• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.363-370
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• 1993

This study was performed to evaluate the prophylactic effects of trimethoprim- sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) In mice experimentally infected with virulent RH strain and avirulent Beverley strain of T dognii. The mice infected with $1{\times}10^5$ tachyzoltes were used In the measurement of mean survival days, and the mice infected with 10 cysts were used In the tltratlons of specific antibodies and enumeration of brawn cysts. Mean survival days of mice were significantly increased In mice treated with TMP-SMZ as compared with splramycln-treated and untreated control group. Mean survival days and survival rates of mice were Increased according to the Increment of dosages, and TMP-SMZ protected 100% of mice after fifteen daily dose of 24 mg/mouse or more admlnlsted orally. Toxoplasma-specific serum IgG and IgM antibody titers were slgnlflcantly lower in mice treated with TMP-SMZ than those of splramycln-treated and untreated control group. Toxoplosma cysts were not found In mice treated with TMP-SMZ at a dose of 24 mg/mouse or more per day but the group of splramycin treatment and untreated controls were found in the brain from 20 days after Infection. The present results revealed that TMP-SMZ can be used as a prophylactic agent against murine toxoplasmosls after Intraperitoneally challenges with the virulent or avlrulent strain of T. gondii.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.301-314
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• 1993

An electron microscopic study was performed to observe the ultrastructure of the tegument of U seoulensis. The outer surface of the tegument was covered with a tnlaminated plasma membrane. The electron-dense cytoplasmic layer was $2.5{\;}\mu\textrm{m}$ wide In the anterior portion and contained numerous vacuoles, mitochondriae and granular materials in its matrix. The basement layer was 330 nm wade or so, and Its numerous extensions protruded into the cytoplasmic layer. The sensory organ was composed of a small vesicle of $1.7{\;}{\times}{\;}1.1{\;}\mu\textrm{m}$ in dimensions, which possessed a cilium of $1.2{\;}{\times}{\;}0.19{\;}\mu\textrm{m}$ in size. The pharynx was composed of the epithelial layer of about $0.5{\;}\mu\textrm{m}$ wide, well developed muscle layer and basement layer. The tegument of the oral sucker was composed of a cytoplasmic layer of $0.4-0.5{\;}\mu\textrm{m}$ width, a narrow basement layer, a well developed muscle layer and tegumental cells. Some kinds of secretory granules that seemed to be originated from the cells of the oral sucker were observed In the parenchymal portions of the adjacent cells. The tribocytic organ consisted of numerous microvilli. The microvilli were 5 nm wide and heptalaminated. Two types of secretory granules originated from the gland cells of tribocytic organ were observed In the tegument and parenchyme. The tegumental cells were irregular in shape, and of which nuclei were multifarious.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.185-194
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• 1994

The present study was undertaken to assess the role of cytokines in the activation of peritoneal macrophages from Toxoplasma-infected mice. Peritoneal macrophages from Toxoplasma-infected mice (10 cysts of Beverley strain/mouse) were harvested 8 weeks after infection, and incubated with the mitogen-induced lymphokine, recombinant mouse $interferon-{\gamma}(IFN-{\gamma})$, recombinant mouse tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}{\;}(TNF-{\alpha})$ alone or in combination with 4$IFN-{\gamma}(IFN-{\gamma}/TNF-{\alpha})$ for 24hr at 37^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$. Macrophage activation was measured by the amount of $H_20_2{\;}and{\;}N0_2^{-}$ production, and antiToxoplasma activities of macrophages. $IFN-{\gamma}{\;}or{\;}IFN-{\gamma}/TNF-{\alpha}-treated$ macrophages from Toxoplasma-infected mice revealed significantly higher $H_20_2$ production than resident macrophages from Toxoplasma-infected mice. The production of $N0_2^{-}{\;}by{\;}TNF-{\alpha}-,{\;}IFN-{\gamma}-{\;}or{\;}IFN-{\gamma}/TNF-{\alpha}-treated$ macrophages from Toxoplasma-infected mice were significantly higher than that by resident macrophages, whereas lymphokine-treated group produced similar amount as that produced by resident macrophages. Anti-Toxoplasma activities of cytokinetreated macrophages from Toxoplasma-infected mice were Significantly higher than those of resident macrophages. $IFN-{\gamma}-treated$ macrophages were significantly increased production of $H_20_2{\;}and{\;}N0_2^{-}$, and anti-Toxoplasma activities of macrophages between normal and Toxoplasma-infected mice, whereas the other cytokine-treated groups were not significant differences between them. These data suggested that IFN-{\gamma}was the only one of cytokines capable of significantly activating the peritoneal macrophages from Toxoplasmainfected mice.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.173-178
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• 1995

A quantitative assay was performed on the effects of gamma-irradiation (30- 300 Gy) on intracellular proliferation of Toxoplosmn gonnii RH tachyzoites in human leukemic HL-60 cells and murine peritoneal macrophages by means of 3H-uracil uptake assay. Infected non-irradiation group (NI) and uninfected group (incubating only host cells) were prepared. The 3H-uracil uptake by tachyzoites of NI group 12-24 hrs after infection was 2,190-4,787 counts per minute for macrophages and 2,967-8,254 for HL-60 cells, whereas the irradiated tachyzoites revealed only 381-703 (100 Gy) and 218-408 (300 Gy) for macrophages, and 1,911-2,618 (30 Gy), 1,253-1,384 (70 Gyl, 1,013-1,090 (100 Gyl, and 483-588 (300 Gy) for HL-60 cells. The proliferation inhibition rate was similar in macrophages and HL-60 cells, for example, 89-94% and 80-94% respectively by 300 Gy, 12-24 hrs after infection. It is concluded that RH tachyzoites of T gondii are severely affected by gamma-irradiation in their capability of Intracellular proliferation.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 1998

In order to understand the action mechanism of polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) to the cyst of Accnthcnloebc on the morphological basis, the cysts of four corneal isolates of Acanthanoebc were treated with minimal cysticidal concentration (MCC) of PHMB and their ultrastructural changes were examined by transmission electron microscopy. The most striking change of cysts treated with PHMB compared with normal cysts was the shrinkage of intracystic amoebae, which resulted in the separation of the plasma membrane of intracystic amoeba from endocystic wall. Subplasmalemmal lipid droplets became irregularly shaped . In severely damaged cysts, cytoplasm was aggregated and organelles were severely deformed. Cytoplasmic materials were leaked out through the damaged plasma membrane. Most cysts showed aggregation of nuclear chromatin material. Number of mitochondrial cristae was also reduced. Ecto- and endo-cystic walls were relatively well tolerated. Findings in the present study revealed that PHMB affected mainly on plasma membrane, but lesser on organellar membrane of intracystic amoeba. It seemed likely that PHMB might kill cystic forms of Accnthamoebc by similar mechanism in which this environmental biocide can damage the cell wall of Escherichia coli by binding with acidic phospholipids.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.163-170
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• 1998

An epidemiological survey was performed to know the infection status of oysters with Gwmnophclloides seoi metacercariae in 7 islands of the West Sea known as the habitat of paleartic oystercatchers . Hcemntopus ostralegus osculans, in Korea. The surveyed areas were Aphaedo (Shinan-gun. Chollanam-do) Jangiado, Sonyudo and Munyodo (Okdo-myon, Kunsan-shi, Chollabuk-do), Yubudo (Changhang-up, Sochon-gun Chungchongnam-do), and Polumdo and Chumoondo (Sodo-myon, Kangwha-gup, Inchon ski). The oysters collected from Aphaedo, the known endemic focus, were examined monthly from August 1995 to October 1996 for observation of any seasonal variation of the metacercarial density. The average metacercarial burden was 761-2,077 by month, but the seasonal variation of the metacercarial density was not obvious. A total of 54 metacercariae was detected in 63 oysters collected from Yubudo. Out of 30 oysters from Sonyudo, 25 (83.3%) were infected with 1-66 metacercariae (12.6 in average). All of 50 oysters (100%) from Munyodo were infected with 3-162 metacercariae (53.5 in average), Only 4 metacercariae were detected in 100 oysters from Chumoondo. However, no metacercariae were found in 55 oysters from .Tangjado and 50 oysters from Polumdo. From the above results, it was confirmed that G. seoi is still highly prevalent in oysters from Aphaedo, and several islands of the West Sea known as the habitats of paleartic oystercatchers are new endemic areas of this fluke.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.23-32
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• 1998

The pathogenic potential of Acnnthamoebc strains was evaluated by experimental infection of murine AIDS (MAIDS) model. C57BL/6 mice were induced to immunocompromized state by intraperitoneal injection of LP-BM5 MuLV and revealed the typical splenomegalty and Iymphatic enlargement of axillar and inguinal regios on necropsy 4 weeks after viral infection. Although there was no significant difference in the mortality rate of MAIDS mouse according to the culture temperature, it was very different in the mortality rate from strain to strain of Accnthnmoebc. A. henIHi OC-3A strain isolated from the brain of a GAE patient showed !he highest mortality rate and A. culbertsoni A-1 strain from tissue culture was the second. KA/S3 and KA/S2 strains isolated from soil revealed very low virulence. The mice infected by intranasal inoculation of Acanthnmoebc showed relatively chronic course than intravenous inoculation. The gross findings of lungs and brains from infected mice were variable among mice. On the microscopic observations, the lungs showed much more severe inflammation and necrosis than the brains microscopically. This MAIDS model would be useful to study the opportunistic protozoan infections of AIDS patients. In the light of these results. the pathogenic potential and the virulence of Acnnthamoebo may be determined genetically.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 1998

A Czonorchis sinensis-specific antigen in excretory-secretory product of C. sinensis (CsE) was assessed in human clonorchiasis by immunoblot. Thirty and 7 kDa antigens of CsE2, one of four different batches of CsEs reacted strongly with infection sera from clonorchiasis patients; however, the antigens reacted weakly with 6-month post- treatment sera from praziquantel-cured cases, but were still highly detected by the sera from praziquantel∼failed patients, indicating that the 30 and 7 kDa antigens can detect antibodies during an active infection. The 30 kDa antigen showed some cross reactions with sera from patients with Pcragonimus westemani and Metcfonimw vokogcujci, while the 7 kDa antigen did not, suggesting that the 7 kDa antigen has high specificity. The 30 kDa antigen reacted with some past clonorchiasis sera, whereas the 7 kDa antigen did not, supporting that antibodies to the 7 kDa antigen are not present in sera from past clonorchiasis patients. In an endemic area, 92% (23/25) of active clonorchiasis patients and 91% (10/11) of mixed infection patients with C. sinensis and M. Wokosawai had IgG antibodies to the 7 kDa antigen, while 40% (6/15) of past clonorchiasis individuals and 43% (3/7) of metagonimiasis patients cross-reacted to the antigen. These data suggest that the 7 kDa antigen in an excretory-secretory antigen may serve as a marker of an active clonorchiasis with reliable specificities in past clonorchiasis, paragonimiasis and metagonimiasis.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.143-148
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• 1994

The metacercanae of the genus Stictodora encysted in gobies, Acnnthogobiln Snuimanw, purchased from a local market of Haenarn-gun, Chollanam-do, were identified as those of S. fuscotum A total of 1,437 metacercariae were collected from 30 gobies and sonle of them were orally fed to cats in order to obtain the adult worms. The metacercariae were 0.194-0.301 mm by 0.168-0.270 mm In size, yellowish brown, round to elliptical, and with a thin and transparent cyst wall. The excysted larvae were 0.280-0.423 mm long and 0.150-0.184 mm wide, beset with numerous tegumental spines on the anterior half of the body, and equipped 10 a characteristic ventrogenital sac. Total 21 adult worms were recovered from 2 cats 7 days after infection. The adult worms were small, leaf-like, 0.514-0.918 mm long and 0.235-0.377 mm wide. The ventrogenital sac was elliptical and its gonotyl was armed with 13-18 spines which were radially arranged and appeared as fan-shape. It has been confirmed that A. flavimanus is a second interinedlate host of 5. Juscatum In Korea.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.165-172
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• 1995

A transmission electron microscopic study was performed on the ultrastructure of the tegumental layer of GymophoLloines seoi (Digenea: Gymnophallidae) metacercarlae and adults. The metacercariae were obtained from naturally infected oysters, Crcssosoea gigas, and the adults from experimentally infected C3H mice. The tegumental layer generally revealed a small number of foldings, numerous small vacuoles, sines, and muscle bundles. Beneath the muscle layer, nuclei of the tegumental cells were located. There was little difference in the structure of the tegument between the metacercariae and adults. The oral sucker, having well-developed muscle layers, showed a similar structure to the ventral sucker except numerous foldlngs in the ventral sucker. The ventral pit was surrounded by a thin spcpiu layer, where a number of microtubules and mitochondria were seen. Around the ventral pit located well-developed circular and longitudinal muscles. The results showed that the ultrastructure of the tegumental layer of G. seoi metacercariae and adults revealed little difference from other trematodes in general. The ventral pit, a peculiar structure of this trematode, seems to function as a sphincter or an accessory adhesive organ.