• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.9
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• pp.946-952
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• 2005

Purpose : Vancomycin-resistant enterococci(VRE) are now nosocomial pathogens in Korea. But little is known about the prevalence of stool colonization with VRE in neonates in Korea. So we studied the prevalence and risk factors of VRE colonization in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit(NICU). Methods : From January 2000 to December 2004, the medical records of 294 neonates(127 cases of VRE group and 167 cases of non-VRE group, according to the results of stool culture) were reviewed retrospectively. We studied the annual prevalence of VRE and risk factors of VRE colonization in neonates. Results : From 2000 to 2003, the prevalence rate of VRE in NICU increased. After preventing VRE transmission, the prevalence rate of VRE has decreased. Conclusion : VRE colonization increased recently. Risk factors of VRE colonization were prematurity, lower birth weight, longer hospitalization and use of vancomycin or 3rd generation cephalosporin, compared with the non-VRE group. To prevent VRE transmission among newborns, aggressive infection control strategies by NICU staffs must be implemented immediately for all babies.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2010

Purpose : Recently, vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have become one of the major nosocomial pathogens in Korea. However, there have been few studies on the epidemiology of VRE colonization among neonates. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of VRE colonization, risk factors for VRE, and how to control the spread of VRE infection in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Pusan National University Hospital (PNUH). Methods : We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 192 neonates who were admitted to the NICU of PNUH from March 2006 to March 2007. Surveillance cultures from rectal swabs for detecting VRE were obtained weekly during the study period. We analyzed the prevalence of VRE and various risk factors. Results : The rate of VRE colonization among NICU patients was 25% (48/192). Thirty five of these VRE colonized patients were transferred to the NICU from other local hospitals. Compared with the non-VRE group, the risk factors associated with VRE colonization were lower birth weight, congenital heart disease, applied mechanical ventilation, use of a central venous catheter, chest tubing, a history of surgery, and use of antibiotics. Conclusion : VRE colonization among patients admitted to the NICU is rapidly increasing. Monitoring and managing premature neonates from the beginning of the birth process, avoiding many invasive procedures, avoiding antibiotics such as vancomycin and third generation cephalosporin are important for preventing the emergence and spread of VRE colonization in the NICU.

• Proceedings of the Microbiological Society of Korea Conference
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• 2004.05a
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• pp.120-122
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• 2004

• Proceedings of the Microbiological Society of Korea Conference
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• 2008.05a
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• pp.18-18
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• 2008

• Proceedings of the Zoological Society Korea Conference
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• 1994.10a
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• pp.141.1-141
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• 1994

No Abstract, See Full Text

• ALGAE
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.115-122
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• 2004

The epilithic algal communities on the artificial substrata (unglazed ceramic tiles) were investigated from 5th July to 24th July 1999 with two or three days intervals for elucidating the effects of the experimental acidification. They were harvested inside the mesocosm with and without the acid treatment on Togyo reservoir within the Civilian Passage Restriction Line near Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Korea. After the colonization of epilithic algal community, their standing crops revealed different patterns outside and inside the mesocosm. However the time lapse of 5 days was observed on the inside with acid treatment. The dominant species were different: Achnanthes minutissima was outside but Coenochloris polycocca was inside and inside with acid treatment. The differences in floral composition were also found. Achnanthes minutissima which has been the most important species in the colonization by the epilithic algal community of the mesocosm was less important at the lower pH. Coenochloris polycocca is a species well adapted to low pH.

• Korean Journal Plant Pathology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.287-291
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• 1995

Biocontrol agents, Gliocladium virens G872B and Pseudomonas putida Pf3, were compatible each other in colonizing cucumber rhizosphere, which contributed to a long-term inhibition of cucumber Fusarium wilt. G872B colonized successfully on the cucumber root system, irrespective of the introduction of Pf3. Pf3 also colonized well in the cucumber rhizosphere regardless of the presence of G872B. The individual strains effectively suppressed cucumber wilt up to 56 days after transplanting. The combined treatment of G872fB and Pf3 provided a long-term protection of about 80 days with the efficacy greater than that obtained by any individual strains under greenhouse conditions. These results suggest that the colonization of the biological control agents in the rhizosphere could be correlated directly to Fusarium wilt-suppressive potentials.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2011

Invasive Candida infections (ICI) have become the third most common cause of late-onset infection among premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Risk factors include birth weight less than 1,000 g, exposure to more than two antimicrobials, third generation cephalosporin exposure, parenteral nutrition including lipid emulsion, central venous catheter, and abdominal surgery. Candida colonization of the skin and gastrointestinal tract is an important first step in the pathogenesis of invasive disease. Strict infection control measures against the infection should be done in the NICU. The following practices are likely to contribute to reducing the rate of ICI: (1) restriction of broad-spectrum antibiotics, antacids and steroid; (2) introduction of early feeding and promoting breast milk. Fluconazole prophylaxis may be an effective control measure to prevent Candida colonization and infections in individual units with high incidence of fungal infection. In addition, there is a need of further data including the development of resistant strains and the effect on long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants exposed to drugs before the initiation of routine application of antifungal prophylaxis in the NICU.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 1973

It has been known that the pulmonary mycosis generally results from saphrophytic colonization of pre-existing lung cavities, e.g. , due to pulmonary tuberculosis, abscess, bronchiectasis. or congen-ital cysts. Recently, the authors experienced four cases of the pulmonary mycosis which were all treated surgically, and in our opinion, three of them were considered to arise from secondary saphrophytic colonization of pre-existing tuberculous cavities by serial chest roentgenograms. One of them was actinomycosis which was known as relatively rare pulmonary mycosis, and its clinical experience was previously reported. The purpose of this report is mainly to review our clinical experience and some related literatures with three patients with aspergillosis. Many writers have stressed the sputum culture for aspergillus, immunologic study and serial roentgenographic findings were all important or essential in diagnosing aspergillosis. Surgical resection appears to be the treatment of choice for the mycosis of lung, and systemic administration of effective anti-fungal agents such as amphotericin B for aspergillosis and penicillin for actinomycosis respectively following surgical intervention is usually necessary to eradicate completely.

• Mycobiology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.54-57
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• 2001

Field studies were conducted over two seasons during the summers of 1997 and 1998 to investigate the effects of different spatial arrangements(random or highly aggregated) of sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and alginate pellet types(bran or polyethylene glycol) on colonization of sclerotia by Trichoderma spp. Treatment with alginate pellets increased the mean percentages of sclerotia colonized by Trichoderma spp. in both years. Distribution patterns of sclerotia affected the mean percentage of sclerotia colonized by Trichoderma spp. in both years, indicating that a highly aggregated distribution of sclerotia was more favorable to colonization by Trichoderma spp. The effects of the different pellet types(bran or PEG) were not siginificant in both years(P>0.05). The application of higher densities(200 pellets per 1 $m^2$) of alginate pellets resulted in higher mean percentages of sclerotia colonized by Trichoderma spp. in 1998(P<0.05), but did not in 1997.