• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.201-205
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• 2006

Immunodeficiency affected by antibody formation is most common among primary immuno-deficiencies. Selective IgA deficiency is more common but, one or more IgG subclass level is low or deficient in some patients. Patients with antibody production deficiency are vulnerable to pneumococci, staphylococci and H.influenzae leading to sinusitis, otitis media and pneumonia. A 10-year-old girl had suffered from frequent upper respiratory infections, a history of tuberculous lymphadenitis tuberculosis medication, and frequent pneumonia that requires hospital adimission. Her height and weight were below 3 percentile normal growth as a manifestation of failure to thrive. When she had another severe pneumonia, all the immunologic test was normal at first, and then we checked the IgG subclass levels. Her IgG1 was within normal, IgG2 was very low, IgG3 and IgG4 was not detected. We report a case of IgG subclass deficiency in frequent upper respiratory infection and failure to thrive.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.427-450
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• 2012

Objectives : This study examined the factors influencing variation by local areas of antibiotics prescription rate in upper respiratory infections (URI) according to the public reporting. Methods : We used the National Health Insurance Claims Data which the clinics claimed for URI (Korean Standard Classification of Disease, J00 ~ J06) in ambulatory care. The period of analysis was from the first quarter (from January to March) of 2005 to the first quarter of 2007. The number of samples was total 242 local areas that included all clinics (N = 7,942), which prescribed antibiotics for URI in ambulatory care. Results : None of the demographic and socioeconomic characteristic indicators was statistically significant. Among the provider factors, An increase in number of doctors and the average annual antibiotics prescription rate (from 2003 to 2004) for URI by local area were significantly related to an increase of antibiotics prescription rate according to the public reporting. And an increase in number of pediatric clinics, the proportion of clinics less than 5 years since has opened and the average annual fluctuation of antibiotics prescription rate (from 2003 to 2005) were significantly related to a decrease in antibiotics prescription rate by local area according to the disclosure of information. Conclusions : According to the public reporting, the antibiotics prescription rate in clinics had decreased sharply. However, the reduction of antibiotic prescription rate varied in different local areas. The factors influencing variation by local areas in antibiotics prescription rate can be used for establishing effective strategies to reduce variation by region in antibiotics prescription rate.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.191-196
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• 1998

Follicular bronchitis/bronchiolitis is pathologically characterized by peribronchiolar lymphoid follicles, which is one of reactive pulmonary lymphoid disorders. It is associated with 1) the result of infections such as mycoplasma, chlamydia etc., 2) immunodeficiency syndromes, 3) connective tissue diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's syndrome and 4) local or systemic hypersensitivity reaction. And it can be also developed without obvious causes and associated diseases(idiopathic). Radiologically it represents as bilateral interstitial patterns of pulmonary infiltrates. In this case, a 49 year-old woman was presented with intermittent cough and sputum. On chest X-ray and CT, $5\times4$ cm sized mass in right upper lobe and paratracheal lymphadenopathies were detected, by which lung malignancy was suspected. Bronchoscopy, trans bronchial lung biopsy and transthoracic needle aspiration showed non-specific findings only. After right upper lobectomy, we could confirm a case of follicular bronchiolitis which presented as an unusual mass-like radiologic finding.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.83-90
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• 2020

Purpose: To investigate the association between urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) and leukocyte differential count in children with urinary tract infections (UTIs). Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed in children undergoing uNGAL measurements between June 2018 and September 2019. Patients with suspected or diagnosed UTIs were included. The relationship between uNGAL and blood leukocyte differential count was investigated in children. Results: A total of 197 children were included in this study, 119 of whom (60%) had UTIs. The non-UTI patients (n=78) were diagnosed with pneumonia, acute gastroenteritis, viral upper respiratory infection, and others. After adjusting for age, gender, and fever duration, the leukocyte count, monocyte count, and uNGAL levels were higher in the UTI group than in the non-UTI group (P<0.05). uNGAL showed positive correlations with neutrophil counts, monocyte counts, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and the monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio in the UTI group (P<0.05). uNGAL levels were only associated with the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in the non-UTI group (P<0.05). In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, only uNGAL was associated with the presence of UTI (P<0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves for uNGAL and monocyte counts to identify UTI were 0.89 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.824-0.939; P=0.025) and 0.7 (95% CI: 0.627-0.774; P=0.038), respectively. Conclusions: In children with UTIs, uNGAL levels may be associated with blood leukocyte differential counts. uNGAL measurements and monocyte counts can be helpful in children with suspected UTIs.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.87-94
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• 2017

Purpose: The inappropriate prescription of antibiotics in children with upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is common. This study evaluated the factors that influence antibiotics use in hospitalized children with viral URTI confirmed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) assay. Methods: The medical records of admitted patients who performed RT-PCR assay for respiratory virus pathogens from January 2013 to November 2014 were examined. The demographic and clinical features were compared between patients who were administered antibiotics at admission and those who were not. We also investigated differences between children who continued antibiotics and those who stopped antibiotics after a viral pathogen was identified. Results: In the total 393 inpatients, the median age was 23 months (interquartile range, 13 to 41.3 months). Antimicrobial agents were prescribed in 79 patients (20.1%) at admission. Patients with acute otitis media (AOM) had higher rates of antibiotics prescription than those without AOM (48.1% vs. 2.2%, P<0.001), with an adjusted odds ratio of 91.1 (95% confidence interval, 30.5 to 271.7). Level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and the proportion of acute rhinosinusitis were also significantly associated with antibiotics use (P<0.001). Among the 44 patients with viruses identified using the RT-PCR method during hospitalization, antibiotic use was continued in 28 patients (63.6%). AOM was statistically associated with continued antibiotic use in the patients (P=0.002). Conclusions: Although the respiratory virus responsible for URTI etiology is identified, clinicians might not discontinue antibiotics if AOM is accompanying. Therefore, careful diagnosis and management of AOM could be a strategy to reduce unjustified antibiotic prescriptions for children with URTI.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.75-82
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• 2007

Purpose : Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a newly identified paramyxovirus that causes a variety of clinical syndromes in children, including upper and lower respiratory tract illnesses. hMPV is considered an ubiquitous virus causing respiratory tract diseases among children especially during late winter and spring seasons. We report clinical features of human metapneumovirus infection in Korean children. Methods : hMPV infection was diagnosed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in respiratory specimens obtained from patients with acute respiratory tract infections from October, 2004 to May, 2005. Medical records of all hMPV-positive patients were reviewed, retrospectively. Results : A total of 15 hMPV were identified from 443 nasopharyngeal aspirations by RT-PCR (3.4%). The range of age of the patients with hMPV infection was from 1 month to 62 months (median age, 31.5 months), with similar numbers of females (8/15) and males (7/15). Among hMPV-positive children, 53.3% (8/15) were aged less than 24 months. Fever, cough, rhinorrhea, vomiting, diarrhea, tachypnea, and chest wall retractions were common findings. Most common clinical diagnosis was pneumonia (60%). Two of the 15 hMPV-positive patients were also positive for adenovirus. Fever persisted from 0 to 10 days (mean 4.9 days). The duration of hospitalization ranged from 4 to 7 days (mean 5.6 days). Conclusion : hMPV accounted for a small but significant proportion of respiratory tract infection in infants and children. Future development and application of diagnostic tools will determine the burden of disease caused by this newly discovered pathogen.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.79-89
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• 1986

During 34 months from October 1982 to July 1985, a clinical study was made on 217 cases of out-patients with pediatric bronchoarthma at Kyung-Hee University Oriental Hospital. ?The observed results were as follows; ?1. In the age of the patients ranged from six months to twelve years; they were almost under six years (73.1 %) The ratio of male to female was 3: 1. ?2. In case of the age to be attacked with bronchoarthma, the age 3 covered 43.9% (95 cases), and the ages of less than 6 years 86.3% (187 cases); and, especially, the age 2 - 3 covered the highest rate (18.4%; 40 cases) ?3. The contraction period of bronchoarthma was almost less than one year (70.1%; 152 cases); especially, less than one week covered the highest rate (22.1 %; 48 cases) ?4. In case of the contraction season; winter (December to February) had the highest rate (33.2%; 72 cases), and fall, spring and summer came after it. And 13 cases (6%) were attacked in all seasons. ?5. Of a day, the severe symptom was shown most frequently from 6 pm to midnight (31.3%; 68 cases), and next from midnight to 6 am (29.1%; 62 cases) ?6. The common symptoms of out-patients were productive cough (24.0%; 147 cases), easily-catch-cold (22.5%; 138 cases), dry cough (11.4%; 70 cases), and so on. ?7. In case of the history of the patients, upper respiratory infections covered 52.1 % (113 cases) bronchitis(29.0%; 63 cases), pneumonia(17.1%; 37 cases), and tonsilitis& pharyngitis(6.0%; ?13 cases): and allergic symptoms covered (42 cases: 19.3%) fetal fever & eczema (11.5%: 25 cases), and allergie Rhinitis (7.8%: 17 cases) ?8. The family of the patients were shown to have the history of bronchitis (21.6%; 47 cases), bronchoarthma (21.2%; 46 cases), and tuberculosis (16.6%; 36 cases) ?9. The factors of bronchoarthma were shown as upper respiratory infections (38.3%; 38 cases), cold weather (18.9%; 41 cases), and exercise (175%; 38 cases) ?10. Of the treatment periods of the patients, less than one month (69.2%; 150 cases) took the highest rate, in which less than a week was 33.2% (72 cases) and one or two weeks 15.2% (33 cases) ?11. The main prescriptions were kunpyunetang (79 cases; 17.0%), Agoayangyuegunpyuetang (73 cases; 15.7%) and Haepyoyangjintang (72 cases; 15.6%) ?12. In the results of treatment, 132 cases (60.9%) was improved; especially, subjective signs of 33 cases (15.2%) of them, was almost removed.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.410-416
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• 2006

Purpose : Ciliary abnormalities of the respiratory system usually accompany recurrent or persistent respiratory diseases such as paranasal sinusitis, bronchiectasis, rhinitis, and/or otitis media, since they cause certain derangements in ciliary cleaning activities. This disease is usually inherited by autosomal recessive trait, but may also be found to be acquired or transient in rare cases after heavy exposure to pollutants, cigarette smoking or severe infection. We performed this study in children with frequently recurrent or persistent respiratory diseases to clarify if the ciliary abnormalities are preceding factors. Methods : We enrolled 17 children with suspected respiratory ciliary abnormalities. The indications for evaluation of ciliary ultrastructure were recurrent or persistent respiratory infections. Children with immunologic abnormalities were excluded. From August 2000 to July 2003, we performed a biopsy on nasal mucosa and examined the structure of ciliary status by using an electron microscope. Results : Of the subjects, there were seven males and 10 females, aged 2 to 10 years. Out of the 17 subjects, 12 cases of chronic paranasal sinusitis, nine chronic coughs, nine frequent upper respiratory infections, seven cases of recurrent otitis media, four cases of recurrent pneumonia, and four cases of bronchial asthma were found. Out of the 17 cases on which histologic examinations were conducted, four cases showed pathologic findings, including one case of inner dynein arm defect, one of microtubular transposition, one of supernumerous tubules, and one singlet, respectively. Conclusion : It is essential for differential diagnosis and effective treatment to identify the abnormalities of ultrastructure of nasal cilia in children with symptoms of frequently recurrent or persistent respiratory diseases, if immunodeficiency or respiratory allergy could be excluded.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.69 no.6
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• pp.426-433
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• 2010

Background: Persistent cough has recently been found to be associated with Chlamydia pneumoniae infection. We aimed to investigate the infection rate of C. pneumonia in adult patients with chronic cough. Methods: We recruited 68 patients with persistent cough lasting in excess of 3 weeks, who visited Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital from January 2005 to August 2005. On the first visit, chest and paranasal sinuses radiography, skin prick test of common allergens, and induced sputum samples for C. pneumoniae were performed in all of patients. Further evaluation for diagnosis included a methacholine provocation test and eosinophil counts in induced sputum. Results: The most common cause of chronic cough was upper airway cough syndrome (UACS) (26.5%), followed by eosinophilic bronchitis (20.6%) and cough variant asthma (16.2%). Idiopathic chronic cough was the cause in 33.8% of patients. The mean duration of cough was 11.7 months. C. pneumoniae was isolated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from one patient who had upper respiratory air way syndrome. Conclusion: Chlamydia pneumoniae appears to have a minor role as a cause of chronic cough in patients.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Applied Microbiology Conference
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.3-6
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• 2000

Antimicrobial resistance has been a well-recognized problem ever since the introduction of penicillin into clinical use. History of antimicrobial development can be categorized based on the major antibiotics that had been developed against emerging resistant $pathogens^1$. In the first period from 1940 to 1960, penicillin was a dominating antibiotic called as a "magic bullet", although S.aureus armed with penicillinase led antimicrobial era to the second period in 1960s and 1970s. The second stage was characterized by broad-spectrum penicillins and early generation cephalosporins. During this period, nosocomial infections due to gram-negative bacilli became more prevalent, while those caused by S.aureus declined. A variety of new antimicrobial agents with distinct mechanism of action including new generation cephalosporins, monobactams, carbapenems, ${\beta}$-lactamase inhibitors, and quinolones characterized the third period from 1980s to 1990s. However, extensive use of wide variety of antibiotics in the community and hospitals has fueled the crisis in emerging antimicrobial resistance. Newly appeared drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (DRSP), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), extended-spectrum ${\beta}$-lactamase-producing Klebsiella, and VRSA have posed a serious threat in many parts of the world. Given the recent epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance and its clinical impact, there is no greater challenge related to emerging infections than the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Problems of antimicrobial resistance can be amplified by the fact that resistant clones or genes can spread within or between the species as well as to geographically distant areas which leads to a global concern$^2$. Antimicrobial resistance is primarily generated and promoted by increased use of antimicrobial agents. Unfortunately, as many as 50 % of prescriptions for antibiotics are reported to be inappropriate$^3$. Injudicious use of antibiotics even for viral upper respiratory infections is a universal phenomenon in every part of the world. The use of large quantities of antibiotics in the animal health industry and farming is another major factor contributing to selection of antibiotic resistance. In addition to these background factors, the tremendous increase in the immunocompromised hosts, popular use of invasive medical interventions, and increase in travel and mixing of human populations are contributing to the resurgence and spread of antimicrobial resistance$^4$. Antimicrobial resistance has critical impact on modem medicine both in clinical and economic aspect. Patients with previously treatable infections may have fatal outcome due to therapeutic failure that is unusual event no more. The potential economic impact of antimicrobial resistance is actually uncountable. With the increase in the problems of resistant organisms in the 21st century, however, additional health care costs for this problem must be enormously increasing.