• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.64 no.5
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• pp.387-391
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• 2008

Bronchopulmonary infections caused by trichomonads have been reported principally in patients with pre-existing pulmonary diseases, such as bronchial carcinoma, lung abscess, or bronchiectasis. Pulmonary trichomoniasis is most often caused by Trichomonas tenax, which is usually regarded as a harmless commensal organism of the human mouth. However, pulmonary infection may rarely be caused by other trichomonas species, including Trichomonas vaginalis from the genitourinary tract and Trichomonas hominis from the intestines. Because of the rarity of trichomonas pulmonary infection, and because of its close association with underlying lung and systemic disease, pulmonary trichomoniasis is considered an opportunistic infection. We recently treated a case of pulmonary trichomoniasis occurring in a young, healthy male without obvious underlying pulmonary or systemic illness. To our knowledge, there has been only one reported case of pulmonary trichomoniasis in Korea, and there have been only two reported cases of pulmonary trichomoniasis occurring in normal lung worldwide.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.97-102
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• 2021

Objectives : Virus infection through the respiratory tract causes various inflammatory diseases such as pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, and obstructive pulmonary disease, causing enormous social damage. Therefore, it is very important to develop a treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. In this study, we investigated the effect of water extracts of Liriope muscari (WELM), known to improve lung function, on the inflammatory response of lung carcinoma cell line A549 cells induced by the viral double stranded RNA mimetic Polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C). Methods : The cell viability by WELM treatment was analyzed using MTS assay in A549 cells. After inducing an inflammatory response to WELM-treated A549 cells with Poly I:C, the degree of apoptosis was confirmed through bright field microscopy. Interferon beta (IFN-β) mRNA expression level in A549 cells was analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). Results : WELM treatment has no significant effect on cell viability of A549 cells. We confirmed that pre-treatment of WELM effectively reduces the Poly I:C-induced apoptotic cell death in A549 cells. In addition, it was confirmed that the mRNA expression level of IFN-β, a pro-inflammatory cytokine increased by Poly I:C treatment, was significantly suppressed by WELM treatment in A549 cells. Conclusions : These results provide the evidence that WELM is effective at inhibiting inflammation on respiratory viral infections and suggest that Liriope muscari might be a valuable natural substance in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.175-179
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• 2012

Adenoviruses are an important cause of respiratory tract infections, particularly in infants, young children, and immuno-compromised patients. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of adenoviruses isolated from outpatients with acute respiratory illness in Gyeonggi province of South Korea during 2009-2011. Adenoviruses were detected in 102 of 1,622 (6.3%) specimens by using PCR or real-time PCR with viral specific primers. 76 isolates were obtained from 102 specimens using the A549 cells. Serotypic distributions of isolated adenovirus were analyzed by sequencing of hexon gene. Six different serotypes were identified, which included adenovirus serotypes 1-6. Adenovirus 3 (n=40, 52.6%) was the predominant serotype. The predominant types of adenovirus every year were serotypes 1 and 3 in 2009, serotype 3 in 2010, and serotype 5 in 2011, respectively. Adenoviruses 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 were isolated sporadically throughout the study period. Adenovirus 3 was present both during outbreaks and in sporadic cases. These results indicate that adenovirus 3 played major causative agent of adenovirus outbreaks in Gyeonggi province of South Korea during 2009-2011. Continuous surveillance for specific serotypes of adenovirus that can cause outbreaks is important.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 2023

Objective: This study aimed to examine the influence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on pregnancy in cytokeratin-18 (K18)-hACE2 transgenic mice. Methods: To determine the expression of hACE2 mRNA in the female reproductive tract of K18-hACE2 mice, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed using the ovary, oviduct, uterus, umbilical cord, and placenta. SARS-CoV-2 was inoculated intranasally (30 μL/mouse, 1×10⁴ TCID₅₀/mL) to plug-checked K18-hACE2 homozygous female mice at the pre-and post-implantation stages at 2.5 days post-coitum (dpc) and 15.5 dpc, respectively. The number of implantation sites was checked at 7.5 dpc, and the number of normally born pups was investigated at 20.5 dpc. Pregnancy outcomes, including implantation and childbirth, were confirmed by comparison with the non-infected group. Tissues of infected mice were collected at 7.5 dpc and 19.5 dpc to confirm the SARS-CoV-2 infection. The infection was identified by performing RT-PCR on the infected tissues and comparing them to the non-infected tissues. Results: hACE2 mRNA expression was confirmed in the female reproductive tract of the K18-hACE2 mice. Compared to the non-infected group, no significant difference in the number of implantation sites or normally born pups was found in the infected group. SARS-CoV-2 infection was detected in the lungs but not in the female reproductive system of infected K18-hACE2 mice. Conclusion: In K18-hACE2 mice, intranasal infection with SARS-CoV-2 did not induce implantation failure, preterm labor, or miscarriage. Although the viral infection was not detected in the uterus, placenta, or fetus, the infection of the lungs could induce problems in the reproductive system. However, lung infections were not related to pregnancy outcomes.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.9-22
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• 1996

Respiratory Syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections in human, with infants and young children being particularly susceptible. In the temperate zones, sharp annual outbreaks of RSV occur during the colder months, in both the northern and the southern hemisphere. RSV is unusual in that it can repeatedly reinfect individuals throughout life and infect babies in the presence of maternal antibody. RSV isolates can be divided into two subgroups, A and B, on the basis of their reactions with monoclonal antibodies, and the two subgroups are also distinct at the nucleotide sequence level. The specific diagnosis of RSV infection was best made by isolation of virus in tissue culture, identification of viral antigen, or by specific serologic procedures. Recently, rapid detection of RSV and analysis of RSV strain variation became possible by development of methods of reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction amplification. In this study, to determine the genetic diversity of RSV found in Korea, 173 bp and 164 bp spanning selected regions of the RSV F and SH genes were enzymatically amplified and sequenced, respectively. Eight for F gene and three for SH gene were detected in 66 nasopharyngeal swap samples tested. Two major antigenic subgroups, A and B were confirmed from Korean samples (seven for subgroup A and one for subgroup B). At the nucleotide level of the F gene region, Korean subgroup A strains showed 95-99% homologies compared to the prototype A2 strain of subgroup A and 93-100% homologies among Korean subgroup A themselves. For the SH gene region, Korean subgroup A strain showed 97.5% homology compared to the prototype A2 strain of subgroup A, and Korean subgroup B strain showed 97% homology compared to the prototype 18537 strain of subgroup B. Most of base changes were transition and occured in codon position 3, which resulted in amino acid conservation. Using the maximum parsimony method, phylogenetic analysis indicated that Korean RSV strains formed a group with other RSV strains isolated from the United States, Canada, the Great Britain and Australia.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.61 no.6
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• pp.554-561
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• 2006

Background: In AIDS patients, the respiratory tract is one of the most frequently involved site of by an opportunistic infection, and an even common, casual pulmonary infection manifests in a peculiar ways in AIDS patients. In Korea, because of the low prevalence of AIDS, there is insufficient data compared with other Southeast Asian counties. However, considering the sexual behavior of the younger generation, it is expected that it will not be long before AIDS becomes a major public health issue in Korea. This study examined the clinical manifestation of HIV positive people and AIDS patients. The pulmonary manifestion of HIV-positive was evaluated. This study focused on the differences in the clinical manifestation between AIDS patients with pulmonary disease and simple HIV positive people. The characteristics of common pulmonary infections in AIDS patients were also analyzed. Method: The medical records of 28 HIV positive patients who visited the hospital of ChungAng University Hospital from January, 2001 to February, 2006 were analyzed retrospectively. Result: Twenty-seven patients out of 28 HIV positive patients were male and the average age was 40.6(23-65). Patients in their thirties were most commonly affected. Elven patients had pulmonary diseases. Pulmonary tuberculosis (4 cases) and pneumocystis pneumonia (4 cases) were the most common respiratory infection. One patient showed a peculiar type of systemic cryptococcus. which was accompanied by lung and pleural dissemination. The CD4+lymphocyte count of patients with a pulmonary infection was significantly lower in patients with a pulmonary manifestation than those with only a HIV infection ($79.5/mm^3$ vs $400/mm^3$, respectively)(p<.05). Patients with pulmonary disease were in a more severe immunosuppressive state. There were 4 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, 4 with pneumocystis pneumonia, 4 with secondary syphilis, 2 with primary syphilis, and 2 with HZV infection. The average CD4 lymphocyte counts was $56/mm^3$ in those with pulmonary tuberculosis, $42/mm^3$ in those with pneumocystis pneumonia, and $455/mm^3$ in those with secondary syphilis. Conclusion: This study examined the clinical manifestation of HIV positive patients, particularly AIDS patients with pulmonary disease, A more severe immunosuppressive status was observed in HIV-related pulmonary compared with those with HIV-related extrapulmonary disease, and the frequency of pulmonary tuberculosis in pulmonary disease was higher than expected. Respiratory infection in AIDS manifest in uncommon ways e.g. disseminated cryptococcosis involving the lung and pleura. Evidently, AIDS patients with a respiratory infection have a more severe form of immunosuppression than those with a simple HIV infection. As expected, patients with a pulmonary infection were in a more severe immunosuppressed state than those with a simple HIV infection. Opportunistic infections can show peculiar clinical presentations in AIDS patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.330-338
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• 2009

Purpose : The causes of acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI) are mostly attributable to viral infection, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), influenza virus A/B (IFV A/B), or adenovirus (ADV). Several Korean studies reported human metapneumovirus (hMPV) as a common pathogen of ALRTI. However, studies on seasonal distribution and clinical differences relative to other viruses are insufficient, prompting us to perform this study. Methods : From November 2006 to October 2007, we tested nasopharyngeal aspiration specimens in children hospitalized with ALRTI with the multiplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction to identify 6 kinds of common pathogen (hMPV, RSV, PIV, IFV A/B, and ADV). We analyzed positive rates and clinical features by respiratory chart review. Results : We detected 38 (8.4%) hMPV-positive cases out of 193 (41.8%) virus-positive specimens among 462 patients. HMPV infection prevailed from March to June with incidence peaking in April. HMPV-positive patients were aged 15 years (76.3%), and the ratio of boys to girls was 1.2:1. The median age was 27 months. HMPV primarily caused pneumonia (76.3 %) (P=0.018). Average hospitalization of HMPV-associated ALRTI patients was 5.8 days. In addition, they showed parahilar peribronchial infiltration (100%) on chest X-ray, normal white blood cell count (73.7%), and negative C-reactive protein (86.8 %) (P>0.05). All hMPV-positive patients recovered without complication. Conclusion : HMPV is a common pathogen of ALRTI in Korean children, especially in 1-5 year olds, from March to May. Immunocompetent children diagnosed with hMPV-associated ALRTI may have a good prognosis.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.142-149
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• 2009

Purpose : The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of serum procalcitonin (PCT) compared with that of C-reactive protein (CRP) and the total white blood cell count (WBC) in predicting bacterial infections in febrile infants<6 months of age. Methods : A prospective study was performed with infants <6 months of age who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics with a fever of uncertain source between July and September 2008. Spinal taps were performed according to clinical symptoms and physical examination. Serum PCT levels were measured using an enzyme-linked fluorescent assay. Results : Seventy-one infants (mean age, 2.62 months) were studied. Twenty-six infants (36.6%) had urinary tract infections (UTIs), and 22 infants (31.0%) had viral meningitis. The remaining infants had acute pharyngitis (n=1), herpangina (n=1), upper respiratory tract infections (n=7), acute bronchiolitis (n=8), acute gastroenteritis (n=4), and bacteremia (n=2). The median WBC and CRP levels were significantly higher in infants with UTIs than in infants with viral meningitis. However, there were no differences in the median PCT levels between the groups (0.14 ng/mL vs. 0.11 ng/mL, P=0.419). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.792 (95% CI, 0.65-0.896) for WBC, 0.77 (95% CI, 0.626-0.879) for CRP, and 0.568 (95% CI, 0.417-0.710) for PCT. An elevated WBC count (>11,920/${\mu}L$) and an increased CRP level (>1.06mg/dL) were significant predictors of UTIs based on multiple logistic regression analysis. Conclusion : Serum PCT concentrations should be interpreted with caution in infants <6 months of age with a fever of uncertain source.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.5
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• pp.497-503
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• 2005

Backgrounds : The exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been suggested to be associated with respiratory tract viral infections (RTVIs). However, the rates of virus detection in previous studies have been quite variable, with lower rates for the exacerbation of COPD. Therefore, the virus detection of patients with exacerbation of asthma and COPD were investigated. Methods : 20 and 24 patients with exacerbation of asthma and COPD, respectively, were enrolled. Nasal and sputum samples were taken, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for rhinovirus and coronavirus and virus culture for influenza A, B, RSV and parainfluenza virus performed. Results : The mean $FEV_1/FVC$ in the exacerbation of asthma and COPD patients were 1.9/2.9 L (65.5%) and 1.1/2.6 L (42.3%), respectively. Respiratory virus was detected in 13 (65%) patients with exacerbation of asthma and rhinovirus was detected in 9. Coronavirus, influenza A, RSV and parainfluenza virus were detected in 2, 2, 1 and 1 patients with asthma. Among patients with exacerbation of COPD, a virus was detected in 14 (58.3%) patients, with rhinovirus, coronavirus and influenza A detected in 10, 3 and 4, respectively. Conclusions : This study suggested that RTVIs may have a role in the exacerbation of COPD as well as asthma.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.109-118
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• 1975

This is a report on four cases of the lobar emphysema due to proximal bronchial obstruction in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Hanyang University Hospital, during the period of three and half years from 1972 to 1975. First case, a two years old male child was referred to our Department with the lobar emphysema of the lower lobe of the right lung with pneumonia. This emphysema was developed after aspiration of a piece of peanut. Bronchoscopy revealed that the bronchus of the right lower lobe was obstructed with the foreign body, however removal of the peanut through bronchoscope was not attempted because of corruption and softening of the peanut. The removal of the peanut by bronchotomy was performed after subsiding of acute phase of pulmonary infection. Postoperative course was uneventful and the emphysema was disappeared. Second case, a twenty months old female baby was referred to our Department with lobar emphysema of the lower lobe of the left lung. The emphysema was suddenly developed with coughing and dyspneic symptoms and the diagnosis was made roentgenologically. She gave a history of reccurrent infections of the respiratory tract after birth. Bronchoscopy showed an obstruction of the left main bronchus with the growing of fibrinous tissue on the bronchial mucosa. The protruded tissue in the left main bronchus taken out about O.8ml with biopsy forceps for histological examination. After this procedure, the emphysema of the left lung was disappeared. Histological finding was reported to be a chronic inflammatory granulation tissue. Third case, a two and half years old male child was referred to our Department with roentgenological lobar emphysema. Two weeks prior to admission he had an episode of sudden onset of coughing attack with dyspnea. Bronchoscopy revealed that the bronchus of the left lower lobe was obstructed with a mass which was strongly suspected of a neoplastic tissue. At operation, there was found a perforation of enlarged tuberculous lymph node in the bronchus of the left lower lobe and protrusion of granulation tissue into the bronchus. Ruptured orifice on themembranous wall of the left lower lobe bronchus was closed with interrupted suture after the" removal of a perforated tuberculous lymph node. Postoperative course was uneventful and antituberculous chemotherapy was given. Fourth case, a 47 years old man was admitted to our Department with the complaint of severe dyspnea of few months duration. Twenty years ago, he had a history of lung tuberculosis and was treated for many years. X-ray examination including tomography and bronchography revealed that the upper lobe of the right lung was destroyed with cavities, the lower lobe was completely shrunk, and the right middle lobe was strongly overdistended with narrowing bronchial trees. Differential bronchospirometry and lung scanning confirmed that the respiratory function of the affected lung was impaired almost totally. The value of the right lung was calculated on 6% of oxygen uptake, 1% of Minute volume, and 32% of vital capacity. The right pneumonectomy was performed under the careful consideration of anesthetic and surgical procedures. Postoperative course was uneventful and the respiratory function was improved nearly to the normal level.evel.