• Journal of Life Science
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.570-574
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• 1999

Investigate the epidemics for influenza outbreaks. The outbreak pattern of the internal patients housed in the 10 designated hospitals was monitered to investigate and the characteristics of the virus isolates are as follows. 232 strains of influenza virus was isolated from the oral specimen of 1,320 respiratory disease patients in Pusan from Oct. 1998 to Jun. 1999. Among these isolates, 222 strains were A-type and the rest were B-type. The outbreak pattern for sex-and age-groups is as follows. The male outbreak was similar to the female outbreak: male outbreak, 47.4% and female outbreak, 52.5%. Most of the patients were less than 10 years old. The monthly influenza outbreak was consistent from Dec. 1998 to Apr. 1999. and The 113 strains from the A-type isolates were A/ Sydney/05/97(H3N2)-like, the 109 strains were A/Beijing/262/95(H1N1)-like, and all of the 10 B-type isolates were B/Harbin/07/94-like.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2014.02a
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• pp.419-419
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• 2014

Interdigitated nanogap device (IND) is an attractive tool for biomolecular detection due to its huge on-off signal ratio, great tolerance to the variation in biochemical environment, and relatively simple implementation processes. Here, we report on the IND-based detection of Influneza A virus by sandwich immunoassay. The INEs were fabricated by photo lithography followed by the in-house chemical lithographic technique for the narrowing the initial gap distance. The surface of the silicon oxide between the two gold electrodes was chemically modified to immobilize primary antibodies for the immuno-specific interaction with the influenza A virus antigen. After immersing the functionalized-IND into the sample solution containing the influenza A virus, the device was exposed to the secondary antibody conjugated Au nanoparticles (Au NPs). The INDs showed a huge jump in the electric conductance when the sample solution contained the influenza A virus of the concentration as low as 10 ng/mL. We hope that this IND-based sensing can be applied to the development of simple and reliable diagnostic means of influenza viruses.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.8
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• pp.862-868
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• 2009

Since its identification in April 2009, a swine-origin H1N1 influenza A virus (S-OIV) which is a reassortment of gene segments from both North American triple-reassortant and Eurasian swine influenza has been widely spread among humans in unexpected rapidity. To date, each gene segment of the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) outbreak viruses have shown high (99.9%) neucleotide sequence identity. As of July 6, 94,512 people have been infected in 122 countries, of whom 429 have died with an overall case-fatality rate of <0.5%. Most confirmed cases of S-OIV infection have been characterized by self-limited, uncomplicated febrile respiratory illness and 38% of cases have also included vomiting or diarrhea. Standard plus droplet precautions should be adhered to at all times. Tests on S-OIV have indicated that current new H1N1 viruses are sensitive to neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir). However, current less virulent S-OIV may evolve into a pathogenic strain or acquire antiviral resistance, potentially with more severe clinical consequences. Efforts to control these outbreaks would be based on our understanding of novel S-OIV and previous influenza pandemics.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 2019

Simulation using the virtual reality has been applied in various fields such as exercise, education, disaster simulation training, but there is a little research on disease caused by virus transmission. In this study, we conducted simulation studies and analysis of avian influenza disaster response training. The annual avian influenza virus is recurring every year in Korea, but there are still few solutions and preventive measures for the preventing the avian influenza. The avian influenza can cause a great deal of societal harm and enormous economic damage. Prophylaxis is important because livestock epidemics, such as avian influenza and foot-and-mouth disease, have a large impact on farm households. Therefore, we proposed and analyzed contents that can be avoided through simulation of avian influenza disaster response presented in this study.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.87-94
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• 2003

Purpose : Respiratory viruses are one of the most infectious agent in human. Acute lower respiratory tract infection(ALRTIs) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in children. This study is performed to investigate the etiologic organism, age and sex distribution, clinical manifestations and seasonal occurrence of ALRTIs in children. Methods : Viral agent was evaluated with nasopharyngeal aspirates, rhinorrhea and saliva collected from 568 patients. We confirmed viral agents in 54 patients who were younger than 15 year old. They had visited Maryknoll Hospital, Busan in Korea from January, 2002 to December, 2002 for ALRTIs. Results : The viral pathogens identified were Influenza A virus(59.3%), Enterovirus(33.3%), Adenovirus(5.6%), and Influenza B virus(1.9%). Parainfluenza virus and Respiratory syncytial virus were not detected. The occurrence of acute lower respiratory infections was high between 3 & 6 years old. The clinical patterns include pneumonia(51.9%), bronchitis(31.5%), croup(9.3%), bronchiolitis(7.4%). The respiratory viral agents had their characteristic seasonal patterns. Conclusion : Influenza A virus was the most common cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections in Busan area during the 2002. ALRTIs had high occurrence between 3 to 6 years old. And the most common clinical patterns were pneumonia and bronchitis.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.193-197
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• 2013

Avian influenza viruses (AIV) have been isolated from a wide range of domestic and wild birds. Wild birds, predominantly ducks, geese and gulls form the reservoir of AIV in nature. The viruses in wild bird populations are a potential source of widespread infections in poultry. Active surveillance for AIV infection provides information regarding AIV distribution, and global AIV surveillance can play a key role in the early recognition of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Since 2003 in Korea, there have been four H5N1 HPAI outbreaks caused by clade 2.5, 2.2 and 2.3.2. Therefore, improvement of AIV surveillance strategy is required to detect HPAI viruses effectively. This article deals with the major events establishing the role of wild birds in the natural history of influenza in Korea. We highlighted the need for continuous surveillance in wild birds and characterization of these viruses to understand AIV epidemiology and host ecology in Korea.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.375-390
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• 2022

Influenza viruses are zoonotic respiratory pathogens, and influenza infections have caused a substantial burden on public health systems and the livestock industry. Although currently approved seasonal influenza vaccines have shown potent protection efficacy against antigenically well-matched strains, there are considerable unmet needs for the efficient control of viral infections. Enormous efforts have been made to develop broadly protective universal influenza vaccines to tackle the huge levels of genetic diversity and variability of influenza viruses. In addition, antiviral drugs have been considered important interventions for the treatment of viral infections. The viral neuraminidase inhibitor oseltamivir is the most widely used antiviral medication to treat influenza A and influenza B viruses. However, unsatisfactory clinical outcomes resulting from side effects and the emergence of resistant variants have led to greater attention being paid to plants as a natural resource for anti-influenza drugs. In particular, the recent COVID-19 pandemic has underpinned the need for safe and effective antiviral drugs with a broad spectrum of antiviral activity to prevent the rapid spread of viruses among humans. This review outlines the results of the antiviral activities of various natural products isolated from plants against influenza viruses. Special focus is paid to the virucidal effects and the immune-enhancing effects of antiviral natural products, since the products have broad applications as inactivating agents for the preparation of inactivated vaccines and vaccine adjuvants.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2015

Cordyceps militaris has shown to have various pharmacological activities including an immune-modulatory effect. Previously, we reported that anti-influenza effect of C. militaris in DBA/2 mice was mediated by increased IL-12 and the activation of NK cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of C. militaris on adaptive immune responses using DBA2 mice immunized with influenza vaccine. To determine the effect of C. militaris on antigen presentation capability, we treated RAW 264.7 cells with various concentrations of ethanol extract of C. militaris, which showed a significant upregulation of CD86 (B7.2), CD284 (TLR4), CD40, H-2k (MHC I) and I-Ad (MHC II). To examine the direct effect of C. militaris on adaptive immune responses, we immunized DBA2 mice with influenza vaccine in presence or absence of C. militaris. After 2 or 4 weeks, influenza-specific T cell proliferation, HAI titers and IFN-${\gamma}$ production were measured in plasma or PBMCs isolated from animals. Influenza-specific T cell proliferation and HAI titers were not considerably increased in immunized mice in presence of C. militaris. However, the production of IFN-${\gamma}$ was much greater in immunized mice with C. militaris as adjuvant than only immunized mice.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.1-14
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• 2019

Objectives The purpose of this study is to analyze clinical studies on effectiveness of herbal medicine in influenza compared with Oseltamivir. Methods We searched the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with herbal medicine treatment on influenza compared to Oseltamivir from the Pubmed, CNKI, OASIS, NDSL, J-stage, and CiNii. Results 14 out of 717 studies were selected and analyzed. The herbal medicine treatment had a significant effects on the alleviation of fever, cough, sore throat than the Oseltamivir control treatment. Herbal medicine had same therapeutic effectiveness like Oseltamivir on duration of influenza-like symptoms and viral shedding. No serious adverse reactions were reported from the herbal medicine treatment. Conclusions The results of these trials showed that the herbal medicine may be more effective than the Oseltamivir in the treatment of influenza. Well-designed RCTs for domestic herbal medicine treatment on influenza are needed to prove its efficacy clearly.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2012

Purpose : Although influenza is regarded as one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in children with cancer, the actual vaccine coverage remains poor. We conducted evaluation of immunogenicity and safety of influenza vaccine in children with cancer. Methods : In this study, 25 children with cancer who received influenza vaccine (SK influenza IX vaccine$^{(R)}$) at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital between October and December 2009 were analyzed. Blood samples of patients were collected twice (at the beginning of this study and at 30th day after vaccination) and their antibody titers were measured using the hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) assay. Immunogenicity of the influenza vaccine was assessed by seroprotection rate on days 0 and 30, seroconversion rate on day 30, and mean fold increase (MFI) of geometric mean titer (GMT) of HI between days 0 and 30. Results : Any of the subjects in our study did not experienced serious adverse events after influenza vaccination. Seroprotection rates were 68% for H1N1, 40% for H3N2, and 36% for B. Seroconversion rates were 12% for H1N1, 16% for H3N2, and 20% for B. MFIs were 0.9 for H1N1, 1.2 for H3N2, and 1.8 for B. Conclusion : In the study, we found a limited protective immune response to influenza vaccine, among subjects with cancer. However, some subjects showed seroconversion, and there were no severe adverse events among all subjects, supporting the recommendation of annual influenza vaccination in children with cancer.