• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.39 no.6
• /
• pp.1218-1223
• /
• 1999

The purposes of this study are to examine seroprevalence of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection in pigs of different age groups, and retrospectively determine if nursery depopulation (ND) could influence the seroprevalence of M hyopneumoniae infection in nurseries. Sera of 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 weeks old pigs from 7 farms were first selected from a serum bank to examine serologic profiles for M hyopneumoniae infections. Availability of representative sera in the serum bank was a major criterion for farm selection. The sera were tested for M hyopneumoniae antibodies by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using Tween-20 extracted antigen. Serum samples were also selected from 15 of 34 swine farms that previously participated in a ND study. In order to evaluate M hyopneumoniae infection following ND, ELISA was performed with sera of 8~10 weeks old nursery pigs collected prior to and after ND for up to 12 months from the 15 farms. Serological profiles showed positive ELISA titers for 2 of 7 farms at 8 weeks, 4 of 7 farms at 12 weeks, 6 of 7 farms at 16 weeks, 6 of 6 farms at 20 weeks of age. Prior to ND, 11 of the 15 farms had positive titers in sera of 8~10 weeks old pigs. Sera of 8~10 weeks old pigs collected from 7 of the 11 farms (63.6%) were ELISA antibody negative for up to 12 months following ND. In conclusion, seroconversion to M hyopneumoniae was detected commonly between 10~16 weeks of age, indicating the occurrence of natural infection during the nursery age. The ND appeared to be an effective method to prevent M hyopneumoniae infection within the nursery pig in some farms.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.46 no.3
• /
• pp.197-206
• /
• 2006

In March 2003, classical swine fever (CSF) infection was reported in a piggery located at Iksan city, Jeollabuk-do in Korea. Subsequently, a total of 72 infected farms were confirmed between March and December, 2003. Based on epidemiological investigation of the earlier confirmed infected farms, the source of infection was shown to be from a breeding farm. Targeted surveillance of 82 piggeries that had acquired pigs from this breeding farm showed 44 piggeries were infected with CSF virus. CSF virus was introduced into this breeding farm by movement of selected breeder pigs from its 12 contracted farms which were located in areas that had been affected by CSF epidemic in late 2002. CSF had then spread through out the country mainly by direct transmission through the sale and movement of pigs from this breeding farm. Consequently, 47 (62%) among 72 CSF affected farms were associated, directly and indirectly, with this breeding farm. This study showed that inadequate control for breeding farms and transport restriction in CSF outbreak areas resulted in the nationwide spread of CSF and the failure of the eradication campaign that has been underway for several years by the Korean animal hygiene authority as well as the fanners. Improvements of control policy through further research of the 2003 CSF epidemic will be needed to reestablish the Korean CSF eradication program in the future.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.8 no.9
• /
• pp.231-236
• /
• 2017

This study analyzes the characteristics of mobile live streaming service, the illegal and harmful information characteristics of mobile live streaming service for the purpose of eradicating illegal and harmful broadcasting, and shows illegal and harmful broadcast on the mobile live streaming service and eradication plan. First, we reviewed the mobile live streaming service, illegal and harmful broadcasts through literature review, and secondly surveyed illegal and harmful broadcasts of mobile live streaming services and their awareness and countermeasures. As a result, it is confirmed that the mobile live streaming service is illegal, harmful broadcasting exposure frequency is high, illegal, and harmful broadcasting exposure is caused by characteristics of real time broadcasting rather than user's. In order to eradicate the illegal and mobile information about the mobile live streaming service, it is necessary to fix the illegal service and harmful broadcasting reporting system, but the government has confirmed the requirements for regulatory measures. From a microscopic point of view, it will be necessary to investigate the illegal use of mobile live streaming services and the eradication of harmful information.

• Gut and Liver
• /
• v.12 no.6
• /
• pp.641-647
• /
• 2018

Background/Aims: Helicobacter pylori eradication rates are decreasing because of increases in clarithromycin resistance. Thus, finding an easy and accurate method of detecting clarithromycin resistance is important. Methods: We evaluated 70 H. pylori isolates from Korean patients. Dual-labeled peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes were designed to detect resistance associated with point mutations in 23S ribosomal ribonucleic acid gene domain V (A2142G, A2143G, and T2182C). Data were analyzed by probe-based fluorescence melting curve analysis based on probe-target dissociation temperatures and compared with Sanger sequencing. Results: Among 70 H. pylori isolates, 0, 16, and 58 isolates contained A2142G, A2143G, and T2182C mutations, respectively. PNA probe-based analysis exhibited 100.0% positive predictive values for A2142G and A2143G and a 98.3% positive predictive value for T2182C. PNA probe-based analysis results correlated with 98.6% of Sanger sequencing results (${\kappa}$-value=0.990; standard error, 0.010). Conclusions: H. pylori clarithromycin resistance can be easily and accurately assessed by dual-labeled PNA probe-based melting curve analysis if probes are used based on the appropriate resistance-related mutations. This method is fast, simple, accurate, and adaptable for clinical samples. It may help clinicians choose a precise eradication regimen.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.285-295
• /
• 2021

Objective : This systematic review was conducted to investigate the effect of herbal medicine on Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection compared to amoxicillin included synthetic drugs. Methods : Relevant randomized controlled trials(RCTs) which were published prior to December 26, 2020, were collected using PubMED database. Risk of bias evaluation and data extraction were done independently by two reviewers, and the third reviewer reassessed mismatching parts. Results : Two RCTs testing two different herbal medicines against synthetic drugs solitary treatment or synthetic drugs with placebo for herbal medicine were included. One study reported that there was no significant difference between the eradication rate of synthetic drugs and the herbal medicine. The other study did not report the eradication rate of the herbal medicine. One study reported histologic severity, the other reported dyspepsia score as efficacy indicators. There was no adverse event reported in all studies. However, the number of included RCTs was too small, the quality of reported data was not enough to verify efficacy of herbal medicine, and there were some methodological problems. Conclusion : It was difficult to conclude that solitary treatment of herbal medicine was as effective as amoxicillin included synthetic drugs for H. pylori infection.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.39 no.6
• /
• pp.1136-1149
• /
• 2018

Objectives: The aim of this study was to perform a meta analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that applied Opae-san to peptic ulcer. Methods: The databases NDSL, RISS, KISS, KISTI, Oasis, DBpia, Cochrane, EMBASE, Pubmed, and CNKI were searched to identify RCTs that evaluated the therapeutic response to Opae-san on peptic ulcer. The selected studies were assessed using Cochrane Group's risk of bias tool. Results: 12 RCTs were selected from a total of 312 identified. Combined therapies of Opae-san plus triple therapy were superior to only triple therapy in achieving the effective rate (risk ratio=1.26, 95% CI: 1.17 to 1.35, p<0.001, I2=0%), the helicobacter pylori eradication rate (risk ratio=1.23, 95% CI: 1.12 to 1.34, p<0.001, I2=7%) and the recurrence rate (risk ratio=0.31, 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.82, p=0.02, I2=0%). But only Opae-san was not superior in achieving the effective rate compared to anti gastric secretion drugs. Conclusions: The current evidence suggests that combined therapies of Opae-san plus triple therapy yield a higher effective rate, and helicobacter pylori eradication rate and a lower recurrence rate. However, in most of these studies, it is difficult to evaluate the bias and therefore better designed studies are needed.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.56 no.6
• /
• pp.531-543
• /
• 2018

Historically, Plasmodium vivax malaria has been one of the most highly endemic parasitic diseases in the Korean Peninsula. Until the 1970s, vivax malaria was rarely directly lethal and was controlled through the Korean Government Program administered by the National Malaria Eradication Service in association with the World Health Organization's Global Malaria Eradication Program. Vivax malaria has re-emerged in 1993 near the Demilitarized Zone between South and North Korea and has since become an endemic infectious disease that now poses a serious public health threat through local transmission in the Republic of Korea. This review presents major lessons learned from past and current malaria research, including epidemiological and biological characteristics of the re-emergent disease, and considers some interesting patterns of diversity. Among other features, this review highlights temporal changes in the genetic makeup of the parasitic population, patient demographic features, and spatial distribution of cases, which all provide insight into the factors contributing to local transmission. The data indicate that vivax malaria in Korea is not expanding exponentially. However, continued surveillance is needed to prevent future resurgence.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.58.1-58.25
• /
• 2023

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) has posed significant financial threats to the domestic pig industry over the last three decades in South Korea. PEDV infection will mostly result in endemic persistence in the affected farrow-to-finish (FTF) herds, leading to endemic porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) followed by year-round recurrent outbreaks. This review aims to encourage collaboration among swine producers, veterinarians, and researchers to offer answers that strengthen our understanding of PEDV in efforts to prevent and control endemic PED and to prepare for the next epidemics or pandemics. We found that collaboratively implementing a PED risk assessment and customized four-pillar-based control measures is vital to interrupt the chain of endemic PED in affected herds: the former can identify on-farm risk factors while the latter aims to compensate for or improve weaknesses via herd immunity stabilization and virus elimination. Under endemic PED, long-term virus survival in slurry and asymptomatically infected gilts ("Trojan Pigs") that can transmit the virus to farrowing houses are key challenges for PEDV eradication in FTF farms and highlight the necessity for active monitoring and surveillance of the virus in herds and their environments. This paper underlines the current knowledge of molecular epidemiology and commercially available vaccines, as well as the risk assessment and customized strategies to control PEDV. The intervention measures for stabilizing herd immunity and eliminating virus circulation may be the cornerstone of establishing regional or national PED eradication programs.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.209-215
• /
• 2023

Purpose: The delay in acceptance or refusal to get vaccinated despite the availability of services is called vaccine hesitancy. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative in Pakistan faced consistent barriers preventing the eradication of the disease in the country. Similarly with the advent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic mass vaccination drives were initiated to a vaccine hesitant population. The aim of this study is to explore the prevalence and reasons for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the Pakistani population. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted during July to September 2021 using a snowball sampling technique targeting the adult population of Pakistan. The modified version of the vaccine hesitancy questionnaire related to the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization Vaccine Hesitancy matrix was distributed online. Results: Out of 973 participants, 52.4% were immediately willing to take the vaccine and constituted the acceptance group whereas the remaining 47.6% who were still not sure formed the hesitant group. Support from leaders was found to be statistically significant for the difference between the hesitant and acceptance groups (p-value=0.027). Hesitant people were concerned about the effectiveness of the vaccine (60.9%) and potential side effects (57.9%) as it was not sufficiently tested prior to launch (44.7%). Age and education were significant factors affecting the acceptance of vaccination. The most trusted source of information regarding vaccination was health care workers (43.8%). Conclusion: A moderately high prevalence of vaccine hesitancy was reported in Pakistan. To overcome it, policymakers need to address the reasons for it. Leaders, celebrities, and healthcare workers can play an instrumental role in dispelling conspiracy theories regarding vaccines and making the vaccination drive a success.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.30-36
• /
• 1998

Purpose: It is well known that duodenal ulcer disease does not relapse if H. pylori is cleared from the gastric mucosa. Little is known about the recurrence of duodenal ulcer in children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the eradication of H. pylori in duodenal ulcer in children upon the duodenal ulcer recurrence. Methods: 105 patients (M:F=78:27) diagnosed as duodenal ulcer by endoscopy in 1987~1995 were reviewed clinically, and were parted into two groups. The two treatment groups were ranitidine/antacid (RAN/ANT) and ranitidine/amoxicillin/denol (RAN/AMX/D). The latter was for H. pylori-positive children with duodenal ulcer who were diagnosed by serology and/or antral biopsies for histology, culture, and urease testing. The recurrence rates were compared between the two groups. Results: 1) 30 patients with primary duodenal ulcer underwent endoscopy for H. pylori and 27 (90.0%) of them were positive for H. pylori. 2) 27 of H. pylori-positive children received RAN/AMX/D. 23(85.2%) of them showed cure of duodenal ulcer and eradication of H. pylori. 3) The duodenal ulcer recurrence rate in RAN/ANT group was 65.3% and the rate in RAN/AMX/D was 4.3% by a year. Conclusions: There is a strong correlation between the duodenal ulceration and H. pylori infection in children, and the eradication of H. pylori in duodenal ulcer patients reduces the recurrence of the ulcer. Because of the low incidence of duodenal ulcers in children, a multicenter prospective study is required to determine the effect of treating H. pylori infetion on the long term natural history of duodenal ulcer disease.