• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.11 no.12
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• pp.665-672
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• 2013

In radiology department, where patients with a variety of diseases receive their tests, there is a large possibility of cross contamination of nosocomial infection. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests take particularly more time than other tests do, which increases the possibility of being exposed to cross contamination. Therefore, this research examines the status of MRI equipment sterilization and investigates the bacterial distribution on head coils, which have the most frequent contact with patients, patient fixation blocks, and bores, which are confined spaces. The status of MRI equipment disinfection was examined by a survey targeting 150 employees, and the distribution of bacteria was measured in ten medical facilities. The result of bacterial distribution tests on MRI equipment showed various bacteria, including Staphylococcus, Acinetobacter, Sphingomona, Pantoea agglomeranss, Micrococcus, Bacillus, Saprophyticus, Brevundimona, and Myroidesspecies. The result of examining the stat us of MRI room disinfection showed that the disinfections of the head coil, block, and bore were implemented well, and the largest proportion was carried out once a day in the morning. The time and implementation of disinfection by the disinfection manager showed that they were implemented well when the manager was the MRI room examiner. The disinfection after examining a patient using an appropriate disinfectant is mandatory to prevent cross contamination.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.339-346
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• 1995

Assays for HBsAg, HBV DNA, anti-HBc and anti-HBs of 285 units of packed red blood cells supplied by Taegu Red Cross Blood Center were performed to evaluate the correlation between the prevalence of HBV DNA and the serologic markers for hepatitis B virus. None of 285 plasma samples was positive for HBsAg, however, HBV DNA were detected by polymerase chain reaction in 2 samples which both presented only with anti-HBc positivity. Of 204 samples tested for anti-HBs, 96 samples(47.1%) were positive and among 216 samples tested for anti-HBc, 80 samples(37.0%) were positive. Of 193 samples tested for both anti-HBs and anti-HBc, 80(41.1%) were all negative and 48(24.9%) were positive on both tests. Those samples which showed positivity only to anti-HBc were 25(13.0%). Considering the above results, transfusion-transmitted hepatitis B virus infection could be prevented by discarding anti-HBc positive blood, however, that may bring insufficient supply of donor bloods in the country like Korea where the prevalence of anti-HBc is high. Anti-HBc positive blood unequivocally positive for anti-HBs should be considered noninfectious for HBV and should be allowed to be transfused. It would reduce the amount of discarding donor blood as the routine blood donor screening tests presently used at Korea Red Cross Blood Center supplemented by anti-HBs and anti-HBc testing.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.181-194
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• 2002

Parasitism is a one-sided relationship between two organisms in which one benefits at the expense of the other. Parasitic dinoflagellates, particularly species of Amoebophrya, have long been thought to be a potential biological agent for controlling harmful algal bloom(HAB). Amoebophrya infections have been reported for over 40 species representing more than 24 dinoflagellate genera including a few toxic species. Parasitic dinoflagellates Amoebophrya spp. have a relatively simple life cycle consisting of an infective dispersal stage (dinospore), an intracellular growth stage(trophont), and an extracellular reproductive stage(vermiform). Biology of dinospores such as infectivity, survival, and ability to successfully infect host cells differs among dinoflagellate host-parasite systems. There are growing reports that Amoebophrya spp.(previously, collectively known as Amoebophrya ceratii) exhibit the strong host specificity and would be a species complex composed of several host-specific taxa, based on the marked differences in host-parasite biology, cross infection, and molecular genetic data. Dinoflagellates become reproductively incompetent and are eventually killed by the parasite once infected. During the infection cycle of the parasite, the infected host exhibits ecophysiologically different patterns from those of uninfected host in various ways. Photosynthetic performance in autotrophic dinoflagellates can be significantly altered following infection by parasitic dinoflagellate Amoebophrya, with the magnitude of the effects over the infection cycle of the parasite depending on the site of infection. Parasitism by the parasitic dinoflagellate Amoebophrya could have significant impacts on host behavior such as diel vertical migration. Parasitic dinoflagellates may not only stimulate rapid cycling of dissolved organic materials and/or trace metals but also would repackage the relatively large sized host biomass into a number of smaller dinospores, thereby leading to better retention of host's material and energy within the microbial loop. To better understand the roles of parasites in plankton ecology and harmful algal dynamics, further research on a variety of dinoflagellate host-parasite systems is needed.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.341-351
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• 2017

This study aimed to investigate the medically inclined college students' knowledge, attitude, and compliance on the preventive behaviors of the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). A cross-sectional study was conducted on 251 medically inclined college students in Jeonju Kijeon College from June 8 to 13, 2015, using a scale on the knowledge and attitude toward MERS and a structured questionnaire. The t-test, analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation coefficient were used to analyze the data. The participants consisted of 46.6% college students majoring in dental hygiene, 30.7% in clinical pathology, and 22.7% in emergency rescue, and 69.7% of them had been educated on MERS prevention. This study revealed that students who received MERS prevention training (t=3.457, p=0.001) and female students (t=-2.945, p=0.005) had more knowledge on MERS, while students from the dental hygiene department (F=8.048, p<0.001) and those in their third year (F=3.978, p=0.020) showed a more positive attitude toward MERS. Regarding the correlation between knowledge, attitude, fear of infection and compliance on the preventive behaviors, students were more knowledgeable (r=0.133, p=0.036), presented a more positive attitude (r=0.158, p=0.012) and had more fear of infection (r=0.312, p<0.001), were more likely to comply with the preventive measures. For an effective prevention of MERS, a newly found infectious disease, we suggest that medically inclined college students must improve their knowledge of and have a positive attitude toward MERS infection management at a medical institution in compliance with the MERS infection preventive behaviors. Furthermore, this study shows that an infection management education program should be developed, so that which students could learn about the causes, dissemination routes, and preventive methods of infectious diseases, including the newly discovered ones, prior to their clinical training at a medical institution.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.53-62
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• 2013

Purpose: The cross-protection of 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) against vaccine-related serotypes has been controversial. We investigated the serological properties of cross-protective antibodies against vaccine-related serotypes 6A, 6C, and 19A induced in young children aged 12-23 months after booster immunization of PCV7. Methods: IgG and IgM antibody concentrations and opsonic index (OI) against vaccine serotypes 6B and 19F and vaccine-related serotypes 6A, 6C, and 19A were measured by ELISA and opsonophagocytic killing assay (OPA) in 4 selected immunesera. The serological properties and antigenic specificity of protective antibodies were determined by IgM depletion of immunesera, OPA, and competitive OPA against serogroup 6 and 19 pneumococci. Results: Compared to pre-IgM depleted immunesera, OI of IgM-depleted immunesera against 6B and 19F decreased and OI against 6A, 6C, and 19A decreased, too. In competition OPA, free 6B and 19F polysaccharide completely inhibited the immune protection against vaccine-related serotypes 6A, 6C, and 19A as well as vaccine types 6B and 19F. Conclusions: The booster immunization of PCV7 certainly induced cross-protective antibodies against vaccine-related serotypes 6A, 6C, and 19A with both IgG and IgM isotypes. Furthermore, IgM antibodies are more highly contributed to opsonophagocytic activity against vaccine-related serotypes as well as most of vaccine types than do IgG antibodies. Further studies are needed for the more immunized sera in the children as well as adults.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.192-198
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• 2002

Mixed infections of two economically important viruses, Turnip mosaic virus(TuMV) in the family Potyviridae and Ribgrass mosaic virus(RMV) in the genus Tobamo-virus, were studied ultrastructurally on oriental cabbage. TuMV-ACl8 (alpine isolate in Korea) induced chlorotic spots on inoculated leaves of both ‘SSD63’ inbred line known as susceptible to TuMV, and ‘Tambok’ commercial cultivar, known as resistant to the virus, in the early stages of infection. TuMV-C5 (Taiwan isolate) caused severe mosaic and malformation on the upper leaves of ‘SSD63’, and necrotic spots in both inoculated and upper leaves of ‘Tambok’. RMV-CA1 (oriental cabbage isolate from alpine in Korea) induced vein chlorosis, leaf malformation, and midrib necrotic streak in the upper leaves of both ‘SSD63’ and ‘Tambok’. Both oriental cabbages infected with a combination of TuMV-ACl8 and RMV-CA1 showed synergistic symptoms of severe yellowing, severe mosaic, and necrotic spot or vein necrosis on their leaves. A combination of TuMV-C5 and RMV-CA1 produced synergistic symptoms only in ‘SSD63’. In ‘Tambok’ infected with the combination of TuMV-C5 and RMV-CA1, the number of necrotic spots on the inoculated leaves was one half lesser than that on singly infected with TuMV-C5. A few necrotic spots progressed systemically. In cells infected with a combination of TuMV-ACl8 and RMV-CA1 or TuMV-C5 and RMV-CA1, the particles of the two viruses made nonagon-like rings(NLR); one TuMV particle was surrounded loosely by nine RMV particles. Two unrelated viruses of TuMV and RMV were compacted in the central part of the spiral aggregates(SA) that was induced strikingly in cells by the mixed infections. The SA showed NLR in its center of the cross-sectioned side. Many particles of RMV of Tobamovirus were closely associated with Potyvirus-characteristic cylindrical inclusions. The SAs in the mixed infections were formed easily by the Potyvirus of TuMV-ACl8 or -C5 isolates.

• BMB Reports
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.683-689
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• 2005

Antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAb) is the important serological marker of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Conventionally, the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) obtained from the plasma of HBV carriers is used as the diagnostic antigen for detection of HBsAb. This blood-origin antigen has some disadvantages involved in high cost, over-elaborate preparation, risk of infection, et al. In an attempt to explore the suitable recombinant HBsAg for the diagnostic purpose, the HBV S gene was expressed in Pichia pastoris and the product was applied for detection of HBsAb. Hepatitis B virus S gene was inserted into the yeast vector and the expressed product was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrolamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), immunoblot, electronic microscope and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The preparations of synthesized S protein were applied to detect HBsAb by sandwich ELISA. The S gene encoding the 226 amino acid of HBsAg carrying ahexa-histidine tag at C terminus was successfully expressed in Pichia pastoris. The His-Tagged S protein in this strain was expressed at a level of about 14.5% of total cell protein. Immunoblot showed the recombinant HBsAg recognized by monoclonal HBsAb and there was no cross reaction between all proteins from the host and normal sera. HBsAb detection indicated that the sensitivity reached 10 mIu (micro international unit)/ml and the specificity was 100% with HBsAb standard of National Center for Clinical Laboratories. A total of 293 random sera were assayed using recombinant S protein and a commercial HBsAb ELISA kit (produced by blood-origin HBsAg), 35 HBsAb positive sera and 258 HBsAb negative sera were examined. The same results were obtained with two different reagents and there was no significant difference in the value of S/CO between the two reagents. The recombinant HBV S protein with good immunoreactivity and specificity was successfully expressed in Pichia pastoris. The reagent for HBsAb detection prepared by Pichia pastoris-derived S protein showed high sensitivity and specificity for detection of HBsAb standard. And a good correlation was obtained between the reagent produced by recombinant S protein and commercial kit produced by blood-origin HBsAg in random samples.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1928-1936
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• 2018

Recently, human infections caused by severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), which can lead to fatality, have dramatically increased in East Asia. With the unavailability of vaccines or antiviral drugs to prevent and/or treat SFTSV infection, early rapid diagnosis is critical for prevention and control of the disease. Here, we report the development of a simple, rapid and sensitive portable detection method for SFTSV infection applying reverse transcription-loop mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) combined with one-pot colorimetric visualization and electro-free reaction platform. This method utilizes a pocket warmer to facilitate diagnosis in a resource-limited setting. Specific primers were designed to target the highly-conserved region of L gene of SFTSV. The detection limit of the RT-LAMP assay was approximately $10^0$ viral genome copies from three different SFTSV strains. This assay exhibited comparable sensitivity to qRT-PCR and 10-fold more sensitivity than conventional RT-PCR, with a rapid detection time of 30 to 60 minutes. The RT-LAMP assay using SFTSV clinical specimens has demonstrated a similar detection rate to qRT-PCR and a higher detection rate compared to conventional RT-PCR. Moreover, there was no observed cross-reactive amplification of other human infectious viruses including Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV), Dengue, Enterovirus, Zika, Influenza and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). This highly sensitive, electro- and equipment-free rapid colorimetric visualization method is feasible for resource-limited SFTSV field diagnosis.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.41-54
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• 1985

This study was conducted for the improvement of milk quality and milk hygiene in public health point of view. Investigation of mastiris infection rate, isolation and identification of causative microorganisms in CMT positive milk, investigation of milk contamination level by measuring the bacteria and soma tic cell counts and investigation of dairy management in farms were performed on 1.605 quarters milk of 434 cows of 20 dairy farms in Gyunggi-area from September 1983 to March 1984. The results were summarized as follows 1. Sixteen (3.7%) of 434 cows were found to be infected with clinical mastiris. 234 (53.9%) of 434 cows and 608(37.9%) of 1, 605 quarters were found to be infected with subclinical mastiris. 2. The causative microorganisms isolated were Staphylococcus aureus (38.3%), Staphylococcus epidermidis(21.0%), Micrococci(13.6%), Streptococcus spp. (12.3%), E. coli (7.4%), Fungus & Yeast (1.6%) and others (5.8%). 3. Total numbers of bacteria were $9.2{\times}10^6$ to $1.21{\times}10^7/ml$(av. $1.805{\times} 10^7/ml$), numbers of coliform bacteria were $4.1{\times} 10^5$ to $9.4{\times} 10^5$/ml(av. $7.05{\times} 10^5$/ml) and somatic cell counts were $4.8{\times} 10^5$ to $1.52{\times} 10^6$ cells/ml (av. $9.5{\times} 10^5$cells/ml) in bulk milk. 4. As comparing with CMT score of +, ++ and +++, somatic cell counts were $3.4{\times} 10^5$ to $1.64{\times} 10^6$ cells/ml (av. $6.41{\times} 10^5$cells/ml), $5.4{\times} 10^5$ to $2.75{\times} 10^6$ cells/ml(av. $1.762{\times} 10^6$cells/ml) and $1.97{\times} 10^6$ to $9.75{\times} 10^6$ cells/ml(av. $7.781{\times} 10^6$cells/ml), respectively. 5. In investigation on dairy management, performance of dry cow therapy, teat dipping after milking, disinfection of milking machine at every milking, replacement of milk liner within 6months and opportunity of acquirement for the mastiris control techniques by dairy education were 65%, 40%, 45%, 55% and 50% in 20 dairy farms, respectively.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.223-228
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• 1984

Seven cases of surgically proven sparganosis were serologically tested by means of microELISA for their specific IgG antibody levels. For that purpose, crude saline extract of spargana from snake, Natrix tigrina lateralis was prepared and used as antigen. The sparganosis sera were also tested with Paragonimus and Cysticercus antigens to observe the cross reactivity. A total of 71 sera from normal control, ectopic and pulmonary paragonimiasis, clonorchiasis, cysticerCOSIS and Taenia saginata cases were also included. Except for one case of old calcified infection, all of 6 human sparganosis showed higher serum levels of specific IgG antibody when the differential point of positive reaction was set at the absorbance value of 0.25 (the sensitivity being 85.7%). In control and other helminthic infections, all except 3 cases of T. saginata infection showed negative reaction to sparganum antigen (the specificity being 90.7%). None of sparganosis cases showed cress reactivity to Paragonimus and Cysticercus antigens. Undiluted cerebrospinal l1uid also showed high levels of antibody when central nervous system was invaded. The serologic diagnosis by means of micro ELISA could be a useful tool in epidemiological study of human sparganosis in susceptible population, as well as in individual diagnosis.