Real-world comparison between mechanical and manual cardiopulmonary resuscitation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide, including an increase in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA). Healthcare providers are now required to use personal protective equipment (PPE) during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Additionally, mechanical CPR devices have been introduced to reduce the number of personnel required for resuscitation.

The Significance of FilmArray Blood Culture Identification Panel (FA-BCID) for Managing Patients with Positive Blood Cultures.

We analyzed the accuracy and time efficiency of the FilmArray blood culture identification (FA-BCID) panel in identifying the pathogens in positive blood cultures. Two-hundred and seventy-two individuals were randomly assigned as the control ( = 212) and FA-BCID ( = 60) groups participating in this study. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was used to assess the control group.

Cytokine and Chemokine Profiles in Acute Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome and Scrub Typhus in South Korea.

In East Asia, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) and scrub typhus, which are common endemic tick- and mite-mediated diseases sharing common clinical manifestations, are becoming public health concerns. However, there are limited data on the comparative immunopathogenesis between the two diseases. We compared the cytokine profiles of SFTS and scrub typhus to further elucidate immune responses that occur during the disease courses.

Real World Experience with Regdanvimab Treatment of Mild-to-Moderate Coronavirus Disease-19 in a COVID-19 Designated Hospital of Korea.

Background: Real-world clinical data concerning regdanvimab, a monoclonal antibody treatment for patients with mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), are urgently needed. Here, we describe our experience with regdanvimab.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective cohort study enrolled high-risk adults with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who were admitted to a dedicated COVID-19 hospital in Korea from March to September 2021.

Clinical Features of Adult COVID-19 Patients without Risk Factors before and after the Nationwide SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta)-variant Outbreak in Korea: Experience from Gyeongsangnam-do.

Background: Data on severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) delta variant virulence are insufficient. We retrospectively compared the clinical features of adult coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients without risk factors for severe COVID-19 who entered residential treatment centers (RTCs) before and after the delta variant outbreak.

Methods: We collected medical information from two RTCs in South Korea.

Risk factors for isolation of multi-drug resistant organisms in coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia: A multicenter study.

Objectives: Superimposed multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) co-infection can be associated with worse outcomes in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), even if these patients were managed with strict airborne and contact precautions. Identifying risk factors for isolation of MDROs is critical to COVID-19 treatment.

Methods: All eligible adult patients with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia from 10 hospitals in the Republic of Korea between February 2020 and May 2020 were retrospectively enrolled.

Veno-Arterial-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in a Critically Ill Patient with Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Patients with cardiopulmonary failure may not be fully supported with typical configurations of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), either veno-arterial (VA) or veno-venous (VV). Veno-arterial-venous (VAV)-ECMO is a technique used to support the cardiopulmonary systems during periods of inadequate gas exchange and perfusion. In the severe case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which simultaneously affects the heart and lung, VAV-ECMO may improve a patient's recovery potential.

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.

Preterm Twins Born to a Mother with Miliary Tuberculosis: Importance of Early Recognition and Prompt Response in Infection Control to Manage Congenital Tuberculosis Exposure in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Delayed diagnosis of congenital tuberculosis (TB) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a serious problem in terms of infection control. Here, we report our preemptive infection control activities implemented after the diagnosis of miliary TB in a mother of preterm twins (index twins, NB1 and NB2) in the NICU. In addition, we reviewed previous case reports of congenital TB exposure in the NICU setting.

Response System for and Epidemiological Features of COVID-19 in Gyeongsangnam-do Province in South Korea.

Background: The South Korean government has been combating the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak using public information and extensive viral screening. We describe the application of the Korean response system in Gyeongsangnam-do province and outline the epidemiological features of COVID-19 in the cohort.

Methods: A Rapid Response Team tracked the patients' activities and identified close contacts.

Environmental contamination of SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 outbreak in South Korea.

Objectives: Although contact precaution is generally recommended in situations where coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is suspected, there is limited evidence on environmental contamination of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Therefore, we conducted environmental surveillance on SARS-CoV-2 contamination in 2 different healthcare settings.

Methods: Viral contamination was investigated on the environment of 2 hospitals that had admitted 13 COVID-19 patients.

Successful control of an extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae ST307 outbreak in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Background: In this study, we evaluated the genetic relatedness of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-KPN) isolates from an outbreak in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in August 2017, We implemented an active countermeasure to control this outbreak successfully.

Methods: The incidence of healthcare-associated ESBL-KPN bacteremia was evaluated before and after initiating enhanced infection control (IC) practices in January 2018. Surveillance cultures were set up and monitored for neonates, medical personnel, and NICU environments.

The difference in hand hygiene compliance rate between unit-based observers and trained observers for World Health Organization checklist and optimal hand hygiene.

Background: Hand hygiene (HH) is crucial to prevent healthcare-associated infections and the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms. The monitoring of HH compliance may be affected by observer expertise. A sufficient duration of HH is necessary to remove microorganisms.

Clinical and Molecular Characteristics of - and -Positive Methicillin-Resistant Causing Bloodstream Infections.

The increasing use of chlorhexidine for methicillin-resistant (MRSA) decolonization has raised concerns about the emergence of resistance to these agents. However, the clinical significance of MRSA positive for the and chlorhexidine tolerance genes has not been established. We investigated the clinical features and predictive factors of MRSA bloodstream infection (BSI) isolates, caused by - and -positive MRSA, from 2010 to 2016 at a tertiary hospital in South Korea.

Successful Treatment of Catheter Related Blood Stream Infection By with Micafungin: A Case Report.

(formerly ) is halotolerant yeast mainly found in food and ubiquitous in the environment. It was a rare yeast pathogen, but it has recently emerged as a cause of fungemia in immunocompromised patients. Optimal therapy for invasive fungal infection by this pathogen remains unclear.

Management of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii epidemic in an intensive care unit using multifaceted intervention strategy.

Background/aims: We evaluated the effects of a multifaceted intervention for controlling a carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) epidemic in an intensive care unit (ICU) with no restrictions on carbapenem use.

Methods: This study was conducted in a medical ICU between April 2012 and June 2016. The baseline infection control programs included surveillance cultures, contact precautions, and environmental cleaning.

Prevalence and Microbiological Characteristics of qacA/B-Positive Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolates in a Surgical Intensive Care Unit.

The increasing use of chlorhexidine for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) decolonization has raised concerns about the emergence of resistance to or tolerance of this antiseptic. We examined the frequency and characteristics of qacA/B chlorhexidine tolerance genes among MRSA isolates in a surgical intensive care unit (ICU) where MRSA-colonized patients are decolonized by chlorhexidine bathing. The MRSA isolates were evaluated for chlorhexidine susceptibility, mupirocin resistance, molecular typing, agr functionality, and the heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate S.

Tuberculous Meningitis-Mimicking Varicella-Zoster Meningitis.

Background: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is one of the most common etiologies of aseptic meningitis. The severest manifestation of VZV meningitis is occasionally confused with tuberculous meningitis (TBM). Thus, we investigated the clinical manifestations of VZV meningitis as compared with those of TBM.

Sensitivity of the Cytomegalovirus Antigenemia Assay to Diagnose Cytomegalovirus Retinitis.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis is one of the most important tissue-invasive CMV diseases in immunocompromised patients. Since 1980, non-invasive diagnostic methods, notably the CMV antigenemia assay, have been widely used as adjunct tests to diagnose tissue-invasive CMV diseases. However, there are limited data on the diagnostic value of the CMV antigenemia assay for diagnosing CMV retinitis.

Clinical Features and Outcomes of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis Caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae: A Matched Case-Control Study.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a well-known cause of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in cirrhotic patients. However, little information is available regarding clinical characteristics and outcomes of SBP caused by S. pneumoniae.

Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis-mimicking Tuberculosis.

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis is occasionally confused with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in transplant recipients, since clinical suspicion and early diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis and IPA rely heavily on imaging modes such as computed tomography (CT). We therefore investigated IPA-mimicking tuberculosis in transplant recipients.

Methods: All adult transplant recipients who developed tuberculosis or IPA at a tertiary hospital in an intermediate tuberculosis-burden country during a 6-year period were enrolled.