• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2011

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens is a Serious clinical problem in the treatment of infectious diseases that increase mortality, morbidity, hospitalization length, and the cost of healthcare. In particular, $Streptococcus$ $pneumoniae$ is a major etiologic pathogen of pneumonia, sinusitis, otitis media, and meningitis. As the definition of penicillin resistance to $S.$ $pneumoniae$ was recently changed, macrolide-resistant $S.$ $pneumoniae$ is a major resistant pathogen in the community. Infections caused by antibiotic-resistant strains are associated with incorrect use of antibiotics and critical clinical outcomes. For the appropriate use of antibiotics to treat infections, physicians always should have up-to-date information on the current epidemiologic status of antibiotic resistance for common pathogens and their susceptibility to antimicrobials. Appropriate selection of antimicrobials, strict control of infection, vaccination, and development of a feasible national policy of infection control are important strategies for the control of antimicrobial resistance. This review article focuses on the current status of antibiotic-resistant $S.$ $pneumoniae$ in community-acquired pneumonia in Korea.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.283-288
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• 2009

Pneumonia remains the leading cause of mortality in children. Diagnosis depends on a combination of factors, including clinical assessment, radiological and laboratory findings. Although Streptococcus pneumoniae remains the most important cause of childhood bacterial pneumonia, the great majority of cases of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) are of viral etiology. A new, rapid, and inexpensive test that differentiates viral from bacterial pneumonia is needed to decide empiric antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics effective against the expected bacterial pathogens should be instituted where necessary. The role of emerging pathogens and the effect of pneumococcal resistance and heptavalent conjugate pneumococcal vaccines are to be considered in practice. There are reports supporting the valid and highly efficacious use of penicillin as a first-line drug for treating CAP. This review raises the issue of the overuse of unnecessary antibiotics in viral CAPs and the use of second or third-line antibiotics for non-complicated pneumonias in most clinical settings.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.73 no.3
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• pp.178-181
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• 2012

Streptococcus suis causes meningitis and sepsis in pigs, but human infection has increased over the past few years in those who are exposed to pigs or raw pork. Most cases have occurred in Southeast Asia, but only two cases have been reported in South Korea, presenting with arthritis and meningitis. Here, we report a rare case of S. suis infection, a 60-year-old sailor, who visited the emergency room presenting septicemia, pneumonia with empyema and meningitis, showed full recovery; however, neurologic sequale of severe cognitive dysfunction was present after the usage of antibiotics and percutaneous drainage. S. suis was isolated from blood and pleural fluid and the strain was susceptible to penicillin and vancomycin. Increased awareness of S. suis infection and prevention are warranted.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.104-108
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• 1999

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome associated with neuraminidase-producing Streptococcus pneumoniae usually associated with invasive infection such as fulminant pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis and may occur earlier in lift and has a higher mortality rate than typical hemolytic uremic syndrome. We have experienced a 22-month-old female patient with hemolytic uremic syndrome associated with S. pneumoniae pneumonia and empyema. The patient was treated with ceftriaxone and washed red blood cell transfusion. As the disese course could be aggravated by the use of blood products containing anti-Tomsen-Friedenreich antigen, early recognition and sensible use of blood products such as washed RBC might lead to the improved outcome.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.202-207
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• 2004

Group A streptococcus, also known as Streptococcus pyogenes, is a common bacterial pathogens of the upper respiratory tract and skin infections in children, but this organism is a less common cause of pneumonia, pericarditis. However, pneumonia that is caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, may be rapidly progressive course with developing severe consequences. It may be focal but often is bilateral and diffuse involvement of lung. Empyema is commonly developed, and pleurocentesis often yields thin, watery fluid that continues to flow out when a chest tube is inserted. Antimicrobial resistance to the ${\beta}$-lactam antibiotics has not been reported against group A streptococci, whereas increasing resistance to the macrolides seems to be directly related to the consumption of specific antimicrobial agent use in the community. Clindamycin resistance is uncommon but does occur. We experienced one case of group A streptoccoccal pneumonia with empyema and pericardial effusion, and treated successfully with amoxicillin-clavulanate, clindamycin and roxithromycin.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.165-170
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• 1994

B군 연쇄상구균(group B streptococcus or Streptococcus agalactiae)은 신생아 뇌막염과 균혈증의 원인균으로 알려져 있고, 우리나라에서는 현재까지 23예의 신생아 B군 연쇄상구균 감염 임상 증례가 보고되었다. 그러나 성인에서의 B군 연쇄상구균 분리 동정에 대한 분석은 보고되었으나, 폐렴 증례는 아직 보고된 바 없고, S. agalactiae의 penicillin에 대한 최소억제농도가 대표적 연쇄상구균인 S. pyogenes 보다 높고 동물실험 및 시험관검사에서 penicillin과 aminoglycoside을 병합사용할 경우 상승작용이 관찰되었기 때문에, 치료제로 penicillin 또는 cephalosporin 을 aminoglycoside와 병합투여하여야 하는 특정을 지니고 있다. 저자들은 74세 남자 당뇨 환자에서 B군 연쇄상구균에 의한 폐렴과 패혈증이 발생한 증례를 치험하여 보고하고자 한다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.536-541
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• 2004

Streptococcus pyogenes 는 지역 사회 폐렴의 드문 원인균으로 독감, 홍역, 만성 폐쇄성 폐질환등의 합병증으로 대부분 발생하고 진행 경과가 빠르며, 고령 및 패혈증을 동반한 경우 특히 사망률이 높다고 알려져 있다. 저자들은 만성 폐쇄성 폐질환 환자에서 균혈증을 동반한 Streptococcus pyogenes 폐렴 1 예를 보고한다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.68 no.2
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• pp.74-79
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• 2010

Background: Legionella pneumophila has been recognized as an important cause of pneumonia. However, limited data are available in the literature regarding legionella pneumonia in Korea. The objective of this study was to compare epidemiological data and clinical presentation of legionella pneumonia and pneumococcal pneumonia. Methods: We retrospectively compared clinical, radiological, and laboratory data, antimicrobial treatment, and treatment outcomes between 28 cases of legionella pneumonia and 56 cases of pneumococcal pneumonia. Diagnoses of both legionella and pneumococcal pneumonia were based on commercial urinary antigen tests. Results: Legionella pneumonia patients included 23 men and 5 women, with a mean age of 61.6 years (range 36~88). Fifteen were smokers and 26 had some underlying diseases. Legionella pneumonia occurred more frequently in healthcare-associated settings than pneumococcal pneumonia (42.9% vs 21.4%, respectively, p=0.040). There were no significant differences in clinical signs and symptoms. Compared to patients with pneumococcal pneumonia, patients with legionella pneumonia presented more frequently with anemia (39.3% vs 8.9%, p=0.001), increased C-reactive protein (57.1% vs 30.4%, p=0.018) and increased alkaline phosphatase (46.4% vs 16.1%, p=0.003). Also, legionella pneumonia patients more often showed pleural effusion on simple chest X-rays (50.0% vs 12.5%, p<0.001). Conclusion: Legionella pneumonia and pneumococcal pneumonia can not be distinguished by clinical manifestations alone. However, legionella pneumonia occurred as a healthcare-associated pneumonia more frequently and was more often associated with anemia and increased CRP and alkaline phosphatase levels.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.76 no.2
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• pp.80-83
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• 2014

Patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are at higher risks of bacterial pneumonia than the general population, and the pathogen is the most commonly involved Streptococcus pneumoniae. We hereby report a case of pneumococcal pneumonia associated with leptomeningitis, osteomyelitis and epidural abscess in a patient with AIDS. He is being successfully treated with ampicillin/sulbactam and clindamycin. And because the pneumococcal infection is usually associated with morbidity and mortality rates in the setting of AIDS, we should consider for pneumococcal vaccinations among the AIDS populations.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.10
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• pp.1730-1735
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• 2018

Bacterial pneumonia is one of the most common causes of mortality in Korea. In 2016, the mortality rate from pneumonia was 16,476 deaths per 100,000, which was an 11% increase from the previous year. The aim of our study was to determine the distribution of the bacterial pathogens causing respiratory symptoms in different age groups over a 10-year period. Between January 2008 and September 2017, 1,861 specimens from 1,664 patients admitted to Dankook University Hospital with respiratory symptoms were examined. We used multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect six bacterial pneumonia pathogens: Bordetella pertussis, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Legionella pneumophila, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. We detected bacterial pneumonia pathogens in 1,281 (68.83%) specimens. Of the 1,709 pathogens detected, S. pneumoniae was the most common (48.57%; n = 830) followed by H. influenzae (40.08%; n = 685). Most infections were found among children younger than 10 years (92.69%; n = 1,584). Although S. pneumoniae was the most common pathogen detected in all age groups, M. pneumoniae infection increased in prevalence with age (p < 0.05). The rate of co-infection was also high among these patients (31.1%; n = 399), which peaked in 2015 (54.55%; n = 42/77). The prevalence of bacterial pneumonia in Cheonan, along with the proportion of co-infections among patients increased over the 10-year study period. The findings will aid the development of treatment and prevention guidelines.