• 농촌의학ㆍ지역보건
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• 제4권1호
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• pp.62-70
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• 1979

In order to evaluate the present status of hook-worm infection in the rural areas in Korea, stool examinations were undertaken in several selected rural villages in each year of 1970 and 1977. The methods employed were cellophane thick smear technique and brine floatation technique in 3,454 specimens collected from 7 different rural villages for the prevalence rate of hookworm infection and Stoll's dilution egg counting technique for the intensity of hookworm infection. The incidences of Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus infections were determind by polyethylene tube coproculture and by the evacuated adult worms after treatment with anthelmintics to the patients who were infected by hookworms. The results are as follows : 1) In 1970, 323(18.6%) out of 1,737 specimens collected from 4 different rural areas were positive for hook worm infection and the ranges of prevalence rates in those suveyed areas were shown as 6.9 to 38.2 per cent. On the other hand, 144(8.2%) out of 1,717 specimens collected from 3 different rural areas in 1977 were shown as positive for hookworm infection and 7.5 to 10.6 per cent of prvalence rates were shown in the surveyed areas. 2) In the age group under 10 years, there was no infection of hookworm in the studied areas in 1977, however in 1970 the prevalence of the hookworm infection was shown as very low in the age group of 5~9. On the whole, the hookworm prevalence steadily increased from the age of 15 in the studied areas in 1970, however in 1977 the prevalence increased from the age of 20 to the older age groups. 3) There was not observed much differences in the intensity of hookworm infection among the studied areas in 1970 and 1977. The mean EPG in each studied areas were shown under 1,000 EPG and mean numbers of evacuated worms per infected persons were counted as 9.4 to 15. 1. 4) Both A.duodenale and N.americanus have been found in all studied areas but the incidences and st-ate of distribution of two species of hookworn were shown as different in each localities.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.217-225
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• 1998

미야타흡충 (Metagonimus miyatai) 피낭유충 및 성충의 표피 미세구조를 주자전자현미경으로 관찰하였다. 피낭유충은 피라미 (Zacco platypus)의 비늘에서 분리하였고, 성충은 흰쥐에 피낭유충을 감염시킨 후 1-4주에 소장으로부터 회수하였다. 탈낭한 피낭유충의 전체적인 외형은 요코가와흡충과 큰 차이가 없었으며, 복흡반은 충체 중앙으로부터 오른쪽에 위치하였다. 구흡반의 구순에는 제I형 감각유두 및 제II형 감각유두가 여러 개 관찰되었다. 복흡반 앞쪽에는 끝이 5-7분지된 피극들이 빽빽하게 덮혀 있었으며, 충체 후반부의 배설공 부근에는 2-3분지된 피극으로 덮혀 있었다. 감염 1주된 성충의 경우, 구흡반의 구순에는 제II형 감각유두 7개가 분포하고 있었으며, 구흡반 내벽에는 큰 제I형 감각유두가 1쌍씩, 작은 제I형 감각유두가 2쌍씩 좌우측에서 각각 관찰되었다. 피극의 분포는 피낭유충의 경우와 비슷하였으나, 분화도는 증가하여 9-11분지된 피극들이 관찰되었다. 감염 2-4주된 성충의 표피 미세구조는 감염 1주된 성충과 대동소이하였으나, 정자가 충체 배측 표면으로 개구된 Laurer＇s canal로 들어가고 있는 것이 관찰되었다. 이상의 결과를 종합할 때, 미야타흡충의 표피 미세구조는 요코가와흡충과 전반적으로 비슷하였으나 피극의 분포 및 분화도, 구흡반 주변의 감각유두 분포 등에 다소 차이가 있음을 알 수 있었으며 이러한 차이가 분류학적으로 의미있는 것일 가능성이 제시되었다.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제49권2호
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• pp.115-123
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• 2011

Toxoplasma gondii Korean isolate (KI-1) tachyzoites were inoculated intraduodenally to BALB/c mice using a silicon tube, and the course of infection and immune responses of mice were studied. Whereas control mice, that were infected intraperitoneally, died within day 7 post-infection (PI), the intraduodenally infected mice survived until day 9 PI (infection with $1{\times}10^5$ tachyzoites) or day 11 PI (with $1{\times}10^6$ tachyzoites). Based on histopathologic (Giemsa stain) and PCR (B1 gene) studies, it was suggested that tachyzoites, after entering the small intestine, invaded into endothelial cells, divided there, and propagated to other organs. PCR appeared to be more sensitive than histopathology to detect infected organs and tissues. The organisms spread over multiple organs by day 6 PI. However, proliferative responses of splenocytes and mesenteric lymph node (MLN) cells in response to con A or Toxoplasma lysate antigen decreased significantly, suggesting immunosuppression. Splenic $CD4^+$ and $CD8^+$ T-Iymphocytes showed decreases in number until day 9 PI, whereas IFN-${\gamma}$ and IL-10 decreased slightly at day 6 PI and returned to normal levels by day 9 PI. No TNF-${\alpha}$ was detected throughout the experimental period. The results showed that intraduodenal infection with KI-1 tachyzoites was successful but did not elicit significant mucosal immunity in mice and allowed dissemination of T. gondii organisms to systemic organs. The immunosuppression of mice included reduced lymphoproliferative responses to splenocytes and MLN cells to mitogen and low production of cytokines, such as IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-10, in response to T. gondii infection.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제48권4호
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• pp.325-329
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• 2010

Toxoplasma gondii KI-1, a recent new isolate from Korea, shows similar pathogenicity and infectivity to mice compared to the virulent RH strain. To understand characteristics of host immunity, including immune enhancement or suppression, we investigated proliferative responses and phenotypes of spleen cells. In addition, kinetics of IFN-${\gamma}$, a Th1 cytokine, was examined in BALB/c mice up to day 6 post-infection (PI). Intraperitoneal injection of mice with $10^3$ KI-1 tachyzoites induced significant decreases (P < 0.05) in proliferative responses of spleen cells. This occurred at days 2-6 PI even when concanavalin A (con A) was added and when stimulated with KI-1 antigen, suggesting suppression of the immunity. $CD4^+$ T-cells decreased markedly at day 2 PI (P < 0.05), whereas $CD8^+$ T-cells, NK cells, and macrophages did not show significant changes, except a slight, but significant, increase of $CD8^+$ T-cells at day 6 PI. The capacity of splenocytes to produce IFN-${\gamma}$ by con A stimulation dropped significantly at days 2-6 PI. These results demonstrate that intraperitoneal injection of KI-1 tachyzoites can induce immunosuppression during the early stage of infection, as revealed by the decrease of $CD4^+$ T-cells and IFN-${\gamma}$.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제50권3호
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• pp.239-242
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• 2012

The influence of temperature on the development and embryonation of Ascaris suum eggs was studied using coarse sand medium in an environmental chamber with 50% humidity. The time required for development and embryonation of eggs was examined under 3 different temperature conditions, $5^{\circ}C$, $25^{\circ}C$, and $35^{\circ}C$. A. suum eggs did not develop over 1 month at the temperature of $5^{\circ}C$. However, other temperature conditions, $25^{\circ}C$ and $35^{\circ}C$, induced egg development to the 8-cell-stage at days 5-6 after incubation. All eggs examined developed to the 8-cell stage at day 6 after incubation in the sand medium at $25^{\circ}C$. The higher temperature, $35^{\circ}C$, slightly accelerated the A. suum egg development compared to $25^{\circ}C$, and the development to the 8-cell stage occurred within day 5 after incubation. The formation of larvae in A. suum eggs at temperatures of $35^{\circ}C$ and $25^{\circ}C$ appeared at days 17 and 19 after incubation, respectively. These findings show that $35^{\circ}C$ condition shortens the time for the development of A. suum eggs to the 8-cell-stage in comparison to $25^{\circ}C$, and suggest the possibility of accelerated transmission of this parasite, resulting from global warming and ecosystem changes.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제47권4호
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• pp.323-335
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• 2009

A successful experience of lymphatic filariasis control in the Republic of Korea is briefly reviewed. Filariasis in the Republic of Korea was exclusively caused by infection with Brugia malayi. Over the past several decades from the 1950s to 2006, many investigators exerted their efforts to detection, treatment, and follow-up of filariasis patients in endemic areas, and to control filariasis. Mass, combined with selective, treatments with diethylcarbamazine to microfilaria positive persons had been made them free from microfilaremia and contributed to significant decrease of the microfilarial density in previously endemic areas. Significant decrease of microfilaria positive cases in an area influenced eventually to the endemicity of filariasis in the relevant locality. Together with remarkable economic growth followed by improvement of environmental and personal hygiene and living standards, the factors stated above have contributed to blocking the transmission cycle of B. malayi and led to disappearance of this mosquito-borne ancient disease in the Republic of Korea.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제54권5호
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• pp.631-636
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• 2016

This study aimed to develop a multiplex-touchdown PCR method to simultaneously detect 3 species of protozoan parasites, i.e., Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia lamblia, and Cyclospora cayetanensis, the major causes of traveler's diarrhea and are resistant to standard antimicrobial treatments. The target genes included the Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein for C. parvum, Glutamate dehydrogenase for G. lamblia, and 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) for C. cayetanensis. The sizes of the amplified fragments were 555, 188, and 400 bps, respectively. The multiplex-touchdown PCR protocol using a primer mixture simultaneously detected protozoa in human stools, and the amplified gene was detected in > $1{\times}10^3$ oocysts for C. parvum, > $1{\times}10^4$ cysts for G. lamblia, and > 1 copy of the 18S rRNA gene for C. cayetanensis. Taken together, our protocol convincingly demonstrated the ability to simultaneously detect C. parvum, G. lamblia, and C. cayetanenesis in stool samples.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제58권4호
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• pp.413-419
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• 2020

Eosinophilia occurs commonly in many diseases including allergic diseases and helminthic infections. Toxocariasis has been suggested as one cause of eosinophilia. The present study was undertaken to examine the prevalence of toxocariasis in patients with eosinophilia and to identify the risk factors for toxocariasis. This prospective cohort study recruited a total of 81 patients with eosinophilia (34 males and 47 females) who visited the outpatient clinic at Seoul National University Hospital from January 2017 to February 2018 and agreed to participate in this study. The prevalence of toxocariasis was examined by T. canis-specific ELISA, and the various risk factors for toxocariasis were evaluated by a questionnaire survey. Among 81 patients with eosinophilia, 18 were positive for anti-T. canis antibodies (22.2%); 88.9% were male (16/18) and 11.1% were female (2/18). Multivariate statistical analysis revealed that males (OR 21.876, 95% CI: 1.667-287.144) with a history of consuming the raw meat or livers of animals (OR 5.899, 95% CI: 1.004-34.669) and a heavy alcohol-drinking habit (OR 8.767, 95% CI: 1.018-75.497) were at higher risk of toxocariasis in patients with eosinophilia. Toxocariasis should be considered a potential cause of eosinophilia when the patient has a history of eating the raw meat or livers of animals in Korea. A single course of albendazole is recommended to reduce the migration of Toxocara larvae in serologically positive cases with eosinophilia.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.107-112
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• 2002

A scanning electron microscopic study was performed on the surface ultrastructure of Pygidiopsis summa (Digenea: Heterophyidae) adults. Metacercariae were collected from gills and muscles of mullets (Mugil cephalus) caught in a known endemic area, and adult flukes were harvested from dogs after 8 weeks of experimental infection. The worm was calabash form with its posterior part broader than the anterior part. Tegumental spines were densely distributed over the body surface, except on the suckers and genital apparatus, and around the excretory pore. Well differentiated spines were observed on the anterior half of the body, with 14-16 tips ventrally, and 19-20 tips dorsally. On the oral sucker. three pairs of type I sensory papillae (uni-ciliated knob-like swellings) and one pair of type II sensory papillae (aciliated round-swellings) were observed on the anterior and posterior parts of the lip, respectively. On the lip of the ventral sucker, one pair of type II sensory papillae was distributed only on its posterior part. Sperms were seen emerging from or entering into the genital apparatus. The results showed that the surface ultrastructure of P. summa was unique among the heterophyid trematodes, especially in digitation of tegumental spines and in distribution of sensory papillae on oral and ventral suckers.

• 농촌의학ㆍ지역보건
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.35-41
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• 1978

Clonorchiasis sinensis is the most important endemic disease in In Korea, and this disease has been known to be one of public health concern in mary areas of southern part of Korea. This survey was undertaken to evaluate the status of clonorchiasis in Eui-Seong Gun, Kyungpook Province from March 1974 to August 1974. A total number of 3,771(male 2,037. female 1,734) consisting of 2,948 primary school children, 774 middle school students, 49 high school students were examined by the intradermal test with clonorchis antigen. In order to detect clonorchis egg, the stool examinations were undertaken on the residents in Bong Yang Myun. And, the intensity of the clonorchis infection was estimated by the Stoll's egg count. The following results were obtained in this survey; 1. As a whole, 6.0 per cent of the examiners showed positive reaction by the intradermal test (male 8.0%, female 3.6%). 2. Among 249 residents in Bong Yang Myun, the prevalence rate of clonorchis eggs was shown as 45.8 per cent. 3. The mean E. P. G. in Bong Yang Myun 114 inhabitants was 2,197. 4. The degree of the intensity of clonorchis infection by E. P. G. counts was distributed to the light (50.9%) medium (43.9%) and heavy infection groups(5.3%).