Clinical outcome of ampicillin or ampicillin/sulbactam versus glycopeptides in ampicillin-susceptible Enterococcus faecalis/faecium bacteremia: a 10-year retrospective cohort study.

Background: Glycopeptides for ampicillin-susceptible Enterococcus faecalis/faecium bacteremia are readily prescribed depending on the severity of the condition. However, there is limited data on the outcomes of glycopeptide use compared to ampicillin-containing regimens for ampicillin-susceptible E. faecalis/faecium bacteremia.

Translation of Machine Learning-Based Prediction Algorithms to Personalised Empiric Antibiotic Selection: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: Prediction of antibiotic non-susceptibility based on patient characteristics and clinical status may support selection of empiric antibiotics for suspected hospital-acquired urinary tract infections (HA-UTIs).

Methods: Prediction models were developed to predict non-susceptible results of eight antibiotic susceptibility tests ordered for suspected HA-UTI. Eligible patients were those with urine culture and susceptibility test results after 48 hours of admission between 2010-2021.

Impact of prolonged carbapenem use-focused antimicrobial stewardship on antimicrobial consumption and factors affecting acceptance of recommendations: a quasi-experimental study.

This study aimed to assess the impact of a prolonged carbapenem use-focused antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) on antimicrobial consumption and clinical outcomes and to analyze factors affecting adherence to interventions. Patients prescribed carbapenems for ≥ 2 weeks received intervention. Interrupted time-series analysis was performed to compare antimicrobial consumption before and after intervention.

The third dose of measles-containing vaccine induces robust immune responses against measles in young seronegative healthcare workers who had previous two-dose measles vaccination.

Background: Despite the low measles antibody positivity rate among young healthcare workers (HCWs) who have previously received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine (MCV), whether an additional dose of MCV acts as a booster remains unknown. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the immune responses to a third dose of MCV in young HCWs.

Methods: Hospital-wide measles seroprevalence was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Influence of bridge structure manipulation on the electrochemical performance of π-conjugated molecule-bridged silicon quantum dot nanocomposite anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.

To assess the influence of bridge structure manipulation on the electrochemical performance of π-conjugated molecule-bridged silicon quantum dot (Si QD) nanocomposite (SQNC) anode materials, we prepared two types of SQNCs by Sonogashira cross-coupling and hydrosilylation reactions; one is SQNC-VPEPV, wherein the Si QDs are covalently bonded by vinylene (V)-phenylene (P)-ethynylene (E)-phenylene-vinylene, and the other is SQNC-VPV. By comparing the electrochemical performances of the SQNCs, including that of the previously reported SQNC-VPEPEPV, we found that the SQNC with the highest specific capacity varied depending on the applied current density; SQNC-VPEPV (1420 mA h g) > SQNC-VPV (779 mA h g) > SQNC-VPEPEPV(465 mA h g) at 800 mA g, and SQNC-VPV (529 mA h g) > SQNC-VPEPEPV (53 mA h g) > SQNC-VPEPV (7 mA h g) at 2000 mA g. To understand this result, we performed EIS and GITT measurements of the SQNCs.

External and internal validation of healthcare-associated infection data collected by the Korean National healthcare-associated Infections Surveillance System (KONIS).

Background: This study analyzed the validity of healthcare-associated infection (HAI) data of the Korean National healthcare-associated Infections Surveillance System.

Methods: The validation process consisted of external (EV) and internal (IV) validation phases. Of the 193 hospitals that participated from July 2016 through June 2017, EV was performed for 10 hospitals that were selected based on the HAI rate percentile.

The Story and Implications of the Korean Health Care Facility Counseling Project on People Living with HIV.

In 2005, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) launched "Health Care Facility Counseling Project on People Living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)" funded by the private-subsidy project for the prevention of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and sexually transmitted diseases to provide people living with HIV (PLWH) psychological support and counsel them about the disease and antiretroviral therapy (ART). Currently, 38 counseling nurse specialists work at 28 healthcare facilities for patient care. Of all PLWH in Korea, 71.

Impact of Area Under the Concentration-Time Curve-Guided Monitoring on Vancomycin Nephrotoxicity and Treatment Outcomes in Methicillin-Resistant Bacteremia in Korean Patients.

Background: Current guidelines for the therapeutic monitoring of vancomycin recommend dosing based on the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) to achieve clinical efficacy while reducing nephrotoxicity. Although a wide range of nephrotoxicity thresholds have been reported, few studies have documented clinical outcomes based on AUC-guided vancomycin dosing in Korea.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether a relationship exists between AUC and treatment outcomes in vancomycin treated patients in methicillin-resistant bacteremia.

Clinical characteristics of nontuberculous mycobacterial disease in people living with HIV/AIDS in South Korea: A multi-center, retrospective study.

With the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) disease has declined. However, NTM diseases still occur in people living with HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (PLWHA). We analysed the clinical and microbiological features of NTM diseases in PLWHA in South Korea.

Encephalitis with status epilepticus and stroke as complications of non-severe COVID-19 in a young female patient: a case report.

Background: Neurological manifestations of COVID-19 are thought to be associated with the disease severity of COVID-19 and poor clinical outcomes. Dysregulated immune responses are considered to be mediating such complications. Our case illustrates multiple critical neurological complications simultaneously developed in a patient with non-severe COVID-19 and successful recovery with a multifaceted therapeutic approach.

Short-Term Air Pollution Exposure and Risk of Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Korea: A National Time-Stratified Case-Crossover Study.

We investigated the association between short-term exposure to air pollution and the risk of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AE-COPD) in seven metropolitan cities in Korea. We used national health insurance claims data to identify AE-COPD cases in 2015. We estimated short-term exposure to particulate matter (PM) with a diameter of ≤2.

Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis meningitis associated with a companion dog in a young adult: a case report.

Background: Campylobacter spp., common commensals in the gastrointestinal tract of animals, especially poultry, can cause acute gastrointestinal illness in humans through animal-to-human transmission. Although Campylobacter fetus, especially subspecies fetus, rarely leads to systemic infections such as bacteremia in immunocompromised patients, it is unclear whether Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis (Cfv) causes infectious diseases in humans.

Aerosolized antibiotics in the treatment of hospital-acquired pneumonia/ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Aerosolized antibiotics are being increasingly used to treat respiratory infections, especially those caused by drug-resistant pathogens. Their use in the treatment of hospital-acquired pneumonia and ventilator-associated pneumonia in critically ill patients is especially significant. They are also used as an efficient alternative to overcome the issues caused by systemic administration of antibiotics, including the occurrence of drug-resistant strains, drug toxicity, and insufficient drug concentration at the target site.

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.

Epidemiological investigation and physician awareness regarding the diagnosis and management of Q fever in South Korea, 2011 to 2017.

Background: In South Korea, the number of Q fever cases has rapidly increased since 2015. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the epidemiological and clinical features of Q fever in South Korea between 2011 and 2017.

Methods/principal Findings: We analyzed the epidemiological investigations and reviewed the medical records from all hospitals that had reported at least one case of Q fever from 2011 to 2017.

Trends in the Epidemiology of Candidemia in Intensive Care Units From 2006 to 2017: Results From the Korean National Healthcare-Associated Infections Surveillance System.

Candidemia is an important healthcare-associated infection (HAI) in intensive care units (ICUs). However, limited research has been conducted on candidemia in the Republic of Korea. We aimed to analyze the secular trends in the incidence and distribution of candidemia in ICUs over 12-years using data from the Korean National Healthcare-Associated Infections Surveillance System (KONIS).

Association between phonation and the vowel quadrilateral in patients with stroke: A retrospective observational study.

Articulation disorder is associated with impaired control of respiration and speech organ movement. There are many cases of dysarthria and dysphonia in stroke patients. Dysphonia adversely affects communication and social activities, and it can interfere with everyday life.