• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.44-51
• /
• 2002

Purpose: Surgical Site Infection(SSI) is the third most common cause of nosocomial infection, so that it results in serious socioeconomic impact such as extra hospitalization, mortality and health care cost. The aim of this study was to analyses the SSI that based on the degree of wound contamination and patient risk index after general surgery and to generate a reference data for the effective management and reducing SSI. Method: From July, 1999 to June, 2000, 1080 cases which presented with surgical site infection after general surgery at S hospital in chunchon city were included in this study. The data were collected by review of the medical records retrospectively. The collected data, in accordance with the test purpose, is analyzed by SPSS/PC+ program, using real numbers, percentage, $X^2$ test, Pearson's correlation and stepwise logistic regression. Result: The overall wound infection rate was 4.7%(51 cases out of 1,080). The infection rate of clean wounds was 1.4%. Surgical site infection rate for patient risk index scores of 0, 1, 2 and 3 was 1.9%, 8.0%, 13.1% and 20.0%, respectively and increased significantly according to patient risk index(p=.000). Sixteen of the fifty one(31.4%) surgical site infections were found during an outpatient visit after discharge. Multivariate analysis, identified two independent variables : duration of postoperation stay(p=.000), age(p=.037). The most frequent isolated organisms were Pseudomonas aeruginosa(21%) and Staphylococcus aureus(21%). Also Staphylococcus aureus were all MRSA(Methicillin Resistant S. aureus). Conclusion: In this study, SSI was analysed according to the degree of wound contamination and patient risk index after general surgery. The data that obtained from this study is expected that it would be available for surveillance and control of SSI.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.60 no.2
• /
• pp.79-96
• /
• 2022

The infection nature of Clonorchis sinensis metacercariae (CsMc) in freshwater fish hosts is closely related to the transmission of human clonorchiasis. This article reviewed the infection characteristics of CsMc in freshwater fish in the Republic of Korea (Korea). The status of CsMc infection was examined in a total of 17,792 cyprinid fish of 49 species in 9 water systems, which included Hantan-/Imjin-gang, Han-gang, Geum-gang, Mangyeong-gang, Yeongsan-gang, Tamjin-gang, Seomjin-gang, Nakdong-gang, and streams in the east coastal areas from 2010 to 2020. The infection status of CsMc was examined according to cyprinid fish species and water systems, after which analyzed by endemicity and susceptibility index. The high endemicity was shown in the cyprinid fish from 3 regions (6.1%) in the upper reaches of Nakdong-gang, such as Banbyeon-cheon (stream), Yongjeon-cheon, and Wi-cheon. The moderate levels were observed in fishes from 8 regions (16.3%), and low endemicity was shown in fishes from 20 regions (40.8%). No CsMc were detected in fish from 18 regions (36.7%). The susceptibility of CsMc in index fish, Puntungia herzi, was found to be a reliable index without examination of other fish species. CsMc infection rates were closely related to subfamily groups in the cyprinid fish hosts in a highly endemic area. In Korea, a total of 58 fish species in 10 families has been listed as the second intermediate hosts for C. sinensis. This review provides several novel features of CsMc infection and clarifies the species of second intermediate freshwater fish host in Korea.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.557-569
• /
• 2011

Objectives : Based on the system and control activity for the monitoring system made of components for infection control at dental hospitals and infection rate reporting, and the role of trained infection control staff, this study tried to understand approaches to the effective infection control program by surveying infection control at dental hospitals in Korea. Methods : The survey was conducted from December 14,2010 to January 31,2011 for 121 dental hospitals in Korea. For statistical analysis, PASW Statistic 18 was used. Results : And following conclusions were reached. 1. As for the infection control system at dental hospitals, 54.7% has an infection control committee, 58.7% infection control staff, 78.5% infection control rules, and 39.7% annual infection control plan and record. 2. As for surveillance indexes to report infection rates, 50.4% has the reporting system for staff's exposure to infectious disease and needle pricking. The average number of exposures to infectious disease was $0.28{\pm}2.23$ and that of needle pricking was $1.83{\pm}5.39$. 3. As for infection control indexes, it was reviewed whether infection control rules were implemented according to operation agents, general hospitals were more active in staff infection control, and hospitals annexed to a dental university or special legal entity were more active in microorganism control. As for use of personal protection gear, there was no significant difference among operation agents. More than 71% of operators and their assistants said they did not replace their masks between patients. 4. As for personnel indexes for effective infection control staff, most hospitals designated dental hygienists, which was followed by dental doctors (or doctors). Where their workload was reviewed, the ratio of other work such as treatment was relatively higher than that of infection control (n=71). Conclusions : These results show dental hospitals in Korea have a certain level of infection control system. As infection indexes are managed mainly for staff members, patient monitoring is needed, and trained and effective infection control staff should be designated. This study reviewed surveillance, infection control and personnel indexes. And further studies are needed in the future.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.26 no.7
• /
• pp.803-815
• /
• 2017

In this study of the oak wilt disease that has occurred in a large scale in a protected area located near South Korea's metropolitan region, a detailed analysis has been conducted on the terrain, species and Diameters at Breast Height (DBH) of infected trees to identify the distribution of infection properties in the affected area. Taking into consideration the distribution of oak tree vegetation, a total of 4,640 quadrats in a size of 10 m by 10 m, have been set; and oak tree species, the DBH and infection damage per quadrat have been investigated. Geological properties have been analyzed according to elevation, slope, aspect and micro topography while a weighted value has been given according to the degree of infection in order to calculate an infection index. Through correlation analysis, the infection ratio of seriously-damaged and withered trees and the infection index have been analyzed with regards to the geological properties, tree species and DBH. The analysis shows that the disease tends to affect an area with medium elevation rather than those in the highest or lowest areas and that serious damage has been observed at rugged spots with a steep gradient (more than $30^{\circ}$). Although there has been no distinct tendency with regards to aspect, the infection ratio is relatively high in areas facing the north while the seriously-damaged and withered ratio are high in areas facing the south. In terms of micro topography, more damage has been spotted in valley terrain. Quercus mongolica has sustained more damage than other species. When it comes to the DBH, as seen in previous studies, large trees have suffered severe damage, but the analysis has also revealed conspicuous damage to medium trees with a DBH of 15-20 cm, which had not previously been considered at high risk.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.42-49
• /
• 2007

Infections in oral and maxillofacial region are relativley common and self-limiting, but in some cases, infections spread to adjacent hard and soft tissue and to cause any complication, even threaten life. So we made retrospective study of patients with interfascial infection who had been hospitalized and been treated by surgical treatment in Dankook university about 10 years. We reviewed the charts of patient with interfascial infection from 1995 to 2005. The result were as follows: 1. In gender & age distribution, male(54.2%) & fouth decade were most frequently. 2. The most common cause of infection was dental caries(55.2%) and the most of involving teeth was lower posterior teeth(44.1%). 3. Submandibular space is most frequently involving space and most infection involved mainly one space. 4. The patients with systemic disease were 38.2%. Diabetic mellitus was 87.2% of systemic diease. The admission period was 19.5 days in systemic disease. 5. The most microorganism in culture was Streptococcus Viridans(36.2%) in all patient. Klebsiella Pneumoniae was found most in Diabetic Mellitus. 6. The patient were mainly treated I&D on admission day. Of them 5(1.1%) patients were received tracheostomy. 7. Serum albumin, CRP and body weight are associated with Nutritional Risk Index(NRI). High risk patient group according to NRI classification showed higher rate of complications & mortality. 8. The patients with complication were 28(6.7%) persons. 4(0.9%) patients were expired. Nutritional Risk Index was helpful to predict the prognosis. When interfascial infection starts to spread, we must pay attention to airway management. Fluid therapy with nutritional may support to healing of wound.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
• /
• v.30 no.5
• /
• pp.665-675
• /
• 2014

In this paper spectral characteristics and spectral patterns of pine wilt disease at different development stage were analyzed in Geoje-do where the disease has already spread. Ground-based hyperspectral imaging containing hundreds of wavelength band is feasible with continuous screening and monitoring of disease symptoms during pathogenesis. The research is based on an hyperspectral imaging of trees from infection phase to witherer phase using a ground based hyperspectral camera within the area of pine wilt disease outbreaks in Geojedo for the analysis of pine wilt disease. Hyperspectral imaging through hundreds of wavelength band is feasible with a ground based hyperspectral camera. In this research, we carried out wavelength band change analysis on trees from infection phase to witherer phase using ground based hyperspectral camera and comparative analysis with major vegetation indices such as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Red Edge Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (reNDVI), Photochemical Reflectance Index (PRI) and Anthocyanin Reflectance Index 2 (ARI2). As a result, NDVI and reNDVI were analyzed to be effective for infection tree detection. The 688 nm section, in which withered trees and healthy trees reflected the most distinctions, was applied to reNDVI to judge the applicability of the section. According to the analysis result, the vegetation index applied including 688 nm showed the biggest change range by infection progress.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.77-84
• /
• 2003

Objectives : Two related cases of Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome (HUS) were reported to the Korea National Institute of Health in May, 2001. Shiga toxin 2 genes were detected in both stool samples. We suspected an enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) infection as the cause of the HUS, and conducted an investigation to find the source of the infection and its route of transmission. Methods : We peformed case investigations on these two related HUS cases, and obtained interviews and rectal swabs form the family members and other close contacts. Additionally, we peformed rectal swabs on the cattle raised by the household of the index patient. Results : We found a 20 month old index patient and a 6 year-old cousin had developed HUS, where there had been a 2 day history of contact with the index, and bacteriological examinations for these two patients revealed, indistinguishably, the same E. coli O171. The grandmother of the index patient was found to be asymptomatic, but E. coli O26 was isolated. We also found a probable case in the mother of the cousin. She reported a history of contact with the index, and developed bloody diarrhea of 3 days duration. The test results for the cattle revealed E. coli O26 in one cow, and E. coli O26 and O55 in another. E. coli O26, which was isolated in both cows and the grandmother of the index, were indistinguishably the same. Conclusions : We found that the E. coli O26 in the grandmother had originated from the cows, and that the E. coli O171 found in the index patient had been transmitted to the cousin through person-to-person contact.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.62 no.1
• /
• pp.1-29
• /
• 2024

This article analyzed the infection characteristics of metacercariae of Metagonimus spp. (MsMc) in fish from 9 major water systems in Korea. A total of 19,568 fish in 87 species were examined over a period of 10 years (2011-2020). MsMc were detected in fish from all 44 survey areas in 9 water systems. Most of the surveyed sites showed very low and low infection levels (66.7%), while 33.3% of the areas, such as Tamjin-gang and Seomjin-gang, revealed moderate and high infection levels. High endemicity depends on the abundance of susceptible fish species, especially sweet smelt (Plecoglosus altivelis). The susceptibility index (SI) with MsMc in index fish, Zacco spp., was very low and low levels in 62.0%, moderate in 28.0%, and high in 10.0% regions. The SI was highest in the following order: Yeongam-cheon (283.8), Hoeng-cheon (192.3), Togyo-jeosuji (131.2), Deokcheon-gang (119.1), and Joyang-gang (106.3). The recent infection status of MsMc in P. altivelis was analyzed by the survey localities. In addition, except for P. altivelis, 9 fish species were highly infected with MsMc in some survey areas, including Zacco platypus, Z. koreanus, Z. temminckii, Opsariichthys uncirostris, Rhynchocypris oxycephalus, Carassius auratus, Acheilognathus rhombeus, Onchorhynchus masou, and Tribolodon hakonensis. In Korea, 74 fish species (15 families) are collectively listed as second intermediate hosts of Metagonimus spp. This review provides several novel characteristics of MsMc infection and clarifies the fish species of second intermediate host of Metagonimus spp. in this country.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.17-22
• /
• 2000

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the association between H. pylori infection and socioeconomic status and to determine the current prevalence of H. pylori infection in Korean adolescents. Methods: A structured questionnaire was sent to the children's parents to obtain demographic information on the parents and environmental information. Of the 532 questionnaires sent out, 375 (70.5%; 170 girls and 205 boys) were returned. Their ages ranged from 10 to 15 years (mean, 12.9 years). After collecting blood samples, we measured serum IgG antibody to H. pylori using ELISA method. The association of risk factors such as age, sex, socioeconomic class, type of house, and crowding index with H. pylori infection were analyzed by multiple regression analysis. Socioeconomic status was estimated from the parents' education and occupation using a modified Hollingshead index. Results: The prevalence rate of H. pylori infection was 16.8% (63/375). It increased with age (10.3% at 10~11 years, 15.9% at 12~13 years, and 20.7% at 14~15 years). The H. pylori infection was inversely related to the socioeconomic class (6.3% for the upper class, 16.0% for the middle class, and 20.0% for the lower calss). Crowding condition and type of house did not affect significantly on seroprevalence of H. pylori infection. After logistic regression, we found that the odds ratio for age was 2.2 (95% confidence interval 0.9~5.4), and for socioeconomic status, 3.6 (95% confidence interval 0.5~28.9). Conclusion: The prevalence of H. pylori infection in Korean adolescents was 16.8%. It related inversely to socioeconomic status but was not statistically significant. Socioeconomic status based on parents' education and occupation seemed to affect more on H. pylori seroprevalence than crowding or type of house did.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.1-12
• /
• 2020

During the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the western countries with advanced medical technology failed to contain coronavirus. This fact triggered our research question of what factors influence the clinical outcomes like infection rates and case mortality rates. This study aims to identify the determinants of COVID-19 related infection rates and case mortality rates. We considered three sets of independent variables: 1) socio-demographic characteristics; 2) cultural characteristics; 3) healthcare system characteristics. For the analysis, we created an international dataset from diverse sources like World Bank, Worldometers, Hofstede Insight, GHS index etc. The COVID-19 related statistics were retrieved from Aug. 1. Total cases are from 95 countries. We used hierarchical regression method to examine the linear relationship among variables. We found that obesity, uncertainty avoidance, hospital beds per 1,000 made a significant influence on the standardized COVID-19 infection rates. The countries with higher BMI score or higher uncertainty avoidance showed higher infection rates. The standardized COVID-19 infection rates were inversely related to hospital beds per 1,000. In the analysis on the standardized COVID-19 case mortality rates, we found that two cultural characteristics(e.g., individualism, uncertainty avoidance) showed statistically significant influence on the case mortality rates. The healthcare system characteristics did not show any statistically significant relationship with the case mortality rates. The cultural characteristics turn out to be significant factors influencing the clinical outcomes during COVID-19 pandemic. The results imply that the persuasive communication is important to trigger the public commitment to follow preventive measures. The strategy to keep the hospital surge capacity needs to be developed.