• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.403-415
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• 1974

The author has investigated epidemiological features of human cases of epidemic encephalitis (E. E.) in the Republic of Korea and the status of antibody requisition in pre-and post-epidemic time. And virological and serological studies with regarding the relationship of E. E. infection between human and piglet, and field survey against its vector by means of virus isolation from mosquitoes were carried out. Finally, vaccine field trial against human population has also been evaluated in order to confirm its effectiveness. The results of the studies are summarized as follows : 1. The annual incidence of reported cases during the past 25 years (1949-1973) in the Republic of Korea has shown two patterns, one was typical cyclic incidence and the other one was irregular. Annual average morbidity and mortality rate per 100,000 population were 5.7 and 2.1 and fatality rate was 34.6% in typical cyclic years. 2. With regard to the geographical distribution of E. E., the province of Jeolla-Bug-Do illustrated the highest incidence regardless of the epidemic size. 3. The main epidemic period was between mid-August and mid-September (above 90% of the total number of cases). The first case was reported in middle of July and the epidemic ceased in late of October. 4. An analysis of the age distribution of cases of E. E., has shown that above 90% of the total cases occurred in the age groups under 14 years and it was noted that about its 54% were occurred in the age groups between 5-9 years group. 5. Through the Haemagglutination Inhibition (H-I) test for the laboratory diagnosis of E. E., it was found that higher H-I antibody titer was usually detected in the convalescent phase, 15 days after onset. 6. The H-I antibody survey against 563 healthy population by age groups during the pre-epidemic season showed that 422(75%) were less than H-I titer, 1:20 and 122(21.7%) were positive H-I titer, 1:20. Among the 94 American in Seoul who had not been in E. E. endemic area previously only one person had appeared sero-conversion as a H-I titer of 1:80 after post-epidemic season. 7. The E. E. virus could be isolated from the mosquitos pools-C, tritaeniorhyncus which were caught between late July and middle August. 8. E.E. Virus was also isolated from piglet blood on early August and H-I antibody conversion was occurred mostly on middle of August. 9. H-I antibody sero-conversion rate reached to high level when vaccine purified by mouse brain tissue inoculated, showing 98.9%. Higher antibody titer was acquired when booster inoculation was performed, Four fold rise of H-I add N-T antibodies was confirmed with 93.2% and 82.1% respectively.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.52-60
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• 2014

Objectives The purpose of this study is to report the clinical effects of oriental medical treatment on Extensive limb swelling which is rare adverse reaction of vaccination. Methods A 11 months old infant who appealed unilateral thigh swelling after immunization and signs of local inflammation was administered a complex herbal medicine consisting of five decoctions; Gwakhyangjunggisan, Binsosan, Danggwisusan, Samchulgunbitang and Gwibitang. The length of the constant regions of the thigh circumference was measured every visit. Each process was recorded by photograph. After one year from the first visit, phone call was conducted to follow-up. Results The length of the thigh after administration of herbal medicine did not change much, but the part where swelled hard became little bit softer. A year later, patient's growth and walking was normal but the swollen part not changed. Since then the similar adverse effects did not recur on booster doses vaccines. Conclusions The adverse reactions of vaccination are rarely reported and there is no specific treatment for swelling from Hepatitis B vaccine. It will be more helpful to study if more cases reported about any adverse drug reactions or any side effects from the immunization.

• Journal of Korean Medical Science
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• v.33 no.50
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• pp.321.1-321.7
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• 2018

Background: Pertussis is highly contagious respiratory disease. Healthcare workers (HCWs) can be an important mediator of the disease. A seroprevalence of pertussis was investigated in HCWs to determine the immune status against pertussis and to detect the unidentified pertussis. Methods: This study was conducted for HCWs at a hospital located in Korea in 2011. After obtaining written informed consent for HCWs voluntarily participating in the study, 10 mL of blood was collected from each subject. Demographic and medical data were collected using questionnaire. Data on the underlying disease and vaccination history were reviewed again through medical records. The presence of anti-pertussis toxin (anti-PT) immunoglobulin G (IgG), and immunoglobulin A (IgA) was detected by quantitative analysis using a commercially available ELISA kit (EUROIMMUN, $L{\ddot{u}}beck$, Germany). Results: A total of 412 HCW participated in the study. Among them, 14 were excluded due to the inadequate sample amount or medical history not secured. Of the 398 HCWs analyzed, 16.6% (66/398) were men and the mean age was $33.82{\pm}9.10years$ (range, 21-67). The mean anti-PT IgG titer was $8.32{\pm}20.40IU/mL$ (range, 0.4-287.5 IU/mL). The overall seroprevalence (rate of anti-PT IgG antibody [Ab] titer > 5 IU/mL) was 33.7%. Three (0.8%) HCWs had the Ab level > 100 IU/mL indicated acute infection. There was no statistically significant difference in the seroprevalence and mean titer of anti-PT IgG Ab according to age group, type of occupation, patient-facing position, or working in the pediatric department. Conclusion: The seroprevalence of pertussis of the HCWs of a university hospital in Korea was low, and there were some unrecognized acute infections. Therefore, booster immunization of pertussis to HCWs should be actively considered.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.64-74
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• 2024

Purpose: Despite the recent increased number of nosocomial measles, the outbreak investigation reports are not usually standardized, thus posing unclear understanding of magnitude of its public health burden. We used the Outbreak Reports and Intervention Studies of Nosocomial Infection (ORION) statement, to compare nosocomial outbreaks and synthesize evidence to prevent hospital transmission of measles. Methods: A PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane search in English, using the medical subject headings "measles," "nosocomial," "hospital," and "healthcare," was performed. We evaluated the quality of outbreak reports of nosocomial measles infection worldwide using the ORION statement findings and recommendations. Results: We reviewed 24 studies in accordance to the ORION statement. Measles transmission in healthcare settings is a significant burden on the morbidity, mortality, and economy of measles. The healthcare workers' booster vaccination guidelines should be monitored and enhanced during the post-elimination period of measles. The outcomes of infections must be explicit for outbreak reports. Conclusions: This study identified the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of nosocomial measles infections and provided strong evidence for infection control policies in hospitals.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.126-132
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• 1997

Measles outbreak in the world was decreased since measles vaccine had been introduced. Although vaccination rate is high, measles was not eradicated and measles reappeared among vaccinated children. We measured measles-specific antibody from the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups who had experienced apparent measles in the Seongnam city in 1993. The results were as follows. 1) The data included total 126 children (M:F=1 : 1). Age distribution of measles outbreak revealed 6 children in 5yr, 11 in 6yr, 20 in 7yr, 39 in 8yr, 22 in 9yr, 11 in 10yr, 11 in 11yr, and 6 in 12yr. 2) MMR vaccination rate was 78.6%(99/126) in the children who had experienced measles. Positive rate of measles-specific IgM Ab was 80.8% (80/99) among the vaccinated group and among 9E.6.% (25/27) the unvaccinated. 3) Positive rate of measles-specific IgG Ab was 90.9% (90/99) among MMR-vaccinated group, and 85.2% (23/27) in unvaccinated group. In conclusion, measles-specific IgM antibody have been detected more than 1 month in most patients. The relatively high proportion of measles-specific IgM positivity may mean primary vaccine failure. To booster the antibody titers and to prevent measles epidemic in school-aged children, revaccination of measles should be considered.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.240-256
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• 1997

Purpose: To evaluate the hepatitis B vaccination program which has been conducted since 1980, Korea. Methods: This study was carry out self reported questionnaire and serologic test covering 2,072 elementary school students who were born between 1980 and 1987, selected by cluster sampling. The HBV serologic markers (HBsAg, Anti-HBs and Anti-HBc) were tested by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The contents of questionnaire include demographic data of students and parents, vaccination status, vaccination frequency, vaccination age, past history of mother's HBV test. Results: 1) The HBsAg positive rates by sex showed 3.7% for male and 2.7% for female, representing an average rate of 3.4%. The HBsAg positive rates by age group showed 5.6% for 13 years and l.5% for 6 years, representing a tendency of lowering rate as ages being younger. 2) The pre-natal HBV test rate was 10.2%, while post-natal HBV test rate was 42.5%. The test showed that the parents' educational level being higher than others, the pre- and post-natal HBV test showed higher rates. In case the fathers occupation being office worker, the post-natal HBV test showed a higher rate compared with other occupation. 3) Overall vaccination rate was 82.6%, complete vaccination rate 69.8%, booster injection rate 42.8%. The vaccination rate, complete vaccination rate and booster injection rate increased as the age being younger. If the educational level of parents were higher, the vaccination rate, complete vaccination rate and booster injection rate showed higher rates. Younger students showed younger vaccination age, and higher educational background of family showed younger vaccination ages. 4. With regard to positive rate of HBV markers by vaccination age, HBsAg and Anti-HBc positive rate showed higher degrees in the following order; preschool age (1-6 years), school age (6-13 years) and infancy (0-1 year). Anti-HBs positive rate was increased as the frequency of vaccination increased. Five years after initial complete vaccination, minimum protective rate was lowest, 69.6%.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.78-82
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to survey the anti-HBs positivity and titers of antibody in current students who received nationwide vaccination against Hepatitis B virus which targeted infants in 1995. The subjects were 262 students in Gyeongnam province from April 2014 to October 2014. The positive rate of anti-HBs was 55.3% (145 people) and the negative rate of anti-HBs was 44.7% (117 people). Positivity was shown to be higher in women than men. However, there was no statistically significant difference. Of the HBV-vaccinated subjects, 117 (44.7%) had anti-HBs titer <10, which is judged to be negative, 126 (47.8%) had anti-HBs titer 10-499.9 mIU/mL, which is judged to be positive, and 22 (7.3%) had anti-HBs titer more than 500 mIU/mL. The rate of anti-HBs with lower titer (10-99.9 mIU/mL) was 62% in the positive group. Classifying the antibody titer according to age, the rate of anti-HBs positivity in titer with less than 100 mIU/mL was indicated to be 78.3% in cases of 19-20 year old and 46.7% in 21-22 year old, 52.3% in 23-24 year old. A case of the lower titer with 10-99.9 mIU/mL, showed significant difference according to age. As a result of research, the antibody titers is decreased depending on the passage of time. Hence, the checking of anti-HBs titer is needed after Hepatitis B vaccination and many healthy adults will need periodic boosters of hepatitis B vaccine to maintain production of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.55-60
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• 2012

Purpose: We conducted the immunoassay of pertussis according to ages, in order to evaluate protective immunity against pertussis in Korean populations. Methods: Healthy subjects were enrolled at four university hospitals in Korea. The subjects were grouped as seven age groups (every 10 years). Antibodies against pertussis toxin (PT) in sera were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Geometric mean concentrations (GMC) of antibodies and the ratios of the subjects with seroprotective antibody levels were determined. The subjects with antibody titers ${\geq}24.0EU/mL$ were considered to seroprotective as the manufacturer's protocol. Results: Total 1,605 subjects (age: 2 months-65 years) participated in this study, and their GMC was $56.16{\pm}50.54EU/mL$. Among seven age groups, age group <11 year showed the highest GMC ($64.78{\pm}53.24EU/mL$) (P<0.001). In the analysis of the ratios of the subjects with seroprotective antibody titers, 68.2% of the subjects were proven to seroprotective, and age group <11 year also showed the highest ratio (76.5%) (P<0.001). Conclusions: We found that adolescences or adults (age group ${\geq}11$ year) showed lower levels of antibody against pertussis and lower ratio of the subjects with seroprotective antibody titers than children (age group <11 year).

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.20 no.1 s.21
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• pp.129-136
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• 1987

To determine the hepatitis 8 virus infection rate of the medical school students and appropriate time for immunization with hepatitis B vaccine,355 students in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades of Medical School of Kyungpook National University who had not been vaccinated and volunteered to participate in this study were tested for HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc with radioimmunoassay method (Abbott Lab. kit). A questionnaire was administered to ask the history of transfusion, acupuncture and surgery. HBsAg positive students were retested 16 months after the initial test. Overall HBsAg positive rate was 6.8% and the age adjusted rate for male (7.2%) was higher than that for female (4.9%). Anti-HBs positive rate was 35.3% (36.1% for male, 37.9% for female) and anti-HBc positive rate was 45.5% (46.5% for male,44.7% for female). Overall hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection rate was 49.1% and the infection rate for male (50.3%) was slightly higher than that for female (46.5%). HBsAg positive rate and infection rate were increased as the grade increased but it was attributed to the age distribution of the students. HBaAg positive rate for 20 years old students was 1.7%; 21 years, 6.6%; 22 years, 6.1%; 23 years, 12.2%; and 24 years and older, 6.4%. HBV infection rate showed an increasing trend as age increased; 45.8% for 20 years,41.5% for 21 years, 49.5% for 22 years, 55.5% for 23 years and 59.6% for 24 years and older. The age differences in HBsAg positive rates and HBV infection rates did not reach the statistical significance level of 0.05. However, these findings and similar age differences in HBsAg positive rates and HBV infection rates observed in other study suggest that there is a significant age differences. Study of the same age group in other schools and different social classes is warranted to confirm the age difference. Clarification of the reason for such differences would provide a clue to identify the major route of HBV transmission in this age group. Among 26 HBsAg positive students in the initial test, only one student was active hepatitis patient. Out of 24 students who had follow-up test after 16 months 22 students were positive for HBaAg and two students became HBsAg negative and anti-HBs positive. It is obvious that nearly one-half of the medical school students were infected with HBV before 20 years of age and the HBV infection occurs in medical school. Thus, it is recommended to test all the students for HBV infection soon after the admission to the medical school and immunize all the susceptible students with hepatitis B vaccine and give booster as they start to practice at a hospital.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.297-302
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• 2011

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) causes a number of extraintestinal diseases in poultry. A virulence factor, P-fimbriae is firmly associated with the diseases. In this study, to develop an effective vaccine for the prevention of APEC, recombinant attenuatted Salmonella Typhimurium vaccines expressing PapA and PapG of P-fimbriae were evaluated whether these induced protective immune responses in murine models. Female BALB/c mice were primed and boosted orally at 7 and 10 weeks of age. In all immunized mice, the antigen-specific serum IgG levels were remained higher than those in the control mice from the fourth week post inoculation till the end of this study. In addition, antigen-specific serum IgG levels in the prime-booster immunized mice were enhanced as compared to the single immunized mice among each immunized group. The antigen-specific mucosal IgA levels in the mice immunized with each strain also induced higher than those in control mice. In addition, serum IgG and fecal IgA levels in mice administered with the combination of both strains were highly induced compared to those in mice immunized with each strain alone. These results indicated that PapA and PapG worked together for inducing high immune responses. To partly discern the nature of immunity induced by the strains, we quantified serum IgG subtypes IgG1 and IgG2a specific to antigens. The PapA and PapG strains biased the immunity to the Th1-type, as determined by the IgG2a/IgG1 ratio. On the other hand, the immunization with the both strains in combination produced mixed Th1- and Th2-type immune responses. These indicated that immunization with the combination of PapA and PapG could elicit both humoral and cell-mediated immunities.