• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.1165-1169
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• 2012

In April 2009, the H1N1 pandemic influenza virus emerged as a novel influenza virus. The aim of this study was to compare the performances of several molecular assays, including conventional reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), two real-time reverse transcription (rRT)-PCRs, and two multiplex RTPCRs. A total of 381 clinical specimens were collected from patients (223 men and 158 women), and both the Seeplex RV7 assay and rRT-PCR were ordered on different specimens within one week after collection. The concordance rate for the two methods was 87% (332/381), and the discrepancy rate was 13% (49/381). The positive rates for the molecular assays studied included 93.1% for the multiplex Seeplex RV7 assay, 93.1% for conventional reverse transcription (cRT)-PCR, 89.7% for the multiplex Seeplex Flu ACE Subtyping assay, 82.8% for protocol B rRT-PCR, and 58.6% for protocol A rRT-PCR. Our results showed that the multiplex Seeplex assays and the cRT-PCR yielded higher detection rates than rRT-PCRs for detecting the influenza A (H1N1) virus. Although the multiplex Seeplex assays had the advantage of simultaneous detection of several viruses, they were time-consuming and troublesome. Our results show that, although rRT-PCR had the advantage, the detection rates of the molecular assays varied depending upon the source of the influenza A (H1N1)v virus. Our findings also suggest that rRT-PCR sometimes detected virus in extremely low abundance and thus required validation of analytical performance and clinical correlation.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.290-297
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• 2018

We aimed to understand the molecular changes in host cells that accompany infection by the seasonal influenza A H1N1 virus because the initial response rapidly changes owing to the fact that the virus has a robust initial propagation phase. Human epithelial alveolar A549 cells were infected and total RNA was extracted at 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 24 h, and 48 h post infection (h.p.i.). The differentially expressed host genes were clustered into two distinct sets of genes as the infection progressed over time. The patterns of expression were significantly different at the early stages of infection. One of the responses showed roles similar to those associated with the enrichment gene sets to known 'gp120 pathway in HIV.' This gene set contains genes known to play roles in preventing the progress of apoptosis, which infected cells undergo as a response to viral infection. The other gene set showed enrichment of 'Drug Metabolism Enzymes (DMEs).' The identification of two distinct gene sets indicates that the virus regulates the cell's mechanisms to create a favorable environment for its stable replication and protection of gene metabolites within 8 h.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1164-1169
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• 2008

We developed multiplex RT-PCR assays that can detect and identify 12 hemagglutinin (H1-H12) and 9 neuraminidase (N1-N9) subtypes that are commonly isolated from avian, swine, and human influenza A viruses. RT-PCR products with unique sizes characteristic of each subtype were amplified by multiplex RT-PCRs, and sequence analysis of each amplicon was demonstrated to be specific for each subtype with 24 reference viruses. The specificity was demonstrated further with DNA or cDNA templates from 7 viruses, 5 bacteria, and 50 influenza A virus-negative specimens. Furthermore, the assays could detect and subtype up to $10^5$ dilution of each of the reference viruses that had an original infectivity titer of $10^6\;EID_{50}/ml$. Of 188 virus isolates, the multiplex RT-PCR results agreed completely with individual RT-PCR subtyping results and with results obtained from virus isolations. Furthermore, the multiplex RT-PCR methods efficiently detected mixed infections with at least two different subtypes of influenza viruses in one host. Therefore, these methods could facilitate rapid and accurate subtyping of influenza A viruses directly from field specimens.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.278-283
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• 2014

In this study, we propose an immunosensor using zinc oxide nanorods (NRs) inside PDMS channel for detecting the influenza A virus subtype H7N9. ZnO with high isoelectric point (IEP, ~9.5) makes it suitable for immobilizing proteins with low IEP. In this proposed H7N9 immunosensor structure ZnO NRs were grown on the PDMS channel inner surface to immobilize H7N9 capture antibody. A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method with was used 3,3',5,5' tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) for detecting H7N9 influenza virus. The immunosensor was evaluated by amperometry at various H7N9 influenza antigen concentrations (1 pg/ml - 1 ng/ml). The redox peak voltage and current were measured by amperometry with ZnO NWs and without ZnO NWs inside PDMS channel. The measurement results of the H7N9 immunosensor showed that oxidation peak current of TMB at 0.25 V logarithmically increased from 2.3 to 3.8 uA as the H7N9 influenza antigen concentration changed from 1 pg/ml to 1 ng/ml. And then we demonstrated that ZnO NRs inside PDMS channel can improve the sensitivity of immunosensor to compare non-ZnO NRs inside PDMS channel.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.197-203
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• 2007

A total of 501 serum samples were selected from blood samples that were submitted to Department of Veterinary Pathology, Kangwon National University from all provinces in Korea from September 2001 to August 2002. Their sera were examined for antibodies to swine influenza virus subtype H1N1 (SlV H1N1) and porcine repro-ductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) according to the age of pig, season, and herd size using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The seroprevalence of SIV H1N1, PRRSV, and dual infection were 39.12%, 61.48%, and 25.95%, respectively. The seroprevalence of SIV H1N1 according to herd size was not significant differences (p>0.05). The results showed that the PRRSV infection spread widely in swine herds throughout the country.

• Proceedings of the Korea Contents Association Conference
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• 2014.11a
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• pp.57-58
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• 2014

인플루엔자 A 바이러스의 아형인 H5N1은 고병원성으로 조류 독감을 일으킨다. H5N1 바이러스는 원래 조류끼리만 감염되는 독감이고, 사람에게는 전염되지 않는다고 알려져 있었으나, 2003년에 베트남과 중국을 시작으로 현재까지 168명의 사망자가 기록되고 있다. 그러나 현재 시판되고 있는 진단키트(Rapid diagnostic kits)들은 H5N1 에 특이적인 것이 아니라 influenza A virus 모두를 진단한다. 따라서 influenza 감염여부는 확인 할 수 있지만, 이것이 H5N1 인지는 확인 할 수가 없다. H5N1은 전염성이 강하기 때문에 빠르게 진단하여 감염조류를 살 처분 하여야 더 많은 경제적 손실을 줄일 수 있다. 따라서 H5N1 에만 특이적인 epitope를 네트워크 기반으로 예측하여 진단제에 응용할 수 있도록 하고자 한다. 각 서열 정보는 Openflu (http://openflu. vital-it.ch/browse.php)에서 얻었다. H5N1은 H1N1에서 유래되었기 때문에 두 subtype의 차이점을 알아보고자 TCOFFEE에서 multiple sequence alignment를 수행한 결과 N-terminal 부분이 상이하였다. 상이한 H5N1의 N-terminal 부분이 H5N1 virus에 감염된 모든 host에서 존재하는지 알아보기 위해 host가 사람인 경우와 조류인 경우를 TCOFFEE에서 alignment 하였다. 그 결과 H5N1의 N-terminal 부분은 사람과 조류에서 보존적이었다. 따라서 H5N1의 N-terminal이 다른 subtype과 유사하지 않고 H5에만 특이적이기 때문에 진단키트 제작을 위한 epitope로 사용할 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.145-152
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• 2009

Novel influenza A virus, subtype H1N1 of swine-lineage, has been transmitted rapidly to many regions of the world. Rapid detection of the virus is essential to instigate appropriate patient care and public health management and for disease surveillance. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus in Korea using reverse-transcription real time polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). Novel H1N1 virus was detected in a total of 8,948 nasopharyngeal samples from patients with influenza-like illness throughout Korea from August to September 2009. RNA was extracted from $300{\mu}l$of sample using an RNA extraction kit (Zymo Research, CA, USA). In the present study, Genekam kit (Genekam, Duisburg, Germany) was used to detect novel H1N1 virus. Novel H1N1 virus was found in 1,130 samples from a total of 8,948 samples (12.6%). The highest frequency was found in 10- to 19-year-olds (M: 29.3% vs. F: 16.4%), followed by 20- to 29-year-olds (M: 17.9% vs. F: 15.4%), 40- to 49-year-olds (M: 6.5% vs. F: 8.1%), 50- to 59-year-olds (M: 6.0% vs. F: 5.5%), and 30- to 39-year-olds (M: 4.6% vs. F: 3.8%). The mean positive rate was higher in men than in women (M: 14.7% vs. F: 7.4%). Novel H1N1 virus showed the lowest prevalence in patients over 60 years old. The positive rate increased daily and showed a significant high peak in mid-September 2009. In 19 provinces of Korea, Cheonan (41.1%), Busan (37.3%), Gangneung (33.3%), Jinju (32.1%), Ulsan (24.6%), Deajeon (23.7%) areas showed high frequencies and other provinces were found less than 10% of novel H1N1 virus. Since reverse-transcription real time PCR assay is rapid, accurate, and convenient, it may assist public health laboratories in detecting novel H1N1 virus. Moreover, these data could be useful for the management of patients with influenza-like illness.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.243-252
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• 2013

Among the 16 hemagglutinin (HA) subtypes of avian influenza virus (AIV), only the H5 and H7 subtypes have caused highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in poultry. However, most H5 or H7 subtype viruses are categorized as low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI). Some AIVs, including the H5 and H7 HPAI viruses, have shown the ability to infect humans directly. In this study, we describe the biological and molecular characterization of an H5N3 AIV (SBD/KR/KNU SYG06/06) isolated from spot-billed duck (Anas poecilorhyncha) in Korea. A phylogenetic analysis of the eight viral genes showed that the SBD/KR/KNU SYG06/06 isolate belongs to the Eurasian lineage and that the SBD/KR/KNU SYG06/06 isolate was clearly different from HPAI H5N1 strains, including human isolates and the Italian HPAI H5N2 strains. Additionally, no relationship was found between SBD/KR/KNU SYG06/06 and the Korean HPAI H5N1 isolates. The SBD/KR/ KNU SYG06/06 isolate had avian specific receptor binding site residues in the HA protein and the four C-terminal amino acids in the NS1 protein. The HA protein of the SBD/KR/KNU SYG06/06 isolate exhibited the typical LPAI motif at the cleavage site and this virus produced no cytopathic effects in MDCK cells without trypsin. Given these results, we suggest that the H5N3 AIV isolated from the spot-billed duck should be considered an LPAI virus and should have no pathogenic effect in humans.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.69 no.3
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• pp.207-211
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• 2010

Novel influenza A (H1N1) virus is a common pathogen of febrile respiratory infection recently. Here, we report the case of a 63-year-old male patient who presented with 3 days' ongoing cough and fever. He was diagnosed with novel influenza A (H1N1) pneumonia by real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction (rRT-PCR). During treatment for novel influenza A (H1N1), his symptoms and radiologic findings improved initially, but multiple lung nodules developed subsequently and found on chest x-ray (on the 5th hospital day). Mycobacterium abscessus was isolated repeatedly from sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of Mycobacterium abscessus lung disease in a patient with H1N1 influenza pneumonia.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2007

The most rapid Real-time PCR based detection method for Avian influenza A virus (AIV) subtype H5N1 was developed. The target DNA sequence in this study was deduced from H5N1 subtype-specific 387 bp partial gene of hemagglutinin, and was synthesized by using PCR-based gene synthesis on the ground of safety. Real-Time PCR was performed by $GenSpector^{TM}$ using microchip-based, total $1{\mu}l$ of reaction mixture with extremely short time in each steps in PCR. The detection including PCR-amplication and analysis of melting temperature was totally completed within 13 min. The H5N1-specific 189 bp PCR product was correctly amplified until 2.4 molecules of hemagglutinin gene as minimum of templates. This kind of PCR was designated as Quick Real-Time PCR in this study and it could be applied to detect not only AIV H5N1, but also other pathogens using PCR-based detection.