• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.53 no.1
• /
• pp.49-59
• /
• 2021

This study investigated the use of real-time PCR melting curves for the diagnosis of blaKPC and blaNDM genes among the most frequently detected carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in Korea. As a means of addressing the shortcomings of phenotype tests and conventional PCR. The modified Hodge test confirmed positivity in 25 of 35 strains, and carbapenemase inhibition testing confirmed positivity in 14 strains by meropenem+PBA or meropenem+EDTA. PCR analysis showed amplification products in 25 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemases (KPC), 10 of K. pneumoniae, 5 of E. coli, 5 of A. baumannii, 4 of P. aeruginosa, and 1 of P. putida. New Delhi metallo β-lactamase (NDM) identified amplification products in 8 strains, that is, 2 K. pneumoniae, 3 E. coli, 1 P. aeruginosa, 1 E. cloacae, and 1 P. retgeri strains. Real-time PCR melting curve analysis confirmed amplification in 25 strains of KPC and 8 strains of NDM, and these results were 100% consistent with PCR results. In conclusion, our findings suggest early diagnosis of carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae by real-time PCR offers a potential means of antibacterial management that can prevent and control nosocomial infection spread.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.205-215
• /
• 2013

Most terminally ill cancer patients experience various physical and psychological symptoms during their illness. In addition to pain, they commonly suffer from fatigue, anorexia-cachexia syndrome, nausea, vomiting and dyspnea. In this paper, I reviewed some of the common non-pain symptoms in terminally ill cancer patients, based on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines to better understand and treat cancer patients. Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a common symptom in terminally ill cancer patients. There are reversible causes of fatigue, which include anemia, sleep disturbance, malnutrition, pain, depression and anxiety, medical comorbidities, hyperthyroidism and hypogonadism. Energy conservation and education are recommended as central management for CRF. Corticosteroid and psychostimulants can be used as well. The anorexia and cachexia syndrome has reversible causes and should be managed. It includes stomatitis, constipation and uncontrolled severe symptoms such as pain or dyspnea, delirium, nausea/vomiting, depression and gastroparesis. To manage the syndrome, it is important to provide emotional support and inform the patient and family of the natural history of the disease. Megesteol acetate, dronabinol and corticosteroid can be helpful. Nausea and vomiting will occur by potentially reversible causes including drug consumption, uremia, infection, anxiety, constipation, gastric irritation and proximal gastrointestinal obstruction. Metoclopramide, haloperidol, olanzapine and ondansetron can be used to manage nausea and vomiting. Dyspnea is common even in terminally ill cancer patients without lung disease. Opioids are effective for symptomatic management of dyspnea. To improve the quality of life for terminally ill cancer patients, we should try to ameliorate these symptoms by paying more attention to patients and understanding of management principles.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.48 no.11
• /
• pp.1193-1200
• /
• 2005

Purpose : Invasive bacterial infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Previously, we reported etiology of invasive infections in healthy children in 1985-1995. This study was performed to update etiology of invasive bacterial infections in the previously healthy children. Methods : We reviewed medical records of 98 episodes of invasive bacterial infections in immunocompetent children at the Seoul National University Children's Hospital in 1996-2004. Results : The frequent pathogens identified over all age groups were Streptococcus pneumoniae (33%) and Staphylococcus aureus(33%). The proportion of Salmonella species and Haemophilus influenzae has been declined to 4% each from 23% and 14%, respectively, compared to previous study. S. agalactiae was the most common isolate in the infants ${\leq}3$ months. Among the infants and children aged 3 months to 2 years and children of 2-5 years, S. pneumoniae(57%, 52%, respectively, in each group) was the most common isolates followed by S. aureus(17% and 24%, respectively). S. aureus was the most common isolates(73%) in children >5 years. Primary bacteremia was the most common clinical diagnosis(27%). S. pneumoniae was responsible for 42% of primary bacteremia, 50% of meningitis, and 69% of bacteremic pneumonia and empyema. S. aureus accounted for 80% of bone and joint infections. The case fatality rate was 8.1% for all invasive infections. Conclusion : We reviewed frequency of bacterial agents of invasive infections in children. The data may be useful for pediatricians to select adequate empirical antibiotics in the management of invasive bacterial infections.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.53-66
• /
• 1993

By this time, a few of previous studies of factors related to separation from their jobs and job satisfaction only have dealt with the separation rate. the cause of separation and related factors that induce job satisfaction and incentive factors, the actualities of morale some suggestions for reduction of the separation rate. This study is attempted to determine factors that have effect on job satisfaction of national hospital nurses. and to proide information and materials for the development of the administration of nursing through the appreciation of factors influencing on job satisfaction between isolated ward nurses and general ward nurses working at national hospitals. 185 nurses of national hospitals responsed th this study, and were divided into two groups. Group 1: 57 nurses working at isolated wards for tuberculosis patients and Group 2 : 128 nurses at general wards. Relevant data were collected from August, 5, 1992 through August 20, 1992. The questionnaire consisted of 8 genalized items and 4 items concerning job satisfaction. The collected data were processed with SPSS, and the relationship among vaviables was analyzed by means of $X^2-test$, Pearson Correlation, Multiple Regression. The results of this study are as follows: 1. There is no significant difference between two groups in terms of generalized items. Age distributions show $44.3\%$ under the category of less than 34. and $55.7\%$ under the category more than 35, $19.3%$ was single and $74.6\%$ was married respectively. 2. $79.4\%$ of the nurses have the desire to have in-service education under the satisfactory physical environments such as welfare system, accommodating structures and facilities, instruments or management systems of the hospital, but under the category of unsatisfactory circumstances, $60.3\%$ have the intention of having in- service education. The concern in terms of in-service education shows statistically significant difference between two groups $(X^2=8.85,\;p<0. 05)$. This result accepts the hypothesis that good physical environments could intensify interests in service education. 3. The extent of satisfaction related to psychological environments is heightend according to good physical environments. In result, the hypothesis that the extent of satisfaction in terms of physical environments could raise satisfaction about psychological environment is accepted. 4. In the light of the extent of satisfaction about physical environments, $33.3\%$ of isolated ward nurses are satisfied with physical environments, but only $11.7\%$ of general ward nurses are satisfied. $(X^2=10.88,\; p<0.01)$. This result shows that the satisfaction degree about phusicalenvironments of isolated war nurses was higher than that of general ward nurses in spite of high physical and psychological risks due to exposure to infection. Consequently. the hypothesis was rejected that the satisfaction degree about physical environments would be lower in isolated ward nurses than in general ward nurses. 5. The fact that $87.7%$ of isolated ward nurses took interest in service education and $53.19\%$ of general ward nurses took interest in service education demonstrats that isolated ward nurse have more interest in service education than gerneral ward nurses. The result shows that the hypothesis is accepted that isolated ward nurses would have mor interests in service education than general ward nurses. 6. In the extent of satisfaction about physical environments such as morale human relationship promotion, there is no significant difference between two groups in terms of statistics. The hypothesis is rejected that satisfaction about psychologic environments would be high in isolated ward nurses than in general ward nurses. In conclusion. factors influencing on job satisfaction are considered to have effect on. another, and also interdisciplinary amelioration of factors accompanied with systematic inter cooperative investigation is necessary.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.46 no.4
• /
• pp.548-554
• /
• 1999

Background : Asthma is the most common respiratory crisis encountered in clinical practice, occurring in up to 4% of all pregnancies. Pregnancy often appears to alter the course of asthma. But the mechanisms responsible for variable changes in the asthma course during pregnancy remain unknown. Poor control and exacerbations of asthma during pregnancy may result in serious maternal and fetal complications. To investigate the course of asthma during pregnancy in korean women, we did a retrograde study of 27 pregnant women who had been admitted to Korea University Hospital for asthma worsened. Method: Twenty seven pregnant women who had been visited to Korea University Hospital for asthma worsened were enrolled in our retrospective study. We reviewed medical recordings and interviewed patients with asthma. Results: Twenty seven pregnant women with asthma were evaluated, and 25 patients were enrolled to our study. Two patients experienced abortions at 6 weeks and 25 weeks gestation, respectively. The period of asthma worsened was commonly during weeks 20 to 28 of gestation. And all patients wosened were improved during the last 4 weeks of pregnancy. Twenty(80%) of 25 women whose asthma worsened during pregnancy reverted toward their prepregnancy status after delivery(p<0.002). The causes of asthma worsened during pregnancy are reduction or even complete cessaton of medication due to fears about its safety(40%), worsening after upper respiratory infection (28%), and unknown(32%). There were no adverse perinatal outcomes in 25 pregnant asthma subjects. Conclusions: A major problem of therapy for asthma during pregnancy is reduction or even complete cessation of medication due to fears of fetal effects. Therefore, maternal education and optimal clinical and pharmacologic management is necessary to mitigate maternal and fetal complications.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.62 no.1
• /
• pp.5-10
• /
• 2007

Background: Korean national guidelines for examining contacts with active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) are a tuberculin skin test (TST) and chest radiographs. The treatment of a latent TB infection as performed only in those younger than six years of age who test positive for TST. Although there is a high incidence of active TB in young Korean soldiers, the current national guidelines for controlling contacts with active TB in soldiers are insufficient. This study highlights the problems with the Korean guidelines for controlling a TB outbreak in a small military unit. Material and Methods: In December of 2005, there was a tuberculosis outbreak in a military unit with a total of 464 soldiers in Kyung Gi province. The chest radiographs were taken of all the soldiers, and TST were carried out on 408 candidates. Results: In the first screening of the chest radiographs, two active TB patients were detected. By August of 2006, four additional cases were detected, making a total of six cases after the outbreak. All the patients showed active pulmonary TB or TB pleuritis. When the results of TST in the close contacts and non-close contacts were compared, there was a significant difference in the absolute size of the induration($9.70{\pm}7.50mm$ vs. $6.26{\pm}7.02mm$, p<0.001) as well as the ratio of patients showing an induration > 10mm (50.0% vs. 32.0%, p<0.001) and 15mm (33.2% vs. 20.9%, p= 0.005). Conclusion: Although the national guidelines for managing a TB outbreak in a military unit were followed, there were continuous instances of new active TB cases. This highlights the need for new guidelines to prevent the spread of TB.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.44 no.2
• /
• pp.290-297
• /
• 1997

Background : Despite remarkable progress of understanding the pathophysiology and therapy of bronchial asthma, asthma morbidity and mortality are on the rise. Also hospitalization and attending rates of emergency department for asthma have been increasing gradually. We analyzed clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients who visited emergency room due to asthma attack in order to define clinical characteristics of these group of patients. Method : We reviewed 105 adult asthmatic patients who attended emergency department of Korea University Hospital between August 1995 and July 1996, retrospectively. Results : 103 patients(56 female, 47 males, mean age : 48.6 years) attended-68 self referral, 18 practitioner referral and 17 OPD transfer- and 86 patients(83.5%) were admitted. Attending emergncy department was clearly more frequent in December(13.6%) and May(12.6%). Time lag between onset of asthmatic attack and arrival at the hospital was $14.2{\pm}15.5$ hour and initial peak expiratory flow rate was $166.7{\pm}68.3L/min$.(43.3% predicted) The commonest cause for visiting emergency room was aggravation of asthma due to upper respiratory tract infection in mild asthmatics. About half of them had history of previous ER visits. Their prognosis was not bad, but after discharge, about half of patients escaped from OPD follow-up. Conclusion : As a group they merit detailed attention and follow up arrangement. Clinician need to monitor and review the treatment plans, the medications, the patient's management technique, and the level of asthma control. For this group, plans for longer term treatment, including asthma education program and adjustment of overall treatment plan should be made.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.265-270
• /
• 1997

Purpose: Rapid diagnosis and prompt treatment remain the cornerstone of management of patients with meningitis. Examination of cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) for glucose, protein, cells, and organisms is necessary for accurate diagnosis, but in many parts of the world facilities do not exist to do so. We tested CSF samples from 69 children with suspected meningitis with urinary reagent strips and analyzed the results to know the usability of urinary reagent strips in diagnosis of meningitis. Methods: 69 CSF samples obtained from children with suspected meningitis were analysed. Each sample was divided into two; one was sent to the laboratory for routine diagnostic evaluation, and the other was tested with the reagent strip(Combur10 Test M). Laboratory values of CSF glucose, protein, and leucocytes for each CSF sample were plotted against the corresponding reagent-strip category. Results: There was good agreement between the dipstick and laboratory values for CSF protein and cell count but not for glucose. Conclusion: Rapid diagnosis of meningitis could be made with three component of the Combur10 test strip. It is easy to do and would be of particular value to those working in parts of the world where no laboratory facilities exist.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.27-32
• /
• 2006

Purpose : Conservative management of multicystic dysplastic kidney(MCDK) without nephrectomy has recently been advocated. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical course of conservatively managed MCDK and to find out possible predictive factors for involution of MCDK by ultrasonography(US). Methods : A retrospective analysis was made on 45 patients(26 boys and 20 girls) in whom MCDK was detected and had been traced by US between Dec. 1993 and Aug. 2005 at Severance Hospital. Results : Median follow-up time was 30 months(range 2-102 months). All patients under-went radionuclide scans and voiding eystourethrograms. The serial follow-up US showed complete involution in 11(24%), partial involution in 19(41%), and no interval change or increased in cyst size in 13(28%) patients. Nephrectomy was done in 3 patients(7%) due to relapsing urinary tract infection(UTI) and severe abdominal distension. The mean age of complete involution of MCDK was 37 months(range 12-84 months). Episodes of UTI were present in 17 patients(37%) and additional genitourinary(GU) abnormalities were found in 22 patients(44%). Hypertension and renal insufficiency was complicated in one patient. No child developed malignant tumor. Univariate analysis showed that five variables were associated with complete involution of the MCDK; gender, site, UTI episode, additional GU abnormalities, and renal length on initial US. After adjusting using the Pearson model, the presence of additional GU abnormalities was exclusively associated with complete involution among the 5 variables(P=0.034). Conclusion : In our review of 46 cases of MCDK, non-surgical approach for patients with MCDK was advisable and we could predict poor prognosis when MCDK is associated with other GU anomalies.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.49 no.5
• /
• pp.624-632
• /
• 2000

Background : Home ventilation can decrease hospital-acquired infection, increase physical activity, improve nutritional status, enhance quality of life, and reduce medical costs. The number of patient using home ventilators has been increasing, particularly in Europe and United States. Although the number of patients with home ventilation has been increasing in Korea, the current status of these patients is not well known. This study was undertaken to obtain basic information upon these patients in addition to evaluating any problems related to patients' home care in our country. Methods : A register of 92 patients with home ventilators in Seoul and Kyunggi Province were obtained from commercial ventilator supply companies. The patients were contacted by phone and 29 of them accepted our visit. Information concerning education about home care before discharge, equipment cost, and problems related to home care were documented. The mode and preset variables of the home ventilator were checked; tidal volume (TV), peak airway pressure, and oxygen saturation were measured. Results : There were 26 males (90%) and their mean age was 48.0 (${\pm}20.1$) years. The underlying diseases were : 21 neuromuscular disorders, 2 spinal cord injuries, 6 chronic lung diseases. Among the caregivers, spouses (n=14) predominated. Education for home care before discharge was performed primarily by intensive care unit nurses and the education for ventilator management by commercial companies. Twenty-five of the 29 patients had tracheostomies. Volume targeted type (VTT ; n=20, 69%) was more frequently used than the pressure targeted type (PTT). Twenty-three of the 29 patients purchased a ventilator privately, which cost 7,450,000 (${\pm}$3,290,000) won for a PTT, and 14,280.000 (${\pm}$3,130,000) won for a VTT. Total cost for the equipment was 11,430,000 (${\pm}$634,000) won. The average cost required for home care per month was 1,120,000 (${\pm}$1,360, 000) won. Conclusion : The commonest underlying disease of the patients was neuromuscular disease. The VTT ventilator was primarily used with tracheostomy. Patients and their families considered the financial difficulties associated with purchasing and maintaining equipment for home care an urgent problem. Some patients were aided by a visiting nurse, however most patients were neglected and left without professional medical supervision.