• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제82권4호
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• pp.306-310
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• 2019

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is increasing in immigrants. We aimed to investigate the current status of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) treatment for North Korean Refugees (NKR) compared to South Koreans Contacts (SKC). Methods: TB close contacts in a closed facility of SKC and NKR who underwent LTBI screening in a settlement support center for NKR were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Among tuberculin skin test (TST) ${\geq}10mm$ (n=298) reactors, the males accounted for 72.2% in SKC (n=126) and 19.5% in NKR (n=172) (p<0.01). The mean age was higher in South Korea ($42.8{\pm}9.9years$ vs. $35.4{\pm}10.0years$, p<0.01). Additionally, the mean TST size was significantly bigger in NKR ($17.39{\pm}3.9mm$ vs. $16.57{\pm}4.2mm$, p=0.03). The LTBI treatments were initiated for all screened NKR, and LTBI completion rate was only 68.0%. However, in NKR, LTBI treatment completion rate was significantly increased by shorter 4R regimen (odds ratio [OR], 9.296; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.159-20.774; p<0.01) and male (OR, 3.447; 95% CI, 1.191-9.974; p=0.02). Conclusion: LTBI treatment compliance must be improved in NKR with a shorter regimen. In addition, a larger study regarding a focus on LTBI with easy access to related data for NKR should be conducted.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.32-41
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• 2019

목적: 결핵 전파를 조기에 차단하기 위해서는, 활동성 결핵 환자와 접촉한 사람들을 조사하여 결핵 질환 및 잠복결핵감염을 진단하고 치료하는 것이 매우 중요하며, 국내에서는 민간-공공협력 결핵관리사업을 통해 적극적인 접촉자 조사 활동을 지원하고있다. 본연구에서는최근 3년간단일기관에서이루어진소아청소년연령에서의접촉자검진과소아잠복결핵감염치료 현황에 대해 조사하였다. 방법: 2014년 7월 1일부터 2017년 6월 30일까지 충남대학교병원에서 활동성 결핵 환자로 진단받은 환자들을 대상으로 가족 내 소아청소년 접촉자에 대한 검진을 시행하여 접촉자 검진 완료율 및 결과를 분석하였고, 이와 함께 동일 기간 동안 잠복결핵감염으로 치료 받은 소아청소년 환자들의 치료 현황을 후향적으로 검토하였다. 결과: 연구 기간 동안 본 기관에서 활동성 결핵 환자는 총 1,002명 진단되었고, 그 중 소아청소년 가족접촉자가 있는 환자는 171명이었다. 소아청소년 접촉자 269명 중 20명(7.4%)은 검진을 전혀 받지 않았다. 1차 검진을 받은 249명 중 폐결핵이 1명(0.4%) 진단되었고, 7명(2.8%)은 과거의 결핵 감염 병력이 있었으며, 42명(16.9%)이 잠복결핵감염으로 진단되었다. 2차 검진 시 29명(11.6%)이 추가로 잠복결핵감염으로 진단되었으며, 2차 검진까지 필요하였으나 검진을 완료하지 않은 사람이 61명으로 총 접촉자 269명 중 188명(69.9%)만이 필요한 검진을 완료하였다. 잠복결핵감염으로 치료받은 소아청소년 환자는 90명이었으며 83명(92.2%)이 치료를 완료하였고, 이 중 18명이 발진(8명), 피로(5명), 위장장애(5명) 등의 부작용을 호소하였으나 치료 중단이 필요한 심각한 부작용은 없었다. 결론: 민간-공공협력 결핵관리사업 도입 및 보편화 후에도 소아청소년 연령에서의 결핵 접촉자 검진 완료율은 낮았으며, 잠복결핵감염으로 진단받은 소아의 항결핵제 치료 시 심각한 부작용의 발생 없이 투약 완료율이 높게 나타났다. 향후 결핵 전파의 예방 및 관리를 위해 더욱 적극적인 민관 협동 노력 및 환자, 보호자 교육이 필요하겠다.

• Journal of applied mathematics & informatics
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• 제29권5_6호
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• pp.1097-1115
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• 2011

We consider the global stability of a general tuberculosis model with two differential infectivity, n classes of latent individuals and mass action incidence. This system exhibits the traditional threshold behavior. There is always a globally asymptotically stable equilibrium state. Depending on the value of the basic reproduction ratio $\mathcal{R}_0$, this state can be either endemic ($\mathcal{R}_0$ > 1), or infection-free ($\mathcal{R}_0{\leq}1$). The global stability of this model is derived through the use of Lyapunov stability theory and LaSalle's invariant set theorem. Both the analytical results and numerical simulations suggest that patients should be strongly encouraged to complete their treatment and sputum examination.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제80권1호
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• pp.21-26
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• 2017

It is well established that health care workers (HCWs) have a considerably higher risk of occupationally acquired tuberculosis (TB). To reduce the transmission of TB to HCWs and patients, TB infection control programs should be implemented in health care settings. The first and most important level of all protection and control programs is administrative control. Its goals are to prevent HCWs, other staff, and patients from being exposed to TB, and to reduce the transmission of infection by ensuring rapid diagnosis and treatment of affected individuals. Administrative control measures recommended by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization include prompt identification of people with TB symptoms, isolation of infectious patients, control of the spread of the pathogen, and minimization of time spent in health care facilities. Another key component of measures undertaken is the baseline and serial screening for latent TB infection in HCWs who are at risk of exposure to TB. Although the interferon-gamma release assay has some advantages over the tuberculin skin test, the former has serious limitations, mostly due to its high conversion rate.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제44권5호
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• pp.1011-1016
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• 2023

We have experienced a case in which herbal medicine was administered to treat drug-induced liver damage and would like to introduce it. A 49-year-old man exhibited a positive result in the interferon-gamma release assay. He had never suffered from tuberculosis in the past, and the route and time of infection could not be confirmed. He had no respiratory or systemic symptoms suggestive of active tuberculosis, and a chest X-ray examination showed no active lung lesions, so he was diagnosed with latent tuberculosis infection. He was confirmed to be within the normal range in the liver function test, renal function test, and complete blood cell count test, and started taking rifampin (600 mg qd). In the screening test performed on the 19th day of taking the drug, other test items were normal, but alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increased to 50 U/L (reference value: 4-40 U/L). In a test performed on the 29th day of taking the drug, ALT was clearly elevated to 102 U/L. Ursodeoxycholic acid and Injinho-tang were taken together with rifampin, and the patient's progress was observed. In a test performed 14 days later, ALT decreased to 26 U/L, within the normal range. It is presumed that Injinho-tang may have partially contributed to alleviating liver damage in this case.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.94-101
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• 2016

목적: 대학병원에 근무하던 중 활동성 폐결핵으로 진단된 전공의에게 노출된 의료종사자들에 대하여 실시한 접촉자 조사의 결과를 보고한다. 방법: 활동성 폐결핵 환자와 밀접한 접촉을 한 사람(접촉자) 101명 중 89명이 접촉자 조사에 응하여 조사를 받았다. 1차 접촉자 조사는 지표환자의 증상 개시 후 30일경에, 2차 조사는 1차 조사 10주 후에 기침, 발열, 인후통, 체중 감소와 같은 임상증상 확인 및 단순흉부촬영과 함께 결핵반응검사(Tuberculin skin test, TST)/QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT-G) 2단계 검사법을 시행하였다. 결과: 1차 TST 양성자는 34명(38.2%)이었고, TST 양성자 중 35세 이하 접촉자에서 시행한 QFT-G 양성률은 37.5% (6/16)이었다. 1차 TST 음성 대상자 41명에게서 시행한 2차 TST에서 17명(41.5%)이 양전을 보였고 그들 중 시행한 QFT-G 검사에서 3명(17.6%)이 양성이었다. 활동성 결핵으로 진단된 접촉자는 없었으며 지표환자에 노출되어 발생한 결핵 전파율은 2단계 검사법으로는 7.3% (3/41)였고, TST 진단법으로는 41.5% (17/41)였다. 결론: 국내에서 처음 보고되는 병원 내 결핵 접촉자 조사 연구로서 LTBI 발생률이 그 진단 기법에 따라 달랐으며 따라서 앞으로 발생할 수 있는 의료종사자들에 대한 병원 내 결핵 접촉자 조사를 위해 조직적이고 실용적인 가이드라인이 필요할 것이다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제68권5호
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• pp.280-285
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• 2010

Background: $QuantiFERON^{(R)}$-TB Gold In Tube (QFT-G IT) has been used for diagnosing latent tuberculosis infection and active tuberculosis (TB) since 2007. However, there has not been enough data on QFT-G IT for universal use in children. In this study, we evaluated the clinical usefulness of the QFT-G IT in pediatric practice. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 70 patients younger than 18 years of age who had taken QFT-G IT and had a tuberculin skin test (TST) between July 2007 and July 2009 at Wonju Christian Hospital. The subjects were divided into two groups, asymptomatic TB exposure group and disease group. Four patients who were taking immunosuppressants during the study period were excluded. Results: A total of 66 immunocompetent children were included in this study. Among 27 asymptomatic children who had contact histories of TB, 6 (22.2%) were found to be positive by QFT-G IT. Eleven (40.7%) and 5 (18.5%) children were found to be positive by TST with cutoff values of ${\geq}5mm$ and ${\geq}10mm$, respectively. Agreement was fair to good between QFT-G IT and TST (${\kappa}=0.59$: cutoff value ${\geq}5mm$, ${\kappa}=0.7$: cutoff value ${\geq}10mm$). In disease group, 14 patients (35.9%) were diagnosed with active tuberculosis, 8/14 (57.1%) were positive on TST and 9/14 (64.3%) on QFT-G IT. The positive rate of acid-fast bacilli smear, TB-polymerase chain reaction, and culture for tuberculosis was 11% (1/9), 27.3% (3/11) and 33.3% (3/9), respectively. Conclusion: Our data support that the QFT-G IT can be used as an additional diagnostic tool for latent and active tuberculosis infection in children.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.138-142
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• 2018

The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in the Republic of Korea remains high when compared to the incidence in other Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries. The prompt diagnosis and effective treatment of latent TB infection (LTBI) are very important in terms of controlling the burden of TB. The tuberculin skin test (TST) has long been the "gold standard" assay for the diagnosis of LTBI. However, it can show false positive results due to Bacille Calmette-$Gu{\acute{e}}rin$ (BCG) vaccination and infection with many environmental nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). The interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) using Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)-specific antigens, was developed for the detection of LTBI. The QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube assay is one of the most commonly used forms of the IGRA. In order to compare the diagnostic efficacy of the TST and IGRA in relation to LTBI among BCG-vaccinated healthy donors, whole blood samples were collected from 51 participants, and the results of the TST and IGRA were compared. Of the 51 cases, 18 cases (35.3%) were positive and 33 cases (64.7%) were negative when using the TST, while four cases (7.8%) were positive and 47 cases (92.2%) negative when using the IGRA. There was no correlation between the size of the induration in the TST and the $IFN-{\gamma}$ protein level. In conclusion, the TST showed higher cross-reactivity among the BCG-vaccinated healthy participants, therefore, the IGRA might be the most suitable assay for the rapid screening of LTBI in BCG-vaccinated healthy population, or for TB contact investigation.

• 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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• 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.