• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.46-54
• /
• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the pathogens of bloodstream infection in children with underlying hemato-oncologic diseases, analyze susceptibility patterns, compare temporal trends with those of previous studies, and assess empirical antimicrobial therapy. Methods: Retrospective review study of children bacteremia in hemato-oncologic diseases was conducted at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital from January 2013 to July 2023. Results: Overall, 98 episodes of bacteremia were observed in 74 patients. Among pathogens isolated, 57.1% (n=56) were Gram-positive bacteria, 38.8% (n=38) were Gram-negative bacteria, and 4.1% (n=4) were Candida spp. The most common Gram-positive bacteria were coagulase-negative staphylococci (n=21, 21.4%) and Staphylococcus aureus, (n=14, 14.3%) whereas the most common Gram-negative bacteria were Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=16, 16.3%) and Escherichia coli (n=10, 10.2%). The susceptibility of Gram-positive bacteria to penicillin, oxacillin, and vancomycin was 11.5%, 32.7%, and 94.2%, respectively and the susceptibility of Gram-negative bacteria to cefotaxime, piperacillin/tazobactam, imipenem, gentamicin, and amikacin was 68.6%, 80%, 97.1%, 82.9%, and 91.4%, respectively. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus was detected in 1 strain and among Gram-negative strains, extended spectrum β-lactamase accounted for 28.9% (12/38). When analyzing the antibiotic susceptibility and empirical antibiotics, the mismatch rate was 25.5% (n=25). The mortality rate of children within 30 days of bacteremia was 7.1% (n=7). Conclusions: Empirical antibiotic therapy for bacteremia in children with hemato-oncologic diseases should be based on the local antibiogram in each institution and continuous monitoring is necessary.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.49 no.12
• /
• pp.1287-1295
• /
• 2006

Purpose : The importance of staphylococcal infections in NICU has been emphasized in terms of increased resistant strains and increased incidence of morbidity and mortality. In this study, we inrestignted the clinical characteristics and risk factors for staphylococcal infections, and looked into sensitivity trends of antibiotics in the era of a high rate of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in our society. Methods : This study included 240 neonates with positive blood, urine and other sites cultures for staphylococci who were admitted to NICU of Hanil General Hospital and Kyunghee University Hospital from January 2000 to December 2004. The analyses included clinical characteristics of staphylococcal infections and the relationship of incidence rate among various factors, including invasive procedures. Results : For 5 years, 3,593 patients were hospitalized in the NICU and 7,481 specimens were cultured from blood, urine, and other sites. During the study period, staphylococci were isolated from 240 patients, of whom 88 patients had MRSA, 41 patients methcillin sensitive staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), 63 patients S. epidermidis, 48 patients coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CNS) except S. epidermidis infections. The risk factors associated with staphylococcal infections were less than 37 weeks of gestational age, less than 7 on a 5 minutes Apgar score, receiving TPN, applied mechanical ventilation, use of central venous catheters and other tubes. The sensitivity to vancomycin was 100 percent. A relatively high sensitivity against teicoplanin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, chloramphenicol, clindamycin and low sensitivity against gentamicin and erythromycin were shown. Conclusion : To reduce staphylococcal infections in NICU, we need to monitor and manage premature neonates from the beginning of the birth process and to avoid as many invasive procedures as possible in NICU. Considering MRSA, control of preceding factors and early use of appropriate antibiotics is expected to reduce the morbidity and mortality caused by MRSA infections.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.48 no.6
• /
• pp.837-852
• /
• 2000

Backgrounds : Today, tuberculosis cannot only be cured medically, but also controlled by public health. Despite the overall worldwide decline in tuberculosis, the disease continues to be a significant problem among developing countries and in the slums of large cities in some industrialized countries. Particularly, this communicable disease has come into the public health spotlight because of its resurgence in the 1990's. our country has been operating the Korean National Tuberculosis Control Program since 1962, focusing around public health centers. Therefore, this study aims to compare the effectiveness of tuberculosis control activities, one of the major public health activities in Korea, by producing indexes, such as the yearly registration rate per 100,000 population and treatment compliance of tuberculosis on in small areas (communities). Methods : This work was accomplished by constructing a time-series analytic model using data from "1980~2000: the Yearly Statistical Report" with patient registry data of 234 City. County. District public health centers and by identifying the factors influencing the tuberculosis indexes. Results : The trends of pulmonary tuberculosis positive point prevalence and pulmonary tuberculosis negative point prevalence on X-ray screening have declined steadily, beginning in 1981 and continuing to 1998 by region (city, county, district). Although the tuberculosis mortality rate steadily shows a declining trend by year and region, but Korea still ranks first among 29 OECD countries in 1998, with a tuberculosis mortality rate of 7.1 per 100,000 persons, according to the time-series analysis for fatal diseases. Conclusion : The results of the study will form the fundamental basis of future regional health care planning and the Korean Tuberculosis Surveillance System on 2000. Since the implementation of local autonomy through the Local Health Act of 1995, it has now become vita1 for each city, county, district public health centers to determine its own priorities for relevant health care management, including budget allocation and program goals.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.237-248
• /
• 2008

Development of T. urticae was studied on the leaves of eggplant grown in hydroponics with nitrogen contents of 5 mM, 10 mM, 30 mM, and 60 mM. As the nitrogen level in hydroponics increased, it also increased in the plant whereas that of K, Ca, and Mg decreased. More nitrogen in hydroponics resulted in increased contents of water and crude protein, and decreased ash, carbohydrates, and fibers within the plant. Biomass was the heaviest as 989.5 g at 10 mM and the lightest at 60 mM. Leaf thickness and the content of chlorophyll increased as the content of nitrogen increased. Laboratory leaf disc tests obtained from plants grown at various nitrogen levels revealed that feeding and oviposition preferences of T. urticae were high at 30 mM and low at 5 mM. Ratio of damaged leaf by naturally occurring T. urticae on eggplants of 99 days post-transplant in the greenhouse was the highest as 98% at 60 mM. Degrees of damage on eggplants with and without T. urticae infestation turned up more as the differences in the levels of nitrogen in the hydroponics get bigger. No definite differences in the rate of T. urticae development was found between nitrogen treatment levels but, mortalities in immature stages dropped as the nitrogen levels went up. Adult longevity was the longest of 11.9 for female and 6.9 days for male at 60 mM. Oviposition period was also the longest as 11.7 days at 60 mM and shortened as the level of nitrogen decreased. The number of eggs oviposited was the most as 144.4 at 60 mM while it was the least as 41.0 at 5 mM. Sex ratio was 0.75 in favor of female at 10 mM. $R_o$ and T increased, no trends were detected in $r_m\;and\;{\lambda}$, while Dt decreased as the levels of nitrogen went up.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.59-67
• /
• 2008

Purpose : According to the 2008 WHO report, incidence, prevalence, and mortality of tuberculosis are decreasing globally. The 7th National Tuberculosis Survey of 1995 in Korea showed that the prevalence of tuberculosis was also decreasing. This study was performed to review the hospitalized childhood tuberculosis in a children's hospital over a 20 year period. Methods : Medical records of children <16 years of age hospitalized with the diagnosis of tuberculosis at the Seoul National University Children's Hospital between 1988 and 2007 were reviewed retrospectively. Changes in number of patients and involved sites were also analyzed by four 5-year periods. Results : Out of the 186 hospitalized patients, 59.1% were male. Median age at diagnosis was 5.5 years old (range, 10 days-15 years). The main involved sites included the lung (n=54, 29%) or pleura (n=12, 6.5%), central nervous system (n=49, 26.3%), lymph node (n=15, 8.1 %), bone and joint (n=9, 4.8%), gastrointestinal tract (n=5, 2.7%) or peritoneum (n=5, 2.7%), pericardium (n=2, 1.1%) and others (n=3, 1.6%). Total 32 patients (17.2%) showed miliary pattern. The proportion of hospitalization with newly diagnosed tuberculosis among all cause hospitalization decreased from 0.61% to 0.09%, comparing the period of 1988-1992 and 2003-2007 (P<0.001) and the incidence of hospitalized tuberculosis of any involved organs also decreased with a statistical significance. Conclusion : The data from a single children's hospital suggest that the number of hospitalized childhood patients with tuberculosis has decreased over a 20 year period in Korea.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.15 no.2 s.69
• /
• pp.225-230
• /
• 2005

The aim of this study was to examine the fluctuation in phytoplankton assemblages with regarding to environmental conditions and nutrients, which were surveyed quarterly over the fours seasons (February, May, July, and October). In turn, an understanding of biological effects should provide insights into a wide range of initiated Cochlodinium blooms in Narodo. Sampling was carried out throughout 2001 on the coasts of Busan (St. 1), Yeosu (St. 2), Narodo (St. 3), Kohung (St. 4), and Kwangdo (St. 5). The maximum surface water temperature was recorded in July, and it ranged from 20 to $22^{\circ}C$. Salinity showed no great variation, which maintained itself in the range of 29-34 psu. The maximum surface salinity was recorded in February, which was about 34 psu. The chlorophyll $\alpha$ concentration of the surface water ranged from 0.01 to $1.3\;{\mu}g\;1^{-1}$. The concentrations of $NH_{4}-N $ were persistently high from February to October; in particular, the peak was observed at St. 1 in February and May (0.15 and $0.19\;{\mu}mol\;1^{-1}$, respectively), while it was detected at St. 2 in July and October (0.22 and $2.2\;{\mu}mol\;1^{-1}$ respectively). Similar trends to those for $NH_4-N $ were observed in the concentrations of $NO_{2}-N$ and $NO_{3}-N$. In contrast to nitrogen, a distinct peak of $NO_{4}-P$ at St. 3, 4, and 5 was observed throughout year $(0.01-0.1\;{\mu}mol\;1^{-1}$ except for October. At St. 1 encounter a peak of cell number of 30,000 and $13{\times}10^3$ cells $1^{-1}$, respectively, in July and October. During the period of this study, the majority of the taxa were diatoms. The dinoflagellates were rather abundant after February, in particular at St. 3, 4, and 5 which attained an abundance of $10\~20\%$without marked fluctuation during the period of this study. At St. 3, the highest average cell width, $178.11\;{\mu}m$, was recorded: the highest cell length, $337.72\;{\mu}m$, was measured in July. Consequently, dinoflagellates bloom in July at Narodo influenced by warm water current are not only associated with a desirable development of cell morphometric characteristics, but also with the health growth of C. polykrikoides. During the period of this study, warm water currents caused an increased water temperature in Narodo, but did not change the amount of nutrients.