• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제72권5호
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• pp.416-425
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• 2012

Background: The sensitivities and specificities of interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) vary among different population studies, and the data on the routine use of IGRAs are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) test in the diagnosis of active tuberculosis. Methods: We conducted a prospective study, enrolling 77 patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), at a secondary care teaching hospital in Seoul. Results: In total, 12 (15.6%) patients showed indeterminate results due to positive control failure on the QFT-GIT test. Indeterminate results were significantly associated with the elderly, history of the intensive care unit stay, lymphocytopenia, especially low CD4 count, increased C-reactive protein and decreased protein levels. Of the 77 patients, 44 (57.1%) were diagnosed with active pulmonary tuberculosis, and the percentage of false negative results of the QFT-GIT was 36.4% (vs. 31.8% with TST). In the TB group with >65 years old (n=12), the proportions of the indeterminate (33.3% vs. 3.1%) and the false negative results (58.3% vs. 25.0%) of the QFT-GIT were significantly higher than in the younger TB group (n=32). Conclusion: Indeterminate and false negative results of QFT-GIT test were not infrequent in tuberculosis, especially in the elderly. Care should be considered for the interpretation with the elderly, immunocompromised, chronic and severely diseased patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제51권9호
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• pp.971-976
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• 2008

목 적 : 결핵 감염 관리에 있어서 잠복 결핵 감염을 찾아 내어 예방적 화학요법을 시행하는 것은 주요 핵심이다. 결핵에 노출된 소아에서 잠복 결핵 감염 진단을 위해 투베르쿨린 피부반응과 최근 널리 쓰이기 시작한 체외 검사법으로 결핵 특이항원 자극에 의한 T 세포의 $IFN-{\gamma}$ 분비능 측정 (QFT-G IT)이 있다. 잠복 결핵 감염 진단에 있어 두 검사법의 차이를 알아보고자 본 연구를 진행하였다. 방 법 : 2006년 10월 1일부터 2007년 4월 30일까지 6개월 간 총 111명의 소아를 대상으로 투베르쿨린 반응과 QFT-G IT 검사를 시행하였고, 동일 기간 내인 2개월 간 진단 된 성인 결핵 환자 29명에서 동일한 검사 결과를 후향적으로 알아보았다. 결 과 : 결핵 환자와의 가까운 접촉력을 주소로 내원한 무증상의 환자 33명 중 15% (5명)에서 QFT-G IT 검사 양성 소견을 보였고, 투베르쿨린 피부반응은 42% (14명)에서 양성결과를 보여 두 검사 간의 일치율은 낮았다(${\kappa}=0.39$). 성인 결핵 환자에서 QFT-G IT 양성율은 86.2%였고, 결핵균 배양 검사 양성율은 48.2%였다. 배양검사 양성이면서 QFT-G IT 음성이었던 환자는 12.5%였다. 결 론 : 소아에서 잠복 결핵 감염을 진단함에 있어 가족력을 근저에 둔 투베르쿨린 피부반응 검사를 시행하되 접촉력이 불분명하거나 지속적이지 않았을 경우 혹은 BCG 접종 효과로 의심되는 경우 결핵균 특이항원 자극 $IFN-{\gamma}$ 분비능 측정이 보조적 수단으로 사용 될 수 있을 지는 아직 확실하지 않으며 향후 수년 간 다 기관 연구가 필요하다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제68권6호
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• pp.328-333
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• 2010

Background: There are several active tuberculosis (TB) cases in Korean high schools each school year. The risk of transmission in schools is extremely high due to the considerable time spent in closed classrooms. We evaluated the control of latent tuberculosis infection in Korean high schools. Methods: When a student was identified with active TB, tuberculin skin testing was performed on their classmates and on students in their same school grade. When a student had a positive tuberculin skin tests (TST), they underwent follow-up testing with QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT). The manufacturer recommended a cut-off of 0.35 IU/mL to determine QFT positivity was applied. Results: A total of 131 pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients were included based on the criteria for screening TB contacts in the National Tuberculosis Control Program. Seventy-five (57.2%) students tested smear positive. TST were performed on 7,109 students who were classmates of, or in the same grade as, a TB patient. Of the contacts, 1,231 students (17.3%) were TST positive and they were screened with QFT. Six hundred-sixty-six (55.0%) of the tested students returned a positive QFT result and the rate of positivity was significantly associated with the increasing size of TST indurations (p<0.0001). Conclusion: The use of QFT resulted in approximately 45% of TST positive students not being given chemoprophylaxis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제73권4호
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• pp.219-223
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• 2012

Background: We investigated the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among medical students in South Korea. Methods: Students from one medical school, who were in second- or third-year classes before clerkship course, were enrolled for three consecutive years in the study. A standard questionnaire was given to each participant, and tuberculin skin test (TST), QuantiFERON-TB GOLD In-Tube (QFT-GIT) assay, and chest radiography were performed. Results: A total of 153 participants were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the subjects was $21.9{\pm}0.9$ years, 105 (68.6%) were male, and 132 (86.3%) had been vaccinated with Bacille Calmette-Gu$\acute{e}$rin (BCG). Four students (2.6%) had a history of contact with tuberculosis (TB) patients during medical practice. No abnormal chest radiograph findings were found for any of the subjects. Of the 153 subjects, 23 (15.0%) tested positive for the TST, and 8 (5.2%) tested positive for the QFT-GIT. The agreement between the two tests was determined to be 0.34 using kappa coefficients. Of the four students who had a history of contact with TB patients, only one subject tested positive for both tests, and the other three students tested negative for both tests. Conclusion: A low prevalence of LTBI was found among medical students before clerkship course in South Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Medicine
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• 제93권6호
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• pp.509-517
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• 2018

A small number of viable tuberculosis bacilli can reside in an individual with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) without obvious clinical symptoms or abnormal chest radiographs. Diagnosis and treatment of LTBI are important for tuberculosis (TB) control in public and private healthcare facilities, particularly in high-risk populations. The updated 2017 Korean guidelines for TB recommend that tuberculin skin tests, interferon-gamma release assays, or a combination of them can be used for the diagnosis of LTBI, depending on the age and immune status of the patient as well as their TB contact history. For diagnosis of LTBI, exclusion of active TB is essential, and the possibility of healed TB in those without a history of treatment for TB but at risk of its development must be considered. The treatment options for LTBI include isoniazid, rifampicin, isoniazid/rifampicin, and isoniazid/rifapentine. The benefits and risks of these agents based on the age of the patient and their hepatotoxicity must be considered when selecting the appropriate drug. Standardized diagnosis and treatment of LTBI based on the updated 2017 guidelines will contribute to the control of TB in Korea as well as to further revisions of the guidelines.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.17-27
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• 2013

목 적 : 잠복결핵감염(LTBI)을 진단하는 방법은 결핵 피부반응검사(TST)와 interferon-${\gamma}$ releasing assay(IGRA)이다. 그런데 TST의 위양성 문제 때문에 TST 대신 IGRA로 대치하려는 경향이 있다. 이에 결핵 접촉자 조사를 시행함에 있어 TST와 QuantiFERON$^{(R)}$-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) 검사를 동시에 시행하여 결과를 비교하였다. 방 법 : 2007년 2월부터 2008년 5월까지 가톨릭대학교 성빈센트병원 소아청소년과 외래에 LTBI 여부의 확인을 위해 방문한 소아를 대상으로 TST와 QFT-GIT 검사를 동시에 시행하였다. 연구대상은 감염원이 같은 집에 거주하는 경우를 동거 접촉, 아닌 경우를 비동거 접촉으로 구분하였다. 결 과 : 연구대상은 총 35명으로 폐결핵 노출 후 접촉자 조사 대상이 29명, 폐결핵으로 진단된 경우가 6명이었다. 접촉자 조사 대상에서 동거 접촉군은 18명(62.1%), 비동거 접촉군이 11명(37.9%)이었다. 최종 접촉자 조사 결과로 TST 양성은 동거 접촉군 38.9% (7/18), 비동거 접촉군 45.5% (5/11)이었고, QFT-GIT 검사 양성은 각각 5.6% (1/18), 9.1%(1/11)로 TST의 양성률이 더 높았다. 접촉자 조사에서 두 검사를 모두 시행한 경우는 1차 검사의 26건과 2차 추적검사의 15건을 합하여 총 41건으로 두 검사의 일치율(kappa값)은 0.063으로 매우 낮았다. 6명의 폐결핵 환자에서 TST는 모두 양성, QFT-GIT 검사는 5명이 양성으로, 이들까지를 포함했을 때의 일치율은 0.334이었다. 결 론 : 본 연구에서 TST와 QFT-GIT 검사 결과의 일치율은 낮았는데, 대부분이 TST 양성인 경우이었다. 두 검사 결과 중 어떤 것이 정확한 것인지 판단할 수 있는 표준 검사법이 없고, 소아청소년에 대한 자료가 충분치 않은 상황에서 민감도가 낮은 IGRA에 의한 결과만을 신뢰하여 LTBI 진단에 IGRA만 사용하는 것은 적절치 않다고 사료된다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제81권1호
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• pp.6-12
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• 2018

The role of the treatment for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) has been underscored in the intermediate tuberculosis (TB) burden countries like South Korea. LTBI treatment is recommended only for patients at risk for progression to active TB-those with frequent exposure to active TB cases, and those with clinical risk factors (e.g., immunocompromised patients). Recently revised National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline recommended that close contacts of individuals with active pulmonary or laryngeal TB, aged between 18 and 65 years, should undergo LTBI treatment. Various regimens for LTBI treatment were recommended in NICE, World Health Organization (WHO), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, and superiority of one recommended regimen over another was not yet established. Traditional 6 to 9 months of isoniazid (6H or 9H) regimen has an advantage of the most abundant evidence for clinical efficacy-60%-90% of estimated protective effect. However, 6H or 9H regimen is related with hepatotoxicity and low compliance. Four months of rifampin regimen is characterized by less hepatotoxicity and better compliance than 9H, but has few evidence of clinical efficacy. Three months of isoniazid plus rifampin was proved equivalence with 6H or 9H regimen in terms of efficacy and safety, which was recommended in NICE and WHO guidelines. The clinical efficacy of isoniazid plus rifapentine once-weekly regimen for 3 months was demonstrated recently, which is not yet introduced into South Korea.

• 항공우주의학회지
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.77-81
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• 2021

Purpose: The United States of America have pre-migration screening program are mandated through legislation. The one of purpose of this program is to prevent the importation of certain communicable diseases. Examinations of migration applicants are performed by panel physicians who are licensed physicians in the countries of origin that have agreements with the government departments of the country of destination to undertake this activity. In recent decades, the number of US migrants has increased, however COVID-19 impacted this trend of international migrants. The Aim of this study is to examine trends of US applicants and outcomes of tuberculosis and sexual transmitted infections (STIs) screening in South Korean applicants for US visa. Methods: A total of 4,442 applicants participated in US visa health check-up in 2016 to 2020. Results: The numbers of applicant for US visa in males and females was 1,814 and 2,628. The positive results in tuberculosis and STIs screening was noted with 0.66% in nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), 0.03% in tuberculosis, 0.03% in gonorrhea, 0.08% in syphilis, and 0.74% in chlamydia. The age groups of 2 to 14 years showed higher positive rate (13.89%) in tuberculin skin test (TST) tests compared to the rate of interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) tests (0.44%, P<0.001). The positive ratio of NTM and abnormal chest X-ray (CXR) which required sputum tests among the applicants over 15 years old has trends to increase with age. The age groups of over 70 years showed high positive rate in NTM and abnormal CXR (4.10%, 20.51%). However, ages 15 to 49 years groups showed 0.00% to 0.30% in NTM and 1.08% to 3.91% in abnormal CXR. In the study population, the positive rates of STIs were 0.03%, 0.08%, and 0.74% in gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia, respectively. Among the participants who underwent sputum smears and cultures were just 1 case of active tuberculosis (0.03%) and 25 cases of NTM infection (0.66%). Conclusion: This study found that rate of positivity in tuberculosis and STIs screening among South Korean applicants for US visa in 2016 to 2020. Regarding tuberculosis, the positivity of CXR among the aged 15 to 59 years applicants was lower than that among over 60 years old. Among 2 to 14 years, positivity of IGRA was very low. And IGRA test can reduce effort of further evaluation compared to TST test in South Korea, so IGRA test among young adults can be useful. High positive rates in STI among young adult could result in high active sexuality, especially chlamydia infection is most common. Therefore Chlamydia polymerase chain reaction should be considered formal protocol among the Korean applicant for US visa.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제75권1호
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• pp.18-24
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• 2013

Background: We investigated the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among the health care workers (HCWs) and analyzed its risk factors in South Korea. Methods: A standard questionnaire regarding the baseline demographics and risk factors for LTBI was given to each participant and tuberculin skin test (TST), QuantiFERON-TB GOLD In-Tube (QFT-GIT) assay, and chest radiography were performed. Results: A total of 493 participants, 152 (30.8%) doctors and 341 (69.2%) nurses were enrolled in eight tertiary referral hospitals. The mean age of the subjects was 30.6 years old, and 383 (77.7%) were female. Of the 152 doctors, 63 (41.4%) and 36 (23.7%) were positive by TST and by QTF-GIT, respectively, and among the 341 nurses, 119 (34.9%) and 49 (14.4%) had positive TST and QFT-GIT results, respectively. Overall, the agreement between the two tests was 0.22 by the chance corrected proportional agreement rate (kappa coefficient) in 493 subjects. Experience of working in tuberculosis (TB)-related departments was significantly associated with positive LTBI test results by QFT-GIT assay, not by TST. In multivariate analysis, only age was independently associated with increased risk of a positive TST result, while age and experience of working in TB-related departments (odds ratio, 2.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-5.12) were independently associated with increased risk of a positive QFT-GIT result. Conclusion: A high prevalence of LTBI was found among South Korean HCWs. Considering the association between the experience of working in TB-related departments and high risk of LTBI, QFT-GIT may be a better diagnostic test for LTBI than TST in HCWs.

• Journal of Korean Medical Science
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• 제33권47호
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• pp.292.1-292.10
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• 2018

Background: We investigated the incidence of active tuberculosis among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, with or without latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Methods: The study was performed at a Korean tertiary referral center between January 2011 and June 2017. In total, 740 patients with IBD who underwent LTBI screening tests and were followed-up for ${\geq}1$ year after TNF inhibitor treatment initiation were enrolled. LTBI was detected on the basis of tuberculin skin test results, interferon-gamma release assay results, chest X-ray findings, and previous tuberculosis treatment history. The patients were classified into LTBI (n = 84) or non-LTBI (n = 656) group. The risk of developing tuberculosis in each group was assessed on the basis of standardized incidence ratio (SIR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for active tuberculosis. Results: Mean patient age was 33.1 years, and patients with Crohn's disease were predominant (80.7%). Within 1 year after the initiation of TNF inhibitor treatment, 1 patient in the LTBI group (1/84; 1.2%) and 7 patients in the non-LTBI group (7/656; 1.1%) developed active tuberculosis. The overall 1-year incidence of tuberculosis among the patients was significantly higher than that among the general population (SIR, 14.0; 95% CI, 7.0-28.0), and SIR was not affected by LTBI status (LTBI group: 14.5, 95% CI, 2.0-102.6; non-LTBI group: 14.0, 95% CI, 6.7-29.4). Conclusion: Patients with IBD undergoing TNF inhibitor treatment showed a higher 1-year incidence of tuberculosis than the general population irrespective of LTBI status.