• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.399-412
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• 2014

The infection status of zoonotic trematode metacercariae was investigated in a total of 2,293 freshwater fish collected from 11 rivers or streams in 9 administrative regions of Gangwon-do, Korea for 5 years (2009-2013). All fish were collected by netting methods and examined using the artificial digestion methods. Clonorchis sinensis metacercariae were detected in 4 fish species, i.e., Pungtungia herzi, Squalidus japonicus coreanus, Acheilognathus rhombeus, and Ladislabia taczanowskii, from only Hantangang in Cheorwon-gun. Metagonimus spp. metacercariae were found in 1,154 (50.3%) fish and their average number per infected fish was 55.8. Among the positive fish species, especially Tribolodon hakonensis from Namdaecheon in Yangyang-gun and Plecoglossus altivelis from Osipcheon in Samcheok-si were most heavily infected. Centrocestus armatus metacercariae were detected in 611 (26.7%) fish and the average metacercarial burden per infected fish was 1,032. Two chub species, Zacco platypus and Zacco temminckii were highly and heavily infected with C. armatus metacercariae in almost all regions surveyed. Echinostoma spp. metacercariae were also found in 24 fish from a few localities, but their numbers per fish infected were very low. From the above results, it is confirmed that the metacercariae of intestinal flukes, especially Metagonimus spp. and C. armatus, were heavily infected, while C. sinensis metacercariae were rarely found in fish from Gangwon-do, Korea.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1750-1755
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• 2010

The MLVA assay is known to have a high ability to identify and discriminate Brucella species, so that it can be used as an epidemiological tool to discriminate Brucella isolates originating from restricted geographic sources. In this study, the genetic profiles of 38 B. abortus isolates from humans were analyzed and compared with genotypes from animal isolates in South Korea. As a result, it was found that they did not show high genetic diversity and were compacted. They were clustered together with animal isolates, showing a significant correlation to regional distributions. With its ability to prove a significant genetic correlation among B. abortus isolates from animals and humans in South Korea, the MLVA assay could be utilized as part of a program to control and eradicate brucellosis, one of the major zoonoses. This study represents the first data of genetic correlation of B. abortus isolates from humans and animals in South Korea.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.186-196
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to develop a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for an adult population for use in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The 24-hour recall data for 2,939 subjects aged 19 years and over from the fourth KNHANES first year (2007) were used to extract the items included in the questionnaire. The FFQ items were developed by selection of major dishes based on the cumulative contribution rate, between-person variability based on the cumulative R2 of energy and 14 nutrients (carbohydrate, protein, fat, crude fiber, calcium, phosphorous, iron, sodium, potassium, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C) and the number of consumers of each dish. In addition, the FFQ items were revised with analysis of 24-hour recall data of the fourth KNHANES second and third year (2008, 2009). Finally, 112 items were included in the FFQ and grouped as follows: rice (5 items), noodles and dumplings (6), breads and rice cakes (8), soups and stews (12), soybeans, eggs, meat and fish (23), vegetables, seaweed and potatoes (27), milk and dairy products (4), fruits (13), beverages (5), snacks (6) and alcoholic beverages (3). The food items of FFQ accounted for an average of 87.0% of energy and 14 nutrient intakes and also accounted for 81.7% of the between-person variability. The frequency range of the FFQ items was classified into nine categories (never or seldom, once per month, 2-3 times per month, once per week, 2-4 times per week, 5-6 times per week, once per day, twice per day and three times per day) and the portion size was divided into three categories (small, medium and large). We expect that this developed dish-based FFQ could be used in assessment of longterm dietary intakes of Korean adults.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.651-657
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• 2019

Although smallpox was eradicated in 1980, it is still considered a potential agent of biowarfare and bioterrorism. Smallpox has the potential for high mortality rates along with a major public health impact, eventually causing public panic and social disruption. Passive administration of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is an effective intervention for various adverse reactions caused by vaccination and the unpredictable nature of emerging and bioterrorist-related infections. Currently, vaccinia immune globulin (VIG) is manufactured from vaccinia vaccine-boosted plasma; however, this production method is not ideal because of its limited availability, low specific activity, and risk of contamination with blood-borne infectious agents. To overcome the limitations of VIG production from human plasma, we isolated two human single-chain variable fragments (scFvs), (SC34 and SC212), bound to vaccinia virus (VACV), from a scFv phage library constructed from the B cells of VACV vaccine-boosted volunteers. The scFvs were converted to human IgG1 (VC34 and VC212). These two anti-VACV mAbs were produced in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) DG44 cells. The binding affinities of VC34 and VC212 were estimated by competition ELISA to $IC_{50}$ values of $2{\mu}g/ml$ (13.33 nM) and $22{\mu}g/ml$ (146.67 nM), respectively. Only the VC212 mAb was proven to neutralize the VACV, as evidenced by the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) result with a $PRNT_{50}$ of ~0.16 mg/ml (${\sim}1.07{\mu}M$). This VC212 could serve as a valuable starting material for further development of VACV-neutralizing human immunoglobulin for a prophylactic measure against post-vaccination complications and for post-exposure treatment against smallpox.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.265-270
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• 2015

The recent Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreak has originated from a failure in the national quarantine system in the Republic of Korea as most basic role of protecting the safety and lives of its citizens. Furthermore, a number of the Korean healthcare system's weaknesses seem to have been completely exposed. The MERS-CoV outbreak can be considered a typical public health crisis in that the public was not only greatly terrorized by the actual fear of the disease, but also experienced a great impact to their daily lives, all in a short period of time. Preparedness for and an appropriate response to a public health crisis require comprehensive systematic public healthcare measures to address risks comprehensively with an all-hazards approach. Consequently, discussion regarding establishment of post-MERS-CoV improvement measures must focus on the total reform of the national quarantine system and strengthening of the public health infrastructure. In addition, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must implement specific strategies of action including taking on the role of "control tower" in a public health emergency, training of Field Epidemic Intelligence Service officers, establishment of collaborative governance between central and local governments for infection prevention and control, strengthening the roles and capabilities of community-based public hospitals, and development of nationwide crisis communication methods.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.71 no.5
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• pp.328-334
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• 2011

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of chronic morbidity and mortality throughout the world and is the only major disease that is continuing to increase in both prevalence and mortality. The second Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey revealed that the prevalence of COPD in Korean subjects aged ${\geq}45$ years was 17.2% in 2001. Further surveys on the prevalence of COPD were not available until 2007. Here, we report the prevalence of spirometrically detected COPD in Korea, using data from the fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey (KNHANES IV) which was conducted in 2007~2009. Methods: Based on the Korean Statistical Office census that used nationwide stratified random sampling, 10,523 subjects aged ${\geq}40$ years underwent spirometry. Place of residence, levels of education, income, and smoking status, as well as other results from a COPD survey questionnaire were also assessed. Results: The prevalence of COPD (defined as forced expiratory volume in 1 sec/forced vital capacity <0.7 in subjects aged ${\geq}40$ years) was 12.9% (men, 18.7%; women, 7.5%). In total, 96.5% of patients with COPD had mild-to-moderate disease; only 2.5% had been diagnosed by physicians, and only 1.7% had been treated. The independent risk factors for COPD were smoking, advanced age, and male gender. Conclusion: The prevalence of COPD was 12.9% in the KNHANES IV data. Most patients with COPD were undiagnosed and untreated. Based on these results, a strategy for early COPD intervention is warranted in high risk subjects.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.223-228
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• 2016

Shigella is a common cause of bacterial enteritis worldwide. Shigella sonnei accounts for 90% of Shigella infections and Shigella flexneri is rarely reported in Korea. Although the incidence of Shigella infection has decreased, the incidence of organisms with antibiotic resistance has gradually increased in Korea. An outbreak of extended-spectrum ${\beta}-lactamase$ (ESBL)-producing S. sonnei in children was reported in Korea; however, ESBL-producing S. flexneri has not yet been reported. We report the first two cases of multidrug-resistant CTX-M-14-producing S. flexneri infections in Korean children.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.330-340
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• 2016

Objective: The outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) started in South Korea in May 2015 and the end of crisis was declared in December 2015 by Korea Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). However, Zika virus emerged in less than 2 months following MERS and showed higher mortality than other countries. This study is to assess the current prevention system of overseas infectious diseases, based on MERS and Zika virus outbreak and to suggest effective response system for the future. Methods: We conducted two surveys on medical specialists working at tertiary general hospitals regarding the effectiveness of responding system by KCDC against MERS and Zika virus and education in individual medical institutions using 5-Likert points. Response system was examined in three different periods as initial period, spreading period, and post disease period. Results: Although medical specialists received the notifications in initial period, no practical prevention was proven to be placed in responding stage by medical facilities (averagely 3.5/5 points in total and sub-analyses). During spreading period, there were several academic seminars conducted, which were evaluated as helpful. In post disease period, all answered that there were changes on patient treatment in all medical facilities, with mainly report system and the treatment regulations in case of suspicious patients for infection. Only 49% respondents answered positive on the possibility of initial responses. For questionnaire items regarding Zika virus, all answered that there were notifications prior to the first outbreak of the infected patient. Eighty% of respondents were aware of 'the Guideline system for traveling to dangerous areas', and answered that the system was moderately effective (averagely 3.8/5 points in total). For the effectiveness of prevention measures for foreign novel disease by KCDC, the average point was 3.0 in both of total and sub-analyses. Conclusion: There is not enough response system to prevent infectious disease in medical institutional and governmental levels in Korea. It would warrant the modification of overall medical system to improve preventive measures for initial spread of such diseases.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.174-183
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• 2008

Although food insecurity might be associated with poor dietary intake, this relationship has not been researched in Korea. This study examined the association of food security with dietary intake from the third Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Food security was measured by a self-reported hunger measure on the dietary situation of subjects' households in the previous year and approximately 2/3 of the subjects lived in food-insecure households. Dietary intake was based on a 24-hour dietary recall. Food insecurity was significantly associated with low nutrients intake and nutrients intake compared to dietary reference intakes (DRI) was also lower among subjects in food-insecure households. Overall diet quality based on dietary diversity score (DDS) was worse in food-insecure subjects. Food security should be considered an important issue to public health because dietary change due to food insecurity may affect health status.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.58 no.10
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• pp.615-626
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• 2020

The outbreak of COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection, has spread worldwide and resulted in a pandemic for health systems. The disease is transmitted via respiration as droplets or aerosol. Due to the nature of dental treatment, aerosols, including body fluid, blood, and saliva, are frequently produced in dental hospitals. The present study investigated the potential risk of nosocomial infection of COVID-19 in dental hospitals to provide recommendations in clinical situations. The Seoul National University Dental Hospital in Korea established a countermeasure to cope with the clinical situation based on The Guidelines of Korean Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (KCDC) for dental practitioners and the available literature. Notably, numerous considerations for patient reservation and schedule management are required for space separation in the hospital, including infection control. Experiences in dental hospitals in Korea would be referable for other dental hospitals facing this infectious respiratory disease.