BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most important causes of lower respiratory tract infection. The rapid antigen test is a simple, cheap, and quick method for RSV detection, however, it has an acknowledged low sensitivity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the rapid antigen test by comparing it with a multiplex reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). METHODS: A total of 557 nasopharyngeal aspirates or swabs that were submitted for both a rapid antigen test, Binax NOW RSV (Binax; Alere Scarborough, Inc., USA) and multiplex RT-PCR, Seeplex RV7 (Seegene Inc., Korea) were included in this study. We performed both tests according to the manufacturer's recommendations and analyzed the diagnostic performances of a rapid antigen tests based on the results of multiplex RT-PCR. RESULTS: Among the 557 specimens, the positive rates determined from the rapid antigen test and multiplex RT-PCR were 12.2% (N=68) and 25.1% (N=140), respectively. The relative sensitivity and specificity of the rapid antigen test were 46.4% and 99.3% based on the multiplex RT-PCR, respectively. Positive and negative predictive values were 95.6% and 84.7%, respectively. The diagnostic sensitivity was lower (28.6%) in children >36 months compared with children < or =36 months of age. Test sensitivity declined when RSV infection was accompanied by infection with other respiratory viruses. CONCLUSIONS: Binax NOW RSV exhibited good diagnostic performance, easy handling, and rapidity. However, it does have the possibility of false-negative results, and additional tests are needed when there is clinical suspicion of RSV infection.
Child ; Humans ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses* ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of a comprehensive workplace stress management program consisting of participatory action-oriented training (PAOT) and individual management. METHODS: A comprehensive workplace stress management program was conducted in a medium-sized enterprise. The baseline survey was conducted in September 2011, using the Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS) and Worker's Stress Response Inventory (WSRI). After implementing both organizational and individual level interventions, the follow up evaluation was conducted in November 2011. RESULTS: Most of the workers participated in the organizational level PAOT and made Team-based improvement plans. Based on the stress survey, 24 workers were interviewed by a researcher. After the organizational and individual level interventions, there was a reduction of several adverse psychosocial factors and stress responses. In the case of blue-collar workers, psychosocial factors such as the physical environment, job demands, organizational system, lack of rewards, and occupational climate were significantly improved; in the case of white-collar workers, the occupational climate was improved. CONCLUSIONS: In light of these results, we concluded that the comprehensive stress management program was effective in reducing work-related stress in a short-term period. A persistent long-term follow up is necessary to determine whether the observed effects are maintained over time. Both team-based improvement activities and individual interviews have to be sustainable and complementary to each other under the long-term plan.
Climate ; Data Collection ; Follow-Up Studies ; Health Promotion ; Intervention Studies ; Psychology ; Reward

BACKGROUND: In the early stages of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), it can be difficult to recognize minimal morphological changes in the bone marrow (BM). In particular, when the quality of the BM biopsy is poor, determining BM involvement is limited to microscopic findings on BM aspiration. In this study, we compared the results of clonal immunoglobulin (IG) gene rearrangements with BM morphology results in B-cell NHL patients who underwent BM analysis as a staging workup and evaluated the usefulness of the clonal IG gene rearrangements for staging. METHODS: Forty two B-cell NHL patients were analyzed. Clonal rearrangements of the IG heavy chain (IGH), kappa light chain (IGK) and lambda light chain (IGL) genes were detected using the IdentiClone(TM) Clonality assay (InVivoScribe Technologies, USA). Clinical characteristics and outcomes were evaluated based on the detection of monoclonal IG gene rearrangements. RESULTS: Monoclonal IG gene rearrangements were found in 9 of 42 patients (21.4%). Microscopic BM involvement was found in only 2 of 42 patients (4.8%). The monoclonality rate of IG genes in BM was correlated with clinical stage and the international prognostic index (P<0.01). Patients with monoclonal IG gene rearrangements in BM had a significantly higher relapse rate (P=0.014) and poorer overall survival at 2 yr (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Clonality analysis of BM in B-cell NHL can contribute to identification of patients with occult BM involvement with a significantly poorer overall survival despite normal BM histology.
B-Lymphocytes* ; Biopsy ; Bone Marrow* ; Gene Rearrangement ; Genes, Immunoglobulin* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin* ; Recurrence

BACKGROUND: Awareness about lead poisoning in South Korea has increased; however, occupational exposures occurring in small-scale businesses have not been thoroughly investigated. We report two cases of high lead exposure in a leaded bronze ingot foundry. CASE PRESENTATION: Two employees, a 54-year-old primary operator and a 46-year-old assistant, at a small-scale metalworking company who had been employed for 18 years and 1 month, respectively, showed elevated blood lead levels (61.1 mug/dL and 51.7 mug/dL, respectively) at an occupational health checkup. Neither worker complained of abnormal symptoms nor signs related to lead poisoning. Health assessment follow-ups were conducted and biological exposure indices of lead were calculated every four weeks. After the initial follow-up assessment, both workers were relocated from the foundry process to the metalworking process. In addition, a localized exhaust system was installed after the second follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Foundry workers in a small-scale businesses might be at high risk of lead exposure because these businesses might be vulnerable to poor industrial hygiene. Therefore, regular occupational health checkups are required.
Commerce ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Lead Poisoning ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; Occupational Health

No abstract available.
Streptococcus

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe subjective physical and mental health assessed by the single item self-rated physical health (SRPH), and self-rated mental health (SRMH) had influence on the cognitive decline in community-dwelling elderly. METHODS: This study was based on the Suwon Project, a cohort comprising of non-random convenience samples of ethnic Koreans aged 60 years and above. 1,356 individuals were assessed at 2 time points 2 years apart for questionnaire which included demographic characteristics, medical history, Korean Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE), Korean version of Geriatric Depression Scale (SGDS-K), SRPH, and SRMH. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess K-MMSE score change from the SRPH, and SRMH. RESULTS: At baseline, both SRPH (beta=0.18, p<0.01) and SRMH (beta=0.19, p<0.01) score positively associated with the K-MMSE score. At follow-up, subjects with baseline lower SRMH score had significantly greater decline in K-MMSE score (beta=0.09, p=0.007). However, baseline SRPH score showed no effect to follow up K-MMSE score before and after adjusting age, sex, education, number of chronic disease, SGDS-K, and baseline K-MMSE score (p=0.89). CONCLUSION: Brief and easily collected subjective mental health may predict the risk of cognitive decline, but subjective physical health may not.
Aged ; Chronic Disease ; Cognition ; Cohort Studies ; Depression ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Mental Health ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The prevalence of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), which is resistant to isoniazid and rifampin, has been increasing in Korea. And the side effects of 2nd line anti-tuberculosis medications, including drug-induced hepatitis, are well known. Although prothionamide (PTH) is one of the most useful anti-TB medications and although TB medication-induced acute hepatitis is a severe complication, there are only a few published case reports about prothionamide induced hepatitis. In this case report, a 22 year old male was diagnosed with pulmonary MDR-TB and was administered 2nd line anti-TB mediations, including PTH. Afterwards, he had a spiking fever and his liver enzymes were more than 5 times greater than the upper limit of the normal range. He was then diagnosed with drug-induced hepatitis by liver biopsy. His symptoms and liver enzyme elevation were improved after stopping PTH. Accordingly, we report this case of an association between PTH and acute hepatitis.
Biopsy ; Drug-Induced Liver Injury ; Fever ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Isoniazid ; Korea ; Liver ; Male ; Prevalence ; Prothionamide ; Reference Values ; Rifampin ; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

Bronchobiliary fistula is a rare disorder consisting of an abnormal communication between the bronchial tree and the biliary duct. In Western countries, trauma, postoperative biliary stenosis, and biliary lithiasis are the predominant causative factors of bronchobiliary fistula. Bilioptysis (bile stained sputum) is a pathognomic finding for bronchobiliary fistula. To date, there are just a few reported cases of bronchobiliary fistula after sclerosis of a liver cyst. We describe the case of a 74-year-old woman who developed bronchobiliary fistula after sclerosing therapy of a liver cyst. The diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of bilioptysis and the chest and dynamic liver CT findings. The patient was successfully treated with antibiotics and percutaneous transhepatic catheter drainage.
Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Catheters ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Drainage ; Female ; Fistula ; Humans ; Lithiasis ; Liver ; Sclerosing Solutions ; Sclerosis ; Thorax

We report a case of Mycobacterium intracellulare pulmonary infection presenting as a solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN). A 35-year-old male was admitted due to a SPN in the right upper lobe which was detected on the chest radiography being examed due to recurrent cough for 1 year. The computed tomography (CT) revealed a spiculated nodule containing air-bronchogram, which was suspicious of malignancy. We performed transbronchial biopsy and the pathology showed granulomatous inflammation with caseous necrosis. Under the presumptive diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis, we started anti-tuberculous medication including isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. In one month, however, the sputum culture was positive for Mycobacterium intracellulare. The follow-up chest CT showed slight aggravation of the previous lesions. Under the final diagnosis of Mycobacterium intracellulare pulmonary infection presenting as a solitary pulmonary nodule, we changed the regimen to rifampin, ethambutol, and clarithromycin. The follow-up chest CT after the completion of treatment, revealed resolution of the previous lesions.
Adult ; Biopsy ; Clarithromycin ; Cough ; Ethambutol ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Isoniazid ; Lung ; Lung Diseases ; Male ; Mycobacterium avium Complex ; Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous ; Necrosis ; Pyrazinamide ; Rifampin ; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule ; Sputum ; Thorax ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

We report a case of Mycobacterium intracellulare pulmonary infection presenting as a solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN). A 35-year-old male was admitted due to a SPN in the right upper lobe which was detected on the chest radiography being examed due to recurrent cough for 1 year. The computed tomography (CT) revealed a spiculated nodule containing air-bronchogram, which was suspicious of malignancy. We performed transbronchial biopsy and the pathology showed granulomatous inflammation with caseous necrosis. Under the presumptive diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis, we started anti-tuberculous medication including isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. In one month, however, the sputum culture was positive for Mycobacterium intracellulare. The follow-up chest CT showed slight aggravation of the previous lesions. Under the final diagnosis of Mycobacterium intracellulare pulmonary infection presenting as a solitary pulmonary nodule, we changed the regimen to rifampin, ethambutol, and clarithromycin. The follow-up chest CT after the completion of treatment, revealed resolution of the previous lesions.
Adult ; Biopsy ; Clarithromycin ; Cough ; Ethambutol ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Isoniazid ; Lung ; Lung Diseases ; Male ; Mycobacterium avium Complex ; Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous ; Necrosis ; Pyrazinamide ; Rifampin ; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule ; Sputum ; Thorax ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary