• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.149-156
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• 2016

In this experiment, we proposed and implemented a disease forecasting system using a received signal strength indication ZigBee-based wireless network with a 3-axis acceleration sensor to detect illness at an early stage by monitoring movement of experimentally infected weaned piglets. Twenty seven piglets were divided into control, Salmonella enteritidis (SE) infection, and Escherichia coli (EC) infection group, and their movements were monitored for five days using wireless sensor nodes on their backs. Data generated showed the 3-axis movement of piglets (X-axis: left and right direction, Y-axis: anteroposterior direction, and Z-axis: up and down direction) at five different time periods. Piglets in both infected groups had lower weight gain and feed intake, as well as higher feed conversion ratios than the control group (p<0.05). Infection with SE and EC resulted in reduced body temperature of the piglets at day 2, 4, and 5 (p<0.05). The early morning X-axis movement did not differ between groups; however, the Y-axis movement was higher in the EC group (day 1 and 2), and the Z-axis movement was higher in the EC (day 1) and SE group (day 4) during different experimental periods (p<0.05). The morning X and Y-axis movement did not differ between treatment groups. However, the Z-axis movement was higher in both infected groups at day 1 and lower at day 4 compared to the control (p<0.05). The midday X-axis movement was significantly lower in both infected groups (day 4 and 5) compared to the control (p<0.05), whereas the Y-axis movement did not differ. The Z-axis movement was highest in the SE group at day 1 and 2 and lower at day 4 and 5 (p<0.05). Evening X-axis movement was highest in the control group throughout the experimental period. During day 1 and 2, the Z-axis movement was higher in both of the infected groups; whereas it was lower in the SE group during day 3 and 4 (p<0.05). During day 1 and 2, the night X-axis movement was lower and the Z-axis movement was higher in the infected piglets (p<0.05). Overall, the movement of infected piglets was altered, and the acceleration sensor could be successfully employed for monitoring pig activity.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.9
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• pp.977-986
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• 2008

Purpose : This study aims to estimate the financial cost of rotavirus infection in Korea in the year of 2005. Methods : The incidence rates used were from the epidemiological profile at Jeoungeub District (5.8 cases/1,000 children <5 years old for inpatients, and 22.65 cases/1,000 children <5 years old for outpatients, per year). The health care cost per capita of rotavirus infection (ICD code: A08.0) was extracted from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database in Korea. The patient survey was conducted to capture information about non-medical costs and associated productivity loss incurred by adult caregivers. Results : The number of annual national cases among children <5 years old with rotavirus infection was estimated to be 69,122 (i.e., 55,030 outpatients and 14,092 inpatients). The total cost of rotavirus infection was estimated at 13.3 billion Korean won, comprising 11 billion Korean won (82.7%) of direct medical costs, 1.6 billion Korean won (12.0%) of direct non-medical costs (e.g., transportation and supplies), and 0.68 billion Korean won (5.1%) of productivity lost by adult caregivers. Conclusion : Rotavirus infection carries not only medical costs but also non-medical and indirect costs; together, these costs incur a significant burden on South Korean society. The impact of rotavirus on quality of life and health among patient caregivers was not considered in this study, but it does merit further research.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.8
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• pp.329-334
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to describe the clinical and epidemiologic features and outcomes among children hospitalized with pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 infection. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of hospitalized pediatric patients (<18 years) diagnosed with pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 infection by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction at a tertiary hospital in Seoul, Korea, between September 2009 and February 2010. Results: A total of 72 children were hospitalized with pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 infection (median age, 6.0 years; range, 2 months to 18 years). A total of 40% had at least 1 underlying medical condition, including asthma (17%), malignancies (19%), and heart diseases (17%). Of the 72 patients, 54 (76%) children admitted with H1N1 infection showed radiographic alterations compatible with pneumonia. There was no significant difference in pre-existing conditions between pandemic influenza A/H1N1 infected patients with or without pneumonia. Children with pandemic influenza A/H1N1 pneumonia were more likely to have a lower lymphocyte ratio (P=0.02), higher platelet count (P=0.02), and higher level of serum glucose (P=0.003), and more commonly presented with dyspnea than did those without pneumonia (P=0.04). Conclusions: No significant differences in age, sex, or presence of preexisting conditions were found between children hospitalized with pandemic influenza A/H1N1 H1N1 influenza infection with pneumonia and those without pneumonia. Higher leukocyte count, higher glucose level, and a lower lymphocyte ratio were associated with the development of pandemic A/H1N1 2009 influenza pneumonia.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.49 no.2
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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.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2000

The change in mean absorbance values for IgA/IgE in rats and mice infected with Echinostoma hortense metacercariae was studied from the 2nd week to the 8th week after infection. Serum and intestinal luminal content (ILC) levels of IGA/IGE were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The mean absorbance values obtained from IgA in the rats' ILC increased from the 2nd week to the 8th week after infection. The peak value (0.47$\pm$0.01) appeared in the 8th week. The mean absorbance values of IgE in the rats' ILC didn't increase significantly (p>0.05). The worm recovery rate decreased at a slower, pace after, infection. The duration in which the peak value of IgA in rats' ILC appeared was similar to that in which the worm recovery rate declined significantly. Serum levels of IgA/IgE in mice increased gradually from the 2nd week after infection. The peak value (0.45$\pm$0.01) of IgA appeared in the 8th week, and that (0.23$\pm$0.02) of IgE appeared in the 7th week after infection. The ILC level of IgA in mice continued to increase after infection, and reached its peak in the 8th week. The change in IgA/lgE in the serum and IgA in the ILC of mice was inversely related to worm recovery rate. As a result of this experiment, it is supposed that IgA/IgE may play an important role in the expulsion of Echinostoma hortense.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.197-202
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• 1997

Diagnosis of early paragonimiasis is difficult because parasitological evidence is not easily obtained. Antibody tests have been proposed as a good substitute for classical diagnostic techniques. Using the crude extracts of Parnsonimus westermnni eggs, metacercariae. 4- and 7-week Juveniles, and 16-week adults as antigens, we observed the early antibody responses. Sera were obtained from 4 experimental cats, fed 50 metacercariae each, at intervals until 13 weeks post-infection. Antibody (IgG) responses were identified by ELISA using extracts of 4-week juveniles, followed by those of 7- and 16-week worms. Antibody responses were minimal against the metacercarial extracts. Antibodies to p. westemoni egg extracts were elevated after 10 weeks post-infection. In immunoblot analysis, more than nine protein bands in 4-week juveniles reacted with the early infection sera. Antigenic proteins in adult worms were different from those of juveniles. After four weeks of infection, 32 and 35 kDa bands in the adult extracts were increasingly reactive. Egg specific proteins at 28, 46 and 94 kDa were reactive only after 10 weeks. Antigenic components reactin료 to the early infection sera changed during the maturation stages of P. westermani; almost all juvenile antigens were replaced by adult antigen components.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.8
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• pp.898-903
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• 2009

Purpose : This study investigated the predictive factors for identifying infection-prone febrile infants younger than three months. Methods : We conducted a retrospective study of 167 infants younger than three months with an axillary temperature >$38^{\circ}C$ who were hospitalized between 2006 and 2008. If they met any of the following criteria, positive blood culture, CSF WBC ${\geq}11/mm^3$ or positive CSF culture, urinalysis WBC ${\geq}6$/HPF and positive urine culture, WBC ${\geq}6$/HPF on microscopic stool examination or positive stool culture, they were considered at high risk for severe infection. Infants with focal infection, respiratory infection or antibiotic administration prior to admission to the hospital were excluded. We evaluated the symptoms, physical examination findings, laboratory data, and the clinical course between the high risk and low risk groups for severe infection. Results : The high-risk group included 77(46.1%) infants, and the most common diagnosis was urinary tract infection (51.9%). Factors, such as male sex, ESR and CRP were statistically different between the two groups. But, a multilinear regression analysis for severe infection showed that male and ESR factors are significant. Conclusion : We did not find the distinguishing symptoms and laboratory findings for identifying severe infection-prone febrile infants younger than three months. However, the high-risk group was male and ESR-dominated, and these can possibly be used as predictive factors for severe infection.

• Journal of the korean veterinary medical association
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.740-743
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• 1993

As three years old Korean Cattle was examined pathologically to elucidate the case of acute death, Buxtonella sulcata, ciliated parasites, were present and the results are followed, This cow had anemia, ulcer and appearance of parasites in colon accompani

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.3005-3006
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• 2012

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Veterinary Clinics Conference
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• 2009.10a
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• pp.268-268
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• 2009