• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2010

Astrocytes are the most abundant cells in the central nervous system that play roles in maintaining the blood-brain-barrier and in neural injury, including cerebral malaria, a severe complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection. Prostaglandin (PG) $D_2$ is abundantly produced in the brain and regulates the sleep response. Moreover, $PGD_2$ is a potential factor derived from P. falciparum within erythrocytes. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is catalyzing enzyme in heme breakdown process to release iron, carbon monoxide, and biliverdin/bilirubin, and may influence iron supply to the P. falciparum parasites. Here, we showed that treatment of a human astrocyte cell line, CCF-STTG1, with $PGD_2$ significantly increased the expression levels of HO-1 mRNA by RT-PCR. Western blot analysis showed that $PGD_2$ treatment increased the level of HO-1 protein, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Thus, $PGD_2$ may be involved in the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria by inducing HO-1 expression in malaria patients.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2000

Epidemic malaria is prevalent in the demilitarized zone and the northern area of Kyonggi province in Korea. Malaria has broken out in Gangwha-Gun since 1997 due to geographical condition. The results obtained from an epidemiological surveillance for the malaria that happened in 1999 were as follows ; Anopheles sinensis collected in UV-light traps in the barn in Wolgogri and Dangsanri of Songhaemyon showed the distribution of 27,156 of 49,280 figures, corresponding to 55.1%, between July and August. The numbers of patients with malaria were 48(32.4%) in July, 36(24.3%) in August, and 38(25.7%) in September with a prevalence with the ages of the twenties to the seventies. Of a total 154 patients, the male were 86(58.1%) and the female were 68(41.8%). The annual parasite index(API) were 6.44, 5.89 and 4.45 in Songhaemyon, Yangsamyon and Kyodongmyon, respectively. A high infection rate was found Particularly in the areas within 2km from the Han river. By the immunofluorescence assays(IFA), 26 cases were positive with an antibody titers of $\geq$ 1 : 32, of 220 residents in Songhaemyon and 336 ones with a potential case and contacted with the patients. By the blood test, there was no significance in alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, total cholesterol, glucose, hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cell, red blood cell, and platelet between residents with an antibody titers of $\geq$ 1 : 32 and < 1 : 32 in Songhaemyon.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.451-457
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• 1998

This study was performed on the bases of clinical consideration about patient who has malaria. The symptoms of malaria are periodic alternating of chills and fever on everyone, two or three days. The patients feel a chill at the first time of malaria, and have a fever, headache and sweating at the next time. The long cycle of malarial fever such as every 2 or 3 days means that it takes a turn for the worse. In this study, oriental medicine was taken based on the oriental medicine principle such as Dalwonum(達原飮), Sosihotang(小柴胡湯) and Bojungikgitang(補中益氣湯), and the patients take a turn for the better. In the process of treatment if there is no fever in the expected date of the malarial fever, it is sure to have fever in the next expected date. It is favorable that patients lose the chills first and the fever lately in the process of treatment, and we can explain that supporting healthy energy to eliminate evil(扶正祛邪). The long cycle of malarial fever such as every 4, 6 or 9 days means that it is just before the recovery.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.441-443
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• 2011

This survey was performed to investigate and compare egg positive rates (EPRs) of Enterobius vermicularis among preschool children in 3 Korean localities (Chuncheon-si, Inje-gun, and Paju-si) in 2008. A total of 7,048 preschool children were examined. Overall, the total EPR was 4.0%; the EPR was the highest in Chuncheon-si (5.6%), followed by Inje-gun (4.5%) and Paju-si (3.4%). The EPR of boys (4.9%) was higher than that of girls (3.1%). The EPR significantly increased with age, with the highest observed in 5~7-year-olds. These findings demonstrate that E. vermicularis infection is widely prevalent among preschool children in Chuncheon-si, Inje-gun, and Paju-si, Republic of Korea.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.59-64
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• 2011

A survey of mosquitoes, including the vector status of Brugia malayi filariasis and their relative larval density, was conducted from 2002 to 2005 at several southern remote islands of Jeollanam-do (province), Gyeongsangnam-do, and Jeju-do, Korea, where filariasis was previously endemic. Overall, a total of 9 species belonging to 7 genera were collected. Ochlerotatus togoi (formerly known as Aedes togoi), Anopheles (Hyrcanus) group, and Culex pipiens were the predominant species captured at all areas. Oc. togoi larvae were most frequently collected at salinity levels < 0.5% during June and July, with densities decreasing sharply during the rainy season in August. The most likely explanation for the eradication of filariasis in these areas is suggested to be an aggressive treatment program executed during the 1970s and the 1990s. However, high prevalence of the vector mosquitoes may constitute a potential risk for reemerging of brugian filariasis in these areas.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.413-415
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• 2009

Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii has been performed in 23 PCR positive blood samples from stray cats in Korea. We used 2 separate PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns of SAG2 gene, amplifying the 5' and 3' ends of the locus. The results revealed that all samples belonged to the type I clonal lineage. Although T. gondii organisms were not isolated from the samples, the results of the present study represent that stray cats with T. gondii infection should be seriously concerned in our environment. Adequate and continuous control programs of stray cats are needed to reduce the risk of transmission of T. gondii as a zoonotic infection threatening the public health.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.545-552
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• 2018

Plasmodium vivax is more challenging to control and eliminate than P. falciparum due to its more asymptomatic infections with low parasite densities making diagnosis more difficult, in addition to its unique biological characteristics. The potential re-introduction of incidence cases, either through borders or via human migrations, is another major hurdle to sustained control and elimination. The Republic of Korea has experienced re-emergence of vivax malaria in 1993 but is one of the 32 malaria-eliminating countries to-date. Despite achieving successful nationwide control and elimination of vivax malaria, the evolutionary characteristics of vivax malaria isolates in the Republic of Korea have not been fully understood. In this review, we present an overview of the genetic variability of such isolates to increase understanding of the epidemiology, diversity, and dynamics of vivax populations in the Republic of Korea.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.147-153
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• 2023

Lampung is a malaria-endemic region in Indonesia with an annual parasite incidence of 0.06 per 1,000 population. The socio-demographic factors, clinical conditions, and artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) types might affect parasite clearance and parasite density. This study aims to investigate factors that influence parasite clearance and parasite density in malaria patients. A retrospective analytic observational and a cross-sectional approach was used to conduct this study. A total of 66 malaria patients were examined to investigate parasite density and clearance, socio-demographic profiles, clinical conditions, and ACT types. To analyze data, univariate, bivariate, and multivariate tests were used. Age (P=0.045; r=0.238) and ACT type (P=0.021; r=0.273) were the only variables that had a significant correlation with parasite clearance. Age (P=0.003; r=0.345) had a significant correlation with parasite density. The most influential factors related to parasite clearance were the ACT type (dihydroartemisinin piperaquine) (P=0.017; odds ratio (OR) 0.109; 95.0% confidence interval (CI), 0.018-0.675) and age (P=0.030; OR 0.132; 95.0% CI, 0.021-0.823). Age (P=0.046; OR 0.320; 0.105-0.978, 95.0% CI) was the most significant variable associated with parasite density.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.301-305
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• 1995

Subcortical dementia may occur as a complication of cerebral malaria via deep white matter demyelination with encephalitis and diffuse small vessel vasculitis. In subcortical dementia, impairment in attention and frontal executive function are predominant. Patients are often inert, indifferent, and uninterested. They appear characteristically 'slowed up' with a marked deficit in the retrieval of information. Changes in mood, personality, and social conduct are very common. We describe a case of subcortical dementia, who has definite changes in brain MRI after cerebral malaria.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.99-103
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• 2014

Mitochondrial genome sequence of malaria parasites has served as a potential marker for inferring evolutionary history of the Plasmodium genus. In Plasmodium falciparum, the mitochondrial genome sequences from around the globe have provided important evolutionary understanding, but no Indian sequence has yet been utilized. We have sequenced the whole mitochondrial genome of a single P. falciparum field isolate from India using novel primers and compared with the 3D7 reference sequence and 1 previously reported Indian sequence. While the 2 Indian sequences were highly divergent from each other, the presently sequenced isolate was highly similar to the reference 3D7 strain.