OBJECTIVES: We estimated the population prevalence of antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), including unreported infections, through a Korea Seroprevalence Study of Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Retention and Transmission (K-SEROSMART) in 258 communities throughout Korea. METHODS: In August 2022, a survey was conducted among 10,000 household members aged 5 years and older, in households selected through two stage probability random sampling. During face-to-face household interviews, participants self-reported their health status, COVID-19 diagnosis and vaccination history, and general characteristics. Subsequently, participants visited a community health center or medical clinic for blood sampling. Blood samples were analyzed for the presence of antibodies to spike proteins (anti-S) and antibodies to nucleocapsid proteins (anti-N) SARS-CoV-2 proteins using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. To estimate the population prevalence, the PROC SURVEYMEANS statistical procedure was employed, with weighting to reflect demographic data from July 2022. RESULTS: In total, 9,945 individuals from 5,041 households were surveyed across 258 communities, representing all basic local governments in Korea. The overall population-adjusted prevalence rates of anti-S and anti-N were 97.6% and 57.1%, respectively. Since the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has reported a cumulative incidence of confirmed cases of 37.8% through July 31, 2022, the proportion of unreported infections among all COVID-19 infection was suggested to be 33.9%. CONCLUSIONS The K-SEROSMART represents the first nationwide, community-based seroepidemiologic survey of COVID-19, confirming that most individuals possess antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and that a significant number of unreported cases existed. Furthermore, this study lays the foundation for a surveillance system to continuously monitor transmission at the community level and the response to COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to establish a basis for improving or strengthening the preventive strategy against scrub typhus in Korea by comparing and analyzing the difference of prevention behaviors contributing to the occurrence of scrub typhus in Japan and Korea.METHODS: The survey was carried out in Jeollabuk-do, which is a high risk and high incidence area, and Fukuoka Prefecture, which is a high risk and low incidence area. The study included 406 Korean farmers and 216 Japanese farmers. Data were collected through face-to-face surveys by interviewers who had completed standardized education.RESULTS: Korean farmers have a higher percentage of agricultural working posture that involved contact with weeds than Japanese farmers (p < 0.05). The frequency and proportion of weeding were lower in Korean farmers than in Japanese farmers (p < 0.05). The level of knowledge about scrub typhus was significantly higher among Korean farmers than among Japanese farmers (p < 0.05). Mostly, the behavior of agriculture work was more appropriate for Japanese farmers than for Korean farmers (p < 0.05). The total average level of agricultural work was lower in Korea than in Japan, lower in men than women, and lower in part-time farmers than full-time farmers (p < 0.05).CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that it is reasonable to develop and provide a program that can improve the level of preventive behavior taking into consideration the characteristics of the subject in order to reduce the incidence of diseases in high-risk areas for scrub typhus.
Agriculture ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Education ; Farmers ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Japan ; Jeollabuk-do ; Korea ; Male ; Posture ; Scrub Typhus

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to establish a basis for improving or strengthening the preventive strategy against scrub typhus in Korea by comparing and analyzing the difference of prevention behaviors contributing to the occurrence of scrub typhus in Japan and Korea. METHODS: The survey was carried out in Jeollabuk-do, which is a high risk and high incidence area, and Fukuoka Prefecture, which is a high risk and low incidence area. The study included 406 Korean farmers and 216 Japanese farmers. Data were collected through face-to-face surveys by interviewers who had completed standardized education. RESULTS: Korean farmers have a higher percentage of agricultural working posture that involved contact with weeds than Japanese farmers (p < 0.05). The frequency and proportion of weeding were lower in Korean farmers than in Japanese farmers (p < 0.05). The level of knowledge about scrub typhus was significantly higher among Korean farmers than among Japanese farmers (p < 0.05). Mostly, the behavior of agriculture work was more appropriate for Japanese farmers than for Korean farmers (p < 0.05). The total average level of agricultural work was lower in Korea than in Japan, lower in men than women, and lower in part-time farmers than full-time farmers (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that it is reasonable to develop and provide a program that can improve the level of preventive behavior taking into consideration the characteristics of the subject in order to reduce the incidence of diseases in high-risk areas for scrub typhus.
Agriculture ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Education ; Farmers ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Japan* ; Jeollabuk-do ; Korea* ; Male ; Posture ; Scrub Typhus*

We report a case of pyelonephritis caused by Candida kefyr, which has been previously described as C. pseudotropicalis. The patient who had been having multiple intrarenal stones and ureteral stones for ten years was admitted for fever, left flank pain, and dysuria. In the blood culture, C. kefyr was isolated. These symptoms and signs were successfully resolved with a new antifungal agent, voriconazole. After the resolution of symptoms and signs, the patient took extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for intrarenal stones and ureteral stones.
Candida* ; Dysuria ; Fever ; Flank Pain ; Humans ; Lithotripsy ; Pyelonephritis* ; Shock ; Ureter

BACKGROUND: Cefcapene pivoxil hydrochloride is a new oral cephem which has a broad-spectrum activity with expanded potency against Gram-positive bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus, as well as Gram-negative bacteria. In this study, we examined the in vitro activity of cefcapene against recently isolated clinical specimens from patients in a tertiary hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We tested the in vitro antimicrobial activities of cefcapene and other cephalosporins against 450 clinical isolates from of patients in Asan Medical Center. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by agar dilution method according to the recommendations of National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. RESULTS: Compared with other cephalosporins (cefaclor, cefpodoxime, and cefixime), cefcapene had lower MIC distributions for Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus. Cefcapene had variable activity against Enterobateriaceae. CONCLUSION: Cefcapene had excellent in vitro antimicrobial activities against common typical bacterial respiratory tract pathogens and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus. Cefcapene appears to be a promising agent for treatment of community-acquired respiratory tract infections and infections caused by methicillin-susceptible S. aureus.
Agar ; Cephalosporins ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; Haemophilus influenzae ; Humans ; Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis ; Respiratory System ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Streptococcus ; Streptococcus pneumoniae ; Tertiary Care Centers

BACKGROUND: Cefcapene pivoxil hydrochloride is a new oral cephem which has a broad-spectrum activity with expanded potency against Gram-positive bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus, as well as Gram-negative bacteria. In this study, we examined the in vitro activity of cefcapene against recently isolated clinical specimens from patients in a tertiary hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We tested the in vitro antimicrobial activities of cefcapene and other cephalosporins against 450 clinical isolates from of patients in Asan Medical Center. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by agar dilution method according to the recommendations of National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. RESULTS: Compared with other cephalosporins (cefaclor, cefpodoxime, and cefixime), cefcapene had lower MIC distributions for Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus. Cefcapene had variable activity against Enterobateriaceae. CONCLUSION: Cefcapene had excellent in vitro antimicrobial activities against common typical bacterial respiratory tract pathogens and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus. Cefcapene appears to be a promising agent for treatment of community-acquired respiratory tract infections and infections caused by methicillin-susceptible S. aureus.
Agar ; Cephalosporins ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; Haemophilus influenzae ; Humans ; Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis ; Respiratory System ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Streptococcus ; Streptococcus pneumoniae ; Tertiary Care Centers

PURPOSE: The incidence of obese patients has increased recently in Korea. Obesity is associated with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, and fatty liver. Since recent investigators have revealed that not only fat accumulation but also fibrosis and nonspecific hepatitis can be found in the livers of obese children, fatty liver is currently considered as an important complication. The purpose of this study is to investigate the risk factors in obese children as a predictor of fatty liver. METHODS: The objects were 146 obese children, ranging from 7 to 16 years of age, who visit obesity clinics of Ewha Womans University Hospital. They were divided into two groups, with fatty liver(n=21) and without fatty liver(n=125), as diagnosed by ultrasonography. Body Mass Index(BMI) and blood pressure were measured. Bioelectrical impedance was analyzed to estimate body composition and fat mass. Serum levels of alanine transaminase(AST), aspartate transaminase(ALT), total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and insulin were evaluated. RESULTS: BMI, blood pressure and abdominal fat percentages were significantly higher in the children with fatty livers. Body composition of intracellular fluid, extracellular fluid, protein, and minerals were also significantly elevated in the children with fatty livers. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, serum insulin and ALT were significantly higher in the children with fatty livers. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the close relationship between these predictors and fatty liver. Abdominal sonography is helpful to recognize the presence of liver involvement in obese children with hyperlipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, increased ALT levels, and hypertension
Abdominal Fat ; Alanine ; Aspartic Acid ; Blood Pressure ; Body Composition ; Child* ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Electric Impedance ; Extracellular Fluid ; Fatty Liver* ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Hyperinsulinism ; Hyperlipidemias ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Intracellular Fluid ; Korea ; Liver ; Minerals ; Obesity ; Research Personnel ; Risk Factors* ; Triglycerides ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical outcomes between Day 2 and Day 3 embryo transfer(ET) groups in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer(IVF-ET) with intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI). METHODS: From May, 1997 to December, 1998, 174 cycles of IVF-ET with ICSI were performed and classified into two groups: Day 2 ET group(n=134) and Day 3 ET group (n=40). In Day 3 ET group, embryos fertilized after ICSI were cultured in vitro for further 24 hours in M3 media. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the age and BMI of patients, basal serum FSH level, protocol of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation(COH), indication of ICSI, and source of sperm for ICSI between two groups. Only the number of the previous failed IVF-ET cycles was significantly higher in Day 3 ET group(p<0.05). Serum E2 level on hCG day, the numbers of oocytes retrieved after COH, oocytes fertilized after ICSI, and embryos transferred, and the rates of fertilization, cleavage, and implantation showed no significant differences. However, cumulative embryo score(CES) was significantly higher in Day 3 ET group(p<0.05). Although there were no significant differences in the rates of pregnancy per ET, spontaneous abortion, and live birth, the rates of biochemical and multiple pregnancy were significantly higher in Day 3 ET group(p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In IVF-ET with ICSI, the relatively higher CES may contribute to the higher risk of multiple pregnancy in Day 3 ET group, compared with the conventional Day 2 ET group.
Abortion, Spontaneous ; Embryo Transfer* ; Embryonic Structures* ; Female ; Fertilization ; Fertilization in Vitro* ; Humans ; Live Birth ; Oocytes ; Pregnancy Rate* ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnancy, Multiple ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic* ; Spermatozoa

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness and safety of misoprostol in termination of pregnancy. MATERIALS & METHODS: 38 women who presented with indication for termination of pregnancy were assigned randomly to receive either 200 microgram of misoprostol orally every 4 hours as needed, or medication according to the our established protocol (physician-chosen combinations of Sulprostone infusion every 6 hours with vaginal PGE2 or Laminaria). Exclusion criteria were history of asthma, glaucoma, cardiac or hepatic disease, or chorioamnionitis. Unless delivery had occurred or was imminent after 24 hours with medication, the case was considered to have failed. The induction to delivery time and influencing factors were analyzed in both group using t-test, chi-square test or Fisher`s exact test, Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression. RESULTS: The success rate of termination of pregnancy within 12 hours and 24 hours were 67% and 93% with misoprostol (n=15) versus 5% and 43% with physician-chosen combination (n=21) (p<0.05). Among 3 cases failed with misoprostol within 24 hours, two cases crossed to the alternative method after 24 hours of misoprostol, so, the 2 cases were excluded. The mean dosage and frequency of misoprostol was 540 microgram and 2.8 times. The mean induction to delivery time ( mean +/- standard deviation) with oral misoprostol (n=15) was 640+/-590 minutes versus 1670+/-750 minutes with physician-chosen combination (n=21) (p<0.001). Reanalyzed in selected cases of Bishop score Alprostadil* ; Asthma ; Chorioamnionitis ; Diarrhea ; Dinoprostone ; Female ; Fever ; Glaucoma ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Misoprostol* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second* ; Pregnancy* ; Prospective Studies* ; Thorax ; Vomiting

No abstract available.
Embryonic Structures* ; Fluorescence* ; Humans* ; In Situ Hybridization* ; Preimplantation Diagnosis*