PURPOSE: The incidence of shigellosis had been decreased due to the use of antibiotics and the improvement of environmental sanitation but recently increases again. Shigellosis occurrs in mass outbreak through unsanitized meal preperation refered from welfare facility and school. We observed epidemic aspect and clinical coarse of childhood shigellosis. METHODS: from December 2001 to January 2002, 22 inpatients with shigellosis in Dongbu Municipal Hospital were observed epidemiologically, clinically and microbiologically. RESULTS: 1. The sexual ratio was 1:1 and mean age was 5.5+/-1.4 years (14 months to 11 years). 2. The clinical manifestations were following: diarrhea (95.5%), high feve (10%) and asymptomatic (4.5%). The mean duration was 3.9+/-2.1 days (1 to 12 days). All patients had no complication and normal serologic test. 3. S. sonnei was cultured in rectal swab, and was resistant to TMP/SMX and ampicillin, but susceptible to ampicillin/sulbactam and the 3rd generation cephalosporins. 4. The patients were treated by antibiotics with conservative treatment including electrolytes and fluid therapy for 5 days, resulting in improvement confirmed by negative reaction on stool culture. 5. These cases were all occurred in mass outbreak in day care center and were suspected to be secondary infection by members of family. CONCLUSION: This shigellosis occurred in day care center was secondary infection due to S. sonnei and had mild clinical coarse and improvement after antibiotic treatment.
Ampicillin ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Cephalosporins ; Child ; Coinfection ; Day Care, Medical ; Diarrhea ; Dysentery, Bacillary* ; Electrolytes ; Fluid Therapy ; Hospitals, Municipal ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inpatients ; Meals ; Sanitation ; Serologic Tests

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential effects of mild hypoxia in the mature and immature brain. METHODS: We prepared organotypic slice cultures of the hippocampus and used hippocampal tissue cultures at 7 and 14 days in vitro (DIV) to represent the immature and mature brain, respectively. Tissue cultures were exposed to 10% oxygen for 60 minutes. Twenty-four hours after this hypoxic insult, propidium iodide fluorescence images were obtained, and the damaged areas in the cornu ammonis 1 (CA1), CA3, and dentate gyrus (DG) were measured using image analysis. RESULTS: In the 7-DIV group compared to control tissue, hypoxia-exposed tissue showed decreased damage in two regions (CA1: 5.59%+/-2.99% vs. 4.80%+/-1.37%, P=0.900; DG: 33.88%+/-12.53% vs. 15.98%+/-2.37%, P=0.166), but this decrease was not statistically significant. In the 14-DIV group, hypoxia-exposed tissue showed decreased damage compared to control tissues; this decrease was not significant in the CA3 (24.51%+/-6.05% vs. 18.31%+/-3.28%, P=0.373) or DG (15.72%+/-3.47% vs. 9.91%+/-2.11%, P=0.134), but was significant in the CA1 (50.91%+/-5.90% vs. 32.30%+/-3.34%, P=0.004). CONCLUSION: Although only CA1 tissues cultured for 14 DIV showed significantly less damage after exposure to hypoxia, the other tissues examined in this study showed a tendency towards less damage after hypoxic exposure. Therefore, mild hypoxia might play a protective role in the brain.
Anoxia* ; Brain ; Dentate Gyrus ; Fluorescence ; Hippocampus ; Neuroprotective Agents* ; Oxygen ; Propidium

PURPOSE: A relationship between Febrile seizure (FS) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) has been found in several studies. However, few studies have focused on the role of IDA in complex febrile seizures (CFS) and simple febrile seizures (SFS) and there is no report on whether IDA is a risk factor for recurrence. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of IDA in SFS and CFS and to examine the effect of IDA on recurrence. METHODS: Patients (n=166) who had been diagnosed with FS were enrolled in our study. Subjects were divided into the following groups for analysis: the SFS and CFS groups, recurrence and non-recurrence groups. The onset age was compared in each group of patients and laboratory test results based on IDA were compared. RESULTS: Between the SFS and the CFS groups, there was no significant difference in laboratory test results based on IDA. There was a significant difference in onset age between the two groups and the onset age tended to be lower in the CFS group (24.00 vs. 16.49 months) (P=0.004). Comparing recurrence and non-recurrence groups, the mean corpuscular volume was significantly different (P=0.043) with the recurrence group having a lower mean corpuscular volume level (78.92 vs. 77.48). The onset age in the recurrence group was lower (26.02 vs. 19.68 months). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that onset age could be a risk factor for CFS, and IDA may not contribute to elevating the risk of CFS. However, IDA may play an important role in the recurrence of FS.
Age of Onset ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency* ; Erythrocyte Indices ; Humans ; Iron* ; Recurrence* ; Risk Factors* ; Seizures, Febrile*

PURPOSE: This study investigated predictive factors for severe neonatal thrombocytopenia, which greatly increases the need for intensive care and is associated with a high mortality rate in premature infants. Factors adopted for prompt identification of at-risk newborns include blood test results and birth history. This study analyzed the relationship between the presence of severe neonatal thrombocytopenia and the mortality rate. The causes of thrombocytopenia in premature infants were also examined. METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated 625 premature infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Chung-Ang University Medical Center. The neonates were classified into 3 groups according to the severity of thrombocytopenia: mild (100×10⁹/L≤platelet < 150×10⁹/L), moderate (50×10⁹/L≤platelet < 100×10⁹/L), or severe (platelet < 50×10⁹/L). Analysis of blood samples obtained at the onset of thrombocytopenia included platelet count, white blood cell (WBC) count, hemoglobin level, hematocrit level, absolute neutrophil count, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level. RESULTS: Of the 625 premature infants admitted to our NICU, 214 were detected with thrombocytopenia. The mortality rate in thrombocytopenic neonates was 18.2% (39/214), whereas a mortality rate of only 1.0% was observed in non-thrombocytopenic neonates. The major causes of thrombocytopenia were perinatal insufficiency and sepsis in premature infants. Severe thrombocytopenia was noted more frequently in premature infants with higher WBC counts and in those with a younger gestational age. CONCLUSION: Platelet count, WBC count, and gestational age are reliable predictors for severe neonatal thrombocytopenia. The major causes of thrombocytopenia were perinatal insufficiency and sepsis in premature infants.
Academic Medical Centers ; C-Reactive Protein ; Classification ; Critical Care ; Gestational Age ; Hematocrit ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Leukocytes ; Mortality ; Neutrophils ; Platelet Count ; Reproductive History ; Retrospective Studies ; Sepsis ; Thrombocytopenia ; Thrombocytopenia, Neonatal Alloimmune

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported that fasting insulin and blood glucose levels are higher in postmenopausal than in premenopausal women and that insulin resistance was more serious in postmenopausal women. The effects of menopause on glucose metabolism have been well studied, but it is unclear whether age at menopause onset is associated with fasting blood sugar and HbA1c levels. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of menopause age on diabetes and prediabetes.METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from the Sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013–2015). The participants were 2,156 naturally menopausal women, except diabetes, stroke, coronary artery disease and cancer patients. The study population was divided into four groups according to the age of natural menopause onset ( < 40, 40–44, 45–55, and ≥56 years). Diagnosis of diabetes and prediabetes was based on the American Diabetes Association guideline. The association between menopause age and diabetes or prediabetes was analyzed by multiple logistic regression.RESULTS: Women reaching menopause at 40–44 years were 4.901 times more likely to have diabetes (odds ratio [OR], 4.901; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.353–17.756, P=0.016) than those who reached menopause at an age of ≥56 years. Women with menopause at age < 40 years were 2.839 times more likely to have diabetes or prediabetes (OR, 2.839; 95% CI, 1.012–7.968, P=0.047).CONCLUSION: Women with premature menopause (< 40 years) have high risk of developing diabetes or prediabetes, and women with a menopause age of 40–44 years have high risk of developing diabetes.
Blood Glucose ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diagnosis ; Fasting ; Female ; Glucose ; Humans ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Menopause ; Menopause, Premature ; Metabolism ; Nutrition Surveys ; Prediabetic State ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke

Background: It is well known that physical activity has various health benefits. Therefore, this study was conducted to demonstrate the association between physical activity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among Korean patients with diabetes mellitus. Methods: Our study is based on VI phases (2014–2015) of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Subjects were divided into two groups according to high and low levels of physical activity. HRQoL was measured by using the Euro quality of life-5 dimension (EQ-5D). Impaired HRQoL was defined as the score within the lowest 20% of the EQ-5D index and some or extreme problems in the EQ-5D domains. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) for the effects of physical activity on impaired HRQoL. Results: The adjusted OR for impaired HRQoL for individuals that were more physically active compared to those who were less physically active was higher for the EQ-5D index (OR, 2.85; 95% CI, 1.82–4.44). Furthermore, compared to less physically active individuals, the adjusted ORs were higher for more physically active individuals in mobility (OR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.28–3.02), self-care (OR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.20–4.03), usual activities (OR, 2.83; 95% CI, 1.81–4.45), and pain/discomfort (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.19–2.57) among the various EQ-5D domains. Conclusion A lack of physical activity is associated with lower HRQoL among Korean patients with diabetes, particularly when compared with Koreans engaged in frequent physical activity.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a critical source of infections in neonatal intensive care units. Early diagnosis and treatment are important due to the significant morbidity of MRSA infection. MRSA sepsis can be disseminated despite antibiotics, therefore the extent of the infection should be evaluated. Common complications of MRSA sepsis include infective endocarditis, pneumonia, osteomyelitis, meningitis, septic shock.Urgent evaluation of other possible suppurative complications in neoate are necessary. Therefore echocardiogram, chest X-ray, ophthalmic examination, brain sonography and spinal tapping are needed. In this study, we present a case of MRSA sepsis in a preterm infant, accompanied by endophthalmitis and endocarditis in spite of the early diagnosis and treatment.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Brain ; Early Diagnosis ; Endocarditis* ; Endophthalmitis* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Meningitis ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus* ; Osteomyelitis ; Pneumonia ; Sepsis* ; Spinal Puncture ; Thorax

Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome means perihepatitis consisting of liver capsule inflammation without parenchymal damage associated with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). The incidence of this syndrome in PID is reported to be 15-30%. It produces right upper quadrant pain from acute inflammatory reaction between liver capsule and adjacent peritoneum in acute phase, and later forms characteristic violin-string adhesions. Recently, it is suggested that marked hepatic subcapsular enhancement at arterial phase in contrast-enhanced CT has diagnostic value, but diagnostic laparoscopy is used as definitive diagnostic method in Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome. We have experienced one case of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome in women with right upper quadrant pain, which was diagnosed by CT imaging and was not improved by appropriate antibiotic therapy. In diagnostic laparoscopic examination, we have found direct adhesion between liver capsule and anterior abdominal wall and experienced improvement in symptoms after adhesiolysis. So, we report this case with the brief review of the literatures.
Abdominal Wall* ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inflammation ; Laparoscopy ; Liver* ; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease ; Peritoneum ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: Ultrasonography is non-ionizing, easy to operate, and performed at bedside in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). We investigated the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) with or without using lung ultrasound (LUS) in late preterm infants with postnatal respiratory difficulties. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 494 late preterm infants born at 34–36 weeks' gestation at Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center. Fifty infants with postnatal respiratory difficulties were admitted to the NICU between May 2015 to October 2015 (period I), and forty-one were between November 2015 to February 2016 (period II). The diagnosis of RDS was based on chest radiography in period I. LUS was additionally performed at bedside in period II. All infants with RDS were received exogenous surfactant therapy. RESULTS: The overall incidence of RDS with surfactant replacement therapy was decreased in period II period II (9.4%, 20/212) compared to period I (14.5%, 41/282) (P=0.088). In terms of infants with postnatal respiratory difficulties, the incidence of RDS in period II (48.8%, 20/41) was significantly lower than that in period I (82.0%, 41/50) (P=0.001). There are no difference in the rate of reintubation, repeated doses of surfactant, oxygen demand at 48 hours after birth, air leak syndrome, pulmonary hemorrhage, persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn, and mortality (P> 0.05). CONCLUSION: We could decrease the incidence of RDS with surfactant replacement therapy by using LUS in late preterm infants with postnatal respiratory difficulties. Further prospective studies are needed to apply LUS clinically to diagnose RDS.
Diagnosis* ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Lung* ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Oxygen ; Parturition ; Persistent Fetal Circulation Syndrome ; Pregnancy ; Prospective Studies ; Radiography ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn ; Retrospective Studies ; Thorax ; Ultrasonography*

BACKGROUND: Nation-wide measles outbreaks occurred from 2000 to 2001 in Korea. Since, mass vaccination campaign for measles eradication among children and adolescents was implemented in May-August of 2001. Even in a highly vaccinated community, measles cases occur among vaccinees and there might be different serological responses among unvaccinees. In addition, the primary and secondary vaccine failures are not rare in the mass-vaccination era. Therefore, this study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of serologic method for diagnosis of measles among the vaccinees and to estimate the vaccine failure rate among students with relatively high vaccination rate during the measles outbreak in a primary school. METHODS: In March 2000, the measles outbreak occurred in a primary school in Youngduk county, Kyung-sang-buk Do. Questionnaires about clinical manifestations of measles and history of measles vaccination were given out to in 209 3rd and 5th grade students among whom many measles cases occurred. The paired sera, which were taken from all students during March and May 2000, were tested for IgM and IgG measles antibody by using Enzygnost Anti-Measles IgG and IgM (Dade Behring, Germany). RESULTS: The questionnaires and serum samples were obtained from 145(69.4%) out of 209 cases. The immunization rate of measles vaccine was 80.7% (117/145). During the measles outbreak, 25 (17.2%) out of 145 cases with previous history of measles vaccination were diagnosed as measles, based on clinical definition. Among 17 cases (17/25, 68.0%) with paired samples out of 25 measles cases, 4 cases (4/17, 23.5%) were diagnosed by seroconversion of IgG, but negative IgM antibody, and they all had received measles vaccination previously. Among 117 cases with previous history of measles vaccination, 47 (40.2%) cases without measles symptoms showed four-fold increment of IgG titer. The primary and secondary failure rates of measles vaccine were 6.0% (7/117) and 1.7% (2/117), respectively. CONCLUSION: Among symptomatic measles cases with previous history of measles vaccination, 23.5% were diagnosed only by seroconversion of IgG measles antibody. In a highly vaccinated country, the accuracy of measles serodiagnosis can be increased with the IgG test of convalescent serum sample in addition to IgM antibody test. Among vaccinees, secondary immune response was 40.2%, suggesting that non-specific measles symptoms might occur among them. Therefore, further studies on the clinical definition of measles cases, vaccine failure rate and protective antibody titers should be continued in order to effectively conduct measles eradication campaign.
Adolescent ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Disease Outbreaks ; Humans ; Immunization ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Korea ; Mass Vaccination ; Measles Vaccine ; Measles* ; Seroepidemiologic Studies* ; Serologic Tests ; Vaccination ; Surveys and Questionnaires