Clinical characteristics of toxoplasmosis patients in Korea: A retrospective study using health insurance review and assessment service data and electronic medical records.

This study aimed to elucidate the clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with toxoplasmosis in Korea. We collected and analyzed the specific research data of 5,917 patients from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA; 2007-2020) and 533 electronic medical records (EMRs; 2003-2021) of Korean patients. The HIRA data showed that toxoplasmosis is an endemic disease that occurs constantly in Korea, with a large proportion of patients complaining of ocular symptoms.

Adverse Drug Events Associated With Remdesivir in Real-World Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19, Including Vulnerable Populations: A Retrospective Multicenter Study.

Background: Remdesivir is a US Food and Drug Administration-approved drug for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Clinical trials were conducted under strictly controlled situations for a selected population, and their reported adverse events may not fully represent conditions in real-world patients. We aimed to estimate the incidence of adverse drug events (ADEs) associated with remdesivir in hospitalized patients with COVID-19, including vulnerable subpopulations, such as those with impaired renal or hepatic function and pregnant women.

Comparison of Cefazolin/Metronidazole to Ampicillin/Sulbactam as Preoperative Antibiotics in Colorectal Surgery: A Retrospective, Single-Center Cohort Study.

Aim: The use of prophylactic antibiotics prior to colorectal surgery reduces surgical site infections. Cefazolin and metronidazole are used as a standard regimen. Ampicillin/sulbactam may be an alternative, but current data are limited.

Antibiotic Combination Therapy for Severe Scrub Typhus: Is It Necessary?

Scrub typhus can be adequately treated with doxycycline or azithromycin unless it is treated too late. Such cases present as severe scrub typhus, and their treatment remains a challenging problem. In this article, we briefly review the literature on the treatment of scrub typhus and the limitations of the combination of doxycycline and azithromycin.

Adverse events of a third dose of BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine among Korean healthcare workers.

Due to the urgency of controlling the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, coronavirus disease 2019 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines have been expeditiously approved and introduced in several countries without sufficient evaluation for adverse events. We analyzed adverse events among Korean healthcare workers who received all 3 doses of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. This survey was conducted among hospital workers of Inha University Hospital who had received the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine for their first, second, third rounds, and using a diary card.

Machine learning model for predicting ciprofloxacin resistance and presence of ESBL in patients with UTI in the ED.

Increasing antimicrobial resistance in uropathogens is a clinical challenge to emergency physicians as antibiotics should be selected before an infecting pathogen or its antibiotic resistance profile is confirmed. We created a predictive model for antibiotic resistance of uropathogens, using machine learning (ML) algorithms. This single-center retrospective study evaluated patients diagnosed with urinary tract infection (UTI) in the emergency department (ED) between January 2020 and June 2021.

Optical diffraction tomography and image reconstruction to measure host cell alterations caused by divergent Plasmodium species.

Malaria is a life-threatening infectious disease caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium. Understanding the biological features of various parasite forms is important for the optical diagnosis and defining pathological states, which are often constrained by the lack of ambient visualization approaches. Here, we employ a label-free tomographic technique to visualize the host red blood cell (RBC) remodeling process and quantify changes in biochemical properties arising from parasitization.

Fecal microbiota transplantation can improve cognition in patients with cognitive decline and infection.

After fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to treat infection (CDI), cognitive improvement is noticeable, suggesting an essential association between the gut microbiome and neural function. Although the gut microbiome has been associated with cognitive function, it remains to be elucidated whether fecal microbiota transplantation can improve cognition in patients with cognitive decline. The study included 10 patients (age range, 63-90 years; female, 80%) with dementia and severe CDI who were receiving FMT.

The effect of Epstein-Barr virus viremia on the progression to severe COVID-19.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is frequently reactivated by coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), and a high incidence of EBV viremia has been reported in patients with severe COVID-19. However, the impact of EBV viremia on progression to severe COVID-19 is unclear. Therefore, we conducted a study to evaluate the effect of EBV on COVID-19 progression.

Adverse Events with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine among Korean Healthcare Workers.

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has shown excellent clinical effectiveness; however, adverse events of the vaccine remain a concern in Korea. We surveyed adverse events in 2498 healthcare workers vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at a university hospital. The survey was conducted using a diary card for 7 days following each injection.

A Profile of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Variants and Deficiency of Multicultural Families in Korea.

Vivax malaria incidence in Korea is now decreased and showing a low plateau. Nowadays, vivax malaria in Korea is expected to be successfully eliminated with anti-malaria chemotherapy, primaquine, and vector control. The glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is associated with potential hemolytic anemia after primaquine administration.

Altered Influenza Vaccination Coverage and Related Factors in Pregnant Women in Korea from 2007 to 2019.

Background: Pregnant women are at a high-risk of influenza infection. We have previously reported a low influenza vaccination coverage rate (4.0%) in Korea during the 2006-2007 influenza season.

Effect of a serum lactate monitoring recommendation policy on patients treated with linezolid.

Lactic acidosis is one of the most fatal adverse effects of linezolid, an antibiotic used to treat serious infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. However, the measures to prevent lactic acidosis have not been well established.We performed a retrospective study to analyze the impact of applying a serum lactate monitoring recommendation policy in patients treated with linezolid.

Splenic infarction and infectious diseases in Korea.

Background: The spleen contains immune cells and exhibits a pattern of infarction different from other organs; as such, splenic infarction (SI) may provide important clues to infection. However, the nature of the relationship between SI and infectious disease(s) is not well understood. Accordingly, this retrospective study investigated the relationship between SI and infection.

Current Status and a Perspective of Mosquito-Borne Diseases in the Republic of Korea.

Mosquito-borne diseases in the Republic of Korea have a unique epidemiology due to the rapid improvement in hygiene and economic status, occurrence of four distinct seasons, and separation from North Korea owing to the political situation. Therefore, we aimed to analyze and review the epidemiology of mosquito-borne diseases in Korea. The incidence and geographical distribution of malaria, Japanese encephalitis (JE), Zika virus infection, chikungunya fever, and dengue fever were investigated using data from the Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Medical management of septic arthritis of sternoclavicular joint: A case report.

Rationale: Sternoclavicular joint septic arthritis is an unusual disease in healthy adults, and Staphylococcus aureus is the most common causative pathogen. The current treatment of choice is surgery with sternoclavicular joint resection and pectoralis flap closure, especially when the disease is complicated by osteomyelitis and abscess.

Patient Concerns: Here, we report a 76-year-old woman without risk factors who visited our hospital for pain and redness, swelling on the left anterior chest wall.

Chryseobacterium arthrosphaerae ventriculitis: A case report.

Introduction: Chryseobacterium arthrosphaerae is a gram-negative bacteria, known for its intrinsic multidrug resistance, which can lead to treatment difficulties.

Patient Concerns: A 56-year-old male had an indwelling external ventricular drainage catheter for 6 months and had been frequently treated with antibiotics for nosocomial infections. He showed cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis and an abrupt fever during hospitalization.

Nutritional status of patients with COVID-19.

The relationship between immunity and nutrition is well known and its role in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is also being paid great attention. However, the nutritional status of COVID-19 patients is unknown. Vitamin B1, B6, B12, vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D), folate, selenium, and zinc levels were measured in 50 hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Convalescent Plasma Therapy in Coronavirus Disease 2019: a Case Report and Suggestions to Overcome Obstacles.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is rapidly spreading around the world, causing much morbidity and mortality everywhere. However, effective treatments or vaccines are still not available. Although convalescent plasma (CP) therapy can be useful in the treatment of COVID-19, it has not been widely used in Korea because of the concerns about adverse effects and the difficulty in matching patients to donors.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of immune response of double dose of hepatitis B vaccination in HIV-infected patients.

Introduction: The prevalence of co-infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is high and increases risk of hepatitis B chronicity and mortality. Despite guidelines for HIV-infected patients to be immunized against HBV, the immunogenicity of the HBV vaccination in HIV-infected patients is lower than that in the HIV-seronegative population.

Method: In this study, we performed a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials to investigate the response rate to an increased dose of HBV vaccination in HIV-infected patients.

A case of Henoch-Schönlein purpura associated with scrub typhus.

Background: Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) may be caused by several allergens. However, to date, HSP caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi has not been reported. Here, we report an unusual rash with features of HSP caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi.

Geographic distribution of Tick-borne encephalitis virus complex.

A comprehensive understanding of the geographic distribution of the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) complex is necessary due to increasing transboundary movement and cross-reactivity of serological tests. This review was conducted to identify the geographic distribution of the TBEV complex, including TBE virus, Alkhurma haemorrhagic fever virus, Kyasanur forest disease virus, louping-ill virus, Omsk haemorrhagic fever virus, and Powassan virus. Published reports were identified using PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library.

Effectiveness of single-dose administration of inactivated hepatitis A virus vaccination in the Republic of Korea armed forces, 2013-2016.

The Republic of Korea Armed Forces has implemented the hepatitis A virus (HAV) vaccination programme with a single-dose administration schedule in new recruits since 2013. A single-dose administration was selected for economic feasibility. We analysed the effectiveness of the single-dose HAV vaccination in a young and healthy population.

Effectiveness of a single dose of the quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine, MenACWY-CRM, in the Korean Armed Forces.

Conjugate vaccines are widely used to overcome the disadvantages of polysaccharide vaccines in the prevention of meningococcal disease. However, limited studies have examined the clinical effectiveness of single-dose meningococcal quadrivalent conjugate vaccines in adults. We assessed the effectiveness of the meningococcal vaccination program in the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, since 2013.

The Eschar Size and Early Inoculation Lesion of Tsutsugamushi Disease on Jeju Island, Korea.

Background: Tsutsugamushi disease, or scrub typhus, is an acute febrile illness caused by , which is followed by chronic latent infection. People who reside in areas endemic of tsutsugamushi disease may be frequently reinfected with this organism. Volunteers who are experimentally reinfected with manifest various systemic and local reactions, including the presence of small-sized eschar.