• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.836-843
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• 2004

Nontypeable H. influenzae (NTHi), a Gram-negative obligate human pathogen, causes pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, and otitis media, and the respiratory epithelium is the first line of defense that copes with the pathogen. In an effort to identify transcriptional responses of human respiratory epithelial cells to infection with NTHi, we examined its differential gene expression using high density cDNA microarrays. BEAS-2B human bronchial epithelial cells were exposed to NTHi for 3 hand 24 h, and the alteration of mRNA expression was analyzed using microarrays consisting of 8,170 human cDNA clones. The results indicated that approximately 2.6% of the genes present on the microarrays increased in expression over 2-fold and 3.8% of the genes decreased during the 24-h infection period. Upregulated genes included cytokines (granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor 2, granulocyte chemotactic protein 2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-8), transcription factors (Kruppel-like factor 7, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein $\beta$, E2F-1, NF-$\kappa$B, cell surface molecules (CD74, ICAM-1, ICAM-2, HLA class I), as well as those involved in signal transduction and cellular transport. Selected genes were further confirmed by reverse-transcription-PCR. These data expand our knowledge of host cellular responses during NTHi infection and should provide a molecular basis for the study of host-NTHi interaction.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.310-310
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• 2005

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.124-129
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• 2006

Purpose : We investigated the causative organisms of bacterial meningitis by age distribution from 1996 to 2005. Methods : Retrospective data were obtained from the medical records with diagnosis of bacterial meningitis or neonatal meningitis from 1996 through 2005. A case was defined by isolation of organism or detection of its antigen by latex agglutination from cerebrospinal fluid. Results : A total of 46 cases(27 neonates and 19 children) were identified. 15 of 27 episodes(55.6%) of neonatal meningitis had a concomitant-positive blood culture. Group B streptococci were the most common bacterial causes of neonatal meningitis(44.4%). Nine of 12 episodes(75.0%) were late-onset infections in neonatal meningitis caused by group B streptococci. 16 of 19 children(84.2%) with bacterial meningitis beyond the neonatal period were younger than 5 years of age(median age, 23 months). Of 19 cases, 8 infections were with Streptococcus pneumoniae, 8 were with Haemophilus influenzae and 3 were with Neisseria meningitidis. Since 2001 there was no case of meningococcal meningitis in this study. Conclusion : In neonates group B streptococci are the most common causative organisms of bacterial meningitis, especially late-onset infections. In infants and young children, the predominant causes of bacterial meningitis are H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae; meningitis caused by the former are likely to decrease after the introduction of the conjugate vaccine for H. influenzae type b.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.261-266
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• 2002

Vascular ring, originating from abnormal regression of the aortic arch during fetal life, can cause prolonged and recurrent respiratory symptoms and dysphagia when the diagnosis is delayed. We report a 4 month old girl with vascular ring, who had been treated for persistent respiratory symptoms including stridor, wheezing, and dyspnea soon after birth. Initially her respiratory symptoms were thought to be due to bronchiolitis, for which respiratory syncytial virus was confirmed by immunofluorescent staining. Her clinical course was again complicated with tracheitis and pneumonia due to Haemophilus influenzae type b. The possibility of anatomical anomaly was investigated when it was felt to be difficult to insert a suction catheter deep down through a endotracheal tube which was placed for adequate ventilatory management. A three-dimensional chest CT revealed a vascular ring consisting of a double aortic arch. For 5 months following surgery, her respiratory symptoms have slowly been improving. She developed another episode of pneumonia which was milder than the one which occurred before the surgery.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.12
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• pp.602-607
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• 2021

In April 2020, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety licensed a hexavalent combined diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis (DTaP), inactivated poliovirus (IPV), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugated to tetanus protein, and hepatitis B (HepB) (recombinant DNA) vaccine, DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB (Hexaxim, Sanofi Pasteur), for use as a 3-dose primary series in infants aged 2, 4, and 6 months. The DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB vaccine is highly immunogenic and safe and provides a long-term immune response based on studies performed in a variety of settings in many countries, including Korea. This report summarizes the Committee on Infectious Diseases of the Korean Pediatric Society guidelines for the use of this newly introduced hexavalent combination vaccine.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.449-456
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• 2007

Purpose : Antibody persistence after primary series of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine and responses to a boosters are little known in Korean children. We performed this study to evaluate the antibody titer in relation with a booster immunization of Hib vaccine in Korean children. Methods : One hundred forty-four children aged 12-23 months old were enrolled in three university hospitals. The immunogenicity of a boosters with Hib vaccine was assessed in children previously primed with Hib vaccine. Antibody persistence was also assessed in children who had received 3 doses of Hib vaccine without a booster. Anti-polyribosylribitol phosphate (PRP) IgG antibody levels and bactericidal titers were determined by enzyme immunoassay and bactericidal assay at the Center for Vaccine Evaluation and Study, Medical Research Institute, Ewha Womans University. Results : Prior to a booster in the second year of life, geometric mean antibody concentrations were $2.39{\mu}g/mL$ and the percent of subjects who had a anti-PRP antibody level ${\geq}1{\mu}g/mL$ was 68.6%. After boosting, antibody concentration was $19.09{\mu}g/mL$ and the percent of subjects who had a anti-PRP antibody level ${\geq}1{\mu}g/mL$ was 96.5%, which reflects previous immune priming. In subjects who had finished primary immunization only, the bactericidal titer was 3,946 and in subjects who had a booster, it was 11,205. Anti-PRP antibody level was correlated with serum bactericidal titer. Conclusion : Many children aged 12-23 month old still had protective antibodies after recommended primary immunization only. A booster dose seemed to induce good anamnestic antibody responses in Korean children.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.10
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• pp.1077-1084
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• 2008

Purpose : Despite the seriousness of bacterial meningitis in children, there is little information on the incidence, causative organisms, mortality rate and age distribution. We studied the frequency by age group and causal pathogens, and clinical characteristics in children with bacterial meningitis in the private sector in Korea. Methods : The medical records containing the data on bacterial meningitis patients under 18 years of age confirmed by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings were retrospectively analyzed from September, 1993 to August, 2006 at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital. Results : Eighty-one cases of bacterial meningitis were observed. Overall the most common organism was Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus, GBS) (30 cases, 37.0%) followed by Haemophilus influenzae (22 cases, 27.2%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (12 cases, 14.8%), Escherichia coli (3 cases, 3.7%), Neisseria meningitidis (1 case, 1.2%) and others (13 cases, 16.0%). In neonates and young infants under 2 months, the most common organism was GBS. In children between 3 months, and 5 years, the most common organism was H. influenzae. S. pneumoniae was the most common organism in children over 5 years of age. Thirty-one patients (38.3%) had complications. Of all ages, the mortality rate of bacterial meningitis markedly decreased compared with the previously reported rate. Conclusion : In neonates, GBS meningitis was most common. The frequency of H. influenzae meningitis decreased after the introduction of H. influenzae type b vaccination. A strategy for the prevention of GBS meningitis in neonates should be established. The influence of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on S. pneumoniae meningitis should be studied.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.13-23
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• 2009

Acute otitis media (AOM) and pneumonia are among the most common infectious diseases of children. Both are mucosal infections and share many common features such as etiological agents, pathogenesis and immunity. Influenza plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AOM and pneumonia. A vaccine against influenza may have substantial impact on these diseases during the influenza season. In clinical trials, influenza vaccine has reduced the incidence of AOM and pneumonia complicating influenza in children. However, the efficacy of vaccines has been controversial in children less than 2 years of age. Similarly, vaccines against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), both common causes of AOM and pneumonia, have the potential to reduce the impact of disease. Clinical trials showed that the currently licensed 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), administered during infancy, had an efficacy of 6-7% for the prevention of AOM, however, visits to the clinic for AOM were reduced by up to 20-30% after routine use in the U.S. Both Hib and PCVs have a proven effectiveness of >20% for prevention of radiologically confirmed pneumonia in children. The recently introduced pnuemococcal vaccine conjugated with protein D is expected to reduce AOM and pneumonia caused by non-typable H. influenzae, in addition to its effects on pneumococcal diseases. Considering their high incidence in children, recent achievements in the prevention of AOM and pneumonia with vaccines may have a significant economic and social impact.

• Korean Journal of Crystallography
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• v.18 no.1_2
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• pp.10-15
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• 2007

UDP-N-acetylglucosamine enolpyruvyl transferase (MurA; EC 2.5.1.7) catalyzes the first committed step of peptidoglycan biosynthesis in bacteria, i.e., transfer of enolpyruvate from phosphoenolpyruvate to UDP-N-acetyl-glucosamine. Because the crystallization condition contained a high concentration of ammonium sulfate, our inhibitor binding studies were not successful. Therefore, we employed a docking approach to investigate the inhibitor binding. Our results will be useful in structure-based design of specific inhibitors of MurA for antibacterial discovery.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.25-27
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• 2005

The Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an acute polyradiculoneuropathy marked by flaccid areflexic paralysis. Although the pathogenesis of GBS remains incompletely defined, considered as an autoimmune disease most frequently triggered by an previous infection. Antecedent infections with Campylobacter jejuni, cytomegalovirus, Ebstein-Barr virus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, human immunodeficiency virus, enterovirus, rotavirus are common. But, it is rare that GBS following typhoid fever. We present a case of typical GBS after antecedent Salmonella typhi infection.