• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.101-107
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• 2005

Purpose : We evaluated the C-reactive protein(CRP), white blood cell(WBC) and neutrophil levels in the various infectious diseases in a single hospital. Methods : A total of 640 medical records of children with infectious diseases such as bacterial meningitis(19 cases), acute pyelonephritis(55 cases), measles(253 cases), chicken pox (38 cases), mycoplasma pneumonia(160 cases), tsutsugamushi disease(39 cases) and Kawasaki disease(152 cases) admitted to The Catholic University of Korea, Daejeon St. Mary's hospital from 1996 to 2002 were retrospectively analyzed. Results : The mean CRP level was $17.9{\pm}6.4mg/dL$ in bacterial meningitis, $9.1{\pm}5.6mg/dL$ in Kawasaki disease, and $8.1{\pm}3.3mg/dL$ in acute pyelonephritis. In the mycoplasma pneumonia and tsutsugamush disease group(atypical bacterial group), the CRP level was $3.2{\pm}2.5mg/dL$, and $1.0{\pm}0.8mg/dL$ in the viral diseases group(measles and chicken pox). There were also significant differences for the WBC count and neutrophil differential between the 3 infectious groups with higher level in the bacterial infections group($15,600{\pm}6,100/mm^3$, $62{\pm}21%$) than in the atypical bacterial infections and in the viral infections group($9,600{\pm}3,300mm^3$, $57{\pm}11%$ and $7,300{\pm}2,900/mm^3$, $49{\pm}16%$, respectively). The inflammatory indices in Kawasaki disease were like those of bacterial infections. There was a correlation between CRP level and WBC or neutrophil count in the bacterial infections and Kawasaki disease groups. Conclusion : The CRP, WBC and neutrophil levels showed a clear difference between the infectious diseases according to causative agents. The WBC and neutrophil level was different according to age in measles and mycoplasma pneumonia. There was a correlation between CRP level and WBC or neutrophil count in the bacterial infections and Kawasaki disease groups.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.251-257
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• 2006

Purpose : In this study, we created a questionnaire and collected answers concerning actual conditions of vaccination and parents' knowledge of vaccination issues, in order to find false knowledge of patients. We tried to give correct information and suggested the role of the pediatrician. Methods : We made questionnaires and collected answers from 466 parents from March 2004 to June 2004. Results : Places of vaccination were pediatric clinics(49.4 percent), health centers(27.7 percent), general/university hospitals(15.0 percent) and other clinics(4.9 percent). We found 38.8 percent of parents thought that the reason for vaccination at pediatric clinics was a belief of speciality, even though there is no difference in the vaccination itself. We also found 15.0 percent of parents thought that there were no differences between pediatricians and other physicians, but 52.0 percent of parents wanted to receive vaccination at pediatric clinics in the future. Our study also found that 62.4 percent of parents wanted to make out a preliminary questionnaire for vaccination. Many parents got vaccination information from vaccination record books(57.9 percent), and 52.6 percent of parents incorrectly believed that Hib vaccination could prevent all kinds of meningitis. Conclusion : Our study suggests that pediatricians need to make efforts to give out correct information. It is necessary to use preliminary questionnaires for vaccination and correct vaccination information should be written on the vaccination record book. Also, there needs to be counselling with parents about weaning, growth and development at the time of vaccination, and to point out the differences between pediatricians and other physicians.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.215-222
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• 2003

Purpose : This study was to analyze serious bacterial infections in infants younger than three months of age and to review the direction of treatments for these patients. Methods : 378 febrile infants with a rectal temperature ${\geq}38.0^{\circ}C$ visited from Jan. 2001 through Dec. 2002 were retrospectively studied. Infants with the following criteria belonged to the low risk group. WBC $5,000{\sim}15,000/mm^3$, WBC negative in urine stick test and negative for nitirite test, CSF WBC < $10/mm^3$ and negative in CSF gram stain, negative chest X-ray, stool WBC <5/HFP(high power field), and focal infection. If any of the above criteria were not met, they belonged to the high risk group. SBI was defined as a positive culture of urine, blood or CSF. SI was defined as aseptic meningitis or pneumonia including above laboratory tests of SBI. SBI patients were separately compared with two groups, high risk and low risk. Results : Of the 378 infants that were tested 216(57.1%) were in the high risk group and 162(42.9%) in the low risk group. Among 105 SBI(27.8%) and 172 SI(45.5%), there were 98 urinary tract infection(25.2%), 10 bacteremia(2.6%), 2 bacterial meningitis(0.6%), and 77 aseptic meningitis(22.8%). There were 76 SBI(35.2%) from the high risk group and 29 SBI(17.9%) from the low risk group identified. The results of the sensitivity(72.4%), the specificity(48.7%), the negative predictive value(82.1%) and the positive predictive value (35.2%) were calculated. Conclusion : Even though the probability of SBI in the low risk group is insignificant, it should still be considered in febrile infants younger than 3 months of age. I believe the CSF study is necessary because of the moderate high incidence of abnormal finding in our study.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.165-171
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• 2016

Purpose: Human parechovirus (HPeV) is an increasingly recognized pathogenic cause of central nervous system (CNS) infection in neonates. However, HPeV infections have not been studied in older children. This study determined the prevalence and clinical features of HPeV CNS infection in children in Korea. Methods: Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays were performed using HPeV-specific, 5' untranslated, region-targeted primers to detect HPeV in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from children presenting with fever or neurologic symptoms from January 1, 2013, to July 31, 2014. HPeV genotyping was performed by sequencing the viral protein 3/1 region. Clinical and laboratory data were retrospectively abstracted from medical records and compared with those of enterovirus (EV)-positive patients from the same period. Results: Of 102 CSF samples, six (5.9%) were positive for HPeV; two of 21 EV-positive samples were co-infected with HPeV. All samples were genotype HPeV3. Two HPeV-positive patients were <3 months of age and four others were over 1 year old. While HPeV-positive infants under 1 year of age presented with sepsis-like illness without definite neurologic abnormalities, HPeV-positive children over 1 year of age presented with fever and neurologic symptoms such as seizures, loss of consciousness, and gait disturbance. The CSF findings of HPeV-positive patients were mostly within the normal range, whereas most (73.7%) EV-positive patients had pleocytosis. Conclusions: Although HPeV is typically associated with disease in young infants, the results of this study suggest that HPeV is an emerging pathogen of CNS infection with neurologic symptoms in older childhood.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.91-96
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• 2011

Bacille Calmette-Gu$\acute{e}$rin (BCG) vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine derived from Mycobacterium bovis. Frequent complications after BCG vaccination are localized ulcer formation and regional lymphadenitis, but there could be rarely severe systemic reactions to BCG vaccine such as osteomyelitis and disseminated BCG infection. Although disseminated BCG infection can be complicated in infants with underlying immunodeficiency after BCG vaccination, it is very unlikely to develop in immunocompetent infants or children. We report a 13-month-old infant who presented with fever, skin nodules, and multiple enlarged lymph nodes 5 months following BCG vaccination. She was diagnosed with disseminated BCG infection by PCRconfirmed M. bovis BCG infection at ${\geq}$2 anatomical sites beyond the region of vaccination. The patient showed no obvious evidence of immunodeficiency as judged on the basis of previous disease history, plasma immunoglobulin levels, B and T lymphocytes counts in peripheral blood, DHR (dihydrorhodamine 123 fluorescence) test and HIV test. She started antituberculous treatment with isoniazid and rifampin, and now, apparently her symptoms have been improved.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.349-357
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• 2014

In this study, the shoot clumps extract of tissue-cultured Raoulia australis using the bioreactor culture system was tested for use a natural cosmetic ingredient. Tissue-cultured R. australis shoot clumps extract was tested anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity for a cosmetic application. R. australis is a wild herbaceous plant of the asteraceae growing in New Zealand and Australia. Previous studies have reported anti-viral activity of the inhibitory effects for the growth of viruses induced meningitis, bronchitis and respiratory diseases but other biological effects are unknown. The shoot clumps extract of tissue-cultured R. australis showed higher anti-oxidant effect and anti-inflammatory effect than the natural R. australis extract. In DPPH, NBT and ABTS assay, the shoot clumps extract of tissue-cultured R. australis enhanced radical scavenging activity (up to 10~25% at $50{\mu}L/mL$) more than the natural R. australis extract. Also, the shoot clumps extract of tissue-cultured R. australis inhibited expression of iNOS and COX-2 protein in LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 macrophages more than the natural R. australis extract. From this study, the shoot clumps extract of tissue-cultured R. australis displayed strong possibility as a new natural cosmetic ingredient for skin-care products.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2023

A case of persistent Ralstonia mannitolilytica bacteremia in the neonatal intensive care unit prompted source investigation due to its rarity. After an extensive investigation, a contaminated ultrasonic nebulizer was identified as the source, and the infection was controlled by removing the source. This study emphasizes the importance of further investigations, even in single cases of rare pathogens.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.349-355
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• 2008

The causes of salt accumulation in soils of plastic film houses nearby Sumjin river estuary in Mokdo-ri($127^{\circ}46'E\;35^{\circ}1'N$), Hadong, Gyeongnam, Korea were investigated in 2006. With chemical properties soils and water analyzed and fertilization status monitored, the study showed that mean salt concentration of soil was much higher at EC $4.3\;dS\;m^{-1}$ than the Korean average (EC $2.9\;dS\;m^{-1}$) in 2000s for plastic film house's soil with exchangeable Na $0.8\;cmol^+\;kg^{-1}$ and water-soluble Cl $232\;mg\;kg^{-1}$, and then might result to salt damage in sensitive crop plants. Salt concentration of ground water used as main irrigation water source contained very high EC with corresponding value of $2.6\;dS\;m^{-1}$. Particularly, increase of EC value was directly proportional with the increased pumping of ground water used as a water-covering system in order to protect the temperature inside plastic film houses from the early winter season. High Na and Cl portion of ions in water might had contributed to the specific ion damage in the crops. Secondly, heavy inputs of chemicals and composts significantly increased the accumulated salts in soil. Conclusively, salt accumulation might had been accelerated by use of salted-groundwater irrigation and heavy fertilization rate. To minimize this problem, ensuring good quality of irrigation water is essential as well as reducing fertilization level.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Life Science Conference
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• 2000.12a
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• pp.20-26
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• 2000

호흡기계 및 소화기계에 감염된 전염성 바이러스에 대한 역학적 기초자료로 이용하고자 1999년 1월부터 12월까지 부산지역에서 분리된 전염성 바이러스의 특징과 계절적 발생추이, 환자의 성별, 연령별 발생에 대해 조사한 결과는 다음과 같다. 1. 1999년도 바이러스 가검물 2261건에서 분리한 호흡기계감염 바이러스 279건과 소화기계 감염 바이러스 83주를 분리하였으며, 이중 인플루엔자 바이러스 A형이 96주(29.6%), B형이 107주(33.0%)로 대부분을 차지하였다. 2. 1999년의 바이러스 분리의 성별 분포는 총 360명의 환자 중 179명(49.7%)의 남성 및 181명(50.3%)의 여성으로 비슷한 양상을 나타내었다. 이중 호흡기계의 경우 279명의 감염환자 중 남성이 130명(46.6%), 여성이 149명(53.4%)으로 여성의 감염율이 비교적 높았으나, 소화기계의 경우 83명의 감염환자 중 남성이 51명(61.4%), 여성이 32명(38.5%)으로 남성의 감염율이 거의 2배정도 높게 나타났다. 3. 1999년의 연령별 분포는 10세 이하의 어린이가 194명(59.9%)으로 대부분을 차지하였으며, 이중 인플루엔자 바이러스가 99명(30.6%)으로 가장 높은 감염을을 나타내었다 유행성이하선염 바이러스의 감염어린이 중에 $l1{\sim}15$세의 연령층이 15명으로(53.3%)로 가장 높게 나타났다. 4. 1999년 월별 감염율은 호흡기계 감염증 바이러스의 경우 1월부터 4월까지, 그리고 12월에 증가 추세를 보이면서 4월에 가장 높은 감염율을 나타내었다 소화기계 감염증 바이러스의 경우 9, 10, 11월을 제외한 모든 월별에 관찰되었으며, echo와 coxsackie 바이러스는 무균성 수막염 환자에서 하절기에 집중적으로 발생하였다. 동절기에 유행하는 설사 바이러스는 12월에 비교적 높은 양상을 나타내었다. 5. 인플루엔자 바이러스는 MDCK 세포에서, 아데노 바이러스와 유행성 이하선염 바이러스는 HEp-2 세포에서, 파라인플루엔자 바이러스는 Vero 세포에서, 그리고 echo, coxsackie B 바이러스와 장내 바이러스는 HEp-2, Vero, BGM 세포에서 뚜렷한 세포병변 효과를 나타내었다. 6. 분리한 바이러스는 전자현미경으로 관찰한 결과 인플루엔자 바이러스 A 형(HINI, H3N2)은 95nm, B 형은 70nm크기의 구형을 나타내었으며, 바이러스표면의 지질 이중층이 뚜렷하게 관찰되었다. 아데노 바이러스는 외피가 관찰되지 않았으며, nucleocapsid는 symmetry이고 크기는 71nm로서 바이러스 입자 표면에 icosaheral capsomer의 배열이 명확하게 관찰되었고, 파라인플루엔자 바이러스와 유행성 이하선염 바이러스는 외피가 있는 구형의 큰 viron으로180, 170nm 크기이었다. 7. Echo와 coxsackie B group 바이러스는 모두 외피가 없는 isometric 형으로 크기는 $30{\sim}45nm$ 이었고, enteric adeno 바이러스는 84nm 크기로서 외피가 없고, 입자 표면에 capsomer의 배열이 명확하게 관찰되었고, rotavirus는 크기가 70nm이며 외층 capsid 단백질과 내층 capsid 단백질이 두층으로 되어 있는 전형적인 수레바퀴 모양을 나타내었다. 이상의 결과로 보아 호흡기계 및 소화기계에 감염되는 전염성 바이러스는 연중 지속적으로 분리되고 있으며 전염성이 강하여 집단 발생은 일으키는 경우도 많고 최근 들어 유행성 이하선염과 흥역 바이러스의 발생률이 높은 추이를 나타내고 있지만 아직은 특이한 바이러스 치료제가 개발되어 있지 않았으므로 지속적인 대책과 아울러 장기적인 발생 가능에 대한 예방책을 흥보하여야 할 것으로 보이며 계속적인 바이러스성 전염병 유행예측조사 및 역학조사가 적극적으로 이루어져야 할 것으로 사료된다.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.218-224
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• 1997

Purpose: The antimicrobial resistance of S. pneumoniae has encountered with increasing frequency from around the world. In our country, penicillin resistant strains of S. penumococci are rapidly increasing. It has been known that colonized pneumococci in upper respiratory tract cause sinisitis, otitis media, meningitis and pneumonia. We tried to reveal the colonization rate of pneumonocci in upper respiratory tract, their antimicrobial resistance and DNA fingerprinting pattern in normal children. Methods: We got specimens from 117 children of day-care center in Seoul through oropharyngeal swab. After incubation on BAP, optochin test and slide latex agglutination test were used for identification. Antimicobial susceptibility test to penicillin, vancomycin, erythromycin and TMP-SMZ was done with disk diffusion method. Penicillin MIC was gotten through the broth microdilution method. Genotyping of 45 pneumococci was done by rep-PCR using REP1R-Dt and REP2-Dt primer. Results: The carriage rate of pneumococci in the day-care center children was 38%(45/117). The resistance of penicillin, erhthromycin, TMP/SMZ, vancomycin by the disk diffusion method are 89%, 91%, 64% and 0%, respectively. 64% of the isolates showed multiple resistance. 7 types of DNA fingerprinting were gotten and 78% of isolates belonged to three types. Conclusion: We found that the antimicrobial resistance of children attending the day-care center in Seoul was much higher than expected. We assumed that this might be due to their easy and frequent exposure to antimicrobial agents and crowded day-care center environment.