Vaccine effectiveness and the epidemiological characteristics of a COVID-19 outbreak in a tertiary hospital in Republic of Korea

Objectives@#Healthcare facilities are high-risk sites for infection. This study analyzed the epidemiological characteristics of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in a tertiary hospital after COVID-19 vaccination had been introduced in Republic of Korea. Vaccine effectiveness (VE) and shared anti-infection strategies are also assessed. @*Methods@#The risk levels for 4,074 contacts were evaluated. The epidemiological characteristics of confirmed cases were evaluated using the chi-square test. The “1 minus relative risk” method was used to determine VE in preventing infection, progression to severe disease, and death. In the largest affected area (the 8th floor), a separate relative risk analysis was conducted. A multivariate logistic regression analysis (with 95% confidence interval [CIs]) was used to identify transmission risk factors with a significance level <10% via the backward elimination method. @*Results@#In total, 181 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed, with an attack rate of 4.4%. Of those cases, 12.7% progressed to severe disease, and 8.3% died. In the cohort isolation area on the 8th floor, where 79.0% of the confirmed cases occurred, the adjusted odds ratio was 6.55 (95% CI, 2.99–14.33) and 2.19 (95% CI, 1.24–3.88) for caregivers and the unvaccinated group, respectively. VE analysis revealed that 85.8% of the cases that progressed to severe disease and 78.6% of the deaths could be prevented by administering a second vaccine. @*Conclusion@#Caregiver training for infection prevention and control is necessary to reduce infection risk. Vaccination is an important intervention to reduce the risk of progression to severe disease and death.

Acute Cholangitis with Common Bile Duct Stone Caused by Lactococcus garvieae: A Case Report / 대한췌담도학회지

Lactococcus garvieae is a Gram-positive cocci that has been known to be a fish pathogen, and considered as a low virulence organism rarely associated with human infection. We report a case of acute cholangitis with common bile duct (CBD) stone and bacteremia by L. garvieae bacteremia in a 70-year-old male. The patient presented with epigastric pain and was diagnosed with two CBD stones. Blood culture obtained prior to empiric antimicrobial therapy with ceftizoxime sodium showed growth with Escherichia coli and L. garvieae. The bacteria were confirmed by matrix-assisted desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Initial attempt at endoscopic biliary drainage failed, and the patient underwent percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and subsequent stone removal. He occasionally ingested raw fish and had a history of gastric ulcer with acid suppression therapy, which could be possible risk factors for L. garvieae infection. This is the first case of L. garvieae bacteremia in acute cholangitis.

Healthcare Workforce Response to The Coronavirus Disease Outbreak in Daegu, Korea: A Multi-Center, Cross-Sectional Survey

Background@#Securing an available healthcare workforce is critical to respond to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, research investigating Korea’s COVID-19 staffing response is rare. To present the fundamental data of healthcare staff in response to the surge in COVID-19 cases, we investigated the healthcare workforce response in Daegu, South Korea, which experienced the first largest outbreak of COVID-19 outside of China. @*Materials and Methods@#In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, this retrospective crosssectional study analyzed data on the scale and characteristics of healthcare workers (HCWs). Additionally, it analyzed the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of HCWs infected with COVID-19 in six major teaching hospitals (five tertiary and one secondary) in Daegu from January 19 to April 30, 2020. @*Results@#During this study period, only 1.3% (n = 611) of the total hospitalized patients (n = 48,807) were COVID-19 inpatients, but they occupied 6.0% (n = 303) of the total hospital beds (n = 5,056), and 23.7% (n = 3,471) of all HCWs (n = 14,651) worked in response to COVID-19.HCWs participating in COVID-19-related works comprised 50.6% (n = 1,203) of doctors (n = 2,379), 26.3% (n = 1,571) of nurses (n = 5,982), and 11.4% (n = 697) of other HCWs (n = 6,108).Only 0.3% (n = 51) of HCWs (n = 14,651) developed COVID-19 infections from communityacquired (66.7%) or hospital-acquired (29.4%). Nurses were affected predominantly (33.3%), followed by doctors (9.8%), caregivers (7.8%), radiographers (5.9%), and others (45.1%), including nurse aides and administrative, facility maintenance, telephone appointment centers, and convenience store staff. All HCWs infected with COVID-19 recovered completely. The 32.7% (n = 333) of individuals (n = 1,018) exposed to HCWs who had COVID-19 were quarantined, and only one case of secondary transmission among them occurred. @*Conclusion@#The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated significant staffing and facility usage, which is disproportionate to the relatively low number of COVID-19 inpatients, imposing a substantial burden on healthcare resources. Therefore, beyond the current reimbursement level of the Korean National Health Insurance, a new type of rewarding system is needed to prepare hospitals for the emerging outbreaks of infectious diseases. Keeping HCWs safe from COVID-19 is crucial for maintaining the healthcare workforce during a sudden massive outbreak. Further studies are needed to determine the standards of required HCWs through detailed research on the working hours and intensity of HCWs responding to COVID-19.

Lopinavir-ritonavir versus hydroxychloroquine for viral clearance and clinical improvement in patients with mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019

Background/Aims@#The efficacies of lopinavir-ritonavir or hydroxychloroquine remain to be determined in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To compare the virological and clinical responses to lopinavir-ritonavir and hydroxychloroquine treatment in COVID-19 patients. @*Methods@#This retrospective cohort study included patients with COVID-19 treated with lopinavir-ritonavir or hydroxychloroquine at a single center in Korea from February 17 to March 31, 2020. Patients treated with lopinavir-ritonavir and hydroxychloroquine concurrently and those treated with lopinavir-ritonavir or hydroxychloroquine for less than 7 days were excluded. Time to negative conversion of viral RNA, time to clinical improvement, and safety outcomes were assessed after 6 weeks of follow-up. @*Results@#Of 65 patients (mean age, 64.3 years; 25 men [38.5%]), 31 were treated with lopinavir-ritonavir and 34 were treated with hydroxychloroquine. The median duration of symptoms before treatment was 7 days and 26 patients (40%) required oxygen support at baseline. Patients treated with lopinavir-ritonavir had a significantly shorter time to negative conversion of viral RNA than those treated with hydroxychloroquine (median, 21 days vs. 28 days). Treatment with lopinavir-ritonavir (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24 to 4.21) and younger age (aHR, 2.64; 95% CI 1.43 to 4.87) was associated with negative conversion of viral RNA. There was no significant difference in time to clinical improvement between lopinavir-ritonavir- and hydroxychloroquine-treated patients (median, 18 days vs. 21 days). Lymphopenia and hyperbilirubinemia were more frequent in lopinavir-ritonavir-treated patients compared with hydroxychloroquine-treated patients. @*Conclusions@#Lopinavir-ritonavir was associated with more rapid viral clearance than hydroxychloroquine in mild to moderate COVID-19, despite comparable clinical responses. These findings should be confirmed in randomized, controlled trials.

The Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 Infection and Diabetes in Daegu, South Korea

Background@#Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic that had affected more than eight million people worldwide by June 2020. Given the importance of the presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) for host immunity, we retrospectively evaluated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of moderate-to-severe COVID-19 in patients with diabetes. @*Methods@#We conducted a multi-center observational study of 1,082 adult inpatients (aged ≥18 years) who were admitted to one of five university hospitals in Daegu because of the severity of their COVID-19-related disease. The demographic, laboratory, and radiologic findings, and the mortality, prevalence of severe disease, and duration of quarantine were compared between patients with and without DM. In addition, 1:1 propensity score (PS)-matching was conducted with the DM group. @*Results@#Compared with the non-DM group (n=847), patients with DM (n=235) were older, exhibited higher mortality, and required more intensive care. Even after PS-matching, patients with DM exhibited more severe disease, and DM remained a prognostic factor for higher mortality (hazard ratio, 2.40; 95% confidence interval, 1.38 to 4.15). Subgroup analysis revealed that the presence of DM was associated with higher mortality, especially in older people (≥70 years old). Prior use of a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor or a renin-angiotensin system inhibitor did not affect mortality or the clinical severity of the disease. @*Conclusion@#DM is a significant risk factor for COVID-19 severity and mortality. Our findings imply that COVID-19 patients with DM, especially if elderly, require special attention and prompt intensive care.

Preliminary Report of Seroprevalence of Anti-Measles Immunoglobulin G among Healthcare Workers of 6 Teaching Hospitals of Daegu, Korea in 2019

The measles outbreak in Daegu of January 2019 made 6 teaching hospitals' organization test the measles immunity of their healthcare workers (HCWs). We found that 6,935 (75.9%) of 9,132 HCWs tested seropositive for anti-measles immunoglobulin G (IgG), and seropositivity rate was very different between 6 hospitals (range, 59.9–93.1%). The seroprevelence was lowest in the age of twenties, but the rate was different between 6 hospitals (range 47.0–85.5%). Therefore, to prevent measles from spreading to HCWs, each hospital should make their own data periodically about anti-measles IgG seropositivity of their HCWs.

A Case of Type 2 Leprosy Reaction in Borderline Lepromatous Leprosy Masquerading as Orbital Cellulitis in an Immigrant Worker / 나학회지

Hansen's disease(HD) is a chronic infectious disorder acquired by inoculation of Mycobacterium leprae. With the establishment of complex multidrug therapy, the incidence rate of leprosy patients has continually shown to decline by 90% compared to the incidence rate in the 1990s. However, the prevalence of the disease still remains high in southeast asian countries. Due to the rarity and diverse nature of cutaneous presentation, HD is often misdiagnosed with other dermatoses or infectious conditions. Especially, when a patient presents with unusual presentation with leprosy reaction with no classical feature such as sensory disorders and skin lesion, the diagnosis is further delayed with misguided treatments. Herein we present a 27-year-old Indonesian immigrant who displayed clinical features mimicking that of orbital cellulitis who was later diagnosed with borderline lepromatous leprosy through histologic and PCR confirmation, in light of alerting the probability of leprosy in immigrants with intractable skin presentations.

Infected Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Concurrent with Endophthalmitis by Candida albicans: a Case Report / 대한의진균학회지

Candida species cause various invasive fungal diseases, including candidemia, endocarditis, endophthalmitis, peritonitis, osteomyelitis and arthritis, but infected (mycotic) aortic aneurysms caused by Candida species are very rare. So, we report a case of infected thoracic aortic aneurysm concurrent with endophthalmitis by Candida albicans in a 42-year-old man. The patient initially was diagnosed with candidial endophthalmitis and hospitalized for vitrectomy. On admission, he had chest CT taken and infected thoracic aortic aneurysm was detected. He treated with antifungal agent and resection and patch repair of aortic aneurysm. Two months later, a new aneurysm on the patch repair site was detected and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) was performed. After TEVAR and long-term antifungal therapy, his infected aortic aneurysm has been successfully treated.

Computed-Tomography Findings of Aspergilloma / 대한의진균학회지

No abstract available.

Acute Pseudogout of the Neck: "Crowned Dens" Revisited

Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease is associated with an acute mono- or pauciarthritis, termed "pseudogout" in elderly patients, involving a large joint (including the knees, ankles) or a chronic arthropathy manifesting as mild joint pain and stiffness. Pseudogout is a crystal-deposition disease of peripheral joints, usually encountered in elderly patients. However, acute presentation of pseudogout around the odontoid process comprises a "crowned-dens" appearance, and requires contemplation of differential diagnoses. We recently experienced a case of pseudogout in the cervical spine presenting with fever and acute neck pain that was successfully treated with a colchicine and low-dose oral steroid. We reported this case with a review of the relevant literature.

Paraganglioma Presenting as Dilated Cardiomyopathy with Cardiogenic Shock and Sepsis / 대한내과학회지

Rarely, a paraganglioma can lead to disastrous cardiac complications such as heart failure, cardiomyopathy, or myocardial infarction and inflammatory complications such as sepsis. We describe a 41-year-old man who developed severe dilated cardiomyopathy with cardiogenic shock and sepsis who had a paraganglioma in the retroperitoneum. Echocardiography showed extensive global hypokinesia with severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction. In addition, leukocytosis with elevated inflammatory markers and positive blood cultures indicated sepsis. Abdominal enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a large heterogeneous mass with cystic changes in the retroperitoneum. Serum and urine samples indicated elevated levels of catecholamine and its metabolites, and a 131I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scan indicated uptake of MIBG. After intensive medical treatment and surgical removal of the paraganglioma, the dilated cardiomyopathy and sepsis resolved. The diagnosis of paraganglioma should be considered in patients presenting with acute heart failure or sepsis of nonspecific origin.

Erratum: Vaccination guideline for Immigrant in Korea by Korean Society of Infectious Diseases

We found an error in our published article. Author name should be corrected.

Toxocariasis: A Rare Cause of Multiple Cerebral Infarction

Toxocariasis is a parasitic infection caused by the roundworms Toxocara canis or Toxocara cati, mostly due to accidental ingestion of embryonated eggs. Clinical manifestations vary and are classified as visceral larva migrans or ocular larva migrans according to the organs affected. Central nervous system involvement is an unusual complication. Here, we report a case of multiple cerebral infarction and concurrent multi-organ involvement due to T. canis infestation of a previous healthy 39-year-old male who was admitted for right leg weakness. After treatment with albendazole, the patient's clinical and laboratory results improved markedly.

Vaccination guideline for Immigrant in Korea by Korean Society of Infectious Diseases

No abstract available.

Resting energy expenditure is not associated with disease activity in women with rheumatoid arthritis: cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Increased resting energy expenditure (REE) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients is thought to be caused by hypermetabolism associated with production of proinflammatory cytokines. Our aim in the present study was to explore the possible association between REE and disease activity in females with RA. METHODS: A total of 499 female RA patients were recruited to this cross-sectional study assessing REE scores on disease activity indices (the routine assessment of patient index data 3 [RAPID3], the disease activity score 28, and the clinical/simplified disease activity index [CDAI/SDAI]) and the levels of RA-associated autoantibodies (rheumatoid factor and anticyclic citrullinated peptide [anti-CCP] antibodies). Age-matched healthy female controls (n = 131) were also enrolled. RESULTS: REE did not differ between RA patients (all patients, and those in remission or not) and controls, or between RA patients in remission or not (p > 0.05 for all comparisons). Increased REE in total RA patients was associated with younger age and a higher body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively), but not with disease activity index scores on any of RAPID3, CDAI, or SDAI. BMI was the only clinical parameter exhibiting a significant relationship with REE quartiles (Q1 to Q4; p < 0.001); none of disease duration, functional status, or anti-CCP antibody titer in RA patients was significantly related to REE, based on analysis of covariance. CONCLUSIONS: We found no association between REE and disease activity in RA patients, implying that energy metabolism in RA patients might be independent of RA-associated systemic inflammation.

Changes in Causative Pathogens of Acute Cholangitis and Their Antimicrobial Susceptibility over a Period of 6 Years / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We evaluated changes of causative pathogen in acute cholangitis and their antimicrobial susceptibility over six years and differences between community-acquired and hospital-acquired acute cholangitis at our institution. METHODS: Medical records of 1,596 patients with acute cholangitis and biliary drainage between August 2006 and August 2012 were reviewed retrospectively. Cases were divided according to time: period 1 (August 2006-December 2008, n=645, 40.4%), period 2 (January 2009-August 2012, n=951, 59.6%). Cases were divided according to community-acquired cholangitis (n=1,397, 87.5%) and hospital-acquired cholangitis (n=199, 12.5%). Causative pathogens and antimicrobial susceptibility were investigated in each group. RESULTS: Causative pathogen was isolated from bile culture in 1,520 out of 1,596 cases (95.2%). The three most frequently isolated Gram-negative bacteria were extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli (n=485, 30.4%), E. coli (n=237, 13.2%), and Citrobacter freundii (n=110, 6.9%). Between periods 1 and 2, prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae did not show significant change (36.7% vs. 32.1%, p=0.073; 6.6% vs. 6.2%, p=0.732). C. freundii showed a significant increase from period 1 to period 2 (1.7% vs. 13.2%, p=0.000). In both time periods, imipenem was the antimicrobial agent showing the highest rate of susceptibility (93.3% vs. 93.9%, p=0.783). Higher prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli and C. freundii was observed in the hospital-acquired cholangitis group (52.1% vs. 31.2%, p=0.000; 15.9% vs. 7.3%, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The most common causative pathogen of acute cholangitis was ESBL-producing E. coli. Prevalence of C. freundii increased over the time period. Imipenem should be reserved as an alternative for resistant pathogens.

Pandemic H1N1 Influenza Vaccination Responses in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the efficacy and safety of pandemic H1N1 vaccine in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, and evaluated its correlation with serum cytokine level. METHODS: A total of 43 RA patients and 31 SLE patients were enrolled in the study and were compared with age, sex-matched 40 healthy controls (HC). The blood samples drawn from selected patients before vaccination and in post-vaccination at week 4 were assayed in one session to measure the titers of antibodies against haemagglutinin specific for influenza virus strains: A/California/7/2009 NYMC X-179A (H1N1). Serum IL17 and CXCL13 levels were measured in the same session by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The association of serum cytokine level with anti-influenza antibody titer and mean fold increase (MFI) was investigated. Each specific side effect after vaccination was monitored in both the patients and control groups. RESULTS: The geometric mean antibody titer (GMT) for pre- and post-vaccination at week 4 was not significantly different between RA and HC, SLE and HC. The seroconversion rate in HC and RA was not significantly different, whereas the seroprotection rate is significantly higher in HC (82.5%) than RA (55.8%) (p<0.05). MFI in HC, RA, SLE were 19.65, 6.00 and 6.06, which were significantly higher in HC. Serum IL17 level was 6.28+/-2.89 pg/mL and 7.56+/-3.34 pg/mL in pre-, post-vaccination SLE patients, 33.85+/-15.62 pg/mL and 38.04+/-18.60 pg/mL in RA patients and was significantly lower in SLE patients. Serum CXCL13 level was 518.73+/-720.29 pg/mL and 431.53+/-601.23 pg/mL in pre-, post-vaccination SLE patients, which was significantly higher than HC (149.64+/-248.81 pg/mL and 147.36+/-213.92 pg/mL in each pre-, post-vaccination) and was not significantly different with the level of RA patients. In SLE patients, significant correlations were detected between cytokine level and post-vaccination antibody titer (r=0.22 p=0.026 between IL 17 and GMT; r=0.44, p<0.05 between CXCL13 and GMT). CONCLUSION: The increase in post-vaccination antibody titer is weaker in both RA and SLE patients group than the HC group. Post-vaccination antibody titer was positively correlated with B lymphocyte chemoattractant and CXCL13 in SLE patients, but not in RA patients.

Epidemiology and Clinical outcomes of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis: A Nationwide Multicenter Study in Korea

BACKGROUND: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. However, few data on clinical characteristics and outcomes of IPA in Korea have been reported. We conducted a nationwide multicenter study in Korea for evaluation of the epidemiology and clinical outcomes of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 10 hospitals in Korea. We reviewed all adult patients who met the revised EORTC/MSG definitions between 2008 and 2010. RESULTS: A total of 334 cases, which included proven (26, 8%), probable (159, 48%), or possible (149, 44%) IPA, were identified. Patients with proven or probable IPA were evaluated, and, of these 185 IPA patients, 105 (57%) had neutropenia, 30 (16%) underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, 25 (14%) underwent solid organ transplantation, and 32 (17%) without neutropenia and transplantation received immunosuppressive agents or corticosteroid. Aspergillus spp. were isolated from 42 patients (23%), and positive fungal culture rates from sterile fluid, sputum, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) were 67% (6/9), 21% (32/150), and 20% (9/44), respectively. Results of assays for sensitivity of serum and BAL galactomannan were 84% (155/184) and 89% (25/28), respectively. Amphotericin-B deoxycholate and itraconazole were most commonly administered as a primary therapy in 107 (58%) and 34 (19%) patients, respectively. Of 133 patients (73%) who received salvage therapy after primary antifungal therapy for a median period of six days (IQR 3-12), 82 (62%) patients were treated with voriconazole. Of 185 patients, 82 (44%) died within three months after diagnosis of IPA. CT findings, including small airway lesions and micronodules, ground glass opacities, and pleural effusion and persistent positive galactomannan status showed an independent association with worse outcome, while proven diagnosis of IPA showed an independent association with better outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Microbiologic confirmation of IPA was low in Korea; therefore, many Korean physicians were dependent on the galactomannan assay for microbiologic diagnosis. Primary therapy with Amphotericin-B deoxycholate followed by salvage therapy with voriconazole was the most common antifungal strategy for treatment of patients with IPA in Korea. Overall mortality and IPA-related mortality were comparable with data from Western clinical trials.

A Case of Oseltamivir-Resistant Pandemic Influenza (H1N1 2009)

In April 2009, the first swine origin pandemic influenza (H1N1 2009) infection was reported in Mexico and United states and has since spread rapidly worldwide. Finally on June 11, 2009, WHO officially declared the first pandemic of the 21st century. Until March 2010, more than 213 countries reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including at least 16,931 deaths. The drug of choice for treatment and prophylaxis of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza are the neuraminidase inhibitor (oseltamivir and Zanamivir). However, increased use of these drugs lead to the emergence of oseltamivir-resistant strains. We report a case of oseltamivir-resistant pandemic influenza (H1N1 2009) virus infection in a patient who were initially started with oseltamivir for laboratory-confirmed influenza. Patient's symptoms worsened despite the use of high-dose oral oseltamivir, and antiviral susceptibility test showed oseltamivir resistance (H275Y mutation). The patient resolved after treatment with zanamivir.

A Case of Disseminated Crytococcosis in a Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus / 대한류마티스학회지

Disseminated cryptococcosis mainly occurs in immunocompromised patients. It enters the body through the respiratory tract and spreads to the lungs, skin, liver and lymphoid organs. Among cryptococcosis, cryptococcal meningitis is a relatively frequent manifestation and causes serious morbidity and mortality. It needs urgent diagnosis and initiation of effective antifungal therapy. It is difficult to differentiate cryptococcal meningitis from neuropsychiatric lupus due to similar clinical symptoms, laboratory and cerebrospinal fluid findings. We report a case of disseminated cyrptococcosis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus being managed with mycophenolate mofetil, prednisolone and hydroxychloroquine.