Clinical Characteristics of Patients Who Contracted the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant from an Outbreak in a Single Hospital

There are few studies on the severity and prognosis of patients infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) omicron variant. From January 11, 2022 to January 25, 2022, 181 patients were infected with the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant in a single hospital in Korea. The initial clinical characteristics were investigated through the COVID-19 basic investigation form. Outcomes were reviewed using medical records. The median age of the patients was 57 years (range 1–90), and 95 patients (52.5%) were male. None were re-infected with SARS-CoV-2, and 127 (70.2%) were fully vaccinated (boosted or within 6 months after second vaccination). Forty-two patients (23.2%) were asymptomatic. Among symptomatic patients, the frequency of symptoms was as follows: cough (37.0%), sore throat (33.7%), and fever (30.4%). In terms of disease severity, 168 (92.8%) patients did not require supplemental oxygen, 6 (3.3%) required low-flow oxygen, 5 (2.8%) required high-flow oxygen, and 2 (1.1%) died. Four of the five individuals who required high-flow oxygen and the two who died were not vaccinated. Most of the patients who contracted the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant exhibited mild clinical features; however, severe clinical features including mortality were encountered among individuals who were not vaccinated.

Clinical Manifestations and Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes in Pregnancy Following Laboratory-Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 Infection in South Korea

Purpose@#To determine the clinical manifestations and maternal and perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). @*Methods@#We conducted a retrospective observational study of pregnant women with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection who were admitted to National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) Ilsan Hospital between August 2020 and October 2021. The maternal and perinatal outcomes were investigated. @*Results@#Among 184 pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2, 79 women delivered. Of the women who delivered, with 36 women giving birth during the quarantine period. At delivery, 45 women were positive for SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), whereas 34 women were negative. The most common clinical manifestations were cough (65.2%), fever (38.0%), and myalgia (33.2%). Regarding perinatal outcomes, none of the babies had an Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes, and none were intubated following the delivery. The preterm birth rate and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) rate were 15.2% and 16.5%, respectively. All babies who was delivered at NHIS Ilsan Hospital were negative for SARS-CoV-2 infection by PCR, which was evaluated using amniotic fluid, cord blood, neonatal nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs in the 1st and 2nd days following delivery, although 45 women were positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection by PCR at the time of delivery. @*Conclusion@#Most pregnant women with COVID-19 in South Korea were unlikely to manifest symptoms or present with a severe disease progression. The observed preterm birth rate and SGA rate were higher in women with COVID-19 than in those without COVID-19. However, there was no evidence of vertical transmission, and all babies were negative for SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy.

Continued Upward Trend in Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria Isolation over 13 Years in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Korea

Purpose@#Despite decreased prevalence of tuberculosis, the incidence of the diseases associated with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) has been increasing in South Korea and around the world. The present retrospective study was conducted to determine longitudinal changes in the epidemiology and distribution of NTM over 13 years at a tertiary care hospital in Korea. @*Materials and Methods@#We retrospectively analyzed data on Mycobacterium species over 13 years (January 2007 to December 2019) by utilizing the laboratory information system. Mycobacterium species were identified using biochemical tests and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism and Mycobacteria GenoBlot assays. @*Results@#After excluding duplicates from the initial pool of 17996 mycobacterial isolates, 7674 strains were analyzed and 2984 (38.9%) NTM were isolated. The proportion of NTM continuously increased over the 13-year period, from 17.0% in 2007 to 57.5% in 2019. Among the NTM isolates, the most common species were Mycobacterium intracellulare (50.6%), M. avium (18.3%), M. fortuitum complex (4.9%), M. abscessus (4.5%), M. gordonae (3.3%), M. kansasii (1.1%), M. chelonae (1.0%), and M. massiliense (0.9%).In patients over the age of 70 years, the proportion of NTM among the isolates increased from 26.6% in 2007 to 62.0% in 2019, and that of M. intracellulare isolates among the NTM increased from 13.9% (11/79) in 2007 to 37.4% (175/468) in 2019. @*Conclusion@#The number of NTM isolates continuously increased over the study period, and the increase in the proportion of M. intracellulare in patients aged over 70 years was notable.

Continued Upward Trend in Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria Isolation over 13 Years in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Korea

Purpose@#Despite decreased prevalence of tuberculosis, the incidence of the diseases associated with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) has been increasing in South Korea and around the world. The present retrospective study was conducted to determine longitudinal changes in the epidemiology and distribution of NTM over 13 years at a tertiary care hospital in Korea. @*Materials and Methods@#We retrospectively analyzed data on Mycobacterium species over 13 years (January 2007 to December 2019) by utilizing the laboratory information system. Mycobacterium species were identified using biochemical tests and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism and Mycobacteria GenoBlot assays. @*Results@#After excluding duplicates from the initial pool of 17996 mycobacterial isolates, 7674 strains were analyzed and 2984 (38.9%) NTM were isolated. The proportion of NTM continuously increased over the 13-year period, from 17.0% in 2007 to 57.5% in 2019. Among the NTM isolates, the most common species were Mycobacterium intracellulare (50.6%), M. avium (18.3%), M. fortuitum complex (4.9%), M. abscessus (4.5%), M. gordonae (3.3%), M. kansasii (1.1%), M. chelonae (1.0%), and M. massiliense (0.9%).In patients over the age of 70 years, the proportion of NTM among the isolates increased from 26.6% in 2007 to 62.0% in 2019, and that of M. intracellulare isolates among the NTM increased from 13.9% (11/79) in 2007 to 37.4% (175/468) in 2019. @*Conclusion@#The number of NTM isolates continuously increased over the study period, and the increase in the proportion of M. intracellulare in patients aged over 70 years was notable.

Identification of Fungal Species and Detection of Azole-Resistance Mutations in the Aspergillus fumigatus cyp51A Gene at a South Korean Hospital

Purpose@#With changing fungal epidemiology and azole resistance in Aspergillus species, identifying fungal species and susceptibility patterns is crucial to the management of aspergillosis and mucormycosis. The objectives of this study were to evaluate performance of panfungal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays on formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) samples in the identification of fungal species and in the detection of azole-resistance mutations in the Aspergillus fumigatus cyp51A gene at a South Korean hospital. @*Materials and Methods@#A total of 75 FFPE specimens with a histopathological diagnosis of aspergillosis or mucormycosis were identified during the 10-year study period (2006–2015). After deparaffinization and DNA extraction, panfungal PCR assays were conducted on FFPE samples for fungal species identification. The identified fungal species were compared with histopathological diagnosis. On samples identified as A. fumigatus, sequencing to identify frequent mutations in the cyp51A gene [tandem repeat 46 (TR46), L98H, and M220 alterations] that confer azole resistance was performed. @*Results@#Specific fungal DNA was identified in 31 (41.3%) FFPE samples, and of these, 16 samples of specific fungal DNA were in accord with a histopathological diagnosis of aspergillosis or mucormycosis; 15 samples had discordant histopathology and PCR results. No azole-mediating cyp51A gene mutation was noted among nine cases of aspergillosis. Moreover, no cyp51A mutations were identified among three cases with history of prior azole use. @*Conclusion@#Panfungal PCR assay with FFPE samples may provide additional information of use to fungal species identification. No azole-resistance mediating mutations in the A. fumigatus cyp51A gene were identified among FFPE samples during study period.

Clinical Characteristics of COVID-19: Clinical Dynamics of Mild Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection Detected by Early Active Surveillance

Background@#There is limited information describing the presenting characteristics and dynamic clinical changes in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection diagnosed in the early phase of illness. This study is a case series of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) admitted to 11 hospitals in Korea. @*Methods@#Patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection by positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of respiratory specimens by active surveillance that were finally discharged between February 20 and April 30, 2020 were included. Patients were classified into mild and non-mild groups on initial admission according to oxygen demand and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, and the mild group was followed up and subgrouped into non-aggravation and aggravation groups. @*Results@#A total of 161 patients with SARS-CoV2 infection were enrolled. Among the mild group of 136 patients, 11.7% of patients experienced clinical aggravation during hospitalization, but there was no initial clinical parameter on admission predicting their aggravation. Fever (odds ratio [OR], 4.56), thrombocytopenia (OR, 12.87), fever (OR, 27.22) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) > 300 U/L (OR, 18.35), and CRP > 1 mg/dL (OR, 11.31) significantly indicated aggravation in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th 5-day periods, respectively.PCR positivity lasted for a median of 22 days and 32 days after the onset of illness in the nonaggravation and aggravation groups, respectively. @*Conclusion@#Old age was associated with early severe presentation. Clinical aggravation among asymptomatic or mild patients could not be predicted initially but was heralded by fever and several laboratory markers during the clinical course.

Higher Fatality for Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Complicated by Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious zoonosis caused by the SFTS virus. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening syndrome associated with excessive immune activation. Cytokine storms are often seen in both SFTS and HLH, resulting in rapid disease progression and poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to identify whether SFTS cases complicated by HLH are related to higher rates of mortality. Descriptive analysis of the frequency of clinical and laboratory data, complications, treatment outcomes, and HLH-2004 criteria was performed. Cases presenting with five or more clinical or laboratory findings corresponding to the HLH-2004 diagnostic criteria were defined as SFTS cases complicated by HLH. Eighteen cases of SFTS were identified during a 2-year study period, with a case-fatality proportion of 22.2% (4 among 18 cases, 95% confidence interval 9%–45.2%). SFTS cases complicated by HLH were identified in 33.3% (6 among 18 cases). A mortality rate of 75% (3 among 4 cases) was recorded among SFTS cases complicated by HLH. Although there were no statistically significant differences in outcomes, fatal cases exhibited more frequent correlation with HLH-2004 criteria than non-fatal cases [3/14 (21.4%) vs. 3/4 (75%), p=0.083]. In conclusion, the present study suggests the possibility that SFTS cases complicated by HLH are at higher risk of poor prognosis.

Nosocomial Outbreak Caused by NDM-5 and OXA-181 Carbapenemase Co-producing Escherichia coli

Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) is an important and increasing threat to global health. From July to September 2017, 20 inpatients at a tertiary care hospital in Korea were either colonized or infected with carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli strains. All of E. coli isolates co-produced bla(NDM-5) and bla(OXA-181) carbapenemase genes and shared ≥88% clonal relatedness on the basis of a cladistic calculation of the distribution of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns. Rapid detection of CPE is one of the most important factors to prevent CPE dissemination because it takes long time for CPE to become negative.

Hospital-based Influenza Morbidity and Mortality (HIMM) Surveillance for A/H7N9 Influenza Virus Infection in Returning Travelers

Since 2013, the Hospital-based Influenza Morbidity and Mortality (HIMM) surveillance system began a H7N9 influenza surveillance scheme for returning travelers in addition to pre-existing emergency room (ER)-based influenza-like illness (ILI) surveillance and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) surveillance. Although limited to eastern China, avian A/H7N9 influenza virus is considered to have the highest pandemic potential among currently circulating influenza viruses. During the study period between October 1st, 2013 and April 30th, 2016, 11 cases presented with ILI within seven days of travel return. These patients visited China, Hong Kong, or neighboring Southeast Asian countries, but none of them visited a livestock market. Seasonal influenza virus (54.5%, 6 among 11) was the most common cause of ILI among returning travelers, and avian A/H7N9 influenza virus was not detected during the study period.

Safety and Efficacy of Ziagen (Abacavir Sulfate) in HIV-Infected Korean Patients

BACKGROUND: Abacavir is a widely-used nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Mandatory postmarketing surveillance was conducted in Korea to monitor the safety and evaluate the effectiveness of Ziagen® (abacavir sulfate 300 mg; ViiV Healthcare, Middlesex, UK). MATERIALS AND METHODS: An open-label, multi-center, non-interventional postmarketing surveillance study was conducted from June 2010 to June 2016 to monitor the safety and effectiveness of Ziagen across 12 hospitals in Korea. Subjects older than 18 years taking Ziagen according to prescribing information were enrolled. The primary outcome was defined as the occurrence of any adverse events after Ziagen administration. Secondary outcomes included the occurrence of adverse drug reactions, occurrence of serious adverse events, and effectiveness of Ziagen administration. RESULTS: A total of 669 patients were enrolled in this study, with a total observation period of 1047.8 person-years. Of these, 90.7% of patients were male. The mean age of patients was 45.8±11.9 years. One-hundred ninety-six (29.3%) patients reported 315 adverse events, and four patients reported seven serious adverse events, without any fatal events. There was one potential case of an abacavir hypersensitivity reaction. Among the 97 adverse drug reactions that were reported from 75 patients, the most frequent adverse drug reactions included diarrhea (12 events), dyspepsia (10 events), and rash (9 events). No ischemic heart disease was observed. In the effectiveness analysis, 91% of patients achieved HIV-1 RNA under 50 copies/mL after 24 months of observation with abacavir administration. CONCLUSION: Our data showed the safety and effectiveness of Ziagen in a real-world setting. During the study period, Ziagen was well-tolerated, with one incident of a clinically suspected abacavir hypersensitivity reaction. The postmarketing surveillance of Ziagen did not highlight any new safety information. These data may be helpful in understanding abacavir and the HIV treatment practices in Korea.

Indirect Effects of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines in National Immunization Programs for Children on Adult Pneumococcal Disease

The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) was developed to overcome the limitations of the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, which produces poor immunogenicity in infants younger than 2 years. As many countries have included PCVs in national immunization programs for children, the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease caused by vaccine type Streptococcus pneumoniae has declined markedly, not only among the vaccinated pediatric population, but also among unvaccinated adults. In this review, we present a concise overview of the indirect effects of mass pediatric PCV immunization on unvaccinated adults.

NOD-Like Receptors in Infection, Immunity, and Diseases

Nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors (NLRs) are pattern-recognition receptors similar to toll-like receptors (TLRs). While TLRs are transmembrane receptors, NLRs are cytoplasmic receptors that play a crucial role in the innate immune response by recognizing pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Based on their N-terminal domain, NLRs are divided into four subfamilies: NLRA, NLRB, NLRC, and NLRP. NLRs can also be divided into four broad functional categories: inflammasome assembly, signaling transduction, transcription activation, and autophagy. In addition to recognizing PAMPs and DAMPs, NLRs act as a key regulator of apoptosis and early development. Therefore, there are significant associations between NLRs and various diseases related to infection and immunity. NLR studies have recently begun to unveil the roles of NLRs in diseases such as gout, cryopyrin-associated periodic fever syndromes, and Crohn's disease. As these new associations between NRLs and diseases may improve our understanding of disease pathogenesis and lead to new approaches for the prevention and treatment of such diseases, NLRs are becoming increasingly relevant to clinicians. In this review, we provide a concise overview of NLRs and their role in infection, immunity, and disease, particularly from clinical perspectives.

Analysis of Risk Factors for Severe Acute Respiratory Infection and Pneumonia and among Adult Patients with Acute Respiratory Illness during 2011-2014 Influenza Seasons in Korea

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization recommends the surveillance of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) to respond effectively to both seasonal influenza epidemics and pandemics. In Korea, the “Hospital-based Influenza Morbidity and Mortality (HIMM)” surveillance system has been operated to monitor ILI and SARI occurrences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multi-center prospective observational study was conducted. Adult patients with acute respiratory infection (ARI) were enrolled during the 2011-12, 2012-2013, and 2013-2014 influenza seasons at the 10 university hospitals using the HIMM surveillance system. With respect to SARI and pneumonia development, risk profiles were analyzed in patients with ARI in Korea. RESULTS: A total of 5,459 cases were eligible for this analysis. Among 5,459 cases with ARI, 2,887 cases (52.9%) were identified that they had influenza infection. Among enrolled cases, 750 cases belonged to the SARI group, while 4,709 cases belonged to the non-SARI group. With respect to pneumonia development, 317 cases were accompanied by pneumonia, and 5,142 cases were not. Multivariate analyses revealed that the following factors were associated with an increased risk of SARI: Old age (≥65 years) (odds ratio [OR] 2.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.2-3.32), chronic heart disease (CHD) (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.68-2.98), cerebrovascular disease (CVD) (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.05-2.10), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.48-3.69), asthma (OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.62-3.36), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (OR 2.62, 95% CI 1.73-3.99), chronic liver disease (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.04-2.81), and autoimmune diseases (OR 2.53, 1.57-4.08). Multivariate analyses revealed that the following factors were independent risk factors for pneumonia development: Old age (≥65 years) (OR 5.71, 95% CI 4.10-7.94), CHD (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.07-2.22), COPD (OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.48-3.69), asthma (OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.62-3.36), CKD (OR 2.62, 95% CI 1.73-3.99), immunocompromised conditions (OR 3.12, 95% CI 1.47-6.62), and autoimmune diseases (OR 3.35, 95% CI 1.79-6.27). The risk of SARI and pneumonia was increased by the number of concurrent chronic medical conditions. CONCLUSION: The risk of SARI and pneumonia development among adult patient with ARI was significantly increased by the presence or number of concurrent chronic medical conditions in Korea.

Clinical and microbiological features of Providencia bacteremia: experience at a tertiary care hospital

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Providencia species frequently colonize urinary catheters and cause urinary tract infections (UTIs); however, bacteremia is uncommon and not well understood. We investigated the clinical features of Providencia bacteremia and the antibiotic susceptibility of Providencia species. METHODS: We identified cases of Providencia bacteremia from May 2001 to April 2013 at a tertiary care hospital. The medical records of pertinent patients were reviewed. RESULTS: Fourteen cases of Providencia bacteremia occurred; the incidence rate was 0.41 per 10,000 admissions. The median age of the patients was 64.5 years. Eleven cases (78.6%) were nosocomial infections and nine cases (64.3%) were polymicrobial bacteremia. The most common underlying conditions were cerebrovascular/neurologic disease (n = 10) and an indwelling urinary catheter (n = 10, 71.4%). A UTI was the most common source of bacteremia (n = 5, 35.7%). The overall mortality rate was 29% (n = 4); in each case, death occurred within 4 days of the onset of bacteremia. Primary bacteremia was more fatal than other types of bacteremia (mortality rate, 75% [3/4] vs. 10% [1/10], p = 0.041). The underlying disease severity, Acute Physiologic and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores, and Pitt bacteremia scores were significantly higher in nonsurvivors (p = 0.016, p =0.004, and p = 0.002, respectively). Susceptibility to cefepime, imipenem, and piperacillin/tazobactam was noted in 100%, 86%, and 86% of the isolates, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Providencia bacteremia occurred frequently in elderly patients with cerebrovascular or neurologic disease. Although Providencia bacteremia is uncommon, it can be rapidly fatal and polymicrobial. These characteristics suggest that the selection of appropriate antibiotic therapy could be complicated in Providencia bacteremia.

Korean Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System, Intensive Care Unit Module Report: Data Summary from July 2012 through June 2013 / 병원감염관리

BACKGROUND: The Korean Society for Nosocomial Infection Control (KOSNIC) ran a surveillance system, called as Korean Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (KONIS), since July 2006. Here, we report the annual data of the intensive care unit (ICU) module of the system from July 2012 through June 2013. METHODS: This is a prospective surveillance of nosocomial urinary tract infections (UTI), bloodstream infections (BSI), and pneumonia (PNEU) at 161 ICUs in 91 hospitals using the KONIS system. The nosocomial infection (NI) rate was calculated as the number of infections per 1,000 patient days or device days. RESULTS: A total of 3,042 NIs were reported during the study period: 877 UTIs (854 cases were urinary catheter-associated), 1,272 BSIs (1,096 were central line-associated), and 893 PNEUs (526 cases were ventilator-associated). The rate of urinary catheter-associated UTIs (CAUTIs) was 1.26 cases per 1,000 device days (95% confidence interval; 1.18-1.34) and urinary catheter utilization ratio was 0.78 (0.779-0.781). The rate of central line-associated BSIs was 2.57 (2.42-2.72) and the utilization ratio was 0.49 (0.489-0.491). The rate of ventilator-associated PNEUs was 1.64 (1.50-1.78) and the utilization ratio was 0.37 (0.369-0.371). The urinary catheter utilization ratio was lower in the ICUs of hospitals with 400-699 beds than in those of hospitals with more than 900 beds; nevertheless, CAUTIs were more common in the hospitals with 400-699 beds. The central line-associated BSI (CLABSI) rate was lower in the study period than in the previous period of July 2011-June 2012 [2.57 (2.42-2.72) vs. 3.01 (2.84-3.19)]. CONCLUSION: The CLABSI rates were lower in the study period than those in the previous years. CAUTIs were more common in the ICUs of hospitals with 400-699 beds than in those of larger hospitals.

Korean Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System, Intensive Care Unit Module Report: Summary of Data from July 2013 through June 2014 / 병원감염관리

BACKGROUND: In this report, we present the annual data of the intensive care unit (ICU) module of the Korean Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System (KONIS) from July 2013 through June 2014. METHODS: We performed a prospective surveillance of nosocomial urinary tract infections (UTIs), bloodstream infections (BSIs), and pneumonia (PNEU) in 166 ICUs of 94 hospitals using the KONIS. Nosocomial infection (NI) rate was defined as the number of infections per 1,000 patient-days or device-days. RESULTS: A total of 2,843 NIs were found during the study period: 861 UTIs (846 were urinary catheter-associated), 1,173 BSIs (1,021 were central line-associated), and 809 PNEUs (498 were ventilator-associated). The rate of urinary catheter-associated UTIs was 1.21 per 1,000 device-days (95% confidence interval [CI]=1.13-1.29), and the urinary catheter utilization ratio was 0.84 (95% CI=0.839-0.841). The rate of central line-associated BSIs was 2.33 per 1,000 device-days (95% CI=2.20-2.48), and the utilization ratio was 0.53 (95% CI=0.529-0.531). The rate of ventilatorassociated PNEUs (VAPs) was 1.46 per 1,000 device-days (95% CI=1.34-1.60), and the utilization ratio was 0.41 (95% CI=0.409-0.411). In hospitals with more than 900 beds, although the ventilator utilization ratio was highest, the rate of VAPs was lower than in hospitals with 300-699 or 700-899 beds. CONCLUSION: BSIs were the most commonly reported nosocomial infections. Although device utilization ratios had increased, nosocomial infection rates did not differ significantly from those during the previous period (July 2012 through June 2013).

An Outbreak of Trichinellosis by Consumption of Raw Soft-Shelled Turtle Meat in Korea

Trichinellosis transmission to humans via the consumption of reptile meat is rare worldwide. In Korea, however, 2 such outbreaks, possibly via consumption of soft-shelled turtle meat, have occurred in 2 successive years. In 17 August 2014, 6 patients were admitted to Wonju Severance Christian Hospital complaining of myalgia, fever, and headache. Eosinophilia was the indication of the initial laboratory results, and they were eventually diagnosed as trichinellosis by ELISA. All of the patients worked at the same company and had eaten raw soft-shelled turtle meat at a company dinner 10 days prior to their admission. They were treated with albendazole for 2 weeks, upon which all of their symptoms disappeared. This is the 8th report on human trichinellosis in Korea, and the second implicating raw soft-shelled turtle meat.

Evaluation of PCR-Reverse Blot Hybridization Assay, REBA Sepsis-ID Test, for Simultaneous Identification of Bacterial Pathogens and mecA and van Genes from Blood Culture Bottles

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate a newly developed PCR-based reverse blot hybridization assay (PCR-REBA), REBA Sepsis-ID (M&D, Wonju, Korea), to rapidly detect the presence of bacteremia and antimicrobial resistance gene in blood culture samples. METHODS: One thousand four hundred consecutive blood culture samples from patients with a delta neutrophil index greater than 2.7% were selected from March to July in 2013. Three hundred positive and 1,100 negative for bacterial growth in blood culture bottles samples were tested by conventional and real-time PCR-REBA, respectively. RESULTS: The overall agreement between the conventional identification test and the REBA Sepsis-ID test was 95.3% (286/300). Agreement for gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and polymicrobials was 94.5% (190/201), 97.3% (71/73), 100% (14/14), and 91.7% (11/12), respectively. The detection rate of the mecA gene from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus isolates was 97.8% (90/92). The vanA gene was detected in one blood culture sample from which vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus was isolated. When the cycle threshold for real-time PCR was defined as 30.0, 2.4% (26/1,100) of negative blood culture samples tested positive by real-time PCR. CONCLUSIONS: The REBA Sepsis-ID test is capable of simultaneously and quickly detecting both causative agents and antimicrobial resistance genes, such as mecA and van, in blood culture positive samples.

Inhaled Colistin for Treatment of Pneumonia due to Colistin-Only-Susceptible Acinetobacter baumannii

PURPOSE: Colistin is used for the treatment of pneumonia associated with multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, the best route of administration and dosage is not known. We report our experience with aerosolized colistin in twelve patients with pneumonia caused by colistin-only-susceptible (COS) A. baumannii. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients' medical records who were treated with aerosolized colistin for the treatment of pneumonia. RESULTS: Ten patients were treated only with aerosolized colistin inhalation and two patients received a 3-day course intravenous colistin, and then switched to colistin inhalation therapy. The median duration of aerosolized colistin therapy was 17 days (5-31 days). Four patients were treated only with aerosolized colistin, whereas 4 patients received concomitant glycopeptides, and 4 received concomitant levofloxacin or cefoperazone/sulbactam. At the end of the therapy, the clinical response rate and bacteriological clearance rate was 83% and 50%, respectively. Colistin-resistant strains were isolated from 3 patients after aerosolized colistin therapy; however, all of them showed favorable clinical response. The median interval between inhalation therapy and resistance was 7 days (range 5-19 days). Acute kidney injury developed in 3 patients. Two patients experienced Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea. One patient developed fever and skin rash after aerosolized colistin therapy. No patient developed neurotoxicity or bronchospasm. CONCLUSION: Colistin inhalation therapy is deemed tolerable and safe, and could be beneficial as an adjuctive therapy for the management of pneumonia due to COS A. baumannii. However, the potential development of colistin resistance cannot be overlooked.

Guideline on the prevention and control of seasonal influenza in healthcare setting

No abstract available.