• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.52 no.5
• /
• pp.308-315
• /
• 2019

Objectives: Estimating influenza-associated mortality is important since seasonal influenza affects persons of all ages, causing severe illness or death. This study aimed to estimate influenza-associated mortality, considering both periodic changes and age-specific mortality by influenza subtypes. Methods: Using the Microdata Integrated Service from Statistics Korea, we collected weekly mortality data including cause of death. Laboratory surveillance data of respiratory viruses from 2009 to 2016 were obtained from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. After adjusting for the annual age-specific population size, we used a negative binomial regression model by age group and influenza subtype. Results: Overall, 1 859 890 deaths were observed and the average rate of influenza virus positivity was 14.7% (standard deviation [SD], 5.8), with the following subtype distribution: A(H1N1), 5.0% (SD, 5.8); A(H3N2), 4.4% (SD, 3.4); and B, 5.3% (SD, 3.7). As a result, among individuals under 65 years old, 6774 (0.51%) all-cause deaths, 2521 (3.05%) respiratory or circulatory deaths, and 1048 (18.23%) influenza or pneumonia deaths were estimated. Among those 65 years of age or older, 30 414 (2.27%) all-cause deaths, 16 411 (3.42%) respiratory or circulatory deaths, and 4906 (6.87%) influenza or pneumonia deaths were estimated. Influenza A(H3N2) virus was the major contributor to influenza-associated all-cause and respiratory or circulatory deaths in both age groups. However, influenza A(H1N1) virus-associated influenza or pneumonia deaths were more common in those under 65 years old. Conclusions: Influenza-associated mortality was substantial during this period, especially in the elderly. By subtype, influenza A(H3N2) virus made the largest contribution to influenza-associated mortality.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.46 no.3
• /
• pp.173-183
• /
• 2019

Based on their virulence, the avian influenza viruses (AIVs) are classified into two pathotypes: low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) virus and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus. Among the 16 HA subtypes of AIV, only the H5 and H7 subtypes are classified as HPAI. Some AIVs, including H5 and H7 viruses, can infect humans directly. Six H7 subtype isolates from wild birds of the H7N7 (n=4) and H7N1 (n=2) subtypes were characterized in this study. Phylogenetic analysis showed that eight viral genes (HA, NA, PB2, PB1, PA, NP, M, and NS) of the H7 isolates clustered in the Eurasian lineage, the genetic diversity of which is indicated by its division into several sublineages. The Korean H7 isolates had two motifs, PEIPKGR and PELPKGR, at the HA cleavage site, which have been associated with LPAI viruses. Six H7 isolates encoded glutamine (Q) and glycine (G) at positions 226 (H3 numbering) and 228 of HA, suggesting avian-type receptor-binding specificity. None of the Korean H7 isolates had the amino acid substitutions E627K in PB2 and I368V in PB1, which are critical for efficient replication in human cells. The Korean H7 isolates showed no deletions in the NA stalk region and in NS. These results suggest that the Korean H7 isolates from wild birds are different from the H7N9 influenza viruses isolated in China in 2013, which are capable of infecting humans.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.20.1-20.15
• /
• 2024

Background: Avian influenza (AI) is a contagious disease that causes illness and death in poultry and humans. High pathogenicity AI (HPAI) H5N6 outbreaks commonly occur in Quang Ninh province bordering China. In June 2021, the first HPAI H5N8 outbreak occurred at a Quang Ninh chicken farm. Objectives: This study examined the risk factors associated with HPAI H5N6 and H5N8 outbreaks in Quang Ninh. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted in Quang Ninh from Nov 2021 to Jan 2022. The cases were households with susceptible poultry with two or more clinical signs and tested positive by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The controls were households in the same village as the cases but did not show clinical symptoms of the disease. Logistic regression models were constructed to assess the risk factors associated with HPAI outbreaks at the household level. Results: There were 38 cases with H5N6 clade 2.3.4.4h viruses (n = 35) and H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4b viruses (n = 3). Compared to the 112 controls, raising poultry in uncovered or partially covered ponds (odds ratio [OR], 7.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.44-39.27), poultry traders visiting the farm (OR, 8.66; 95% CI, 2.7-27.69), farms with 50-2,000 birds (OR, 3.00; 95% CI, 1.06-8-51), and farms with ≥ 2,000 birds (OR, 11.35; 95% CI, 3.07-41.94) were significantly associated with HPAI outbreaks. Conclusions: Combining biosecurity measures, such as restricting visitor entry and vaccination in farms with more than 50 birds, can enhance the control and prevention of HPAI in Quang Ninh and its spread across borders.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.278-283
• /
• 2014

In this study, we propose an immunosensor using zinc oxide nanorods (NRs) inside PDMS channel for detecting the influenza A virus subtype H7N9. ZnO with high isoelectric point (IEP, ~9.5) makes it suitable for immobilizing proteins with low IEP. In this proposed H7N9 immunosensor structure ZnO NRs were grown on the PDMS channel inner surface to immobilize H7N9 capture antibody. A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method with was used 3,3',5,5' tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) for detecting H7N9 influenza virus. The immunosensor was evaluated by amperometry at various H7N9 influenza antigen concentrations (1 pg/ml - 1 ng/ml). The redox peak voltage and current were measured by amperometry with ZnO NWs and without ZnO NWs inside PDMS channel. The measurement results of the H7N9 immunosensor showed that oxidation peak current of TMB at 0.25 V logarithmically increased from 2.3 to 3.8 uA as the H7N9 influenza antigen concentration changed from 1 pg/ml to 1 ng/ml. And then we demonstrated that ZnO NRs inside PDMS channel can improve the sensitivity of immunosensor to compare non-ZnO NRs inside PDMS channel.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.15-20
• /
• 2017

A two-tube reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay was designed for the rapid visual detection of the M gene of all subtypes of avian influenza virus (AIV) and the H5 gene of the H5 subtype of highly pathogenic AIV (HPAIV). The reaction carried out in two tubes in a single step at $58^{\circ}C$ for 40 min, and the assay results could be visually detected by using hydroxynaphthol blue dye. Using M or H5 gene-specific primers, the assay successfully detected all subtypes or H5 subtypes of AIVs, including the Korean representative H5N1 and H5N8 HPAIVs. The detection limit of the assay was approximately $10^{2.0}$ $EID_{50}/reaction$ for the M and H5 genes of H5N1 HPAIV, respectively, and was more sensitive than that of previously reported RT-LAMP and comparable to that of real-time RT-PCR. These results suggest that the present RT-LAMP assay, with its high specificity, sensitivity, and simplicity, will be a useful diagnostic tool for surveillance of currently circulating H5 HPAIVs and other subtypes of AIV in bird population, even in under-equipped laboratories.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.145-152
• /
• 2009

Novel influenza A virus, subtype H1N1 of swine-lineage, has been transmitted rapidly to many regions of the world. Rapid detection of the virus is essential to instigate appropriate patient care and public health management and for disease surveillance. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus in Korea using reverse-transcription real time polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). Novel H1N1 virus was detected in a total of 8,948 nasopharyngeal samples from patients with influenza-like illness throughout Korea from August to September 2009. RNA was extracted from $300{\mu}l$of sample using an RNA extraction kit (Zymo Research, CA, USA). In the present study, Genekam kit (Genekam, Duisburg, Germany) was used to detect novel H1N1 virus. Novel H1N1 virus was found in 1,130 samples from a total of 8,948 samples (12.6%). The highest frequency was found in 10- to 19-year-olds (M: 29.3% vs. F: 16.4%), followed by 20- to 29-year-olds (M: 17.9% vs. F: 15.4%), 40- to 49-year-olds (M: 6.5% vs. F: 8.1%), 50- to 59-year-olds (M: 6.0% vs. F: 5.5%), and 30- to 39-year-olds (M: 4.6% vs. F: 3.8%). The mean positive rate was higher in men than in women (M: 14.7% vs. F: 7.4%). Novel H1N1 virus showed the lowest prevalence in patients over 60 years old. The positive rate increased daily and showed a significant high peak in mid-September 2009. In 19 provinces of Korea, Cheonan (41.1%), Busan (37.3%), Gangneung (33.3%), Jinju (32.1%), Ulsan (24.6%), Deajeon (23.7%) areas showed high frequencies and other provinces were found less than 10% of novel H1N1 virus. Since reverse-transcription real time PCR assay is rapid, accurate, and convenient, it may assist public health laboratories in detecting novel H1N1 virus. Moreover, these data could be useful for the management of patients with influenza-like illness.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
• /
• 1994.04a
• /
• pp.282-282
• /
• 1994

Radioligand결합실험에 의하여 7가지 이상의 5-hydroxytryptamine serotonin, 5-HT)수용체 subtype가 규명되어 있고, 1983년 5-HT agonist로 알려져 있던 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT)가 〔$^3$H〕5-HT수용체에 대한 결합만을 선택적으로 억제하며, 본 수용체를 직접 표식함이 알려진 이래, 본 수용체의 기능에 대한 연구가 계속되어 오고있다. 특히 항불안약으로 임상에 사용되어 왔던 benzodiazepines이 5-HT neuron의 활성을 억제한다는 사실이 보고되면서 5-HT neuron과 불안과의 관련에 관한 연구가 계속되고 있는 가운데, 새로운 항불안약으로 주목을 받고 있던 buspirone이 5-$HT_{1A}$ 수용체에 높은 친화성을 가짐이 확인되었다. 그 외에도 5-$HT_{1A}$ 수용체작용약이 항우울약, 항고혈압약으로서의 응용가능성 이 시사되면서 본 수용체작용약의 개발 및 그 기능해명이 주목을 받고 있다. 본 연구에서는, 5-$HT_{1A}$ 수용체작용약인 8-OH-DPAT와 항불안약을 개발할 목적으로 합성된 화합물인 1-[3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenoxy)propy〕-4-phenyl piperazine (8P-554)을 이용하여, 화합물의 5-HT$_{1A}$수용체에 대한 친화성을 검토하는 방법과. 본 수용체를 통하여 나타난다고 알려져 있는 5-HT의 약리작용을 검토하는 방법을 기술하므로서, 여러가지 임상적 응용을 위하여 새롭게 합성되는 화합물의 5-$HT_{1A}$ 수용체와의 상호작용을 검색하는 방법을 제시하고자 한다.다.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.49-54
• /
• 1999

The etiology of inverted papilloma(IP) remains unknown, but several studies have reported that Human Papillomavirus(HPV) may play a role in the pathogensis of sinonasal inverted papilloma(IP). And recent reports demonstrate the possible etiologic role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in sinonasal IP. The aim of this study is to detect HPV and EBV in sinonasal IP, to examine the relationship between HPV subtype and sinonasal IP, to investigate the relation between HPV and EBV. We reviewed 30 cases of sinonasal IP(simple IP 19 cases, IP with dysplasia 8 cases, IP with squamous cell carcinoma 3 cases). Paraffin embedded archival tissue was used in this study. Detection of HPV, EBV were examined by in situ hybridization(ISH) using HPV type 6/11, 16/18, 31/33/35 DNA probe and EBER probe. The HPV was detected in 6(20%) out of 30 cases. The HPV 6/11 was dectected in 4 out of 19 cases of simple IP, HPV 16/18 in 1, HPV 31/33/35 in 1 out of 8 cases of IP with dysplasia respectively. The EBV was not detected in 30 cases. HPV may play a role in the pathogensis of sinonasal inverted papilloma. But EBV is not a etiopathologic factor to be considered in the development of sinonasal IP.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.72 no.6
• /
• pp.493-500
• /
• 2012

Background: This study investigated the clinical characteristics and risk factors of the severity of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 infection in pediatric patients in Busan and Gyeongsangnam-do. Methods: Cases of influenza A (H1N1) 2009 in patients under the age of 18 years, confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, at Pusan National University Hospital and Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital from the last week of August 2009 through the last week of February 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Of the 3,777 confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1) 2009, 2,200 (58.2%) were male and 1,577 (41.8%) were female. The average age of the patients was $8.4{\pm}4.8$ years. The total cases peaked during 44th to 46th week. Most of the patients were in the 5- to 9-year-old age group. Oseltamivir was administered to 2,959 (78.3%) of the patients. 221 patients (5.9%) were hospitalized, age an average of $6.7{\pm}4.5$ years. The average duration of hospitalization was $7.4{\pm}5.6$ days. One hundred cases (45.2%) had pneumonia. Risk factors for hospitalization included male gender, <2 years of age, and underlying disease. Children with asthma were at very high risk of hospitalization, over 20 times the non-asthmatic children (odds ratio [OR], 21.684; confidence interval [CI], 13.295~39.791). Likewise the children with neurologic deficits faced a 16 times higher risk (OR, 15.738; CI, 7.961~31.111). Ten of the patients (4.5%) were admitted to the intensive care unit, and eight (3.6%) required mechanical ventilation. Conclusion: Of the pediatric patients with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009, most of the patients were in the 5- to 9-year-old age group. Risk factors for hospitalization included male gender, <2 years of age, and underlying disease. The most common complication was pneumonia. The very high risk of severe morbidity in children with asthma or neurologic disease shows the critical importance of targeted vaccine coverage, special awareness and swift care by both guardians and primary care providers.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.28 no.8
• /
• pp.962-968
• /
• 2018

Type A influenza virus is circulating in wild birds and can infect wide ranges of hosts such as humans, pigs, domestic birds, and other mammals. Many subtypes of avian influenza viruses are circulating in aquatic birds. Most avian influenza viruses found in aquatic birds are low pathogenic avian influenza viruses. Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses have been found in waterfowls since 2005. It is known that H5 and H7 subtypes of avian influenza viruses can be mutated into highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses in domestic poultry. In this study, we isolated novel reassortant H7N7 avian influenza virus from the fecal materials of migratory birds in the Western part of South Korea in 2016, and analyzed the sequences of all its eight genes. The genetic analysis of our isolate, A/waterfowl/Korea/S017/2016 (H7N7) indicates that it was reassortant avian influenza virus containing genes of both avian influenza viruses of wild birds and domestic ducks. Phylogenetic analysis showed that our isolate belongs to Eurasian lineage of avian influenza virus. Since avian influenza viruses continue to evolve, and H7-subtype avian influenza virus can mutate into the highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, which cause the great threat to humans and animals, we closely survey the infections in both wild birds, and domestic poultry, and mammals.