Persistence of in Patients with Bacteremia: Incidence, Clinical and Microbiologic Characters, and Outcomes.

The risk factors and outcomes associated with persistent bacteremia are not well-defined. This retrospective cohort study analyzed 214 cases of bacteremia diagnosed between 2005 and 2022 at two university hospitals, focusing on the clinical and microbiologic characteristics and outcomes of persistent bacteremia. Persistent bacteremia, defined as the detection of for ≥5 days after the initial blood culture, occurred in 25.

Aging with HIV: The Burden of Comorbidities, Polypharmacy, and Drug Interactions in Korean People Living with HIV Aged ≥50 Years.

Background: The life expectancy of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) has significantly improved with advancements in antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, aging PLWH face a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), polypharmacy, and drug-drug interactions (DDIs), which pose challenges in their management. This study investigates the prevalence of NCDs, polypharmacy, and DDIs among PLWH aged ≥50 years in Korea and their impact on quality of life (QOL).

Comparison of clinical characteristics and outcomes in candidaemia patients with and without COVID-19: a multicentre retrospective study.

Background: Invasive fungal infections have been reported as complications with significant mortality and morbidity in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of candidaemia patients with COVID-19 and to investigate the association between COVID-19 and mortality in candidaemia patients.

Methods: This retrospective study included candidaemia patients aged 18 years or older admitted to four university-affiliated tertiary hospitals in South Korea between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2022.

Serotype distribution and clinical characteristics of Group B Streptococcus Bacteremia in nonpregnant adults: a 15-Year Multicenter Study in Korea.

Background: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) bacteremia in nonpregnant adults is of increasing concern, particularly among the elderly in underlying conditions. This study analyzed the serotype distribution, antimicrobial resistance patterns, and clinical characteristics of GBS bacteremia in nonpregnant adults over a 15-year period in two tertiary hospitals in Korea.

Methods: From 2007 to 2021, patients aged ≥ 19 years with GBS bacteremia were identified via retrospective electronic medical record review.

The microbiology of periprosthetic joint infections as revealed by sonicate cultures in Korea: Routine use of fungal and mycobacterial cultures is necessary?

Background: Although sonication is a valuable diagnostic tool for periprosthetic joint infections (PJI), it is not commonly utilized. We analyzed sonicate and intraoperative tissue culture results obtained from three hospitals to define the microbial etiology of PJIs in Korea. Furthermore, we investigated necessity of conducting regular fungal and mycobacterial cultures.

Comparative Study on the Immunogenicity of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines in Patients Receiving Adjuvant and Palliative Chemotherapy.

This study was conducted to investigate potential differences in vaccine efficacy between patients undergoing palliative chemotherapy and receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. Additionally, the study proved the influence of vaccination timing on vaccine efficacy during active chemotherapy. Anti-receptor-binding domain (RBD) IgG binding antibody assays and surrogate neutralizing antibody assays were performed after BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 vaccination in 45 solid cancer patients (23 adjuvant and 22 palliative chemotherapy) and in 24 healthy controls before vaccination (baseline), at every two to four weeks after the first (post-dose 1) and the second vaccination (post-dose 2).

Under-diagnosis of vector-borne diseases among individuals suspected of having Scrub Typhus in South Korea.

Due to environmental and ecological changes and suitable habitats, the occurrence of vector-borne diseases is increasing. We investigated the seroprevalence of four major vector-borne pathogens in human patients with febrile illness who were clinically suspected of having Scrub Typhus (ST) caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi. A total of 187 samples (182 patient whole blood and sera samples, including 5 follow-up) were collected.

Fosfomycin for Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Men Undergoing a Transrectal Prostate Biopsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

To assess the effects of fosfomycin compared with other antibiotics as a prophylaxis for urinary tract infections (UTIs) in men undergoing transrectal prostate biopsies. We searched multiple databases and trial registries without publication language or status restrictions until 4 January 2022. Parallel-group randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized studies (NRS) were included.

Thermally Managed, Injectable Optoelectronic Probe with Heat Dissipation Guide for Photodynamic Therapy.

The development of fabrication technologies and appearance of new materials has resulted in dramatic increase in the performance of electronic devices, while the overall size has decreased. Recent electronic devices made of micro/nano-size components show high efficiency and outstanding performance with compact size, but these devices have revealed several fatal problems. In particular, the isolated heat that is generated by numerous components concentrated in a limited small area at high density, such as bio-integrated devices, is an issue that needs to be urgently addressed, because it is closely related to the performance and lifetime of electronic devices.

A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Phase II Clinical Study To Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Camostat Mesylate (DWJ1248) in Adult Patients with Mild to Moderate COVID-19.

Although several antiviral agents have become available for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatment, oral drugs are still limited. Camostat mesylate, an orally bioavailable serine protease inhibitor, has been used to treat chronic pancreatitis in South Korea, and it has an inhibitory potential against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This study was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter, phase 2 clinical trial in mild to moderate COVID-19 patients.

Nosocomial Outbreak of COVID-19 from a Kidney Transplant Patient: Necessity of a Longer Isolation Period in Immunocompromised Patients.

Background: Determination of the release from isolation for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in immunocompromised patients who need additional hospitalization for treatment of non-COVID-19 related disease is important to prevent nosocomial transmission. However, there is insufficient evidence for an extended isolation period.

Materials And Methods: In September 2021, when the Delta variant was dominant, a nosocomial outbreak of COVID-19 occurred in the nephrology ward of a tertiary hospital in Gwangju, Korea.

Weight Gain and Lipid Profile Changes in Koreans with Human Immunodeficiency Virus undergoing Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitor-Based Regimens.

Background: This study explored the relationship between integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)-based anti-retroviral agents and weight gain over time, and the risk factors for weight gain in Korean people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH).

Materials And Methods: The study was conducted retrospectively in PLWHs 18 years of age or older who took one of three INSTI-based single-tablet regimens (STRs) (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine/elvitegravir/cobicistat [TDF/F/EVG/c], tenofovir alafenamide/emtricitabine/elvitegravir/cobicistat [TAF/F/EVG/c], and abacavir/lamivudine/dolutegravir [ABC/3TC/DTG]) for more than 2 years at three university-affiliated hospitals in South Korea from May 2014 to December 2020. Analysis was performed in the treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced groups, respectively.

Replacement of the Dominant ST191 Clone by ST369 Among Carbapenem-Resistant Bloodstream Isolates at a Tertiary Care Hospital in South Korea.

The clonal dissemination of carbapenem-resistant (CRAB) bacteremia is a serious clinical problem worldwide. However, the factors related to the emergence and replacement of predominant CRAB clones in nosocomial settings are unclear. By multilocus sequence typing (MLST), we evaluated the genetic relatedness of CRAB bloodstream isolates at a tertiary care hospital over a 3.

Positivity rates of mycobacterial culture in patients with tuberculous spondylitis according to methods and sites of biopsies: An analysis of 206 cases.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the mycobacterial culture positivity rates according to biopsy methods and sites in patients with tuberculous spondylitis (TS) and identify which tissues are the best sites for the diagnosis of TS.

Methods: We retrospectively identified and reviewed medical records of all patients with TS in three university-affiliated hospitals in the Republic of Korea from January 2003 to December 2020. TS was diagnosed by culture or histopathologic examination of vertebral bodies or paraspinal tissues and characteristic clinical and radiologic features.

Performance of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Serological Diagnostic Tests and Antibody Kinetics in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients.

Serological testing is recommended to support the detection of undiagnosed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases. However, the performance of serological assays has not been sufficiently evaluated. Hence, the performance of six severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) binding antibody assays [three chemiluminescence (CLIAs) and three lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs)] and a surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT) was analyzed in a total of 988 serum samples comprising 389 COVID-19-positives and 599 COVID-19-negatives.

In vivo imaging of invasive aspergillosis with F-fluorodeoxysorbitol positron emission tomography.

Invasive aspergillosis is a critical complication in immunocompromised patients with hematologic malignancies or with viral pneumonia caused by influenza virus or SARS‑CoV‑2. Although early and accurate diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis can maximize clinical outcomes, current diagnostic methods are time-consuming and poorly sensitive. Here, we assess the ability of 2-deoxy-2-F-fluorosorbitol (F-FDS) positron emission tomography (PET) to specifically and noninvasively detect Aspergillus infections.

Measles susceptibility of marriage migrant women in Korea.

International migrants could be considered a risk group susceptible to vaccine-preventable diseases. We conducted a measles seroprevalence study among 419 marriage migrant women living in Sinan-gun and Wando-gun, South Jeolla Province, located in the southwestern part of Korea. The overall seroimmunity was 92.

Rifamycin resistance, rpoB gene mutation and clinical outcomes of Staphylococcus species isolates from prosthetic joint infections in Republic of Korea.

Objectives: We conducted an in vitro investigation of the activity of rifamycins against planktonic and biofilm states of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates from patients with prosthetic joint infections (PJIs), characterised their rpoB gene mutations, and analysed the clinical outcomes of rifampicin-resistant isolates.

Methods: A total of 110 staphylococcal isolates were collected from patients with PJI. Antimicrobials tested using the broth microdilution method included rifampicin, rifabutin, rifapentine and rifaximin.

Genomic characterization of nine Clostridioides difficile strains isolated from Korean patients with Clostridioides difficile infection.

Background: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is an infectious nosocomial disease caused by Clostridioides difficile, an opportunistic pathogen that occurs in the intestine after extensive antibiotic regimens.

Results: Nine C. difficile strains (CBA7201-CBA7209) were isolated from nine patients diagnosed with CDI at the national university hospital in Korea, and the whole genomes of these strains were sequenced to identify their genomic characteristics.

Associations Between COVID-19 Symptoms and Psychological Distress.

Hospital isolation for COVID-19 may cause significant psychological stress. The association between COVID-19 symptoms and psychological symptoms has not been systematically studied. We investigated the effects of telephonic intervention on the relationship between psychological symptoms and COVID-19 symptoms at the time of hospitalization and 1 week later.

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome with fulminant myocarditis: a case report.

Background: The clinical spectrum of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is wide, which can range from fever to multiple organ failure. Conservative therapy plays a key role in the treatment of SFTS. However, severe cases of SFTS, such as fulminant myocarditis, may require mechanical hemodynamic support.

Successful control of COVID-19 outbreak through tracing, testing, and isolation: Lessons learned from the outbreak control efforts made in a metropolitan city of South Korea.

The first surge of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases began on June 27, 2020 in Gwangju metropolitan city, located in the southwestern part of South Korea, with a population of 1,501,000. Local governments and the Korean Center for Disease Control and Prevention immediately started an epidemiologic investigation and traced the contacts of patients using a wide variety of data sources, including location data from mobile devices, credit card transaction, and closed-circuit television footage. Until July 16, 2020, 138 community transmission cases and 10 infection clusters were identified across the city.

Circulating Plasmacytoid and Conventional Dendritic Cells Are Numerically and Functionally Deficient in Patients With Scrub Typhus.

Background: Dendritic cells (DCs) are specialized antigen-presenting cells known to bridge innate and adaptive immune reactions. However, the relationship between circulating DCs and infection is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the level and function of plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) and conventional DCs (cDCs), two subsets of circulating DCs, in scrub typhus patients.

Source Analysis and Effective Control of a COVID-19 Outbreak in a University Teaching Hospital during a Period of Increasing Community Prevalence of COVID-19.

Background: South Korea has been experiencing a third wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) since mid-November 2020. Our hospital in Gwangju metropolitan city experienced a healthcare-associated COVID-19 outbreak early in the third wave. The first confirmed COVID-19 patient was a symptomatic neurosurgery resident with high mobility throughout the hospital.