• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제23권1호
• /
• pp.125-130
• /
• 2013

Influenza viruses cause significant morbidity and mortality in humans through epidemics or pandemics. Currently, two classes of anti-influenza virus drugs, M2 ion-channel inhibitors (amantadin and rimantadine) and neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir and zanamivir), have been used for the treatment of the influenza virus infection. Since the resistance to these drugs has been reported, the development of a new antiviral agent is necessary. In this study, we examined the antiviral efficacy of the plant extracts against the influenza A/PR/8/34 infection. In vitro, the antiviral activities of the plant extracts were investigated using the cell-based screening. Three plant extracts, Thuja orientalis, Aster spathulifolius, and Pinus thunbergii, were shown to induce a high cell viability rate after the infection with the influenza A/PR/8/34 virus. The antiviral activity of the plant extracts also increased as a function of the concentration of the extracts and these extracts significantly reduced the visible cytopathic effect caused by virus infections. Furthermore, the treatment with T. orientalis was shown to have a stronger inhibitory effect than that with A. spathulifolius or P. thunbergii. These results may suggest that T. orientalis has anti-influenza A/PR/8/34 activity.

• Journal of Microbiology
• /
• 제43권spc1호
• /
• pp.65-84
• /
• 2005

Invasive candidiasis is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Clinical diagnosis is complicated by a lack of specific clinical signs and symptoms of disease. Laboratory diagnosis is also complex because circulating antibodies to Candida species may occur in normal individuals as the result of commensal colonization of mucosal surfaces thereby reducing the usefulness of antibody detection for the diagnosis of this disease. In addition, Candida species antigens are often rapidly cleared from the circulation so that antigen detection tests often lack the desired level of sensitivity. Microbiological confirmation is difficult because blood cultures can be negative in up to 50% of autopsy-proven cases of deep-seated candidiasis or may only become positive late in the infection. Positive cultures from urine or mucosal surfaces do not necessarily indicate invasive disease although can occur during systemic infection. Furthermore, differences in the virulence and in the susceptibility of the various Candida species to antifungal drugs make identification to the species level important for clinical management. Newer molecular biological tests have generated interest but are not yet standardized or readily available in most clinical laboratory settings nor have they been validated in large clinical trials. Laboratory surveillance of at-risk patients could result in earlier initiation of antifungal therapy if sensitive and specific diagnostic tests, which are also cost effective, become available. This review will compare diagnostic tests currently in use as well as those under development by describing their assets and limitations for the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis.

• 한국임상수의학회지
• /
• 제17권1호
• /
• pp.52-56
• /
• 2000

The objective of this study was to compare occurrence of the shipping fever associated with vaccination and mass medication in Korean Native Cow. Lack of vaccination (Pasteurella haemolytica, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, bovine viral diarrhea, parainfluenza 3, and bovine respiratory syncytial virus) and mass medication before and after transportation, 67% of gram-negative cocci were detected. However, with vaccination and mass medication, only 33% of Gram-negative cocci were detected. When antimicrobial susceptibility for the detected bacterium was tested, apramycin, ampicillin, amilacin, clindamycin, gentamycin, kanamycin, penicillin, and streptomycin were resistant, whereas tylocin, amoxicillin, linocospetin, nalidixic acid, norfloxacin, oxalinic acid, and cefotaxime were susceptible. Morbidity and average therapeutic effect were 33% and 1.0time with vaccination and mass medication and were 78% and 5.3 times without vaccination and mass medication, respectively. Therefore, the results suggest that shipping fever would be considerably decreased with vaccination including mass medication before and after transportation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제70권5호
• /
• pp.371-383
• /
• 2011

The number of immunocompromised patients has increased over the past decades due to HIV infection, solid and stem cell transplantation, intensified chemotherapy and treatment of autoimmune disease. Pneumonia is a major cause of both morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Clinical management of pneumonia is difficult, since differential diagnosis in this setting is broad and includes both infectious and noninfectious processes. Because the development of pneumonia in immunocompromised patients is frequently life threatening, early therapeutic and diagnostic intervention is essential to obtain better outcomes.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제81권3호
• /
• pp.187-197
• /
• 2018

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a frequent comorbid condition associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Pneumonia is the most common infectious disease condition. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the impact of pneumonia in patients with COPD. We will evaluate the epidemiology and factors associated with pneumonia. We are discussing the clinical characteristics of COPD that may favor the development of infections conditions such as pneumonia. Over the last 10 years, there is an increased evidence that COPD patients treated with inhaled corticosteroids are at increased risk to develp pneumonia. We will review the avaialbe information as well as the possible mechanism for this events. We also discuss the impact of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in the prevention of pneumonia in COPD patients.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• 제16권2호
• /
• pp.107-114
• /
• 2009

Tuberculosis is a disease with high morbidity and mortality in children worldwide. Despite significant improvements in diagnostic methods, scientific researches and clinical trials for new regimens of treatment or prevention in adult tuberculosis, childhood tuberculosis has been relatively neglected. Children are at high risk of severe disease, and reactivation of latent infection in adulthood perpetuates the epidemic. Therefore, a policy of tuberculosis control in childhood should be emphasized to improve control in the total population. To understand the new view of childhood tuberculosis, this article describes changes in the disease's national epidemiology, new diagnostic tools and treatment strategies, and multi-drug resistance.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제70권1호
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2011

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a major cause of morbidity, of mortality, and of expenditure of medical resources. The etiology and antimicrobial susceptibility of CAP pathogens can differ by country. Treatment guidelines need to reflect the needs of individual countries based on pathogen susceptibility studies. Recent treatment guidelines for CAP in Korea were published by the Joint Committee of the Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases, the Korean Society for Chemotherapy, and the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases. In this article, the etiologies, diagnoses, treatments for CAP will be reviewed and compared to the recent published Korean guidelines for CAP treatment.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• 제54권4호
• /
• pp.251-258
• /
• 2021

Hepatitis C infection is responsible for high morbidity and mortality rates globally as well as for significant indirect costs. The disease burden caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is comparable to the one caused by human immunodeficiency virus or tuberculosis. Today, simple detection methods, highly effective and easy to administer therapies and efficient preventative measures are available to combat hepatitis C. Nevertheless, in most countries around the world, the World Health Organization target of eliminating this infectious disease and its consequences by 2030 are not being met. Significant gaps in care for hepatitis C sufferers still exist, the shortcomings ranging from education and treatment to aftercare. Hepatitis C infection was and still is not on the radar of most politicians and health authorities. National programmes and strategies to combat the disease exist or are being developed in many countries. However, for these to be implemented efficiently and successfully, clear political commitment, strong civil society actors, well-functioning public health structures and the relevant support from global donors are needed.

• Acute and Critical Care
• /
• 제33권4호
• /
• pp.206-215
• /
• 2018

Since the first successful lung transplantation in 1983, there have been many advances in the field. Nevertheless, the latest data from the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation revealed that the risk of death from transplantation is 9%. Various aspects of postoperative management, including mechanical ventilation, could affect intensive care unit stay, hospital stay, and immediate postoperative morbidity and mortality. Complications such as reperfusion injury, graft rejection, infection, and dehiscence of anastomosis increase fatal adverse side effects immediately after surgery. In this article, we review the possible immediate complications after lung transplantation and summarize current knowledge on prevention and treatment.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• 제62권4호
• /
• pp.113-118
• /
• 2019

Inappropriate antibiotic use is the most important factor causing increased bacterial resistance to antibiotics, thus affecting patient outcomes. Multidrug-resistant bacteria have become a serious public health threat, causing significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. In Korea, the burden of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has become an important public health issue. There is increasing evidence of overuse and misuse of antibiotics in Korea, as observed in cohorts with large sample sizes. Antibiotic use among children should receive particular attention because of the frequency of community-associated infections among this population and the elevated risk of transmission. Recent studies from Korea have demonstrated that the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, either for inpatient or outpatient treatment, has increased among many age groups, especially children. In this review, we aim to describe the patterns of antibiotic prescription and evaluate recent trends in antibiotic use among children. Coordinated efforts toward communication and education in order to address misunderstandings regarding antibiotic use, involving interprofessional antimicrobial stewardship programs, are required in the near future.