• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.217-222
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• 2016

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the differential clinical, laboratory, and imaging characteristics between patients with cervical lymphadenitis as first presentation of Kawasaki disease (CLKD) and those with acute unilateral cervical lymphadenitis (AUCL). Methods: We surveyed 372 patients who visited Pusan National University Children's Hospital because of fever and cervical lymph node enlargement, and underwent neck computed tomography (CT) from January 2010 to December 2014. We compared 28 confirmed cases of Kawasaki disease and 28 cases of AUCL based on a retrospective review of the medical records of the patients. Results: Patients with CLKD and AUCL showed no differential clinical characteristics in terms of the duration of fever, antibiotic use, or the size of lymph nodes. Patients with CLKD had higher white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein levels (P<0.05) than those of patients with AUCL. The presence of retropharyngeal edema on neck CT was similar between the groups (64% vs. 33%, P=0.686). Conclusions: CLKD and AUCL showed no differentiating clinical and radiological characteristics; hence, Kawasaki disease should be the presumptive diagnosis in patients with fever and cervical lymph node enlargements who fail to respond to antibiotic treatment.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.188-193
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• 2016

Purpose: This study identified the characteristics differentiating node-first presentation of Kawasaki disease (NFKD) from bacterial cervical lymphadenitis (BCL) and typical Kawasaki disease (KD). Methods: From July 2007 to June 2015, the medical records of patients with BCL, NFKD, and typical KD were retrospectively reviewed. We analyzed and compared the demographic, clinical, laboratory, and imaging characteristics of the cohorts. Results: Twenty-two patients with BCL, 37 with NFKD, and 132 with typical KD were included in this study. Patients with BCL had longer durations of hospitalization than patients with NFKD. Bilateral and multiple enlarged cervical lymph nodes were associated more with NFKD than BCL. Compared with BCL patients, NFKD patients had lower platelet counts, higher percentages of neutrophils, and higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. NFKD patients were older and presented with higher white blood cell counts, percentages of neutrophils, absolute neutrophil counts, and CRP levels as well as lower platelet counts and alanine aminotransferase levels than typical KD patients. Conclusions: In febrile patients with cervical lymphadenopathy, the combination of bilateral and multiple enlarged nodes, low platelet count, high percentage of neutrophils, and high CRP levels should prompt consideration of NFKD for prevention of delayed diagnosis of KD.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.209-216
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• 2016

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the characteristics of infective endocarditis (IE) between children and adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) at a single tertiary care center. Methods: In this retrospective medical record review, we extracted the demographic characteristics, diagnostic variables, and outcomes of patients diagnosed with IE and CHD between 2000 and 2016. Results: We identified a total of 14 pediatric patients (nine male; median age at diagnosis, 3 years). Of the 14 patients, six had a history of previous open heart surgery, while four had undergone tetralogy of Fallot repair, with transannular patch or Rastelli procedure. Among the 10 children with positive blood cultures, the most common isolated organism was Staphylococcus spp. (8/10, 80%). Eleven adult patients had IE and CHD. Among the adult patients, only four were diagnosed with CHD before IE, and ventricular septal defect was the most common CHD. The most common isolated organism was Streptococcus spp. (6/11, 55%). Compared with adult patients, pediatric patients had a higher incidence of previously diagnosed CHD (P=0.001), with Staphylococcus spp. as the causative organism (P=0.027). The median duration between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis of IE was 9 days in children and 42 days in adults (P=0.012). Conclusions: Significant differences with regard to the diagnosis and progress of IE were observed between children and adults. Age-adjusted and systematic reassessment may be necessary for the diagnosis and management of IE.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.140-147
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• 2019

Purpose: Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). This study aimed to determine the temporal trends in antibiotic susceptibility of S. aureus in SSTI patients aged <19 years. Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted in pediatric patients with SSTI caused by community-associated S. aureus. Microbiologic and demographic data were collected, and the trends of antibiotic susceptibility results were evaluated. Results: From January 2010 to December 2018, a total of 807 S. aureus isolates were included. An overall increase in susceptibility of isolates to oxacillin was noted (P<0.001), with 75.0% of isolates being oxacillin-susceptible in 2018. S. aureus remained highly susceptible to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline, with 97.6% and 95.2% isolate susceptibility in 2018, respectively. Isolates from younger children aged 1 to 5 years had a significantly lower rate of susceptibility to oxacillin than older children aged 6 to 18 years (53.4% vs. 75.0%, P<0.001). Conclusions: The proportion of methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolates appears to decrease in pediatric patients with community-associated SSTI caused by S. aureus. Clinicians should be aware of regional susceptibility patterns when choosing empirical regimens.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.199-205
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• 2019

Enteroviral infections are common in neonates. One important infection pathway is vertical transmission from an infected mother to her neonate. Here, we report the early detection and successful treatment of a vertically transmitted fulminant enteroviral infection associated with myocarditis and hepatitis. The patient had a sudden onset of high fever on the fourth day of life and developed severe, rapidly progressing symptoms of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC), hepatitis, and myocarditis accompanied by tachyarrhythmia. As it was the peak season for enteroviral infections and both the mother and the patient's 36-month-old sibling had a high fever around the time of delivery, we suspected an enteroviral infection. Thus, we initiated prompt evaluation of enteroviral infection, as well as close observation and intensive care of the neonate. We strongly recommend evaluation for the possibility of vertical enterovirus infection in neonates when the mother is suspected of having a viral infection (e.g., high fever and negative results from bacterial infectious studies) around the time of delivery and when the neonate shows some early symptoms of infectious diseases such as thrombocytopenia, DIC, hepatitis, and myocarditis. Early detection of enteroviral infections and prompt implementation of proper treatment are key to reduce the risk of complications and mortality associated with enteroviral infections in neonates.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.386-391
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• 2005

This study was done to produce a mutated protein inactivated cytotoxicity of Shigatoxin 2e (Stx2e) of E.coli O139 isolates by deletional mutagenesis of Stx2e A subunit gene encoding active-site cleft of enzymatic domain in ST2e holotoxin. Cytotoxicity of the toxoid expressed from the mutant Stx2e gene was compared with wild type Stx2e for development of vaccine candidate. A recombinant plasmid pED18 containing Stx2e gene ot E.coli O139 isolates was used to generate mutation plasmid. Deletion mutagenesis was conducted for Stx2e A subunit gene encoding enzymatically active domain by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using ot designed primer to induce deletional mutation. DNA sequence analysis was confirmed that the pentamer (Typ 202- Ser 206) that lies within the proposed active-site cleft in the second region was completely deleted. A DNA fragment of 1.1 kb that encode the new mutant Stx2eA gene was inserted into plasmid pRSET vector digested with EcoRV-Hind III and named pEDSET The PEDSET was transformed in E. coli for expression of mutant protein and the protein was confirmed by SDS-PACE and Western-blotting. The protein expressed by the mutant was tested to confirm the reduction of cytotoxic activities on Vero cell using microcytotoxicity assay compared with wild type Stx2e, the cytotoxicity of deletional mutant protein was at least reduced by 3,000-fold on Vero cell.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.231-239
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• 2002

Proteomics is an emerging powerful tool in studying protein expression and function. At present study, proteomics was employed to evaluate the antigenicity among Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains using 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and immunoblotting, SDS-PAGE and immunblotting analysis revealed no big differences among E coli O157:H7 strains. 2-DE analysis, however, revealed common antigens as well as specific antigens. The immunoblotting analysis revealed 20 common antigenic spots among E coli O157:H7 strains. In addition, there were 3 and 13 spots as common antigens between ATCC 43894 and KSC 109, and between ATCC 43894 and ACH 5, respectively. Antigenic spots specific for individual strain were also identified as 15, 8 and 22 for ATCC 43894, ACH 5 and KSC 109, respectively. The common antigens would be useful by employing either vaccine development or diagnosis marker, or both, whereas the specific antigens of individual strains would be applicable for epidemiological study. This study suggest that proteome analysis, representative as 2-DE, is valuable tool in exploring the E. coli antigenicity.

• Korean Security Journal
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• no.14
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• pp.311-336
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• 2007

This study examines the concepts of counter-act against the Bio-terrorism and the reaction system in advanced countries, thereby to find out reaction system necessary to Korea. Acts on anti-Bio-terrorism is divided to detection stage, protection stage, diagnosis stage and detoxication and neutralization stage according to flow of event occurrence. As for detection stage, Korea is developing it as contact type, while advanced countries are under development of the devices that may detect the terrorism from the remote distance. It is necessary for Korea to develop the remote-distant detection system as well as the contact type of device that may promptly operate. Among the protection gears, the quality of Korea's gas mask is recognized worldwide, but that of other outfits should be improved by applying the state-of-art science technology. The diagnosis device also should be developed to the extent that the dispatched initial action team may make immediate decisions necessary in the field. As the current trends for detoxication materials worldwide require the improvement to new materials harmless to human body and equipment, Korea is also required to acquire those materials. The technology for neutralization means the development of vaccine and antibiotics and it requires the development made by shared efforts worldwide. For this purpose, it is necessary to further develop Korea's medical technology. In addition, the further efforts are required in terms of reaction manual, training model, public communication efforts and preparation for trauma syndrome.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.173-181
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• 2006

Miamiensis avidus is a scuticociliate causing mortality in olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. To evaluate immune response of olive flounder against M. avidus, 2.6×106cells/fish of Formalin killed cell (FKC) was intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected, and 2.4 × 106cells/㎖ of sonicated FKC was immersion immunized to 14.9 cm (26.8g) fish. Fish were immunized 2 times with 2 weeks intervals. Antiserum from immunized fish caused agglutination and immobilization of the ciliate. In ELISA test, immunized group exhibited higher titers than control group. In addition, i.p. immunized fish showed higher phagocytic ratio, phahgocytic index and chemotaxic activity. To evaluate in vivo efficacy of FKC on fish, 1.43 × 105cells/fish was i.p.. injected, and 2.2 × 105 cells/㎖ of sonicated cell was immersed into 8.6cm (6.3g) fish. After 2 times immunization with 2 weeks intervals, fish were infected with 2.0 × 104 and 2.0 × 103 cells/ml of live ciliates by immersion. After 3 weeks, cumulative mortality was lower in the i.p. immunized group and mortality was delayed in immersion immunized group. In conclusion, specific immune response of oliver flounder against M. avidus was elevated after immunization and these immune response may prevent and/or delay for the M. avidus infection to olive flounder.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.690-699
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• 2017

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effect of sodium butyrate (SB) on growth performance, immune status, organs weights, and microarchitecture of lymphoid organs and small intestine. Methods: A total of 120, 1-d-old broiler chicks were distributed into the following four treatment groups: corn-soy based basal diet (BD) without supplement (control), or the same BD supplemented with 0.1 g/kg zinc bacitracin (ZnB), 0.5 g/kg SB (SB-0.5), or 1.0 g/kg SB (SB-1), respectively. Six birds/group were killed on d-21 and d-35, and samples were collected. Results: Cell-mediated immune response at 48 h post-Phytohemagglutinin-P injection, and antibody titer against Newcastle disease vaccine and sheep red blood cells on d-35 was noted higher (p<0.05) in SB-1 compared to ZnB and control. Lower (p<0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) was attained by the supplemented groups. Thymus and spleen weighed more (p<0.05) in SB-1, and bursa registered more (p<0.05) weight in both SB groups compared to control. On d-21, areas of thymus medulla and spleen germinal centers were noted higher (p<0.05) in SB-1 group. The villus height and villus surface area increased (p<0.05) in duodenum and jejunum in both SB groups on d-21, and in SB-1 on d-35, respectively compared to ZnB and control. On d-21, number of goblet cells containing mucins of acidic nature increased (p<0.05) in all the segments of small intestines in SB-1 group compared to control, and on d-35 in ileum compared to other groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, SB improved growth performance and immunity as well as modulated morphology of lymphoid organs and gut mucosa in broiler chickens.