Detection of Rotavirus Genotypes in Korea 5 Years after the Introduction of Rotavirus Vaccines

Rotavirus (RV) is one of the most important viral etiologic agents of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children. Although effective RV vaccines (RVVs) are now used worldwide, novel genotypes and outbreaks resulting from rare genotype combinations have emerged. This study documented RV genotypes in a Korean population of children with AGE 5 yr after the introduction of RVV and assessed potential genotype differences based on vaccination status or vaccine type. Children less than 5-yr-old diagnosed with AGE between October 2012 and September 2013 admitted to 9 medical institutions from 8 provinces in Korea were prospectively enrolled. Stool samples were tested for RV by enzyme immunoassay and genotyped by multiplex reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. In 346 patients, 114 (32.9%) were RV-positive. Among them, 87 (76.3%) patients were infected with RV alone. Eighty-six of 114 RV-positive stool samples were successfully genotyped, and their combinations of genotypes were G1P[8] (36, 41.9%), G2P[4] (12, 14.0%), and G3P[8] (6, 7.0%). RV was detected in 27.8% of patients in the vaccinated group and 39.8% in the unvaccinated group (P=0.035). Vaccination history was available for 67 of 86 cases with successfully genotyped RV-positive stool samples; RotaTeq (20, 29.9%), Rotarix (7, 10.4%), unvaccinated (40, 59.7%). The incidence of RV AGE is lower in the RV-vaccinated group compared to the unvaccinated group with no evidence of substitution with unusual genotype combinations.

Comparison among Known Severity Scoring Scales in the Evaluation of Acute Gastroenteritis in Children / 소아감염

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the disease severity of children suffering from gastroenteritis using different scales. The results are compared and subsequently classified on the basis of the type of virus causing the disease in order to investigate the differences in clinical characteristics and disease severity according to pathogen. METHOD: This study was conducted prospectively with patients under 5 years of age diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis and hospitalized at 9 medical institutions in 8 regions across the Republic of Korea. Disease severity was evaluated using the Vesikari Scale, the Clark Scale, and the modified Flores Scale. Fecal samples collected from patients were used to detect rotavirus and enteric adenovirus by enzyme immunoassay, and for RT-PCR of norovirus, astrovirus, and sapovirus. RESULTS: There were a total of 214 patients with a male : female ratio of 1.58 : 1, of which 35 were under the age of 6 months (16.4%), 105 were aged 6-23 months (49.1%), and 74 were aged 24-59 months (34.5%). The rate of concordance between the Vesikari and Clark Scales was 0.521 (P<0.001) and, in severe cases, the Vesikari Scale was 60.7% and Clark Scale was 2.3%, indicating that the Clark Scale was stricter in the evaluation of severe cases. CONCLUSIONS: In children with gastroenteritis, there were differences in disease severity based on the scale used. Therefore, to achieve consistent results among researchers, either only a single scale or a measure of all scales should be used to determine disease severity.

Risk Factors of Catheter-related Bloodstream Infection Due to Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

PURPOSE: The incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection has increased in children and in neonates, and is particularly associated with frequent use of central venous catheter in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. It is known that the morbidity and mortality of MRSA infection are low in neonates, as compared with adults. The objective of this study was to examine the difference in clinical characteristics between VLBW infants that survived and those that did not, a catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) of MRSA. METHODS: Thirty-four VLBW infants had laboratory-confirmed bloodstream infection with S. aureus. We examined the incidence, mortality and morbidity of CRBSI, and predictive factors associated with mortality. RESULTS: Twenty-six infants had same pathogen (24 MRSA, 2 Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus) in the blood and in the catheter tip. Eight infants (25.8%) died in the CRBSI and they all had MRSA blood infections. Sex ratio, gestational age, duration between blood collection and identification of pathogens, and WBC and platelet count were not significantly different between patients that died from and patients that survived CRBSI of MRSA. C-reactive protein (CRP) was significantly higher in VLBW infants that died. Mean age of onset and hospital day was earlier (9.1+/-6.6 vs. 26.9+/-20.2; P=0.005) and shorter for patients that died (10.1+/-7.0 vs. 73.0+/-32.4; P=0.000). Two survivors had complications of pyogenic arthritis of the lower extremities and soft tissue infection, respectively. CONCLUSION: Mortality of CRBSI was likely to be high in VLBW infants and might be anticipated by CRP and early onset of disease.

A Survey for Changed Control Policies of Hepatitis B in Republic of Korea / 소아감염

PURPOSE: We have tried to search all concerning data on the policies of hepatitis B vaccination or surveillance of medical equipments that can transmit blood mediated diseases, including disposable syringe, in Republic of Korea, to propose references to other medical professionals. METHODS: Data from domestic journals, government websites, computerized newspapers, etc. were reviewed. The data were arranged into four categories (governmental policies on hepatitis B control, hepatitis B mass immunization program in school, using process of hepatitis B vaccine, and policies on medical equipments surveillance, including disposable syringes, which is considered as source of blood mediated infection), and the periodic changes on each subjects in policies were reviewed. RESULTS: Due to growing social concerns on hepatitis B in early 1980s, swift introduction and production of hepatitis B vaccine was made. After establishment of "5 year project for eradication of hepatitis B" in late 1983, number of vaccinated population jumped up to 6 million within 2 years (1984-85). However, since the immunization targets were mainly adult, not infant, this project was annulled in late 1985. Following this project, hepatitis B mass immunization program in school was carried out. In year 1995, hepatitis B vaccine was included in national immunization program. The use of disposable syringe was recommended from year 1980 but legislated in year 1985, finally. CONCLUSION: The mainstay in controlling hepatitis B in Republic of Korea was coordination of prompt introduction of vaccine, mass immunization, high vaccination coverage rate, or use of disposable syringes. However, since there is lack of official data available, it is urgent to arrange and computerize all government data related to infectious diseases.

Analysis for Spontaneous Remission of Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura in Children / 임상소아혈액종양

BACKGROUND: Chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (chronic ITP) is the most common autoimmune disease for blood elements. Some patients recovered spontaneously during follow up of disease. We investigated the difference of related clinical parameters between spontaneous remission and no remission.METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively medical records from January 1994 to December 2010. We analyzed clinical parameters such as age, sex, initial platelet count, response to initial treatment, maintenance therapy, and platelet counts at post-diagnosis with regular period in children with or without spontaneous remission.RESULTS: This study was enrolled for 49 children with chronic ITP. Median age was 3.5 years (0.1-17.3). Male to female ratio was 1:1.9. Initial treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin was received in 36 children (73.3%). Spontaneous remission was shown in 23 children (46.9%) during study period with 4.4 year of median follow up. The relevant factors of remission were observed in younger age at diagnosis, maintenance therapy, and platelet counts at post-diagnosis 1 year, 2 years, 3 years (P<0.05). The most significant parameter for spontaneous remission was platelet count at post-diagnosis 6 months in Kaplan-Meier estimate (P=0.047, RR: 3.47, 95% CI: 1.03-24.04).CONCLUSION: Spontaneous remission was shown in about half of patients with chronic ITP. This remission was related with younger age, maintenance therapy, and platelet count at post-diagnosis 6 months. These results suggest that regular follow up with maintenance therapy may be required for management of chronic ITP in children.

Analysis for Spontaneous Remission of Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura in Children / 임상소아혈액종양

BACKGROUND: Chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (chronic ITP) is the most common autoimmune disease for blood elements. Some patients recovered spontaneously during follow up of disease. We investigated the difference of related clinical parameters between spontaneous remission and no remission. METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively medical records from January 1994 to December 2010. We analyzed clinical parameters such as age, sex, initial platelet count, response to initial treatment, maintenance therapy, and platelet counts at post-diagnosis with regular period in children with or without spontaneous remission. RESULTS: This study was enrolled for 49 children with chronic ITP. Median age was 3.5 years (0.1-17.3). Male to female ratio was 1:1.9. Initial treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin was received in 36 children (73.3%). Spontaneous remission was shown in 23 children (46.9%) during study period with 4.4 year of median follow up. The relevant factors of remission were observed in younger age at diagnosis, maintenance therapy, and platelet counts at post-diagnosis 1 year, 2 years, 3 years (P<0.05). The most significant parameter for spontaneous remission was platelet count at post-diagnosis 6 months in Kaplan-Meier estimate (P=0.047, RR: 3.47, 95% CI: 1.03-24.04). CONCLUSION: Spontaneous remission was shown in about half of patients with chronic ITP. This remission was related with younger age, maintenance therapy, and platelet count at post-diagnosis 6 months. These results suggest that regular follow up with maintenance therapy may be required for management of chronic ITP in children.