• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.126-131
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• 2016

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic value of the Vesikari Scoring System (VSS) as an early predictor of pathogens in children with acute gastroenteritis (AG). Methods: In this retrospective study, the VSS score, absolute neutrophil count (ANC), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were analyzed in 107 hospitalized children with AG, aged 6 months to 17 years. Patients were divided into nonspecific, viral, and bacterial groups according to the pathogens detected using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Results: Patients in the bacterial group had significantly higher CRP values and VSS scores compared to those in the viral group and significantly higher VSS scores compared to those in the nonspecific group (P<0.05). Patients in the viral group had significantly higher VSS scores than those in the nonspecific group (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that VSS was the most effective diagnostic tool for predicting the type of pathogen (P<0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of VSS was significantly greater than that for ANC and CRP (P<0.05). At a cutoff point of 10 in the VSS, an acceptable diagnostic accuracy could be achieved for distinguishing between bacterial and viral pathogens in AG. Conclusion: VSS can be considered a useful and reliable infectious marker for pediatric gastroenteritis. VSS may be a good early predictor of the type of pathogen, enabling development of a treatment plan before results from a stool culture or PCR test are available.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.21-25
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to survey on infection status of pathogens of diarrhea from Korean indigenous goat. A total of 800 fecal samples was collected from 50 farms from January to November 2016 and was tested by automatic biochemical machine and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The overall infection rates of parasitic, bacterial and viral pathogens was 13.0%, 23.0%, 11.3% and the rates of coccidia, Escherichia coli (E. coli), bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), rotavirus and coronavirus were 13.0%, 23.0%, 5.3%, 8.8% and 2.6%, respectively. In the rates of mixed detection, single was 29.8%, double 5.1%, triple 2.8%, quadruple 1.1% in each sample, respectively.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.465-472
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• 2018

Our aim was to determine the detection rate of respiratory viruses (RVs) in feces of patients with acute viral respiratory infection (AVRI) and the detection rate of diarrheal viruses (DVs) in nasopharyngeal samples from patients with acute viral gastroenteritis. The relationships between the presence of fecal RVs or nasopharyngeal DVs and their impacts on the clinical severity were also investigated. A total of 144 fecal specimens were collected from AVRI patients and 95 nasopharyngeal specimens were collected from acute viral gastroenteritis patients. Clinical characteristics and laboratory profiles were compared between subgroups on the basis of the presence or absence of virus in the specimens. The detection rate of RVs in feces was 17.4% (25/144), whereas the detection rate for viruses identical to the respiratory pathogen was 10.4% (identical group, 15/144). Within the identical group, adenovirus (86.7%, 13/15) was most commonly found. Patients in the identical group showed statistically higher values for C-reactive protein, mean age, increased frequency of vomiting, and decreased frequency of chest film involvement and cough (p < 0.05). The detection rate of nasopharyngeal DVs among acute viral gastroenteritis patients was 19.0% (18/95), and in the identical group it was 15.8% (15/95). Norovirus group II and enteric adenovirus were the major pathogens detected in the identical group. There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics and laboratory profiles between the subgroups. In conclusion, the major pathogens of fecal RV and nasopharyngeal DV were adenovirus and norovirus group II, respectively. However, their relationship with the clinical symptoms or disease severity is unclear.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.80 no.4
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• pp.358-367
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• 2017

Background: Bacterial pneumonia occurring after respiratory viral infection is common. However, the predominant bacterial species causing pneumonia secondary to respiratory viral infections other than influenza remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to know whether the pathogens causing post-viral bacterial pneumonia vary according to the type of respiratory virus. Methods: Study subjects were 5,298 patients, who underwent multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction for simultaneous detection of respiratory viruses, among who visited the emergency department or outpatient clinic with respiratory symptoms at Ulsan University Hospital between April 2013 and March 2016. The patients' medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Results: A total of 251 clinically significant bacteria were identified in 233 patients with post-viral bacterial pneumonia. Mycoplasma pneumoniae was the most frequent bacterium in patients aged <16 years, regardless of the preceding virus type (p=0.630). In patients aged ${\geq}16years$, the isolated bacteria varied according to the preceding virus type. The major results were as follows (p<0.001): pneumonia in patients with influenza virus (type A/B), rhinovirus, and human metapneumovirus infections was caused by similar bacteria, and the findings indicated that Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia was very common in these patients. In contrast, coronavirus, parainfluenza virus, and respiratory syncytial virus infections were associated with pneumonia caused by gram-negative bacteria. Conclusion: The pathogens causing post-viral bacterial pneumonia vary according to the type of preceding respiratory virus. This information could help in selecting empirical antibiotics in patients with post-viral pneumonia.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.63 no.1
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• pp.1.1-1.4
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• 2023

Several outbreaks of Getah virus (GETV) have been reported in horses and pigs, causing large economic losses. However, there have been no reports describing serological survey for GETV in South Korea pigs. The present study conducted serological survey of GETV in South Korean pigs. A total of 670 whole blood samples were collected from domestic pigs. The overall seropositive rate was 26.4%, higher than the rates observed in racehorses in 2013-2014. Preparations for epidemics of novel diseases caused by climate change should include regular serological survey for these diseases, including GETV, and the development of vaccines against novel pathogens.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.261-270
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• 2016

The human immune system has evolved to fight against foreign pathogens. It plays a central role in the body's defense mechanism. However, the immune memory geared to fight off a previously recognized pathogen, tends to remember an original form of the pathogen when a variant form subsequently invades. This has been termed 'original antigenic sin'. This adverse immunological effect can alter vaccine effectiveness and sometimes cause enhanced pathogenicity or additional inflammatory responses, according to the type of pathogen and the circumstances of infection. Here we aim to give a simplified conceptual understanding of virus infection and original antigenic sin by comparing and contrasting the two examples of recurring infections such as influenza and dengue viruses in humans.

• 한국생태학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2002.08a
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• pp.83-91
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• 2002

The Red Queen hypothesis for the advantage of sex predicts that pathogens will evolve by increasing fitness with frequent encounters with specific host genotypes. In this study, BMV population size, measured as an indicator of fitness, was investigated during repeated passages through the same, or different host genotypes of the crop host, Hordeum vulgare (barley). Overall, mean BMV concentration within individual hosts was significantly higher in genetically homogeneous compared to heterogeneous host passage lines. In addition, BMV populations, passaged through a specific host variety, showed higher growth in that host variety compared to BMV passaged through varying varieties. These results supports the Red Queen hypothesis. However, the decrease in viral populations during passages contradicts the Red Queen. Nevertheless, the results found here show that even under simplified conditions, pathogens do not evolve in simple, predictable ways. Constraints on pathogen evolution may lead to counterintuitive results.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.217-225
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• 2002

The Red Queen hypothesis for the advantage of sex predicts that pathogens will evolve by increasing fitness with frequent encounters with specific host genotypes. In this study, BMV population size, measured as an indicator of fitness, was investigated during repeated passages through the same, or different host genotypes of the crop host, Hordeum vulgare (barley). Overall, mean BMV concentration within individual hosts was significantly higher in genetically homogeneous compared to heterogeneous host passage lines. In addition, BMV populations, passaged through a specific host variety, showed higher growth in that host variety compared to BMV passaged through varying varieties. These results supports the Red Queen hypothesis. However, the decrease in viral populations during passages contradicts the Red Queen. Nevertheless, the results found here show that even under simplified conditions, pathogens do not evolve in simple, predictable ways. Constraints on pathogen evolution may lead to counterintuitive results.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.215-225
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• 2006

Viral and bacterial pathogens of the wild marine fishes were monitored in 176 wild fish and 15 wild shrimp from 13 and 1 species, respectively, which were captured by a trawl net in the southern sea of Korea during June 2006. Viral pathogens that are common etiologically agents to cultured fish in Korea were not isolated. One and 5 bacterial strains were affiliated to the genus Proteus and Pseudomonas, respectively, but these bacteria do not seem to be associated with mortality of aquacultural fish. An extended monitoring on wild marine fishes were necessary for identification of agents responsible for the cultured fish infections.