• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.37-44
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• 2023

Purpose: To decrease cross-infection, it's essential to analyze the spatial composition of the 'PPE doffing area'. Instead of solely relying on manpower standards, we should focus on responding to infectious diseases within the context of space planning. By doing so, we can lower the risk for healthcare workers' infection and ensure a level of safety in various environmental changes or new manpower input situations. Methods: This analysis is conducted specifically for facilities with negative pressure isolation wards. Additionally, interview surveys to obtain feedback from healthcare workers and incorporate their expertise into the design of the 'PPE doffing area' have been carried. Results: In a PPE doffing area, the standard spaces include a PPE doffing room, a shower room, and a clothing room. Depending on the facility environment or the level of infectious diseases, a Decontamination room or Anteroom can be optionally added. Healthcare workers who remove their PPE in the PPE doffing room should avoid re-entering the Negative pressure room. The shower room is often underutilized. When planning for a future PPE doffing area, an aisle space or passageway must be included even if a shower room is planned. Implications: This study examined the space used by healthcare workers rather than patients, with a focus on infection prevention through architectural planning rather than individual efforts. However, the investigation was limited to facilities that have been converted from general wards to negative pressure isolation wards, so it cannot be generalized to all infectious disease facilities.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2007

We describe a multiplex PCR method that can detect and differentiate simultaneously four different kinds of DNA viruses, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and parvovirus B19 (B19). Primers for the multiplex PCR reaction were designed to amplify specific regions of the EBV (pol), CMV (pol), HBV (pol) and B19 (ns) viral genomes and used to simultaneously detect individual viruses. In order to achieve optimal sensitivity and specificity for multiplex PCR, the thermo-cycling parameters, primer sequences, and concentration of each reaction components were optimized systematically. The sensitivity of the detection method ranged between 5 and 10 copies of viral genome with a mixture of multiple primer pairs. Furthermore, this highly sensitive test showed no cross-reactivity among the four viruses. Thus, the results obtained in this study provide evidence that the assay system is a good tool for supporting the diagnosis of viral infection and contamination.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.10 no.10
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• pp.27-31
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to gather biofilm of unit chair waterline in the laboratory, to analyze microorganisms, to apply the existing draw-off method and the method of using disinfectant, and to compare the change of the number of microorganisms. The water was provided by the waterline of the unitchair, and the gathered samples were cultured with the use of R2A agar plate. Bacterial species separated through the identification of microorganisms were analyzed. To identify the decrease of microorganism for draw-off, samples were gathered in the intervals of 30 seconds, 60 seconds and 120 seconds, and to identify the effect of disinfectant, samples after disinfection were gathered. The quantitative comparison of microorganisms through the gathered samples was done by SPSS program. The number of identified bacteria are 8 species, most of which are gram-negative bacterium, and Sphingomonas type. The rapid decrease of the number of microorganism through draw-off for 60 seconds was confirmed, and microorganisms after disinfection weren't detected right away. Based on the method and result of this study, the water pipe of unit chair, which can be neglected easily, can be managed, so cross infection can be prevented, and systemic management can be possible.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.9
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• pp.846-853
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• 2003

Purpose : Pneumoccocus is one of the most important causes of invasive infection through the childhood period and the prevelance of antibiotics resistance of pneumococcus is increasing worldwide. A 7-valent conjugate vaccine has been developed. It is important to know the prevalence of each serotype of pneumococci in the countries where the vaccine is used to estimate the coverage rate by the vaccine. Methods : One hundred and twenty seven strains of clinical isolates and 72 strains from healthy carriers recovered from Korean children during the period from 1997 to 2002 were subjected to determination of serotype by Quellung reaction and penicillin susceptibility with oxacillin disc diffusion test. Results : Forty-three per cent of clinical isolates were obtained from children under two years of age. Thirty strains(24%) were isolated from normally sterile body fluids. The frequent serotypes were 19F, 19A, 23F, 6A, 6B and 9V. Fifty-six per cent of the clinical isolates were represented in the current 7-valent protein conjugate pneumococccal vaccine, and 84% when the cross-reactive serotypes were included. Frequent serotypes of strains isolated from one to five year-old healthy children were 19F, 14, 11A, 23F, 18C, and 19A. Seventy-one per cent of the carrier strains were included in the 7-valent vaccine. Ninety-three per cent of the clinical isolates and 86% of carrier strains were not susceptible to penicilline. Conclusion : Fifty-six to 84% of pneumococci recovered from Korean children are covered by the current 7-valent protein conjugate pneumococcal vaccine and the prevalence of penicillin resistance was very high.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.135-142
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• 1990

The quality improvement of antigen (crude saline extract) of Spirometra maptscni 1)lerocercoid (sparganum) was investigated by protein purificatioll. The crude extract was fractionated by gel filtration through Sephacryl S-300 Superfine. Its third fraction was purified by affinity chromatography using a monoclonal antibody as ligand. When observed by SDS-PAGE, the purified protein was composed of 2 bands of 36 kDa and 29 kDa which were found already as the most sensitive components in the crude extract by immunoblots with patients sera. The quality of the purified antigen was evaluated in comparison with the crude extract by ensyme-linked imnunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the specific (IgG) antibody in sera of human sparganosis, other parasitic and neurologic diseases, and normal control. When the purified antigen was used: the sensitivity was not altered but remained high (96.4%) while the specificity was increased from 86.8% to 96.9%.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.121-126
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• 2017

A technique for producing the ear shell for a hearing aid using DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine) image and a 3D printing was studied. It is a new application method, and is an application technique that can improve the safety and infection of hearing aid users and can reduce the production time and process stages. In this study, the effects on the shape surface were examined before and after the printing of the ear shell using a 3D printer based on the values obtained from the raw data of the DICOM images at the volumes of 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, and 2.0 mm, respectively. Before the printing, relative relationship was compared with respect to the STL (STereoLithography) file structure; and after the printing, the intervals of the layered structure of the ear shell shape surface were compared by magnifying them using a microscope. For the STL file structure, the numbers of triangular vertices, more than five intersecting points, and maximum intersecting points were large in the order of 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, and 2.0 mm, respectively; and the triangular structure was densely distributed in the order of the bending, angle, and crest regions depending on the sinuosity of the external auditory meatus shape. As for the ear shell shape surface examined by the digital microscope, the interval of the layered structure was thick in the order of 2.0 mm, 1.0 mm, and 0.5 mm. For the STL surface structure mentioned above, the intersecting STL triangular structure was denser as the sinuosity of the 3D ear shell shape became more irregular and the volume of the raw data decreased.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.162-170
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• 2021

Objectives: This study was carried out to understand the seroprevalence and risk factors for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) among the Korea National Park Service (KNPS) workers. Methods: We used the stored serum samples (763) and survey results collected from the previous investigation on scrub typhus and Lyme disease among the KNPS workers during 2016-2017. The serum samples were analyzed by double-antigen sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, which was used to test the total antibody including IgG and IgM. Results: The SFTS seroprevalence among the KNPS worrkers was 1.4%. In multivariate logistic analysis, the national park exploration programs (odds ratio, 3.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-12.01) was significantly associated with the seroprevalence of SFTS. Conclusion: This study was the first serological study of SFTS among forestry workers in South Korea. Although the KNPS workers are at a high-risk group of SFTS, the prevention activities related to the working environment and habit was insufficient. Thus, systematic prevention education and training for the KNPS workers need to be strengthened.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.325-330
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• 2008

Two different Eelwardsiella tarda isolates, KFE and Edk-2, were obtained from Korea and Japan respectively. On the base of the previous results showing higher pathogenicity of E. tarda KFE compared to that of E. tarda Edk-2 isolate, we tried to determine the differences of antigenicities of these two isolates in loach which is one of the important species in freshwater aquaculture in Korea. Concentration of specific antibody in the serum appeared to be much higher in loach immunized with FKC of E. tarda Edk-2 than those found in loach immunized with FKC of E. tarda KFE. Cross-reaction analysis using agglutination test with normal and antigen-absorbed antisera implied the differences epitopes in the antigens of these E. tarda isolates. For the comparison of bactericidal activity of the produced antibody with different antigens, absorption analysis was performed and confirmed the presence of critical epitopes in the FKC of E. tarda KFE strain. The prophylactic agent, polysaccharide-bound protein (PS-K) injected 1 week before the artificial infection with E. tarda KFE isolates decreased the cumulative mortality in loach and would be on effective method to prevent the occurrence of bacterial infection including E. tarda.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.7
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• pp.789-792
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• 2005

We report a case of cat scratch disease (CSD) caused by Bartonella henselae in a 14-year-old boy who developed lymphadenopathy in the right cervical area, after a raising canine pet for 10 months. The cervical lymphadenopathy persisted for 14 days. Immunofluorescent antibody testing for B. henselae with the patient's serum was 1:64 positive. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis using the patient's lymph node aspirates for B. henselae DNA was also positive. This is the first case of cat scratch disease confirmed by PCR for B. henselae DNA in children.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.282-293
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to examine the degree of infection control implemented at dental offices and factors affecting it in an attempt to help promote the health of dental health care workers. The subjects in this study were 180 medical personnels who worked at dental offices in the region of South Jeolla Province. A self-administered survey was conducted from April 1 to May 30, 2008, and the collected data were analyzed. The findings of the study were as follows: 1. As for the implementation of infection control at the dental offices, what the health care workers investigated did the most was post-treatment hand washing(95.0), a constant separation of infectious wastes(94.4), wearing rubber gloves all the time during medical instrument cleansing(92.8) and pre-treatment hand washing(91.7). 2. In regard to the implementation of infection control at the dental offices, what the dental personnels did the least was drying their hands with air(5.0), wearing goggles in times of treatment(23.3), receiving regular education on infection control(26.7) and putting sterilizers to a performance test on a regular basis(43.9). 3. The dental health care workers were significantly different according to age in the management of contagious diseases(p=0.005). Their career made a significant difference to the management of contagious diseases(p=0.000) and instrument cleansing/sterilization(p=0.043). The service area made a significant difference to wearing and managing personal protective clothes (p=0.040) and waste management(p=0.040). 4. Concerning the relationship between the acquisition of dental hygienist certificate and the practice of infection control, whether the dental health care workers were certified or not made no significant difference to that. 5. As to the correlation among the factors affecting the prevention and management of contagious diseases, there was a positive correlation among hand washing(r=0.379), wearing and managing personal protective clothes(r=0.349), instrument cleansing/sterilization(r=0.323) and waste management(r=0.388). All the factors made a statistically significant difference to the prevention and management of contagious diseases(p<0.01).