• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.104-110
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• 2007

Streptococcus pyogenes, which is classified to Group A streptococcus (GAS), is one of the most common bacterial pathogens of the childhood infection. This organism can cause acute bacterial pharyngitis, impetigo, peritonsilar abscess or scarlet fever. It can also cause severe invasive diseases such as toxic shock syndrome, sepsis, septic arthritis, necrotizing pneumonia or necrotizing fasciitis. Usually, invasive GAS infections are accompanied by systemic symptoms and signs. Necrotizing pneumonia presents with acute fever, pleuritic chest pain and cough. The progress of disease is usually rapid and typically, pleural effusion develops in the early course of disease. Necrotizing fasciitis is relatively rare but once it has developed, it may be life threatening and cause necrosis of adjacent soft tissues with rapid progress. Clinical manifestations of parapharyngeal abscess are fever, dysphagia or bulging of pharyngeal wall. We experienced three cases of GAS infections which were presented atypically.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.50-54
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• 2013

Nocardiosis is an uncommon Gram-positive bacterial infection caused by aerobic actinomycetes in the genus Nocardia. Nocardia spp. have the ability to cause localized or systemic suppurative disease in humans and animals. Nocardiosis is typically regarded as an opportunistic infection, but approximately one-third of infected patients are immunocompetent. We report a rare case of pulmonary nocardiosis and a brain abscess caused by Nocardia asteroides in an elderly woman with a history of Crohn's disease. Radiographic imaging revealed a contrast-enhancing lesion with perilesional parenchymal edema that was preoperatively thought to be a neoplasm. The patient experienced aggressive disease progression simulating a metastatic brain tumor. Early diagnosis of norcadiosis, the absence of underlying disease, and the administration of appropriate antibiotics has a positive impact on prognosis. Familiarity with the magnetic resonance and computed tomography findings associated with CNS nocardiosis, such as those presented here, is essential for making an early diagnosis.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.307-320
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• 2014

Mycobacterium scrofulaceum is an environmental and slow-growing atypical mycobacterium. Emerging evidence suggests that M. scrofulaceum infection is associated with cervical lymphadenitis in children and pulmonary or systemic infections in immunocompromised adults. However, the nature of host innate immune responses to M. scrofulaceum remains unclear. In this study, we examined the innate immune responses in murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) infected with different M. scrofulaceum strains including ATCC type strains and two clinically isolated strains (rough and smooth types). All three strains resulted in the production of proinflammatory cytokines in BMDMs mediated through toll-like receptor-2 and the adaptor MyD88. Activation of MAPKs (extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, and p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase) and nuclear receptor (NF)-${\kappa}B$ together with intracellular reactive oxygen species generation were required for the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in BMDMs. In addition, the rough morphotypes of M. scrofulaceum clinical strains induced higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines, MAPK and NF-${\kappa}B$ activation, and ROS production than other strains. When mice were infected with different M. scrofulaceum strains, those infected with the rough strain showed the greatest hepatosplenomegaly, granulomatous lesions, and immune cell infiltration in the lungs. Notably, the bacterial load was higher in mice infected with rough colonies than in mice infected with ATCC or smooth strains. Collectively, these data indicate that rough M. scrofulaceum induces higher inflammatory responses and virulence than ATCC or smooth strains.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.280-286
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• 2007

We evaluated a commercial biopreparation of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains Bacillus subtilis GB03 and B. amyloliquefaciens IN937a formulated with the carrier chitosan (Bio Yield) for its capacity to elicit growth promotion and induced systemic resistance against infection by Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV) and Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 in Arabidopsis thaliana. The biopreparation promoted plant growth of Arabidopsis hormonal mutants, which included auxin, gibberellic acid, ethylene, jasmonate, salicylic acid, and brassinosteroid insensitive lines as well as each wild-type. The biopreparation protected plants against CMV based on disease severity in wild-type plants. However, virus titre was not lower in control plants and those treated with biopreparation, suggesting that the biopreparation induced tolerance rather than resistance against CMV. Interestingly, the biopreparation induced resistance against CMV in NahG plants, as evidenced by both reduced disease severity and virus titer. The biopreparation also elicited induced resistance against P. syringae pv. tomato in the wild-type but not in NahG transgenic plants, which degrade endogenous salicylic acid, indicating the involvement of salicylic acid signaling. Our results indicate that some PGPR strains can elicit plant growth promotion by mechanisms that are different from known hormonal signaling pathways. In addition, the mechanism for elicitation of induced resistance by PGPR may be pathogen-dependent. Collectively, the two-Bacilli strain mixture can be utilized as a biological inoculant for both protection of plant against bacterial and viral pathogens and enhancement of plant growth.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.315-323
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• 2008

In the previous studies, we isolated the compound K rich fractions (CKRF) and showed that CKRF inhibited Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4- or TLR9-induced inflammatory signaling. To extend our previous studies,1) we investigated the molecular mechanisms of CKRF in the TLR4-associated signaling via nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$, and in vivo role of CKRF for induction of tolerance in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced septic shock. In murine bone marrow-dervied macrophages, CKRF significantly inhibited the induction of mRNA expression of proinflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin-6, cyclooxygenase-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase. In addition, CKRF significantly attenuated the transcriptional activities of TLR4/LPS-induced NF-${\kappa}B$. Nuclear translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ in response to LPS stimulation was significantly abrogated by pre-treatment with CKRF. Furthermore, CKRF inhibited the recruitment of p65 to the interferon-sensitive response element flanking region in response to LPS. Finally, oral administration of CKRF significantly protected mice from Gram-negative bacterial LPS-induced lethal shock and inhibited systemic inflammatory cytokine levels. Together, these results demonstrate that CKRF modulates the TLR4-dependent NF-${\kappa}B$ activation, and suggest a therapeutic role for Gram-negative septic shock.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.607-622
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• 2004

Recently epidemiologic studies have indicated that the patients with periodontitis may have increased risk of ischemic cardiovascular events, and have suggested the important roles of blood cytokines and acute reactant proteins in the systemic infection and inflammatory response. Periodontitis and coronary heart disease (CHD) may share the common risk factors and the genetic mechanism associated with interleukin(IL)-1A, B and RA genotype may be involved in the production of IL-1. This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between angiographically defined CHD and periodontitis as chronic Gram-negative bacterial infection and to determine whether the IL-1 gene polymorphism is associated in both diseases. Patients under the age of 60 who had undergone diagnostic coronary angiography were enrolled in this study. Subjects were classified as positive CHD (+CHD, n=37) with coronary artery stenosis more than 50% in at least one of major epicardial arteries, and negative CHD (-CHD, n=30) without significant stenosis. After recording the number of missing teeth, periodontal disease severity was measured by means of plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and radiographic bone loss around all remaining teeth. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was collected from the 4 deepest periodontal pockets and assessed for cytokine ($IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-1ra, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$, and prostaglandin $E_2$). Additionally, blood CHD markers, lipid profile, and blood cytokines were analyzed. IL-1 gene cluster genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction and enzyme restriction using genomic DNA from buccal swab, and allele 2 frequencies of IL-1A(+4845), IL-1B(+3954), IL-B(-511), and IL-1RA(intron 2) were compared between groups. Even though there was no significant difference in the periodontal parameters between 2 groups, GCF level of $PGE_2$ was significantly higher in the +CHD group(p<0.05). Correlation analysis showed the positive relationship among PD, CAL and coronary artery stenosis(%) and blood $PGE_2$. There was also significant positive relationship between the periodontal parameters (PI, PD, CAL) and the blood CHD markers (leukocyte count, C-reactive protein, and lactic dehyrogenase). IL-1 gene genotyping showed that IL-1A(+3954) allele 2 frequency was significantly higher in the +CHD group compared with the -CHD group (15% vs. 3.3%, OR 5.118,p=0.043). These results suggested that periodontal inflammation is related to systemic blood cytokine and CHD markers, and contributes to cardiovascular disease via systemic inflammatory reaction. IL-1 gene polymorphism might have an influence on periodontal and coronary heart diseases in Korean patients.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.223-231
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• 2014

Purpose: With previous methods based on only age and location, there are many difficulties in identifying the etiology of acute abdominal pain in children. We sought to develop a new systematic classification of acute abdominal pain and to give some helps to physicians encountering difficulties in diagnoses. Methods: From March 2005 to May 2010, clinical data were collected retrospectively from 442 children hospitalized due to acute abdominal pain with no apparent underlying disease. According to the final diagnoses, diseases that caused acute abdominal pain were classified into nine groups. Results: The nine groups were group I "catastrophic surgical abdomen" (7 patients, 1.6%), group II "acute appendicitis and mesenteric lymphadenitis" (56 patients, 12.7%), group III "intestinal obstruction" (57 patients, 12.9%), group IV "viral and bacterial acute gastroenteritis" (90 patients, 20.4%), group V "peptic ulcer and gastroduodenitis" (66 patients, 14.9%), group VI "hepatobiliary and pancreatic disease" (14 patients, 3.2%), group VII "febrile viral illness and extraintestinal infection" (69 patients, 15.6%), group VIII "functional gastrointestinal disorder (acute manifestation)" (20 patients, 4.5%), and group IX "unclassified acute abdominal pain" (63 patients, 14.3%). Four patients were enrolled in two disease groups each. Conclusion: Patients were distributed unevenly across the nine groups of acute abdominal pain. In particular, the "unclassified abdominal pain" only group was not uncommon. Considering a systemic classification for acute abdominal pain may be helpful in the diagnostic approach in children.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.18-22
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• 1995

From January 1989 to December 1993, cardiac catheterization and open heart surgery for ventricular septal defect closure were performed in 115 pediatric patients who were selected as meeting the criteria for elective closure of restrictive ventricular septal defect. These criteria included age greater than 1 year and less than 15 years, no evidence of congestive heart failure, Qp/Qs 2.0, pulmonary artery systolic pressure 35mmHg, and no associated cardiac anomalies. Mean age of patients was 5.25$\pm$ 3.53, and 72 patients were male, 43 patients were female[male:female=1.9:1 . Mean systolic pulmonary artery pressure was 19.66$\pm$4.79mmHg, and mean pulmonary to systemic flow ratio was 1.27$\pm$ 0.28. Aortic cusp prolapse was present in 30 patients [26% , aortic insufficiency was present in 1 paient, and 1 patient had prior bacterial endocarditis. There were no instances of complete atrioventricular dissociation, reoperations for bleeding, or reoperations for recurrent ventricular septal defect, but wound infection was present in 1 patient, and there were 7 patients who had the hemodynamically insignificant remnant shunt. There were no early or late deaths or major morbidity.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.358-363
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• 2019

An 11-year-old, female Miniature Schnauzer dog was presented with recurrent skin ulcer of the second metatarsal region in the right hindlimb following metatarsal resection. Physical examination revealed an ulcerated and bleeding lesion of the second metatarsal region in the right hindlimb. Impression smears of the ulcerative lesion confirmed numerous degenerated neutrophils and mixed bacterial infection. Initially, the dog was treated with antibiotics and povidone-iodine flushing for the control of deep pyoderma. Because the skin lesion had been deteriorated over time despite of topical and systemic treatments, skin biopsy was performed. Histopathologic examination indicated squamous cell carcinoma based on the features of multiple nests of squamous neoplastic cells and mitotic figures. Although amputation of the right hindlimb was performed, the dog was expired five months later because of tumor metastasis to the lung and the popliteal lymph node. This is the first case report describes malignant digital squamous cell carcinoma in Korea.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.605-616
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• 2023

Scuticociliatosis, caused by the parasitic pathogen Miamiensis avidus, poses a significant threat to olive flounder farms in South Korea. Infected fish suffer from severe systemic infections affecting various organs, with potential secondary bacterial diseases. This study investigated the emergence of different M. avidus serotypes in 20 olive flounder farms on Jeju island, South Korea, from 2015 to 2020. Additionally, we identified Tenacibaculum maritimum as a co-infecting bacteria. Based on serotyping and monitoring data, we developed a trivalent vaccine targeting two serotypes of M. avidus and one strain of T. maritimum. The efficacy of the vaccine was evaluated under laboratory conditions and demonstrated a relative percentage of survival (RPS) of 75%, 80%, and 93% for M. avidus serotype I, M. avidus serotype II and T. maritimum, respectively. Furthermore, successful field trials conducted on four different olive flounder farms resulted in significantly higher survival rates (52%-76% RPS) and weight gains in vaccinated fish. Overall, this study presents an effective vaccine against M. avidus and T. maritimum infections in farmed olive flounder, making a valuable contribution to sustainable aquaculture in South Korea.