Hae Ji Kang

김다은, et al. Pediatr Infect Vaccine. 2022 Aug;29(2):110-117. https://doi.org/10.14776/piv.2022.29.e10

Background: Enteroviruses (EVs) occur frequently worldwide and are known to be associated with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations from mild syndromes to neurological disease. To understand the epidemiology of EV in Korea, we characterized EV-infected cases during 2012–2019 based on national surveillance. Methods: We collected specimens from patients with suspected EV infections and analyzed the data using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and VP1 gene sequencing. Results: Among the 18 261 specimens collected, EVs were detected in 6258 (34.3%) cases. Although the most common EV types changed annually, EV-A71, echovirus 30, coxsackievirus B5, coxsackievirus A6, and coxsackievirus A10 were commonly identified. Among the human EVs, the case numbers associated with the 2 major epidemic species (EV-A and EV-B) peaked in the summer. While EV-A species affected 1-year-old children and were associated with herpangina and hand, foot, and mouth disease, EV-B species were mostly associated with neurologic manifestations. The highest incidence of EV-B species was observed in infants aged <12 months. Feces and respiratory specimens were the most predictive of EV infection. Specimens collected within 5 days of symptom onset allowed for timely virus detection. Conclusions: EV-A and EV-B species co-circulating in Korea presented different epidemiologic trends in clinical presentation, affected subjects, and seasonality trends. This study could provide information for the characterization of EVs circulating in Korea to aid the development of EV antivirals and vaccines, as well as public health measures to control enteroviral diseases.

The complete genome sequences of three wild-type measles viruses (genotype D8) isolated from patients in South Korea were determined. These are the first reported complete genome sequences of measles viruses obtained from South Korea, and the availability of these sequences will improve our understanding of measles virus transmission and genetic diversity.

Recent years have seen a high incidence of mumps, which is generally diagnosed based on clinical features, especially parotitis, without laboratory confirmation in Korea. To better understand the epidemiology of mumps in Korean children, we investigated sporadic suspected mumps cases with parotitis. In total, 237 buccal swabs or throat swabs collected from children with parotitis who had been clinically diagnosed with mumps were tested using real‐time PCR for the detection of six viruses (Epstein‐Barr virus, Human herpesvirus 6, Mumps virus, Human parainfluenza virus‐1, ‐2, ‐3, Human adenovirus, Human bocavirus). Among 237 parotitis cases, 87 (36.7%) were positive for at least one virus; a single infection was observed in 73 (83.9%) cases, and co‐infections were detected in 14 (16.1%) cases. Epstein‐Barr virus was most frequent (20.7%), followed by human herpesvirus 6 (8.0%), mumps virus (5.5%), human parainfluenza virus‐3 (4.6%), human adenovirus (4.2%), and human bocavirus (0.4%). These data suggested that the sporadic suspected mumps in the children might be related to other respiratory viruses rather than to the mumps virus. Our findings also indicate the limitation of clinical diagnosis without laboratory confirmation for mumps and thus highlight the importance of laboratory testing in suspected mumps cases.

The complete genome sequence of the wild-type genotype 2B rubella virus RVi/Busan.KOR/10.15[2B], isolated from a patient in South Korea, was determined. The availability of this sequence will help in understanding the circulation of endemic rubella viruses, as well as their genetic diversity.

Cho HK, et al. J Korean Med Sci. 2016 Dec;31(12):1957-1962. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2016.31.12.1957