• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.170-175
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• 2018

Actinomyces are anaerobic, Gram-positive bacteria that are part of the endogenous flora of mucous membranes in humans. Infection caused by these bacteria is termed actinomycosis. The 3 most common types of actinomycosis are cervicofacial, abdominopelvic, and pulmonary. A previously healthy 6-year-old boy presented with the emergency room with fever, vomiting, and abdominal pain and initially diagnosed with acute appendicitis. Exploratory laparoscopy was done. Histologic finding demonstrated acute gangrenous appendicitis complicated by perforation and sulfur granules compatible with actinomycosis. Subsequently, he was diagnosed with abdominal actinomycosis and received long-term antibiotic therapy. Abdominal actinomycosis is uncommon in children and difficult to diagnose because of its nonspecific symptoms and of difficulties in growing Actinomyces in the clinical setting. It is necessary to include abdominal actinomycosis as a differential diagnosis of children presenting with abdominal pain.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.54-60
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• 2022

Salmonella meningitis is rare yet poses causes significant neurological morbidity in children. Infants, especially those under 3 months of age, and those with immunocompromised states, such as malignancy, malaria, and human immunodeficiency virus infection, are at increased risk for developing Salmonella meningitis. Herein, we describe a case of Salmonella meningitis in a previous healthy 8-year-old girl who presented with high fever, vomiting, and altered mental status. Group D Salmonella species were isolated in cerebrospinal fluid culture, and no abnormal findings were noted in brain magnetic resonance imaging. Immunoglobulin levels and lymphocyte subset counts were within the normal ranges, and no genetic mutation responsible for primary immunodeficiency disease was detected by next-generation sequencing. The patient's condition improved rapidly with third-generation cephalosporin, and no complications or sequalae developed. Nontyphoidal Salmonella can cause meningitis in immunocompetent children and can be successfully treated with early administration of antibiotics.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.348-353
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• 2020

A 68-year-old man presented with a bed sore with pus discharge on lower back. Radiographs showed extensive destruction of the L4 vertebral body. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed fluid collection with an enhanced wall at the defect of the L4 vertebral body extending into both psoas muscles. The primary diagnosis was neuropathic spondylopathy, but infective spondylitis was not ruled out. Initially, he was treated with antibiotics for two weeks. A follow-up MRI showed no improvement of the abscess, so surgical exploration was done. Charcot spinal arthropathy resulted in extensive vertebral body destruction that may be similar to infectious spondylitis, particularly in the case with fluid accumulation due to rupture of dura.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.33-42
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• 2022

Growing industrialization leads to severe water pollution. Organic effluents from pharmaceuticals and textile industries released in wastewater adversely affect the environment and human health. Presence of antibiotics used for antibacterial treatment in wastewater leads to the growth of drug resistance bacteria, which is very harmful for human being. Various small organic molecules are used for the preparation of organic dye molecules in the textile industries. These molecules hardly degrade, which is present in the wastewater effluents from printing and dyeing industries. In order to address these problems, photoactive catalyst is embedded in the membrane and wastewater are passed through it. Through this process, organic molecules are photodegraded and at the same time, the degraded compounds are separated by the membrane. Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is a semiconductor which behave as excellent photocatalyst. Photocatalytic ability is enhanced by the making its composite with other transition metal oxide and incorporated into polymeric membrane. In this review, the degradation of dye and drug molecules by photocatalytic membrane are discussed.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.58-62
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• 2007

Objective : Stroke patients tend to take antibiotics due to infection resulting from complication. One of many side effects from using antibiotics is diarrhea, which infact causes anaerobic organism dysfunction resulting Pseudo-Membranous Colitis (P.M.C). To treat P.M.C, antibiotics and antibacterial agents are usually used. But they may cause other side effects, therefore extreme caution must be taken. Methods : We treated an antibiotic induced P.M.C patient who diagnosed by sigmoid scopy with only Yijoong-tang (Lizhong-tang) without antibiotics and observed patients stool aspects. Results and Conclusion : Patiensts symptom was improved after 7days, and we can see the improvement by follow-up sigmoid scopy. This case may give us a possibility of that oriental medical treatments as complementary and alternative medicine to standard antibiotic treatment.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.287-302
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• 2024

Background: Bronchiectasis is a chronic respiratory condition leading to recurrent respiratory infections. Despite the use of antibiotics and other standard treatments, managing bronchiectasis remains challenging due to the frequent recurrence of airway infections and concerns about antimicrobial resistance. Given these challenges, traditional Korean medicine (TKM) has gained attention due to its potential to reduce the frequency of respiratory infections, possibly minimizing the need for antibiotics. Case report: A 59-year-old female with bronchiectasis experienced recurrent pneumonia and was treated with antibiotics for over 2 weeks without any significant improvement in clinical symptoms. She received comprehensive Korean medicine treatment, including herbal medicine (Sikyungbanha-tang combined with Bigwabojungikki-tang-gami), acupuncture, and Chuna manual therapy, for pulmonary rehabilitation. Post-treatment, clinically meaningful improvements were observed in symptoms, serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and bronchopneumonic lesions on chest X-rays. Conclusion: This case suggests that complex traditional Korean medicine treatments for recurrent chronic airway inflammation due to bronchiectasis can lead to clinically significant improvements in symptoms and help to prevent recurrence.

• The Korean Journal of Medicine
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• v.99 no.3
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• pp.158-163
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• 2024

This case underscores the rarity of bilateral subcapsular renal hematoma (SCH) as a complication of acute pyelonephritis, and this is the first reported case in South Korea. SCH can have various underlying causes, including cysts, bleeding tendencies, cancer, vascular diseases and, less commonly, infections. A patient with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and alcohol dependency presented with weakness. Bilateral SCH from acute pyelonephritis was diagnosed and treated with antibiotics and renal replacement therapy. Despite improved renal function, 30-day bilateral percutaneous drainage was necessary due to a persistent fever and elevated infection markers, resulting in a bloody, pus-like discharge. This case report sheds light on the rare etiology of bilateral SCH as a result of acute pyelonephritis. It serves as a reminder of the critical importance of timely intervention, to prevent deteriorating outcomes.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.95-101
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• 2003

Objective : To determine the clinical and bacteriologic efficacy and safety of Cefdinir in acute pharyngitis and pharyngotonsillitis caused by group A beta hemolytic streptococci in pediatric patients. Methods : Children aged 3 through 12 years who visited the hospitals enrolled in this study with signs and symptoms of pharyngitis or pharyngotonsillitis since May to December 2002, were taken throat culture and given Cefdinir(12 mg/kg/day, in three divided doses) for 7 days. Two hundred thirty five patients were enrolled and 90 patients who showed positive culture results were followed up for the signs and symptoms during the treatment to determine clinical efficacy. Follow-up culture were done at the end of the study and bacteriologic efficacy was determined Results : Ninety out of 235 patients who visited the hospitals with the signs and symptoms of pharyngitis showed positive growth on throat culture. Seventy nine patients were clinically and microbiologically assessable. The bacteriologic eradication rates of S. pyogenes were 100% in all the children treated with Cefdinir. Clinical cure rates were not different between less than 7 days-treated group(75%) and just 7 days-treated group(98.6%)(P=0.077). Two patients reported adverse reaction during Cefdinir treatment. Antimicrobial sensitivity of Cefdinir against S. pyogenes was 100% with range of MIC being less than 0.5 ${\mu}g/mL$. Conclusion : It seems that Cefdinir is one of reliable and well-tolerated drugs for the treatment of group A beta hemolytic streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis in children. It needs to be investigated short term efficacy in terms of improving drug compliance and impact of economic point of view. We can recognized that still high rate of the erythromycin resistant group A streptococci in our community should be monitored every year.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.10
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• pp.1079-1085
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• 2006

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors affecting hematologic recovery and infection in high-dose chemotherapy(HDCT) and autologous stem cell transplantation(ASCT) in patients with high-risk solid tumor. Methods : From January 2004 to December 2005, 72 HDCTs and ASCTs were applied to children with high-risk solid tumor at Samsung Medical Center. Medical records of these 72 HDCTs and ASCTs were retrospectively analyzed. Results : The single most powerful predictor of neutrophil and platelet recovery was the number of transplanted $CD34^+$ cells. The duration of high fever was significantly longer in young patients, in patients treated with total body irradiation and/or thiotepa, and in patients transplanted with lower $CD34^+$ cell dose(<$2{\times}10^6/kg$). However, the difference in the duration of high fever according to the number of $CD34^+$ cells was not clinically significant. Conclusion : Findings in this study suggest that HDCT and ASCT with low $CD34^+$ cell dose is clinically feasible despite delayed hematologic recovery, especially at a dose >$1{\times}10^6/kg$ per transplantation. Therefore, it is important not to defer the appropriate time for HDCT for an additional collection of hematopoietic stem cells if the number of collected $CD34^+$ cells is >$1{\times}10^6/kg$ per transplantation.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.561-565
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• 2003

Purpose : Urinary tract infection(UTI) is the most common bacterial infectious disease that may induce severe renal injury unless early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are performed. If recurrent UTI is prevented, renal injury can be also reduced. Therefore, we studied the risk factors of recurrent UTI in children. Methods : We performed a retrospective study of 168 children(58 girls and 110 boys) who were treated for UTI in the Department of Pediatrics, Korea University Medical Center, during 2000-2001. Among 168 children, 93 children were followed up for more than six months. For the detection of recurrence of UTI, we performed monthly routine urine cultures and physical examinations. Results : The total rate of recurrence was 32.3%. The recurrent rate in boys and girls were 37.1% and 17.4%, respectively(P<0.05). The most common causative bacteria in the first onset and in recurrence were Escherichia coli. There was a significant difference in the onset age of UTI between boys with recurrence($4.8{\pm}1.0months$) and without recurrence($16.5{\pm}3.8months$)(P<0.01). In 77% of cases, urinary tract infection recurred within six months of the first infection. The time of the first recurrence after UTI was $3.7{\pm}0.6months$ in boys and $14{\pm}8.2months$ in girls(P<0.01). The number of recurrences showed a significant difference between the group under the age of one year($0.69{\pm}0.8/year$) and those above the age of one year($0.16{\pm}0.4/year$)(P<0.05). There was no difference in the recurrent rate between those with structural abnormality and those with normal anatomy. Conclusion : Monthly routine urine cultures are efficient in detecting recurrent UTI in children. Because the male sex and young age especially less than one year of age are risk factors for increased recurrence rate of UTI, these children should be followed-up with urine cultures.