Publications by authors named "Eun Hwa Choi"
Microbiology reference laboratories perform a crucial role within public health systems. This role was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this Viewpoint, we emphasise the importance of microbiology reference laboratories and highlight the types of digital data and expertise they provide, which benefit national and international public health.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe complete mitochondrial genome of the pulmonate snail (Gastropoda: ellobiidae) from South Korea.
Mitochondrial DNA B Resour
November 2024
The pulmonate snail L. Pfeiffer, 1855 (Gastropoda: Ellobiidae) lives in extreme environments such as salt marshes with limited oxygen. Here, we characterized the complete mitochondrial genome of from South Korea.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- A resurgence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infections, mainly causing pneumonia in kids, was noted after the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a study on its clinical features and treatment in late 2023.
- Out of 474 patients screened, 374 met criteria for MP pneumonia, with most presenting fever and a common radiological sign being lobar consolidation, while macrolide resistance was high at 87%.
- The study underscores the challenge of treating MP pneumonia due to high macrolide resistance rates, as these antibiotics, along with corticosteroids, are still frequently used despite their ineffectiveness in improving radiological outcomes.
Complete mitochondrial genome of (Polyplacophora: Chitonida) from South Korea.
Mitochondrial DNA B Resour
August 2024
Article Synopsis
- The study focuses on the chiton, a primitive mollusk group, specifically the Acanthochitonidae family commonly found in South Korea.
- Researchers characterized its complete mitochondrial genome, which is 14,999 bp long and includes various genes important for protein synthesis and RNA processes.
- A phylogenetic tree was created using these genetic sequences, showing that the Acanthochitonidae family is closely related to the Mopaliidae family, contributing to knowledge of chiton evolutionary relationships.
Complete mitochondrial genome of the worm snail (Littorinimorpha: Vermetidae) from South Korea.
Mitochondrial DNA B Resour
June 2024
Article Synopsis
- The worm snail (Mörch, 1859) is a sessile gastropod found primarily on rocky shores in warm temperate and tropical oceans.
- The study characterized its complete mitochondrial genome, which is 14,913 base pairs long and includes 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, and 2 rRNA genes, showing similarities to other species in the Vermetidae family.
- A phylogenetic tree created from the nucleotide sequences confirmed the monophyly of the Vermetidae and indicates that this mitogenome can be useful for species identification and further research on vermetids.
The complete mitochondrial genome of a ground beetle (Carabidae: Harpalinae: Sphodrini) from South Korea.
Mitochondrial DNA B Resour
June 2024
Article Synopsis
- The study focuses on the ground beetle species from South Korea, which is common in forests and may be useful as an environmental indicator.
- Researchers characterized its complete mitochondrial genome (16,392 bp), identifying 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, and 2 rRNA genes.
- They also created a phylogenetic tree that suggests Sphodrini is closely related to Lebinii within the Harpalinae subfamily, improving understanding of species relationships among carabids.
Article Synopsis
- - The Korea Expert Committee on Immunization Practices (KECIP) advises the government on immunization policies, aiming to improve its recommendations in light of advancing vaccine science and diseases like COVID-19
- - A recent study evaluated KECIP's current operations, gathering feedback from 40 expert panel members, with most agreeing on the need for a subcommittee but differing on aspects such as term length and how to represent vaccine manufacturers
- - The findings highlight KECIP's critical role in shaping immunization policies in South Korea and suggest that enhancing its capacity is essential for addressing ongoing public health challenges and maintaining successful vaccination efforts
Article Synopsis
- The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant decline in the incidence of various respiratory viruses due to health measures, but these infections returned as restrictions were lifted, particularly in Korean children.
- A nationwide surveillance study analyzed respiratory virus data from children and adolescents from January 2017 to June 2023, comparing detection rates and age distributions before and after the pandemic.
- Findings showed a drop in overall virus detection during the pandemic, with a notable increase in co-detections post-pandemic; unique outbreaks of certain viruses like PIV and HMPV occurred out of season, and the average age of affected children increased significantly in 2023 compared to pre-pandemic years.
Article Synopsis
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of respiratory infections in young children and ranks as the second leading cause of infant mortality globally.
- The study utilizes genomic data from INFORM-RSV to analyze how both natural selection and random factors influence the genetic diversity of RSV strains.
- Findings indicate that air travel significantly impacts the distribution and spread of RSV types A and B worldwide, emphasizing the need for comprehensive genomic surveillance to better understand RSV dynamics.
Article Synopsis
- * A significant portion of the cases were in very young children, particularly those under 3 months (20.9%) and under 2 years (54.5%), with pneumonia and bronchiolitis affecting 40.9% and 23.8%, respectively.
- * Severity of RSV infection was linked to nasopharyngeal colonization and existing health conditions, highlighting the serious impact of RSV on infants and toddlers, even those without pre-existing issues.
Article Synopsis
- * Parents were divided into three groups: those receiving no information, those informed about the vaccine, and those informed about COVID-19 itself, with the latter two groups showing significantly higher vaccination intentions.
- * The findings indicated that targeted information on the vaccine and disease not only boosted parents' likelihood to vaccinate but also improved their trust in vaccination information and perception of its benefits over risks.
Background: Grasshoppers (Acridoidea, Orthoptera) are the dominant herbivores in grassland ecosystems worldwide. They can increase rangeland productivity by stimulating plant growth and accelerating nutrient cycling. This article presents a comprehensive checklist of grasshoppers in Mongolia.
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- This study focused on the causes and clinical features of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children in Korea, analyzing data from 2015 to 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Researchers reviewed 2,864 suspected CAP cases, ultimately identifying 517 confirmed cases, with notable symptoms including high fever (59.4%) and dyspnea (19.9%), and nearly a third requiring respiratory support.
- Pathogens were identified in about half of the cases, with viruses being the most common culprits, particularly adenovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), while a small percentage faced severe outcomes, including fatalities.
First Detection of Enterovirus D68 in Korean Children, September 2022.
Infect Chemother
December 2023
Article Synopsis
- Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is a virus that can cause respiratory infections and has been linked to neurological issues, but it had not been reported in Korea until this study.
- The study successfully identified three strains of EV-D68 in Korean children with respiratory symptoms during late 2022, using a specialized in-house mRT-PCR kit.
- Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the detected strains belong to subclade B3 and are more closely related to European EV-D68 strains than those from Japan, marking a significant finding in the understanding of this virus's presence in Korea.
Vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been acknowledged as an effective mean of preventing infection and hospitalization. However, the emergence of highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) has led to substantial increase in infections among children and adolescents. Vaccine-induced immunity and longevity have not been well defined in this population.
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- The study analyzed the incidence and clinical characteristics of multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) in South Korea during the omicron period compared to earlier periods (pre-delta and delta).
- Researchers found that while the number of MIS-C cases significantly increased during the omicron period, the overall incidence rate per 100,000 COVID-19 cases dropped notably.
- Clinical manifestations were less severe during the omicron period, with fewer patients requiring intensive care compared to earlier periods, indicating a potential shift in MIS-C severity over time.
Article Synopsis
- The IRIS Consortium investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on invasive diseases caused by specific bacteria over a four-year period, comparing data from before and during the pandemic.
- Laboratories from 30 countries provided surveillance data, revealing a significant decrease in cases of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria meningitidis during the pandemic, while Streptococcus agalactiae cases remained unchanged.
- An estimated 36,289 cases of invasive bacterial disease were prevented due to COVID-19 containment measures during the first two years of the pandemic.
Complete mitochondrial genome of a golden orb-web spider (Chelicerata, Arachnida) from South Korea.
Mitochondrial DNA B Resour
July 2023
Article Synopsis
- * This mitochondrial genome is the second reported for this species, with notable differences in the control region compared to a Chinese sample, suggesting potential molecular markers for distinguishing between the two populations.
- * Phylogenetic analysis reveals that the South Korean and Chinese golden orb-web spiders are closely related and belong to the same subfamily, distinguishing them from other spider subfamilies within the Araneidae family.
Molecular epidemiology of Acinetobacter baumannii complex causing invasive infections in Korean children during 2001-2020.
Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob
May 2023
Article Synopsis
- Acinetobacter baumannii has become a significant threat for critically ill children, particularly in invasive infections, with a high 30-day mortality rate linked to this pathogen.
- A study conducted from 2001 to 2020 on isolates from children revealed a complete shift in genotypes towards the more resistant CC92 genotype after 2010.
- The CC92 genotype exhibited extremely high rates of carbapenem resistance (94.2%), and colistin resistance rose significantly between 2014-2017, highlighting the urgent need for ongoing surveillance and treatment strategies.
Article Synopsis
- - The study analyzed pediatric invasive bacterial infections (IBIs) in children over 25 years (1996-2020) in Korea, highlighting changes in the types of bacteria causing these infections.
- - A total of 2,195 IBI cases were recorded, with specific bacteria being more common in different age groups: (e.g., Streptococcus pneumoniae in younger children and Staphylococcus aureus in older ones).
- - Findings indicate a decrease in certain bacteria (like Haemophilus influenzae) and an increase in others (such as Streptococcus pyogenes) before the COVID-19 pandemic, providing important baseline data for understanding IBI trends post-pandemic.
Respiratory syncytial virus infection and the need for immunization in Korea.
Expert Rev Vaccines
April 2023
Article Synopsis
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of respiratory infections, particularly affecting infants under 2 years old and the elderly, leading to many hospitalizations.* -
- The review focuses on RSV's impact in Korea, emphasizing the need for effective vaccines to alleviate the health burden on vulnerable groups.* -
- Advancements in understanding immune responses and vaccine technology are crucial for developing safe and effective vaccines against RSV to reduce illness and long-term health issues like asthma.*
Article Synopsis
- The blotched nerite Nerita albicilla is found in the intertidal zones of the Indo-Pacific, specifically noted in South Korea's Jeju Island, indicating its potential as a climate change monitor.
- A genetic analysis based on 393 mitochondrial COI haplotypes identified two distinct lineages in this species, suggesting that N. albicilla may actually include a new species, N. originalis sp. nov.
- These findings raise questions about the distribution of N. originalis in South Korea, potentially linked to global warming effects on ocean currents or human activities in marine transportation.
Nirsevimab binding-site conservation in respiratory syncytial virus fusion glycoprotein worldwide between 1956 and 2021: an analysis of observational study sequencing data.
Deidre Wilkins Annefleur C Langedijk Robert Jan Lebbink Christopher Morehouse Michael E Abram Eun Hwa Choi
Lancet Infect Dis
July 2023
Article Synopsis
- Nirsevimab, a long-lasting monoclonal antibody developed to protect infants from RSV, shows great potential due to the high conservation of its binding site, although the emergence of escape variants needs further investigation from 2015 to 2021.
- The study analyzed RSV A and B prevalence across multiple global surveillance studies, revealing that most amino acids in the nirsevimab binding site remained stable, with only a notable polymorphism (Ile206Met:Gln209Arg) appearing in RSV B after 2016.
- The researchers found that nirsevimab effectively neutralizes various RSV strains, including some with binding-site changes, although certain RSV B variants showed reduced sensitivity to nirsevim
Article Synopsis
- A study on the white-spotted flower chafer Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis examined gene expression related to its wing development and metamorphosis using RNA-seq data.
- Researchers identified 265 genes involved in wing development and 19 in metamorphosis, along with a total of 1,598 related genes primarily clustered in a specific group.
- The gene analysis indicated that the genes for wing development and metamorphosis are most active in eggs, less so in pupae and adults, and least in larvae, providing insights into the genetic mechanisms that control these processes.