• Laboratory Medicine Online
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.94-102
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• 2017

Malaria, tuberculosis, and hepatitis are common and notorious infectious diseases in Myanmar. Despite intensive efforts to control these diseases, their prevalence remains high. For malaria, which is a vector-borne disease, a remarkable success in the reduction of new cases has been achieved. However, the annual number of tuberculosis cases has increased over the last few decades, and the prevalence of chronic viral hepatitis infection has been high in Myanmar and other nearby countries. Early detection and prompt treatment are crucial to control these diseases. We have devoted our research efforts to understanding the status of these infectious diseases and working towards their eventual elimination for the last four years with the support of the Korea International Cooperation Agency. In the modern era, an infection that develops in one geographical area can spread globally because national borders do not effectively limit disease transmission. Our efforts to understand the status of infectious diseases in Myanmar will benefit not only Myanmar but also neighboring countries such as Korea.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1583-1590
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• 2021

Studies have demonstrated that PE_PGRS45 is constitutively expressed under various environmental conditions (such as nutrient depletion, hypoxia, and low pH) of the in vitro growth conditions examined, indicating that PE_PGRS45 protein is critical to the basic functions of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, there are few reports about the biochemical function and pathogenic mechanism of PE_PGRS45 protein. The fact that this M. tuberculosis gene is not easily expressed in E. coli may be mainly due to the high content of G+C and the use of unique codons. Fusion tags are indispensable tools used to improve the soluble expression of recombinant proteins and accelerate the characterization of protein structure and function. In the present study, His6, Trx, and His6-MBP were used as fusion tags, but only MBP-PE_PGRS45 was expressed solubly. The purification using His6-MBP tag-specific binding to the Ni column was easy to separate after the tag cleavage. We used the purified PE_PGRS45 to immunize New Zealand rabbits and obtained anti-PE_PGRS45 serum. We found that the titer of polyclonal antibodies against PE_PGR45 was higher than 1:256000. The result shows that purified PE_PGRS45 can induce New Zealand rabbits to produce high-titer antibodies. In conclusion, the recombinant protein PE_PGRS45 was successfully expressed in E. coli and specific antiserum was prepared, which will be followed by further evaluation of these specific antigens to develop highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tests for tuberculosis.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.191-198
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• 2009

Purpose : Breastfeeding should be recommended for infants born to mothers with chronic hepatitis B Infection after postexposure prophylaxis. However, high proportion of these mothers are reluctant to engage in breastfeeding in Korea. This survey was taken to identify the cause of that reluctance. Method : Questionnaires were given to mothers with chronic hepatitis B infection who were registered at the 'Hepatitis B Perinatal Transmission Prevention Program' operated by Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention. They visited a community health center for blood sample collection and signed a consent paper. The questionnaires were sent to the mothers. Result : Among 839 mailed questionnaires, 114 were returned marked 'address unknown'. The overall reply rate was 17% (n=125). Among responders, 52% (n=62) were breastfeeding and 48% (n=60) were formula-feeding. The most influential factor for breastfeeding was the mother's own decision (75%) and the obstetrician's recommendation (17%). For formulafeeding mothers, their decisions were influenced by obstetricians (57%), and by their own thinking (28%). The relationship between breastfeeding and perinatal prophylaxis failure was recognized as 45% 'related' and 50% 'not-related'. A total of 91% of breastfeeding mothers replied that they will breast-feed again. Among formula-feeding mothers, 78% answered that they will breast-feed if they were known that 'there is no direct relationship between breastfeeding and perinatal prophylaxis failure'. Conclusion : Despite the fact that there is no direct relationship between breastfeeding and perinatal prophylaxis failure, many were reluctant to breast-feed. Healthcare professionals have influence over the mothers for decision making. It will be necessary to educate healthcare personnel so that they can make a conceptual change as well as to promote the fact to the general public.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.299-304
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• 2004

To investigate the presence of infectious agents in human atherosclerotic arterial tissues. Atherosclerotic plaques were removed from 128 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy or other bypass proce­dures for occlusive disease, and from twenty normal arterial wall samples, obtained from transplant donors with no history of diabetes, hypertension, smoking, or hyperlipidemia. Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or reverse transcription-PCR, these samples were analyzed for the presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae, cytomegalovirus, enterovirus, adenovirus, herpes simplex viruses types 1 and 2, and Epstein-Barr virus. The amplicons were then sequenced, and phylogenetic analyses were per­formed. Enteroviral RNA was found in 22 of 128 atherosclerotic vascular lesions $(17.2\%),$ and C. pneu­moniae and cytomegalovirus were each found in 2 samples $(1.6\%).$ In contrast, adenovirus, herpes simplex viruses, and Epstein-Barr virus were not identified in any of the atherosclerotic samples. Enterovirus was detected in 6/24 $(25.0\%)$ aortas, 7/33 $(21.2\%)$ carotid arteries, 6/40 $(15.0\%)$ femoral arteries, and 3/31 $(9.7\%)$ radial arteries of patients with chronic renal failure. There were no infectious agents detected in any of the control specimens. Using phylogenetic analysis, the enterovirus isolates were clustered into 3 groups, arranged as echovirus 9 and coxsackieviruses Bl and B3. Enteroviral RNA was detected in $17.2\%$ of atherosclerotic plaques, but was not observed in any of the control spec­imens. This suggests a connection between enteroviral infection and atherosclerosis. These findings dif­fer from those of other studies, which found more frequent incidence of C. pneumoniae and cytomegalovirus infection in atherosclerotic plaques.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.13
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• pp.5219-5223
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• 2015

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection as a serious problem in both adults and children can induce chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease (PUD), and possibly gastric cancer. The aim of the current study was to survey antibiotic resistance and also to determine influence of PPAR$\gamma$ polymorphism in patients with H. pylori infection. During an 11-month-period, 98 H. pylori isolates were collected from 104 biopsy specimens. In vitro susceptibility of H. pylori isolates to 4 antimicrobial agents metronidazole, clarithromycin, amoxicillin and tetracycline were assessed by quantitative method according to European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) guideline. PPAR$\gamma$ polymorphism was determined using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. The frequency of H. pylori infection in our study was 94.2%. In vitro susceptibility data showed that highest level of resistance was related to metronidazole (66.3%), and the majority of H. pylori isolates were highly susceptible to amoxicillin and tetracycline (94.9% and 96.9%, respectively). Genotypic frequencies were 25.5% for CC (Pro12Pro), 40.8% for GC (Pro12Ala) and 33.7% for GG (Ala12Ala). In our study, CG genotype had highest distributions among infected patients with H. pylori. The study suggests that the PPAR-$\gamma$ Pro12Ala polymorphism could be evaluated as a potential genetic marker for susceptibility to gastric cancer in the presence of H. pylori infection.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.17-24
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• 1973

The function of the liver is so complicated and important that various Hepatic diseases are occured due to functional retardation of liver. Above all, the incidence of Hepatitis and liver cirrhosis among Koreans has shown an increasing tendency recently. 113 cases of Hepatitis and 125 cases of liver cirrhosis which had been admitted, more than 10 days, to KOREA Hospital between November, 1968 and July,1972, were studied through clinic charts. (A) Hepatitis 1) of the 113 cases; 54 cases (47.7%) were Infectious hepatitis; 40 cases (35.4%) were chronic hepatitis 2) of the 113 cases ; 80 cases (70.8%) were male and 33 cases (29.2%) were female; the sex ratio was 2.4 : 1 The ages of the onset of the disease was as follows; 34 cases (30.1%) were among $30{\sim}40$. 3) Patients had abdominal pain (77.9%) anorexia (66.4 %) and general weakness(82.3%) as symptom and jaundice (94.7%) hepatomegaly (76.1%) as sign 4) 57 cases of all had complication 26 cases (45.6%) were parasite, 12 cases (21.1%) were diabeties mellitus. 5) 99 casea (87.6%) of all were improved and recovered. (B) Liver Cirrhosis 1) Etiologic factors are hepatitis (56cases) and alcoholics (28 cases). 2) of the 125 cases, 84 cases (67.2%) were male and 41 cases (32.8%) were female; the sex ratio was 2 : 1 The age of the onset of the disease was as follows; 47 cases (37.6%) were among 41-50. 3) Patients had symptoms: indigestion (64.8%), Abdominal pain (60%), general wenkness (35.2%) and signs; Hepatomegaly (61.6%) Ascites (59.2%), Jaundice(56.8%). 4) 107 cases of all had complications; Hepatic coma was 20 cases (18.7 %), Ascites was 16 cases (15.0%). 5) 69 cases (55.2%) were improved. (c) Treatment of Hepatitis and cirrhosis. 1) Absolutely (bed) rest. 2) A well-balanced diet adequate in calorie value, showed be given (High Carbohydrate, High Protein, High vitamin diet) if the patient's appetite is good and easily digested. 3) Drugs; (1) Vitamins (2) Digestants (3) Tranquize

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.56-60
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• 2002

Actinomycosis is a chronic infectious disease, which is produced by Gram-positive anaerobic organisms, actinomycetes, normally inhabit in the mouth, bowel and female genital tract. Primary endobronchial actinomycosis is relatively rare infection and can be misdiagnosed as endobronchial tuberculosis or malignancies. We experienced a case of primary endobronchial actinomycosis in a 49-year-old man presented with fifteen-days history of hemoptysis and cough. He had a past history of extraction of teeth because of dental caries six months ago. Chest X-ray showed irregular consolidation ad bronchoscopic findings revealed nearly obstruction by tumor mass with active bleeding in RLL. Pathologic finding of the bronchial mass showed sulfur granule with granulation tissue formation. Intravenous administration of penicillin G followed by oral ampicillin therapy for 6 months resulted in marked improvement in symptoms and chest X-ray findings. We report this case with review of literature.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.149-160
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• 2017

Streptococcus pneumoniae, pneumococcus, is the most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). CAP is an important infectious disease with high morbidity and mortality, and it is still one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Many genetic factors of the host and various environmental factors surrounding it have been studied as important determinants of the pathophysiology and outcomes of pneumococcal infections. Various cytokines, including transforming growth factor $(TGF)-{\beta}1$, are involved in different stages of the progression of pneumococcal infection. $TGF-{\beta}1$ is a cytokine that regulates a wide range of cellular and physiological functions, including immune and inflammatory responses. This cytokine has long been known as an anti-inflammatory cytokine that is critical to preventing the progression of an acute infection to a chronic condition. On the other hand, recent studies have unveiled the diverse roles of $TGF-{\beta}1$ on different stages of pneumococcal infections other than mitigating inflammation. This review summarizes the recent findings of the role of $TGF-{\beta}1$ on the pathophysiology of pneumococcal infections, which is fundamental to developing novel therapeutic strategies for such infections in immune-compromised patients.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.139-146
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• 2009

Bovine brucellosis is a zoonosis, long incubation period and chronic infectious disease, usually caused by Brucella abortus. This study was carried out to investigate the biotyping and biochemical characterization of B. abortus isolated from 208 farm 871 korean cattle and holstein diagnosed brucellosis by serological positive in Gyeongbuk province during the period from 2002 to 2006. B. abortus was isolated from 124 (14.2%) of 871 cattle, and isolated 110 (13.4%) of 820 Korean cattle and 14 (27.5%) of 51 holstein in breed. The uterus of korean cattle was isolated in 8 (17.8%) of 45 cattle and supramammary lymph none of holstein was isolated 11 (68.8%) of 16 cattle. 101 (12.5%) of 810 serological positive blood samples were isolated B. abortus. The isolation rate of B. abortus was correlated with antibody titers. The biochemical characterization of isolates was non-hemolytic, production of H$_2$S, oxidase-positive, catalase-positive, hydrolyzation of urea and growth of basic fuchsin dye medium. As a result, all of isolates was identified B. abortus bv 1. 124 isolates were susceptible to ampicillin, lincospectin, amikacin, gentamicin, kanamycin, neomycin, streptomycin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and enrofloxacin.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.630-635
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• 2001

Tuberculosis is a common chronic infectious disease, although the spleen is an uncommon organ to harbor tubercle bacilli. Immunocompromised subjects are primarily prone to miliary tuberculosis and in them the spleen is invaded by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Spleen tuberculosis is manifested commonly as a miliary form. The basic pathology is granulomatous inflammation. The CT findings of splenic tuberculosis are multiple, well-defined, round or ovoid, low-density masses. Lymphadenopathy in the abdomen and mediastinum and pleural effusion can be found. We report two cases with tuberculosis of the spleen proved by computed tomography and histologic identification. One patient did not improve following antituberculous medication, so splenectomy was performed. The other patient has been treated with antituberculous medication.