Impact of multidrug resistance on outcomes in hematologic cancer patients with bacterial bloodstream infections.

Despite the improved outcomes in patients with hematological malignancies, infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) pose a new threat to these patients. We retrospectively reviewed the patients with hematological cancer and bacterial bloodstream infections (BSIs) at a tertiary hospital between 2003 and 2022 to assess the impact of MDROs on outcomes. Among 328 BSIs, 81 (24.

Incidence of Infections in Republic of Korea: A Prospective Study With Active Surveillance vs. National Data From Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service.

Background: Since the emergence of hypervirulent strains of , the incidence of infections (CDI) has increased significantly.

Methods: To assess the incidence of CDI in Korea, we conducted a prospective multicentre observational study from October 2020 to October 2021. Additionally, we calculated the incidence of CDI from mass data obtained from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) from 2008 to 2020.

Invasive Pneumococcal Diseases in Korean Adults After the Introduction of Pneumococcal Vaccine into the National Immunization Program.

Although has been one of the most common bacterial causes of disease in humans, its impact has been blunted by the broad use of vaccines. Since 2018, the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease in Korea decreased with effective pneumococcal vaccines but is on the rise again recently. In this paper I will review the epidemiology, risk factors, and antibiotic resistance of invasive pneumococcal disease after the introduction of the pneumococcal vaccine in Korean adults.

Abnormal accumulation of extracellular vesicles in hippocampal dystrophic axons and regulation by the primary cilia in Alzheimer's disease.

Dystrophic neurites (DNs) are abnormal axons and dendrites that are swollen or deformed in various neuropathological conditions. In Alzheimer's disease (AD), DNs play a crucial role in impairing neuronal communication and function, and they may also contribute to the accumulation and spread of amyloid beta (Aβ) in the brain of AD patients. However, it is still a challenge to understand the DNs of specific neurons that are vulnerable to Aβ in the pathogenesis of AD.

Carbapenem Use in the Last Days of Life: A Nationwide Korean Study.

The appropriate use of carbapenem is a critical concern for patient safety and public health, and is a national priority. We investigated the nationwide status of carbapenem prescription in patients within their last 14 days of life to guide judicious-use protocols from the previous study comprised of 1350 decedents. Carbapenem use was universally controlled through computerised authorisation system at all centres during the study period.

Use of Antibiotics Within the Last 14 Days of Life in Korean Patients: A Nationwide Study.

Background: Antimicrobial prescriptions for serious chronic or acute illness nearing its end stages raise concerns about the potential for futile use, adverse events, increased multidrug-resistant organisms, and significant patient and social cost burdens. This study investigated the nationwide situation of how antibiotics are prescribed to patients during the last 14 days of life to guide future actions.

Methods: This nationwide multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted at 13 hospitals in South Korea from November 1 to December 31, 2018.

Developing Core Elements and Checklist Items for Implementing Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs in Korean General Hospitals: A Modified Delphi Survey.

Background: Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) aim to optimize antimicrobial use by minimizing the spread of antimicrobial resistance. The core elements for implementing ASPs in healthcare facilities have been developed by the World Health Organization, international research group and government agencies of various countries. However, to date, there is no documented core elements for implementation of ASP in Korea.

Korean Guidelines for Use of Antibiotics for Intra-abdominal Infections in Adults.

The guidelines are intended to provide practical information for the correct use of antibiotics for intra-abdominal infections in Korea. With the aim of realizing evidence-based treatment, these guidelines for the use of antibiotics were written to help clinicians find answers to key clinical questions that arise in the course of patient care, using the latest research results based on systematic literature review. The guidelines were prepared in consideration of the data on the causative pathogens of intra-abdominal infections in Korea, the antibiotic susceptibility of the causative pathogens, and the antibiotics available in Korea.

Core Elements for Implementing Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs in Korean General Hospitals.

Currently, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major threat to global public health. The antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) has been proposed as an important approach to overcome this crisis. ASP supports the optimal use of antimicrobials, including appropriate dosing decisions, administration duration, and administration routes.

A study on changes in lung function, neutralizing antibodies, and symptoms of adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Background/aims: To identify changes in symptoms and pulmonary sequelae in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: Patients with COVID-19 hospitalized at seven university hospitals in Korea between February 2020 and February 2021 were enrolled, provided they had ≥ 1 outpatient follow-up visit. Between January 11 and March 9, 2021 (study period), residual symptom investigations, chest computed tomography (CT) scans, pulmonary function tests (PFT), and neutralizing antibody tests (NAb) were performed at the outpatient visit (cross-sectional design).

Development of a Roadmap for the Antimicrobial Usage Monitoring System for Medical Institutions in Korea: a Delphi Study.

Background: It is necessary to develop a roadmap for antimicrobial usage monitoring in order to perform monitoring of antimicrobial use at the national level properly. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a roadmap for establishing surveillance and monitoring of antimicrobial use in medical institutions at the national level.

Materials And Methods: A modified Delphi study was conducted, including 3 rounds of an online survey and a virtual meeting with 16 expert panels.

Report of the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases Roundtable Discussion on Responses to the Measles Outbreaks in Korea in 2019.

During the 2019 domestic measles outbreak in Korea, measles occurred in healthcare workers with two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, and the strict application of the Occupational Safety and Health Act required medical institutions to identify healthcare workers' immunity to measles and vaccinate the susceptible pockets. In response to the frontline medical institutions' request to review the measles recommendations and guidelines, the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases held a roundtable discussion on the causes of measles outbreak, timing of vaccinations, antibody tests, and booster vaccinations for healthcare workers, and financial support from the government and municipality as well as response strategies against the outbreak in healthcare settings. In Korea, the seroprevalence of measles is decreasing in the vaccine-induced immunity group during the maintenance of measles elimination over several years.

Dual respiratory virus detection in adult patients with acute respiratory illness.

Background: Nonrandom multiple respiratory virus (RV) detection provides evidence for viral interference among respiratory viruses. However, little is known as to whether it occurs randomly.

Methods: The prevalence of dual RV detection (DRVD) in patients with acute respiratory illnesses (ARIs) at 4 academic medical centers was investigated; data about the prevalence of 8 RVs were collected from the Korean national RV surveillance dataset.

Clostridium difficile infection after orthopedic surgery: Incidence, associated factors, and impact on outcome.

Background: To identify the incidence, associated factors, and impact of hospital-acquired Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) among patients who have undergone orthopedic surgery.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all adults patients who underwent orthopedic surgery from January 2016 through December 2017 at a tertiary hospital.

Results: Of 7,363 patients who underwent orthopedic surgical procedures, 52 (0.

Status of antimicrobial stewardship programmes in Korean hospitals including small to medium-sized hospitals and the awareness and demands of physicians: a nationwide survey in 2020.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the status of antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASPs) in small to medium-sized Korean hospitals as well as the awareness and demands about ASPs of physicians.

Methods: A questionnaire was designed based on a questionnaire from a previous nationwide survey in 2018 targeting large hospitals in Korea and modified to reflect the results of in-depth interviews with non-infectious diseases (IDs) physicians at secondary care hospitals. The survey targeted all hospitals with ≥150 beds in South Korea and was performed in May-June 2020.

Safety and immunogenicity of a seasonal quadrivalent influenza vaccine (GC3110A) in healthy participants aged ≥ 65 years.

Background: Seasonal Influenza is still considered associated with seasonal morbidity and hospitalization in the elderly population. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended seasonal quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) to reduce burden of two currently circulating influenza B lineages. Until 2019 Korean National Immunization Program (NIP) recommended trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) after ongoing debates on cost effectiveness of QIV for elderly population.

Predictors of Acute Kidney Injury and 28-Day Mortality in Carbapenem-Resistant Complex Bacteremia.

Colistin is an, antibiotic used to treat carbapenem-resistant complex (CRABC) infection. However, colistin is well known for its nephrotoxicity. To accurately assess the effects of colistin on acute kidney injury (AKI) and 28-day mortality, we investigated the risk factors associated with AKI and mortality in patients with CRABC bacteremia who received or never received colistin.

Machine-Learning-Based Approach to Differential Diagnosis in Tuberculous and Viral Meningitis.

Background: Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most severe form of tuberculosis, but differentiating between the diagnosis of TBM and viral meningitis (VM) is difficult. Thus, we have developed machine-learning modules for differentiating TBM from VM.

Material And Methods: For the training data, confirmed or probable TBM and confirmed VM cases were retrospectively collected from five teaching hospitals in Korea between January 2000 - July 2018.

IOX1 activity as sepsis therapy and an antibiotic against multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Sepsis is caused by organ dysfunction initiated by an unrestrained host immune response to infection. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has rapidly increased in the last decades and has stimulated a firm research platform to combat infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria that cannot be eradicated with conventional antibiotics. Strategies like epigenetic regulators such as lysine demethylase (Kdm) has received attention as a new target.

The effects of repeated inhaler device handling education in COPD patients: a prospective cohort study.

Inhaler education for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients improves inhaler technique and adherence. However, the effects of such education on the quality of life and inhaler satisfaction remain unclear. Here, we evaluated inhaler handling and adherence, and changes in quality of life and inhaler satisfaction, after repeated education for COPD patients.

Human resources required for antimicrobial stewardship activities for hospitalized patients in Korea.

Objectives: We calculated the human resources required for an antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) in Korean hospitals.

Design: Multicenter retrospective study.

Setting: Eight Korean hospitals ranging in size from 295 to 1,337 beds.

Clinical impact of early reinsertion of a central venous catheter after catheter removal in patients with catheter-related bloodstream infections.

Objective: Early replacement of a new central venous catheter (CVC) may pose a risk of persistent or recurrent infection in patients with a catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI). We evaluated the clinical impact of early CVC reinsertion after catheter removal in patients with CRBSIs.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of adult patients with confirmed CRBSIs in 2 tertiary-care hospitals over a 7-year period.

Clinical Characteristics of COVID-19: Clinical Dynamics of Mild Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection Detected by Early Active Surveillance.

Background: There is limited information describing the presenting characteristics and dynamic clinical changes in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection diagnosed in the early phase of illness. This study is a case series of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) admitted to 11 hospitals in Korea.

Methods: Patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection by positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of respiratory specimens by active surveillance that were finally discharged between February 20 and April 30, 2020 were included.