Comparison of the Clinical Outcomes of Patients With Positive Xpert Carba-R Tests for Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacterales According to Culture Positivity.

Background: We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of patients with positive Xpert Carba-R assay results for carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) according to CPE culture positivity.

Methods: We retrospectively collected data for patients with positive CPE (positive Xpert Carba-R or culture) who underwent both tests from August 2018 to March 2021 in a 2700-bed tertiary referral hospital in Seoul, South Korea. We compared the clinical outcomes of patients positive for Xpert Carba-R according to whether they were positive (XPCP) or negative (XPCN) for CPE culture.

Nosocomial Outbreak of COVID-19 in a Hematologic Ward.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks occur in hospitals in many parts of the world. In hospital settings, the possibility of airborne transmission needs to be investigated thoroughly.

Materials And Methods: There was a nosocomial outbreak of COVID-19 in a hematologic ward in a tertiary hospital, Seoul, Korea.

Adverse Reactions of the Second Dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine in Healthcare Workers in Korea.

We conducted a prospective, mobile-based survey on the self-reported adverse reactions in healthcare workers (HCWs) who received both doses of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. Of the 342 HCWs who completed the two-dose vaccination, 265 (77.5%) responded to the survey at least once.

Fit-failure rate associated with simulated reuse and extended use of N95 respirators assessed by a quantitative fit test.

Objective: We quantitatively assessed the fit failure rate of N95 respirators according to the number of donning/doffing and hours worn.

Design: Experimental study.

Setting: A tertiary-care referral center in South Korea.

Importance of Follow-Up Microscopic Examination in Hospitalized Patients with Confirmed Scabies.

We investigated the duration of positive microscopic examination in hospitalized patients with confirmed scabies in an acute care hospital. We included hospitalized patients who were diagnosed with scabies between January 2015 and June 2019. From the study period, a total of 31 patients with confirmed scabies were identified.

Frequency of and risk factors for reversion of QuantiFERON test in healthcare workers in an intermediate-tuberculosis-burden country.

Objectives: High-risk healthcare workers (HCWs) are often screened for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) using QuantiFERON tests (QFTs), with annual serial tests often showing reversion from positive to negative results. We assessed the frequency of and risk factors for reversion of QFTs in HCWs in an intermediate-tuberculosis burden country.

Methods: We enrolled high-risk HCWs at a tertiary-care hospital in South Korea, who were assessed by QFTs at least twice between 2017 and 2019.

The Rate of Acquisition of Carbapenemase-Producing among Close Contact Patients Depending on Carbapenemase Enzymes.

Background: Carbapenemase-producing (CPE) are highly drug-resistant pathogens. Screening the contacts of newly-identified CPE patients is crucial for nosocomial transmission control. We evaluated the acquisition rate of CPE in close contacts as a function of CPE genotype.

Seroprevalence of mumps in healthcare workers in South Korea.

Mumps is contagious disease and maintaining immunity to mumps in healthcare worker (HCW) is important for preventing transmission in the hospital. We evaluated the seroprevalence of mumps in HCWs in a tertiary care hospital in Republic of Korea. A total of 6,055 HCWs born between 1950 and 1995 underwent antibody testing.

Airborne fungal spores and invasive aspergillosis in hematologic units in a tertiary hospital during construction: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is an opportunistic fungal infection that mostly occurs in immunocompromised patients, such as those having hematologic malignancy or receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Inhalation of spores is the main transmission route of IA in immunocompromised patients. Construction work in hospitals is a risk factor for environmental fungal contamination.

Seroprevalence of Measles in Healthcare Workers in South Korea.

There are only limited data regarding the seroprevalence of measles of healthcare workers (HCWs) in Korea. We evaluated the seroprevalence of measles in HCWs in a tertiary care hospital in Korea. A total of 7,411 HCWs born from 1952 to 1995 underwent antibody test.

Candida auris colonization or infection of the ear: A single-center study in South Korea from 2016 to 2018.

Candida auris was first identified in Japan from specimens obtained from the ear, but most reports since have reported invasive infections or non-ear based cases. We reviewed all the microbiology records from a single center in South Korea from February 2016 to July 2018. One hundred eleven isolates were positive for C.

Laboratory-based surveillance of hospital-acquired respiratory virus infection in a tertiary care hospital.

Of 7,772 laboratory-confirmed cases of respiratory viral infection among hospitalized patients, 22.8% were categorized as having hospital-acquired infection. The overall incidence of hospital-acquired respiratory viral infection was 3.

Clearance Rate of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae Carriage Among Hospitalized Patients.

During the past decade, carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) has emerged and spread across the world. 1 The major carbapenemase enzymes currently being reported are KPC, NDM-1, VIM, IMP, and OXA. 2 Because carbapenemase can be effectively transmitted via mobile genetic elements, and current therapeutic options for CPE infections are extremely limited, CPE may be one of the most serious contemporary threats to public health.

Assessment of the appropriateness of hand surface coverage for health care workers according to World Health Organization hand hygiene guidelines.

We monitored hand surface coverage technique in health care workers in a tertiary care hospital using a 5-item hand hygiene assessment tool based on World Health Organization guidelines. Overall hand hygiene compliance was 86.7% (4,300/4,960).