1.A multi-city outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections linked to bakery products, Republic of Korea
Da Seul KIM ; Soon-Young SEO ; Dong Hwi KIM ; Yeon Hee WOO ; Deborah LEE ; Se Jeong YANG ; Junyoung KIM ; Eunkyung SHIN ; Byungsun JUNG ; Eunmi LEE ; Min Jung LEE ; Young-Joon PARK
Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives 2026;17(1):61-71
Objectives:
In May 2025, clusters of salmonellosis were identified in 7 cities in the Republic of Korea, all associated with consumption of identical bakery products. This investigation aimed to characterize the outbreak, identify potential contributing factors, and inform strategies for preventing similar multi-facility foodborne outbreaks.
Methods:
A case series study was conducted among individuals who consumed Manufacturer H’s Product I and Product II on May 15–16, 2025 at 7 facilities (n = 1,235). Clinical specimens from symptomatic individuals, retained food samples, and environmental samples were collected and tested. Food-exposure histories were assessed, and active case finding was implemented across all supplied facilities. Traceback investigations were conducted at the manufacturer, distributor, and egg farms. Human and food isolates underwent pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and whole-genome sequencing (WGS).
Results:
A total of 323 cases met the outbreak case definition (attack rate, 26.2%), of which 48 were laboratory-confirmed. Salmonella Enteritidis was isolated from both clinical specimens and retained bakery products. PFGE patterns were indistinguishable between human and food isolates, and WGS demonstrated high genetic relatedness. These findings confirmed a common-source outbreak linked to the implicated bakery products.
Conclusion
This outbreak underscores the value of integrating epidemiological investigation, active case finding, and molecular typing to identify common food vehicles in outbreaks involving widely distributed manufactured foods. Coordinated collaboration between public health and food safety authorities is essential for the effective detection, response, and prevention of multi-facility foodborne outbreaks.
2.Network Structure of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Older Asian Patients With Depressive Disorders: Findings From REAP-AD3
Seon-Cheol PARK ; Kiwon KIM ; Jeongsoo PARK ; Sun CHOI ; Seonhwa LEE ; Seungwon CHO ; Eunkyung KIM ; Tian-Mei SI ; Roy Abraham KALLIVAYALIL ; Andi J. TANRA ; Amir Hossein Jalali NADOUSHAN ; Kok Yoon CHEE ; Afzal JAVED ; Kang SIM ; Pornjira PARIWATCHARAKUL ; Takahiro A. KATO ; Shih-Ku LIN ; Naotaka SHINFUKU ; Norman SARTORIUS
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(5):552-563
Objective:
The clinical presentation of depressive disorders might be influenced by age, and its diagnosis and treatment can be affected by ageism-related bias. A network analysis can reveal symptom patterns unrecognized by the reductionistic approach. Therefore, this study explores the network structure of depression and anxiety symptoms in older Asian patients with depressive disorders and examines age-related differences in the context of ageism.
Methods:
We used data from the Research on Asian Psychotropic Prescription Patterns for Antidepressants, Phase 3 study and included 2,785 psychiatric patients from 11 Asian countries. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. Network analyses were conducted to identify symptom interconnections and centrality among older (>65 years), middle-aged (35–64 years), and young (18–34 years) adult groups. The network structures were also compared using a network comparison test.
Results:
Depressed mood was the most central symptom across all age groups. Network comparisons revealed no significant structural differences among the three age groups, despite several variations in terms of global strength. The network structure of the older group was characterized by strong interconnections between somatic symptoms (insomnia-energy) and core depressive symptoms (little interest or pleasure-feelings of hopelessness).
Conclusion
This study reveals that the network structures of depression and anxiety symptoms have relatively consistent interconnections across age groups, despite subtle age-based differences. Specifically, older adults tend to present anxiety and depression symptoms as physical complaints. These findings challenge ageist stereotypes and advocate for inclusive, age-neutral approaches to treatment.
3.Network Structure of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Older Asian Patients With Depressive Disorders: Findings From REAP-AD3
Seon-Cheol PARK ; Kiwon KIM ; Jeongsoo PARK ; Sun CHOI ; Seonhwa LEE ; Seungwon CHO ; Eunkyung KIM ; Tian-Mei SI ; Roy Abraham KALLIVAYALIL ; Andi J. TANRA ; Amir Hossein Jalali NADOUSHAN ; Kok Yoon CHEE ; Afzal JAVED ; Kang SIM ; Pornjira PARIWATCHARAKUL ; Takahiro A. KATO ; Shih-Ku LIN ; Naotaka SHINFUKU ; Norman SARTORIUS
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(5):552-563
Objective:
The clinical presentation of depressive disorders might be influenced by age, and its diagnosis and treatment can be affected by ageism-related bias. A network analysis can reveal symptom patterns unrecognized by the reductionistic approach. Therefore, this study explores the network structure of depression and anxiety symptoms in older Asian patients with depressive disorders and examines age-related differences in the context of ageism.
Methods:
We used data from the Research on Asian Psychotropic Prescription Patterns for Antidepressants, Phase 3 study and included 2,785 psychiatric patients from 11 Asian countries. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. Network analyses were conducted to identify symptom interconnections and centrality among older (>65 years), middle-aged (35–64 years), and young (18–34 years) adult groups. The network structures were also compared using a network comparison test.
Results:
Depressed mood was the most central symptom across all age groups. Network comparisons revealed no significant structural differences among the three age groups, despite several variations in terms of global strength. The network structure of the older group was characterized by strong interconnections between somatic symptoms (insomnia-energy) and core depressive symptoms (little interest or pleasure-feelings of hopelessness).
Conclusion
This study reveals that the network structures of depression and anxiety symptoms have relatively consistent interconnections across age groups, despite subtle age-based differences. Specifically, older adults tend to present anxiety and depression symptoms as physical complaints. These findings challenge ageist stereotypes and advocate for inclusive, age-neutral approaches to treatment.
4.Network Structure of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Older Asian Patients With Depressive Disorders: Findings From REAP-AD3
Seon-Cheol PARK ; Kiwon KIM ; Jeongsoo PARK ; Sun CHOI ; Seonhwa LEE ; Seungwon CHO ; Eunkyung KIM ; Tian-Mei SI ; Roy Abraham KALLIVAYALIL ; Andi J. TANRA ; Amir Hossein Jalali NADOUSHAN ; Kok Yoon CHEE ; Afzal JAVED ; Kang SIM ; Pornjira PARIWATCHARAKUL ; Takahiro A. KATO ; Shih-Ku LIN ; Naotaka SHINFUKU ; Norman SARTORIUS
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(5):552-563
Objective:
The clinical presentation of depressive disorders might be influenced by age, and its diagnosis and treatment can be affected by ageism-related bias. A network analysis can reveal symptom patterns unrecognized by the reductionistic approach. Therefore, this study explores the network structure of depression and anxiety symptoms in older Asian patients with depressive disorders and examines age-related differences in the context of ageism.
Methods:
We used data from the Research on Asian Psychotropic Prescription Patterns for Antidepressants, Phase 3 study and included 2,785 psychiatric patients from 11 Asian countries. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. Network analyses were conducted to identify symptom interconnections and centrality among older (>65 years), middle-aged (35–64 years), and young (18–34 years) adult groups. The network structures were also compared using a network comparison test.
Results:
Depressed mood was the most central symptom across all age groups. Network comparisons revealed no significant structural differences among the three age groups, despite several variations in terms of global strength. The network structure of the older group was characterized by strong interconnections between somatic symptoms (insomnia-energy) and core depressive symptoms (little interest or pleasure-feelings of hopelessness).
Conclusion
This study reveals that the network structures of depression and anxiety symptoms have relatively consistent interconnections across age groups, despite subtle age-based differences. Specifically, older adults tend to present anxiety and depression symptoms as physical complaints. These findings challenge ageist stereotypes and advocate for inclusive, age-neutral approaches to treatment.
5.Network Structure of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Older Asian Patients With Depressive Disorders: Findings From REAP-AD3
Seon-Cheol PARK ; Kiwon KIM ; Jeongsoo PARK ; Sun CHOI ; Seonhwa LEE ; Seungwon CHO ; Eunkyung KIM ; Tian-Mei SI ; Roy Abraham KALLIVAYALIL ; Andi J. TANRA ; Amir Hossein Jalali NADOUSHAN ; Kok Yoon CHEE ; Afzal JAVED ; Kang SIM ; Pornjira PARIWATCHARAKUL ; Takahiro A. KATO ; Shih-Ku LIN ; Naotaka SHINFUKU ; Norman SARTORIUS
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(5):552-563
Objective:
The clinical presentation of depressive disorders might be influenced by age, and its diagnosis and treatment can be affected by ageism-related bias. A network analysis can reveal symptom patterns unrecognized by the reductionistic approach. Therefore, this study explores the network structure of depression and anxiety symptoms in older Asian patients with depressive disorders and examines age-related differences in the context of ageism.
Methods:
We used data from the Research on Asian Psychotropic Prescription Patterns for Antidepressants, Phase 3 study and included 2,785 psychiatric patients from 11 Asian countries. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. Network analyses were conducted to identify symptom interconnections and centrality among older (>65 years), middle-aged (35–64 years), and young (18–34 years) adult groups. The network structures were also compared using a network comparison test.
Results:
Depressed mood was the most central symptom across all age groups. Network comparisons revealed no significant structural differences among the three age groups, despite several variations in terms of global strength. The network structure of the older group was characterized by strong interconnections between somatic symptoms (insomnia-energy) and core depressive symptoms (little interest or pleasure-feelings of hopelessness).
Conclusion
This study reveals that the network structures of depression and anxiety symptoms have relatively consistent interconnections across age groups, despite subtle age-based differences. Specifically, older adults tend to present anxiety and depression symptoms as physical complaints. These findings challenge ageist stereotypes and advocate for inclusive, age-neutral approaches to treatment.
6.Poor Prognosis of Pneumococcal Co-Infection in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis
Soyoon HWANG ; Eunkyung NAM ; Shin-Woo KIM ; Hyun-Ha CHANG ; Yoonjung KIM ; Sohyun BAE ; Nan Young LEE ; Yu Kyung KIM ; Ji Sun KIM ; Han Wook PARK ; Joon Gyu BAE ; Juhwan JEONG ; Ki Tae KWON
Infection and Chemotherapy 2025;57(1):172-178
The impact of Streptococcus pneumoniae coinfection on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prognosis remains uncertain. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who underwent a pneumococcal urinary antigen (PUA) test to assess its clinical utility. Results showed that PUA-positive patients required more oxygen support, high-flow nasal cannula, and dexamethasone compared to PUA-negative patients.Furthermore, the significantly higher incidence of a National Early Warning Score ≥5 in the PUA-positive group (P<0.001) suggests that a positive PUA test is associated with a severe disease course. However, no significant difference in mortality was observed between the two groups, and antibiotics were used in almost all patients (96.2%). While the PUA test may help guide antibiotic use in COVID-19 patients, its interpretation should be approached with caution.
7.Poor Prognosis of Pneumococcal Co-Infection in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis
Soyoon HWANG ; Eunkyung NAM ; Shin-Woo KIM ; Hyun-Ha CHANG ; Yoonjung KIM ; Sohyun BAE ; Nan Young LEE ; Yu Kyung KIM ; Ji Sun KIM ; Han Wook PARK ; Joon Gyu BAE ; Juhwan JEONG ; Ki Tae KWON
Infection and Chemotherapy 2025;57(1):172-178
The impact of Streptococcus pneumoniae coinfection on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prognosis remains uncertain. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who underwent a pneumococcal urinary antigen (PUA) test to assess its clinical utility. Results showed that PUA-positive patients required more oxygen support, high-flow nasal cannula, and dexamethasone compared to PUA-negative patients.Furthermore, the significantly higher incidence of a National Early Warning Score ≥5 in the PUA-positive group (P<0.001) suggests that a positive PUA test is associated with a severe disease course. However, no significant difference in mortality was observed between the two groups, and antibiotics were used in almost all patients (96.2%). While the PUA test may help guide antibiotic use in COVID-19 patients, its interpretation should be approached with caution.
8.Network Structure of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Older Asian Patients With Depressive Disorders: Findings From REAP-AD3
Seon-Cheol PARK ; Kiwon KIM ; Jeongsoo PARK ; Sun CHOI ; Seonhwa LEE ; Seungwon CHO ; Eunkyung KIM ; Tian-Mei SI ; Roy Abraham KALLIVAYALIL ; Andi J. TANRA ; Amir Hossein Jalali NADOUSHAN ; Kok Yoon CHEE ; Afzal JAVED ; Kang SIM ; Pornjira PARIWATCHARAKUL ; Takahiro A. KATO ; Shih-Ku LIN ; Naotaka SHINFUKU ; Norman SARTORIUS
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(5):552-563
Objective:
The clinical presentation of depressive disorders might be influenced by age, and its diagnosis and treatment can be affected by ageism-related bias. A network analysis can reveal symptom patterns unrecognized by the reductionistic approach. Therefore, this study explores the network structure of depression and anxiety symptoms in older Asian patients with depressive disorders and examines age-related differences in the context of ageism.
Methods:
We used data from the Research on Asian Psychotropic Prescription Patterns for Antidepressants, Phase 3 study and included 2,785 psychiatric patients from 11 Asian countries. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. Network analyses were conducted to identify symptom interconnections and centrality among older (>65 years), middle-aged (35–64 years), and young (18–34 years) adult groups. The network structures were also compared using a network comparison test.
Results:
Depressed mood was the most central symptom across all age groups. Network comparisons revealed no significant structural differences among the three age groups, despite several variations in terms of global strength. The network structure of the older group was characterized by strong interconnections between somatic symptoms (insomnia-energy) and core depressive symptoms (little interest or pleasure-feelings of hopelessness).
Conclusion
This study reveals that the network structures of depression and anxiety symptoms have relatively consistent interconnections across age groups, despite subtle age-based differences. Specifically, older adults tend to present anxiety and depression symptoms as physical complaints. These findings challenge ageist stereotypes and advocate for inclusive, age-neutral approaches to treatment.
9.Poor Prognosis of Pneumococcal Co-Infection in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis
Soyoon HWANG ; Eunkyung NAM ; Shin-Woo KIM ; Hyun-Ha CHANG ; Yoonjung KIM ; Sohyun BAE ; Nan Young LEE ; Yu Kyung KIM ; Ji Sun KIM ; Han Wook PARK ; Joon Gyu BAE ; Juhwan JEONG ; Ki Tae KWON
Infection and Chemotherapy 2025;57(1):172-178
The impact of Streptococcus pneumoniae coinfection on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prognosis remains uncertain. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who underwent a pneumococcal urinary antigen (PUA) test to assess its clinical utility. Results showed that PUA-positive patients required more oxygen support, high-flow nasal cannula, and dexamethasone compared to PUA-negative patients.Furthermore, the significantly higher incidence of a National Early Warning Score ≥5 in the PUA-positive group (P<0.001) suggests that a positive PUA test is associated with a severe disease course. However, no significant difference in mortality was observed between the two groups, and antibiotics were used in almost all patients (96.2%). While the PUA test may help guide antibiotic use in COVID-19 patients, its interpretation should be approached with caution.
10.Relationship Between Affective Temperament and Depression Among Psychiatric Patients: The Mediating Effect of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms
Somi YUN ; Eunkyung KIM ; SeonCheol PARK ; Youngchon PARK
Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine 2025;33(1):10-17
Objectives:
:This study aimed to investigate the mediating effect of post-traumatic stress symptoms on the relationship between affective temperaments and depression in psychiatric patients.
Methods:
:A total of 200 psychiatric outpatients and inpatients completed TEMPS-A short version (Temperament Evaluation of the Memphis, Pisa, and San Diego Autoquestionnaire), the Korean-Beck Depression Inventory-II, and the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5. Data analysis was conducted using regression analyses and bootstrap sampling.
Results:
:The results indicated that post-traumatic stress symptoms mediated the relationship between cyclothymic, depressive, and anxious temperaments with depression.
Conclusions
:Cyclothymic, depressive, and anxious temperaments influence depression through post-trau-matic stress symptoms. This suggests the importance of considering subtypes of affective temperament and intervening in post-traumatic stress symptoms in order to prevent depression in psychiatric patients.

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