Regional Distribution of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in the Republic of Korea, 2007-2011

( Geun Yong Kwon ),( Hyung Min Lee ),( Jin Gwack ),( Sang Won Lee ),( Moran Ki ),( Seung Ki Youn ) 대한소화기학회 2014 Gut and Liver Vol.8 No.4

Background/Aims: In Korea, hepatitis C is included as an infectious disease in a sentinel surveillance system. Recently, a large variation in hepatitis C incidence between different regions in Korea has been noticed. The current study verified the nationwide distribution of hepatitis C infection for effective prevention and management. Methods: We counted the number of hepatitis C patients who visited a hospital per county using the National Health Insurance database from 2007 to 2011. The age-adjusted prevalence ratio was used, and the age adjustment method was used as an indirect standardization method. Disease mapping and spatial analysis were conducted using a geographic information system. Results: The annual prevalence of diagnosed hepatitis C was approximately 0.12% to 0.13% in Korea. The age-adjusted prevalence ratios in Busan, Jeonnam, and Gyeongnam were high (1.75, 1.4, and 1.3, respectively). The three regions in the southern coastal area of the Korean Peninsula were identified as a high-prevalence cluster (Moran`s index, 0.3636). Conclusions: The present study showed that hepatitis C infection has very large regional variation, and there are several high-risk areas. Preventive measures focusing on these areas should be applied to block the transmission of hepatitis C and reduce the disease burden. (Gut Liver 2014;8:428-432)

Corrigendum: Characterization of Venous Involvement in Vasculo-Behçet Disease

Lee, Na Hyeon,Bae, Miju,Jin, Moran,Chung, Sung Woon,Lee, Chung Won,Jeon, Chang Ho The Korean Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular 2021 Journal of Chest Surgery (J Chest Surg) Vol.54 No.1

Prevention and control of plant disease and pest of prototype in the field

Moran Lee,Hyeju Jeong,Jaeyoon Kim,Roland bocco,Dayeon Kim,Seung Ho Ahn,Sang-Yeob Lee,Ji-Hee Han 한국농약과학회 2018 한국농약과학회 학술발표대회 논문집 Vol.2018 No.10

총채벌레 및 고추탄저병의 동시 방제를 위한 곤충병원성 곰팡이 Isaria javanica FT333 선발

이모란 ( Moran Lee ),정혜주 ( Hyeju Jeong ),김재윤 ( Jaeyoon Kim ),김다연 ( Dayeon Kim ),안성호 ( Seung Ho Ahn ),이상엽 ( Sangyeob Lee ),한지희 ( Ji Hee Han ) 한국균학회 2018 韓國菌學會誌 Vol.46 No.4

Red pepper is seriously damaged by thrips (Thrips palmi) and anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum acutatum throughout its development. Because of biotic constraints, producers often depend on chemicals that are expensive and have adverse effects on the environment, operator, and beneficial insects. In addition, resistance is developed because of the repeated use of chemicals. In recent decades, the use of microorganisms in crop protection has become a credible alternative because it is eco-friendly. In this study, we aimed to select isolates with insecticidal and fungicidal activities against the pathogens that cause anthracnose and thrips. We treated T. palmi adults and juveniles with 13 strains of entomopathogenic fungi (isolated from the soil by using the insect-bait method), and 6 strains showed excellent insecticidal activity (70-100%) 5 days after the treatment. The selected isolates were cultured with C. acutatum to screen for the strain with excellent anti-fungal activities, among which an isolate FT333 showed more than 95% control efficacy against C. acutatum in vitro. The isolate was identified as Isaria javanica through its morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of the ITS and β-tubulin nucleotide sequences. The Isaria javanica FT333 isolate could be used effectively for dual bio-control of thrips and anthracnose during red pepper cultivation.

Changes in seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen and epidemiologic characteristics in the Republic of Korea, 1998- 2013

Hyerin Lee,Hyungmin Lee,Yumi Cho,Kyungwon Oh,Moran Ki 한국역학회 2015 Epidemiology and Health Vol.37 No.-

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated changes in hepatitis B seroprevalence from 1998 to 2013, and to identify differences in epidemiologic characteristics between hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive and HBsAg-negative people. METHODS: HBsAg seropositive rates were compared by year, sex, and age using the blood test data from the periods I to VI (1998-2013) of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Interviews and self-administered surveys were conducted to collect data on health behavior, quality of life, comorbidities, and health care utilization. RESULTS: HBsAg seropositive rates in the Republic of Korea decreased from 4.6% in 1998 to 2.9% in 2008, and then remained the same for the next five years. While seropositive rates by age were the highest at 35 to 39 years of age in 1998, it peaked at 50 to 54 years of age in 2013. HBsAg-positive people showed high values from two liver function tests, including glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, and the prevalence rates of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer were also significantly high. Indices for health behavior and quality of life showed no significant differences between HBsAg-positive and HBsAg-negative people. CONCLUSIONS: While HBsAg seropositive rates tended to decline after 1998, there have been no significant changes over the most recent five years. We should focus on treatment of existing hepatitis B patients along with immunization programmes to prevent new hepatitis B infections. In addition, it may be necessary to encourage HBsAg-positive people to follow healthier life-styles in order to prevent further progression of hepatitis B to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.

2000년 홍역 유행 시 합병증 발생률과 질병비용

이원영(Weon Young Lee),기모란(Moran Ki),오진경(Jin Kyoung Oh),이종구(Jong Koo Lee),김명빈(Myung Bin Kim),최보율(Bo Youl Choi) 한국역학회 2004 Epidemiology and Health Vol.26 No.2

Objectives: To estimate the complication rate and the societal cost of measles, a survey was conducted in Seoul, Jeonju city, and Kyonggi province in 2001. Methods: A telephone survey was conducted in Jeonju city (175/307) and four local areas of Kyonggi province (793/1,238) to gather information on the complications of measles. To estimate societal cost, the telephone survey was conducted for the sampled subject by complication type and the age group. The response rate was 78% (180/230). Paid bills were examined for direct cost estimation, and the time cost and the transportation expense were analyzed for indirect cost estimation. Results: The incidence of a complication of measles was 3.1% which found to be higher in younger age group. The incidence of pneumonia, otitis media, and encephalitis were 2.1%, 0.8%, and 0.2% respectively. Direct and indirect costs of in-patients without a complication were $417.00 (US $1.00 = 1,000 won) and $256.00 per case, respectively, and the out-patients who have no complication were $54.00 and $65.00, respectively. The average cost for a patient with measles without complication was $119.00 as the result. The societal cost of encephalitis was high as $6,660. Estimated total societal cost of measles ranges from $14 million to $69 million in the year 2000. Conclusion: Complication rate of measles was fairly low compared to foreign countries. The lower rate could result from the difference in vaccination rate and the age distribution of the measles patients. The cost of measles without complication was not high. However, the cost for the complication and the total disease burden caused by measles shown to be high in the year 2000.

Epidemiologic features of the first MERS outbreak in Korea : focus on Pyeongtaek St. Mary’s Hospital

Kyung Min Kim,Moran Ki,Sung-il Cho,Minki Sung,Jin Kwan Hong,Hae-Kwan Cheong,Jong-Hun Kim,Sang-Eun Lee,Changhwan Lee,Keon-Joo Lee,Yong-Shik Park,Seung Woo Kim,Bo Youl Choi 한국역학회 2015 Epidemiology and Health Vol.37 No.-

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the epidemiologic features of the confirmed cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in Pyeongtaek St. Mary’s Hospital, where the outbreak first began, in order to identify lessons relevant for the prevention and control of future outbreaks. METHODS: The patients’ clinical symptoms and test results were collected from their medical records. The caregivers of patients were identified by phone calls. RESULTS: After patient zero (case #1) was admitted to Pyeongtaek St. Mary’s Hospital (May 15-May 17), an outbreak occurred, with 36 cases between May 18 and June 4, 2015. Six patients died (fatality rate, 16.7%). Twenty-six cases occurred in the first-generation, and 10 in the second-generation. The median incubation period was five days, while the median period from symptom onset to death was 12.5 days. While the total attack rate was 3.9%, the attack rate among inpatients was 7.6%, and the inpatients on the eighth floor, where patient zero was hospitalized, had an 18.6% attack rate. In contrast, caregivers and medical staff showed attack rates of 3.3% and 1.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The attack rates were higher than those of the previous outbreaks in other countries. The outbreak spread beyond Pyeongtaek St. Mary’s Hospital when four of the patients were moved to other hospitals without appropriate quarantine. The best method of preventing future outbreaks is to overcome the vulnerabilities observed in this outbreak, such as ward crowding, patient migration without appropriate data sharing, and the lack of an initial broad quarantine.

Epidemiological investigation of the 119th confirmed Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus case with an indefinite mode of transmission during the Pyeongtaek outbreak in Korea

Jong Hyuk Choi,Byoungin Yoo,Soon Young Lee,Eun Gyu Lee,Moran Ki,Woncheol Lee,Jong Rak Jung,Kyujin Chang 한국역학회 2015 Epidemiology and Health Vol.37 No.-

Since the first case was diagnosed on May 20, 2015, there were 186 confirmed cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) until the end of outbreak in South Korea. Although medical institutions were the most identifiable sources of MERS transmission in South Korea, similar to other countries, in-depth epidemiological investigation was required for some confirmed cases with indefinite contact history or hospital visit records. The subject of epidemiological investigation in the present study was a 35 year-old male patient diagnosed with MERS (#119) who lived in Asan-city and worked in Pyeongtaek-city. Various potential sources of transmission were carefully investigated. While he could have been exposed to MERS through a friend from Saudi Arabia or confirmed MERS cases in his workplace, neighboring areas, and medical institutions, as well as contacts in his home, the chances of transmission were low; however, the potential for transmission through his local community could not be excluded. Practically, it was difficult to determine the modes of transmission for all outbreak cases in communicable disease that occurred in this short period of time. The investigation to identify the mode of transmission in this case was ultimately unsuccessful. However, the various data collected and analyzed to reveal modes of transmission provided detailed information that could not be collected using only interview surveys.

Risk Factors for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection in Areas with a High Prevalence of HCV in the Republic of Korea in 2013

( Hae Sook Sohn ),( Jang Rak Kim ),( So Yeon Ryu ),( Youn Jae Lee ),( Myeong Jin Lee ),( Hyun Ju Min ),( Jun Lee ),( Hwa Young Choi ),( Yeong Jun Song ),( Moran Ki ) 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회 2016 Gut and Liver Vol.10 No.1

Background/Aims: The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Busan, Gyeongnam, and Jeonnam Provinces in Korea is more than twice the national average. This study aimed to examine whether demographic and lifestyle characteristics are associated with HCV infection in these areas. Methods: A case control study was performed at three study hospitals. HCV cases were matched with two controls for sex and age. Patient controls were selected from non-HCV patients at the same hospital. Healthy controls were subjects participating in medical checkups. Conditional logistic regression models were used. Results: A total of 234 matched-case and patient- and healthy-control pairs were analyzed. The significant risk factors for both controls were sharing razors (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.39 and 3.29, respectively) and having more than four lifetime sexual partners (aOR, 2.15 and 6.89, respectively). Contact dockworkers (aOR, 1.91) and tattoos (aOR, 2.20) were significant risk factors for the patient controls. Transfusion (aOR, 5.38), a bloody operation (aOR, 5.02), acupuncture (aOR, 2.08), and piercing (aOR, 5.95) were significant risk factors for the healthy controls. Needle stick injuries and intravenous drug abuse were significant in the univariate analysis. Conclusions: More education concerning the dangers of sharing razors, tattoos and piercings is required to prevent HCV infection. More attention should be paid to needle stick injuries in hospitals and the community. (Gut Liver 2016;10:126-132)

Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in South Korea from 2007 to 2017: A Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study

( Joon Yeul Nam ),( Eun Sun Jang ),( Young Seok Kim ),( Youn Jae Lee ),( In Hee Kim ),( Sung Bum Cho ),( Han Chu Lee ),( Si Hyun Bae ),( Moran Ki ),( Hwa Young Choi ),( Eun Young Lee ),( Sook-hyang Je 대한간학회 2020 Gut and Liver Vol.14 No.2

Background/Aims: This study aimed to elucidate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients in South Korea from 2007 to 2017 and to compare the treatment patterns between two periods before and after the first approval of direct-acting antivirals (DAA) in South Korea in 2015. Methods: This prospective, multicenter cohort enrolled 2,758 patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) viremia at seven tertiary centers, and clinical data were prospectively collected with questionnaire surveys focused on lifetime risk factors related to HCV infection. Results: The HCV patients had a mean age of 57.3 years (50.8% male). Among them, 14.3% showed a positive history of transfusion before HCV screening and 5.6% reported intravenous drug use (IVDU), with significant differences in these risk factors between men and women. The proportions of patients with chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were 69.5%, 18.9%, and 11.5%, respectively. The mean alanine aminotransaminase level was within the upper normal limit at 49.9%, and the major genotypes were 1b (48.2%) and 2 (46.4%). The overall treatment rate was 53.8%, showing a rapid transition from interferon-based therapy to DAA therapy. In the post-DAA-approval era, the untreated group was older, had a higher prevalence of HCC, and had less education than the treated group. Conclusions: More than 90% of CHC patients were over 40 years old, the major genotypes were 1b and 2, and IVDU was observed in less than 6% of CHC patients. Approximately half of the patients underwent antiviral therapy even in the DAA era, showing an unmet need with regard to HCV elimination.