• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.146-153
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• 2010

Purpose: Recent studies have reported an increase in the incidence of community-acquired Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CA-CDAD) among children. There is an overall lack of information on CA-CDAD in the pediatric population. The aim of our study was to compare the epidemiologic and clinical features between CA-CDAD and hospital-acquired C. difficile-associated disease (HA-CDAD) in children. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients who were diagnosed with C. difficile-associated disease (CDAD) at Gil Hospital between April 2008 and March 2009. The diagnosis of CDAD was made when patients with gastrointestinal symptoms had positive results for C. difficile toxins A and B assay or stool culture. Results: Sixty-one (male, 32 and female, 29) patients were included. The mean age was 3.79${\pm}$4.54 years. Of the 61 patients, 22 (36.1%) were <1 year of age. Twenty-three patients (37.7%) had a history of antibiotic exposure in the previous 3 months. Forty-one patients (67.2%) were diagnosed with CA-CDAD. There were no significant differences in age, gender, symptoms, laboratory findings, recovery period, complications, and recurrence between the CA-CDAD and HA-CDAD groups. On the other hand, exposure to antibiotics was significantly more frequent among patients in the HA-CDAD group (p=0.005). Conclusion: This study suggests that the occurrence of CA-CDAD is increasing in the pediatric population, especially in younger children with no history of exposure to antibiotics and in outpatients. Awareness of the increasing incidence of CA-CDAD and prompt investigation of C. difficile in susceptible patients is needed to avoid misdiagnosis and for appropriate therapy.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.169-176
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• 2021

Parasitic infection is among the most common problems for carp cultivation. They are also important for the principal entrance of other hazardous infections as well. This study was carried out for determining of parasitic fauna of two major carp known as silver and grass carp with the comparison of prevalence value and intensity rate of parasites among them, alongside the relationship between the biometric characteristics and host sex with the infection level. For this purpose, a total of 94 fish samples were caught randomly using a fishing net, from Guilan ponds during spring and summer of the year 2018 and transported alive to the laboratory. Upon arriving, the biometric characteristics and genus of each carp were measured individually. Specimens were then acquired from the skin, gills, and eyes of the carp and examined according to standard parasitology methods. Recovered parasites were observed under a light microscope and then fixed for identification. As the result, the occurrence and intensity in the higher length group were comparatively greater than the lower one. Also, the prevalence and intensity of total parasites in male carp were higher than in females. In this research, Dactylogyrus hypophthalmichthys and Dactylogyrus aristhichtys were observed in silver carp and Dactylogyrus lamellatus was detected in grass carp. In the paper below, we found that the host specificity varies in different species of Dactylogyrus isolated from grass carp and silver carp.

• The Korean Journal of Food & Health Convergence
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.9-19
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• 2023

Lactobacillus plantarum and Leuconostoc mesenteroides are crucial functional starters and predominant isolates in a wide range of fermented foods, particularly kimchi, whose constituents exhibit bioactive properties. We previously developed a methodology using anion exchange resins to purify peptidyl compounds from Lb. plantarum LBP-K10. Antibacterial cultures of Lb. plantarum LBP-K10 were obtained from the respective cultures' supernatants and filtrates. However, conclusive evidence of the efficacy of kimchi filtrates in eradicating pathogenic bacteria is lacking. We aimed to simulate the potential effects of antibacterial filtrates that contained antibacterial compounds which were derived from cultures of Lb. plantarum LBP-K10. We acquired the kimchi filtrates using a combination of centrifugation and filtration methodologies, without the requirement for inoculation. The filtered liquid from Chinese cabbage kimchi, inoculated with Lb. plantarum LBP-K10 as a starter culture, and the non-inoculated liquid from Chinese cabbage kimchi (referred to as CCK and CCKRef, respectively) were were examined. CCK demonstrated greater inhibitory activity and a more significant bactericidal effect against the bacterial indicator strains. The minimum inhibitory concentration demonstrated comparable outcomes in tests against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. This research offers a groundbreaking examination that displays the effectiveness of profiling peptidyl compounds within kimchi filtrates for curing bacterial infections.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.117-125
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• 2001

This study was performed in order to evaluate the risk factors for nosocomial urinary tract infection and the frequencies of organisms isolated, and to provide the epidemiologic and basic data of hospital acquired urinary tract infection in intensive care unit. A prospective analysis was performed with 1,235 urine samples following urinary bladder catheterization in 569 patients, who had no evidence of UTI at the time of catheter insertion, admitted to intensive care unit in Pusan P hospital between June 1997 and May 1998. To identify risk factors for UTI, clinical characteristics of infected patients were analyzed. We analyzed these data by percentage, chi-square and odd ratio. Obtained results were as follows: A total of 569 patients (male 341 and female 228) were an average age of 50.8 years and catheterization of 8.04 days. Incidence of UTI was 16.1% (199/1,235) and The risk factors of UTI were duration of catheterization over 7 days, no use of systemic antibiotics, summer and female, and During the first 7 days these risk factors were no use of systemic antibiotics, summer, place of first catheter insertion (ICU) and type of intensive care unit (NSICU). A total of 220 the isolated strains were Gram negative rod 83 (37.7%), yeast like fungi 74 (33.6%) and Gram positive cocci 63 (28.6%). The common organisms isolated were Enterococcus faecalis 23 (10.5%), Serratia marcescens 19 (8.6%), Pseudomonu spp.17 (7.7%), E. ooh 16 (7.3%), Staphylococcus epidemidis 11 (5.0%) mdklebsiellapneumoniae 8 (3.6%). Therefore, in these results 199 of 569 (35%) patients in ICU with indwelling urinary catheter developed UTI. The risk factors for UTI are prolonged duration of catheterization, no use of systemic antibiotics, summer, and female.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.123-127
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• 2011

Purpose: Kawasaki disease (KD) is the main cause of acquired heart disease in children. In addition to cardiovascular involvement, many complications have been recognized in KD. However, respiratory complications have been rarely reported. We investigated the differences in clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, radiography findings, and echocardiography findings of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and other types of pneumonia in KD patients. Methods: Among 358 patients with KD, 54 developed concurrent pneumonia. Among the 54 patients, 12 (22.2%) with high titers of anti-M. pneumoniae antibody (AMA) (>1:640) were grouped in the M. pneumoniae group and 42 were included in the control group. Serum AMA was measured in each patient. Clinical laboratory findings and total duration of fever were analyzed. Results: The duration of fever, serum hemoglobin, white blood cell count, platelet count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein level, albumin level, and the incidence of coronary arterial lesions showed no statistical difference in the 2 groups. Neutrophil count was significantly higher in the M. pneumoniae group than in the control group. Among various radiography findings observed in pneumonia, consolidation and pleural effusion were more frequent in the M. pneumoniae group than in the control group. On the other hand, parahilar peribronchial opacification, diffuse interstitial lesion, and normal findings prevailed in the control group. Conclusion: KD patients can have concurrent infections, especially pulmonary symptoms. The cause of KD is likely to be associated with M. pneumoniae infection. Thus, immediate treatment of M. pneumoniae infection in KD patients is very important.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.396-407
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• 2016

Background: Although hyperspectral imaging was originally introduced for military, remote sensing, and astrophysics applications, the use of analytical hyperspectral imaging techniques has been expanded to include monitoring of agricultural crops and commodities due to the broad range and highly specific and sensitive spectral information that can be acquired. Combining hyperspectral imaging with remote sensing expands the range of targets that can be analyzed. Results: Hyperspectral imaging technology can rapidly provide data suitable for monitoring a wide range of plant conditions such as plant stress, nitrogen status, infections, maturity index, and weed discrimination very rapidly, and its use in remote sensing allows for fast spatial coverage. Conclusions: This paper reviews current research on and potential applications of hyperspectral imaging and remote sensing for outdoor field monitoring of agricultural crops. The instrumentation and the fundamental concepts and approaches of hyperspectral imaging and remote sensing for agriculture are presented, along with more recent developments in agricultural monitoring applications. Also discussed are the challenges and limitations of outdoor applications of hyperspectral imaging technology such as illumination conditions and variations due to leaf and plant orientation.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.7
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• pp.777-783
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• 2006

Purpose : Urinary tract infection(UTI) is one of the most frequent infections in children. E. coli is the most frequent etiological micropathogen in pediatric community UTI, and E. coli has developed resistance to many antibiotics, highlighting the need for regular surveys of this organism resistant patterns in the community. The aim of this study was to determine the oral antibiotic susceptibility patterns of E. coli, isolated from pediatric patients with uncomplicated community acquired UTI. Methods : E. coli isolates, obtained from pediatric patients with uncomplicated community acquired UTI between October in 2004 to September in 2005. And minimal inhibitory concentrations(MICs) of oral aminopenicillins and beta-lactamase inhibnitors(ampicillin, amoxacillin, ampicillin-sulbactam), oral cephalosporins(cefaclor, cefixime) and sulfa drug(trimethoprime-sulfamethoxazole) were performed according to the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards(NCCLS) guide line. Results : Total 211 organisms were isolated from pediatric out-patients with community UTI. E. coli was the most common organism(89 percent), followed by E. fecalis, Proteus species, S. aureus, M. morganii, and P. aeruginosa. The resistant rates of aminopenicillins and beta-lactamase inhibitors, cefaclor and sulfa drug to E. coli were very high. But, the resistant rate of cefixime was markedly low, and ESBL strains were isolated with small rates. Conclusion : Our study results suggest that aminopenicillins, cefaclor and sulfa drug may not be useful as first line empirical antibiotics to treat pediatric patients with community UTI in Korea. But, 3rd generation cephalosporin such as cefixime can be used as effective second line antibiotics after primary treatment failure, also may be useful as an empirical first line antibiotic. Finally, we conclude that a continuous surveillance study to monitor susceptibility patterns of E. coli in community UTI will be needed for the standard guide lines of empirical oral antibiotic treatment.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.74 no.5
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• pp.207-214
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• 2013

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the leading causes of death among the elderly. Several studies have reported the clinical usefulness of serum procalcitonin, a biomarker of bacterial infection. However, the association between the levels of procalcitonin and the severity in the elderly with CAP has not yet been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate usefulness of procalcitonin as a predictor of severity and mortality in the elderly with CAP. Methods: This study covers 155 CAP cases admitted to Pusan National University Hospital between January 2010 and December 2010. Patients were divided into two groups (${\geq}65$ years, n=99; <65 years, n=56) and were measured for procalcitonin, C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell, confusion, uremia, respiratory rate, blood pressure, 65 years or older (CURB-65) and pneumonia severity of index (PSI). Results: The levels of procalcitonin were significantly correlated with the CURB-65, PSI in totals. Especially stronger correlation was observed between the levels of procalcitonin and CURB-65 in the elderly (procalcitonin and CURB-65, ${\rho}$=0.408 with p<0.001; procalcitonin and PSI, ${\rho}$=0.293 with p=0.003; procalcitonin and mortality, ${\rho}$=0.229 with p=0.023). The correlation between the levels of CRP or WBC and CAP severity was low. The existing cut-off value of procalcitonin was correlated with mortality rate, however, it was not correlated with mortality within the elderly. Conclusion: The levels of procalcitonin are more useful than the levels of CRP or WBC to predict the severity of CAP. However, there was no association between the levels of procalcitonin and mortality in the elderly.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.107-112
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• 2018

Staphylococcus aureus is now a major community-acquired pathogen worldwide, notably associated with skin and soft tissue infections. Staphylococci are present in the form of colonizers or environmental contaminants at home and increase the risk of recurrent infection. We are describing recurrent familial furunculosis caused by Panton-Valentine Leukocidin-positive methicillin susceptible S. aureus ST1 in Korea. An infant, his father and mother had furunculosis due to methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) infection with identical susceptibility patterns. ST1 accounted for all 3 isolates and they were confirmed of having agr group I. Both sec and seh were detected in all isolates using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, and all isolates contained Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes. Risk factors for the household spread of S. aureus include skin conditions and close physical contact among household members. The relationship between S. aureus colonization of household contacts and the occurrence of S. aureus infection should be studied into more detail.

• Infection and chemotherapy
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.357-361
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• 2018

While carbapenems are the drug of choice to treat extended-spectrum-${\beta}$-lactamase (ESBL)-producing strains, some alternative carbapenem-sparing regimens are suggested for antibiotic stewardship. We experienced a case of ciprofloxacin treatment failure for acute pyelonephritis caused by an apparently susceptible Escherichia coli. A 71-year-old woman presented the emergency department with fever for 7 days and bilateral flank pain for 2 days. The laboratory results and abdominopelvic computed tomography finding were compatible with acute pyelonephritis. During 3-day ciprofloxacin therapy, the patient remained febrile with persistent bacteremia. After the change in antibiotics to ertapenem, the patient's clinical course started to improve. ESBL-producing E. coli isolates were identified in all three consecutive blood samples. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns, serotypes, and sequence types showed the three isolates were derived from the identical strain. The isolates produced CTX-M-14 type ESBL belonging to the ST69 clonal group. Despite in vitro susceptibility, the failure was attributed to a gyrA point mutation encoding Ser83Leu within quinolone resistance-determining regions. This case suggests that ciprofloxacin should be used cautiously in the treatment of serious infections caused by ciprofloxacin-susceptible, ESBL-producing E. coli, even in acute pyelonephritis because in-vitro susceptibility tests could fail to detect certain genetic mutations.