• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.89-97
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• 2013

Purpose: This retrospective study was performed to identify the clinical characteristics of influenza B infection and compare to influenza A infection. Methods: Medical records of patients diagnosed with influenza using a multiplex PCR test, admitted to Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, during the 2011-2012 influenza season were analyzed. Clinical and laboratory characteristics of influenza B patients were investigated and compared with those of influenza A patients. Results: A total of 145 influenza patients were enrolled during this study period. Among these, 66 and 78 patients were diagnosed with influenza A and B, respectively, and 1 patient was diagnosed with co-existing influenza A and B. Cough (88.2%), rhinorrhea (77.1%) and sputum (60.4%) were the most common symptoms among these influenza patients, and most were diagnosed with upper respiratory infection (31.9%) or lower respiratory infection (49.3%). In comparison to influenza A patients, influenza B patients were older ($4.7{\pm}4.1$ years vs. $3.3{\pm}2.5$ years, P=0.016), and the number of fever days before hospitalization were longer (3.0 days vs. 2.5 days, P=0.043). While sore throat (10.3% vs. 1.5%, P=0.039) and vomiting (20.5% vs. 6.1%, P=0.012) were more common in influenza B patients than in influenza A patients, other clinical and laboratory characteristics were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions: No significant differences in clinical and laboratory perspectives were manifested in influenza A and B infections. Preventive measures should be emphasized over treatment in influenza B due to prolonged fever duration before admission.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.21.1-21.6
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• 2021

In this study, we describe the isolation and characterization of previously unreported Y280-lineage H9N2 viruses from two live bird markets in Korea in June 2020. Genetic analysis revealed that they were distinct from previous H9N2 viruses circulating in Korea and had highest homology to A/chicken/Shandong/1844/2019(H9N2) viruses. Their genetic constellation showed they belonged to genotype S, which is the predominant genotype in China since 2010, where genotype S viruses have infected humans and acted as internal gene donors to H5 and H7 zoonotic influenza viruses. Active surveillance and control measures need to be enhanced to protect the poultry industry and public health.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.10
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• pp.1683-1690
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• 2018

Accurate and rapid diagnosis of influenza infection is essential to enable early antiviral treatment and reduce the mortality associated with seasonal and epidemic infections. Immunochromatography is one of the most common methods used for the diagnosis of seasonal human influenza; however, it is less effective in diagnosing pandemic influenza virus. Currently, rapid diagnostic kits for pandemic influenza virus rely on the detection of nucleoprotein (NP) or hemagglutinin (HA). NP detection shows higher specificity and is more sensitive than HA detection. In this study, we time-dependently screened expression conditions, and herein report optimal conditions for the expression of recombinant nucleoprotein (rNP), which was 48 h after infection. In addition, we report the use of the expressed rNP in a rapid influenza diagnostic test (SGT i-flex Influenza A&B Test). We constructed expression vectors that synthesized rNP (antigen) of influenza A and B in insect cells (Sf9 cells), employed the purified rNP to the immunoassay test kit, and clearly distinguished NPs of influenza A and influenza B using this rapid influenza diagnostic kit. This approach may improve the development of rapid test kits for influenza using NP.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.962-968
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• 2018

Type A influenza virus is circulating in wild birds and can infect wide ranges of hosts such as humans, pigs, domestic birds, and other mammals. Many subtypes of avian influenza viruses are circulating in aquatic birds. Most avian influenza viruses found in aquatic birds are low pathogenic avian influenza viruses. Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses have been found in waterfowls since 2005. It is known that H5 and H7 subtypes of avian influenza viruses can be mutated into highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses in domestic poultry. In this study, we isolated novel reassortant H7N7 avian influenza virus from the fecal materials of migratory birds in the Western part of South Korea in 2016, and analyzed the sequences of all its eight genes. The genetic analysis of our isolate, A/waterfowl/Korea/S017/2016 (H7N7) indicates that it was reassortant avian influenza virus containing genes of both avian influenza viruses of wild birds and domestic ducks. Phylogenetic analysis showed that our isolate belongs to Eurasian lineage of avian influenza virus. Since avian influenza viruses continue to evolve, and H7-subtype avian influenza virus can mutate into the highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, which cause the great threat to humans and animals, we closely survey the infections in both wild birds, and domestic poultry, and mammals.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.749-762
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• 2020

Influenza A viruses are circulating in a variety of hosts, including humans, pigs, and poultry. Swine influenza virus is a zoonotic pathogen that can be readily transmitted to humans. The influenza viruses of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic were derived from swine influenza viruses, and it has been suggested that the 1957 H2N2 pandemic and the 1968 H3N2 pandemic both originated in pigs. Pigs are regarded as a mixing vessel in the creation of novel influenza viruses since they are readily infected with human and avian influenza viruses. We isolated three novel H1N2 influenza viruses from pigs showing respiratory symptoms on a Korean farm in 2019. These viruses were reassortants, containing PA and NP genes from those of the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus in addition to PB2, PB1, HA, NA, M, and NS genes from those of triple-reassortant swine H3N2 and classical swine H1N2 influenza viruses circulating in Korean pigs. Mice infected with the isolated H1N2 influenza virus lost up to 17% body weight and exhibited interstitial pneumonia involving infiltration of many inflammatory cells. Results suggest that close surveillance to detect emerging influenza viruses in pigs is necessary for the health of both pigs and humans.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.289-292
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• 1999

This study was performed to monitor the circulation of various influenza virus strains since influenza is one of the commonest respiratory disease in man, its causative virus has been the subjects of extensive research. The authors investigated the epidemics of influenza in Pusan in 1998. Influenza viruses have been isolated from patients with respiratory disease whose ages range from 1 to 68. Virus isolation from female was higher than male. The isolation of virus was mostly concentrated in December in 1998. The isolated virus showed strong cytopathic effect on MDCK cells and identified as influenza A/Sydney/05/97-like(H3N2) and influenza A/Beijing/262/95-like(H1N1). A negative staining of electron micrograph showed 130 nm with H1N1 in diameter, respectively.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.15-27
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• 2018

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the estimated proportion for influenza vaccination and to identify factors associated with influenza vaccination in Korean adults aged 50 and older with asthma. Methods: Data from 2010-2015 Community Health Survey(n=23,662) was used. A chi-square test was performed to investigate the estimated proportion for influenza vaccination, and a multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with self-reported influenza vaccination. Results: In men, 42.3-49.5% of asthma patients 50-64 years of age, and 78.5-90.2% of elderly (over 65 years of age) asthma patients received influenza vaccination. In women, 49.7-61.9% of asthma patients 50-64 years of age, and 82.7-89.7% of elderly asthma patients received influenza vaccination(p<0.0001). Low education level, non-smoking, non-drinking, hypertension, diabetes and use of public center were related to high influenza vaccination in 50-64 years old men with asthma. Low education level, non-smoking, bad health status, hypertension, diabetes and use of public center were related to high influenza vaccination in 50-64 years old women with asthma. Non-smoking and use of public center were related to high influenza vaccination in over 65 years old men with asthma. White-collar jobs, smoking, absence of hypertension and use of public center were related to low influenza vaccination in over 65 years old women with asthma. Conclusions: Influenza vaccination remains relatively low in asthma patients 50-64 years of age. It is necessary to recommend vaccination to asthma patients, provide them with information, and devise other strategies to improve vaccination.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.127-132
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• 2019

Influenza is an infectious disease caused by an influenza virus with symptoms of high fever and headache. Since influenza especially mutates into multiple subtypes in the carrier's body, it is a serious threat for mankind such as Spanish influenza. The treatment of influenza infection mandates the use of antiviral drugs through rapid diagnostic test. Generally, immunochromatography-based rapid influenza diagnostic tests are used for rapid diagnosis in an emergency. In this paper, we propose an influenza analysis algorithm based on image processing to examine a large number of patients suspected of being infected with influenza. Also, we propose a robust influenza analysis algorithm based on the joint cumulative mass function under varying radiometric conditions such as illuminant and exposure differences. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm significantly reduces the error of influenza diagnosis under different radiometric conditions.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.175-185
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• 2021

Purpose: Influenza immunization among health personnel is of particular importance given their elevated risk of influenza infection, role in transmission and influence on patients' immunization status. The purpose of this study is to identify factors associated with the influenza vaccination intention among health personnel based on the theory of planned behavior. Methods: The research was a cross-sectional, descriptive design using questionnaires. The participants were 131 health personnel in five general hospitals in two cities in South Korea. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA and multiple regression with the SPSS 26.0 program. Results: There were statistically significant differences in influenza vaccination intention according to the high-risk group in the family, occupation, length of employment, and influenza vaccination status within a year. The influenza vaccination intention of these health personnel showed significant positive correlations with attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control towards influenza vaccination. Multiple regression analysis for influenza vaccination intention revealed that the significant predictors were attitude, subjective norms, influenza vaccination within a year and physician in occupation. These factors explained 41.4% of the variance. Conclusion: The results suggest a need to strengthen attitude and subjective norms. The findings also suggest that their characteristics through influenza vaccination status within a year and occupation should be considered for tailored interventions related to the intention. Furthermore, it is necessary to develop programs strengthening attitude and subjective norms to enhance influenza vaccination intention among health personnel.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.84 no.3
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• pp.226-236
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• 2021

Background: Although the Quidel Sofia rapid influenza fluorescent immunoassay (FIA) is widely used to identify influenza A and B, the diagnostic accuracy of this test remains unclear. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic performance of this test compared to reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and a hierarchical summary receiver-operating characteristic curve (HSROC) of this test for identifying influenza A and B were determined using meta-analysis. A sensitivity subgroup analysis was performed to identify potential sources of heterogeneity within selected studies. Results: We identified 17 studies involving 8,334 patients. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and DOR of the Quidel Sofia rapid influenza FIA for identifying influenza A were 0.78 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71-0.83), 0.99 (95% CI, 0.98-0.99), and 251.26 (95% CI, 139.39-452.89), respectively. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and DOR of this test for identifying influenza B were 0.72 (95% CI, 0.60-0.82), 0.98 (95% CI, 0.96-0.99), and 140.20 (95% CI, 55.92-351.54), respectively. The area under the HSROC for this test for identifying influenza A was similar to that for identifying influenza B. Age was considered a probable source of heterogeneity. Conclusion: Pooled sensitivities of the Quidel Sofia rapid influenza FIA for identifying influenza A and B did not quite meet the target level (≥80%). Thus, caution is needed when interpreting data of this study due to substantial betweenstudy heterogeneity.