). CASE SUMMARY: We examined a man aged 19 with ccTGA (S.L.L) and Ebstein anomaly, who developed CAVB at 19. We decided to implant CRT rather than a conventional pacemaker for preventing right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. At first, we implanted transvenous pacing leads on the right atrium and dRVI via the coronary sinus. During dRVI pacing, the most delayed contraction site was the aRVOT by the echocardiographic speckle tracking and the electrophysiological study. Accordingly, we implanted additional epicardial lead in the aRVOT and completed the implantation of CRT. After the CRT, the QRS duration was shortened from 187 to 132 ms and RV ejection fraction (RVEF) by right ventriculography increased from 35% to 42%.The distance between two ventricular leads (dRVI and aRVOT) was 93% with 85% of longitudinal and radial direction in the RV. The effective CRT in this case was characterized by covering RV in the longitudinal and radial direction. CONCLUSION: Separate two-point pacing on the dRVI and aRVOT, which assists the contraction in the longitudinal and radial dimension, is considered a potential position for CRT pacing and an effective method in ccTGA.

DOI： 10.1093/ehjcr/ytae607

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BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted routine childhood vaccination worldwide, especially at the beginning of the pandemic. After the emergence of variants of concern, particularly the Omicron variants, the number of COVID-19 cases significantly increased, especially in children. However, the impact of the Omicron variants on routine childhood vaccination is unknown. METHODS: This retrospective observational study collected data on vaccines included in the Japanese national immunization program (NIP) of children 15 years or younger between 2016 and 2022 in Niigata, Japan. During the study period, hepatitis B virus vaccine and rotavirus vaccines were introduced to the NIP in October 2016 and October 2020, respectively. The monthly number of vaccine doses per eligible child population between 2020 and 2022 (pandemic period) was compared to the average number of vaccine doses in the corresponding month between 2016 and 2019 (pre-pandemic period). The effect of 8 surges of COVID-19 patients on trends in routine childhood vaccination was also analyzed. RESULTS: The numbers of doses during the pre-Omicron pandemic period were comparable to the values administered before the pandemic. However, after the emergence of the Omicron variants, and especially after the surge of Omicron variant BA.5 in 2022, the number of vaccine doses declined. The decline was notable in second doses of MR vaccine at age 5-6 years by - 9.6 % and diphtheria-tetanus vaccine at ages 11-12 years by - 14.1 %. CONCLUSIONS: Routine childhood immunization was significantly affected by the emergence of the Omicron variants most likely due to the facts that more candidates and their guardians contracted COVID-19, or were required isolation for close contacts. The findings highlight the importance of continued monitoring to maintain high coverage of routine childhood immunizations for controlling vaccine preventable diseases. A follow-up study should investigate changes in the number of declined vaccine doses during Omicron variant predominance.

DOI： 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.07.038

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INTRODUCTION: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants, but its effect on brain growth in preterm infants after the neonatal period is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of severe BPD on brain growth of preterm infants from term to 18 months of corrected age (CA). METHODS: Sixty-three preterm infants (42 with severe BPD and 21 without severe BPD) who underwent magnetic resonance imaging at term equivalent age (TEA) and 18 months of CA were studied by using the Infant Brain Extraction and Analysis Toolbox (iBEAT). We measured segmented brain volumes and compared brain volume and brain growth velocity between the severe BPD group and the non-severe BPD group. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in brain volumes at TEA between the groups. However, the brain volumes of the total brain and cerebral white matter in the severe BPD group were significantly smaller than those in the non-severe BPD group at 18 months of CA. The brain growth velocities from TEA to 18 months of CA in the total brain, cerebral cortex, and cerebral white matter in the severe BPD group were lower than those in the non-severe BPD group. CONCLUSION: Brain growth in preterm infants with severe BPD from TEA age to 18 months of CA is less than that in preterm infants without severe BPD.

DOI： 10.1159/000538527

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DOI： 10.1002/pbc.30907

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

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DOI： 10.1097/INF.0000000000004317

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

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DOI： 10.1016/j.jmii.2024.01.001

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本成人先天性心疾患学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

2020年1月から2023年3月までに1歳以上就学前の小児に対して乾燥弱毒生おたふくかぜワクチン(おたふくかぜワクチン)接種を行った医師を対象に、接種8週間後までの副反応が疑われる症状に関して情報収集を行った。8週間フォローできた58783例における無菌性髄膜炎(8例)・急性脳炎(1例)・髄膜脳炎(1例)・無菌性髄膜炎疑い(2例)の発生報告頻度は0.020%であり、前向きに8週間フォローできた44708例では無菌性髄膜炎(疑い2例を含む)6例の発生報告頻度は0.013%であった。頻度は低いものの、おたふくかぜワクチン株が検出された症例で急性脳炎やけいれん重積を認めた症例があったこと、1回目接種後に髄膜炎を疑う症状が一定の頻度で発生していたこと、無菌性髄膜炎6例(疑いを含む)のうち5例が1回目接種後に発生していたことなどが報告された。

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DOI： 10.1111/ped.15750

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The nucleolus serves a multifaceted role encompassing not only rRNA transcription and ribosome synthesis, but also the intricate orchestration of cell cycle regulation and the modulation of cellular senescence. G-patch domain containing 4 (GPATCH4) stands as one among the nucleolar proteins; however, its functional significances remain still unclear. In order to elucidate the functions of GPATCH4, we examined the effects of its dysfunction on cellular proliferation, alterations in nucleolar architecture, apoptotic events, and cellular senescence. Through experimentation conducted on cultured neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, the reduction of GPATCH4 caused inhibition of cellular proliferation, concurrently fostering escalated apoptotic susceptibilities upon exposure to high-dose etoposide. In the realm of nucleolar morphology comparisons, a discernible decline was noted in the count of nucleoli per nucleus, concomitant with a significant expansion in the area occupied by individual nucleoli. Upon induction of senescence prompted by low-dose etoposide, GPATCH4 knockdown resulted in decreased cell viability and increased expression of senescence-associated markers, namely senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-GAL) and p16. Furthermore, GPATCH4 dysfunction elicited alterations in the gene expression profile of the ribosomal system. In sum, our findings showed that GPATCH4 is a pivotal nucleolar protein that regulates nucleolar morphology and is correlated with cell viability.

DOI： 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.149384

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

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Data are limited on the incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reinfection in children. This population-based cohort study in Niigata, Japan from January to November 2022 demonstrated the incidence of reinfection was 1337/48 099 (2.8%), and the hazard ratio for reinfection in vaccinated children was 0.29 (95% confidence interval, 0.20-0.40).

DOI： 10.1093/jpids/piad093

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Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Elsevier BV  

DOI： 10.1016/j.cyto.2023.156369

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本小児感染症学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本小児感染症学会  

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BACKGROUND: Human rhinovirus (HRV) was predominant and persistent during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic despite nonpharmaceutical interventions. The data whether HRV persistence also occurred in neonates and young infants were very limited. METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted in Niigata, Japan, between January 2020 and September 2022. The participants were hospitalized neonates and infants aged less than 4 months with fever. We excluded patients with evidence of bacterial infection or obvious sick contact with influenza or respiratory syncytial virus infection, as confirmed by rapid antigen detection tests. COVID-19 diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or rapid antigen detection tests were also excluded. Parechovirus and enterovirus were examined by PCR using serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid. FilmArray Respiratory Panel v1.7 was conducted on nasopharyngeal swabs. If HRV was positive, the genotype was identified. RESULTS: We included 72 patients (median age, 54 days; interquartile range, 28.5-79 days), and sepsis was diagnosed in 31 (43.1%) patients. In total, 27 (37.5%) patients had had positive multiplex PCR tests. These patients were more likely to have rhinorrhea (P = 0.004), cough (P = 0.01), and sick contact (P < 0.001) than those who with negative multiplex PCR. HRV was the most frequently detected virus (n = 23, 85.2%), and species A (n = 15, 71.4%) and C (n = 6, 28.6%) were genotyped. No seasonality or monthly predominance of the specific HRV types was observed. CONCLUSIONS: HRV was an important cause of fever in neonates and young infants during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 to 2022.

DOI： 10.1097/INF.0000000000004139

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本臨床ウイルス学会  

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The members of the Japanese Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases and the Japanese Society of Pediatric Pulmonology have developed Guidelines for the Management of Respiratory Infectious Diseases in Children with the objective of facilitating appropriate diagnosis, treatment and prevention of respiratory infections in children. The first edition was published in 2004 and the fifth edition was published in 2022. The Guideline 2022 consists of 2 parts, clinical questions and commentary, and includes general respiratory infections and specific infections in children with underlying diseases and severe infections. This executive summary outlines the clinical questions in the Guidelines 2022, with reference to the Japanese Medical Information Distribution Service Manual. All recommendations are supported by a systematic search for relevant evidence and are followed by the strength of the recommendation and the quality of the evidence statements.

DOI： 10.1097/INF.0000000000004041

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Neonatal gonorrhea, caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, is an uncommon but important disease to prevent because its complications, such as gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum (GON) causes blindness if untreated. Neonatal gonococcal nasopharyngitis is a rare, but important clinical manifestation to suspect gonococcal infection in a neonate. Herein we report a case of neonatal gonococcal nasopharyngitis, presented with purulent nasal discharge. A full-term male neonate without perinatal complications developed purulent eye discharge on the 7th day of life. N. gonorrhoeae was isolated from the eye discharge culture; however, he did not receive the standard regimen. Subsequently, he presented to our hospital with fever and nasal discharge on the 20th day of life. N. gonorrhoeae was also isolated from nasal discharge and nasopharyngeal swabs without any evidence of chlamydia or syphilis. He received intravenous cefotaxime until disseminated gonococcal infection was ruled out and was discharged without any sequelae. Rhinorrhea in newborns requires consideration of mother-to-child transmission of various microorganisms, not only common respiratory viruses, but also rare, serious preventable infections such as gonorrhea or syphilis. Along with the recent syphilis patients on the rise in Japan, gonorrhea is an important disease to recognize, and the incidence could increase. Clinical manifestations of neonatal gonococcal infections, including nasopharyngitis, need to be recognized to suspect the diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment to prevent serious complications.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jiac.2023.08.005

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本マススクリーニング学会  

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Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is a rare X-linked disorder characterized by combined immunodeficiency, eczema, microthrombocytopenia, autoimmunity, and lymphoid malignancies. Gene therapy (GT) to modify autologous CD34+ cells is an emerging alternative treatment with advantages over standard allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant for patients who lack well-matched donors, avoiding graft-versus-host-disease. We report the outcomes of a phase I/II clinical trial in which 5 patients with severe WAS underwent GT using a self-inactivating lentiviral (SIN-LV) vector expressing the human WAS cDNA under the control of a 1.6kB fragment of the autologous promoter after busulfan and fludarabine conditioning. All subjects were alive and well with sustained multi-lineage vector gene marking (median follow-up: 7.6 years). Clinical improvement of eczema, infections and bleeding diathesis was universal. Immune function was consistently improved despite sub-physiological levels of transgenic WAS protein expression. Improvements in platelet count and cytoskeletal function in myeloid cells were most prominent in patients with high vector copy number in the transduced product. Two patients with a history of autoimmunity had flares of autoimmunity post-GT, despite similar percentages of WASp-expressing cells and gene marking as those without autoimmunity. Patients with flares of autoimmunity demonstrated poor numerical recovery of T cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs), IL-10 producing regulatory B cells (Bregs), and transitional B cells. Recovery of the Breg compartment, along with Tregs, thus appears to be protective against development of autoimmunity post-GT. These results indicate that clinical and laboratory manifestations of WAS are improved with GT with an acceptable safety profile. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01410825).

DOI： 10.1182/blood.2022019117

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OBJECTIVE: To investigate parechovirus-A3 (PeV-A3) transmission in a newborn nursery, after encountering 3 neonates with fever and rash. DESIGN: An observational study. SETTING: At a newborn nursery at the general hospital in Hyogo, Japan. PARTICIPANTS: Symptomatic neonates and their family members, and asymptomatic neonates born during the same period. METHODS: PCR assays for PeV-A and genotyping were used for the investigation of PeV-A3. Preserved umbilical cords were used to identify the route of transmission. RESULTS: PeV-A3 infection was confirmed in the three symptomatic neonates. The index case had fever and rash, and the 2 neonates treated later became symptomatic and had serum, cerebrospinal fluid, and stool specimens that were positive for PeV-A3 on PCR. The umbilical cord of the index case was positive for PeV-A3 on PCR. The family members of the index case, including the mother, were asymptomatic before delivery. The older sister and cousin of the PeV-A3-infected neonate had positive PCR results. The sequence analysis suggested 2 possible transmission routes: vertical and horizontal transmission in a newborn nursery and/or a family outside the hospital. The incubation period of PeV-A3 infection was estimated to be 1-3 days (maximum, 7 days). CONCLUSION: Horizontal transmission of PeV-A3 was confirmed in a newborn nursery. Vertical transmission was suggested by the detection of RNA in an umbilical cord sample from the index case. These observations indicate that PeV-A3 can be horizontally transmitted in a newborn nursery and that special caution is required to prevent healthcare-associated transmission of PeV-A3.

DOI： 10.1017/ice.2023.142

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Parechovirus-A (PeV-A) causes emerging infection in children, and clinical presentation depends on genotype. The virus has been investigated mainly in developed countries; however, data from developing countries, especially in Asia, are sparse. This study investigated whether PeV-A circulated in children in Myanmar. This retrospective study evaluated PeV-A in nasopharyngeal samples from children aged 1 month to 12 years who were hospitalized with acute lower respiratory infection at Yankin Children Hospital, Yangon, Myanmar, during the period from May 2017 to April 2019. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect PeV-A, and PCR-positive samples were used for genotyping and phylogenetic analysis. In total, 11/570 (1.9%) of samples were positive for PeV-A; 7 were successfully genotyped by sequencing the VP3/VP1 region, as follows: PeV-A1 (n = 4), PeV-A5 (n = 1), PeV-A6 (n = 1), and PeV-A14 (n = 1). Median age was 10.0 months (interquartile range 4.0-12.0 months), and other respiratory viruses were detected in all cases. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all detected PeV-A1 strains were in clade 1 A, which was a minor clade worldwide. Four PeV-A genotypes were detected in Myanmar. The clinical impact of PeV-A in children should be evaluated in future studies.

DOI： 10.1002/jmv.28964

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：SPRINGER  

Purpose of ReviewParechovirus-A (PeV-A) is an important emerging virus. Clinical manifestations of pediatric PeV-A infection vary by genotype and range from mild acute illness to severe disease. This review discusses the global epidemiological profile of pediatric PeV-A infection and the relationship of PeV-A genotype to severe disease in neonates and young infants.Recent FindingsIn neonates and young infants the most important PeV-A3-associated conditions are sepsis and meningoencephalitis, which have been reported in many countries. The high morbidity of encephalitis due to PeV-A3 is a serious concern. Although rare, severe PeV-A-associated diseases due to other genotypes have also been reported in children. The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 significantly affected PeV-A3 detection.PeV-A, especially PeV-A3, is an important emerging virus that causes severe disease in children. PeV-A genotyping will improve our understanding of the epidemiology of PeV-A and the relationship of PeV-A genotype with severe disease. Specific antiviral therapies are needed to treat severe diseases caused by PeV-A.

DOI： 10.1007/s40588-023-00197-3

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(NPO)日本小児循環器学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

2022年より欧米から「原因不明の小児急性肝炎」について多くの報告があがるようになり、アデノウイルスや新型コロナウイルス感染症(COVID-19)流行との関連が疑われている。これまで本邦では小児の急性肝炎のサーベイランスが行われていないことから、今回、日本小児科学会会員が所属する全国の病院小児科責任者を対象に、2017年1月～2022年6月までの期間における同疾患の実態について質問紙調査を行い、947名より回答を得た。その結果、COVID-19流行前の報告数は2017年260名、2018年257名、2019年243名で、COVID-19流行中の報告数は2020年164名、2021年192名、2022年1～6月で113名と、COVID-19流行中の方が少ない傾向がみられた。COVID-19流行前は0歳および1～4歳群の症例数が他の年齢群と比較して多い傾向がみられたが、流行中はこれらの年齢群で減少が著明であった。地域別では、COVID-19流行前・流行後ともに、京都府・愛知県・福島県からの報告が多かった。

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

予防接種後有害事象(AEFI)および予防接種ストレス関連反応(ISRR)に関連する動画講義視聴が小児科医の予防接種に対する知識、態度、自信、役割認識、自己効力感、行動に与える影響を調査した。介入前評価(pre study)に回答した日本小児科学会会員368名をA群とB群に分けてA群にのみオンラインでISRRに関する約20分間の動画講義を配布し、pre studyから約1ヵ月後にA群・B群に介入後評価(Post study)を行った。Post studyの回答者A群74名、B群95名を対象に動画講義視聴による介入効果について検討した。その結果、AEFIおよびISRRに関連する調査によってA群・B群の知識レベルが向上したが、予防接種に対する態度、自信、役割認識、自己効力感、実際の接種行動に与える影響は限定的であった。

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

予防接種後有害事象(AEFI)および予防接種ストレス関連反応(ISRR)に関連する動画講義視聴が小児科医の予防接種に対する知識、態度、自信、役割認識、自己効力感、行動に与える影響を調査した。介入前評価(pre study)に回答した日本小児科学会会員368名をA群とB群に分けてA群にのみオンラインでISRRに関する約20分間の動画講義を配布し、pre studyから約1ヵ月後にA群・B群に介入後評価(Post study)を行った。Post studyの回答者A群74名、B群95名を対象に動画講義視聴による介入効果について検討した。その結果、AEFIおよびISRRに関連する調査によってA群・B群の知識レベルが向上したが、予防接種に対する態度、自信、役割認識、自己効力感、実際の接種行動に与える影響は限定的であった。

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本糖尿病学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本糖尿病学会  

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Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Springer Science and Business Media LLC  

Abstract

Human parechovirus (PeV-A) is an RNA virus that belongs to the family Picornaviridae and it is currently classified into 19 genotypes. PeV-As usually cause mild illness in children and adults. Among the genotypes, PeV-A3 can cause severe diseases in neonates and young infants, resulting in neurological sequelae and death. In this study, we identify the human myeloid-associated differentiation marker (MYADM) as an essential host factor for the entry of six PeV-As (PeV-A1 to PeV-A6), including PeV-A3. The infection of six PeV-As (PeV-A1 to PeV-A6) to human cells is abolished by knocking out the expression of MYADM. Hamster BHK-21 cells are resistant to PeV-A infection, but the expression of human MYADM in BHK-21 confers PeV-A infection and viral production. Furthermore, VP0 capsid protein of PeV-A3 interacts with one extracellular domain of human MYADM on the cell membrane of BHK-21. The identification of MYADM as an essential entry factor for PeV-As infection is expected to advance our understanding of the pathogenesis of PeV-As.

DOI： 10.1038/s41467-023-37399-8

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Other Link： https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-37399-8

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

BACKGROUND: The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants has dramatically altered the clinical profile of pediatric coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In Japan, we experienced a pandemic of omicron subvariant BA.1/BA.2 from January through June 2022. However, after the emergence of BA.5 in early July 2022, the number of children hospitalized with COVID-19 increased dramatically in Japan. METHODS: We collected data on monthly numbers of cases and clinical characteristics of hospitalized children with COVID-19 in 13 hospitals, the total number of pediatric COVID-19 cases, and COVID-19 vaccination rates in Niigata, Japan, for the period from January 2020 through August 2022. We compared clinical presentation during the periods of BA.1/BA.2 predominance (January-June 2022) and BA.5 predominance (July-August 2022) and estimated vaccine effectiveness (VE) against hospitalization during the BA.5-predominant period. RESULTS: Between January 1, 2020, and August 31, 2022, 49,387 children (19,085 children/100,000 population) were newly diagnosed as having COVID-19, and 393 were hospitalized for COVID-19. Hospitalization for febrile seizure, especially complex seizure, was significantly higher during BA.5 predominance than during BA.1/BA.2 predominance (27.9% vs. 7.0%, P < 0.01). VE against hospitalization during BA.5 predominance was estimated to be 75% (95% confidence interval, 48%-88%, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The emergence of BA.5 significantly affected children in Japan; the number with complex febrile seizure who required hospitalization was higher than during BA.1/BA.2 predominance. The COVID-19 vaccination rate in children must be increased to prevent hospitalization for COVID-19 and to prepare for current and future variant outbreaks.

DOI： 10.1097/INF.0000000000003894

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

国内の地域偏在を調整後に無作為に抽出した小児科1次医療施設100施設、2次医療施設100施設と全ての3次医療施設119施設を候補として、2020年4月(I期)、2020年10月(II期)、2021年4月(III期)の各時点における診療体制についてインターネットを介してアンケート調査した。回答があったのは1次医療施設27施設(回答率27%)、2次医療施設19施設(回答率19%)、3次医療施設72施設(回答率61%)であった。発熱患者の診療応需についてはコロナウイルス感染症2019(COVID-19)接触歴を有する場合、1次医療施設で応需困難となったのはI期で29.6%であったが、II期22.2%、III期14.8%と経時的に減少した。COVID-19患者の診療体制はIII期においても3次医療施設の約半数で軽症・無症状患者の診療が応需されていた。面会制限は大多数の施設で導入され、面会禁止とした施設がIII期においても2次医療施設の63.2%、3次医療施設の38.9%で存在した。

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

2020年2月～2022年4月に専用データベースに報告された小児コロナウイルス感染症2019患者のうち、0～15歳の5411例(男児2889例、女児2522例)の急性期における臨床的特徴を解析した。オミクロン株流行により感染経路は家庭内感染から学校・幼稚園・保育所へ変化した。オミクロン株流行期に初発症状でけいれん発作を起こした割合は1～4歳で13.4%、5～11歳で7.4%、オミクロン株流行期に初発症状で悪心・嘔吐を認めた割合は1～4歳で12.2%、5～11歳で22.6%、12～15歳で14.6%であり、いずれもデルタ株流行前またはデルタ株流行期と比較して大幅に増加した。最終的に全体の約2%にけいれんを伴う合併症が報告された。肺炎の合併率は変異株の違いによる変化をほとんど認めなかった。発症後28日を超えた症例報告書が提出された1697例(男児899例、女児798例、年齢中央値6.3歳)のうち、55例(3.2%)に発症後28日を超えても何らかの症状が残存した。

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Language：English  

Early-onset sepsis (EOS) is a serious and fatal illness in neonates, Group B Streptococcus and Escherichia coli are major causative pathogens. We report a case of EOS and pneumonia caused by E. coli in a preterm neonate with multiple pneumatoceles and lung abscesses. A male neonate weighing 1670g was delivered at 33 6/7 weeks' gestation by a mother with clinical chorioamnionitis. He showed respiratory distress soon after birth and developed septic shock. He was intubated and mechanical ventilation was started. E.coli was detected in blood culture obtained from both the patient and his mother. He developed multiple pneumatoceles and lung abscesses. Surgical drainage was complicated, cefotaxime was thus continued until day 74. Pneumatoceles and lung abscesses are complications of neonatal pneumonia, rarely reported by E. coli. Multiple lung abscesses in our patient are distinct from single abscesses in previous case studies of neonatal lung abscesses. We speculate that bacteremia along with pneumatoceles led to multiple lung abscesses in our patient. These complications require long-term antibiotic therapy, to minimize morbidity and mortality, and should thus be considered when managing EOS caused by E. coli.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jiac.2022.12.015

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

BACKGROUND: The clinical features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children have been changing because of the emergence and rapid spread of variants of concern (VOC). The increase in cases infected with VOC has brought concern with persistent symptoms after COVID-19 in children. This survey aimed to analyze the clinical manifestations and persistent symptoms of pediatric COVID-19 cases in Japan. METHODS: We analyzed the clinical manifestations of pediatric COVID-19 cases reported between February 2020 and April 2022 in Japan, using a dedicated database updated voluntarily by the members of the Japan Pediatric Society. Using the same database, we also analyzed persistent symptoms after COVID-19 in children who were diagnosed between February 2020 and November 2021. RESULTS: A total of 5411 and 1697 pediatric COVID-19 cases were included for analyzing clinical manifestations and persistent symptoms, respectively. During the Omicron variant predominant period, the percentage of patients with seizures increased to 13.4% and 7.4% in patient groups aged 1-4 and 5-11 years, respectively, compared with the pre-Delta (1.3%, 0.4%) or Delta period (3.1%, 0.0%). Persistent and present symptoms after 28 days of COVID-19 onset were reported in 55 (3.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Our survey showed that the rate of symptomatic pediatric COVID-19 cases increased gradually, especially during the Omicron variant predominant period, and a certain percentage of pediatric cases had persistent symptoms. Certain percentages of pediatric COVID-19 patients had severe complications or prolonged symptoms. Further studies are needed to follow such patients.

DOI： 10.1097/INF.0000000000003792

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Timothy syndrome (TS) is a rare pleiotropic disorder associated with long QT syndrome, syndactyly, dysmorphic features, and neurological symptoms. Several variants in exon 8 or 8a of CACNA1C, a gene encoding the α-subunit of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (Cav1.2), are known to cause classical TS. We identified a p.R412M (exon 9) variant in an atypical TS case. The aim of this study was to examine the functional effects of CACNA1C p.R412M on CaV1.2 in comparison with those of p.G406R. The index patient was a 2-month-old female infant who suffered from a cardio-pulmonary arrest in association with prolonged QT intervals. She showed dysmorphic facial features and developmental delay, but not syndactyly. Interestingly, she also presented recurrent seizures from 4 months. Genetic tests identified a novel heterozygous CACNA1C variant, p.R412M. Using heterologous expression system with HEK-293 cells, analyses with whole-cell patch-clamp technique revealed that p.R412M caused late Ca2+ currents by significantly delaying CaV1.2 channel inactivation, consistent with the underlying mechanisms of classical TS. A novel CACNA1C variant, p.R412M, was found to be associated with atypical TS through the same mechanism as p.G406R, the variant responsible for classical TS.

DOI： 10.1038/s41598-022-23512-2

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本肥満学会  

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Elsevier BV  

BACKGROUND: T-cell receptor-engineered T-cell therapies have achieved promising response rates against synovial sarcoma in clinical trials, but their applicability is limited owing to the HLA matching requirement. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) can redirect primary T cells to tumor-associated antigens without requiring HLA matching. However, various obstacles, including the paucity of targetable antigens, must be addressed for synovial sarcoma. Ligands for natural killer (NK) cell-activating receptors are highly expressed by tumor cells. METHODS: The surface expression of ligands for NK cell-activating receptors in synovial sarcoma cell lines was analyzed. We analyzed RNA sequencing data deposited in a public database to evaluate NKp44-ligand expression. Primary T cells retrovirally transduced with CAR targeting NKp44 ligands were evaluated for their functions in synovial sarcoma cells. Alterations induced by various stimuli, including a histone deacetylase inhibitor, a hypomethylating agent, inflammatory cytokines, and ionizing radiation, in the expression levels of NKp44 ligands were investigated. RESULTS: Ligands for NKp44 and NKp30 were expressed in all cell lines. NKG2D ligands were barely expressed in a single cell line. None of the cell lines expressed NKp46 ligand. Primary synovial sarcoma cells expressed the mRNA of the truncated isoform of MLL5, a known cellular ligand for NKp44. NKp44-based CAR T cells specifically recognize synovial sarcoma cells, secrete interferon-γ, and exert suppressive effects on tumor cell growth. No stimulus altered the expression of NKp44 ligands. CONCLUSION: NKp44-based CAR T cells can redirect primary human T cells to synovial sarcoma cells. CAR-based cell therapies may be an option for treating synovial sarcomas.

DOI： 10.1016/j.tranon.2022.101521

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本小児感染症学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本小児感染症学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本小児感染症学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本小児感染症学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本小児感染症学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本小児感染症学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本肥満学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本小児感染症学会  

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

OBJECTIVES: Macrolide-resistant Bordetella pertussis (MRBP) has been emerging and prevailing in mainland China since 2011. In this study, we aimed to investigate the genotype and macrolide resistance of circulating B. pertussis in East and South-East Asia using genetic analyses. METHODS: A total of 302 DNA extracts from clinical specimens and isolates during 2010-2020 were analyzed: 145 from Vietnam, 76 from Cambodia, 48 from Taiwan, and 33 from Japan. Genotypes were determined by multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA). Macrolide-resistant A2047G mutation in B. pertussis 23S rRNA was investigated using the duplex Cycleave real-time PCR assay. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on two MRBP isolates, identified for the first time in Taiwan. RESULTS: In all, 286 DNA extracts (95%) generated a complete MLVA genotype and 283 DNA extracts (94%) yielded a complete result for the A2047G mutation analysis. The A2047G mutation was detected in 18 DNA extracts: fourteen from Vietnam, one from Cambodia, two from Taiwan, and one from Japan. Most of them (78%) showed the genotypes MT104 and MT195, which have previously been reported in Chinese MRBP isolates. Further, the Taiwanese MRBP isolates were classified into the MT104 clade of Chinese MRBP isolates. CONCLUSION: After MRBP emerged and spread in mainland China, it may have spread to East and South-East Asia in the 2010s. Continued surveillance targeting the A2047G mutation of MRBP is needed to prevent further spread of this emerging pathogen.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jgar.2022.10.007

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Herpes zoster caused by reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus (VZV) usually develop in later adulthood. In the pediatric population, herpes zoster is unusual, and involvement of pharyngolaryngeal lesion and cranial nerves is rare. Here, we report a 14-year-old boy who was diagnosed with laryngeal herpes zoster (LHZ), and developed subsequent cranial nerve symptoms suspected of vagus neuropathy. This case provides additional evidence that children can develop LHZ and subsequent cranial nerve symptoms. LHZ should be considered if a pediatric patient with a history of varicella, has unilateral throat pain, with or without cranial nerve symptoms.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jiac.2022.10.001

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Background: Infantile central nervous system infections (CNSIs) can be life-threatening and cause severe sequelae. However, the causative microorganism remains unknown in >40% of patients with aseptic infections. This study aimed to analyze the metagenome for detection of pathogens and the transcriptome for host immune responses during infection in a single cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample using 2 different next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms, Nanopore and Illumina. Methods: Twenty-eight CNSIs patients (<12 months) were enrolled, and 49 clinical samples (28 CSF and 21 blood) were collected. The DNA extracted from all 49 samples was sequenced using the Illumina sequencer for the detection of pathogens. Extracted RNA was obtained in sufficient quantities from 23 CSF samples and subjected to sequencing on both Nanopore and Illumina platforms. Human-derived reads subtracted during pathogen detection were used for host transcriptomic analysis from both Nanopore and Illumina sequencing. Results: RNA metagenomic sequencing using both sequencing platforms revealed putative viral pathogens in 10 cases. DNA sequencing using the Illumina sequencer detected 2 pathogens. The results of Nanopore and Illumina RNA sequencing were consistent; however, the mapping coverage and depth to the detected pathogen genome of Nanopore RNA sequencing were greater than those of Illumina. Host transcriptomic analysis of Nanopore sequencing revealed highly expressed genes related to the antiviral roles of innate immunity from pathogen-identified cases. Conclusions: The use of Nanopore RNA sequencing for metagenomic diagnostics of CSF samples should help to elucidate both pathogens and host immune responses of CNSI and could shed light on the pathogenesis of these infections.

DOI： 10.1093/ofid/ofac504

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：国立感染症研究所  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本小児リウマチ学会  

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Providing appropriate immunization information during the perinatal period is important for improving immunization rates among infants and children; however, the distribution of immunization information by healthcare workers (HCWs) is not standardized in Japan. We investigated HCWs' attitudes toward childhood immunization and factors related to vaccine hesitancy. We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive survey of HCWs involved in childhood immunization in Niigata City, Japan, from November 2017 to January 2018. We assessed contextual, individual and group, and vaccine/vaccination-specific influences. Of 290 HCWs, 139 (47.9%) returned completed questionnaires. Most HCWs (87/139, 64.9%) reported providing immunization information verbally to parents; 51/87 (58.6%) spent fewer than five minutes doing so. Pediatricians provided vaccines based on the parents' best interest, whereas public health nurses and midwives emphasized government policy. Nurses had greater hesitancy related to personal perceptions and social/peer factors than pediatricians (p &lt; 0.001). Nurses were significantly more likely than pediatricians to suggest that children receive more shots than necessary (p &lt; 0.01). Nurses tended to have more negative attitudes toward vaccination and little awareness of immunization promotion compared to pediatricians. Thus, all HCWs involved in childhood immunization should receive sufficient information to provide timely and appropriate immunization to infants and children.

DOI： 10.3390/vaccines10071055

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DOI： 10.1007/s10875-022-01300-x

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BACKGROUND: Spread of variants of concerns (VOCs) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to an increase in children with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In February 2021, clusters of the Alpha variant of SARS-CoV-2 started to be reported in Niigata, Japan, including a large nursery cluster. We investigated the transmission routes and household secondary attack rates (SARs) in this cluster. METHODS: Epidemiologic data related to a nursery cluster in Niigata, Japan, particularly child-origin and adult-origin SARs, were analyzed. VOCs were confirmed by whole-genome sequencing of virus from patients. RESULTS: In total, 42 persons (22 children and 20 adults) in the cluster were infected with the Alpha variant. In the nursery, 13 of 81 children (16.0%) and 4 of 24 teachers (16.7%) were infected. SARS-CoV-2 later spread to 25 persons (10 children and 15 adults) outside the nursery. Child-origin and adult-origin household SARs were 27.7% (13/47) and 47.0% (8/17) (P = 0.11), respectively, which were higher than rates attributable to non-VOCs in previous studies. CONCLUSIONS: As compared with non-VOCs, the Alpha variant of SARS-CoV-2 exhibited high transmissibility among children and adults and may pose a high risk for household secondary transmission from SARS-CoV-2-infected children. Increased transmissibility of current or future VOCs could lead to greater transmission from children to adults or other children.

DOI： 10.1097/INF.0000000000003607

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Parechovirus-A3 (PeV-A3), first reported in 2004 in Japan, is an emerging pathogen that causes sepsis and meningoencephalitis in neonates and young infants. Although PeV-A3 has been identified worldwide, its epidemiological characteristics differ by region. To investigate the molecular evolution and epidemiology of PeV-A3, we performed genetic analyses of 131 PeV-A3 strains from the years 1997-2019 in Niigata, Japan. During 2016-2019, annual numbers remained steady, in contrast to the PeV-A3 epidemic interval of every 2-3 years that was observed in Japan from 2006. Bayesian evolutionary analysis of the complete viral protein 1 region revealed alternate dominant clusters during years of PeV-A3 epidemics. The branch including the oldest and first isolated PeV-A3 strains in Japan has been disrupted since 2001. The year of PeV-A3 emergence was estimated to be 1991. Continuous surveillance with genetic analyses of different regions will improve understanding of PeV-A3 epidemiology worldwide.

DOI： 10.1093/infdis/jiac213

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Short stature is a common clinical condition in pediatric outpatient clinics and is associated with various clinical conditions, ranging from normal variants to severe diseases. Short stature is known to be caused by chronic inflammatory conditions, in which over-produced inflammatory cytokines are reported to be involved in growth suppression. Castleman disease is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder known as a chronic inflammatory disease with overproduction of interleukin 6 (IL-6), which often causes systemic symptoms such as fever, fatigue, weight loss, and night sweats. Here, we report the case of a ten-year-old female diagnosed with unicentric Castleman disease, who presented with short stature as the sole clinical sign but lacked typical systemic symptoms of Castleman disease. An elevated serum C-reactive protein level led us to suspect a chronic inflammatory condition, and we found an intra-abdominal tumor that was histopathologically confirmed as Castleman disease. The tumor removal resulted in a steady catch-up in her height in the six years following the surgery. We also present a brief review of relevant literature on pediatric cases of Castleman disease associated with growth impairment. Clinicians should be aware that chronic inflammatory conditions can cause growth impairment, which may be a key clinical manifestation of such conditions.

DOI： 10.1093/mrcr/rxac034

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OBJECTIVES: Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes motor and nonmotor symptoms due to the loss of dopaminergic nerves and is characterized by the presence of Lewy bodies, which are mainly composed of α-synuclein. Glucosylceramidase beta (GBA), which is a causative gene of autosomal recessive Gaucher disease, is also known to be a risk gene for Parkinson's disease. In this study, we tried to detect synergistic effects of α-synuclein accumulation and gba depletion on dopaminergic neurodegeneration in zebrafish. METHODS: We generated a transgenic line of zebrafish overexpressing the A53T α-synuclein and gba mutant fish, and analyzed pathologies of α-synuclein aggregation and neurodegeneration. RESULTS: Zebrafish overexpressing the A53T α-synuclein did not exhibit α-synuclein aggregate formation. After the loss of gba function in this mutant α-synuclein transgenic line, we observed the marked presence of α-synuclein aggregates. Loss of gba function in zebrafish resulted in dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurodegeneration but this level of neurodegeneration was not exacerbated by overexpression of mutant α-synuclein. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that loss of gba function was sufficient to generate a neurodegenerative phenotype in zebrafish regardless of the expression of α-synuclein.

DOI： 10.1097/WNR.0000000000001788

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This study aimed to 1) determine the prevalence and contents of vaccine hesitancy among pregnant women during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and 2) evaluate its association with maternal sociodemographic factors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between August and December 2020 among pregnant women between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation who received antenatal care at four clinics and hospitals in Niigata City, Japan. Vaccine hesitancy was assessed using the Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines survey, and associations between vaccine hesitancy and sociodemographic factors were analyzed. In total, 113/200 (56.5%) subjects responded to the survey. Overall, 46/113 (40.7%) pregnant women were resistant or hesitant to receive the vaccine. Women with vaccine hesitancy were more likely to fear adverse reactions (concern 79.6%, not concerned 15.9%, and not sure 4.4%), safety (concerned 69.0%, not concerned 23.9%, and not sure 7.1%), and efficacy (concerned 47.8%, not concerned 35.4%, and not sure 16.8%) compared to those without vaccine hesitancy (P < .01, < .01, and <.01, respectively). In the multivariate logistic regression analyses, primipara women had higher rates of vaccine hesitancy than multipara pregnant women (odds ratio: 2.38, P = .04). In conclusion, the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy among pregnant Japanese women, especially primipara women, was higher than that in other countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their major concerns were adverse reactions, safety, and the efficacy of childhood vaccines. Further strategies are needed to provide appropriate vaccine information to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases in both infants and children.

DOI： 10.1080/21645515.2022.2064686

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BACKGROUND: Acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) remains the leading cause of death in children worldwide, and viruses have been the major cause of ALRI. In Myanmar, ALRI is associated with high morbidity and mortality in children, and detailed information on ALRI is currently lacking. METHODS: This prospective study investigated the viral aetiologies, clinical manifestations, and outcomes of ALRI in hospitalised children aged 1 month to 12 years at the Yankin Children Hospital, Yangon, Myanmar from May 2017 to April 2019. The sample size was set to 300 patients for each year. Two nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained for the patients with suspected viral ALRI; one for rapid tests for influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and the other for real-time PCR for the 16 ALRI-causing viruses. Pneumococcal colonization rates were also investigated using real-time PCR. Clinical information was extracted from the medical records, and enrolled patients were categorised by age and severity for comparison. RESULTS: Among the 5463 patients admitted with a diagnosis of ALRI, 570 (10.4%) were enrolled in this study. The median age of the patients was 8 months (interquartile range, 4-15 months). The most common symptoms were cough (93%) and difficulty in breathing (73%), while the most common signs of ALRI were tachypnoea (78%) and chest indrawing (67%). A total of 16 viruses were detected in 502 of 570 patients' samples (88%), with RSV B (36%) and rhinovirus (28%) being the most commonly detected. Multiple viruses were detected in 221 of 570 samples (37%) collected from 570 patients. Severe ALRI was diagnosed in 107 of 570 patients (19%), and RSV B and human rhinovirus were commonly detected. The mortality rate was 5%; influenza virus A (29%) and RSV B (21%) were commonly detected, and stunting and lack of immunization were frequently observed in such cases. Additionally, 45% (259/570) of the patients had pneumococcal colonization. CONCLUSIONS: Viral ALRI in hospitalised children with a median of 8 months has significant morbidity and mortality rates in Myanmar. RSV and rhinovirus were the most commonly detected from nasopharyngeal swabs, while influenza virus and RSV were the most frequently associated with fatal cases.

DOI： 10.1186/s12879-022-07342-1

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The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal became an official English journal of the Japanese Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases starting from 2022. Japanese Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases, with a history of more than 50 years and more than 3200 members in Japan, would like to contribute to the enhancement of child health and well-being in the field of pediatric infectious diseases by collaborating academic societies and organizations worldwide through the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.

DOI： 10.1097/INF.0000000000003456

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Incidences of community-acquired infectious diseases other than COVID-19 decreased during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic; however, exanthema subitum incidence before (2016-2019) and during the pandemic (2020) in Niigata, Japan, did not substantially differ, although the proportion of age less than 1-year-old was lower in 2020. These findings suggest that exanthema subitum is transmitted mainly among family members, not in the community.

DOI： 10.1097/INF.0000000000003430

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DOI： 10.3390/endocrines3010008

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BACKGROUND: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is highly sensitive and is thus the standard method for diagnosing pertussis. Real-time PCR is widely used because of its accuracy and the simplicity of the simultaneous cycle threshold (Ct) value, which represents the copy numbers of the target gene. Little is known of the association of Ct value with pertussis severity in neonates and infants. METHODS: This study determined Ct values in neonates and infants diagnosed with pertussis by real-time PCR using nasopharyngeal samples at Vietnam National Children's Hospital in Hanoi in 2017 and 2019. The association of disease severity and clinical parameters were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: We evaluated 108 patients with pertussis [median age: 63 days, interquartile range (IQR): 41-92 days]. Only 6/108 (6%) received at least 1 dose of a pertussis-containing vaccine. Among them, 24 (22.2%) had severe disease requiring care in a pediatric intensive care unit, 16 (13.8%) required mechanical ventilation, and 3 (2.6%) died. The median Ct value was lower in patients with severe disease (19.0, IQR: 16.5-22.0, n = 24) than in those without severe disease (25.5, IQR: 20.0-30.0, n = 84) (P = 0.002). Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that PCR Ct value [odds ratio (OR): 1.783, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.013-3.138, P = 0.045], age (OR: 3.118, 95% CI: 1.643-5.920, P = 0.001), and white blood cell counts (OR: 0.446, 95% CI: 0.261-0.763, P = 0.003) remained significantly associated with severe disease. CONCLUSIONS: Real-time PCR Ct values for pertussis might be useful as a predictor of severe disease in neonates and infants.

DOI： 10.1097/INF.0000000000003471

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BACKGROUND: A decrease in pediatric hospitalizations during the COVID-19 pandemic has been reported worldwide; however, few studies have examined areas with a limited number of COVID-19 cases, where influenced by viral interference by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is minimum. METHODS: We conducted an epidemiological study of pediatric hospitalizations on Sado, an isolated island in Niigata, Japan, that was unique environment with few COVID-19 cases and reliable pediatric admissions monitoring. We compared numbers of monthly hospitalizations and associated diagnoses for the periods April 2016 to March 2020 (pre-pandemic period) and April 2020 to March 2021 (pandemic period). RESULTS: Data were analyzed for 1,144 and 128 patients in the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods, respectively. We observed only three adults and no pediatric COVID-19 cases during the pandemic period. The number of monthly admissions was significantly lower in the pandemic period (median [interquartile ranges (IQR)]: 11.0 [7.0-14.0]) than in the pre-pandemic period (23.0 [20.8-28.3]; P < 0.001). Similar decreases were observed for hospitalizations due to respiratory tract infection (P < 0.01), but not for asthma exacerbation (P = 0.15), and gastrointestinal tract infection (P = 0.33). CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric hospitalizations during the pandemic significantly decreased on an isolated Japanese island where COVID-19 was not endemic and all pediatric admissions were ascertainable. This observation highlights the impact of decreased travel and increased awareness of infection control measures on pediatric hospitalizations due to infectious diseases, not by the SARS-CoV-2 viral interference.

DOI： 10.1111/ped.15326

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Pediococcus spp. have been reported to cause infections in patients with underlying conditions. However, the pathogenicity of this bacteria is unclear. Herein, we describe the first case of Pediococcus acidilactici bacteremia, which occurred in a 16-year-old male with dasatinib-induced hemorrhagic colitis during maintenance therapy for leukemia and resolved without antibiotic treatment. P. acidilactici bacteremia might be self-limiting, even in immunocompromised patients receiving chemotherapy.

DOI： 10.1016/j.idcr.2022.e01384

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DOI： 10.1002/pbc.29501

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(NPO)日本小児循環器学会  

肺静脈閉塞を合併したFontan術後患者に対する有効な治療法はなく予後は不良である。今回我々はFontan術後に右肺静脈閉塞を来し、多量の胸水、浮腫、心房性不整脈が出現した急性心不全の3歳女児例に対して体肺側副血管と右肺動脈の塞栓後に開窓作成術を行った。体肺側副血管の塞栓は3回のセッションに分けて51本のコイルを使用した。右肺動脈塞栓は計5個のAmplatzer Vascular Plug(AVP)と計2本のコイルを用いて、手技時間は3時間程度で合併症なく完全閉塞できた。その後に開窓作成術を行い、中心静脈圧は閉塞術前の20mmHgから7mmHgへ低下した。手技に伴う合併症はなく、手技時間も短く施行し得た。しかし術後9日目に心タンポナーデを発症し死亡した。過去に肺静脈閉塞を合併したFontan術後症例に対して体肺側副血管と患側の肺動脈を完全に塞栓した報告はない。本治療は一時的に肺静脈閉塞を伴うFontan患者の循環動態を安定させた。(著者抄録)

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Other Link： https://search.jamas.or.jp/default/link?pub_year=2021&ichushi_jid=J02003&link_issn=&doc_id=20220418220009&doc_link_id=%2Fee7shoni%2F2021%2F003704%2F010%2F0320-0328%26dl%3D0&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.medicalonline.jp%2Fjamas.php%3FGoodsID%3D%2Fee7shoni%2F2021%2F003704%2F010%2F0320-0328%26dl%3D0&type=MedicalOnline&icon=https%3A%2F%2Fjk04.jamas.or.jp%2Ficon%2F00004_2.gif

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BACKGROUND: Synovial sarcoma is a rare malignant soft-tissue tumor that is prevalent in adolescents and young adults, and poor prognosis has been reported in patients with metastatic lesions. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is an emerging novel therapy for solid tumors; however, its application in synovial sarcoma has not yet been explored. METHODS: A novel human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeted CAR containing scFv-FRP5, CD8α hinge and transmembrane domains as well as 4-1BB costimulatory and CD3ζ signaling domains was developed. Three synovial sarcoma cell lines that expressed the fusion transcript SS18-SSX1/2/4 were used in the study. Cytokine secretion assay, cytotoxicity assay, and real-time cell analysis experiments were conducted to confirm the function of T cells transduced with the CAR gene. RESULTS: High cell-surface expression of HER2 was observed in all the cell lines. HER2-targeted/4-1BB-costimulated CAR T cells specifically recognized the synovial sarcoma cells, secreted interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha, and exerted cytotoxic effects in these cells. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to indicate that HER2-targeted CAR T cells are directly effective against molecularly defined synovial sarcoma cells. Furthermore, our findings might set the basis for developing improved CAR T cell-based therapies for chemo-refractory or relapsed synovial sarcoma.

DOI： 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101227

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本小児感染症学会  

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BACKGROUND: School closures are a subject of debate during the present coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Because children are not the main driver of COVID-19 transmission in the community, school education must be prioritized in conjunction with appropriate infection prevention and control measures, as determined by local COVID-19 incidence. METHODS: We investigated the causes and transmission routes of a primary school cluster of COVID-19 that occurred during November and December 2020 in Niigata, Japan. RESULTS: In the cluster, the virus spread among teachers, then from teachers to students, and then to their family members. This primary school cluster comprised 26 infected patients and included teachers (13/33, 39%), students (9/211, 4%), and family members (4/65, 6%). The secondary attack rate from the 3 index teachers to the remaining 30 teachers was 33%; however, the rate to students was only 4%. Factors contributing to cluster formation include the fact that 2 of the index teachers continued working while symptomatic and that the environment and infection prevention measures in the teachers' room were inadequate. CONCLUSIONS: To open schools safely and without interruption, adequate measures to prevent COVID-19 infection in schools should be emphasized not only for children but also for teachers and their environment.

DOI： 10.1097/INF.0000000000003292

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Japanese Circulation Society  

BACKGROUND: Intimal smooth muscle cells (SMCs) play an important role in the vasculitis caused by Kawasaki disease (KD). Lipoprotein receptor 11 (LR11) is a member of the low-density lipoprotein receptor family, which is expressed markedly in intimal vascular SMCs and secreted in a soluble form (sLR11). sLR11 has been recently identified as a potential vascular lesion biomarker. sLR11 is reportedly elevated in patients with coronary artery lesions long after KD, but there is no description of sLR11 in acute KD. Our aim was to determine the sLR11 dynamics in acute KD and to assess its usefulness as a biomarker.Methods and Results: 106 acute KD patients and 18 age-matched afebrile controls were enrolled. KD patients were classified into the following subgroups: intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) responders (n=85) and non-responders (n=21). Serum sLR11 levels before IVIG therapy were higher in non-responders (median, 19.6 ng/mL; interquartile range [IQR], 13.0-24.9 ng/mL) than in controls (11.9 ng/mL, 10.4-14.9 ng/mL, P<0.01) or responders (14.3 ng/mL, 11.7-16.5 ng/mL, P<0.01). Using a cutoff of >17.5 ng/mL, non-responders to initial IVIG therapy were identified with 66.7% sensitivity and 78.8% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: sLR11 can reflect the state of acute KD and might be a biomarker for patient response to IVIG therapy.

DOI： 10.1253/circj.cj-20-1271

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DOI： 10.1016/j.jos.2021.07.021

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Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) causes a range of clinical manifestations, including asthma-like illness, severe respiratory disease, and acute flaccid myelitis. EV-D68 has caused worldwide outbreaks since 2014 and is now recognized as a re-emerging infection in many countries. EV-D68-specific PCR assays are widely used for the diagnosis of EV-D68 infection; however, assay sensitivity is a concern because of genetic changes in recently circulated EV-D68. To address this, we summarized EV-D68 sequences from previously reported world outbreaks from 2014 through 2020 on GenBank, and found several mutations at the primer and probe binding sites of the existing EV-D68-specific PCR assays. Subsequently, we designed two novel assays corresponding to the recently reported EV-D68 sequences: an EV-D68-specific real-time and semi-nested PCR. In an analysis of 22 EV-D68-confirmed cases during a recent EV-D68 outbreak in Japan, the new real-time PCR had higher sensitivity than the existing assay (100% vs. 45%, P < 0.01) and a lower median Ct value (27.8 vs. 32.8, P = 0.005). Sensitivity was higher for the new non-nested PCR (91%) than for the existing semi-nested PCR assay (50%, P < 0.01). The specificity of the new real-time PCR was 100% using samples from non-EV-D68-infected cases (n = 135). In conclusion, our novel assays had higher sensitivity than the existing assay and might lead to more accurate diagnosis of recently circulating EV-D68. To prepare for future EV-D68 outbreaks, EV-D68-specific assays must be continuously monitored and updated.

DOI： 10.1128/JCM.01151-21

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Wiley  

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lives of people of all ages. Most reports on pediatric cases suggest that children experience fewer and milder symptoms than do adults. This is the first nationwide study in Japan focusing on pediatric cases reported by pediatricians, including cases with no or mild symptoms. METHODS: We analyzed the epidemiological and clinical characteristics and transmission patterns of 840 pediatric (<16 years old) COVID-19 cases reported between February and December 2020 in Japan, using a dedicated database which was maintained voluntarily by members of the Japan Pediatric Society. RESULTS: Almost half of the patients (47.7%) were asymptomatic, while most of the others presented mild symptoms. At the time of admission or first outpatient clinic visit, 84.0% of the cases were afebrile (<37.5°C). In total, 609 cases (72.5%) were exposed to COVID-19-positive household members. We analyzed the influence of nationwide school closures that were introduced in March 2020 on COVID-19 transmission routes among children in Japan. Transmission within households occurred most frequently, with no significant difference between the periods before and after declaring nationwide school closures (70.9% and 74.5%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 symptoms in children are less severe than those in adults. School closure appeared to have a limited effect on transmission. Controlling household transmission from adult family members is the most important measure for prevention of COVID-19 among children.

DOI： 10.1111/ped.14912

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BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has greatly affected daily life. COVID-19 often causes asymptomatic or mild disease in children; however, delayed routine childhood immunization is a concern, as it could increase the risk of vaccine-preventable disease. No study has evaluated the status of childhood vaccinations in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This retrospective observational study evaluated the number of vaccine doses administered to children in 4 Japanese cities (2 cities in the Tokyo metropolitan area and 2 cities far from Tokyo) during the period from 2016 to 2020. Vaccine doses administered between January and September 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic were compared, by month, with those given during 2016-2019. Age-stratified demographic data were collected to determine whether factors other than change in the child population over time affected vaccination trends. RESULTS: In all cities the decrease in vaccine doses administered was most apparent in March and April 2020, i.e., just before or coincident with the declaration of a nationwide COVID-19 emergency on April 7, 2020. The decrease started as early as February in the Tokyo metropolitan area. As child age increased, the decrease became more apparent. Before the lift of national emergency on May 25, catch-up of the vaccination was observed in all age groups in all cities. Vaccine doses persistently increased in older age groups but not in infants. The overall vaccination trends did not differ significantly among the 4 cities. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected routine childhood immunization in Japan. Thus, a nationwide electronic surveillance system and announcements for guardians to encourage timely routine immunization are warranted.

DOI： 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.05.050

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The Japanese immunization program has made considerable progress since 2009: several new vaccines have been introduced and most are included in the National Immunization Program (NIP). In October 2020, the Japanese law on immunization was revised, which resulted in a few laudable achievements. First, rotavirus vaccines were added to the NIP, 10 years after their introduction, and noteworthy studies of vaccine effectiveness and the incidence of intussusception in Japanese children were published. Second, rules on vaccine intervals-which had been a longstanding concern-were withdrawn. In addition to this revision of the law, the Japanese version of the Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) was released by the Japan Pediatric Society in 2018. The VIS provides useful caregiver information on general immunization concepts and individual vaccines. Further challenges for the Japanese immunization program include (1) administering a booster dose of pertussis-containing vaccine to preschool children or teenagers, (2) reestablishing the active recommendation for human papilloma virus vaccines, (3) adding the mumps and influenza vaccines to the NIP, and (4) ensuring optimal dosing of seasonal influenza vaccines. During the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, vaccination rates among children have been decreasing in many countries. In Japan, vaccination rates have been stable in infants, but declining among toddlers and school-aged children, despite public awareness of the need for timely administration of vaccines during the pandemic. Clearly, further action is needed if we are to adequately protect children living in Japan from vaccine-preventable diseases.

DOI： 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.04.023

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本臨床ウイルス学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本臨床ウイルス学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(株)日本小児医事出版社  

症例は12歳男児。両側の手指、足趾、手掌の肢端紅痛症で発症し、99.7万/μLの血小板増多を認め、骨髄所見やJAK2変異陽性から、本態性血小板血症(essential thrombocythemia;ET)と診断した。肢端紅痛症に対し少量アスピリン投与を開始したところ、症状は速やかに消失した。アスピリン投与開始後、血小板数は140万/μLへと増加傾向を示したため、後天性フォンウィルブランド症候群の検索を行い、合併が判明した。ガイドラインではアスピリンは原則禁忌となり細胞減少療法の適応となるが、本症例では出血症状は皆無であり、年齢や殺細胞薬使用に伴う白血病転化リスクを考慮した結果、アスピリン療法単独を継続し、6年経過した現在まで安全に管理できている。小児ETは非常に稀な疾患であり、治療アルゴリズムは確立していない。小児期特有の問題を加味した診療指針が作成されることが望まれる。(著者抄録)

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A 2-year-old girl with fever and seizures was diagnosed as having clinically mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion, as indicated by magnetic resonance imaging. Virologic analysis identified human rhinovirus A49 in her serum. Although human rhinovirus rarely involves the central nervous system, such involvement could result in mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion.

DOI： 10.1097/INF.0000000000002995

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Parechovirus A1 (PeV-A1) often causes mild respiratory or gastrointestinal disease. Herein we report a case of acute heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy exacerbated by acute PeV-A1 infection in a 10-month-old infant. He was brought to our hospital with acute respiratory distress and compensated shock. Echocardiogram showed a dilated left ventricle and severe mitral regurgitation, consistent with dilated cardiomyopathy. PeV-A1 infection was confirmed by (1) positive PCR test results for PeV-A in multiple anatomical sites, including blood, stool, and throat, (2) the genetic sequence of viral protein, and (3) an increase in paired serum PeV-A1-specific neutralizing antibody titers. A few, scattered case reports in infants and young children also indicate the association between myocarditis and/or dilated cardiomyopathy and PeV-A1 infection. In conclusion, PeV-A1 infection could be associated with exacerbation of myocardial diseases in infants and young children; thus PeV-A1 needs to be evaluated as a viral cause of such a condition.

DOI： 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.01.021

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

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BACKGROUND: Human parechovirus 3 (HPeV-3) and enteroviruses (EV) are commonly detected viruses in febrile neonates and young infants and are usually diagnosed by PCR. However, in this population, data on detection rates for samples from different anatomical sites are limited. OBJECTIVES: To determine PCR detection rates for HPeV-3 and EVs in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from febrile neonates and young infants. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective study identified viruses in serum and CSF samples collected from febrile neonates and young infants (age <4 months) in Niigata, Japan, during 2014-2018. HPeV-3 or EV infection was defined as a positive quantitative real-time PCR result for the virus in serum or CSF. Genotypes were identified by sequence analyses of the viral protein 1 region. RESULTS: Among 216 patients, we identified 56 HPeV-3-infected (26 %) and 48 EV-infected patients (22 %). All (56/56; 100 %) HPeV-3-infected patients had a positive PCR result for serum, and 49/56 (88 %) had a positive result for CSF. In EV-infected patients, 40/48 (83 %) were positive for serum, and 34/48 (71 %) were positive for CSF, and 22/48 (46 %) were positive for serum (n = 14) or CSF (n = 8). If only a CSF sample had been obtained, 7 (12 %) HPeV-3 infections and 14 (29 %) EV infections would have been undiagnosed. Detection rates in serum and CSF differed by genotype in EV-infected patients. CONCLUSIONS: Viral RNA detection rates differed between serum and CSF in HPeV-3- and EV-infected neonates/infants. Combined evaluation of serum and CSF samples is important for accurate viral diagnosis in this population.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jcv.2021.104736

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BACKGROUND: Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) causes asthma-like respiratory infection in children. Several EV-D68 outbreaks have been reported worldwide since the largest outbreak occurred in the United States in 2014. We experienced an accumulation of pediatric cases with asthma-like respiratory illness in Niigata, Japan, in 2018. STUDY DESIGN: To determine whether EV-D68 was responsible for the case accumulation, this prospective observational study evaluated children hospitalized in 1 of 8 hospitals with asthma-like respiratory illness in Niigata, Japan, during October and November 2018. Diagnoses were made by EV-D68-specific RT-PCR using nasopharyngeal samples. The clade was identified by sequence analyses, and a phylogenetic tree was created. To evaluate seasonal variation, data from pediatric cases with asthma-like respiratory illness in 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: In 2018, 114 children were hospitalized with asthma-like respiratory illness in October and November, and 47 nasopharyngeal samples were collected. EV-D68 was detected in 22/47 (47%) patients during the study period. The phylogenetic tree revealed that all strains belonged to the clade B3 branch, which has been detected worldwide every 2 years since 2014. CONCLUSIONS: EV-D68 was the associated pathogen for asthma-like respiratory illness in children in Japan in 2018. Clade B3, the dominant clade in outbreaks worldwide, was responsible for the outbreak. Detection and detailed virologic analysis of EV-D68 is important as part of worldwide surveillance, as it will aid in understanding the epidemiologic characteristics of EV-D68 infection.

DOI： 10.1097/INF.0000000000002889

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Family history is one key in diagnosing inborn errors of immunity (IEI); however, disease status is difficult to determine in deceased relatives. X-linked anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia with immunodeficiency is one of the hyper IgM syndromes that is caused by a hypomorphic variant in the nuclear factor kappa beta essential modulator. We identified a novel IKBKG variant in a 7-month-old boy with pneumococcal rib osteomyelitis and later found that his mother has incontinentia pigmenti. Genetic analysis of preserved umbilical cords revealed the same variant in two of his deceased maternal uncles. Analysis of preserved umbilical cord tissue from deceased relatives can provide important information for diagnosing IEI in their descendants.

DOI： 10.3389/fimmu.2021.786164

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DOI： 10.1016/S1473-3099(20)30684-8

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本臨床ウイルス学会  

エンテロウイルスD68(enterovirus(EV)-D68)は、気管支喘息様呼吸器疾患の原因ウイルスである。国外では2014年から周期的に流行し、国内では2015年に流行した。2018年9月に新潟県内で小児喘息様発作患者の報告が相つぎ、EV-D68の流行の有無について前方視的疫学調査を行った。同年10〜11月に新潟県内8施設に気管支喘息様呼吸器疾患で入院した小児患者(n=47)から鼻咽頭拭い液を採取した。EV-D68感染症の診断はviral protein 1(VP1)領域を標的とした特異的PCRを用い、陽性検体にはVP1領域のPCRで塩基配列を同定した。2014年以降に各国で流行した株とともに系統樹解析を行った。47検体のうち、22検体(47%)でEV-D68が陽性であった。系統樹解析では、すべての株がclade B3に分類され、2014年以降世界的に流行したものと同一であった。今回の小児喘息発作患者の急増において、EV-D68clade B3の流行を認めた。EV-D68 clade B3は国内外で周期的な流行を認めており、今後も継続的なサーベイランスが必要である。(著者抄録)

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本臨床ウイルス学会  

パレコウイルスA3(parechovirus-A3、以下PeV-A3)とエンテロウイルス(enterovirus、以下EV)は、新生児・早期乳児に敗血症や髄膜炎をきたす代表的なウイルスである。PeV-A3感染症は、EV感染症とくらべ、重症感が強いが髄液細胞数の増多をみることは少ない。今回、これら臨床像の違いについて、血清と髄液のサイトカインを測定し、自然免疫の観点から検討した。PeV-A3患児16例、EV患児15例のサイトカインをMILLIPLEX MAP bead panelを用いて測定した。ウイルス量はリアルタイムPCR法で測定した。結果、血清サイトカインはPeV-A3患児で高値(P≦.011)、髄液ではEV患児で高値であった(P≦.036)。ウイルス量は、血清でPeV-A3患児で高値(P=.004)、髄液ではEV患児で高値であった(P=.02)。また、EV患児で髄液サイトカインと髄液細胞数に正の相関を認めた(r>.54、P<.05)。PeV-A3患児は、血清ウイルスゲノム量が多く、サイトカインが高いことが重症感に関与していると示唆された。PeV-A3患児とEV患児では、血清と髄液で異なる自然免疫反応が起こり、その異なる病態生理に寄与している可能性がある。(著者抄録)

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BACKGROUND: Because of the overabundance of vaccination information on the internet, in the media, and on social media, providing clear and correct information on immunization is critical for parental decision-making. In 2018, the Japan Pediatric Society created and distributed a Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) to provide appropriate immunization information to caregivers. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effect of the VIS on immunization rates, adherence to schedule, and parental understanding of immunization in Japan. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at 18 centers in 2 prefectures in Japan. Caregivers were assigned to an intervention group, which received the VIS and a questionnaire when their child reached the age of 1 month, and a control group, which received only the questionnaire. Using the self-reported questionnaires, we evaluated vaccination rates and schedule adherence at age 2 months, and parental knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding immunization. Three months later, the questionnaires were returned, and the findings were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: We contacted 422 and 428 persons in the intervention and control groups, respectively, and 111/422 (26.3%) and 119/428 (27.8%) returned the surveys. Vaccination rates and adherence rates for the first dose of 4 recommended vaccines did not differ significantly (P > 0.25); however, there were some positive effects on items related to vaccine knowledge (P = 0.03), perceived benefits (P = 0.02), perceived barriers (P < 0.001), and perceived behavioral control (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The VIS improved parent comprehension of infant immunization. Future studies should examine if the effects of such an intervention persist and affect vaccine uptake throughout childhood.

DOI： 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.10.049

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本小児感染症学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本小児感染症学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本小児感染症学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本小児感染症学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本小児血液・がん学会  

症例は9ヵ月男児.繰り返す発熱,腋窩リンパ節腫大,全身の膿疱性皮疹を主訴に当院に紹介された.当初,前頭骨の骨融解像,臨床像,sIL-2R異常高値からランゲルハンス組織球症との鑑別を要し,皮膚生検を施行したが確定診断に至らず,腋窩リンパ節生検を施行した.生検組織からBCG菌が同定され,播種性BCG感染症と診断した.皮膚生検ではBCG菌は検出されず,BCG菌への過敏性反応による結核疹と考えられた.重症細菌感染,ウイルス感染の既往はなく,メンデル遺伝型マイコバクテリア易感染症を疑い精査した結果,IFNGR1遺伝子の既知のde-novoヘテロ変異が同定され,IFN-γR1部分欠損症と診断した.抗結核薬イソニアジド,リファンピシンの2剤による治療で症状は速やかに軽快した.18ヵ月間内服を継続し,終了後半年の現在も再燃なく経過している.ランゲルハンス組織球症として非典型的な皮疹や経過の場合にはBCG感染症を考える必要がある.(著者抄録)

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(NPO)日本小児循環器学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(NPO)日本小児循環器学会  

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Recently, efforts have been made to fill a so-called "vaccine gap" between Japan and other countries; however, more work remains. Concerns about adverse events following immunization (AEFI) resulted in an historically passive approach to policy making in the National Immunization Program (NIP). For example, reports of AEFI following human papillomavirus vaccine (HPVV) in 2013 led the Japanese government to withdraw its proactive recommendations, resulting in a sharp drop in HPVV coverage rate to less than 1.0%. In this report, we review key historical incidents that led to the current immunization system in Japan, compare it to that in the United States, and discuss strategies for improving the Japanese immunization system. By strengthening existing policies and programs, such as National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups and AEFI reporting, compensation laws, and immunization education, the remaining vaccine gap in Japan could be filled.

DOI： 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.09.028

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本小児血液・がん学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本臨床ウイルス学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本臨床ウイルス学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本臨床ウイルス学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本臨床ウイルス学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本臨床ウイルス学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本臨床ウイルス学会  

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

BACKGROUND: The strategy to eradicate polio is based on preventing infection by immunizing all children until the world is polio-free. However, data regarding efficacy of polio-containing vaccination in immunocompromised patients such as LT recipients are limited. METHODS: We conducted an observational study at the largest pediatric transplant center in Japan from January 2011 to January 2015. LT recipients were enrolled after transplantation, and those who had completed the Japanese polio vaccination program were eligible for the study. Patients' demographics were collected from their medical records. Antibody titers against poliovirus serotypes 1-3 were measured using the neutralization test at the routine follow-up visits after enrollment. Factors associated with seropositivity against each type of poliovirus were evaluated. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients who had received the complete polio vaccination series were enrolled in the study. Of these, 37 patients had received all series of polio-containing vaccination before LT. Median age of the patients was 75 months. Their underlying diseases included the following: 40 (63%) with cholestatic liver diseases and 11 (17%) with metabolic disorders. After a median interval of 43 months after LT, seropositivity rates against poliovirus 1, 2, and 3 were 93.8% (60/64), 92.2% (59/64), and 54.7% (35/64), respectively. Among 32 patients who had received only oral polio vaccine (OPV), seropositivity against poliovirus 3 was particularly low (25.0%). No factors associated with seropositivity against each type of poliovirus were identified. CONCLUSIONS: In the LT recipients, seropositivity for poliovirus 3 was low, suggesting a need for additional inactivated polio-containing vaccination after LT, especially for patients who had received only OPV.

DOI： 10.1111/petr.13766

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本臨床ウイルス学会  

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

INTRODUCTION: Intradermal (ID) injection is an alternate route that enhances vaccine immunogenicity and decreases vaccine dose. Regular immunization usually starts at age 2 months, and the limited immune capacity of neonates and young infants makes them vulnerable to infection. Successful ID vaccine delivery in this population requires knowledge of skin thickness. Although skin thickness has been evaluated in infants aged 2 months or older, no comparable data are available for neonates, including preterm neonates. METHODS: This prospective observational study used ultrasonography to assess skin thickness in 70 neonates (35 full-term and 35 preterm neonates) at deltoid, suprascapular, and thigh sites. The measurements were compared in relation to anatomical site, between full-term and preterm infants, and with skin thickness values for children aged 2 months or older, which were collected in our previous study using the same measurement technique. RESULTS: In full-term neonates, skin was significantly thicker at the suprascapular site than at the deltoid and thigh sites (P < 0.05); in preterm neonates, skin was significantly thicker at the suprascapular site than at the thigh site (P < 0.05). Skin thickness values at all three sites were significantly lower in preterm neonates than in full-term neonates (P < 0.05). As compared with skin thickness values for infants aged 2 months, values for full-term neonates were significantly lower for the deltoid and suprascapular sites (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Skin thickness values for neonates were affected by prematurity and were significantly lower than those for infants aged 2 months. These findings are important in the design of ID injection devices for neonates and young infants.

DOI： 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.06.061

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Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Elsevier BV  

DOI： 10.1016/j.ibror.2020.05.002

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

DOI： 10.1111/ped.14197

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(NPO)日本小児循環器学会  

Marfan症候群(MFS)に心室中隔欠損(VSD)を合併し、急速に心不全が進行し、手術前後で心機能が低下した乳児例を経験した。症例は2ヵ月の女児で、VSDによる高肺血流性心不全と診断され、当院を紹介となった。家族歴、身体所見からMFSが疑われた。高肺血流に心機能低下も伴うため、段階的に修復術を施行された。肺動脈絞扼術直後と心内修復術直後にそれぞれ心機能は低下したが、徐々に回復した。3歳時に水晶体脱臼を認め、父がMFSであることから改訂Ghent基準を満たした。MFSは潜在的な心機能障害を有する可能性があり、治療介入が必要な先天性心疾患を合併する例では、術前の心不全の進行や術後管理に注意し、慎重な経過観察や治療戦略を考慮すべきである。(著者抄録)

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Other Link： https://search.jamas.or.jp/index.php?module=Default&action=Link&pub_year=2020&ichushi_jid=J02003&link_issn=&doc_id=20200817180011&doc_link_id=10.9794%2Fjspccs.36.159&url=https%3A%2F%2Fdoi.org%2F10.9794%2Fjspccs.36.159&type=J-STAGE&icon=https%3A%2F%2Fjk04.jamas.or.jp%2Ficon%2F00007_3.gif

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

BACKGROUND: Hand hygiene is key to preventing healthcare-associated infection and the spread of respiratory viruses like the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Unfortunately, hand hygiene adherence of healthcare workers (HCWs) in Japan is suboptimal according to previous studies. OBJECTIVES: Our objectives were to evaluate hand hygiene adherence among physicians and nurses before touching hospitalized patients and to evaluate changes in hand hygiene adherence after a multimodal intervention was implemented. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We conducted a pre- and postintervention study with HCWs at four tertiary hospitals in Niigata, Japan. Hand hygiene observations were conducted from June to August 2018 (preintervention) and February to March 2019 (postintervention). INTERVENTION: The multimodal hand hygiene intervention recommended by the World Health Organization was tailored to each hospital and implemented from September 2018 to February 2019. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: We observed hand hygiene adherence before touching patients in each hospital and compared rates before and after intervention. Intervention components were also evaluated. RESULTS: There were 2,018 patient observations preintervention and 1,630 postintervention. Overall, hand hygiene adherence improved from 453 of 2,018 preintervention observations (22.4%) to 548 of 1,630 postintervention observations (33.6%; P < .001). Rates improved more among nurses (13.9 percentage points) than among doctors (5.7 percentage points). Improvement varied among the hospitals: Hospital B (18.4 percentage points) was highest, followed by Hospitals D (11.4 percentage points), C (11.3 percentage points), and Hospital A (6.5 percentage points). CONCLUSIONS: A multimodal intervention improved hand hygiene adherence rates in physicians and nurses in Niigata, Japan; however, further improvement is necessary. Given the current suboptimal hand hygiene adherence rates in Japanese hospitals, the spread of COVID-19 within the hospital setting is a concern.

DOI： 10.12788/jhm.3446

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Language：English  

DOI： 10.1002/pbc.28052

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

生後1ヵ月健診の保護者を対象に、「知っておきたいわくちん情報」を配布する介入群111例と配布しない非介入群119例に分け、生後3ヵ月までの4ワクチン接種状況と保護者の予防接種に対する知識・態度・信念を比較検討した。その結果、4ワクチン接種率は2群間で有意差を認めなかった。保護者の態度と信念に関しては有益性の認知の1項目と自己効力感の1項目が、非介入群と比較して介入群で有意に高かった。障害の認知のスコアは非介入群と比べ、介入群で有意に低かった。今回の検討から、「知っておきたいわくちん情報」の配布により、保護者が乳児期の予防接種に関して肯定的に考え、その必要性を理解・納得し、接種の判断ができる可能性が示唆された。

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

A community outbreak of human influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus strains was observed in Myanmar in 2017. We investigated the circulation patterns, antigenicity, and drug resistance of 2017 influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses from Myanmar and characterized the full genome of influenza virus strains in Myanmar from in-patients and out-patients to assess the pathogenicity of the viruses. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from out-patients and in-patients with acute respiratory tract infections in Yangon and Pyinmana City in Myanmar during January-December 2017. A total of 215 out-patients and 18 in-patients infected with A(H1N1)pdm09 were detected by virus isolation and real-time RT-PCR. Among the positive patients, 90.6% were less than 14 years old. Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titers against A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses in Myanmar were similar to the recommended Japanese influenza vaccine strain for 2017-2018 seasons (A/Singapore/GP1908/2015) and WHO recommended 2017 southern hemisphere vaccine component (A/Michigan/45/2015). Phylogenetic analysis of the hemagglutinin sequence showed that the Myanmar strains belonged to the genetic subclade 6B.1, possessing mutations of S162N and S164T at potential antigenic sites. However, the amino acid mutation at position 222, which may enhance the severity of disease and mortality, was not found. One case with no prior history of oseltamivir treatment possessed H275Y mutated virus in neuraminidase (NA), which confers resistance to oseltamivir and peramivir with elevated IC50 values. The full genome sequence of Myanmar strains showed no difference between samples from in-patients and out-patients, suggesting no additional viral mutations associated with patient severity. Several amino acid changes were observed in PB2, PB1, and M2 of Myanmar strains when compared to the vaccine strain and other Asian strains. However, no mutations associated with pathogenicity were found in the Myanmar strains, suggesting that viral factors cannot explain the underlying reasons of the massive outbreak in Myanmar. This study reported the first detection of an oseltamivir-resistant influenza virus in Myanmar, highlighting the importance of continuous antiviral monitoring and genetic characterization of the influenza virus in Myanmar.

DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0229601

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Language：English  

Chronic enteroviral meningoencephalitis is a well-known complication in patients with X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA). However, progressive neurodegenerative disorders or chronic neuroinflammatory diseases with no causative microorganisms have been recognized as rare central nervous system (CNS) complications in XLA. We herein report a family in which two of three members with XLA had developed progressive meningoencephalitis with an unknown etiology. A 15-month-old male infant presented with left-sided ptosis. Initially, the family denied any family history of inherited diseases, but later disclosed a family history of agammaglobulinemia previously diagnosed in two family members. In the early 1980s, one of the elder brothers of the index patient's mother who had been treated with intramuscular immunoglobulin [or later intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)] for agammaglobulinemia deceased at 10 years of age after showing progressive neurological deterioration during the last several years of his life. The index patient was diagnosed with XLA caused by Bruton tyrosine kinase deficiency (654delG; Val219Leufs*9), and chronic meningoencephalitis with an unknown infectious etiology. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain demonstrated inflammatory changes in the basal ganglia, hypothalamus, midbrain, and pons, with multiple nodular lesions with ring enhancement, which showed impressive amelioration after the initiation of IVIG replacement therapy. Pleocytosis, which was characterized by an increase in CD4-positive and CD8-positive T cells expressing an activation marker and an elevation in inflammatory cytokines in the cerebrospinal fluid, was identified. No microorganism was identified as a cause of CNS complications. He thereafter developed brain infarction at 19 months of age and fatal status epilepticus at 5 years of age, despite regular IVIG with high trough levels and regular intraventricular immunoglobulin administration. The etiology of this rare CNS complication in XLA is currently unknown. Previous studies have suggested a possible association of IVIG, which was clearly denied in our index case because of the demonstration of his neurological disorder at presentation. In the future, extensive and unbiased molecular methods to detect causative microorganisms, as well as to investigate the possible role of autoimmunity are needed to clarify the etiology of CNS complications.

DOI： 10.3389/fped.2020.00579

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Newborn screening (NBS) can detect 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD), allowing for early treatment initiation. However, many patients present with adrenal crises or hyponatremia at their first visit. Age (in days) of hyponatremia development in infants with salt-wasting (SW)-type 21-OHD remains unclear. Therefore, we determined the earliest age of hyponatremia diagnosis in this retrospective observational study using medical records of 40 patients with classic 21-OHD in Niigata Prefecture, Japan, from April 1989 to March 2019. We determined the earliest diagnosis of hyponatremia (serum sodium levels < 130 mEq/L) and created a sodium decrease rate model to estimate hyponatremia development age. Of 23 patients with SW-type 21-OHD, 10 (43.5%) were identified during NBS; the earliest case to present with hyponatremia was at day 7. Serum sodium levels were significantly and negatively correlated with age in days, and hyponatremia was estimated to develop at 6.6 d after birth. Genotype or serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels were not associated with sodium decrease rate. Thus, hyponatremia development age is earlier (within 7 d) than the previously described time-point (10-14 d) in infants with SW-type 21-OHD. Efforts to reduce the time lag from obtaining results to consultation may be required in patients with high 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels on NBS.

DOI： 10.1297/cpe.29.105

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Objectives: One of the reasons as to why chimeric antigen receptors (CAR)-T cell therapy for malignancies other than CD19- or BCMA-positive tumors has yet to produce remarkable progress is the paucity of targetable antigens. NKp44 is only expressed by activated natural killer cells and detects a variety of transformed cells, while it reportedly does not react with normal tissues. The aim of this study is to develop CAR-T cell that can target multiple types of tumor cells. Methods: We created a series of novel CAR constructs in first-generation (1G) and second-generation (2G) CAR format with the extracellular immunoglobulin-like domain of NKp44 (NKp44-CAR). Results: Transduction of the best 1G construct into human primary T cells led to specific cytotoxic effects and cytokine secretion upon encountering multiple types of neoplastic cells including AML, T-ALL and childhood solid tumors. Replacement of the extracellular hinge domain of NKp44 with that of CD8α resulted in diminished CAR function. The 1G NKp44-CAR-T cells exhibited significantly better tumor control in long-term co-culture assays compared with activated NK cells, as well as with NK cells transduced with identical NKp44-CAR. T cells transduced with the best 2G-CAR construct with 4-1BB co-stimulatory domain proliferated at significantly higher levels upon single antigen exposure and showed significantly better tumor control compared with the 1G-CAR and 2G-CAR with CD28 co-stimulatory domain. Conclusions: NKp44-based CAR endows T cells with NK cell-like anti-tumor specificity. The CAR gene created in this study will be useful for the development of novel gene-modified T-cell immunotherapy.

DOI： 10.1002/cti2.1147

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本内科学会-関東地方会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(株)近代出版  

ヒトパレコウイルスのうち、特に3型は生後4ヵ月未満の早期乳児に敗血症、髄膜脳炎をきたす、小児科医の間で注目を集めている新興ウイルス感染症である。特異的な臨床症状や徴候が明らかになりつつある一方で、疫学や病態生理はまだ不明な点が多い。(著者抄録)

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(株)東京医学社  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本小児救急医学会  

症例は5歳男児。当科受診2日前から発熱、咳嗽を認め、第2病日に近医を受診したが、鼻咽頭拭い液のインフルエンザウイルス(Influenza virus:flu)迅速抗原キット検査は陰性で、自宅での経過観察を指示された。しかし、同日夜に喘鳴が出現し、第3病日昼からは呼吸困難も訴え、14時に当科へ救急搬送された。搬入2時間後、気管挿管した直後に鋳型の粘液栓が吸引されて、鋳型気管支炎と診断した。ベラミビル、ステロイド投与、肺理学療法により第17病日に退院となり、以後の再発はない。来院直後の当科での鼻咽頭拭い液のflu迅速抗原キット検査は陰性であったが、同日の検体を用いたリアルタイムPCRではfluBが気管吸引痰、鼻咽頭拭い液ともに陽性で、前者でウイルス量がより多かった。下気道感染症の診断は上気道検体の迅速抗原キット検査のみでは確定できない場合があり、下気道検体を用いた検査の重要性を再認識した。(著者抄録)

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本小児感染症学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本小児感染症学会  

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

BACKGROUND: Saffold virus (SAFV) is a novel human cardiovirus that was identified in 2007. Recently, SAFV has been isolated from nasal and stool specimens of infants presenting with respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms and from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens of children with central nervous system infection. However, little is known regarding clinical characteristics of SAFV in children. METHODS: We reviewed 5412 specimens from the database of the infectious agents surveillance system in Niigata prefecture, Japan, between January 2006 and December 2013, and identified SAFV-infected patients. Subsequently, we retrospectively reviewed their medical records and evaluated their clinical characteristics. RESULTS: We identified 9 SAFV-infected patients (median age: 5 years; range: 2-16 years). Seven patients were diagnosed with pharyngitis, one with meningitis and one with fever of unknown origin. Dominant symptoms were high fever, appetite loss and headache. The median duration of the fevers was 2 days in patients with pharyngitis; however, the patient with meningitis remained febrile for 5 days. All blood tests available in this case series revealed leukocytosis with a predominance of neutrophils. CSF profiles showed mild lymphocytic pleocytosis. All patients recovered fully without complications. CONCLUSIONS: A few clinical characteristics of SAFV infection were clarified, including high fever of short duration in patients with pharyngitis, and neutrophil-dominant leukocytosis. The clinical course and CSF profiles of a case of meningitis were similar to those of other aseptic meningitis. SAFV needs to be included in the differential diagnosis of pharyngitis or meningitis when commonly identified viruses are not identified in such patients.

DOI： 10.1097/INF.0000000000002298

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

DOI： 10.1253/circj.CJ-18-0984

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本臨床ウイルス学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本小児神経外科学会  

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OBJECTIVE: Epilepsy with continuous spikes and waves during slow sleep (ECSWS) is associated with cognitive deficits. The underlying mechanism is thought to relate to disturbance of functions of the foci by the persistent epileptic activity. However, the relationship between epileptic foci and cognitive deficits remains largely unknown, except for in Landau-Kleffner syndrome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of epileptic foci estimated from magnetoencephalography (MEG) with cognitive functions at the period of diagnosis in non-lesional ECSWS children, excluding those with Landau-Kleffner syndrome. METHODS: MEG data and the Wechsler intelligence scale for children-III scores at ECSWS diagnosis, and medical records, were reviewed. Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship of parameters of MEG spike dipole clusters, including anatomical location or laterality, with the Wechsler intelligence scale for children-III scores at ECSWS diagnosis. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were included, all of whom were right-handed. Epilepsy onset (first unprovoked seizure) ranged from 31 to 110 months (mean, 68.5). The age at ECSWS diagnosis ranged from 72 to 156 months (mean, 108.9). The dipole clusters were estimated on the right Rolandic area (RA) in 4 patients (25%), right supramarginal gyrus (SMG) in 3 (19%), left RA in 2 (13%), left SMG in 2 (13%), bilateral RA in 3 (19%), multiple anatomical locations in 2 (13%). The age at epilepsy onset had the strongest prognostic effect, and full-scale intelligence quotient was relatively less-affected if the cluster was found on the SMG (β = 14.7, p = 0.031). Cases with only a right side cluster exhibited reduced impairment of perceptual organization compared with those with only a left side cluster or bilateral clusters (β = 17.48, p = 0.02). In 12 patients, long-term intellectual prognosis was evaluated, and was associated with intellectual level at the period of ECSWS diagnosis. CONCLUSION: In non-lesional ECSWS, the relationship between epileptic focus and cognitive deficits differs from that observed in adults. Rather, it is similar to epilepsies associated with congenital or early infantile brain insults, in that the left epileptic foci in right-handed patients were associated with lower non-verbal functions. Future studies are required to determine the role of plasticity of the immature brain in driving these differences.

DOI： 10.1016/j.braindev.2018.09.005

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(株)日本小児医事出版社  

繰り返す腸重積を契機に発見され、フローサイトメトリーでλ鎖優位のlight chain restriction(LCR)を認めた虫垂リンパ過形成の6歳女児例を経験した。腹部造影CTでは最大径2.5cmの全周性虫垂腫大を認め、迅速病理診断およびスタンプ標本からも成熟B細胞リンパ腫で矛盾のない所見を得たが、免疫グロブリン遺伝子やc-myc遺伝子の再構成は認めず、最終的に永久病理標本により虫垂リンパ過形成の診断となった。追加の治療介入は行わず経過観察の方針としたが、約12ヵ月を経過し再発は認めていない。文献上、LCRを認める虫垂リンパ過形成は極めて稀で、4〜6歳の4例が報告されているのみである(すべてλ鎖優位のLCR)。本例の経験から、反復性腸重積の稀な原因として虫垂リンパ過形成があること、そして、反応性の病態ながらもLCRを示す場合があることを念頭に置く必要があることが示された。(著者抄録)

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Other Link： https://search.jamas.or.jp/index.php?module=Default&action=Link&pub_year=2019&ichushi_jid=J00643&link_issn=&doc_id=20190124480010&doc_link_id=%2Fag1snrsd%2F2019%2F007202%2F010%2F0170-0174%26dl%3D0&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.medicalonline.jp%2Fjamas.php%3FGoodsID%3D%2Fag1snrsd%2F2019%2F007202%2F010%2F0170-0174%26dl%3D0&type=MedicalOnline&icon=https%3A%2F%2Fjk04.jamas.or.jp%2Ficon%2F00004_2.gif

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

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Vaccination is an effective strategy to prevent pneumococcal diseases. Currently, licensed vaccines include the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV) and the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), which target some of the most common of the 94 serotypes of S. pneumoniae based on their capsular composition. However, it has been reported that PPSV is not effective in children aged less than 2 years old and PCV induces serotype replacement, which means that the pneumococcal population has changed following widespread introduction of these vaccines, and the non-vaccine serotypes have increased in being the cause of invasive pneumococcal disease. Therefore, it is important that there is development of novel pneumococcal vaccines to either replace or complement current polysaccharide-based vaccines. Our previous study suggested that S. pneumoniae releases elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) through autolysis followed by the induction of proinflammatory cytokines in macrophages via toll-like receptor 4, that may contribute to the development of pneumococcal diseases. In this study, we investigated the expression of EF-Tu in various S. pneumoniae strains and whether EF-Tu could be an antigen candidate for serotype-independent vaccine against pneumococcal infection. Western blotting and flow cytometry analysis revealed that EF-Tu is a common factor expressed on the surface of all pneumococcal strains tested, as well as intracellularly. In addition, we demonstrate that immunization with recombinant (r) EF-Tu induced the production of inflammatory cytokines and the IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies in mice, and increased the CD4+ T-cells proportion in splenocytes. We also reveal that anti-EF-Tu serum increased the phagocytic activity of mouse peritoneal macrophages against S. pneumoniae infection, independent of their serotypes. Finally, our results indicate that mice immunized with rEF-Tu were significantly and non-specifically protected against lethal challenges with S. pneumoniae serotypes (2 and 15A). Therefore, pneumococcal EF-Tu could be an antigen candidate for the serotype-independent vaccine against pneumococcal infection.

DOI： 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.11.015

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DOI： 10.1111/ped.13723

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本小児血液・がん学会  

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BACKGROUND: Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine was introduced as a voluntary vaccine in December 2008 and was included in the national routine immunization program in April 2013 in Japan. Currently, no nationwide data are available to evaluate the effectiveness of Hib vaccine in Japan. METHODS: To evaluate the effectiveness of Hib vaccine in Japan, nationwide active population-based surveillance of culture-proven invasive infections caused by H. influenzae in children was performed in 2008-2017 in 10 prefectures in Japan (covering approximately 23% of the total Japanese population). Clinical data were recorded on a standardized case report form. Capsular type and antimicrobial susceptibility of the H. influenzae isolates were examined. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) and its confidence interval (CI) were calculated to compare data from 5 years before and that from after the introduction of the national routine Hib vaccine immunization program. RESULTS: During the 10-year study period, 566 invasive H. influenzae disease cases including 336 meningitis cases were identified. The average number of invasive H. influenzae disease cases among children <5 years of age during 2013-2017 decreased by 93% (IRR: 0.07, 95%CI 0.05-0.10, p < 0.001) compared with those occurring during 2008-2012. Hib strains have not been isolated from invasive H. influenzae disease cases since 2014; however, non-typeable H. influenzae and H. influenzae type f isolates have been noted as causes of invasive H. influenzae diseases among children <5 years in the post-Hib vaccine era. CONCLUSIONS: After the governmental subsidization of the Hib vaccine, invasive Hib disease cases decreased dramatically in the study population, as per our surveillance. Continuous surveillance is necessary to monitor the effectiveness of Hib vaccine and for detecting any emerging invasive capsular types.

DOI： 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.08.029

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Language：English   Publisher：(一社)日本血液学会-東京事務局  

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BACKGROUND: Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) has been often misdiagnosed as long QT syndrome (LQTS) type 1 (LQT1), which phenotypically mimics CPVT but has a relatively better prognosis. Methods and Results: The derivation and validation cohorts consisted of 146 and 21 patients, respectively, all of whom had exercise- or emotional stress-induced cardiac events. In the derivation cohort, 42 and 104 patients were first clinically diagnosed with CPVT and LQTS, respectively. Nine of 104 patient who had initial diagnosis of LQTS were found to carry RYR2 mutations. They were misdiagnosed due to 4 different reasons: (1) transient QT prolongation after cardiopulmonary arrest; (2) QT prolongation after epinephrine test; (3) absence of ventricular arrhythmia after the exercise stress test (EST); and (4) assumption of LQTS without evidence. Based on genetic results, we constructed a composite scoring system by modifying the Schwartz score: replacing the corrected QT interval (QTc) at 4 min recovery time after EST >480 ms with that at 2 min, or with ∆QTc (QTc at 2 min of recovery-QTc before exercise) >40 ms and assigning a score of -1 for ∆QTc <10 ms or documented polymorphic ventricular arrhythmias. This composite scoring yielded 100% sensitivity and specificity for the clinical differential diagnosis between LQT1 and CPVT when applied to the validation cohort. CONCLUSIONS: The modified Schwartz score facilitated the differential diagnosis between LQT1 and CPVT.

DOI： 10.1253/circj.CJ-17-1032

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(株)日本小児医事出版社  

急性リンパ性白血病(ALL)は腎腫大を含め様々な臓器浸潤を来すが、腎臓に結節性病変を呈することは少ない。症例は1歳4ヵ月の男児。発熱が持続し、血液検査でLDHの異常高値を指摘され、造影CTで両側腎腫大と多発結節性病変を認めた。末梢血中に芽球の出現があり、骨髄穿刺で前駆B細胞性急性リンパ性白血病と診断した。寛解導入療法後に両側腎腫大および腎多発結節性病変は消失し完全寛解に至った。腎の多発結節性病変の鑑別として造血器腫瘍も考慮すべきである。(著者抄録)

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Other Link： https://search.jamas.or.jp/index.php?module=Default&action=Link&pub_year=2018&ichushi_jid=J00643&link_issn=&doc_id=20180724220012&doc_link_id=%2Fag1snrsd%2F2018%2F007108%2F013%2F1409-1414%26dl%3D0&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.medicalonline.jp%2Fjamas.php%3FGoodsID%3D%2Fag1snrsd%2F2018%2F007108%2F013%2F1409-1414%26dl%3D0&type=MedicalOnline&icon=https%3A%2F%2Fjk04.jamas.or.jp%2Ficon%2F00004_2.gif

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The Japanese immunization program has made considerable recent progress. The introduction of several new vaccines, especially foreign-produced vaccines, and the inclusion of important new vaccines in the National Immunization Program (NIP) are closing the "vaccine gap", i.e., the delay in the Japanese immunization program relative to programs in other developed countries. Major progress in the Japanese immunization program since 2014 includes (1) elimination of measles in March 2015, (2) introduction of a varicella vaccine as a routine immunization in the NIP in October 2015, and (3) introduction of hepatitis B virus vaccines as routine immunizations in the NIP in October 2016. Despite these promising developments, important issues remain. First, the government withdrew the active recommendation for human papilloma virus vaccines temporarily in 2013. The withdrawal has continued and unresolved despite new scientific evidence confirming the safety of these vaccines. Second, a few important voluntary vaccines, including vaccines for mumps and rotavirus, have not been included in the NIP since their introduction to Japan. Finally, there are concerns related to a shortage of mandatory domestic vaccines, which was caused by a natural disaster in the area where a vaccine-producing factory was located. Additionally, the manufacturer included unauthorized additives in some vaccine products with falsifying the production-process records. To avoid problems related to vaccine shortages, essential vaccines need to be stockpiled, and the future vaccine needs for children should to be discussed. New initiatives must continue to close the vaccine gap, as this will protect children living in Japan from vaccine-preventable diseases.

DOI： 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.01.092

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DOI： 10.1016/j.hrcr.2018.03.003

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Parvovirus B19 (PB19) is an important human pathogen that results in a wide spectrum of clinical outcomes, from mild, self-limiting erythema infectiosum in immunocompetent children and arthralgia in adults to lethal cytopenia in immunocompromised patients and intrauterine fetal death. However, there have been few reports of PB19 infection in neonates or young infants (aged 28-90 days), and no previous reports contained descriptions of PB19 infection as a cause of sepsislike syndrome in this age group. We report a case of sepsislike syndrome caused by PB19 infection in a 56-day-old infant whose mother had polyarthralgia at the time of his admission. PB19 infection was diagnosed on the basis of positive polymerase chain reaction results for PB19 DNA in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Positive immunoglobulin M and negative immunoglobulin G for PB19 suggested acute infection. He was admitted to the ICU because of poor peripheral circulation, but fully recovered without antibiotic administration. After excluding other possible pathogens, PB19 should be suspected as a cause of sepsislike syndrome in young infants, especially those who have close contact with PB19-infected individuals.

DOI： 10.1542/peds.2017-1435

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BACKGROUND: Thyroid function in asphyxiated newborns who received hypothermia therapy and its relation to neurological outcome are not well described. METHODS: We performed a prospective study to measure thyroid function in 12 asphyxiated newborns who received hypothermia therapy. We measured serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroxine (FT4) on admission, at 24, 72, and 96 h after birth, and at discharge (range, 17-54 days). The 12 newborns were divided into two groups based on the presence of brain injury on head magnetic resonance imaging (six in the abnormal imaging group and six in the normal imaging group), and thyroid function was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Serum TSH was within the normal range in the 12 newborns. Serum FT3 and FT4 remained low at 24, 72, and 96 h after birth, and returned to normal range at discharge in the 12 newborns. There was no significant difference in serum TSH between the two groups, but serum FT3 at 96 h after birth, and serum FT4 at 72 and 96 h after birth, were significantly lower in the abnormal imaging group than in the normal imaging group (P = 0.02; P = 0.03; and P = 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Asphyxiated newborns have transient low thyroid hormone levels at 24-96 h after birth. Serum FT3 and FT4 between 72 and 96 h after birth may predict brain injury in asphyxiated newborns.

DOI： 10.1111/ped.13534

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DOI： 10.1111/ped.13552

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：新潟医学会  

症例は10ヵ月の男児。発熱とけいれんを主訴に当院に入院した。Haemophilus influenzae type b(Hib)ワクチンおよび肺炎球菌ワクチンは接種済み。健診で異常を指摘されたことはなかった。入院時、多核球優位の髄液細胞数増多を認め、細菌性髄膜炎と診断された。セフトリアキソン、バンコマイシン、デキサメタゾンで治療を開始され、一旦は解熱したが、入院4日目から再度発熱した。腰仙部中央に痂皮形成を伴う発赤があり、痂皮下に軽微な陥凹を認めたため腰部MRIを施行した。皮膚洞、硬膜内に連続する嚢状構造物を認め、先天性皮膚洞と硬膜内膿瘍が疑われた。入院8日目の髄液検査では再度細胞数の増多を認めた。標準的な抗菌薬治療でも解熱せず、外科的介入が必要と判断された。入院11日目に高次医療機関に転院し、皮膚洞と嚢胞を摘出された。転院後の髄液培養でStaphylococcus lugdunensisが検出された。病理の結果、先天性皮膚洞、類皮嚢胞と診断された。術後経過は良好で転院26日目に退院した。術後の運動発達は良好で、1歳で独歩を獲得している。本症例は髄膜炎が先天性皮膚洞発見の契機となった。非感染時の皮膚症状が軽微で健診では確認が困難であったが、入院時の診察で皮膚異常を認めたことで診断に至った。先天性皮膚洞は早期発見と介入が重要である。皮膚所見が軽微でも、臀裂内にない陥凹等のリスクのある症例を見逃さないことが大切と考えられた。Hib、肺炎球菌ワクチン接種済みの症例や通常想定されない起因菌の細菌性髄膜炎では、解剖学的異常を含めた基礎疾患の可能性を特に考えるべきである。(著者抄録)

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Omodysplasia-2 (OMOD2; OMIM%16475) is a rare autosomal dominant (AD) skeletal dysplasia characterized by shortened humeri, short first metacarpal, craniofacial dysmorphism (frontal bossing, depressed nasal bridge, bifid nasal tip, and long philtrum), and variable degrees of genitourinary anomalies. This clinical phenotype overlaps with that of AD type Robinow syndrome. Recently, a mutation in FZD2 encoding a Frizzled Class Receptor 2 has been identified in a family with AD omodysplasia (an affected girl and her affected mother). Here, we present the second report on a heterozygous novel nonsense FZD2 mutation in OMOD2 or Robinow syndrome-like phenotype. The proband was a 16-year-old boy, who has been followed from infancy to adolescence. He presented with rhizomelic short stature with elbow restriction, mild facial dysmorphism (depressed broad bridge, short nose, anteverted nostrils, long philtrum, and low-set ears), and genital hypoplasia. Radiological examination in infancy showed short, broad humeri with relatively narrow distal ends, mildly broad femora, thick proximal ulnae with hypoplastic, dislocated proximal radii, and short first metacarpals. The abnormal skeletal pattern was persistent in adolescence; however, the humeri and femora became less undermodeled, while the humeri and radii became mildly bowed. Molecular analysis identified a de novo, heterozygous, nonsense mutation (c.1640C>A, p.S547*) in FZD2. The affected codon was next to the previously reported mutation (p.Trp548*). The results indicate that OMOD2 or Robinow syndome-like phenotype can be caused by a heterozygous nonsense FZD2 mutation impairing Wnt signaling. Further molecular studies will permit better clarification of the phenotypic spectrum in patients with OMOD2.

DOI： 10.1002/ajmg.a.38623

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Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of bacterial pneumonia. Our previous study suggested that S. pneumoniae autolysis-dependently releases intracellular pneumolysin, which subsequently leads to lung injury. In this study, we hypothesized that pneumococcal autolysis induces the leakage of additional intracellular molecules that could increase the pathogenicity of S. pneumoniae. Liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry analysis identified that chaperone protein DnaK, elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) were released with pneumococcal DNA by autolysis. We demonstrated that recombinant (r) DnaK, rEF-Tu, and rGAPDH induced significantly higher levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor production in peritoneal macrophages and THP-1-derived macrophage-like cells via toll-like receptor 4. Furthermore, the DNA-binding activity of these proteins was confirmed by surface plasmon resonance assay. We demonstrated that pneumococcal DnaK, EF-Tu, and GAPDH induced the production of proinflammatory cytokines in macrophages, and might cause host tissue damage and affect the development of pneumococcal diseases.

DOI： 10.1016/j.cellimm.2018.01.006

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DOI： 10.1056/NEJMicm1711479

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

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Immune-mediated central nervous system manifestations of group A β-hemolytic Streptococcus (GABHS) infection include Sydenham's chorea, pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infection (PANDAS)-which includes tic and obsessive compulsive disorders-and a variety of neurobehavioral disorders. We report a case of Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis (group G Streptococcus) (GGS) infection associated with involuntary movements, complex tics, and emotional lability in an 11-year-old Japanese girl. Serum IgM and IgG antibodies to lysoganglioside were positive, and she responded rapidly to intravenous immunoglobulin treatment. Neuropsychiatric disorder associated with GGS infection was ultimately diagnosed. The present findings suggest that neuropsychiatric disorders can result from GGS infection and that the pathogenic mechanism is similar to that of GABHS infection. Future large-scale studies should examine the relation between GGS infection and onset of neuropsychiatric disorder.

DOI： 10.1155/2018/6047318

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This study examined the effects of providing vaccination education during the perinatal period on Japanese parents' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about childhood vaccination. A cluster-randomized controlled-trial method was used on a sample of 160 pregnant women recruited from 9 obstetrical sites in Niigata, Japan. The treatment group received a stepwise interactive education intervention, while the control group received a general vaccination leaflet. Changes in parental attitudes toward and beliefs about infant vaccination were assessed on the child's one-month and 6-month birthdays using paper questionnaires. Of the initial 188 participants, 160 (90.4%) completed the final post-survey questionnaire. Scores on injunctive social norms (a morally neutral perception of the behavior of the majority) and descriptive social norms (a moral perception of what individuals should do) significantly increased in the treatment group (p = .02 and p = .01, respectively). There was a significant difference between the 2 groups over time in terms of perceived benefit (efficacy of available preventive actions) (p = .03), but no significant differences in perceived severity (seriousness of a disease outcome), perceived susceptibility (likelihood of getting a disease), perceived benefits, perceived behavioral control, or descriptive social norms between the groups at any time point or in the patterns of change over time (p > .31). Thus, stepwise perinatal vaccination education was found to positively influence maternal attitudes and beliefs about infant vaccination. This study suggests the importance of vaccination education during the perinatal period.

DOI： 10.1080/21645515.2017.1368601

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DOI： 10.1111/ped.13382

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DOI： 10.1111/ped.13427

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本小児感染症学会  

日齢22の男児が入院前日からの発熱を主訴に来院し、体幹と四肢に網状チアノーゼを認め、敗血症様症候群と診断された。血清のリアルタイムPCRと遺伝子解析により、ヒトパレコウイルス4型(human parechovirus type 4:HPeV4)が同定された。さらに、HPeV4に対するペア血清で中和抗体価の上昇を確認し、診断を確定した。同定された17の遺伝子型の内、ヒトパレコウイルス3型(human parechovirus type 3:HPeV3)は新生児に敗血症や髄膜脳炎など、重症感染症を引き起こすことが知られているが、HPeV4は軽症の胃腸炎や呼吸器感染症の患者の便からの報告がほとんどである。HPeV4が敗血症様症候群を呈した症例報告は世界でも数例であり、この症例は国内初の報告である。ヒトパレコウイルスの異なる遺伝子型の感染症の臨床像を明らかにするためには、遺伝子型の同定が必要であり、また、症例の集積が重要である。(著者抄録)

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本小児血液・がん学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本小児血液・がん学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本小児血液・がん学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本小児血液・がん学会  

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Histiocytic sarcoma, a rare hematopoietic neoplasm with evidence of histiocytic differentiation, is often refractory to conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and its prognosis is generally dismal. The optimal management of this malignancy has not been established. We report a case of 8-year-old girl with histiocytic sarcoma involving the left femur. The tumor rapidly responded to a combination of cladribine and high-dose cytosine arabinoside, an aggressive salvage regimen for refractory Langerhans cell histiocytosis, and became impalpable during the first cycle. The patient has remained in complete remission more than 7 years from diagnosis.

DOI： 10.1007/s12185-017-2202-8

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

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ランゲルハンス細胞組織球症(LCH)は、ランゲルハンス細胞様細胞(LCH細胞)のモノクローナルな腫瘍性増殖をきたす疾患である。骨病変の頻度が最も高く、軟部組織単独病変は稀である。今回我々は、胸椎の骨融解病変、胸膜病変、および骨病変に連続しない後頸部の軟部組織病変を伴う多臓器型LCHの5歳女児例を経験した。本例は当初、後頸部皮下膿瘍および化膿性脊椎炎の疑いで抗菌薬が投与され、解熱し病変部位の腫脹が軽減消失したことから、結果的に化学療法の同意が得られず経過観察の方針となった。約9ヵ月間で2回の再燃を観察し、いずれも抗菌薬投与のみで解熱し、局所症状も軽減消失した。最終的に多剤併用化学療法を導入したところ、速やかに寛解が得られ、4年間再発なく経過良好である。本例はLCHでは稀な軟部組織病変を伴うのみならず、抗菌薬による一時的効果が観察された点で、LCHの複雑な病態を考察する上で貴重と思われる。(著者抄録)

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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A low total nephron number, which is associated with low birth weight (LBW), may indicate increased susceptibility to early-onset renal diseases in children. However, few studies have assessed renal biopsy findings in LBW children. We examined the relationship between LBW and glomerular density (GD) and/or glomerular volume (GV) in renal biopsy samples as a surrogate for total nephron number. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: Renal biopsy findings of children of LBW were compared with those of age-matched control subjects of normal birth weight (NBW) who were histopathologically diagnosed with FSGS or minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) from 1995 to 2011. The GD and GV were estimated on the basis of measurements obtained by computerized image analysis. RESULTS: A total of 31 subjects (mean age 11 years; eight with low birth weight-FSGS [LBW-FSGS], 10 with normal birth weight-FSGS [NBW-FSGS], and 13 with normal birth weight-minimal change nephrotic syndrome [NBW-MCNS]) were analyzed. The mean birth weight of each group was 777 g (629-1000), 3110 g (2888-3358), and 3120 g (2748-3398), respectively (median [25th-75th percentile]). Age, body mass index, BP, and degrees of globally sclerotic glomeruli at biopsy were comparable between the groups. The GD was lower (LBW-FSGS, 1.4±0.6/mm2; NBW-FSGS, 3.3±1.2/mm2; and NBW-MCNS, 3.6±1.1/mm2; P<0.05) and the GV was greater (LBW-FSGS, 4.1 [3.1-5.1]×106µm3; NBW-FSGS, 1.6 [1.5-2.1]×106µm3; and NBW-MCNS, 1.3 [1.1-1.8]×106µm3 [median, (25th-75th percentile)]; P<0.05) in patients with LBW-FSGS than in the other patient groups. The GD showed close positive correlations with birth weight (r=0.48) and gestational age (r=0.54), independent of renal function and degree of global glomerular sclerosis. CONCLUSIONS: A low GD together with marked glomerular enlargement characterizes renal biopsy samples of children born with a LBW at an early stage of gestation.

DOI： 10.2215/CJN.05650516

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Perlman syndrome is a rare overgrowth syndrome characterized by polyhydramnios, macrosomia, distinctive facial appearance, renal dysplasia, and a predisposition to Wilms' tumor. The syndrome is often associated with a high neonatal mortality rate and there are few reports of long-term survivors. We studied a 6-year-old Japanese female patient, who was diagnosed with Perlman syndrome, with novel compound heterozygous mutations in DIS3L2 (c.[367-2A > G];[1328T > A]), who has survived long term. Most reported DIS3L2 mutations have been the homozygous deletion of exon 6 or exon 9, and these mutations would certainly have caused the loss of both RNA binding and degradation activity. We have identified new compound heterozygous mutations in the DIS3L2 of this long-term survivor of Perlman syndrome. The reason our patient has survived long-term would be a missense mutation (c.1328 T > A, p.Met443Lys) having retained RNA binding in both the cold-shock domains and the S1 domain, and through partial RNA degradation. If partial exonuclease functions remain in at least one allele, long-term survival may be possible. Further studies of Perlman syndrome patients with proven DIS3L2 mutations are needed to clarify genotype-phenotype correlation.

DOI： 10.1002/ajmg.a.38111

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Natural killer cells have been identified as a mediator of alloimmune reactions in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are an important determinant of natural killer cell function. The relationship between KIR genotypes/haplotypes and clinical outcomes of allogeneic HSCT is complex and inconsistent among several reports. We assessed the clinical impact of KIR haplotype on T cell-replete allogeneic HSCTs performed in a single Japanese center for hematological malignancies (n = 106). A comparison of 2 groups, donor haplotypes A/A and B/x, revealed no significant differences in overall survival, relapse, and nonrelapse mortality. However, grade III to IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) occurred significantly more frequently in the KIR haplotype B/x group (A/A versus B/x: 4.9% versus 20.0%; P = .02). This was even more evident when HLA mismatch was present. The highest incidences of grade II to IV and grade III to IV acute GVHD were observed in patients who received allografts from HLA-mismatched donors with KIR haplotype B/x. These data highlight the importance of KIR genotyping in donor matching, especially when HLA mismatch allogeneic grafting is planned.

DOI： 10.1016/j.bbmt.2016.12.638

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BACKGROUND: Perinatal immunization education is important for improving the immunization outcomes of infants; however, the content of educational materials used at each perinatal period has not been carefully evaluated. We hypothesized that stepwise education offered at different perinatal periods would improve infant immunization status and enhance maternal immunization knowledge. METHODS: In this cluster-randomized controlled trial, pregnant women were recruited from nine obstetric sites in Niigata, Japan. The intervention group received a stepwise, interactive education intervention (prenatally, postnatally, and 1month after birth). The control group received a leaflet containing general information on immunization. Infant immunization status was evaluated at 6months of age, and maternal immunization knowledge was evaluated by a written survey after each intervention. RESULTS: Among 188 study participants, 151 (80.3%) replied to the final post-intervention survey. At 6months of age, the percentage of children who completed three doses of inactivated polio, diphtheria, tetanus toxoid, and acellular pertussis (DTaP-IPV) vaccine was higher in the intervention group than in the control (p=0.04); however, no differences between groups were observed for the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (p=0.67) or 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13) vaccines (p=0.20). The duration to the completion of the third dose of the DTaP-IPV, Hib, and PCV13 vaccines was shorter in the intervention group than in the control (p=0.03, p<0.01, and p<0.01, respectively). Furthermore, maternal knowledge scores exhibited significantly greater improvement in the intervention group over time compared with those of the control group (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Stepwise perinatal immunization education improved immunization schedule adherence for required vaccines and improved maternal immunization knowledge.

DOI： 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.01.069

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

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BACKGROUND: Excessive mucin secretion in the airway is an important feature of airway inflammatory diseases. MUC5AC expression is regulated by a variety of stimuli such as cytokines. Little is known about the role of interferon (IFN)-γ in MUC5AC expression in human bronchial epithelial cells. METHODS: Human pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma cell line (NCI-H292) and normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells were used to assess the effects of IFN-γ on MUC5AC transcription. RESULTS: Transforming growth factor (TGF)-α and double-stranded RNA (polyI:C)-induced MUC5AC mRNA and protein expression was repressed by IFN-γ in a concentration-dependent manner. IFN-γ showed limited effects on TGF-α and polyI:C-induced activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). A chromatin immunoprecipitation assay indicated that Sp1 bound to its cognate sequence located on the MUC5AC promoter. The Sp1 inhibitor mithramycin A inhibited MUC5AC mRNA expression, implying a critical role for Sp1 in MUC5AC induction. Importantly, IFN-γ impeded Sp1 binding to the MUC5AC promoter. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that IFN-γ represses MUC5AC expression, disturbing binding of Sp1 to its target sequences.

DOI： 10.1016/j.alit.2016.05.005

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AIM: This study was aimed at examining the effects of treatment with rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody against the protein CD20, in a B-lymphocyte independent adriamycin-induced rat model of nephrotic syndrome. Rituximab is an emerging rescue therapy used in patients with complicated nephrotic syndrome and, therefore, we sought to elucidate the apparent B-lymphocyte independent mechanism underlying its anti-proteinuric effect. METHODS: Adriamycin-induced nephropathy was established in Wistar rats by intravenously injecting 10 mg/kg of adriamycin, which were then treated with rituximab or purified human IgG weekly and euthanized on day 28. Proteinuria, glomerular expression of sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase acid-like 3b protein, and podocyte-related proteins were examined using immunofluorescence staining and a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Rituximab treatment of rats with adriamycin-induced nephropathy significantly reduced urinary protein excretion 14 to 28 days after induction of disease, compared with those treated with purified normal human IgG. Furthermore, rituximab treatment also prevented the reduction of glomerular nephrin and podocin expression on day 28. Double-immunofluorescence staining revealed that after in vivo administration, rituximab was bound to the glomeruli, which also expressed synaptopodin or sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase, acid-like 3b. Moreover, sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase, acid-like 3b expression was significantly decreased on day 28 of adriamycin-induced nephropathy, which was also prevented by rituximab. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that rituximab directly affected glomerular podocytes and ameliorated proteinuria in adriamycin-induced nephropathy in rats. Furthermore, protection of podocyte function by rituximab may be mediated by direct modulation of a sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase, acid-like 3b-dependent mechanism.

DOI： 10.1111/nep.12737

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Haemophilus influenzae is a rare cause of peritonitis in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). We report a case of peritonitis due to non-typeable H. influenzae in a 5-year-old girl on automated PD. The patient was successfully treated with intraperitoneal cefepime and cefazolin. The isolate was multilocus sequence type 3 and contained the hmw and hia genes but was IS1016-negative. Seven of the eight reported cases were female, indicating that sex-associated factors may be important in H. influenzae peritonitis in patients on PD. Determination of the pathogenesis of PD-associated H. influenzae peritonitis requires gene analysis and a swab sample from the vaginal introitus.

DOI： 10.1016/j.idcr.2017.06.003

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BACKGROUND: Human parechovirus type 3 (HPeV3) is an emerging virus that causes sepsis and meningoencephalitis in neonates and young infants. Correct diagnosis of HPeV3 infection is critical in determining appropriate management and predicting patients' clinical course. Real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) analysis of serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been used to diagnose HPeV3 infection; however, the assay detection limits have not been fully evaluated. OBJECTIVES: We tested the hypothesis that droplet digital RT-PCR (RT-ddPCR)-a novel technique that precisely quantitates low-copy target genes by diluting and partitioning samples into compartments-increases the detection rate of HPeV3 RNA as compared with real-time RT-PCR. STUDY DESIGN: Using samples with predetermined HPeV3 copy numbers, we evaluated one-step and two-step RT-ddPCR. Then, we tested two-step RT-ddPCR and real-time RT-PCR, using clinical samples with low copy numbers. Finally, we used two-step RT-ddPCR to evaluate clinical samples obtained from HPeV3-infected patients with positive serum but negative CSF, as determined by real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS: Two-step RT-ddPCR was less variable and more specific than one-step RT-ddPCR. Two-step RT-ddPCR detected HPeV3 RNA in all six CSF samples; four samples (67%) were reproducibly positive and the other two samples (33%) were positive at least once in four replicates. Finally, no nonspecific droplet was positive by two-step RT-ddPCR. CONCLUSIONS: Two-step RT-ddPCR may enhance the rate of HPeV3 RNA detection from samples with low viral loads, thereby improving diagnosis and management of HPeV3-infected patients.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jcv.2016.09.009

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Language：English   Publisher：(一社)日本小児血液・がん学会  

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Language：English   Publisher：(一社)日本小児血液・がん学会  

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Language：English   Publisher：(一社)日本小児血液・がん学会  

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

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Intradermal (ID) vaccination induces a more potent immune response and requires lower vaccine doses as compared with standard vaccination routes. To deliver ID vaccines effectively and consistently, an ID delivery device has been developed and is commercially available for adults. The clinical application of ID vaccines for infants and children is much anticipated because children receive several vaccines, on multiple occasions, during infancy and childhood. However, experience with ID vaccines is limited and present evidence is sparse and inconsistent. ID delivery devices are not currently available for infants and children, but recent studies have examined skin thickness in this population and reported that it did not differ in proportion to body size in infants, children, and adults. These results are helpful in developing new ID devices and for preparing new vaccines in infants and children.

DOI： 10.1080/21645515.2016.1176652

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

症例1(在胎37週0日に出生した2590gの男児)。日齢7より哺乳時にチアノーゼが認め近医を受診、体重増加不良、無呼吸発作を指摘され、日齢10に著者らの施設へ紹介となった。症例2(在胎40週0日に出生した2935gの男児)。日齢29に発熱、意識レベル低下、四肢振戦を認めるようになり、日齢30に前医を受診、細菌性髄膜炎を疑われ、入院加療を受けるも無呼吸が出現したため、日齢31に著者らの施設へ転院となった。両症例とも新生児敗血症様症状で発症し、血清AST、LDH、フェリチン、sIL-2Rの上昇や凝固機能障害ほか、脳MRIでは大脳白質障害を呈していた。治療として、症例1は挿管・人工呼吸管理、症例2は経鼻持続気道陽圧呼吸が行われた。ステロイド治療は施行されなかったが、明らかな神経学的後遺症なく、症状の改善が得られた。尚、患者それぞれの血清、髄液から逆転写PCRでHPeVゲノムが検出され、本症例は新生児ヒトパレコウイルス感染症の診断に至った。

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(NPO)日本小児循環器学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

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Vaccine-preventable diseases are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in solid organ transplant recipients who undergo immunosuppression after transplantation. The primary strategy for immunizing transplant recipients is to deliver all potential vaccines prior to transplantation. However, time constraints limit the number of vaccines that may be delivered. In such cases, the administration of live attenuated vaccines that are contraindicated after transplantation should be prioritized. Simultaneous vaccination is also encouraged to maximize the number of vaccines delivered. Immunity induced by both inactivated and live vaccines wane after transplantation. The limited but available evidence suggests that immunization using inactivated vaccines in transplant recipients is both effective and safe. An increasing number of studies also suggest that once patients are under minimal immunosuppression, live attenuated vaccines may be given effectively and safely. The need for serologic monitoring and booster immunizations remain issues for future research.

DOI： 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.03.001

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DOI： 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.09.084

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BACKGROUND: A radiologic diagnosis of hypochondroplasia is hampered by the absence of age-dependent radiologic criteria, particularly in the neonatal period. OBJECTIVE: To establish radiologic criteria and scoring system for identifying neonates with fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3)-associated hypochondroplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 7 hypochondroplastic neonates and 30 controls. All subjects underwent radiologic examination within 28 days after birth. We evaluated parameters reflecting the presence of (1) short ilia, (2) squared ilia, (3) short greater sciatic notch, (4) horizontal acetabula, (5) short femora, (6) broad femora, (7) metaphyseal flaring, (8) lumbosacral interpedicular distance narrowing and (9) ovoid radiolucency of the proximal femora. RESULTS: Only parameters 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were statistically different between the two groups. Parameters 3, 5 and 6 did not overlap between the groups, while parameters 1 and 4 did. Based on these results, we propose a scoring system for hypochondroplasia. Two major criteria (parameters 3 and 6) were assigned scores of 2, whereas 4 minor criteria (parameters 1, 4, 5 and 9) were assigned scores of 1. All neonates with hypochondroplasia in our material scored ≥6. CONCLUSION: Our set of diagnostic radiologic criteria might be useful for early identification of hypochondroplastic neonates.

DOI： 10.1007/s00247-015-3518-2

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OBJECTIVE: Coronary artery lesions (CALs) and a risk for early onset of atherosclerosis are major concerns following Kawasaki disease (KD). Intimal smooth muscle cells (SMCs) have an important role in vascular lesions in KD. It is known that soluble LR11 (sLR11) is a novel biomarker for vascular lesions and LR11 is markedly expressed in intimal SMCs in atherosclerotic lesions. In this study, we hypothesized that sLR11 reflects the presence of vascular lesions late after KD. METHODS: Twenty-three age-matched controls (group 1) and 59 patients with a history of KD were enrolled; 36 with KD had normal coronary arteries or regressed aneurysms (group 2), and 23 had CALs (group 3). RESULTS: Serum sLR11 levels in group 3 (median, interquartile range (IQR): 11.1 ng/mL, 9.3-13.9 ng/mL) were significantly higher than those in groups 1 (8.4 ng/mL, 7.1-10.2 ng/mL, p < 0.001) and 2 (9.0 ng/mL, 7.7-10.1 ng/mL, p < 0.01). Levels of sLR11 were positively correlated with levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (r = 0.480, p < 0.01) and lipoprotein (a) (r = 0.486, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that sLR11 reflects the development of vascular lesions in patients with serious CALs.

DOI： 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2015.12.035

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Blackwell Publishing Inc.  

We assessed the serological response to pertussis vaccines administered pre- and post-liver transplantation in 58 pediatric patients at a children's hospital in Japan. A high rate of pertussis vaccine failure was observed, 44.8% against the pertussis toxin and 69.0% against filamentous hemagglutinin, with no difference in the seropositivity rate with respect to the timing of the vaccination during the peritransplant period.

DOI： 10.1111/tid.12484

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During the 2014 human parechovirus type 3 (HPeV3) epidemic in Niigata, Japan, this prospective observational study identified HPeV3 from 43/85 (51%) febrile young infants <4 months using PCR analysis of serum (n = 42) and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (n = 32) and genetic sequencing of the VP1 region of HPeV3. HPeV3-infected patients (median age, 32 days; range, 4-113 days) were diagnosed as having sepsis (79%), sepsis-like syndrome (19%), or encephalitis with septic shock (2%). Other than fever, mottled skin (67%) was significantly more frequent in HPeV3-infected patients than other virus-infected patients (P = 0.005). The rate of HPeV3 RNA detection in CSF without pleocytosis was high (88%; 28/32). Among the 32 patients whose serum and CSF samples were available, all patients were positive for serum PCR; however, 4 (12%) patients were negative for CSF PCR. Serum HPeV3 RNA level on admission was associated with younger age (P = 0.002), bad temper (P = 0.041), and grunting (P = 0.008). Among 6 patients with sequential data on serum HPeV3 RNA level, levels decreased rapidly without specific therapy. In conclusion, serum samples at disease onset are the most useful compared to CSF in detection of HPeV RNA and serum HPeV3 RNA level on admission was associated with important clinical manifestations in HPeV3-infected patients.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jinf.2015.10.010

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Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis (HSPN) is one of the most common types of chronic glomerulonephritis in children; however, there have been few reports on the pathogenesis and management of grade VI HSPN. We present the case of a 6-year-old boy with grade VI HSPN accompanied by severe nephrotic syndrome and hypocomplementaemia. Immunohistological studies revealed profound glomerular accumulation of CD45- and CD68-positive inflammatory cells. Moreover, some cells expressed the proliferating marker proliferating cell nuclear antigen. His proteinuria and general oedema persisted despite repeated high-dose steroid therapy; however, these clinical symptoms immediately improved after beginning treatment with cyclophosphamide (CyP). Grade VI HSPN was successfully treated with steroids and immunosuppressants. Among immunosuppressive drugs, CyP was considered the most effective.

DOI： 10.1111/nep.12558

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BACKGROUND: In children with long QT syndrome (LQTS), risk factors for cardiac events have been reported, but age-, gender- and genotype-related differences in prognosis remain unknown in Asian countries. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study examined clinical prognosis at age between 1 and 20 years in 496 LQTS patients who were genotyped as either of LQT1-3 (male, n=206). Heterozygous mutations were observed in 3 major responsible genes:KCNQ1in271,KCNH2in 192, andSCN5Ain 33 patients. LQTS-associated events were classified into 3 categories: (1) syncope (n=133); (2) repetitive torsade de pointes (TdP, n=3); and (3) cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA, n=4). The risk of cardiac events was significantly lower in LQT1 girls than boys≤12 years (HR, 0.55), whereas LQT2 female patients ≥13 years had the higher risk of cardiac events than male patients (HR, 4.60). Patients in the repetitive TdP or CPA group included 1 LQT1 female patient, 1 LQT2 male patient, and 5 LQT2 female patients. All LQT2 patients in these groups had TdP repeatedly immediately after the antecedent event. In addition, all 5 female LQT2 patients in these groups had the event after or near puberty. CONCLUSIONS: Female LQT2 children might have repeated TdP shortly after prior events, especially after puberty. (Circ J 2016; 80: 696-702).

DOI： 10.1253/circj.CJ-15-0933

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BACKGROUND: Accurate, standardized information on childhood immunization is not available in Japan. We investigated current practices in perinatal childhood immunization education in the community and the needs and interest for such education among Japanese mothers. METHODS: This cross-sectional, descriptive study evaluated pregnant and postnatal women at four institutions in Niigata, Japan from May through July 2014. Data were collected using questionnaires inquiring about demographics, immunization education received, intent to receive childhood vaccines, and needs regarding information on childhood immunization. RESULTS: Questionnaires were distributed to 300 women, and 116 (38.6%) were returned; 70 (59.6%) of the respondents were pregnant women and 46 (40.3%) were postnatal women. Fourteen (20%) of the 70 pregnant women reported receiving some form of immunization education; in contrast, 34 (73.9%) of 46 postnatal women had received such education within 1 month of delivery. The rates of respondents who felt that the information was insufficient were high: 78.6% among pregnant women and 52.9% among postnatal women. Pregnant women reported that the most important information was general concepts of immunization; in contrast, postnatal women desired more-detailed information, e.g., on immunization scheduling. CONCLUSIONS: Japanese women do not receive sufficient perinatal immunization education. The information needed during the prenatal and postnatal periods differs. Thus, educational approaches may need to provide carefully targeted information.

DOI： 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.08.069

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BACKGROUND: In Japan, the seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) was introduced in 2010. PCV13 has replaced PCV7 since November 2013. METHODS: The effectiveness of PCV7 in protecting against invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in children aged <5 years was evaluated in a nationwide active population-based surveillance of IPD in 2008-2013 in 10 prefectures in Japan. RESULTS: 1181 cases were identified; 711 pneumococcal strains were analyzed for serotyping and antimicrobial resistance. Compared with the baseline IPD incidence (25.0 per 100,000), a 98% decline in IPD caused by PCV7 serotypes was found after the introduction of PCV7. This was partially offset by an increased incidence of IPD caused by PCV13 minus PCV7 and non-PCV13 serotypes, resulting in a 57% decline in overall IPD incidence. Absolute increases in the incidence rates of IPD caused by PCV13 minus PCV7 and non-PCV13 serotypes were 2.1 and 2.8 per 100,000 during the study period, respectively. The proportion of meropenem-nonsusceptible strains, especially with serotypes 19A and 15A, increased significantly after PCV7 introduction. CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirmed a 98% decline in IPD incidence caused by PCV7 serotypes in children aged <5 years and serotype replacement after PCV7 introduction. This shows the importance of continuing surveillance of serotypes responsible for IPD and their antimicrobial resistance in Japan.

DOI： 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.07.069

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BACKGROUND: Postoperative bloodstream infection (BSI) is the most important determinant of recipient morbidity and mortality after liver transplantation (LT). Children who underwent LT are at the highest risk of developing BSI because of the significant surgical intervention, use of multiple devices, and administration of immunosuppressive agents. However, information regarding the risk factors for BSI in children after LT is limited. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 210 children who underwent living-donor LT at the largest pediatric LT center in Japan. Patients' characteristics, blood culture results and clinical outcomes were extracted from electronic medical records. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the risk factors for BSI. RESULTS: Among the 210 LT recipients, 53 (25%) recipients experienced 86 episodes of BSI during the observational period. The source of the BSI was identified only in 38%: catheter-related BSI (27%) peritonitis (7%), urinary tract infection (2%), pneumonia (1%) and infectious endocarditis (1%). A multivariate analysis demonstrated that body weight (P = 0.03), volume of blood loss during LT (P < 0.001) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigenemia positivity (P = 0.04) were independently associated with the development of BSI. The risk factors for BSI differed when we analyzed the subjects according to age (≤24 months and >24 months), blood loss and pediatric end-stage liver disease/model for end-stage liver disease versus positive CMV antigenemia. CONCLUSIONS: The volume of blood loss, postoperative CMV antigenemia positivity and body weight were associated with the development of BSI after LT in pediatric living-donor recipients. To identify the age-specific predictors of BSI in children who underwent LT, age-specific analyses are crucial.

DOI： 10.1097/INF.0000000000000811

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Language：English   Publisher：(一社)日本小児血液・がん学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本小児血液・がん学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本小児血液・がん学会  

悪性脳腫瘍に対する全脳脊髄照射(CSI)では頭蓋骨及び全脊椎の骨髄組織が障害されるため、CSI後の強力な化学療法では骨髄抑制が著しく遷延し、結果的に治療全体の強度が低下することが大きな問題である。そこで我々は、CSI及び強力な化学療法を要する悪性脳腫瘍に対しG-CSF単独の末梢血幹細胞(PBSC)採取を試み、化学療法に自家末梢血幹細胞移植(aPBSCT)を併用することとした。早期にCSIを開始するため、術後2週以内の採取完了を目指した。初発未治療例6例では中央値12.6×10^6/kg(3.9-21.6×10^6/kg)のCD34陽性細胞採取が可能だったが、うち2例では複数回のaPBSCTに十分な細胞数に達しなかった。再発例の2例では少なくとも1回の移植に必要な量は採取できた。これら4例ではaPBSCT併用化学療法1コース終了後に再度PBSC採取を行い十分量が確保できた(13.7-42.1×10^6/kg)。術後2週以内のPBSC採取では白血球数が増加しやすい傾向にあったが、重篤な有害事象はみられなかった。全例で予定した複数回aPBSCTを実施でき、骨髄抑制の遷延をきたすことなく規定の間隔で化学療法を完遂できた。術後2週以内のG-CSF単独PBSC採取は安全に実施できたものの少数例の経験であり、術後早期にCSIを要する悪性脳腫瘍の集学的治療における有効性に関しては更なる検討を要する。(著者抄録)

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As compared with standard intramuscular and subcutaneous vaccines, intradermal (ID) vaccines elicit a more potent immune response in both adults and children, with equivalent dosage or antigen dose sparing. Recently, various devices for ID injection have been developed; the length of needles ranges in 0.6-1.5 mm. However, skin thickness must be measured to determine optimal needle length for ID vaccines. Use of ID vaccines in infants and children is appealing because children require more vaccines than do adults; however, information on skin thickness in infants and children is limited. We used ultrasound echography to measure skin thickness in Japanese infants aged 2 months (n=78) and adolescents aged 13-15 years (n=82). Mean (range) deltoid and suprascapular skin thickness was 1.67 mm (1.16-2.39 mm) and 1.83 mm (1.24-2.60 mm), respectively, in infants and 1.81 mm (1.25-3.00 mm) and 2.43 mm (1.51-3.95 mm), respectively, in adolescents. Among infants who underwent re-measurement of skin thickness at age 6 months (n=11), mean deltoid skin thickness (1.84 mm) was significantly greater than at age 2 months (1.60 mm) (P<0.001). In contrast, no significant difference was observed in suprascapular skin thickness (1.79 mm vs. 1.67 mm, respectively; P=0.17). Gender was not associated with skin thickness in either age group. Skin thickness was positively correlated with body weight in adolescents (r=0.43, P<0.001 in deltoid region; r=0.30, P=0.01 in suprascapular region). In conclusion, this is the first study to evaluate skin thickness in different age groups of children, including at age 2 months. Skin thickness gradually increased from age 2 months to age 13-15 years, but no consistent trend was noted in analysis stratified by measurement site, gender, or age. These findings suggest that an appropriate length of ID device needle for infants and children is likely to be less than 1.2mm and a special device with shorter length of needle is warranted for infants and children.

DOI： 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.04.081

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BACKGROUND: Prevention of chronic kidney allograft injury (CAI) is a major goal in improving kidney allograft survival; however, the mechanisms of CAI are not clearly understood. The current study investigated whether alternatively activated M2-type macrophages are involved in the development of CAI. METHODS: A retrospective study examined kidney allograft protocol biopsies (at 1 h and at years 1, 5, and 10--a total of 41 biopsies) obtained from 13 children undergoing transplantation between 1991 and 2008 who were diagnosed with CAI: interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IF/TA) not otherwise specified (IF/TA-NOS). RESULTS: Immunostaining identified a significant increase in interstitial fibrosis with accumulation of CD68 + CD163+ M2-type macrophages. CD163+ cells were frequently localized to areas of interstitial fibrosis exhibiting collagen I deposition and accumulation of α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) + myofibroblasts. There was a significant correlation between interstitial CD163+ cells and the parameters of interstitial fibrosis (p < 0.0001), and kidney function (r =-0.82, p < 0.0001). The number of interstitial CD163+ cells at years 1 and 5 also correlated with parameters of interstitial fibrosis at years 5 and 10 respectively. Notably, urine CD163 levels correlated with interstitial CD163+ cells (r = 0.79, p < 0.01) and parameters of interstitial fibrosis (p < 0.0001). However, CD3+ T lymphocytic infiltration did not correlate with macrophage accumulation or fibrosis. In vitro, dexamethasone up-regulated expression of CD163 and cytokines (TGF-β1, FGF-2, CTGF) in human monocyte-derived macrophages, indicating a pro-fibrotic phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings identify a major population of M2-type macrophages in patients with CAI, and suggest that these M2-type macrophages might promote the development of interstitial fibrosis in IF/TA-NOS.

DOI： 10.1007/s00467-014-3023-0

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After liver transplantation (LT), live attenuated vaccines (LAVs) are generally contraindicated. LAVs are recommended before LT for patients ≥ 6 months of age. However, the evidence supporting this practice is limited. Patients were enrolled before and after LT. Clinical data for patients were obtained from medical records. Serum antibody titers were evaluated at the time of enrollment and prospectively. Serum antibody titers were measured with a hemagglutination inhibition test for measles and rubella and with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for varicella and mumps. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to investigate the factors that affect the serostatus. Serological analyses of 49 patients immunized before LT (median age, 45 months; male, 35%) were performed. Underlying diseases were biliary atresia (n = 27; 55%), metabolic diseases (n = 13; 27%), fulminant hepatic failure (n = 5; 10%), and others (n = 4; 8%). The seropositivity rate after each vaccine was 46.9% (measles), 89.4% (rubella), 67.5% (varicella), and 48.8% (mumps). Factors independently associated with seronegativity were a vaccination age < 12 months for measles (P = .002), a lower body weight for varicella (P = 0.01), and underlying diseases other than biliary atresia for mumps (P = .004). No serious adverse event was observed during the study period. The immunogenicity of LAVs before LT was high for rubella but low for the others. Before LT, further vaccination strategies are needed for patients. In addition, serological follow-up may be indicated for patients with factors associated with seronegativity.

DOI： 10.1002/lt.24104

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Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the etiological agent of adult T cell leukemia (ATL), which is an aggressive form of T-cell malignancy. HTLV-1 oncoproteins, Tax and HBZ, play crucial roles in the immortalization of T-cells and/or leukemogenesis by dysregulating the cellular functions in the host. Recent studies show that HTLV-1-infected T-cells have reduced expression of the BCL11B tumor suppressor protein. In the present study, we explored whether Tax and/or HBZ play a role in downregulating BCL11B in HTLV-1-infected T-cells. Lentiviral transduction of Tax in a human T-cell line repressed the expression of BCL11B at both the protein and mRNA levels, whereas the transduction of HBZ had little effect on the expression. Tax mutants with a decreased activity for the NF-κB, CREB or PDZ protein pathways still showed a reduced expression of the BCL11B protein, thereby implicating a different function of Tax in BCL11B downregulation. In addition, the HTLV-2 Tax2 protein reduced the BCL11B protein expression in T-cells. Seven HTLV-1-infected T-cell lines, including three ATL-derived cell lines, showed reduced BCL11B mRNA and protein expression relative to an uninfected T-cell line, and the greatest reductions were in the cells expressing Tax. Collectively, these results indicate that Tax is responsible for suppressing BCL11B protein expression in HTLV-1-infected T-cells; Tax-mediated repression of BCL11B is another mechanism that Tax uses to promote oncogenesis of HTLV-1-infected T-cells.

DOI： 10.1111/cas.12618

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DOI： 10.1093/cid/ciu882

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The resistance of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) to antibiotics is an increasing problem. Clindamycin has been used as empiric therapy for the rising incidence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). As such, the local rate of inducible resistance against clindamycin is an important consideration. This multicenter study was conducted to identify the incidence of inducible clindamycin resistance of S. aureus isolates in Tokyo, the most populous city in Japan. A total of 2408 adult and pediatric samples were collected from a university hospital and two pediatric hospitals between January 2011 and December 2011. Among the 2341 samples analyzed, the incidence of inducible clindamycin resistance in erythromycin-resistant and clindamycin-susceptible/intermediate isolates was found to be 91% (n = 585), a figure much higher compared to most reports from other countries. In conclusion, we found a very high rate of inducible clindamycin resistance in macrolide-resistant S. aureus isolates in our geographic area.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jiac.2014.10.003

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Language：English   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

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We report on an asymptomatic 10-year-old boy who had a short QT interval (corrected QT interval, 260 ms). Short QT syndrome (SQTS) was detected in a school screening program for heart disease and the patient was subsequently diagnosed as having N588K mutation in the KCNH2 gene. Quinidine prolonged the QT interval, but not the QU interval. During treadmill exercise stress test, QT and QU intervals responded differently to heart rate changes, suggesting a mechanoelectrical hypothesis for the origin of the U wave. Although rare, attention should be paid to SQTS, which is associated with potential fatal arrhythmias.

DOI： 10.1111/ped.12308

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本小児血液・がん学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本小児血液・がん学会  

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DOI： 10.1007/s10157-014-0995-9

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We report 2 cases of diffuse mesangial sclerosis (DMS) accompanied by severe podocyte excretion in urine. Patient 1 was a 9-day-old girl with a WT1 mutation who developed Wilms tumor at 6 months of age and was subsequently diagnosed with Denys-Drash syndrome. Patient 2 was a 1-year-old boy without a WT1 abnormality but presenting with heavy proteinuria. In both patients, histological examination showed findings of DMS. Immunohistochemical staining for synaptopodin (a podocyte marker) revealed a reduced number of podocytes in the glomeruli with severe sclerosis; however, podocytes persisted in the relatively intact glomeruli. Some glomeruli were accompanied by sclerotic lesions surrounded by proliferating cells; immunofluorescence staining revealed a majority of these proliferating cells to be positive for claudin-1 (a parietal cell marker) but negative for synaptopodin. These findings suggest that podocyte loss and the consequent proliferation of parietal cells are common processes in the pathogenesis of DMS.

DOI： 10.1016/j.humpath.2014.03.017

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Recent progress in the Japanese immunization program has partially closed the "vaccine gap," i.e., the deficiencies in that program relative to immunization programs in other developed countries. During the last several years, seven new vaccines (12 new products, excluding influenza vaccines) have been introduced in Japan. Five of these new vaccines are produced outside Japan and four are now included as routine vaccines in the National Immunization Program, which is a new development in the licensing and financial support of imported vaccines. However, along with this progress, important concerns have arisen regarding the Japanese immunization program. A rubella epidemic among adults, in 2012-2013, resulted in more than 40 cases of congenital rubella syndrome as of March 2014. In addition, the temporary withdrawal of the active governmental recommendation for human papilloma virus vaccines, in 2013-2014, highlighted challenges in the current Japanese immunization system. Furthermore, some important vaccines - including vaccines for hepatitis B virus, mumps, varicella, and rotavirus - are still not included in the National Immunization Program and have been categorized as voluntary vaccines since their introduction. The possibility of their inclusion in the National Immunization Program remains a matter for discussion. We hope that future initiatives will further address the vaccine gap and protect Japanese children from vaccine-preventable diseases.

DOI： 10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.06.022

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

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Floating-Harbor syndrome (FHS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by short stature, skeletal malformations, speech delay, and dysmorphic facial appearance. Recently, mutations in SRCAP encoding a coactivator for cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB)-binding protein have been identified in small number of patients with FHS. Here, we report on long-term follow-up data of a male patient with a SRCAP mutation. The patient presented with mild hypothyroidism and renal hypouricemia, in addition to several FHS-compatible features including growth impairment, cognitive disability, facial dysmorphisms, and hypertension. He showed delayed bone age from infancy to 9 years of age and markedly accelerated bone age with the formation of cone-shaped epiphyses and early epiphysial fusions after the onset of puberty. His pubertal sexual development was almost age appropriate. Two-year treatment with growth hormone (GH) did not significantly improve the growth velocity. Molecular analysis identified a de novo heterozygous nonsense mutation (p.R2444X) in the last exon of SRCAP, which has been most common mutation detected in patients from other ethnic groups. These results indicate that perturbed skeletal maturation from infancy through adolescence is a characteristic feature in patients with SRCAP mutations. Furthermore, our data imply that GH therapy exerted only a marginal effect on the growth of this patient, and that renal hypouricemia may be a novel complication of FHS.

DOI： 10.1002/ajmg.a.36314

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：WILEY-BLACKWELL  

Human parechovirus type 3 (HPeV3) is known to cause sepsis-like syndrome and meningoencephalitis in neonates and young infants. We herein report a neonatal case of sepsis-like syndrome due to HPeV3 infection, diagnosed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with a distinctive erythematous rash present mainly on the soles and palms that helped in the diagnosis of the disease. Combining the unique characteristics of rash and confirmation by PCR at the early stage of the disease led to the diagnosis of HPeV3, distinguishing it from sepsis and other critical disease conditions, and allowing for appropriate, rapid management.

DOI： 10.1111/j.1525-1470.2012.01819.x

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Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a cost-effective and rapid method for identifying Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP). We investigated the utility of the LAMP assay in diagnosing MP pneumonia among children in a clinical setting. In this prospective study, the cause of community-acquired pneumonia was evaluated in 111 patients for whom MP was the suspected pathogen. All participants were patients at a city hospital in Japan between April 2012 and September 2012. Throat swabs for the LAMP assay were obtained at admission, and paired serum samples to measure antibody titres to MP by particle agglutination were obtained at admission and during convalescence. Overall, 45 of 111 (41 %) patients had a fourfold or greater increase in MP titres and received a diagnosis of MP pneumonia. Among them, 43 (96 %) patients (median age, 9 years) were positive on the LAMP assay and had a fourfold or greater increase in MP titres. The median interval from fever onset to collection of throat swabs was 7 days (range, 4-10 days). As compared with paired serum titres, the LAMP assay enabled quicker diagnosis of MP (median interval, 13 vs. 7 days), thereby allowing early initiation of appropriate antimicrobial therapy.

DOI： 10.1099/jmm.0.068288-0

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DOI： 10.1016/j.jcv.2013.11.015

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Elsevier Inc.  

Human parechovirus-3 (HPeV-3) infection is being increasingly identified as an important pathogen leading to neonatal sepsis-like illness. In this case report, we present a pre-term infant with striking abdominal distention whose signs and symptoms were quite similar to those of Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis but the patient suffered from the gastrointestinal phenotype of HPeV-3 infection.© 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

DOI： 10.1016/j.epsc.2014.01.001

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：新潟県医師会  

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BACKGROUND: Most illnesses caused by pandemic influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 virus (A/H1N1) infection are acute and self-limiting among children. However, in some children, disease progression is rapid and may require hospitalization and transfer to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). We investigated factors associated with rapid disease progression among children admitted to hospital for A/H1N1 infection, particularly findings on initial chest radiographs. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we investigated the records of children who had received a laboratory or clinical diagnosis of A/H1N1 infection and were admitted to the largest children's hospital in Japan between May 2009 and March 2010. The medical records were reviewed for age, underlying diseases, vital signs on admission, initial chest radiographic findings, and clinical outcomes. According to chest radiographic findings, patients were classified into 4 groups, as follows: [1] normal (n = 46), [2] hilar and/or peribronchial markings alone (n = 64), [3] consolidation (n = 64), and [4] other findings (n = 29). Factors associated with clinical outcomes were analyzed using logistic regression. RESULTS: Two hundreds and three patients (median 6.8 years) were enrolled in this study. Fifteen percent (31/203) of patients were admitted to PICU. Among 31 patients, 39% (12/31) of patients required mechanical ventilation (MV). When the initial chest radiographic findings were compared between patients with consolidation (n = 64) and those without consolidation (n = 139), a higher percentage of patients with consolidation were admitted to PICU (29.7% vs.8.6%, P < 0.001) and required MV (17.2% vs. 0.7%, P < 0.001). These findings remain significant when the data were analyzed with the logistic regression (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Consolidation on initial chest radiographs was the most significant factor to predict clinical course of hospitalized children with the 2009 A/H1N1 infection.

DOI： 10.1186/1471-2334-13-516

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(NPO)日本小児血液・がん学会・(NPO)日本小児がん看護学会・(公財)がんの子供を守る会  

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BACKGROUND: Persistent fever after intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is considered to be a major criterion of IVIG resistance in Kawasaki disease (KD), and a risk factor for the development of coronary artery abnormalities (CAA). However, the importance of persistent non-fever symptoms after defervescence has not yet been investigated. We examined the relationship between persistent non-fever symptoms and CAA in KD. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients hospitalized with KD at the National Center for Child Health and Development between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2009. Patients were divided into two groups; group A included patients who still had non-fever symptoms one month after onset of the illness and group B included patients who did not have persistent non-fever symptoms. Demographic, clinical variables were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Seventy-seven KD patients treated with IVIG were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups; group A included 12 (15.6%) patients and group B 65 (84.4%) patients. Demographic data, baseline laboratory data, and fever duration did not differ between the groups. In group A patients the most common persistent non-fever symptoms were lip erythema (n = 6) and bulbar conjunctivitis (n = 8). One month after onset of the illness CAA developed in seven of 77 patients (9.1%), four (33%) in group A and three (4.6%) in group B (odds ratio 10.3; 95% CI 1.9-54.8). Three patients in group A and one patient in group B developed CAA after the resolution of fever. CONCLUSIONS: Persistence of non-fever symptoms after IVIG may suggest persistence of latent inflammation, which may increase the risk of CAA. Therefore, patients with persistent non-fever symptoms may be at risk of developing CAA, even after defervescence. A prospective trial of additional IVIG for such patients should be considered.

DOI： 10.1186/1546-0096-11-28

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OBJECTIVES: To determine if providing perinatal immunization education positively changes the immunization status of infants, influences the infant immunization knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of mothers and affects the intent to vaccinate children in Japan where immunization education is limited. METHODS: Pregnant women were recruited from three sites in Tokyo, Japan and were assigned to two intervention (pre- or postnatal education) groups and a control group. The immunization status of infants was assessed and a written survey was performed before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Among 119 study participants, 106 subjects replied to the post-survey. The intervention groups (34.3%) had higher immunization rates in infants at three months of age than the control group (8.3%) (P=0.005); however, no differences were observed between the prenatal (29.4%) and postnatal groups (38.9%) (P=0.40). The percentage of women intended to vaccinate their infants was higher in the intervention groups (61.4%) compared to the control group (33.3%) (P=0.01). The improvement in score for basic knowledge was higher in the intervention groups, particularly in the prenatal group (mean±S.D.: 3.4±1.8) compared to the control (1.9±1.9) (P=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Perinatal immunization education improved the immunization status of infants, increased the women's knowledge on immunization and intention to vaccinate their infants.

DOI： 10.1016/j.ypmed.2013.03.003

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

X染色体優性低リン血症性くる病(XLH)の浸透率はほぼ100%といわれているが、女性では症状が軽いため臨床的にくる病の所見を示さず、未診断の症例が少なからず存在するものと思われる。今回、低身長・O脚を呈する男児を契機に、無症状の母親と、幼少期にO脚を指摘されていた祖母の診断に至り、XLHの原因遺伝子であるPHEX遺伝子の新規変異(Exon 1のc.2 T>C変異)をヘミ接合性に同定した1家系を経験したので、文献的考察を加えて報告した。

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Fifty-four children were diagnosed as pyelonephritis caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae at the largest children's hospital in Japan. Although 32 (59%) patients were treated with antimicrobials that are ineffective against the organisms, 39 (72%) patients became afebrile ≤2 days and clinical outcome was excellent. Children with pyelonephritis caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae can be successfully treated with noncarbapenem antimicrobials.

DOI： 10.1097/INF.0b013e318284b1e8

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(株)日本医学館  

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DOI： 10.1016/j.jcv.2012.11.008

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Two cases of coronary aneurysm developed in the late period after Kawasaki disease (KD). Case 1 involved a 13-year-old boy who had aneurysms develop after a diagnosis of complete regression. Case 2 involved a 29-year-old man who had a new aneurysm develop after he was older than 20 years. Physicians need to be aware that coronary aneurysms can develop in patients with antecedent KD even after regression or in adulthood.

DOI： 10.1007/s00246-012-0543-x

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Pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ib (PHP-Ib) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia due to imprinting defects in the maternally derived GNAS allele. Patients with PHP-Ib are usually identified by tetany, convulsions, and/or muscle cramps, whereas a substantial fraction of patients remain asymptomatic and are identified by familial studies. Although previous studies on patients with primary hypoparathyroidism have indicated that hypocalcemia can be associated with various neuromuscular abnormalities, such clinical features have been rarely described in patients with PHP-Ib. Here, we report a 12-year-old male patient with familial PHP-Ib and unique neuromuscular symptoms. The patient presented with general fatigue, steppage gait, and myalgia. Physical examinations revealed muscular weakness and atrophies in the lower legs, a shortening of the bilateral Achilles' tendons and absence of deep tendon reflexes. Laboratory tests showed hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, elevated serum intact PTH level, and impaired responses of urinary phosphate and cyclic AMP in an Ellsworth-Howard test, in addition to an elevated serum creatine kinase level. Clinical features of the patient were significantly improved after 1 month of treatment with alfacalcidol and calcium. Methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MS-MLPA) and subsequent PCR analyses identified a methylation defect at exon A/B of GNAS and a microdeletion involving exons 4-6 of the GNAS neighboring gene STX16 in the patient and in his asymptomatic brother. The results suggest that various neuromuscular features probably associated with hypocalcemia can be the first symptoms of PHP-Ib, and that MS-MLPA serves as a powerful tool for screening of GNAS abnormalities in patients with atypical manifestations.

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(NPO)日本小児血液・がん学会・(NPO)日本小児がん看護学会・(公財)がんの子供を守る会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(NPO)日本小児血液・がん学会・(NPO)日本小児がん看護学会・(公財)がんの子供を守る会  

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DOI： 10.1016/j.jinf.2012.06.002

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CONTEXT: Acrodysostosis is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by short stature, peculiar facial appearance with nasal hypoplasia, and short metacarpotarsals and phalanges with cone-shaped epiphyses. Recently, mutations of PRKAR1A and PDE4D downstream of GNAS on the cAMP-mediated G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling cascade have been identified in acrodysostosis with and without hormone resistance, although functional studies have been performed only for p.R368X of PRKAR1A. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to report a novel PRKAR1A mutation and its functional consequence in a Japanese female patient with acrodysostosis and hormone resistance. PATIENT: This patient had acrodysostosis-compatible clinical features such as short stature and brachydactyly and mildly elevated serum PTH and TSH values. RESULTS: Although no abnormality was detected in GNAS and PDE4D, a novel de novo heterozygous missense mutation (p.T239A) was identified at the cAMP-binding domain A of PRKAR1A. Western blot analysis using primary antibodies for the phosphorylated cAMP-responsive element (CRE)-binding protein showed markedly reduced CRE-binding protein phosphorylation in the forskolin-stimulated lymphoblastoid cell lines of this patient. CRE-luciferase reporter assays indicated significantly impaired response of protein kinase A to cAMP in the HEK293 cells expressing the mutant p.T239A protein. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that acrodysostosis with hormone resistance is caused by a heterozygous mutation at the cAMP-binding domain A of PRKAR1A because of impaired cAMP-mediated GPCR signaling. Because GNAS, PRKAR1A, and PDE4D are involved in the GPCR signal transduction cascade and have some different characters, this would explain the phenotypic similarity and difference in patients with GNAS, PRKAR1A, and PDE4D mutations.

DOI： 10.1210/jc.2012-1369

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Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

There are a few characteristics of food poisoning in childhood compared to the one in adulthood. First, it is necessary to obtain detailed history from caregivers because pediatric patients cannot tell exact food taking history and their symptoms. Second, children, especially in infants and toddlers, have higher extracelluar fluid component in their body compared to adults and have a higher chance to be dehydrated by the symptoms of food poisoning including vomiting and diarrhea. Thus, evaluation and management of dehydration is important for children. Finally, it is critical to understand the treatment indication for children with each infection causing food poisoning given the treatment can be beneficial, or not beneficial, or sometimes harmful.

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The "vaccine gap" is a term which has been used in Japan to indicate that the current immunization program is behind compared to the programs in other developed countries. The current national immunization program (NIP) which was established under the Japanese Immunization Law includes only six vaccines (eight targeted diseases), and the rest of available vaccines have been categorized as voluntary vaccines, which require out-of-pocket expense in order for the patients to receive them. This has led the vaccination rates for the voluntary vaccines remaining low, and the incidence of the target diseases remaining high. In addition, there are a few domestic rules that exist for immunizations including (1) subcutaneous injection is the standard method of vaccination, (2) the thigh is not considered to be the common site of vaccination in infants, and (3) the intervals of administration of inactivated and live vaccines are strictly determined by law. Along with the "vaccine gap" and the domestic rules, some movements to improve our current NIP are underway; including increased calls to change the NIP from civilians and professionals, the establishment of a group by the representatives from 13 medical professional societies asking the government to consider the immunization policy a "national policy" and seeking the establishment of a new and reorganized national immunization technical advisory group (NITAG). In addition, the Vaccination Subcommittee of Health Sciences Council was formed in the government to reform the current Immunization Law and NIP, which established a new national program for three voluntary vaccines funded by a temporary budget. We hope these new movements will fill the "vaccine gap" and that the NITAG will help ensure that vaccine policy becomes a national policy, and will provide necessary vaccinations without out-of-pocket expense to protect children in Japan from vaccine preventable diseases.

DOI： 10.1016/j.vaccine.2012.04.026

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This study evaluated the long-term persistence of immune response and safety of two doses of an A/California/7/2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza vaccine adjuvanted with AS03 (an α-tocopherol oil-in-water emulsion-based Adjuvant System) in Japanese children (NCT01001169). Sixty healthy subjects aged 6 mo-17 y were enrolled (1:1) into two study groups to receive 21 d apart, two doses of 1.9 µg haemagglutinin [HA]+AS03B (5.93 mg α-tocopherol) vaccine (6 mo-9 y) and 3.75 µg HA+AS03A (11.86 mg α-tocopherol) vaccine (10-17 y), respectively. Immunogenicity data (by haemagglutination inhibition [HI] and microneutralisation assays) to six months after the first vaccine dose are reported here. It was observed that following Dose 2, the HI immune response against the vaccine homologous strain induced by the two different dosages of the AS03-adjuvanted vaccine met and exceeded the US and European regulatory guidance criteria for pandemic influenza vaccines (seroprotection rate[SPR]/seroconversion rate[SCR]: 100%/100%; geometric mean fold rise GMFR: 146.8/57.1). Further, the immune response persisted for at least six months after the first vaccine dose wherein these regulatory criteria were still met (SPR: 100%/100%; SCR: 96.4%/89.7%; GMFR: 25.3/23.5). The neutralising antibody response was comparable to the HI immune response at Day 42 (vaccine response rate [VRR]: 100%/100%) and at Day 182 (VRR: 96.4%/82.8%). Overall, both vaccine dosages had a clinically acceptable safety profile. Thus, two doses of a 1.9 µg or 3.75 µg HA AS03-adjuvanted H1N1 2009 pandemic influenza vaccine in children aged 6 mo-17 y induced strong immune responses against the vaccine homologous strain that persisted for at least six months after the first vaccine dose.

DOI： 10.4161/hv.19684

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AIM: The purpose of this study was to examine the seroprevalence of human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV)-I among pregnant women at our institution in Tokyo, Japan, which is a non-endemic area, and to investigate the results of Western blotting among pregnant women who had obtained positive results from a screening test. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The seroprevalence of HTLV-I was retrospectively reviewed in 11,352 pregnant women who gave birth at the National Center for Child Health and Development in Tokyo, Japan, between 2002 and 2009. For the screening test, a chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay was performed followed by a confirmatory Western blot test. RESULTS: The overall positive rate for the screening test was 0.33% (37/11,352). Western blot testing was performed in 36 of these 37 cases. Only nine patients (25%) were positive for HTLV-I by Western blot testing, seven patients (19%) were indeterminate, and 20 patients (56%) were negative. CONCLUSIONS: In this study (carried out in a non-endemic area), the percentage of patients with a positive result from the screening test who were confirmed to be true carriers was significantly low, differing from endemic areas.

DOI： 10.1111/j.1447-0756.2011.01786.x

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Better understanding of the underlying biology of malignant gliomas is critical for the development of early detection strategies and new therapeutics. This study aimed to define genes associated with survival. We investigated whether genes selected using random survival forests model could be used to define subgroups of gliomas objectively. RNAs from 50 non-treated gliomas were analyzed using the GeneChip Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 Expression array. We identified 82 genes whose expression was strongly and consistently related to patient survival. For practical purposes, a 15-gene set was also selected. Both the complete 82 gene signature and the 15 gene set subgroup indicated their significant predictivity in the 3 out of 4 independent external dataset. Our method was effective for objectively classifying gliomas, and provided a more accurate predictor of prognosis. We assessed the relationship between gene expressions and survival time by using the random survival forests model and this performance was a better classifier compared to significance analysis of microarrays.

DOI： 10.3892/ijo.2011.1240

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BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection remains the most common and critical viral infection that occurs after liver transplantation (LT). The current set of guidelines recommends prophylaxis over a preemptive therapy for pediatric LT; however, the data regarding the optimal approach after LT in children are limited. METHODS: We conducted a universal preemptive therapy for CMV infection in 113 children (median: 16 months) after live-donor LT at the largest pediatric LT center in Japan between November 2005 and August 2009. CMV-pp65 antigenemia was monitored weekly regardless of the subjects' CMV serostatus after LT, and ganciclovir therapy was initiated when CMV-pp65 antigenemia was positive. RESULTS: The overall success rate of LT was 91.7%. CMV-pp65 antigenemia became positive in 37 (33%) recipients, and the positivity with their CMV serostatus was as follows: donor (D)+/recipient (R)-: 62%, D+/R+: 36%, D-/R+: 11%, and D-/R-: 8%. Among the D+/R- (n=29) and D+/R+ (n=44) recipients, 38% (n=11) and 64% (n=28) recipients were able to avoid the use of ganciclovir, respectively. Human CMV disease was documented in six (5%) recipients, and they were successfully treated with ganciclovir without any sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: A universal preemptive therapy for CMV infection after live-donor LT was successful for reducing the use of antiviral agents and for controlling CMV infection and disease in children.

DOI： 10.1097/TP.0b013e31822d873d

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Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine has been included in the national Immunization Program in more than 120 countries around the world and its effectiveness and safety have been confirmed. In Japan, Hib vaccine was recently licensed in December 2008. Because it has included in the category of voluntary vaccine and the burden of out-of-pocket expense is a major concern for caregivers, payment coverage through the local government funded by the temporal national budget has been initiated since November 2010. It is important to make an effort to fill the "vaccine gap" between Japan and other developed countries and increase a vaccine coverage rate including Hib vaccine to decrease vaccine preventable diseases in Japanese children.

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Although varicella is a benign and self-limited disease in children, serious complications can occur. We herein report a case of a 15-month-old boy who required a permanent pacemaker because of complete atrioventricular block as a complication of varicella. Universal vaccination is warranted to prevent such a potentially fatal complication in Japan where varicella is still endemic.

DOI： 10.1097/INF.0b013e3182011286

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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.

DOI： 10.1097/INF.0b013e3181f7ce44

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Background: Efavirenz (EFV) and nevirapine (NVP) are non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) that are frequently used in combination with other antiretrovirals for the treatment of HIV-infected persons. Little information is available regarding the intracellular concentrations (ICs) of EFV and NVP in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and its potential role for cellular toxicity. Methods: PBMCs from healthy adult donors were treated with or without the mean peak steady-state levels (Cmax) of EFV (12.4μM) and NVP (17.0μM) in human plasma during antiretroviral therapy multiplied by 0.5,1.0, 2.0 and 4.0. After 48 hr treatment, ICs of EFV and NVP were measured using liquid chromatoagraphy-ion trap/mass spectrometry. The degree of apoptotic cells and mitochondrial membrane potential in PBMCs were measured by flow cytometry. Results: The mean log ICs of ×1.0 Cmax NVP in PBMCs (2.00 ± 0.23 μM) were significantly lower than the one of ×1.0 Cmax EFV (2.95 ± 0.22 μM) (P &lt
0.01). Similar significant differences of mean log ICs were observed when the concentration of NNRTIs were ×0.5 Cmax (1.62 ± 0.26 μM vs. 2.87 ±0.13 μM, p &lt
0.01) and ×2.0 Cmax (1.99 ± 0.39 μM vs. 3.11 ± 0.21 μM, P &lt
0.01). Furthermore, apoptotic PBMCs were lower than PBMC treated with the concentrations of NVP above the plasma Cmax observed clinically in patients as compared to those treated with comparable concentrations of EFV (P &lt
0.01). Conclusion: These in vitro data suggest that ICs of NVP in PBMCs are significantly lower than ICs of EFV in PBMC and are also associated with less apoptotic PBMCs. The clinical relevance of this observation remains to be elucidated. © 2011 Saitoh A, et al.

DOI： 10.4172/jaa.1000029

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(有)医学の世界社  

肥満小児を対象にNT-proBNPとBNPと肥満の代謝異常の指標との関連を検討した。肥満小児108例を対象に、肥満度、腹囲、血圧、脈拍、体脂肪率、腹部エコーによる最大腹壁前脂肪厚(Pmax)および最小皮下脂肪厚(Smin)を測定した。男子+58.6%、女子+55.8%であり、高度肥満小児が多かった。BNP、NT-proBNPは男子が女子に比し高値傾向であった。体脂肪率、インスリン、HOMA-Rは女子が男子に比し高値であった。BNP(log変換)、NT-proBNP(log変換)と各因子との性別で補正した回帰分析で、BNPは、腹囲、Pmax、インスリン、HOMA-R、アルドステロンと負の相関、Totalアディポネクチンと正の相関があった。NT-proBNPは、Totalアディポネクチンと負の相関がみられた。

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Effective treatment for chorioretinitis caused by congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection remains unknown. We report an infant with congenital CMV infection, who required a 6-month course of antiviral therapy to control his chorioretinitis. Long-term treatment may be necessary for managing congenital CMV-associated chorioretinitis.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jpeds.2010.02.020

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BACKGROUND: The objective of this research was to identify the impact of genetic variants of P-glycoprotein (ABCB1) and cytochrome P450 (CYP) on nelfinavir pharmacokinetics and response to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in HIV-1-infected children. METHODS: HIV-1-infected children (n = 152) from Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trial Group 366 or 377 receiving nelfinavir as a component of HAART were evaluated. Genomic DNA was assayed for ABCB1 and CYP genetic variants using real-time polymerase chain reaction Nelfinavir oral clearance (CL/F), M8 to nelfinavir ratios, CD4 T cells, and HIV-1-RNA were measured during HAART. RESULTS: Nelfinavir CL/F and M8 to nelfinavir ratios were significantly associated with the CYP2C19-G681A genotypes (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the CYP2C19-G681A genotype was related to virologic responses at week 24 (P = 0.01). A multivariate analysis demonstrated that age (P = 0.03), concomitant protease inhibitor use (P < 0.001), and the CYP2C19-G681A genotype (P < 0.001) remained significant covariates associated with nelfinavir CL/F. CONCLUSIONS: CYP2C19 genotypes altered nelfinavir pharmacokinetics and the virologic response to HAART in HIV-1-infected children. These findings suggest that CYP2C19 genotypes are important determinants of nelfinavir pharmacokinetics and virologic response in HIV-1-infected children.

DOI： 10.1097/QAI.0b013e3181bf648a

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We report the one case of sepsis caused by Bifidobacterium breve administered as probiotic therapy. Probiotics can be a potential cause of an invasive disease and should be used with care in vulnerable patients.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jpeds.2009.11.041

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We previously reported that 2',3'-dideoxyinosine (didanosine, or ddI) significantly altered mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected children who had undetectable plasma HIV-1 RNA for more than 2 years while receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy. This research examines the in vitro effects of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) on mitochondria of human skeletal muscle cells (HSMCs), including myoblasts and differentiated myotubes. mtDNA, mitochondrial RNA (mtRNA), and mRNA levels for nuclear mitochondrial regulatory factors were quantified in vitro using HSMCs, including myoblasts and differentiated myotubes, treated with NRTIs singly and in combination. After 5 days of treatment, mtDNA was significantly decreased in myoblasts and myotubes treated with ddI (P < 0.001 and P = 0.01, respectively) and ddI-containing regimens (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively) compared to levels in untreated cells. mtRNA (MTCYB) was also significantly decreased in the myoblasts and myotubes treated with ddI (P = 0.004) and ddI-containing regimens (P < 0.001). Regardless of the NRTI regimens examined, NRTI combinations significantly decreased mtRNA (MTCO3) in myoblasts and myotubes (P = 0.02 and P = 0.01, respectively). No significant differences were observed for nuclear mitochondrial regulatory factor mRNA in myoblasts or myotubes when treated with NRTIs (P > 0.07). ddI and ddI-containing regimens significantly decrease mtDNA and mtRNA in HSMCs, most notably in myoblasts. These findings may be of particular importance in developing countries, where ddI is widely used for first-line treatment of HIV-infected children.

DOI： 10.1128/AAC.00434-08

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Efavirenz, a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, is a highly effective and widely prescribed antiretroviral agent. It is recommended as first-line treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The standard dose of efavirenz is 600 mg/day; however, adverse central nervous system effects limit its use. Few data citing use of efavirenz at lower doses have been published. We describe a 35-year-old man with HIV infection whose virologic suppression was maintained after 18 months of treatment with efavirenz 400 mg/day. Genetic testing for cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2B6 showed that the patient was a heterozygous variant; patients with this polymorphism tend to have higher plasma efavirenz concentrations and slower plasma efavirenz clearance (prolonged elimination half-lives). Therapeutic drug monitoring also supported the dose reduction in this patient. Even with the 400-mg dose, the patient's plasma trough concentrations exceeded the upper limit of the therapeutic range. However, as he remained completely asymptomatic with this dose, no further dose reduction was necessary. This case report provides evidence that reduced efavirenz doses may be effective in the treatment of HIV infection. In addition, this case demonstrates that pharmacogenetic and pharmacokinetic testing combined with therapeutic drug monitoring may be used to guide reduced-dose, efavirenz-based therapy.

DOI： 10.1592/phco.28.6.782

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OBJECTIVE: An unstructured treatment interruption in children with perinatally acquired HIV infection is an issue with unresolved significance. The objective of this study was to investigate the actual prevalence and clinical outcomes of a treatment interruption in children and adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV-1 infection. METHODS: Clinical data were analyzed for 72 children and adolescents who had HIV-1 infection and stopped their medications at 4 academic centers in the United States between January 2000 and September 2004. RESULTS: Among 405 patients with perinatal HIV-1 infection, 72 (17.8%) experienced a treatment interruption during the observation period. The mean age of patients at the time of the treatment interruption was 12.8 years, and the mean length of the treatment interruption was 14 months. Medication fatigue was the most common reason for a treatment interruption. The CD4+ T-cell percentage nadir before the treatment interruption did not predict CD4+ T-cell percentage declines during the treatment interruption; however, the CD4+ T-cell percentage gain from nadir to the time of the treatment interruption predicted CD4+ T-cell percentage declines during the treatment interruption. During the median follow-up of 19 months (range: 6-48 months), 48 (67%) patients resumed antiretroviral medications. As expected, there was a continuous CD4+ T-cell percentage decrease and plasma HIV-1 RNA increase during the observation period. Overall, 7 (10%) patients were admitted to the hospital; 2 (3%) patients experienced an AIDS-defining illness. CONCLUSIONS: An unstructured treatment interruption seems to be a major issue for youth with perinatally acquired HIV-1 infection. Patients who experienced the greatest rise in CD4+ T-cell percentage on treatment had the largest CD4+ T-cell percentage decline after the treatment interruption. Close monitoring is required when a treatment interruption occurs in children and adolescents with HIV infection.

DOI： 10.1542/peds.2007-1086

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Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) have been used widely for treating human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infected patients as a component of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2B6 is an important hepatic isoenzyme responsible for the metabolism of NNRTIs including efavirenz and nevirapine. Recent pharmacogenetic studies have shown that CYP2B6 genetic variants alter hepatic CYP2B6 protein expression and function, and the pharmacokinetics of several CYP2B6 substrates. In particular, the CYP2B6-G516T polymorphism in exon 4 affects the pharmacokinetics of efavirenz. Other studies have shown associations of the CYP2B6-G516T genotype with nevirapine pharmacokinetics and central nervous system adverse effects related to efavirenz use. In total, CYP2B6 genetic variants are important determinants of efavirenz and nevirapine pharmacokinetics . Further studies are needed to identify the associations of CYP2B6 genetic variants with the development of NNRTI resistant viruses.

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Mitochondrial toxicity induced by nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) has been reported to be responsible for various adverse effects. The relative impact of NRTIs on the mitochondria of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 (HIV-1)-infected children receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is unknown. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) levels were quantified longitudinally from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in 31 HIV-1-infected children from Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trial Group Study 382 who were receiving HAART, including nelfinavir, efavirenz, and different NRTIs, and who had had undetectable plasma HIV-1 RNA levels for >2 years. The median mtDNA levels in PBMCs increased from 137 copies/cell at the baseline to 179 copies/cell at week 48 (P = 0.01) and 198 copies/cell at week 104 (P < 0.001). Before the initiation of HAART, children who received regimens containing didanosine had mtDNA levels persistently lower than those in children not receiving didanosine (106 versus 140 copies/cell; P = 0.008). During HAART, the median increase in the mtDNA level from the baseline to week 104 was the lowest in children who received regimens containing didanosine (+26 copies/cell) compared to those in children who received other regimens (+79 copies/cell) (P = 0.02). A multivariate analysis also demonstrated that didanosine, as part of HAART, was the only NRTI associated with the change in mtDNA levels (P = 0.007). Children receiving didanosine-containing antiretroviral regimens have the lowest mtDNA levels in PBMCs and may be at greater risk for long-term adverse effects due to mitochondrial toxicity. This may be of particular importance in resource-limited countries where didanosine is widely used for the treatment of HIV-infected children.

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Clearance and adverse effects of efavirenz are associated with CYP2B6-G516T polymorphism. Little is known about the prevalence of genotypes and implications for screening in children. We report (to our knowledge, for the first time in a child) the emergence of psychosis in a 12-year old white girl with an increased efavirenz concentration and heterozygous gene polymorphism of the CYP2B6-G516T.

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BACKGROUND: Cytochrome P450 2B6 (CYP2B6)-G516T genotype is associated with altered activity of hepatic CYP2B6 and efavirenz pharmacokinetics, but the relationship between the CYP2B6-G516T genotype and nevirapine (NVP) pharmacokinetics in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is limited. METHODS: In 126 children who received NVP and protease inhibitors from PACTG 366 and 377 cohorts, CYP2B6 and ATP-binding cassette, sub-family B, member 1 (ABCB1) gene polymorphisms were analyzed using real-time PCR. Plasma NVP pharmacokinetics and clinical data were collected and levels of NVP in CSF were evaluated in children with HIV-related neurologic diseases. RESULTS: NVP oral clearance in children with the CYP2B6-516-T/T genotype (homozygous variant, n = 14) was 1.6 l/h per m2, which was significantly decreased compared to 2.3 l/h per m2 in those with the -G/G (wild type, n = 49, P = 0.002) and 2.1 l/h per m2 in those with the -G/T genotype (heterozygous variants, n = 63, P = 0.008). Furthermore, children with the -T/T genotype had a significant increase in CD4+ T-cell percentage (+9.0%) compared with those with the -G/G (+3.2%, P = 0.01) and -G/T genotype (+5.0%, P = 0.04) from baseline to week 12. The same trend continued at week 24. Although ABCB1-C3435T genotypes did not affect plasma NVP pharmacokinetics (P = 0.39), the NVP CSF: plasma ratios were significantly higher in children with the ABCB1-3435-C/T or -T/T genotypes (0.62, n = 9) in comparison with those with the ABCB1-3435-C/C genotype (0.43, n = 5) (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The CYP2B6-G516T genotype alters NVP pharmacokinetics and the immunologic response to NVP-containing HAART regimens in children. These data suggest that the CYP2B6-G516T is an important genetic variant that alters the pharmacokinetics and response to HAART regimens containing NVP.

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BACKGROUND: The CYP2B6-G516T polymorphism has been shown to alter plasma efavirenz (EFV) concentrations in adults. The impact of CYP2B6-G516T polymorphisms on EFV concentrations may be different in children because of differences in liver maturation and drug dosage. METHODS: The CYP2B6-G516T polymorphisms were analyzed in 71 HIV-1-infected children receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) containing EFV for >or=6 months. EFV pharmacokinetics, toxicity profiles, and viral resistance data were also evaluated. RESULTS: The median oral clearance (CL/F) rate was significantly lower in children with the CYP2B6-516-T/T genotype (3.0 L/h/m2, n=13) than in children with the G/T genotype (5.7 L/h/m2, n=30; P=0.02) or the G/G genotype (7.0 L/h/m2, n=31; P=0.003). In children with the CYP2B6-516-G/G genotype, which is associated with higher expression of hepatic CYP2B6, the clearance rate was significantly higher in younger children (<5 years of age) than in older children (>or=5 years of age) (9.7 L/h/m2 vs. 6.6 L/h/m2; P=0.03). No association was found between CYP2B6-G516T polymorphisms and virologic or immunologic responses, toxicity, or the development of viral resistance against EFV. CONCLUSIONS: CYP2B6-G516T polymorphisms significantly affect the CL/F rate of EFV in children. Changes in hepatic enzyme activity by age may need to be considered when evaluating the impact of genetic variants on antiretroviral pharmacokinetics in children.

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BACKGROUND: In a cohort of children receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) with sustained plasma HIV-1 RNA < 50 copies/mL, children who reached undetectable RNA after week 8 (slow responders, median: week 20) had higher HIV-1 intracellular DNA (HIV-1 DNA) and equal or greater CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts compared with children who reached undetectable plasma HIV-1 RNA by week 8 (rapid responders) throughout HAART. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether levels of T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) could explain the apparent inconsistency between the quantity of HIV-1 DNA and CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts in HIV-1-infected children receiving HAART with sustained virologic suppression. METHODS: T-cell receptor excision circles and HIV-1 DNA and plasma HIV-1 RNA were quantified longitudinally by PCR in 31 children (median age, 5.6 years) with sustained undetectable plasma HIV-1 RNA for >104 weeks of HAART. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between TREC and HIV-1 DNA during HAART, notably at weeks 48 and 80 (P < .004). During the early stage of HAART, TREC levels positively correlated with CD4+ T-lymphocyte percentages (P < .02) and naive CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts (P < .001) and percentages (P = .05). Median TREC levels were consistently equal or higher in slow responders compared with rapid responders (P < .001) despite slow responders having consistently greater quantities of HIV-1 DNA. CONCLUSION: To maintain adequate levels of CD4+ T-lymphocytes, children with high HIV-1 DNA maintain high levels of TREC while receiving HAART. Thus, a thymic control mechanism is required to maintain new CD4+ T lymphocytes in the presence of persistent virus. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The TREC level is a useful marker of thymic function in HIV-infected children.

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We report a case of myelomeningocele in an infant whose mother was exposed to efavirenz during the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. Although the true risk for myelomeningocele with the use of efavirenz early in pregnancy is still unknown, the findings in humans are consistent with those observed in primates and suggest that efavirenz is a potent teratogen. Thus, we suggest that efavirenz only be prescribed for women of childbearing potential when no other comparable antiretroviral options are available.

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OBJECTIVE: The multidrug-resistance transporter gene (MDR1) encoding for P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and genes encoding for isoenzymes of cytochrome P450 (CYP) have an important role in transport and metabolism of antiretroviral agents. This research examined the impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of MDR1 and CYP genes on nelfinavir and efavirenz pharmacokinetics and the response to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in HIV-1 infected children. METHODS: Seventy-one HIV-1-infected children from PACTG 382 receiving nelfinavir, efavirenz and one or two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors had genomic DNA from PBMC evaluated for MDR1 and CYP SNP by real-time PCR. Plasma drug concentrations, CD4 lymphocyte counts and HIV-1 RNA were measured during HAART. RESULTS: The frequencies of C/C, C/T and T/T genotypes in the MDR1-3435-C-->T polymorphisms were 44% (n = 31), 46% (n = 33) and 10% (n = 7), respectively. Ninety-one percent of children with the C/T genotype reached plasma HIV-1 RNA < 400 copies/ml by week 8 compared to 59% of children with the C/C genotype (P = 0.01). Children with the C/T genotypes had higher 8 h postdose concentration (P = 0.02) and lower clearance rate (P = 0.04) for nelfinavir compared to those with the C/C genotype. The seven children with the T/T genotype had nelfinavir pharmacokinetics and virologic response similar to those with the C/C genotype. No compensatory polymorphisms were observed between MDR1 and CYP genotypes. CONCLUSIONS: HIV-1 infected children with the MDR1-3435-C/T genotype had more rapid virologic responses to HAART at week 8 with higher plasma nelfinavir concentrations compared to those with the C/C genotype. These findings suggest that P-gp may play an important role in the pharmacokinetics and virologic response to HAART containing nelfinavir.

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BACKGROUND: Despite effective antituberculous medications, the mortality and morbidity remain high in children with tuberculous meningitis (TBM). The traditional clinical staging for TBM developed by Lincoln et al in 1960 has been widely used to predict long term neurologic sequelae (NS). In the current era of critical care medicine and corticosteroid therapy, a new scoring system is needed to predict NS more accurately in children with TBM. METHODS: We reviewed all available cases of TBM in San Diego, CA, during 1991-2001 retrospectively, and we developed a novel scoring system to predict NS in children with TBM. We assessed a tuberculous meningitis acute neurologic (TBAN) score at day 0 and on day 3 of hospitalization, to compare children who subsequently developed severe NS with those who did not. RESULTS: Among 20 children with TBM, 7 children developed severe NS and 1 child died during hospitalization. The TBAN score was higher on day 0 in those with severe NS (5.5 versus 2.0, P = 0.09), and the difference became statistically significant by day 3 of hospitalization (5.5 versus 0.0, P = 0.02). Sensitivity and specificity of the TBAN score (> or =4) on day 0 (75 and 92%) and day 3 (88 and 100%) to predict severe NS were superior to the traditional clinical staging system on day 0 (63 and 58%). CONCLUSIONS: The TBAN score is an objective marker for predicting severe NS in children with TBM.

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A case of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis in 13-year-old boy associated with enterovirus is described. The patient had symptoms of severe headache and photophobia for 2 days. Diagnosis was made on the basis of diffuse high intensity white matter lesions in the left frontoparietal region seen on magnetic resonance imaging, and positive enterovirus polymerase chain reaction in cerebrospinal fluid. His symptoms improved substantially without specific therapy, and he recovered without neurologic sequelae.

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The associations between human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) intracellular DNA and immunological markers were analyzed longitudinally for children with sustained, undetectable RNA levels while receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for >2 years. When DNA levels reached a plateau at week 104 of therapy, in contrast to findings for adults, there was no correlation between the CD4(+) : CD8(+) ratio and DNA levels (r=-0.02; P=.95), and naive CD4(+)CD45RA(+) lymphocytes predominated. These data suggest that the increased proportion of naive lymphocytes found in children are less susceptible to HIV-1 infection than are the memory lymphocytes that dominate immune reconstitution in adults.

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Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was quantified in 31 children who received efavirenz, nelfinavir, and 1 or 2 nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors for > or =2 years and in whom undetectable plasma HIV-1 RNA levels (< 50 copies/mL) were sustained, to determine the usefulness of HIV-1 DNA as a marker of virus suppression. The median baseline HIV-1 DNA level was 750 copies/10(6) PBMC. After initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), HIV-1 DNA levels decreased gradually, reaching a plateau from week 80 through week 104 (median HIV-1 DNA level, 263 copies/10(6) PBMC). Children who had plasma HIV-1 RNA levels < 50 copies/mL after receiving HAART for 8 weeks (n=16) had persistently lower quantities of intracellular HIV-1 DNA than children whose HIV-1 RNA levels reached < 50 copies/mL after 8 weeks of HAART (n=15). The median half-life for intracellular HIV-1 DNA was 60 weeks. Thus, despite prolonged maintenance of undetectable levels of plasma HIV-1 RNA, HIV-1 DNA remains detectable in PBMC of children and may be a useful marker of further virus suppression.

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We encountered an 8 year old boy who suffered from Stevens‐Johnson syndrome with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. He had multiple erythema with vesicles in oral mucosa, and on his palms and feet, trunk and genital regions. We treated him with prednisolone (1 mg/kg per day) and antibiotics. His skin lesions improved dramatically, and a persistent fever and toxic general condition also showed dramatic improvement. Although the use of corticosteroids for Stevens‐Johnson syndrome has recently been controversial, we thought that administration of corticosteroids was an effective treatment for some selective cases of Stevens‐Johnson syndrome. The patient reported in this study had many beneficial effects in response to corticosteroid treatment. 1995 Japan Pediatric Society

DOI： 10.1111/j.1442-200X.1995.tb03701.x

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(NPO)日本小児循環器学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本医学教育学会  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本臨床ウイルス学会  

新型コロナウイルス感染症2019(COVID-19)流行開始以降、多くの小児の市中感染症は減少した。一方で、ヒトヘルペスウイルス6型と7型(human herpesvirus type-6/7:HHV-6/7)による突発性発疹の患者数は、新潟県の感染症発生動向調査において、2016〜2019年と比較して2020年はほぼ同等であった。さらに、近年指摘されている突発性発疹罹患年齢の上昇も経年的に認めた。しかし、突発性発疹罹患者における乳児の割合は、COVID-19パンデミックの始まった2020年前半は例年と変わらなかった。これは、2020年前半の学校閉鎖や外出自粛のために同胞や両親の家庭内滞在時間が長くなり、乳児が家庭内でHHV-6/7に曝露する機会が増えたためと考えられた。HHV-6/7の伝播様式は正確には不明とされているが、ウイルスが感染すると体内に潜伏し、唾液中から排泄される。そのため、同胞や両親の唾液中に含まれるウイルスに曝露された乳幼児が感染し、突発性発疹を発症すると考えられてきた。COVID-19流行下でも突発性発疹の発生率の減少がみられなかったこと、乳児の患者数の2020年の前後半における差異は、HHV6/7のおもな感染経路は市中ではなく家庭内であることを示唆し、従来の伝播様式の仮説を支持した。(著者抄録)

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本小児科学会  

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