• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.229-235
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• 2004

To characterize the recent outbreaks of canine distemper (CD) in Korea, we carried out epidemiological investigations by clinical observations, serum neutralizing (SN) antibody titer determination and RT-PCR on the 315 dogs which were clinically suspected as canine distemper virus (CDV) infection. One hundred and sixty two of 315 dogs were infected with CDV. Breed or gender did not seem to have effects on the prevalence of CD. The major part of dogs were in young age from 6 weeks to 18 weeks of age, and were not vaccinated or incompletely vaccinated. Clinical signs of dogs with CD were multi systemic and extremely variable. Dogs died from CD had significantly more ocular signs and neurologic signs than those of dogs survived (p<0.05). The SN titers against CDV of 157 (96.9%) dogs were under 1:16, which is less than protective level. One possible explanation for recent outbreaks of CD in Korea might be low antibody titers against CDV because of vaccination failure. Therefore, to reduce the impact of virulent infection in the dog population, dogs should be vaccinated adequately and prophylactic measures should include isolation of young dogs from the dog population until vaccination can be expected to provide protection.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2010

Purpose : Recently, vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have become one of the major nosocomial pathogens in Korea. However, there have been few studies on the epidemiology of VRE colonization among neonates. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of VRE colonization, risk factors for VRE, and how to control the spread of VRE infection in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Pusan National University Hospital (PNUH). Methods : We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 192 neonates who were admitted to the NICU of PNUH from March 2006 to March 2007. Surveillance cultures from rectal swabs for detecting VRE were obtained weekly during the study period. We analyzed the prevalence of VRE and various risk factors. Results : The rate of VRE colonization among NICU patients was 25% (48/192). Thirty five of these VRE colonized patients were transferred to the NICU from other local hospitals. Compared with the non-VRE group, the risk factors associated with VRE colonization were lower birth weight, congenital heart disease, applied mechanical ventilation, use of a central venous catheter, chest tubing, a history of surgery, and use of antibiotics. Conclusion : VRE colonization among patients admitted to the NICU is rapidly increasing. Monitoring and managing premature neonates from the beginning of the birth process, avoiding many invasive procedures, avoiding antibiotics such as vancomycin and third generation cephalosporin are important for preventing the emergence and spread of VRE colonization in the NICU.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.240-247
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• 2010

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram (-) opportunistic human pathogen causing a wide variety of infections on lung, urinary tract, eyes, and burn wound sites and quorum sensing (QS), a cell density-sensing mechanism plays an essential role in Pseudomonas pathogenesis. In order to investigate the importance of QS in the Pseudomonas infections of Korean patients, we isolated 189 clinical strains of P. aeruginosa from the patients in Pusan Paik Hospital, Busan, South Korea. The QS signal production of these clinical isolates was measured by signal diffusion assay on solid media using reporter strains. While most clinical strains (79.4%) produced the QS signals as similar level as a wild type strain, PAO1 did, where LasR, the initial QS signal sensor-regulator was fully activated, a minority of them (4.2%) produced much less QS signals at the level to which LasR failed to respond. Similarly, while 72.5% of the clinical isolates produced QS signals enough to activate QscR, an another QS signal sensor-regulator, some few of them (9%) produced the QS signals at much lower level where QscR was not activated. For further analysis, we selected 74 clinical strains that were obtained from the patients under suspicion of Pseudomonas infection and investigated the total protease activity that is considered important for virulence. Interestingly, significant portion of them showed very low protease activity (44.6%) or no detectable protease activity (12.2%). When the biofilm-forming ability that is considered very important in chronic infection was examined, most isolates showed lower biofilm-forming activity than PAO1. Similarly, significant portion of clinical isolates showed reduced motility (reduced swarming activity in 51.4% and reduced twitching activity in 41.9%), or non-detectable motility (swarming-negative in 28.4% and twitching-negative in 28.4%). Our result showed that the clinical isolates that produced QS signals at the similar level to wild type could have significantly reduced activities in the protease production, biofilm formation, and motility, and some clinical isolates had unique patterns of motility, biofilm formation, and protease production that are not correlated to their QS activity.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.94-100
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• 2001

Purpose : Enterovirus is a common cause of aseptic meningitis and nonspecific febrile illness in young children. During the summer and fall months, enterovirus-infected young children are frequently admitted and evaluated to rule out bacterial sepsis and/or meningitis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between nonpolio enterovirus infection and febrile illness in infants under 3 months of age during the summer, fall months by using a stool culture to identify the presence of enterovirus. Methods : Patients included febrile infants under 3 months of age admitted to Masan Fatima Hospital for sepsis evaluation from May 1999 to September 1999. Cultures were performed from stool and Cerebrospinal fluid samples and then were tested for enterovirus infection. Viral isolation and serotype identification were performed by cell culture and immunofluorescent testing. Enteroviruses not typed by immunofluorescent testing were confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results : A total of 44 febrile infants were enrolled; of those, 20(45%) were positive for enterovirus. Two enterovirus culture-positive infants had concomitant urinary tract infection and one had Kawasaki disease. All infants infected with an enterovirus recovered without complications. Serotype of 20 enteroviruses were isolated from stool, 3 of echovirus type 9, 1 of echovirus type 11, 1 Coxsachievirus type B4, 15 of untyped enteroviruses. One untyped enterovirus was isolated in the CSF. Conclusion : Nonpolio enterovirus infections are associated with nonspecific febrile illnesses in infants under 3 months of age.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.75-82
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• 2024

Purpose: As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic ended, the number of patients with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) pneumonia increased during the spring/summer of 2022. This study aimed to analyze the clinical features and antibiotic usage of children hospitalized for RSV pneumonia in a recently established general hospital in Sejong city. Methods: In this retrospective review, we included inpatients of the Pediatric Department of Chungnam National University Sejong Hospital diagnosed with RSV pneumonia between March 2022 and April 2023. Patients were divided into 2 groups: with and without antibiotic treatment. Demographic data, initial presentations, and clinical courses were reviewed. Results: A total of 116 patients with RSV pneumonia were hospitalized during this period, of which 102 were analyzed, excluding 14 with underlying diseases or who did not fall within the definition of pneumonia. The median age was 17 months. Diagnoses of bacterial infections (acute otitis media and sinusitis) were documented in 9.8% of cases. Intravenous (IV) antibiotics were administered in 46% of cases. The group receiving IV antibiotics showed higher inflammatory levels (C-reactive protein; CRP), more infiltration on initial chest X-rays, and longer fever duration. There was no difference in the length of hospitalization between the groups with and without IV antibiotics. Conclusions: This study showed a tendency for the attending physician to prescribe IV antibiotics to patients with longer fever duration, pulmonary infiltrations on the initial chest X-ray, and higher CRP levels. However, given the high rate of IV antibiotic usage compared to previous studies, care should be taken in antibiotic use.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.385-391
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• 2005

Background : The incidence of nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) infections in Korea is increasing. This retrospective study was performed to examine the recovery rate of NTM from respiratory specimens as well as the isolated NTM colony characteristics, and to assess the clinical significance of a NTM isolation. Methods : The results of the respiratory specimens requested for an acid-fast bacilli (AFB) examination during 2002 at Asan Medical Center, along with the patients clinical characteristics were analyzed. Results : A total 26,820 respiratory specimens were requested for the acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear and culture during the study period. The proportion of M. tuberculosis and NTM isolation was 5.7% and 2.2%, respectively. Among the AFB smear and culture positive specimens, 12.2% were found to be NTM. The scotochromogen showing a low colony count < 20, which appeared to be contaminants, were isolated in 31.8% of the 584 NTM isolates. Excluding the low-colony scotochromogens, the M. avium-intracellulare complex was the most common NTM isolates (42.1%), and was also the most common causative organism for NTM pulmonary diseases. 8.4% (23/275) and 17.8% (49/275) of patients with NTM isolates met the American and British Thoracic Society diagnostic criteria for NTM pulmonary disease, respectively. Conclusion : In case of a positive AFB-smear or culture result, the possibility of NTM being a causative organism should always be considered, even in Korea, which has an intermediate incidence of tuberculosis.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.597-607
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• 1995

1960년대 이후 인공호흡기(mechanical ventilator)의 보급과 최근 의료과학의 발달, 간호의 질적 향상의 결과로 저체중출생아를 포함한 고위험 신생아의 생존율이 높아져왔다. 호흡장애증후군(RDS)은 일차적으로 폐포의 완전한 확장을 위해 필요한 계면활성물질(surfactant)의 부족, 미발달된 심폐기능에 의한 병리적 현상으로 저체중아의 가장 큰 원인이 되어왔다. RDS로 인해 인공호흡기에 의존해 있는 저체중아의 경우 적절한 산소공급과 이를 위한 호흡의 유지는 치료의 가장 큰 핵심이 되며, 이를 위한 기관내 흑은 비인두 흡인 (nasopharyngeal suction)은 신생아 중환자실(NICU)의 가장 중요한 간호행위가 되어왔다. 인공호흡기를 위한 기관삽관은 그 자체가 기도의 성모운동을 방해하고 기침반사를 억제시켜 폐 분비물의 효과적 배출을 억제하며, 특히 저체중아의 경우 조산과 관련하여 미발달된 흥곽운등과 심폐기능은 폐분비물의 이동을 저해하는 요소이다. 따라서 기도내의 분비물의 이동을 효과적으로 하여 흡인 시에 최대한의 효과를 돕기 위해 흥곽 물리요법(chest physiotheraphy : CPT)의 한 형태인 흉곽진동법 (Chest Vibration : CV)가 행해져 왔다. 그러나 저체중아를 위한CV의 임상적 적용은 그 대상의 생리적 특성, CV의 적용부위(site)와 기간(duration)에 대한 과학적 근거 없이 만성감염이나 폐질환을 가진 성인이나 cystic fibrosis환자를 위한 CV protocol을 무분별하게 채택하여 저체중아에게 행하여져 왔다 이에 본 연구자는 저체중아에 대한 CV의 안전성을 평가하고, 이에 기초하여 저체중아에게 바람직한CV의 형태를 알아보고자 본 연구를 시작하였다. 연구설계는 CV의 안전성을 평가하기 위한 실험연구이다. CV의 안전성은 RDS치료의 가장 일차적 목표인 oxygenation변화에 의해 평가될 수 있으므로, 본 실험 연구에서는 Pulse oximeter에 의해 계속적으로 측정된 산소포화 변화(oxygen saturation change)를 측정하였다. 실험대상은 미국동부에 위치한 대학병원의 NICU에 입원하여 RDS와 관련된 호흡장애로 인공호흡기에 의존해 있는 10명의 저체중아였다. 인공호흡기에 의존된 모든 저체중아는 Pulse oximeter와 심폐기능 측정기(cardiopulmonary monitor)에 의해 산소공급과 호흡상태가 계속 측정되고 있었다. 실험대상의 평균 출생시 몸무게는 평균 1,3050gm(SD=580.6)이었고, 임신월령 은 평균 28.6주(SD=3.1)였다. RDS가 그들의 일차적 진단명이었고, 그중 4명은 pneumonia, atelectasis의 합병증을 가지고 있었다. 10명중 6명은 intermittent mandatory ventilation(IMV)의 형태로, 4명은 continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP)의 형태로 인공호흡기에 의존되어 있었고 CV시의 FiO2는 평균 42.3(SD=21.2)였다. CV는 중환아용 소형진동기 (minivibrator)를 이용해 가각 10명 의 간호사에 의해 행하여 졌고, 최소 22초에서 최대 100초 동안 실시되었다. 50%의 간호사는 30초에서 40초간 CV를 실시하였으며, CV의 적용부위도, 전후 흉곽부위, 혹은 병변이 있는 좌 우측, 흑은 양쪽 흉벽 등으로 다양했고, 적용방법도 원형으로 돌려가며(circular motion), 혹은 아래에서 위로, 혹은 아무런 기준없이 간호사의 기호에 따라 다양하게 적용되었다. 산소포화의 변화는 CV가 행해지기 전.후로 5초동안 관찰되었다. 연구의 결과, 산소포화 변화는 비 모수통계(non parametric statistics)의 일종인 Matched Paired Wilcoxon test로 분석 한 결과 CV후에 3%의 감소를 보였다(P<.05). 저체중아에 있어 산소포화의 3%감소는 임상적으로 중요한 의미가 없다고 사료되어지며, 실제 흡인전의 과도호흡에 의해 CV를 행하기 이전의 산소공급수준으로 돌아 왔다. CV실시 기간과 산소포화와의 상관관계는 비 모수통계인 Spearman rho correlation coefficient를 이용하여 분석하였는데, 이 두 변수는 서로 관계가 없는 것으로 나타났다(P>.05) 또한 CV와 흡인 후에 각각의 간호사들에게 CV를 필요로 한 저체중아의 기준, 적용부위, 기간, 방법등에 대한 기준을 물었으나 대상의 특성에 따른 간호사정에 의존하기보다는 간호사 각자의 선호하는 방법이나 습관에 라 행하는 것으로 나타났다. 결론적으로 CV와 산소포화 변화와의 관계, NICU에서 관찰된 CV의 임상적 적용을 기초로 저체중아에게 안전한 CV protocol은 신생아용 소형 진동기를 이용하여, 양쪽 흉곽의 늑골하측 변연 부위(low lateral costal margin)에서 시작하여 흉골 중앙부위 방향으로 30초 동안 진동기를 적용하는 것이 좋은 것으로 나타났다. 이에 CV의 효과를 평가하기 위한 보다 과학적인 접근방법으로, CV와 흡인의 결과인 가래(sputum)에 대한 연구를 제언하는 바이다.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.69-74
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• 2007

Purpose : Human coronanviruses (hCovs) including hCoV-229E and hCoV-OC43 have been known as etiologic agents of the common colds and were regarded as clinically insignificant agents. However, recent identification of hCoV-NL63 and hCoV-HKU1 in children with lower respiratory tract infections has evoked the clinical concerns about their prevalence and the clinical significance of these hCoVs in children. This study was performed to investigate the prevalence of hCoVs in children with community-acquired pneumonia. Methods : From March 2006 to January 2007, nasopharyngeal specimens collected from children hospitalized with pneumonia, were tested for the presence of common respiratory viruses (respiratory syncytial virus, influenza A, influenza B, parainfluenza viruses, and adenovirus) using multiplex reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infection was excluded by nested RT-PCR using primers for the F-gene. To detect the different strains of hCoVs, nested RT-PCR assays specific for hCoVNL63, hCoV-OC43, hCoV-229E, and hCoV-HKU1 were performed. Results : Out of the 217 nasopharyngeal aspirate from children aged under 15 years, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was detected in 32 patients, hMPV in 18, human parainfluenza virus in 10, influenza virus A in 2, and adenovirus in 6. HCoVs were detected by RT-PCR in 8 (3.7%) of the 217 patients, hCoV-229E in 1, hCoV-NL63 in 3, and hCoVOC43 in 4 patients. HCoV-HKU1 was not detected in this study population. Conclusion : Recently identified hCoV-NL63 and hCoV-HKU1 seemed to have a little clinical significance in Korean children with severe or hospitalized community-acquired pneumonia.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.401-409
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• 2006

Purpose : Human metapneumovirus(hMPV) is a respiratory viral pathogen that causes a wide spectrum of illnesses, ranging from asymptomatic infection to severe bronchiolitis. The virus has been identified world widely, but so far it has not been published in Korea. Methods : We obtained clinical samples by nasopharyngeal aspiration from 218 children hospitalized due to acute lower respiratory tract infections at Soonchunhyang University Hospital in Cheonan from October, 2004 to April, 2005. We designed specific primers from conserved region of fusion glycoprotein of hMPV. Total RNA was extracted and RT-PCR was performed, and single specific 423 bp product was obtained. The PCR product was confirmed to be fusion glycoprotein RNA by sequencing. Results : We detected hMPV in 15(6.9 percent) of the 218 hospitalized children. The infected children comprised nine boys and six girls; their mean age was 2.8 years(5 mo-12 yrs) and they were diagnosed with pneumonia(60 percent), bronchiolitis(33.3 percent), croup(6.6 percent). The number of cases of detected hMPV in Korea increased dramatically during the period from March to May 2005. Conclusion : hMPV is circulating in Korean children and is associated with respiratory tract infection. Additional studies are required to define the epidemiology and the extent of diseases in the general population caused by hMPV.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.283-294
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• 2003

Introduction : Rapidly growing nontuberculous mycobacteria (RGM) can produce numerous types of manifestations including a pulmonary infection. Managing a pulmonary infection due to RGM is unusually difficult to treat because the organism is invariably resistant to traditional antituberculous drugs and has a varying susceptibility to other antibiotics. The experiences of treatments for a RGM pulmonary infection with various antibiotics are also limited. This study evaluated the clinical manifestations, treatment, and the therapeutic outcomes of a RGM pulmonary infection. Subjects and method : Fifty-four cases with RGM from respiratory specimens were identified between November of 1996 and September of 2002 in the Asan medical center. The medical records and radiographic findings in 20 patients who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) pulmonary disease by ATS guidelines. The clinical, laboratory, and radiological parameters between subgroups. Results : Of the 20 patients, 15 were female. The mean age was 57.7 yrs (${\pm}7.5$), and all of the patients had a history of pulmonary tuberculosis. Most (90%) had an underlying lung disease. The majority of the isolates (80%) were M. abscessus. Chest radiography showed bilateral involvement in 80% of the patients. Bronchiectasis and multiple nodules were the main findings. Cavitation was present in 35% of the patients. Even though 70 % of the patients received antituberculous drugs prior to the correct diagnosis, all of the patients eventually received antibiotics. A mean of 3.5 antibiotics were given for an average of 439 days(${\pm}168$). After completing treatment, nine patients showed improvement after a mean 591(${\pm}311$) days of treatment, whereas the antibiotic treatment was unsuccessful in 2 patients. Conclusion : Many patients with a RGM pulmonary infection show an atypical pattern of radiological findings (bronchiectasis and multiple centrilobular nodules). It is very important to differentiate between M. tuberculosis and NTM and to identify the causative organisms among the NTM because a misdiagnosis can lead to an inappropriate and prolonged treatment. Combined antibiotic treatment yielded promising results, and is recommended for treating patients with a RGM pulmonary infection.