• Infection and chemotherapy
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.357-361
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• 2018

While carbapenems are the drug of choice to treat extended-spectrum-${\beta}$-lactamase (ESBL)-producing strains, some alternative carbapenem-sparing regimens are suggested for antibiotic stewardship. We experienced a case of ciprofloxacin treatment failure for acute pyelonephritis caused by an apparently susceptible Escherichia coli. A 71-year-old woman presented the emergency department with fever for 7 days and bilateral flank pain for 2 days. The laboratory results and abdominopelvic computed tomography finding were compatible with acute pyelonephritis. During 3-day ciprofloxacin therapy, the patient remained febrile with persistent bacteremia. After the change in antibiotics to ertapenem, the patient's clinical course started to improve. ESBL-producing E. coli isolates were identified in all three consecutive blood samples. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns, serotypes, and sequence types showed the three isolates were derived from the identical strain. The isolates produced CTX-M-14 type ESBL belonging to the ST69 clonal group. Despite in vitro susceptibility, the failure was attributed to a gyrA point mutation encoding Ser83Leu within quinolone resistance-determining regions. This case suggests that ciprofloxacin should be used cautiously in the treatment of serious infections caused by ciprofloxacin-susceptible, ESBL-producing E. coli, even in acute pyelonephritis because in-vitro susceptibility tests could fail to detect certain genetic mutations.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.83 no.2
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• pp.157-166
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• 2020

Background: Infectious conditions may increase the risk of venous thromboembolism. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk factor for combined infectious disease and its influence on mortality in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE). Methods: Patients with PE diagnosed based on spiral computed tomography findings of the chest were retrospectively analyzed. They were classified into two groups: patients who developed PE in the setting of infectious disease or those with PE without infection based on review of their medical charts. Results: Of 258 patients with PE, 67 (25.9%) were considered as having PE combined with infectious disease. The sites of infections were the respiratory tract in 52 patients (77.6%), genitourinary tract in three patients (4.5%), and hepatobiliary tract in three patients (4.5%). Underlying lung disease (odds ratio [OR], 3.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.926-7.081; p<0.001), bed-ridden state (OR, 2.84; 95% CI, 1.390-5.811; p=0.004), and malignant disease (OR, 1.867; 95% CI, 1.017-3.425; p=0.044) were associated with combined infectious disease in patients with PE. In-hospital mortality was higher in patients with PE combined with infectious disease than in those with PE without infection (24.6% vs. 11.0%, p=0.006). In the multivariate analysis, combined infectious disease (OR, 4.189; 95% CI, 1.692-10.372; p=0.002) were associated with non-survivors in patients with PE. Conclusion: A substantial portion of patients with PE has concomitant infectious disease and it may contribute a mortality in patients with PE.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.76-86
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• 2021

Purpose: This study was conducted to describe the experience of school health teachers in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study using content analysis. Ten school health teachers were recruited from 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools and 2 high schools in Seoul, using purposive sampling. They participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews in person or using an online communication system from January to February, 2021. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Three main categories and nine generic categories emerged from the analysis. Firstly, it was discovered that school health teachers had psychological and physical stress to cope with COVID-19 due to the 1) fear of the unexpected infectious disease, 2) burden of having to deal with it alone, 3) breakdown of personal life and physical exhaustion and 4) heavy duty as a health teacher caused by the lack of an organic cooperation system with institutions related to school infectious diseases. Secondly, school health teachers had an increased sense of empowerment in regard to infectious disease management as a result of 1) feeling rewarded and appreciated and 2) gaining confidence and trust in infectious disease management. Finally, school health teachers experienced the urgent need for an effective response strategy for infection control because of the 1) confusion over infectious disease response due to lack of practical manuals applicable to the field as well as training, 2) disappointing response system without an expert response team dedicated to managing infectious diseases in schools, and 3) growing awareness of the need for change. Conclusion: It is expected that school health teachers' experience of COVID-19 will be used as important data for building effective and advanced school infectious disease response systems.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.41-52
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• 2021

Background & Objectives: The purpose of this study is to present infectious diseases control and crisis response plans for International students by investigating the management of International students and prevention of infectious diseases targeting International students infectious disease control managers at universities in Busan in a situation where the risk of infectious diseases increases due to the spread of COVID-19. Methods: The data were collected from 14 International students infectious disease control managers at universities in Busan. Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS 22.0. Results: There were differences in the importance and performance of COVID-19 infectious disease control and support work by university. Conclusions: It is necessary to integrate management of support and roles of infectious diseases control for foreign students. Furthermore, strengthening the competence of experts and communication tools with international students are needed.

• Proceedings of the Microbiological Society of Korea Conference
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• 2007.05a
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• pp.65-67
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• 2007

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.123-141
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• 2021

PURPOSE: Focusing on the factors that influence the infectious disease emergency response policy (approached by dividing the factors into health policy management and economic policies), both SARS and MERS cases were based on the legal system, manpower, and budget, but there has not been enough learning from the epidemic. This study focused on infectious disease emergency governance, which various studies have neglected despite its social and academic importance. METHODS: The research is based on an analysis of SARS, MERS, and COVID-19 and compares global policies. In this study, infectious disease emergency governance was divided into health policy management and economic factors. This study focused on planning and leadership before and after the outbreak of infectious diseases and how cooperation was achieved to monitor and respond to infectious diseases successfully. RESULTS and CONCLUSION: The limit of this study was that COVID-19 is a currently ongoing infectious disease with high uncertainty. Because it is an ongoing problem, only some data and statistics are reflected, and many limitations prevent a proper comparison under the same criteria as other infectious diseases. In addition, because continuous changes are expected, there is also room for infectious diseases to develop in a completely different pattern from the current situation, and continuous research must be accompanied in the future.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2016

The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreak in South Korea in 2015 has drawn public attention regarding the legal regulation of infectious disease control in Korea. This paper discusses the interpretive and legislative concerns regarding the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act, its ordinance and enforcement regulations, as well as public statements from the relevant administrative agency. Future improvements are also proposed.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.417-421
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• 2004

A normal prion protein (PrPc) is converted to a protease resistant isoform (PrPsc) by an apparent self-propagating activity in bovine spongiform encephalopathies (BSE), which is a neurodegenerative disease. The cDNA encoding bovine PrP open reading frame (ORP) in Korean cattle was cloned by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The cloned cDNA had a length of 795 base pairs which coded for a protein of 264 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular mass of 28.6 kDa. Identities of 90, 90, 79 and 78% on nucleotide and 94, 94, 84, and 84% on amino acid sequence were shown to PrP genes from sheep, goat, human, and mouse, respectively. The cloned DNA was ligated into the pQE30 expression vector and transformed into E. coli M15. The PrP was expressed by induction with isopropyl-$\beta$-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG) and purified on the Ni-NTA affinity column. High specific activities of the recombinant PrP were observed in the fraction of pH 5.8 eluate and showed a molecular mass of-29 kDa on SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.59 no.5
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• pp.447-455
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• 2021

Vivax malaria incidence in Korea is now decreased and showing a low plateau. Nowadays, vivax malaria in Korea is expected to be successfully eliminated with anti-malaria chemotherapy, primaquine, and vector control. The glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is associated with potential hemolytic anemia after primaquine administration. This inborn disorder has a pivotal polymorphism with genetic variants and is the most prevalent X-chromosome-linked disorder. The prevalence of G6PD deficiency was previously reported negligible in Korea. As the population of multicultural families pertaining marriage immigrants and their adolescents increases, it is necessary to check G6PD deficiency for them prior to primaquine treatment for vivax malaria. The prevalence of G6PD variants and G6PD deficiency in multicultural families was performed in 7 counties and 2 cities of Jeollanam-do (Province), Gyeonggi-do, and Gangwon-do. A total of 733 blood samples of multicultural family participants were subjected to test the phenotypic and genetic G6PD deficiency status using G6PD enzyme activity quantitation kit and PCR-based G6PD genotyping kit. The G6PD phenotypic deficiency was observed in 7.8% of male adolescent participants and 3.2% of materfamilias population. Based on the PCR-based genotyping, we observed total 35 participants carrying the mutated alleles. It is proposed that primaquine prescription should seriously be considered prior to malaria treatment.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.561-566
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• 2021

Schools are highly feared to spread widely in the event of an infectious disease, and systematic management and prompt response are needed as it can undermine students' health and learning rights. This study was conducted to identify the current status of infectious diseases common to elementary, middle and high school students and to provide basic data to protect students and faculty from the threat of infectious diseases and maintain normal school functions. Sejong City was selected for investigation. The three major infectious diseases are influenza, chickenpox and aquarium, all of which are classified as acute viral infectious diseases and have fast propagation speed and strong propagation power, which can have fatal consequences for students living in groups. The research data were analyzed using the 2019 infectious disease report data from the Education Ministry's Education Administration Information Network (NEIS), and the current status data reported by elementary, middle and high schools nationwide were analyzed. The research method was to compare the current status of infectious diseases across the country and Sejong City, compare the status of issuance by each school level, compare the status of infectious diseases by item, and analyze the status of infectious diseases by time. The results of the survey on the status of the three major infectious diseases are expected to be used as basic data for managing infectious diseases not only in Sejong City but also in the nation, so that they can be used to establish measures to manage student infectious diseases in the future.