• Infection and chemotherapy
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• 제50권4호
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• pp.346-349
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• 2018

In 2015, rapid human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing was implemented in all 25 public health centers in Seoul. During March and December 2015, 20,987 rapid HIV tests were performed, of which 116 (0.5%) were positive. Compared to those of the period before application of the rapid HIV test in place of conventional enzyme immunoassay method, the number of HIV tests performed and the number of positive results increased by sevenfold and twofold, respectively. In conclusion, expansion of the provision of rapid HIV tests in public health centers increased the number of voluntary HIV tests.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제83권2호
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• pp.157-166
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• 2020

Background: Infectious conditions may increase the risk of venous thromboembolism. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk factor for combined infectious disease and its influence on mortality in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE). Methods: Patients with PE diagnosed based on spiral computed tomography findings of the chest were retrospectively analyzed. They were classified into two groups: patients who developed PE in the setting of infectious disease or those with PE without infection based on review of their medical charts. Results: Of 258 patients with PE, 67 (25.9%) were considered as having PE combined with infectious disease. The sites of infections were the respiratory tract in 52 patients (77.6%), genitourinary tract in three patients (4.5%), and hepatobiliary tract in three patients (4.5%). Underlying lung disease (odds ratio [OR], 3.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.926-7.081; p<0.001), bed-ridden state (OR, 2.84; 95% CI, 1.390-5.811; p=0.004), and malignant disease (OR, 1.867; 95% CI, 1.017-3.425; p=0.044) were associated with combined infectious disease in patients with PE. In-hospital mortality was higher in patients with PE combined with infectious disease than in those with PE without infection (24.6% vs. 11.0%, p=0.006). In the multivariate analysis, combined infectious disease (OR, 4.189; 95% CI, 1.692-10.372; p=0.002) were associated with non-survivors in patients with PE. Conclusion: A substantial portion of patients with PE has concomitant infectious disease and it may contribute a mortality in patients with PE.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제49권1호
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• pp.1-17
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• 2016

The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreak in South Korea in 2015 has drawn public attention regarding the legal regulation of infectious disease control in Korea. This paper discusses the interpretive and legislative concerns regarding the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act, its ordinance and enforcement regulations, as well as public statements from the relevant administrative agency. Future improvements are also proposed.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제58권1호
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• pp.61-65
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• 2020

Majority of the imported malaria cases in Korea is attributed to Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax infections, whereas P. malariae and P. ovale infections are very rare. Falciparum and ovale malaria are mostly imported from Africa, while most of the vivax malaria cases are imported from Southeast Asia. Here, we report 6 Korean imported ovale malaria cases (4 males and 2 females) who had visited in Africa during 2013-2016. These subjects were diagnosed with P. ovale based on microscopic findings, Plasmodium species-specific nested-PCR, and phylogenetic clade using 18S rRNA gene sequences. We identified 2 P. ovale subtypes, 1 P. ovale curtisi (classic type) and 5 P. ovale wallikeri (variant type). All patients were treated with chloroquine and primaquine, and no relapse or recrudescence was reported for 1 year after treatment. With increase of travelers to the countries where existing Plasmodium species, the risk of Plasmodium infection is also increasing. Molecular monitoring for imported malaria parasites should be rigorously and continuously performed to enable diagnosis and certification of Plasmodium spp.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.1-10
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• 2024

The purpose of this study is to determine the issues of supplementation and improvement to prepare for the outbreak of new infectious diseases such as new variants of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to guide work for a strategic new response to infectious disease. Public officials of Jeju Special Self-governing Province and health personnel responding to COVID-19, working at six public health centers in Jeju-do region were administered a survey about additional preparations to be made in the future, based on the period when COVID-19 was treated legally as a first-class infectious disease. Frequency analysis was conducted on the collected data. The Likert 5-point scale and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to compare the scores for effective response to emerging infectious diseases according to demographics. Among the important factors identified for effective response to new infectious diseases, 'facilitation of cooperation with public institutions' and 'facilitation of cooperation with private institutions' had the highest scores. In the future, when a patient presents with a new infectious disease, the step that needs to be supplemented in each phase of the public health center's response is 'immediate response team operation'. Further, public health centers responded that 'expansion of dedicated personnel related to infectious diseases' needs to be improved to respond to new infectious diseases. Along with the results of this study, considering the difficulties experienced by health personnel responding to new infectious diseases in preparation for future outbreaks of new infectious diseases, and to respond effectively, detailed and clear guidelines for responding to quarantine of patients of new infectious diseases will be needed.

• 한국재난정보학회 논문집
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.839-846
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• 2022

연구목적:감염병 유행시 감염병 의심 환자의 구급활동을 위해 출동한 소방대원의 안전을 확보하고, 현장에서 수집된 정보를 바탕으로 지역별 감염병 의심환자 발생 현황을 파악하여 현장 통제 및 지원이 가능한 소방 감염병 관리 시스템을 개발하고자 한다. 연구방법: 감염병 의심 환자를 분류할 수 있는 스마트폰 앱을 개발하여 감염병 의심 여부를 확인하고, 감염병 의심 환자로부터 감염을 방지하기 위해 환자 식별용 NFC 태그를 1회용 형태로 개발한다. 현장에서 입력되는 감염병 의심 응급환자 관련 데이터를 수집하고 분석할 수 있는 관리 시스템을 개발하여 해당 업무 관련자에게 제공하여 감염병 의심 응급환자의 이송을 개선하는지 평가한다. 연구결과: 실험결과 스마트폰 앱에 구현된 알고리듬을 통해 감염병 의심 여부를 판단할 수 있었으며, 적정 이송병원으로 이송함으로써 재이송 비율히 현저히 감소되었다. 결론:본 연구를 통해 응급의료 서비스에 ICT 기술을 적용하여 응급의료 서비스를 개선할 수 있는 가능성을 확인하였으며, 특히 감염병 의심환자에 대한 적정병원 이송으로 이송시간 단축 및 응급환자의 소생률 향상과 함께 구급대원의 안전을 적극적으로 확보할 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.42.1-42.6
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• 2023

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is one of the most important emerging transboundary diseases. Recently, LSD has emerged in many countries in the northern hemisphere. The LSD virus has a huge genome and is highly resistant to environmental conditions. The virus is also host-specific and large ruminants, such as cattle and domestic water buffalo, are particularly susceptible. In addition, wild ruminants can serve as potential reservoirs for spreading the LSD virus. The emergence might be related to climate change in various regions because LSD is an arthropod-borne infectious disease. This disease causes enormous economic losses, such as leather damage, decreased milk production, abortion, and death in infected ruminants. The economic importance of LSD in the bovine industry has forced countries to develop and implement control strategies against the disease. With the recent global spread and the economic impact, LSD will be discussed intensively. In addition, effective preventive measures are suggested based on the presence or absence of LSD outbreaks.

• BMB Reports
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• 제40권5호
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• pp.662-669
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• 2007

Although the function of cellular prion protein (PrP$^C$) and the pathogenesis of prion diseases have been widely described, the mechanisms are not fully clarified. In this study, increases of the portion of non-glycosylated prion protein deposited in the hamster brains infected with scrapie strain 263K were described. To elucidate the pathological role of glycosylation profile of PrP, wild type human PrP (HuPrP) and two genetic engineering generated non-glycosylated PrP mutants (N181Q/N197Q and T183A/T199A) were transiently expressed in human astrocytoma cell line SF126. The results revealed that expressions of non-glycosylated PrP induced significantly more apoptosis cells than that of wild type PrP. It illustrated that Bcl-2 proteins might be involved in the apoptosis pathway of non-glycosylated PrPs. Our data highlights that removal of glycosylation of prion protein provokes cells apoptosis.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제41권4호
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• pp.214-218
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• 2008

Bioterrorism events have worldwide impacts, not only in terms of security and public health policy, but also in other related sectors. Many countries, including Korea, have set up new administrative and operational structures and adapted their preparedness and response plans in order to deal with new kinds of threats. Korea has dual surveillance systems for the early detection of bioterrorism. The first is syndromic surveillance that typically monitors non-specific clinical information that may indicate possible bioterrorism-associated diseases before specific diagnoses are made. The other is infectious disease specialist network that diagnoses and responds to specific illnesses caused by intentional release of biologic agents. Infectious disease physicians, clinical microbiologists, and infection control professionals play critical and complementary roles in these networks. Infectious disease specialists should develop practical and realistic response plans for their institutions in partnership with local and state health departments, in preparation for a real or suspected bioterrorism attack.

• 한국보육지원학회지
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.1-17
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• 2023

Objective: This study aims to provide empirical data on epidemic management measures and childcare teacher education in centers. It examines the relationship between infectious disease knowledge, health control knowledge, and self-efficacy in relation to the practice of preventive behaviors among infant and toddler teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The study involved 300 teachers from Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. Data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS 23.0. Results: The study found that there is a positive relationship between childcare teachers' knowledge of infectious diseases and their engagement in preventive behavior. Additionally, internal control among the health care factors of childcare teachers also showed a positive relationship. Furthermore, the study revealed that the self-efficacy of childcare teachers is positively associated with their practice of preventive behavior. Overall, infectious disease knowledge, internal control measures, and self-efficacy were all found to have positive relationships with preventive behavior. Conclusion/Implications: This study proposes a new direction for future teacher education by highlighting the effectiveness of psychological factors, specifically health control materials and self-efficacy, in addition to focusing on improving infectious disease knowledge.