Analysis of Isolation and Subtyping of Influenza Virus in Seoul, During 1999-2003

Influenza is an important public health problem in almost every winter of temperate countries, and is often associated with increased rates of hospitalization and death. In 1999, we started influenza surveillance with 4 voluntary sentinel physicians and the Public Health Center. From 1999 through 2003, 74 influenza viruses were isolated from 738 clinical specimens, which were collected from patients with Influenza like illness (ILI) in Seoul. The case definition for ILI was a fever over 38degrees C and systemic symptoms such as cough, or sore throat. ILI was the highest, 35.5% at the 20~49 age group and the rate of virus isolation was the highest, 20.6% at the 7~19 age group. Among isolated 74 influenza viruses, four of them were identified as A/H3N2 type in 1999-2000 season, seven of them were A/H3N2 in 2000-2001 season, fourteen were A/H1N1 in the 2001-2002 season and others were subtyped as influenza A/H3N2 viruses in the 2002-2003 season. Influenza viruses were collected 18.9% at Seocho-Gu, 18.8% at Dongjak-Gu and 7.6% at KangbukGu etc. and the isolate rate of virus had the area difference; Gwangjin-Gu 66%, Eunpyeong-Gu 65.6% Gangnam-Gu 20.0%, Kangbuk-Gu 19.6%. These findings may contribute towards the recommondation on the influenza vaccine formulation and development of influenza control measure based on the analyzed data.

VP4 and VP7 Genotyping of Group A Rotavirus Isolated from Diarrhea Patients in Seoul by Multiplex PCR

The incidence and distribution of the human rotavirus G types (VP7 associated: G1~G4) and P types (VP4 associated: P[4], P[6], P[8], P[10]) were determined from 89 rotavirus strains isolated from diarrhea patients between 2001 and 2002 using reverse transcription and multiplex polymerase chain reaction. G types were identified from 83 (95.5%) and P types were from 82 (92.1%) strains. The predominant genotypes were P[4]G2 (28.1%) and P[6]G4 (27%) with much lower incidence of genotypes P[10]G1 (1.1%) and P[10]G3 (1.1%). P[9] type was not detected. A significant genotypic shift was observed that P[4] was the most prevalent genotype that accounted for 75% during the spring season of 2001, coinfection with P[4] and P[6] for 17.5%. P[6] increased gradually to account for 53% of the strains analysed in the following 2002 spring season. Mixed G types revealing coinfections G2/G3 and G3/G4 were found at low frequency (2.2%).

Thiopental-induced Hemolysis - A case report- / 대한마취과학회지

We experidced recently a case which showed intravascular homolysis and acute renal insufficiency during open heart surgery. After various studies including immunohematologic study, urinalysis, CBC, transfusion reaction study, coombs test, we detected antibody against thiopental in the patient's serum. The end-point titer was 1:4. We concluded that it was thiopental-induced immune hemolysis so report this case along with references.

A Brief Report on the Myocardial Damage Evaluated by Creatine Kinase MB Isoenzyme in Valvular Heart Disease / 대한마취과학회지

During a 3 month period in 1984, 12 patients undergoing scheduled valvular replacement were Studied by CK and CK-MB isoenzyme to evaluate the myocardial damage during open heart operation. Total creatine kinase value was 58.3+/-25.6 u/L at control, 59.8+/-23.5 u/L at prebypass period, 85.5+/-49.6 U/L at during bypass period, 20.2+/-87.6 at postbypass period respectively. It began to rise in prebypass period and showed higtest level in postbypass period. CK-MB value was low in most cases below 20 U/L but in 2 patients postbypass period showed high level which above 40U/L. Initial isoenzyme activity was detected in 2 patients prior to anesthesia, in 2patients prior to bypass, in 5 patients during bypass, and in all others after termination of bypass. Considering above data we concluded that anesthetic management during prebypass period and myocardial preservation during bypass period required more proper and aggressive management despite of good operation results.