• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.156-159
• /
• 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 has upended the world of otolaryngology. After COVID-19 infection, patients experience various complication of symptoms due to injury of the larynx and lung/ respiratory system. Regardless of the patient's severity, patients can experience several complications including dysphonia, vocal cord paralysis/paresis and sensory neuropathy. An emerging role for otolaryngologists in the coming weeks and months is the management of laryngeal complications of COVID-19. This review is intended to describe laryngeal complications in patients recovering from COVID-19 infection.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• v.24 no.5
• /
• pp.68.1-68.6
• /
• 2023

Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus) is a small wild cat assessed as an endangered wildlife in Korea. There have been very few reports of their diseases. Herein, we describe fibrinous pleuritis caused by Streptococcus canis infection with excessive pleural effusion, hydropericardium, mild ascites, and liver fibrosis in a leopard cat. S. canis is a commensal microflora in domestic cats and often affects the upper respiratory tract inducing chronic and severe respiratory diseases. However, there is no literature regarding the S. canis in leopard cats. Therefore, we first report fibrinous pleuritis associated with an S. canis infection in a leopard cat.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.68 no.1
• /
• pp.29-33
• /
• 2010

Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal nematode that is a parasite to humans. The infecting filariform larvae of S. stercoralis enters the host body via the bloodstream, passes through the lungs, penetrates the alveoli, and then ascends the airway to transit down the esophagus into the small bowel. The infection can persist for decades without causing major symptoms and can elicit eosinophilia of varying magnitudes. Of note, this infection can also develop into a disseminated, often fatal, disease (hyperinfection) in patients receiving immunosuppressive corticosteroids. A 65-year-old man who was receiving corticosteroid therapy for the treatment of spinal stenosis was admitted to the emergency room with complaints of abdominal pain and severe dyspnea. We detected many S. stercoralis larvae in the sputum and in the bronchoalveolar-lavage sample collected by bronchoscopy. Here, we report a fatal case of strongyloidiasis with acute respiratory failure and intestinal perforation. In addition, we provide a brief review of the relevant medical literature.

• ALGAE
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.295-306
• /
• 2023

Human coronavirus diseases, particularly severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, still remain a persistent public health issue, and many recent studies are focusing on the quest for new leads against coronaviruses. To contribute to this growing pool of knowledge and explore the available marine natural products against coronaviruses, this study investigated the antiviral effects of fucoxanthin isolated from Sargassum siliquastrum-a brown alga found on Jeju Island, South Korea. The antiviral effects of fucoxanthin were confirmed in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-infected Vero cells, and its structural characteristics were verified in silico using molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulations and in vitro colorimetric method. Fucoxanthin inhibited the infection in a concentration-dependent manner, without showing cytotoxicity. Molecular docking simulations revealed that fucoxanthin binds to the angiotensinconverting enzyme 2-spike protein (binding energy -318.306 kcal mol^-1) and main protease (binding energy -205.118 kcal mol^-1). Moreover, molecular dynamic simulations showed that fucoxanthin remains docked to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2-spike protein for 20 ns, whereas it breaks away from main protease after 3 ns. Also, the in silico prediction of the fucoxanthin was verified through the in vitro colorimetric method by inhibiting the binding between angiotensinconverting enzyme 2 and spike protein in a concentration-dependent manner. These results indicate that fucoxanthin exhibits antiviral effects against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 by blocking the entry of the virus. Therefore, fucoxanthin from S. siliquastrum can be a potential candidate for treating coronavirus infection.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.87 no.4
• /
• pp.505-513
• /
• 2024

Background: Clinical data for bacterial coinfection of the lower respiratory tract in patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) are scarce. This study aims to assess the prevalence of bacterial coinfection and clinical features in NTM-PD patients. Methods: This retrospective study screened 248 patients with NTM-PD who underwent bronchoscopy between July 2020 and July 2022, from whom newly diagnosed NTM-PD patients were analyzed. Bacterial culture using bronchial washing fluid was performed at the time of NTM-PD diagnosis. Results: In the 180 patients (median age 65 years; 68% female), Mycobacterium avium complex (86%) was the most frequent NTM isolated. Bacterial coinfections were detected in 80 (44%) patients. Among them, the most common bacterium was Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=25/80, 31.3%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=20/80, 25%) and Staphylococcus aureus (n=20/80, 25%). Compared with NTM-PD patients without bacterial coinfections, patients with bacterial coinfections showed more frequent extensive lung involvement (33% vs. 1%, p<0.001). Additionally, compared with NTM-PD patients without P. aeruginosa infection, those with P. aeruginosa infection were older (74 years vs. 64 years, p=0.001), had more frequent respiratory symptoms (cough/excessive mucus production 70% vs. 38%, p=0.008; dyspnea 30% vs. 13%, p=0.047), and had extensive lung involvement (60% vs. 9%, p<0.001). Conclusion: Less than half of patients with newly diagnosed NTM-PD had bacterial coinfections, linked to extensive lung involvement. Specifically, P. aeruginosa coinfection was significantly associated with older age, more frequent respiratory symptoms, and extensive lung involvement.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.193-200
• /
• 2000

Purpose : This study was designed and performed for evaluations of clinical manifestation and course of the children under 2 year of age with respiratory tract infection and positive respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) antigen. Methods : The selection criteria of the patients were children under 24 month-of-age, Clinical manifestation of respiratory tract infection, and positive RSV antigen that was detected by Vitek ImmunoDiagnostic Assay System(VIDAS) from nasal cavity. The additional laboratory and simple chest X-ray findings were reviewed from the chart of children who were admitted Wonkwang university hospital from October 1999 to March 2000. Results : Total number of patients enrolled on this study was 102. The 48(47%) children were RSV antigen positive by VIDAS method. Abnormal chest X-ray findings were noticed in 38 cases. The male to female sex ratio of 48 RSV antigen positive cases was 1.2 : 1. The mean and range of age was $10.2{\pm}5.9$ and 1.0~24 months. The peak outbreak of cases was noticed on November, 1999. All of the cases shows coughing but rale was audible in 30 cases(60%). Dyspnea, wheezing, and intercostal retraction were noticed 11(23%), 15(31%), and 10(21%) cases respectively. The most common chest X-ray finding was scattered patch infiltration that was noticed in 30 cases(63%). The mean total white blood cell counts in peripheral blood was $12,608{\pm}4,686/mm^3$. The mean blood level of IgA and IgE were $50.8{\pm}20.9$ and $72.1{\pm}98.3mg/dL$ respectively. The C-reactive protein was $16.0{\pm}18.5mg/L$. Total 5 cases need a mechanical respiraton. The duration of admission was under 7 days in 36 cases(75%). Conclusion : The RSV antigen was detected commonly in late fall and winter season. The severity of children under 2 years old with RSV respiratory tract infection take in some degree a gave courses.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.240-248
• /
• 1989

The increase in size and numbers of general hospitals in the process of conspicuous development of modem medicine has been accompanied by a serious increase in hospital acquired infections. Hospital aquired infections cause pain and discomfort, may threaten life, adds an economic burden, and delays recovery and return to society. Even though respiratory hospital infection rates resulting for tracheostomy and respiratory inhalation therapy, may be low, they are serious because of their bad prognosis and high mortality rates. This study was designed to assess certain aspects of respiratory infections of patients with a tracheostomy and thus provide baseline data for further research related to preventive or therapeutic nursing interventions. The specific objectives were to determine the incidence of colonization in the trachea, clinical signs, type of colonized bacteria and sensitivity to antibiotics. Data were collected from July 1 to December 10, 1989 at two university Hospital in Seoul. Subjects were 20 patients with a tracheostomy admitted to the Intensive Care Unit or Cerebral Vascular Accident Center. Clinical signs related to respiratory infection were observed using a checklist based on previous study outcomes. Bacterial culture, sensitivity test to antibiotics, WBC counts and chest X-ray were also performed. Cultures were done on the day of tracheostomy, and on the third, fifth and seventh day. Cultures were then done on seventh days after the first colonization. The results were as follows : 1. The incidence of bacteria colonization in a week was 90%(18 patients) 50% (10/20 patients) on the day of tracheostomy, 70%(7/10 patients) on the third day, and 0% on the fifth day, and 33%(1/3 patient) on the seventh day. 3 of 18 patients (16.7%) were colonies of mixed growth isolated. 2. The observed clinical signs related to respiratory infection were high fever 38.9%(7 patients), prulent secretion 16.7%(12 patients) and infiltration seen on chest X-ray 33.3%(6 patients). 3. The total number of types of bacteria isolated among the 18 subjects was 21 ; gram negative 71.4%, gram postive 28.6%. The dominant bacteria type was Staphylococcus aureus(5 cases) for gram(equation omitted) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa(3 cases), Klebsiella (4 cases), Enterobacter(3 cases) for gram (equation omitted). The results of culture on 7th day after the first colonization, 6 cases showed same type of bacteria, 3cases showed different type of bacteria and 1 cases showed no growth. 4. The sensitivity tests to antibiotics showed that Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus were strongly resistant to most kinds of antibiotics, but Klebsiella and the rest of gram negative bacteria were moderately sensitive to antibiotics.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.201-216
• /
• 2019

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is characterized by reproductive failure in sows and respiratory distress in all age pigs. Porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC) is a disease caused by opportunistic bacterial infection secondary to a weakened immune system by a preceding respiratory infection. In this study, we tried to compare the immune responses in PRRS and PRDC groups to clearly characterize the disease severity. Eighty-five pigs were infected with various Korean field PRRS virus strains. Infected animals were classified into PRRS (n=32) and PRDC (n=53) groups based on lung lesions such as interstitial pneumonia, suppurative pneumonia, and pleuropneumonia. The immune cell population of bronchoalveolar lavage cells (BALc) was evaluated on 14 and 28 days post infection (dpi) and PMBC cytokine expression was measured on 0, 3, 7, 14 dpi to investigate early inflammatory reactions. Pulmonary lesion severity was negatively correlated with alveolar macrophage (AM) in both PRRS and PRDC groups on 14 and 28 dpi. AM in BALc was less populated in PRDC group on 28 dpi compared to PRRS group. AM in BALc was significantly less populated in PRDC group on 28 dpi compared to 14 dpi. In addition, cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) in BALc was higher populated in PRDC group on 14 dpi and 28 dpi compared to PRRS group. In the case of PBMC cytokine TNF-α, IFN-α, IL-1β, IFN-γ, FoxP3, and IL-2, the PRRS group showed higher expression than the PRDC group on 7 dpi, 14 dpi, 7 dpi, 14 dpi, 14 dpi, and 14 dpi, respectively. On the other hand, in the case of IFN-β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-4, and IL-17, the PRDC group showed higher PBMC cytokine expression at 14 dpi, 7 dpi, 14 dpi, 3 dpi, and 3 dpi, respectively, than the PRRS group. Based on these results, our study could characterize differential immune responses in pigs with PRRS or PRDC.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.51 no.3
• /
• pp.329-335
• /
• 2019

Annually, millions of children die from respiratory virus infections. Human rhinovirus (HRV) is a causative agent of severe respiratory infections in young, elderly, and asthmatic patients with weak immunity. In this study, 9,010 respiratory virus specimens were collected from January 2012 to December 2018 at Dankook University Hospital, Cheonan and examined by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Twelve respiratory viruses were detected. The mean detection rate was 21.3% (N=1,920/9,010), and the mean age of HRV-positive patients was 6.5 years (median age: 1.6 years, range: 0.0~96.0). The detection rate was the highest in July (32.4%) and the lowest in February (8.3%). When the detection rate was analyzed by age group, the detection rate was the second highest in patients aged 10~19 years. The co-infection rate of HRV was 35.3%, and the most common combination was with Adenovirus. Respiratory virus infections are known to occur in children and elderly people with weak immunity. However, in this study, the detection rate was second highest in patients aged 10~19 years. Indeed, the detection rate in this age group was more than 15%, except in January and February. These results suggested that steady-state studies on the infection patterns of HRV are required.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.80 no.1
• /
• pp.21-26
• /
• 2017

It is well established that health care workers (HCWs) have a considerably higher risk of occupationally acquired tuberculosis (TB). To reduce the transmission of TB to HCWs and patients, TB infection control programs should be implemented in health care settings. The first and most important level of all protection and control programs is administrative control. Its goals are to prevent HCWs, other staff, and patients from being exposed to TB, and to reduce the transmission of infection by ensuring rapid diagnosis and treatment of affected individuals. Administrative control measures recommended by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization include prompt identification of people with TB symptoms, isolation of infectious patients, control of the spread of the pathogen, and minimization of time spent in health care facilities. Another key component of measures undertaken is the baseline and serial screening for latent TB infection in HCWs who are at risk of exposure to TB. Although the interferon-gamma release assay has some advantages over the tuberculin skin test, the former has serious limitations, mostly due to its high conversion rate.