• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.620-626
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• 2004

Viruses causing acute conjuntivitis were isolated from 675 patients carrying eye infections for year 2001 to 2003 in Busan reagion and their antigenic properties characterized by a serological survey. In 2001, adenoviruses (serotype 8) were found in 5 of 48 cases. In 2002, the isolated viruses were 7 adenoviruses (serotype 8 and 37), 8 coxsakieviruses (serotype A24 and B3) and 1 echoviruses (serotype 6) from 324 specimens that are known as the causative agents of acute hemorrhagic conjuctivitis (AHC). In 2003, 25 case of 303 specimens were 7 adenoviruses (serotype 3, 4, 8 and 37), 7 echoviruses (serotype 6 and 7) and 4 untypable enteroviruses. Although coxsakievirus (serotype B3) and echoviruses (serotype 6 and 7) were generally known as causative agent of aseptic meningitis, it hasn't been reported until now that they were isolated from the conjunctival swabs. The out break of AC was observed from April to October in Busan. These isolated viruses showed a strong cytophatic effects on HEp-2, RD, Vero and BGM cell strains. Analysis of electron micrograph of those viruses showed that adenovirus consists of a 80 nm diameter and nonenvloped icosahedron and then echovirus and coxsackievirus were small nonenveloped and isometric-shaped viruses. Adenovirus showing a cytophatic effect was resulted in a 458 bp single band by PCR and echovirus, coxsackievirus and untypable enterovirus were detected a 437 bp products by RT-PCR.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.62-72
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• 2023

Purpose: A change is expected in the pattern of respiratory viruses including human coronavirus (HCoV) after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Accordingly, identifying the distribution of respiratory viruses before the COVID-19 outbreak is necessary. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the results of samples of nasal swabs collected from children under aged ≤18 years who were hospitalized at Myongji Hospital, Gyeonggi-do due to acute respiratory infections from 2017 to 2019. Viruses were detected by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: Out of 3,557 total patients, 3,686 viruses were detected with RT-PCR including coinfections. Of the 3,557 patients, 2,797 (78.6%) were confirmed as PCR-positive. Adenovirus and human rhinovirus (hRV) were detected throughout the year, and human enterovirus was most detected during summer. Respiratory syncytial virus, influenza virus, and HCoV were prevalent in winter. In patients with croup, parainfluenza virus was most frequently detected, followed by hRV and HCoV. The PCR positive rate in summer and winter differed significantly. Conclusions: Respiratory virus patterns in northwestern Gyeonggi-do were not much different from previously reported data. The data reported herein regarding respiratory virus epidemiological information before the COVID-19 outbreak can be used for use in comparative studies of respiratory virus patterns after the COVID-19 outbreak.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.121-130
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to investigate clinical features and causative organisms in febrile infants younger than three months, to help identification of high risk patients for serious bacterial infection (SBI). Methods : A total of 313 febrile infants younger than three months, who had visited Seoul National University Children's Hospital from January 2008 to December 2010 were included. Clinical features, laboratory findings, causative organisms, and risk factors of SBI were analyzed by retrospective chart review. Causative bacterial or viral pathogens were identified by gram stain and cultures, rapid antigen tests, or the polymerase chain reaction from clinically reliable sources. Results : Among 313 infants, etiologic organisms were identified in 127 cases (40.6%). Among 39 cases of bacterial infections, Escherichia coli (66.7%) and Streptococcus agalactiae (12.8%) were common. Enterovirus (33.7%), respiratory syncytial virus (19.8%), and rhinovirus (18.8%) were frequently detected in 88 cases of viral infection. Patients with SBI (39 cases) showed significantly higher values of the white blood cell count ($14,473{\pm}6,824/mm^3$ vs. $11,254{\pm}5,775/mm^3$, P=0.002) and the C-reactive protein ($6.32{\pm}8.51mg/L$ vs. $1.28{\pm}2.35mg/L$, P<0.001) than those without SBI (274 cases). The clinical risk factors for SBI were the male (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.5-8.9), the presence of neurologic symptoms (OR 4.8, 95% CI 1.4-16.8), and the absence of family members with respiratory symptoms (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.2-11.3). Conclusion : This study identified common pathogens and risk factors for SBI in febrile infants younger than three months. These findings may be useful to guide management of febrile young infants.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.102-110
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of human parechovirus (HPeV) infection in sepsis-like syndrome in infants aged under 3 months. Methods: Medical records of infants aged under 3 months with sepsis-like symptoms who were admitted between July 1, 2018 and August 31, 2018 were reviewed. A multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction panel test was performed on the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Thirty-nine enrolled infants were categorized into three groups: 11 in group 1 (HPeV detected in the CSF), 13 in group 2 (enterovirus detected in the CSF), and 15 in group 3 (no virus detected in the CSF). Results: Compared with groups 2 and 3, a higher proportion of group 1 had tachycardia, tachypnea, apnea, and hypotension (P<0.05). A significantly lower white blood cell (WBC) count was noted in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3 (5,622±2,355/μL, 9,397±2,282/μL, and 12,312±7,452/μL, respectively; P=0.005). The CSF WBC count was lower in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3 (0.9±1.7/μL, 85.1±163.6/μL, and 3.7±6.9/μL, respectively; P=0.068). The proportion of patients requiring inotrope support (36.6% vs. 0% and 6.6%), mechanical ventilation (18.1% vs. 0% and 0%), and high flow nasal cannula (45.4% vs. 15.3% and 6.6%) was higher in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3. All patients recovered completely without complications. Conclusions: HPeV infection shows a severe clinical course and can cause a severe sepsis-like syndrome in infants aged under 3 months. Early diagnosis and proper treatment of HPeV infection are required.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.907-913
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• 2010

Human enteroviruses (HEV) are considered one of the major infectious causes of central nervous system infections such as aseptic encephalomeningitis in pediatrics. This study was focused on providing information related to genetic characteristics and diversities of HEV which prevailed between 2007 and 2009 in Busan, Korea. A total of 2,743 specimens were collected from children and screened for isolation of HEV by cell culture and RT-PCR. Among the specimins, 240 isolates were grouped into 21 different HEV serotypes using VP1 RT-PCR. The major etiological agents were CV-A6 and CV-B2 in 2007, E-6 and E-30 in 2008 and CV-B1 in 2009. The occurrence of HEV infections was the most frequent in the summer (May to August, 188 cases, 78.3%). Most of the isolates were identified from specimens from children under 10 years old, with the highest occurrence in the 2 to 4 year old range (15.2%). However, there were no significant differences between male and female children for the isolates. For analyzing genetic characterization, VP1 gene was amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced. The phylogenetic tree was established by Clustal W method using DNASTAR software. Using the sequence analysis of the VP1 region, it was classified into 2 groups; HEV-A and HEV-B. The HEV-A group contained 6 serotypes and sequences of 31 isolates were compared within each serotype. The HEV-B group contained 10 serotypes and the sequences of 41 isolates were compared within each serotype. Homology analysis of the VP1 region showed that the identity scores of HEV-A and B isolates were different. In conclusion, genetic divergences were observed among the isolates from children between 2007 and 2009 in Busan.