Journal of Korean medical science
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · May 2024
ReviewToxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) Caused by Group A Streptococcus: Novel Insights Within the Context of a Familiar Clinical Syndrome.
The emergence of invasive infections attributed to group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections, has resurged since the 1980s. The recent surge in reports of toxic shock syndrome due to GAS in Japan in 2024, while sensationalized in the media, does not represent a novel infectious disease per se, as its diagnosis, treatment, and prevention are already well-established. However, due to signs of increasing incidence since 2011, further research is needed. Health authorities in neighboring countries like The Republic of Korea should not only issue travel advisories but also establish meticulous surveillance systems and initiate epidemiological studies on the genotypic variations of this disease while awaiting various epidemiological research findings from Japan.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · May 2024
Multicenter StudyShifts in Clinical Characteristics, Treatment, and Outcome for Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis: Insights From a 20-Year Multicentre Registry Study in Korea.
The rapid economic development of South Korea provides a unique model to study changes in the clinical characteristics, treatment approaches, and clinical outcomes of patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) relative to socioeconomic growth. ⋯ This study observed an increase in patient age, comorbidities, and valve disease severity as the country transitioned from a developing to developed status. Despite a rise in mitral valve interventions, clinical outcomes deteriorated over 20 years, highlighting the need for modified treatment approaches to improve patient outcomes.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · May 2024
Trends of Gaps Between Health-Adjusted Life Expectancy and Life Expectancy at the Regional Level in Korea Using a Group-Based Multi-Trajectory Modeling Approach (2008-2019).
Health-adjusted life expectancy (HALE) is an indicator of the average lifespan in good health. Through this study, we aimed to identify regional disparities in the gap between HALE and life expectancy, considering the trends that have changed over time in Korea. ⋯ Based on the results of this study, we identified regions in which health levels have deteriorated over time, particularly within specific areas of metropolitan cities. These findings can be used to design comprehensive policy interventions for community health promotion and urban regeneration projects in the future.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · May 2024
Rapid Direct Identification of Microbial Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in Positive Blood Cultures Using a Fully Automated Multiplex PCR Assay.
This study assessed the performance of the BioFire Blood Culture Identification 2 (BCID2) panel in identifying microorganisms and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles in positive blood cultures (BCs) and its influence on turnaround time (TAT) compared with conventional culture methods. We obtained 117 positive BCs, of these, 102 (87.2%) were correctly identified using BCID2. The discordance was due to off-panel pathogens detected by culture (n = 13), and additional pathogens identified by BCID2 (n = 2). ⋯ BCID2 correctly predicted 53 (96.4%) of 55 phenotypic resistance patterns by detecting AMR genes. The TAT for BCID2 was significantly lower than that for the conventional method. BCID2 rapidly identifies pathogens and AMR genes in positive BCs.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · May 2024
Antibiotic Use in Korean Children Diagnosed With Acute Bronchiolitis: Analysis of the National Health Insurance Reimbursement Data.
Acute bronchiolitis, the most common lower respiratory tract infection in infants, is mostly caused by respiratory viruses. However, antibiotics are prescribed to about 25% of children with acute bronchiolitis. This inappropriate use of antibiotics for viral infections induces antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to determine the antibiotic prescription rate and the factors associated with antibiotic use in children with acute bronchiolitis in Korea, where antibiotic use and resistance rates are high. ⋯ In Korea, the high antibiotic prescription rates for acute bronchiolitis varied by patient age, region, medical facility type, clinical setting, and physician specialty. These factors should be considered when establishing strategies to promote appropriate antibiotic use.