• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 1999

Sero-epidemiologic survey has been carried out to establish serologically the presence of hantavirus in areas of South Africa. The survey was oriented to search natural infection in both of humans and wild rodents and involvement of human disease. The normal human sera were collected from the residents in urban and rural areas of Western Cape, and rural area of Eastern Cape province. The rodent sera came from various species of rodents trapped in Northern Cape and Western Free provinces. The patient sera were selected from the patients of renal failure, pulmonary syndrome and pyrexia of unknown origin (PUQ) according to diagnostic chart among the patients hospitalized in major hospitals of Cape Town area. The sera were screened and titrated by IFA test using antigens of Hantaan (HTN), Seoul (SEO), Puumala (PUU), and Prospect Hill (PH) viruses primarily. Positive cases were subjected to differential IFA test using HTN, PUU and PH antigens and plaque reduction neutralization test for further confirmation. Anti-hantavirus antibodies were detected from 2 of 352 rural, 1 of 172 urban residents of E. Cape, and 5 of 118 rural, 5 of 368 urban residents of W. Cape. The antibody was also demonstrated from 5 of 221 wild rodents, and it was appeared that 2 different species, Aethomys namaquensis and Tatem leucogaster, are involved. Among 318 patients tested, 3 who were diagnosed as chronic renal failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and glomerulonephritis were proved to be positive. The reaction patterns obtained from all of these positive sera were distinct from hantaviral sero-patterns ever established. This result suggests that new viruses may exist in this area and play an possible etiologic role in human disease. The feature of serologic survey on anti-hantavirus antibody demonstrable newly from African wild rodents which are different from reservoir species in other continents elicits a conjecture that the virus may be different from known hantaviruses ever found. This fact also suggests that an expanded role in etiologic involvement with other unknown human diseases by newly emerging hantaviruses may be possible in this areas.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.305-311
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• 2013

In this study, we found that Haplorchis taichui, a heterophyid intestinal fluke, is highly prevalent, with heavy worm loads, among riparian people in Saravane and Champasak province, Lao PDR. Fecal specimens were collected from 1,460 people (717 men and 743 women) in 12 riparian (Mekong river) districts and were examined by the Kato-Katz fecal smear technique. The overall helminth egg positive rate was 78.8% and 66.4% in Saravane and Champasak province, respectively. The positive rate for small trematode eggs (STE), which included H. taichui and other heterophyids, Opisthorchis viverrini, and lecithodendriids, was 69.9% and 46.3% in Saravane and Champasak province, respectively. To obtain adult flukes, 30 STE-positive people were treated with 40 mg/kg praziquantel and then purged. Whole diarrheic stools were collected 4-5 times for each person and searched for fluke specimens using a stereomicroscope. Mixed infections with various species of trematodes (H. taichui, Haplorchis pumilio, O. viverrini, Prosthodendrium molenkampi, Centrocestus formosanus, and Echinochasmus japonicus) and a species of cestode (Taenia saginata) were found. However, the worm load was exceptionally high for H. taichui compared with other trematode species, with an average of 21,565 and 12,079 specimens per infected person in Saravane and Champasak province, respectively, followed by H. pumilio (41.9 and 22.5, respectively) and O. viverrini (9.4 and 1.5, respectively). These results show that diverse species of intestinal and liver flukes are prevalent among riparian people in Saravane and Champasak province, Lao PDR, with H. taichui being the exceptionally dominant species.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.425-430
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• 2005

Objectives : To investigate the prevalence of Clonorchis Sinensis infestation and to determine the associated risk factors among a population in a part of the rural area of Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea, which is an area known to have a high mortality from liver cancer and a high infection of C. sinensis. Methods : The study populat ion consisted of those people who have lived in rural areas and who were over 40 years old. This study was performed in 5 areas during the period from 1999 to 200 3. Informed consents were obtained from the 2,381 study participants, and these people were interviewed about their life style habits with using the structured questionnaire that was administered by trained staff members. The subjects underwent blood sampling and their stool specimens were examined by using the Formalin-ether sedimentation technique. Results : Among the study subjects (N=2,381), the positivity for C. sinensis in the stool was 34.4% (95% CI=36.3-42.5); it was 39.4% (95% CI=36.3-42.5) in the males and 30.9% (95% CI=28.5-33.3) in the females . The positivity for C. sinensis was associated with current alcohol drinking (odds ratio=1.8, 95% CI: 1.5-2.1) and raw fish consumption (odds ratio 1.2, 95% CI: 0.9-1.6). Conclusion : The present study confirmed the high prevalence of C. sinensis in the study subjects. It is necessary to establish consistent medical management and education programs for the treatment and prevention of C. sinensis infestation in the rural inhabitants of Korea.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.175-185
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• 2007

This study was carried out to investigate the pathogenesis and pathogenicity of the porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) Korean isolate from weaned pigs. Twenty four weaned pigs, PCV2, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and porcine parvovirus (PPV) antibodies free, were allocated to 4 groups (n = 6). Six pigs were inoculated intranasally with PCV2 alone, 6 with PCV2 and PRRSV, 6 with the combined PCV2/PRRSV/PPV inoculum, and 6 were remained as a uninoculated negative control. Pigs were killed 3 and 6 weeks after inoculation and tissue samples examined for gross and microscopic lesions and for the presence of PCV2 antigens and nucleic acids. Experimentally inoculated pigs were evaluated for 3 considerations: 1. development of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), 2. distribution of viral antigens by immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and 3. cytokine mRNA levels in lymph nodes. Pigs inoculated with PCV2/PRRSV/PPV showed typical clinical signs, gross findings, and histopathologic characteristics of PMWS. In the PCV2/PRRSV/PPV inoculated group, the PCV2 antigen was widely distributed in various parenchymal organs such as brain, spinal cord, tonsil, lymph nodes, lung, heart, liver, kidney, spleen, and peyer's patch. Lymph node mRNA expression of IL-$1{\alpha}$, IL-2R and IL-8 was determined by real-time PCR. The pigs of PCV2/PRRSV and PCV2/PRRSV/PPV inoculation group, the mRNA expression was characterized by a decrease of IL-$1{\alpha}$, IL-2R and IL-8. The decrease of cytokine mRNA represent the state of T cell immuno-suppression in pig, and nicely support the evidence for the impairment of immune system in pigs with PMWS. In conclusion, PCV2 infection and some additional infectious causes such as PRRSV and/or PPV are warranted for the presence of PMWS in weaned pigs in Korea.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.201-210
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• 2009

Although Anisakis type larvae have been shown to cause various injuries directly or indirectly in humans and animals, the epidemiological studies on these larval infestations are in insufficient state. The status of larval infestation was investigated in 989 fishes of 44 species, which are inhabiting around the east-westernsouth costal area of Korea during the period from March 2007 to February 2008. The Anisakis type larvae were infected approximately 38% (377 fishes) in 989 fishes. Most of the worms were identified as Anisakis simplex type I by morphological finding and 18S ribosomal DNA sequence analysis. In the seasonal variations of infestation, most of the fishes showed higher infestation rate during spring and summer, while the fishes such as herring Clupea pallasii did during winter. From the histopathological studies of infested fishes, it has been observed that Anisakis type larvae are harbouring mainly around the intestinal viscera such as liver, pancreas, stomach, pylolic cecum, and cloaca.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.18-24
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• 2015

Glycogen storage disease type Ib (GSD Ib) is one of the rare inherited metabolic disease caused by mutation of SLC37A4 gene. Clinical characteristics include hepatomegaly, hypoglycemia, lactic acidosis, hyperlipidemia and high serum uric acid concentration. The authors analyzed clinical and molecular characteristics of three Korean patients (one male and two females) with GSD Ib by retrospective review of medical records. Two patients were diagnosed in toddler period by hypoglycemia and hepatomegaly. One patient was diagnosed by growth retardation and short stature in puberty. c.412T>C (p.Trp138Arg) (3/6 alleles, 50.0%) was most frequently observed, following by p.Leu348Valfs*53 (1 allele), p.Pro191Leu (1 allele), p.Ala148Val (1 allele) in molecular analysis. Uncooked corn starch and allopurinol was administered. Because all three patients had neutropenia and recurrent infections, G-CSF was administered. Two patients had severe osteoporosis needing calcium supplement. The patient who diagnosed at puberty had relatively poor prognosis demonstrated by having severe infection and complications in liver and kidney.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.177-186
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• 1990

To investigate the etiology, pathogenicity and virological properties of NYJ-1-87 strain of Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV) that was isolated from the diseased piglet in Korea, the virus at $10^{6.0}TCID_{50}/0.1ml$ was inoculated intranasally and subcutaneously into 30 to 35 days-old piglets. Results obtained through the experiments were summarized as follows. 1. Ten of the infected piglets were clinically observed for 15 days. On the 2nd day post-inoculation(pi), the signs of pyrexia, anorexia and convulsion were noted. On the 4th to 7th days pi, nervous signs of incoordination and intermittent spasm were shown in the most of piglets, and one out of 5 piglets infected intranasally was died with severe nervous signs at the 7th day pi. The signs became relieved on the 8th day pi and all of remainder were completely recovered on the 13th to 14th days pi. 2. In hematological study, prominent decrease in the number of total leukocyte and lymphocyte was shown in the ADV-infected piglets on the 6th day pi. On the 8th day pi, the cell numbers were slightly increased and returned to normal level on the 10th day pi. 3. Viral excretion of the ADV-inoculated piglets was examined by swabbing of nasal and oral cavities, and rectal feces. During the periods of the 3rd to 11th days pi, the virus was excreted intermittently from nasal and oral cavities, and rectal feces. The nasal excretions were shown the highest virus concentration of $10^{5.2}TCID_{50}/0.1ml$ at the 5th day pi. 4. Recovery of the inoculated virus from various organs of the piglets that were died or experimentally slaughtered was attempted, and the virus was isolated from the tissues of brain and tonsil by the cultured cell-inoculation method. The highest recovery rate was noted in the tonsil. By indirect immunofluorescence antibody assay using ADV-monoclonal antibody, the viral antigens were detected in tissues of spleen and liver as well as brain and tonsil on the 7th to 9th days pi. The virus was not isolated from blood and the tissues of lung and kidney throughout the experiments. 5. Titers of virus neutralizing antibody in the piglets experimentally infected with ADV became increased after the 6th to 9th days pi in both of intranasal and subcutaneous inoculation showing the highest titers of 64 to 128 on the 29th day pi. When the antibody levels were measured by radial immunodiffusion enzyme assay, the reactive diameter was enlarged to be positive after the 4th to 6th days pi in both of intranasal and subcutaneous inoculation showing the largest diameter of 13 to 14mm on the 29th day pi.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.211-218
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• 2001

The $M_r$ 63,000 glycoprotein (GP63) and lipophosphoglycan (LPG) of Leishmania donovani were evaluated as vaccine candidates against visceral leishmaniasis. Mice were immunized with liposomeencapsulated GP63 and/or LPG that were purified from the soluble extract of L. donovani promastigotes, and were challenged with virulent amastigotes. Mice immunized with GP63/LPG in liposomes plus BCG resulted in a 27.4% reduction of amastigotes in the liver compared to the control group (liposomes plus BCG), and mice immunized with liposome-GP63 plus BCG failed to induce a protective immune response against the challenge infection. Immunization of mice with GP63 fused to the Schistosoma japonicum glutathione S-transferase (GP63-GST) plus BCG also failed to elicit protective immunity. To analyze the cause of failure to induce protection, cytokine release from the spleen cells of immunized mice and Leishmania-specific serum antibodies were analyzed. Spleen cells from mice immunized with GP63-GST plus BCG that were exposed to soluble extract of L. donovani in vitro produced 10-fold greater quantities of IFN-gamma and 3-fold greater quantities of IL-5 than cells from mice receiving BCG only or saline. Western blot analysis revealed that sera from these mice had Leishmania-specific antibodies recognizing 1 to 3 antigens of L. donovani with M. W. of 60-65 kDa. Although immunization of mice with GP63-GST induced a strong Th1 response, this study indicated that GP63-GST simultaneously elicited the Th2 response of the CD4+ T-cell, which was known to abrogate the protective immune response conferred by the Th1 effector function.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.1500-1506
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• 2012

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}$-dependent apoptosis is important in the elimination of damaged or abnormal cells from normal tissues, especially in liver, in vivo. To investigate which gene expressions are critical for TGF-${\beta}$-induced apoptosis in hepatocytes, gene expression profiling experiments were performed with TGF-${\beta}$-treated and non-treated mouse hepatocytes AML12 cells. Findings showed that serum and glucocorticoid-inducible protein kinase1 (SGK1) expression is markedly downregulated during TGF-${\beta}$-induced apoptosis. Findings confirmed that expression of SGK1 protein, as well as mRNA, is also markedly decreased with TGF-${\beta}$ treatment. Infection of adenoviral vector encoding constitutively active SGK1 (CA-SGK1), but not kinase dead SGK1 (KD-SGK1), attenuated TGF-${\beta}$-induced apoptosis. All of these results suggest that downregulation of SGK1 expression is critical for TGF-${\beta}$-induced apoptosis in AML12 cells.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.170-174
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• 2014

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection leads to acute liver failure and death through the intake of contaminated food. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been used to detect HAV in food samples. HAV detection takes a long time, however, due to the virus concentration step required before PCR assay. In this study, a rapid method of detecting the HAVs present in lettuce using immunomagnetic separation combined with quantum dots (IMS-QDs) assay was developed. The detection limit of IMS-QDs for HAV was 10 $TCID_{50}/mL$, similar to the result that was obtained using RT-PCR combined with PEG or IMS. The application of IMS-QDs assay completed the viral detection within one hour, but this was not possible using PEG combined with RT-PCR. In conclusion, IMS-QDs assay is a rapid and efficient method for detecting HAV at a low concentration in agricultural products.