• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.293-296
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• 2012

Nanocomposites were fabricated as titanium dioxide ($TiO_2$) doped with nanometals (Au, Ag) by sonochemical reduction method and sol-gel method in order to investigate their antimicrobial activities. Then, the antimicrobial activity of the resulting samples was compared by the measurement of colony numbers survived on the agar plate incubated for 24 h after the loading E. coli on the solid-state media with the nanocomposites. The initial antimicrobial activity of the metal (Au, Ag)-doped $TiO_2$ was higher than that of the pristine $TiO_2$. Afterwards the nanocomposite samples were kept at $4^{\circ}C$ for a long time and the aged samples exhibited the different antimicrobial activity. With the elapse of aging times, Ag-doped $TiO_2$ with $TiO_2$ coating ($Ag-TiO_2$@$TiO_x$) exhibited the higher antimicrobial activity than those of $Ag-TiO_2$and $Au-TiO_2$. The $TiO_2$ coating on the $Ag-TiO_2$ may prevent the oxidation of Ag nanometals and stabilize colloidal nanocomposites.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1294-1303
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• 2019

Perchlorate is an anionic pollutant that is very soluble and stable in water. It has been detected not only in soil/ground water but also in surface water, drinking water, food, fish, and crops. Perchlorate inhibits iodine uptake by the thyroid gland and reduces production of thyroid hormones that are primarily responsible for regulation of metabolism. Although various technologies have been developed to remove perchlorate from the environment, biodegradation is the method of choice since it is economical and environmentally friendly. However there is limited information on perchlorate biodegradation in salt environment such as salt water. Therefore this paper reviews biodegradation of perchlorate in salt water and related microorganisms. Most biodegradation research has employed heterotrophic perchlorate removal using organic compounds such as acetate as electron donors. Biodegradation research has focused on perchlorate removal from spent brine generated by ion exchange technology that is primarily employed to clean up perchlorate-contaminated ground water. Continuous removal of perchlorate at up to 10% NaCl was shown when bioreactors were inoculated with enriched salt-tolerant perchlorate-reducing bacteria. However the reactors did not show long-term stable removal of perchlorate. Microorganisms belonging to ${\beta}$- and ${\gamma}$-Proteobacteria were dominant in bioreactors used to remove perchlorate from salt water. This review will help our understanding of perchlorate removal from salt water to develop a decent biotechnology for the process.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.289-316
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• 2000

우리나라의 경우 지역사회 재난 관리계획과 훈련이 보건의료적 모형이라기 보다는 민방위 모형에 입각하기 때문에 사고 현장에서의 환자 중증도 분류, 합리적 환자배분 및 이송, 병원 응급실에서의 대처 등이 체계적으로 이루어지지 못하고 있으며, 지역사회가 이에 즉각적으로 반응할 수 없다. 본 연구는 삼풍 붕괴사고 시에 대응방식과 그 후의 우리나라 응급의료 체계를 분석함으로써 대형사고 예방과 재난관리를 위한 우리나라 응급의료체계의 개선방안과 간호교육에서의 준비부분을 제시하고자 한다. 1 삼풍 사고 발생시에는 이를 관장할 만한 법적 근거인 인위적 재해에 관한 재난관리법이 없었다. 따라서 현장에서는 의학적 명령체계를 확보하지 못했기 때문에 현장에서의 응급 처치는 전혀 이루어지지 못하였다. 현장에서의 중증도 분류. 응급조치와 의뢰, 병원과 현장본부 그리고 구급차간의 통신 체계 두절, 환자 운송 중 의료지시를 받을 수 있도록 인력, 장비, 통신 체계가 준비되지 못하였던 점이 주요한 문제였다. 또한 병원 응급실에서는 재난 계획이 없거나 있었더라도 이를 활성화하여 병원의 운영 체계를 변환해가지 못하였다. 2. 삼풍백화점 붕괴사고 한달 후에는 인위적 재해에 대한 재난관리법이 제정되고, 행정부 수준별로 매년 지역요구에 합당한 재난관리 계획을 세우도록 법으로 규정하였다. 재난 관리법에는 보건의료 측면에서의 현장대응, 주민 참여, 응급 의료적 대처, 정보의 배된. 교육/훈련 등이 포함되어 있어야 한다. 그러나 법적 기반이 마련된 이후에도 한국 재난 계획 내에는 응급의료 측면의 대응 영역은 부처간 역할의 명시가 미흡하며, 현장에서의 응급 대응과정을 수행할 수 있는 운영 지침이 없이 명목상 언급으로 그치고 있기 때문에 계획을 활성화시켜 지역사회에서 운영하기는 어렵다. 즉 이 내용 속에는 사고의 확인 /공고, 응급 사고 지령, 요구 평가, 사상자의 중증도 분류와 안정화, 사상자 수집, 현장 처치 생명보존과 내과 외과적 응급처치가 수반된 이송, 사고 후 정신적 스트레스 관리, 사고의 총괄적 평가 부분에 대한 인력간 부처간 역할과 업무가 분명히 제시되어 있지 못하여, 사고 발생시 가장 중요한 연계적 업무 처리나 부문간 협조를 하기 어렵다. 의료 기관과 응급실/중환자실, 시민 안전을 책임지고 있는 기관들과의 상호 협력의 연계는 부족하다. 즉 현재의 재난 대비 계획 속에는 부처별 분명한 업무 분장, 재난 상황에 따른 시나리오적 대비 계획과 이를 훈련할 틀을 확보하고 있지 못하다. 3. 지방 정부 수준의 재난 계획서에는 재난 발생시 보건의료에 관한 사항 전반을 공공 보건소가 핵심적 역할을 하며 재난 관리에 대처해야 된다고 규정하고 있다. 그러므로 보건소는 지역사회 중심의 재난 관리 계획을 구성하고 이를 운영하며, 재난 현장에서의 응급 치료 대응 과정은 구조/ 구명을 책임지고 있는 공공기관인 소방서와 지역의 응급의료병원에게 위임한다. 즉 지역사회 재난 관리 계획이 보건소 주도하에 관내 병원과 관련기관(소방서. 경찰서)이 협동하여 만들고 업무를 명확히 분담하여 연계방안을 만든다. 이는 재난관리 대처에 성공여부를 결정하는 주요 요인이다. 4 대한 적십자사의 지역사회 주민에 대한 교육 프로그램은 연중 열리고 있다. 그러나 대부분의 교육주제는 건강증진 영역이며. 응급의료 관리는 전체 교육시간의 8%를 차지하며 이중 재난 준비를 위한 주민 교육 프로그램은 없다. 또한 특정 연령층이 모여있는 학교의 경우도 정규 보건교육 시간이 없기 때문에 생명구조나 응급처치를 체계적으로 배우고 연습할 기회가 없으면서 국민의 재난 준비의 기반확대가 되고 있지 못하다. 5. 병원은 재난 관리 위원회를 군성하여 병원의 진료권역 내에 있는 여러 자원을 감안한 포괄적인 재난관리계획을 세우고, 지역사회를 포함한 훈련을 해야 한다. 그러나 현재 병원은 명목상의 재난 관리 계획을 갖고 있을 뿐이다. 6. 재난관리 준비도를 평가할 때 병원응급실 치료 팀의 인력과 장비 등은 비교적 기준을 충족시키고 있었으나 병원의 재난 관리 계획은 전혀 훈련되고 있지 못하였다 그러므로 우리나라 재난 관리의 준비를 위해서는 현장의 응급의료체계, 재난 대응 계획, 이의 훈련을 통한 주민교육이 선행되어야만 개선될 수 있다. 즉 민방위 훈련 모델이 아닌 응급의료 서비스 모델에 입각한 장기적 노력과 재원의 투입이 필요하며, 지역사회를 중심으로 대응 준비와 이의 활성화 전략 개발, 훈련과 연습. 교육에 노력을 부여해야 한다. 7. 현장의 1차 응급처치자에 대해서는 법적으로 명시하고 있는 역할이 없다. 한국에서는 응급구조사 1급과 2급에 대한 교육과 규정을 1995년 이후 응급의료에 관한 법률에서 정하고 있다. 이 교육과정은 미국이 정하고 있는 응급구조사 과정 기준과 유사하지만 실습실이나 현장에서의 실습시간이 절대적으로 부족하다. 덧붙여 승인된 응급구조사 교육 기관의 강사는 강사로서의 자격기준을 충족할 뿐 아니라 실습강사는 대체적으로 1주일의 1/2은 응급 구조차를 탑승하여 현장 활동을 끊임없이 하고 있으며, 실습은 시나리오 유형으로 진행된다. 그러므로 우리나라의 경우 응급 구조사가 현장 기술 인력으로 역할 할 수 있도록 교과과정 내에서 실습을 강화 시켜야하며, 졸업생은 인턴쉽을 통한 현장 능력을 배양시키는 것이 필요하다. 8. 간호사의 경우 응급전문간호사의 자격을 부여받게 됨에 따라, 이를 위한 표준 교육 지침을 개발함으로써 병원 전 처치와 재난시 대응할 수 있는 역량을 보완해야 한다. 또한 현 자격 부여 프로그램 내용을 고려하여 정규자격 간호사가 현장 1차 치료자(first responder)로 역할 할 수 있도록 간호학 교과과정을 부분 보완해야한다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.516-522
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• 2006

Background : In contrast to tuberculous pleurisy, tuberculous empyema is a chronic active infectious disease of the pleural cavity that is frequently accompanied by cavitary or advanced pulmonary lesions. The condition requires long-term anti-tuberculous medication with external drainage. The clinical features and treatment outcome of tuberculous empyema are unclear despite the high prevalence of tuberculosis in Korea. Methods : From January 1991 through April 2004, 17 patients diagnosed with tuberculous empyema in Kyungpook National University Hospital were enrolled in this study. Their medical records and chest radiographs were reviewed. Results : Twelve patients(71%) had a history of tuberculosis and six of the 12 patients were under current anti-tuberculous medication. Productive cough, fever, and dyspnea were the main complaints. There was no predominance between the right and left lungs. Nine patients(53%) had far-advanced pulmonary tuberculosis, two(12%) had a cavitary lesion, and seven(41%) had a pyopneumothorax on the chest radiograph. All eight cases in whom the data of pleural fluid WBC differential count was available showed polymorphonuclear leukocyte predominance. Eight patients(47%) had other bacterial infections as well. The overall rates of a positive sputum AFB smear and culture for M. tuberculosis were 71% and 64%, respectively. The positive AFB smear and culture rates for M. tuberculosis from the pleural fluid were 33% and 36%, respectively. Twelve of the 16 patients(75%) were treated successfully. Three underwent additional surgical intervention. Two patients (12%) died during treatment. Conclusion : Tuberculous empyema is frequently accompanied by advanced pulmonary lesions, and polymorphonuclear leukocytes are predominant in the pleural fluid. Other accompanying bacterial infections in the pleural cavity are also common in tuberculous empyema patients. Therefore, tuberculous empyema should be considered in differential diagnosis of patients with polymorphonuclear leukocyte-predominant pleural effusion. In addition, more active effort will be needed to achieve a bacteriological diagnosis in the pleural fluid.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2009

Purpose: Lymphonodular hyperplasia of the colon (LNHC) is a rare finding in children and its significance as a pathologic finding is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of LNHC by analyzing clinical and histopathologic findings in children with LNHC. Methods: We analyzed data from 38 patients who were confirmed to have LNHC by colonoscopy. We checked age, birth history, past history, family history, and clinical symptoms. A hematologic exam, stool exam, and image studies were performed and biopsy specimens were examined by a pathologist. All patients were asked to have short- and long-term follow-up. Results: The mean age of the patients was 12.5${\pm}$14.4 months. All patients presented with complaints of bloody stool. They appeared healthy and the hematologic findings were within a normal range, with the exception of one case. There was no other identified source of bleeding. On histologic exam, 36 patients (94.7%) had lymphoid follicles and 34 patients (84.5%) fulfilled the criteria of allergic colitis. Regardless of diet modification and presence of residual symptom, there was no recurrence of bloody stool through long-term follow-up in all patients. Conclusion: LNHC is more common in infants who are affected by allergic colitis, but it can appear even after infancy. LNHC should be regarded as the etiology when there are any other causes of rectal bleeding, especially in healthy children. We suggest that LNHC has a benign course regardless of diet modification and it might not require excessive concerns.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.5
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• pp.530-535
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• 2005

Background and Aims : Cigarette smoking induces an inflammatory response in the airways, which may play a key role in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is one of the cytokines that plays an important role in inducing bronchial inflammation. The aim of this study was to determine if the level of the pro-inflammatory cytokine, Interleukin-6, is increased when the bronchial epithelial cells are exposed to a cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and an extract from stop smoking-aiding cigarettes, and examined the safety of these commercially available stop smoking-aiding cigarettes. Method : Bronchial epithelial cells were exposed to CSE from cigarette and stop smoking-aiding cigarettes for 24 hours. ELISA was used to measure the IL-6 levels in the supernatant from each condition. The IL-6 mRNA levels were measured by Taqman Real time RT-PCR. N-acetyl-L-cysteine(NAC) was added to each condition to determine if NAC can inhibit the release of IL-6 from the bronchial epithelial cells when they are exposed to CSE from cigarette and stop smoking-aiding cigarettes. Result : When bronchial epithelial cells were exposed to a CSE from cigarettes and stop smoking-aiding cigarettes, each type of CSE stimulated IL-6 production from the bronchial epithelial cells. The IL-6 mRNA level in the Bronchial epithelial cells was also elevated and NAC was found to inhibit the release of IL-6 from bronchial epithelial cells when they were exposed to the CSE from cigarettes and stop smoking-aiding cigarettes. Conclusion : Commercially available stop smoking-aiding cigarette can induce bronchial inflammation and can be harmful to smokers. Therefore, the safety of these cigarettes for smoking cessation should be evaluated.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.1225-1233
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• 1997

Background : Cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis(CTL) is one of the most common extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. Recently overall incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis has decreased, but the incidence of tuberculous lymphadenitis has not decreased. Its duration of treatment is still controversial and the pathogenesis, prognosis and relationship with other site tuberculous are poorly published. So we did a retrograde study of 120 cases of confirmed CTL about its clinical manifestations. Method : All patients were applied fine needle aspiration(FNA) of palpable enlarged cervical lymph nodes and 114 patients were examined for AFB smear and 34 patients for TB culture with aspirated fluid. 57 patients were examined Mantoux test(5TU with PPD-S). With above methods, a total of 120 patients was diagnosed as having CTL. Results : 1) CTL is most prevalent in young women between the age of 20~30 years and the incidence of CTL in female is 2.5 times higher than that of male. It is located most commonly in the posterior cervical area. The most common presenting symptom is painless palpable enlarged cervical lymph nodes. 2) With FNA of enlarged cervical lymph nodes, the percentage of histopathological positivity is 82.3%. The percentage of AFB smear positivity is 38.6%, and that of TB culture positivity is 17.6%(p<0.001). 3) Pulmonary tuberculosis is noted in 79 cases(65.8%). And 42 cases(53.5%) of them had minimal pulmonary tuberculosis. In 14 cases(11.7%), other extrapulmonary tuberculosis coexsisted and pleural tuberculosis was most Common in the order. 4) CTL was treated with anti-tuberculous medication(first line drug) and median treatment duration was 18.5months. During treatment, the size of involved lymph nodes decreased gradually in 62 cases(75.8%), newly developed lymph nodes were found in 25 cases(30.4%), fluctuation formation in 22 cases(26.8%) and fistula formation in 14 cases(17.0%). Conclusion : CTL is prevalent in women between the age of 20~40 years and it involves posterior cervical area most commonly. CTL is treated with long-term anti-tuberculous chemotherapy. We think it is one manifestation of systemic disease and frequently coexisting with pulmonary tuberculosis. Despite anti-tuberculous chemotherapy, the size of involved lymph nodes was increased, new lymph nodes were developed or fluctuation and fistula formed in involved lymph nodes. After sufficient medication, when the patient felt pressure discomfort from enlarged lymph node or fistula was formed, we recommended total excision of involved lymph nodes.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.311-319
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• 2004

Background : It has been well known that bronchiectasis (BE) is a predisposing condition for pulmonary NTM infection, whereas there are some suggestions that BE, especially nodular BE, may be a result of NTM pulmonary infection. This retrospective study was done to investigate the prevalence of NTM pulmonary infection in the patients with BE. Methods : Eight hundred sixty-six patients, who underwent chest CT and sputum AFB examination and had BE detected by chest CT at Asan Medical Center in 2002, were included in this study. They were divided into Group I (bilateral BE, especially in RML, lingular or both lower lobes; 134), Group II (BE accompanied with fibrocavitary lesions commonly found in tuberculosis, usually both upper lobes; 233) and Group III (except Group I, II; 499) according to the radiological findings. Group I was subdivided into Group I+ (62) or Group I- (72) according to the presence or absence of centrilobular nodules, respectively. The sputum AFB examination, clinical and radiological findings were analyzed and compared between groups. Results : The number of patients who had at least one positive NTM culture was significantly higher in Group I+ compared with others (p<0.05); 24.2% in Group I+, 6.9% in Group I-, 9.9% in Group II, 6.0% in Group III and 4.1% in control. The number of patients who had true NTM infection defined by ATS guideline was higher in Group I+ (5, 8.1%) compared with others (p<0.05). In all groups, M. avium-intracellulare comlex was the most common isolates. Conclusion : Even though true NTM pulmonary disease was more prevalent in the patients with nodular BE, especially located in RML, left linguar, or both lower lobes, only a small population of the patients with nodular BE met the ATS diagnostic criteria for NTM pulmonary disease. The other patients in nodular BE group may have subclinical stage of NTM infection or completely different diseases from NTM infection. Long-term clinical studies are needed to clarify this issue.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.7
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• pp.753-759
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• 2005

Purpose : This study was performed to characterize clinical features of benign convulsions with gastroenteritis(CwG) in infants. Methods : We reviewed clinical features of 67 episodes in 64 patients with afebrile seizure accompanied gastroenteritis admitted to Dept. of Pediatrics Bundang CHA hospital from January 2001 to June 2004. Patients with meningitis, encephalitis/encephalopathy or apparent history of epilepsy were excluded. Results : There were 32 boys and 35 girls. The age of onset ranged from 1 to 42 months($18.5{\pm}6.1$ months). The number of children admitted to the hospital with acute gastroenteritis was 2,887 in the same period. The percentage of patients with CwG was 2.3. Seizure type was exclusively generalized tonic or tonic-clonic seizure. The average number of seizures during a single episode was 3.1 (range, 1-13). Two or more seizures occurred in 53(79.1%) of the 67 episodes. Antiepileptic drugs were administered for 42 episodes. Seizure did not cease after the administration of one kind of antiepileptic drug in 23 episodes(54.7%). The seizures were rather refractory to initial antiepileptic treatment. There were no abnormalities in serum biochemistry test including glucose and electrolytes. Cerebrospinal fluid was normal in all 54 episodes. Stool cultures were negative in 49 episodes. Rotavirus was positive in stools in 51(82.3%) of 62 episodes. Norovirus was positive in stools in 2 episodes and astrovirus in 1 of 18 episodes. CT and/or MRI were performed in 15 cases and demonstrated no neuroradiologic abnormalities. Of 73 Interictal EEG, initial 24 cases showed occasional spike or sharp wave discharges from the mid-line area during stage I-II sleep, which were apparently differentiated from vertex sharp transient or K-complexes. The mean follow-up period was 5.7 months(1-36 months). Three patients experienced a recurrence of CwG, but all patients exhibited normal psychomotor development at the last follow-up. Conclusion : Afebrile infantile convulsions with gastroenteritis are brief generalized seizure in cluster with normal laboratory findings and good prognosis. Therefore CwG is likely to be categorized as situation-related seizure of special syndrome. Recognition of this entity should lead to assurance of the parents and long-term anticonvulsant therapy is not usually warranted.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2010

Purpose : Urinary tract infection (UTI) in children is the most common disease during the infantile period, therefore early diagnosis and treatment are important. Pyuria is a useful clinical parameter for the initial diagnosis of a UTI. In this study we aimed to compare the clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings in relation to the duration of pyuria in infants with UTIs. Methods : Three hundred seventy-four infants <12 months of age who were admitted between January 1995 and December 2005 for the first episode of a febrile UTI were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the duration of pyuria as follows: group 1, pyuria resolved <3 days after initial treatment; and group 2, pyuria lasted at least 3 days after initial treatment. Results : There were no significant differences between the two groups in relation to gender, age, total duration of fever, and organisms in the urine. Group 2 had a significantly higher peripheral blood leukocyte count ($14,360.86{\pm}5,526.16cells/mm^3$ vs. $11,822.55{\pm}5,687.26cells/mm^3$, P <0.001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate ($32.81{\pm}19.34mm/hr$ vs. $23.74{\pm}20.43mm/hr$, P <0.001), and C-reactive protein ($6.84{\pm}5.68mg/dL$ vs. $3.78{\pm}3.99mg/dL$, P <0.001) than group 1. There was a significantly higher incidence of hydronephrosis and a higher grade of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in group 2 compared to group 1. Conclusion : In infants with UTI, pyuria of longer duration is related to severe UTI and higher grade VUR, therefore aggressive radiologic studies may be necessary.