Background: In February 2020, a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak was reported in fitness centers in Cheonan, Korea. Methods: From February 24 to March 13, an epidemiological investigation was conducted on the fitness center outbreak. All those who were screened were tested for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV-2) using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Contacts were traced and self-isolated for 14 days. We determined the epidemiological characteristics of confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and estimated the time-dependent reproduction number to assess the transmission dynamics of the infection. Results: A total of 116 cases were confirmed, and 1,687 contacts were traced. The source cases were 8 Zumba instructors who led aerobics classes in 10 fitness centers, and had the largest average number of contacts. A total of 57 Zumba class participants, 37 of their family members, and 14 other contacts were confirmed as cases. The attack rate was 7.3%. The contacts at Zumba classes and homes had a higher attack rate than other contacts. The mean serial interval (± standard deviation) were estimated to be 5.2 (± 3.8) days. The timedependent reproduction number was estimated to be 6.1 at the beginning of the outbreak, but it dropped to less than 1, 2 days after the epidemiological investigation was launched. Conclusion: The results suggest that the COVID-19 outbreak was effectively contained with rigorous contact tracing, isolating, and testing in combination with social distancing without a lock-down.

BackgroundSouth Korean government is currently in progress of expanding the coverage of telemedicine projects as part of an attempt to vitalize service industry, but is facing fierce opposition from KMA. Practice of telemedicine requires sufficient discussions among related parties. Although the participation of medical specialists is important, agreement from the public is essential.MethodsThree main tertiary care centers in Seoul were selected for data collection. A total of 224 patients (patients n = 180, patient guardian n = 44) and medical professionals (n = 41) were selected using simple random sampling. Mixed method of quantitative survey and qualitative semi-interview was used.ResultsThis study analyzed patients’ and medical professionals’ perception about the application of telemedicine in cardiology ward in tertiary care centers to provide baseline data when developing and applying telemedicine services. Results implied high need for encouraging telemedicine projects in order to appeal needs among population by providing experience (p < 0.001) and knowledge (p < 0.001). Other results showed that the need for electrocardiography monitoring was high among not only in remote areas but also in areas close to the capital. 64.52% of all participants thought that telemedicine was needed, and 73.21% of participants were willing to use telemedicine service if provided. Semi-interviews revealed that participants expected more cost and time saving services through remote treatment, by not having to visit long distance hospitals frequently.ConclusionsResearch results oppose Korean Medical Association’s opinion that the population is against enforcing telemedicine related laws. The findings in this study reflect an up-to-date perception of telemedicine among patients and medical professionals in a tertiary care centers’ cardiology ward. Moreover, the study provides a baseline that is needed in order to overcome past failures and to successfully implement telemedicine in South Korea.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12913-018-3105-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Purpose:To analyze the distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) types and the characteristics of genital condyloma in Korean men. Materials and Methods: Between January 2015 and December 2015, we reviewed the medical charts of 435 male patients diagnosed with genital condyloma. A total of 441 samples were identified. The detection rate of each HPV type and its associated characteristics (age, number of HPV types, low-risk and/or high-risk types, number of lesions) were analyzed. Our sample population was divided into two groups: The non-urethral condyloma group and the urethral condyloma group. In addition, subgroup analysis was also performed. Results: Among the total 441 specimens, 409 (92.7%) were non-urethral condyloma and 32 (7.3%) were urethral condyloma. Single-type infection was observed in 56.7% and multiple-type infection was seen in 43.3%. HPV type 6 and type 11 were the most common types in total genital condyloma and subgroups. HPV type 11, which was detected in 43.8% of those in the urethral condyloma group and in 22.0% of those in the non-urethral condyloma group (p=0.009), showed a statistically significant difference with respect to the type-specific detection rate. Conclusions: As in previous studies, our study also showed that HPV type 6 was the most prevalent type among all genital condylomas, followed by HPV type 11. A subgroup analysis also showed the same result.

Purpose We investigated the efficacy and optimal dosage of recombinant Bacillus Calmette-Guérin-dltA (rBCG-dltA) in a high-throughput 3D bio-printed bladder cancer-on-a-chip (BCOC) and orthotopic bladder cancer mouse model. Materials and Methods We fabricated high-throughput BCOC with microfluidic systems, enabling efficient drug screening. The efficacy of rBCG-dltA was evaluated using BCOC by the cell viability assay, monocyte migration assay, and measuring cytokine levels. The anti-tumor effect was compared using the orthotopic bladder cancer mouse model. Results The cell proliferation rates of T24 and 253J bladder cancer cell lines (mean±standard error) were measured at three days after treatment. In T24 cell line, there was significantly decreased T24 cells compared to control at rBCG 1 multiplicity of infection (MOI) and 10 MOI (30 MOI: 63.1±6.4, 10 MOI: 47.4±5.2, 1 MOI: 50.5±7.5, control: 100.0±14.5, p<0.05). In 253J cell line, a statistically significant decrease in 253J cell count compared to control and mock BCG 30 MOI (30 MOI: 11.2±1.3, 10 MOI: 22.5±2.3, 1 MOI: 39.4±4.7, Mock: 54.9±10.8, control: 100.0±5.6, p<0.05). The migration rates of THP-1 cells showed increased patterns after rBCG-dltA treatment in BCOC. The concentration of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 after rBCG-dltA 30 MOI treatment was higher than control in T24 and 253J cell line. Conclusions In conclusion, rBCG-dltA has the potential to have better anti-tumor activity and immunomodulatory effects than BCG. Furthermore, high-throughput BCOCs have potential to reflect the bladder cancer microenvironment.

Coronavirus disease 2019 was declared a worldwide pandemic in March 2020 after originating in China. Widespread uncertainty resulting from the pandemic has revolutionized urology practice worldwide, similar to that observed in other fields. The urological manifestations of COVID-19 were investigated by performing a literature search using a combination of keywords related to COVID-19 and urology. To date, COVID-19 has not been associated with any lower urinary tract symptoms, and there is no level 1 evidence that associates it with urinary malignancy and urolithiasis. Viral RNA has been detected in urine (5.74%), but there is no evidence of actual infection via urine. COVID-19 has transformed the standard urological practice into crisis-based care and has changed the medical and surgical priorities dramatically in the field. Most hospitals have established quarantine guidelines for each hospital, and procedures must be performed according to the present circumstances. Furthermore, in the absence of high-level evidence, specific efforts are needed to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infections during care.