• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.40-45
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the etiology of acute pharygotonsillitis in pediatric patients. Methods: Pharyngeal swabs from patients with acute pharyngotonsillitis were evaluated for viruses and bacterial organisms from March 2010 through March 2011. Results: Of 615 patients, potentially pathogenic bacteria were isolated in 40 (6.5%), viruses were isolated in 310 (50.4%), and no pathogens were isolated in 267 patients (43.4%). Both viral and bacterial pathogens were found in 2 (0.3%). Of 40 patients with bacterial pathogens, group A streptococci were found in 31 (77.5%). Among 310 patients with virus infection, adenovirus was the most frequently recovered (203 patients; 65.5%), followed by rhinovirus (65 patients; 21.0%), enterovirus (43 patients; 13.9%) and coronavirus (18 patients; 5.8%). There were 25 patients who had been coinfected with 2 viruses. In viral pharyngotonsillitis, cough, rhinorrhea, conjunctivitis and diarrhea were prominent. On the other hand, pharyngeal injection and pharyngeal petechiae were prominent in bacterial pharyngotonsillitis. Conclusions: Virus infection was a big part of acute pharyngotonsillitis and there were differences in clinical manifestations among viral and bacterial infections. Therefore, we need to distinguish between virus infection and bacterial infection using clinical signs for preventing the abuse of antibiotics.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.275-282
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• 2017

Adenovirus (ADV) and human bocavirus (hBoV) cause acute respiratory tract infections, and are often associated with increased rates of hospitalization and death, particularly in infants and young children. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical features and molecular phylogeny of ADV and hBoV isolated in Busan, from January 2011 to November 2013. In total, 3,230 specimens (throat swabs) were collected from patients with influenza-like illnesses and acute respiratory tract infections. Multiplex real-time RT-PCR was performed to detect eight respiratory viru [rhinovirus, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, human coronavirus, human metapneumovirus, human bocavirus, parainfluenza virus and influenza virus] and detected 1,485(46.0%) cases. Among 1,485 positive specimens, 257(8.0%) cases were ADV and 68(2.1%) cases of hBoV. A significant clinical feature of ADV is fever and headache whereas hBoV is wheezing. Serotypic distributions of isolated ADV and hBoV were analyzed by sequencing of hexon and VP1/VP2 gene, respectively. ADV was identified seven different serotypes(1~6, 8), revealing a high similarity among the isolates (>97%). The predominant types of ADV were type 1 in 2011, type 3 and 4 in 2012, type 3 in 2013, respectively. ADV type 3 was major causative type during outbreaks in 2013. All of the hBoV was identified as hBoV type 1.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2010

Purpose : The Purposes of this study are to identify the circulating etiologic viruses of acute lower respiratory tract infection in children and to understand the relation with clinical diagnosis. Methods : We obtained a total of 418 nasopharyngeal aspirates from children admitted for their acute lower respiratory tract infections at three tertiary hospitals in Seoul from September 2008 to March 2009. We performed multiplex RT-PCR to identify 14 etiologic viruses and analyzed their emerging patterns and clinical features. Results : Average age of patients was 16.4 months old and the ratio of male to female was 1.36. Viruses were detected in 56.2% of a total of 418 samples. Respiratory syncytial virus (35%) was the most frequently detected and followed by human rhinovirus (22%), human bocavirus, adenovirus, human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza virus, influenza virus and human coronavirus. Co-infection reached 21.9 % of positive patients. Conclusion : When we manage the patients with acute lower respiratory infectious diseases, we should remind the role of various viral pathogens, which might be circulating by seasons and by local areas.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.95-100
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• 2013

Background: This study was performed to investigate the epidemiologic and clinical features of acute respiratory viral infection in hospitalized children. Methods: From 2010 to 2012, we tested nasopharyngeal swab specimen in 1,584 hospitalized children with multiple real-time polymerase chain reactions to identify 10 kinds of respiratory viruses (including influenza virus A, B (FluA, FluB), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus (MPV), adenovirus (AdV), human coronavirus (CoronaV), human enterovirus (HEV), human bocavirus (HBoV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), and human rhinovirus (Rhinovirus)). We analyzed the positive rate, annual and seasonal variations, and clinical features (respiratory tract and non-respiratory tract) according to the retrospective review of medical records. Results: Respiratory viruses were detected from 678 (42.8%) of 1,584 patients. The most common detected virus was RSV (35.0%), and then AdV (19.0%), HEV (18.1%). The critical period of the respiratory viral infection was during the first 12 months of a child's life. PIV increased by 8.4%, 12.1%, and 21.1% annually. Bronchiolitis was most frequently caused by RSV, and croup was frequently caused by PIV. The most common cause of meningitis was HEV. Hepatitis-associated respiratory virus was developed 111 in 678 cases. Conclusion: Although this study was confined to a single medical center for three years, we identified the epidemiology and clinical feature of respiratory viruses in Daegu from 2010 to 2012. Future surveillance will be necessary for annual and seasonal variations.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.599-607
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• 2016

The first patient of Middle East respiratory syndrome caused by a novel coronavirus infection in Korea was confirmed on May 20, 2015. After that, MERS spread over the country. In recent years, patients of MERS have been found around the Arabian Peninsula and the case fatality ratio of MERS in those area was been reported to range from 30 to 40%. In this paper, we estimate the case fatality ratio of MERS of Korea using data of 186 infections until December 1, 2015. In this study we propose a novel estimator of the case fatality ratio using information of the patients severity condition as well as records on the days of confirmation and death or recovery of the patient. By using publicly available data of the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control, we evaluate a performance of the estimator and demonstrate a stability of the estimator from the early stage of the epidemic.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.158-163
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• 2020

Objectives: In the current early phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, Bali needs to prepare to face the escalation of cases, with a particular focus on the readiness of healthcare services. We simulated the future trajectory of the epidemic under current conditions, projected the impact of policy interventions, and analyzed the implications for healthcare capacity. Methods: Our study was based on the first month of publicly accessible data on new confirmed daily cases. A susceptible, exposed, infected, recovered (SEIR) model for COVID-19 was employed to compare the current dynamics of the disease with those predicted under various scenarios. Results: The fitted model for the cumulative number of confirmed cases in Bali indicated an effective reproduction number of 1.4. Interventions have decreased the possible maximum number of cases from 71 125 on day 86 to 22 340 on day 119, and have prolonged the doubling time from about 9 days to 21 days. This corresponds to an approximately 30% reduction in transmissions from cases of mild infections. There will be 2780 available hospital beds, and at the peak (on day 132), the number of severe cases is estimated to be roughly 6105. Of these cases, 1831 will need intensive care unit (ICU) beds, whereas the number of currently available ICU beds is roughly 446. Conclusions: The healthcare system in Bali is in danger of collapse; thus, serious efforts are needed to improve COVID-19 interventions and to prepare the healthcare system in Bali to the greatest extent possible.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.133-137
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• 2020

Diarrhea is the most common cause of death in calves, and remains a major health challenge. Although there are many studies on the related pathogens, the understanding of the clinicopathological changes is limited. This study aimed to identify the pathogens and observe the clinicopathological changes in electrolytes and acute phase proteins (APPs) associated with diarrhea. Blood samples and fecal samples were collected from 141 calves for the determination of APPs, electrolyte and acid-base status and identification of enteropathogens, respectively. Single or co-infections with enteropathogens, including virus (bovine viral diarrhea virus, coronavirus, and rotavirus), Eimeria, Cryptosporidium, and Escherichia coli K99 were detected in both non-diarrheic and diarrheic calves. Levels of APPs such as serum amyloid A, haptoglobin and fibrinogen were comparable between diarrheic and non-diarrheic calves. Hypoglycemia, high blood urea, electrolytes and acid-base imbalance (hyponatremia, hypochloremia, and decreased bicarbonate), and strong ion difference (SID) acidosis showed a significant association in diarrheic calves (p < 0.01). Particularly, significant hyponatremia, bicarbonate loss, SID acidosis, hypoglycemia, and elevated blood urea nitrogen were found in rotavirus-infected calves. Monitoring the clinicopathological parameters of APPs and electrolyte levels could be vital in the clinical management of diarrheic calves.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.124-133
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• 2020

Objectives: Mask fit is a crucial factor in preventing respiratory infections among healthcare workers. The current coronavirus(COVID-19) pandemic calls for the replacement of imported N95 medical masks with domestic N95 versions. In this study, we aimed to determine whether these masks provide proper protection. Methods: Thirty-five participants from three healthcare institutions donned four types of masks and Quantitative Fit Tests(Portacount, USA) were performed. The order of fit test for the four types of masks was randomized, and a three-minute washout period was applied between test times(2 min 29 sec) to reduce potential error stemming from physical exhaustion. Results: There were no significant differences in the Fit Factor for the four types of masks, and there were no gender differences. However, the Fit Factor significantly differed across the three healthcare institutions (p=0.007). With eight of the 35 participants passing, the pass rate with the criteria of 100 or higher was 21%. Conclusions: The mask used in this study was a new domestic N95 medical mask, and the participants were unfamiliar with how to wear it. They reported difficulties with mask fitting. In light of a previous finding that mask fit improved with frequently used masks, wearer preferred masks, or when masks that are regularly worn are used during fit training, the fact that participants were unfamiliar with the mask used in this study is a limitation that should not be overlooked.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.55 no.12
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• pp.470-473
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this prospective case-control study was to survey the detection rate of respiratory viruses in children with Kawasaki disease (KD) by using multiplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and to investigate the clinical implications of the prevalence of respiratory viruses during the acute phase of KD. Methods: RT-PCR assays were carried out to screen for the presence of respiratory syncytial virus A and B, adenovirus, rhinovirus, parainfluenza viruses 1 to 4, influenza virus A and B, metapneumovirus, bocavirus, coronavirus OC43/229E and NL63, and enterovirus in nasopharyngeal secretions of 55 KD patients and 78 control subjects. Results: Virus detection rates in KD patients and control subjects were 32.7% and 30.8%, respectively (P=0.811). However, there was no significant association between the presence of any of the 15 viruses and the incidence of KD. Comparisons between the 18 patients with positive RT-PCR results and the other 37 KD patients revealed no significant differences in terms of clinical findings (including the prevalence of incomplete presentation of the disease) and coronary artery diameter. Conclusion: A positive RT-PCR for currently epidemic respiratory viruses should not be used as an evidence against the diagnosis of KD. These viruses were not associated with the incomplete presentation of KD and coronary artery dilatation.

• Korean Medical Education Review
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.99-105
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to inquire into the knowledge of medical students on the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and evaluate whether infection prevention education impacts students' level of knowledge and individual hygiene practices. This study also investigated the route by which medical students obtain disease-related information. The study involved a survey conducted in August of 2015 at two medical schools in Busan. In the first year to fourth year, a total of 345 students are enrolled (111 students in A school and 234 students in B school). Before the study was carried out, university A performed infection prevention education related to MERS, but B did not. We used self-developed questionnaires to survey the demographic characteristics, routes of acquisition of MERS information, degree of knowledge of MERS, educational satisfaction, and personal hygiene practices before and after education. Knowledge level differences according to gender and year in school were not statistically significant. Students obtained their information about MERS from various news media sources and the Internet, and through social network sites. Students practiced sanitary control behaviors in an average of 2.2 manners (standard deviation=0.95). The level of knowledge of MERS revealed a positive correlation with the frequency and total numbers of personal hygiene practices. This finding suggests that the infection prevention education program played a role in knowledge acquisition and personal hygiene practices for the medical students. In order to provide accurate and reliable knowledge of disease and preventive health behavior to medical students, continuous and well-planned education programs are necessary.