• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.395-403
• /
• 2005

Purpose: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major nosocomial pathogen in the intensive care units (ICUS). The purpose of this case-control study is to identify risk factors for acquisition of MRSA during ICU stays in patients with and without MRSA. Method: The study was conducted in a 16 beds-neurosurgical intensive care unit of a 2200-bed tertiary care university hospital in Seoul, Korea. Medical record and Critical Classification Scoring System were reviewed retrospectively in patients who were admitted more than 3 days from August 1, 2003 to May 30, 2004. Cases and controls were matched for age and gender. The obtained specimens were nasal swab and sputum. Result: There were 950 patients' admissions during the period. Among them, MRSA was isolated from twenty-three patients who were considered as hospital acquired. Artificial airway (p=.045), frequency of suction (p=.002), nasogastric tube (p=.004), wound drain (p=.045), and vancomycin (p=.019) were risk factors for MRSA acquisition in univariate analysis. Frequency of suction (p=.012, OR 3.5) was revealed as the only risk factor in multivariate conditional logistic regression. Conclusion: Our findings give support to recent studies that suggest that frequent physical contact maγ increase the nosocomial acquisition of MRSA in a neurosurgical ICU.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.209-216
• /
• 2011

This study carried out to investigate the pathogenic Streptococcus spp. isolated from respiratory tract of Thoroughbred in Jeju province. The specimens were collected from nasal mucosa using a culture swab from 113 Thoroughbred horses. Suspected colonies were selected onto blood and MacConkey agar plate, and identified by standard biochemical properties using Vitek 2 system and PCR method. In this study, we isolated S. equi (n=6), S. zooepidemicus (n=31), S. equisimilis (n=5), S. dysgalactiae (n=2), S. agalctiae (n=1), non identified ${\beta}$-hemolytic Streptococcus spp. (n=1) from Thoroughbred horses. In antimicrobial susceptibility test, it showed a high sensibility in the most of antimicrobial except for neomycin, streptomycin, spectinomycin, erythromycin and clindamycin. These results will provide the basic information to establish control measures for the treatment and prevention of respiratory disease by pathogenic Streptococcus spp. in Thoroughbred horses in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.217-225
• /
• 2020

This study was conducted to survey pathogens of canine coronavirus (CCV), canine distemper virus (CDV), canine influenza virus (CIV), canine parvovirus (CPV), severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), Dirofilaria (D.) immitis, Giardia and antibodies against Anaplasma (A.) phagocytophilum, Borrelia (B.) burgdorferi, Brucella (B.) canis and Ehrlichia (E.) canis among stray dogs in Gyeonggi province. We collected 271 feces, 291 bloods, 311 nasal and ocular swab samples from 311 of dogs in the Gyeonggi province assistance dogs sharing center from January to December, 2019. Among canine infectious disease pathogens, Giardia was highly detected in 46/271 (17.0%) samples. Subsequently, CCV 10.3% (28/271), D. immitis 8.2% (24/291), CPV 4.1% (11/271), CDV 1.0% (3/311), A. phagocytophilum (antibody) 0.3% (1/291), E. canis (antibody) 0.3% (1/291) were detected. Based on the results, this study is expected to provide a useful reference for disease control and management of stray dogs.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.32 no.9
• /
• pp.1098-1102
• /
• 2022

The placenta is a captivating multifunctional organ of fetal origin and plays an essential role during pregnancy by intimately connecting mother and baby. This study explicates placental pathology and information about 25 placentas collected from the mothers infected with novel coronavirus (SARS-COV-2). So far, congenital transmission of SARS-CoV-2 seems to be remarkably uncommon in spite of many cases of COVID-19 during pregnancy. Out of the 25 placental tissue samples collected, none has shown gene expression of SARS-CoV-2 when confirmed by RT-PCR. At the same time, nasal and throat swab samples collected from newborns of SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers correspondingly tested negative by RT-PCR. The shielding properties of placental barriers against viral infections from mothers to newborns remains a mystery. Major histopathological findings have been recorded as choriodecidual tissue with necrosis, intramural fibrin deposition, chorionic villi with fibrosis, and calcification. Moreover, although recent findings are insufficient to prove direct placental transmission of COVID-19, the abundance of angiotensin-converting enzymes-2 (ACE-2) on the placental surface could potentially contribute to unpleasant outcomes during pregnancy as SARS-CoV-2 gains access to human cells via ACE-2. Finally, the significance of these findings is vague and needs further study.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.143-153
• /
• 2011

Purpose : It is known that carriage rates of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) are highest in newborns and that the asymptomatic carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is associated with invasive MRSA infection with the colonizing strain. This study was carried out to investigate the carriage rates of MRSA in neonates with neonatal jaundice. Methods : We reviewed the medical records of 545 neonates admitted with neonatal jaundice to neonatal intensive care units between January 2006 and December 2010. Nasal and inguinal swab specimens had been taken from them and cultured for the isolation of S. aureus. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests had been done for such isolates to determine methicillinresistance. Results : Out of 545 neonates, 318 (58.3%) were colonized with S. aureus and 214 (39.3%) were colonized with MRSA. Results of the antibiogram analysis showed that 65.7% of MRSA isolates were likely to be community-associated (CA) MRSA. Conclusion : Based on the MRSA carriage rate of 39.3%, a surveillance program for MRSA colonization is considered necessary in neonates transferred from other clinics or hospitals. Out of MRSA isolates, 65.7% were likely to be CA-MRSA. This suggests that CA-MRSA strains were already present in obstetric clinic environments where the neonates were born. It is thought that MRSA surveillance programs in these environments are also necessary.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.67-75
• /
• 1991

This study was conducted to evaluate the difference of staphylococcal colonization between lactating mothers and nursery stares. Samples were obtained from the hands and noses of the newborn(admitted to S Univ. hospital's nursery from 1991. 5. 23 to 6. 8), their mothers and nursery staffs. They were cultured, and then the presence/absence of pathogenic staphylococci in them were analyzed by Fisher exact probability test which led to these conclusion of significance as follows: 1. No differences were detected in pathogenic rate of nasal swab culture between breast~fed newborns and formula-fed ones. 2. Delivery type and hospitalization the ones from the brest-fed newborns show high rate of Sta. aureus coa(+). In case of either C-sec delivery or long (more than 4 days) hospitalization, formula-fed ones in case of NSVD or short (less than 3 days) hospitalization. 3. The ones from breast feeding mothers show higher sta. aureus coa(+) than those from nursery staffs, which was of no significance statistically. Considering nursery staffs only, however, the comparison of those with the data in April indicates that the pathogen rate is higher for hand than nose, and Sta aureus coa(+) for hand is far lower in June than in April, which was statistically significant. These results lead us to infer that newborn infection in hospitalization could be largely reduced by maintaining the ordinary hygienes. Such as the handwashing of mothers as well as nursery staffs (directly involved in newborn care) Thus the pre-enterance hand washing of a mother who visits the nursery only for breast feeding (without any other medical responsibility) should be done, like other medical agents, with $0.05\%$ chlorhexidine antiseptics rather than simple soap cleansing; the one 'that is worth emphasizing thoroughly.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.68 no.6
• /
• pp.350-353
• /
• 2010

Here we report the first fatality caused by H1N1 influenza virus infection with acute respiratory distress syndrome in Korea. A 55-year-old man presented at our emergency department with dyspnea, fever, diffuse myalgia and malaise. Bilateral lung air-space consolidation was detected on his initial chest radiograph combined with severe hypoxemia. He was supported by mechanical ventilation and treated with antibiotics. A nasopharyngeal aspirate was positive for influenza A rapid antigen and oseltamivir was started on day 3 of admission. The nasal swab sample was positive for influenza H1N1 virus by real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Despite aggressive treatment, he had refractory hypoxemia and uncontrolled septic shock. On day 5 of admission he went into cardiac arrest and expired.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.53-63
• /
• 1998

Total of 1085 swine sera (1996-1997) from nation-wide were tested for the presence of antibodies to influenza A virus. Fifty nine percent of the tested sera showed seropositive by HI test. Positive sera consisted of 24--- of H3, 15--- of H1, and 20--- of the sample had both antibodies, respectively. Sera collected from various region represented 7~27--- seropositivity to H1N1, 15~25--- to H3N2, respectively. Swine influenza field isolate from nasal swab was characterized antigenically and genetically to elucidate its relatedness with other known strains of influenza A virus. The study was focused on the HA gene which is related to pathogenecity and antigenic variability of the influenza virus. By RT-PCR using influenza A/H1N1 specific primers, influenza virus H1N1 specific DNA fragment was amplified from A/Swine/Iowa/15/30(H1N1), US field isolate but not in H3N2 strain. PCR products were sequenced by dideoxy chain termination method to determine nucleotide homology with other strains of influenza A virus. The US field isolate and A/Swine/Indiana/1726/88 strain had 97--- of nucleotide homology and 98--- of amino acid homology. Based on the results obtained from this experiment, the field isolate was genetically related to A/Swine/Indiana/1726/88 and had higher homology with A/Swine/Indiana/1726/88 than with classical swine influenza virus, A/Swine/Iowa/15/30. The field isolate had no amino acid changes at the antigenic site compare to that of the A/Swine/Indiana/1726/88. The proteolytic enzyme cleavage site between HA1 and HA2 had no alteration and the amino acid arginine was intact. There is no evidence has been found that the field isolate has genetic shift or genetic drift which might altered antigenic determinant.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.69-74
• /
• 2008

This study carried out to investigate the antimicrobial resistance and biochemical characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) isolated from reproductive and respiratory tract in Thoroughbred horse. The specimens were collected from equine vaginal mucosa and upper respiratory tract from March to December 2006 using a culture swab in Korea. S. aureus suspected colonies on blood agar plates were selected and identified as standard biochemical tests and PCR (Applied Biosystems, USA). Antimicrobial resistance test of S. aureus isolates was performed with 30 antimicrobial agents (BBL, USA) by using the agar disk diffusion method. S. aureus isolates were isolated 58 (39.2%) strains of 148 samples: wound 64.7% (11/17), genital discharge 37.0% (37/100) and nasal discharge 32.2% (10/31). Almost isolates showed high resistance to spectinomycin, sulfonamides, erythromycin, tetracyelin, ciprofloxacin and penicillin. These results may provide the basic information to establish strategies for treatment and prevention of reproductive and respiratory disease in Thoroughbred horses in Korea.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.49.1-49.13
• /
• 2022

Background: Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (MHP) are economically significant pathogens in the pig industry. The use of combined vaccines against PCV2 and MHP is one of the most effective ways of protecting pigs from both diseases, and it has become a part of general management. Objectives: This study evaluated the efficacy of two new bivalent vaccines of PCV2 and MHP (Myco-X and Myco-XD) in SPF pigs. Myco-X and Myco-XD are a combined vaccine of MHP with PCV2b and PCV2d, respectively. Methods: Sixteen pigs were divided into four groups: Myco-X-vaccinated challenged, Myco-XD-vaccinated challenged, unvaccinated challenged, and unvaccinated unchallenged. Two milliliters of Myco-X were administered intramuscularly, and 0.5 mL of Myco-XD was injected intradermally at 3 wk of age. The pigs were challenged with virulent PCV2d via the intramuscular and intranasal route 4 wk post-vaccination. Results: All vaccinated pigs showed effective reduction of the clinical signs, the PCV2d load in the blood and nasal swab samples, as well as lung and lymphoid tissue lesions in the challenge test. Compared to unvaccinated challenged animals, the vaccinated challenged animals showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) levels of anti-PCV2 IgG, PCV2d-specific interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and anti-MHP IgG. Conclusions: Based on clinical, microbiological, serological, and pathological assessments, this study confirmed that both combined vaccines could protect pigs against PCV2 infection caused by PCV2d. On the other hand, further research on the efficacy evaluation of these new vaccines against the MHP challenge and PCV2d/MHP co-challenge is needed.