Letter to the Editor2022-03-01 Diagnostic Hematology
Shinae Yu 
, M.D., Sae Am Song , M.D., Ph.D., Kyung Ran Jun , M.D., Ph.D., Ha Young Park , M.D., and Jeong Nyeo Lee , M.D., Ph.D.
Letter to the Editor2021-11-01 Diagnostic Hematology
Jee Ah Kim , M.D., Hyun-Young Kim , M.D., Seok Jin Kim , M.D., Hee-Jin Kim , M.D., and Sun-Hee Kim , M.D.
Editorial2021-07-01
Sun Young Cho , M.D., Ph.D. and Mina Hur , M.D., Ph.D.
Original Article2023-01-01 Clinical Microbiology
Gyu Ri Kim , Ph.D., Eun-Young Kim , Ph.D., Si Hyun Kim , Ph.D., Hae Kyung Lee , M.D., Jaehyeon Lee , M.D., Jong Hee Shin , M.D., Young Ree Kim , M.D., Sae Am Song , M.D., Joseph Jeong , M.D., Young Uh , M.D., Yu Kyung Kim , M.D., Dongeun Yong , M.D., Hyun Soo Kim , M.D., Sunjoo Kim , M.D., Young Ah Kim , M.D., Kyeong Seob Shin , M.D., Seok Hoon Jeong , M.D., Namhee Ryoo , M.D., and Jeong Hwan Shin , M.D.
Abstract : Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a serious pathogen causing various infections in humans. We evaluated the serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance of S. pneumoniae causing invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) after introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV)13 in Korea and investigated the epidemiological characteristics of multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates. Methods: S. pneumoniae isolates causing IPD were collected from 16 hospitals in Korea between 2017 and 2019. Serotyping was performed using modified sequential multiplex PCR and the Quellung reaction. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed using the broth microdilution method. Multilocus sequence typing was performed on MDR isolates for epidemiological investigations. Results: Among the 411 S. pneumoniae isolates analyzed, the most prevalent serotype was 3 (12.2%), followed by 10A (9.5%), 34 (7.3%), 19A (6.8%), 23A (6.3%), 22F (6.1%), 35B (5.8%), 11A (5.1%), and others (40.9%). The coverage rates of PCV7, PCV10, PCV13, and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV)23 were 7.8%, 7.8%, 28.7%, and 59.4%, respectively. Resistance rates to penicillin, ceftriaxone, erythromycin, and levofloxacin were 13.1%, 9.2%, 80.3%, and 4.1%, respectively. MDR isolates accounted for 23.4% of all isolates. Serotypes 23A, 11A, 19A, and 15B accounted for the highest proportions of total isolates at 18.8%, 16.7%, 14.6%, and 8.3%, respectively. Sequence type (ST)166 (43.8%) and ST320 (12.5%) were common among MDR isolates. Conclusions: Non-PCV13 serotypes are increasing among invasive S. pneumoniae strains causing IPD. Differences in antimicrobial resistance were found according to the specific serotype. Continuous monitoring of serotypes and antimicrobial resistance is necessary for the appropriate management of S. pneumoniae infections.
Original Article2022-07-01 Clinical Chemistry
Hyun Suk Yang , M.D., Ph.D., Ho Jin Jeong , M.S., Hyeongsu Kim , M.D., Ph.D., Hweung Kon Hwang , M.D., Ph.D., Mina Hur , M.D., Ph.D., and Seungho Lee , Ph.D.
Abstract : Background: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is a well-known predictor of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD). We explored the relationships between HDL-C levels and 10-year major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and provided sex-specific upper reference limits for HDL-C levels. Methods: Based on the Korean National Health Insurance Sharing Service, we identified 5,703,897 subjects (women, 48%) with age ≥40 years, eligible HDL-C results, and no prior ASCVD in 2009. We investigated the distribution of 10-year MACE according to HDL-C levels in 10 mg/dL (0.26 mmol/L) intervals and in three HDL-C groups (low: men
Original Article2022-03-01 Transfusion Medicine
Hyerin Kim , M.D., Kyung-Hwa Shin , M.D., Ph.D., Hyung-Hoi Kim , M.D., Ph.D., and Hyun-Ji Lee , M.D., Ph.D.
Abstract : Background: With increasing number of migrants in Korea, there is an increasing need for blood products with rare blood antigens. Accordingly, the role of blood donors among migrants has been acknowledged. We investigated migrants’ experiences and perceptions of blood donation along with their sociodemographic status and identified the effects on self-reported blood donation status. Methods: A cross-sectional survey using a self-developed, structured questionnaire was conducted on 479 migrants. The questionnaire included items about experiences, knowledge, and perceptions on blood donation and sociodemographic factors of respondents. Results: Most migrants in this study were from Southeast Asia (54.7%) or China (39.9%). Among them, 28.6% (N=137) had donated blood previously, and 2.7% (N=13) had previously donated blood in Korea. All previous blood donors were volunteers, and the two major deterrents of blood donation for non-donors were the fear of pain and lack of knowledge about blood donation. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, the country of birth (odds ratio [OR]=2.65, P
Brief Communication2022-09-01 Diagnostic Hematology
Jikyo Lee , M.D., Sung Min Kim , B.S., Soonok Kim , M.T., Jiwon Yun , M.D., Dajeong Jeong , M.D., Young Eun Lee , M.D., Eun-Youn Roh , M.D., Ph.D., and Dong Soon Lee , M.D., Ph.D.
Abstract : The translocation (3;21)(q26.2;q22.1) is a unique cytogenetic aberration that characterizes acute myeloid leukemia with myelodysplasia-related changes (AML-MRC) in patients with AML and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or a therapy-related myeloid neoplasm. Using multigene target sequencing and FISH, we investigated the clinical and genomic profiles of patients with t(3;21) over the past 10 years. The frequency of t(3;21) among myeloid malignancies was very low (0.2%). Half of the patients had a history of cancer treatment and the remaining patients had de novo MDS. Twenty-one somatic variants were detected in patients with t(3;21), including in CBL, GATA2, and SF3B1. Recurrent variants in RUNX1 (c.1184A>C, p.Glu395Ala) at the same site were detected in two patients. None of the patients with t(3;21) harbored germline predisposition mutations for myeloid neoplasms. MECOM rearrangement was detected at a higher rate using FISH than using G-banding, suggesting that FISH is preferable for monitoring. Although survival of patients with t(3;21) is reportedly poor, the survival of patients with t(3;21) in this study was not poor when compared with that of other AML patients in Korea.
Brief Communication2022-05-01 Clinical Microbiology
Junhyup Song , M.D., Shinyoung Yoon , M.D., Yongha In , Ph.D., Daewon Kim , M.D., Hyukmin Lee , M.D., Dongeun Yong , M.D., Ph.D., and Kyoungwon Lee , M.D.
Abstract : Identifying Mycobacterium using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is challenging. We evaluated the performance of MALDI-TOF MS in identifying nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) using the ASTA MicroIDSys system (ASTA Inc., Suwon, Korea) with the MycoDB v1.95s and upgraded MycoDB v2.0-beta databases. We tested 124 NTM isolates collected from Ogawa medium at Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea, between January and April 2019. MicroIDSys scores were categorized into three groups: ≥140, reliable identification; 130–139, ambiguous identification; and
Original Article2022-05-01 Diagnostic Genetics
Sun Joo Yoon , M.D. , Won Kyung Kwon , M.D., Ph.D., Geehay Hong , M.D., Ja-Hyun Jang , M.D., Ph.D., Byong Chang Jeong , M.D., Ph.D., Jae Hyeon Kim , M.D., Ph.D., and Jong-Won Kim , M.D., Ph.D.
Abstract : Background: von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) disease is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by variants of the VHL tumor suppressor gene (VHL). Early detection and treatment are essential to prevent morbidity and mortality. We evaluated the effectiveness of surveillance strategies and the utility of a VHL clinic with a multidisciplinary team for the first time in Korea. Methods: The VHL clinic was organized at the Samsung Medical Center in 2011 and consisted of a multidisciplinary team, including an endocrinologist, urologist, general surgeon, neurosurgeon, ophthalmologist, otolaryngologist, and radiologist. Biochemical and imaging surveillance and personalized genetic counseling were conducted at the VHL clinic and patients were referred to the necessary departments upon detection of disease manifestation. We divided the patients in three groups (I–III) based on their compliance to VHL clinic attendance. Results: Between 2011 and 2018, 50 VHL patients were identified by VHL molecular analysis and referred to the VHL clinic. Most patients regularly participated in imaging of the central nervous system (43/50, 86.0%) and of the abdomen (46/50, 92.0%). However, there were differences in compliance to determination of the catecholamine level, audiometry, and ophthalmic examination among the three groups. Conclusions: We present the results of using a multidisciplinary team approach and showed that the VHL clinic strategy is useful for the comprehensive surveillance and management of VHL disease. We hope that VHL clinics will be widely set up in hospitals to improve prognosis in patients with VHL.
Original Article2022-11-01 Clinical Chemistry
Misuk Ji , M.D., Ph.D., Kwang-Rae Kim , M.D., Ph.D., Hyun-Ki Kim , M.D., Woochang Lee , M.D., Ph.D., Yeo-Min Yun , M.D., Ph.D., Sail Chun , M.D., Ph.D., and Won-Ki Min , M.D., Ph.D.
Abstract : Background: Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is one of the most reliable markers of ovarian reserve. Automated AMH assays are widely used in clinical laboratories, but reference intervals for the Elecsys AMH assay for Asian populations have not yet been determined. We aimed to determine reference intervals in healthy Korean women. Methods: The study included 1,450 women aged 19 to 54 years who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2013 and 2016. The study participants were divided into seven 5-year age groups. AMH and progesterone concentrations were measured using Roche Elecsys assays, and bone morphogenetic protein-15 (BMP15) was genotyped for the detection of major variants. Age group-specific reference intervals for AMH were established as recommended by the CLSI EP28-A3c guidelines. Results: The mean age was 37.4 years. AMH concentrations decreased with increasing age, especially after 40 years, with the median AMH decreasing from 30.9 pmol/L in participants of 19–24 years to 0.071 pmol/L in participants of 50–54 years. The mid-95 percentile AMH reference intervals decreased from 7.93–81.21 pmol/L in participants of 19–24 years to 0.07–3.86 pmol/L in participants of 50–54 years. Disease-associated BMP15 variants were not detected. Conclusions: We determined Elecsys AMH assay reference intervals in healthy Korean women. The results may provide basic information for the interpretation of AMH concentrations and assessment of ovarian reserve in Korean women.
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