• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.77-82
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• 2012

Human astrovirus (HAstV) is a major cause of acute diarrhea among children, resulting in outbreaks of diarrhea and occasionally hospitalization. Improved surveillance and application of sensitive molecular diagnostics have further defined the impact of HAstV infections in children. These studies have shown that HAstV infections are clinically milder (diarrhea, vomiting, fever) than infections with other enteric agents. Among the 8 serotypes of HAstV identified, serotype 1 is the predominant strain worldwide. In addition to serotype 1, the detection rate of HAstV types 2 to 8 has increased by using newly developed assays. HAstV is less common compared with other major gastroenteritis viruses, including norovirus and rotavirus; however, it is a potentially important viral etiological agent with a significant role in acute gastroenteritis. A better understanding of the molecular epidemiology and characteristics of HAstV strains may be valuable to develop specific prevention strategies.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 1998

Serum samples collected from 30 breeders and their progeny 30 chicks. The antibodies against infectious bronchitis(IB), infectious bursal disease (IBD) and Newcastle disease(ND) viruses were detected by ELISA using commercial ELISA kit. The breeders were vaccinated against IB, IBD and ND viruses according to general vaccination program. Geometric mean titers(GMT) of ELISA were monitored from 1-day old to 17-day old chicks and compared with breeder chickens. The GMT of ELISA to IB, IBD and ND were declined half level of the breeder antibody titer at 6-, 8- and 7-day old. And, the GMT of ELISA to IB, IBD and ND were declined than that of protective titer at 6-, 1-, and 4-day old. Thereafter, the GMT of ELISA was declined and disappeared according to ages of chicks. Taken together, this study led to conclusion that time-course of maternal antibody titers of chicks from vaccinated breeders, and this is very important data for vaccination to chicks.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.304-316
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• 2021

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza virus infections. However, conventional vaccines based on hemagglutinin (HA) have to be annually updated because the HA of influenza viruses constantly mutates. In this study, we produced a 3M2e-3HA2-NP chimeric protein as a vaccine antigen candidate using an Escherichia coli expression system. The vaccination of chimeric protein (15 ㎍) conferred complete protection against A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (H1N1; PR8) in mice. It strongly induced influenza virus-specific antibody responses, cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity, and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. To spare the dose and enhance the cross-reactivity of the chimeric, we used a complex of poly-γ-glutamic acid and alum (PGA/alum) as an adjuvant. PGA/alum-adjuvanted, low-dose chimeric protein (1 or 5 ㎍) exhibited higher cross-protective effects against influenza A viruses (PR8, CA04, and H3N2) compared with those of chimeric alone or alum-adjuvanted proteins in vaccinated mice. Moreover, the depletion of CD4+ T, CD8+ T, and NK cells reduced the survival rate and efficacy of the PGA/alum-adjuvanted chimeric protein. Collectively, the vaccination of PGA/alum-adjuvanted chimeric protein induced strong protection efficacy against homologous and heterologous influenza viruses in mice, which suggests that it may be a promising universal influenza vaccine candidate.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.277-284
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• 1998

Serum samples were collected from 100 breeders and their progeny 600 broilers. The breeders and broilers were vaccinated against infectious bronchitis(IB), infectious bursal disease(IBD) and Newcastle disease(ND) viruses according to general vaccination program. The antibodies in serum samples against IB, IBD and ND viruses were detected by ELISA using commercial ELISA kit. Geometric mean titer(GMT) of ELISA was monitored from 1-day-old to 35-day-old broilers and compared to that of breeder chickens. The GMT of ELISA to IB, IBD and ND was declined half level of the day old broiler's antibody titers at about 4, 9 and 4 days of age. The GMT of ELISA to IB, IBD and ND was declined than that of protective antibody titer at about 12, 11, and 15 days of age. Thereafter, the GMT of ELISA to IB, ND were declined and disappeared according to age of broilers. The GMT of ELISA to IBD was declined according to age of broilers, but at 25 days of age increased and 31 days of age increased than that of protective antibody titer. Taken together, these studies led to conclusion that time-course of antibody titers of broilers from vaccinated breeders and that of progeny broliers which vaccinated according to vaccine program. Those are very important data to design vaccine program to breeders and broilers.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.285-292
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• 2022

Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) cause contagious diseases and have the potential to infect not only birds but also mammals. Wild birds are the natural reservoir of AIVs and spread them worldwide while migrating. Here we collected active AIV surveillance data from wild bird habitats during the 2019 to 2022 winter seasons (from September to March of the following year) in South Korea. We isolated 97 AIVs from a total of 7,590 fecal samples and found the yearly prevalence of AIVs was 0.83, 1.48, and 1.27, respectively. The prevalence of AIVs were generally higher from September to November. These findings demonstrate that a high number of wild birds that carry AIVs migrate into South Korea during the autumn season. The highest virus numbers were isolated from the species Anas platyrhynchos (72%; n=70), followed by Anas poecilorhyncha (15.4%; n=15), suggesting that each is an important host for these pathogens. Twenty-five hemagglutinin-neuraminidase subtypes were isolated, and all AIVs except the H5N8 subtype were found to be low-pathogenic avian influenza viruses (LPAIVs). Active surveillance of AIVs in wild birds could benefit public health because it could help to estimate their risk for introduction into animals and humans. Moreover, considering that 132 cases of human AIV infections have been reported worldwide within the last 5 years, active surveillance of AIVs is necessary to avoid outbreaks.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.309-323
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• 2011

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of naturally occurring small non-coding RNAs of about 22 nucleotides that have recently emerged as important regulators of gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. Recent studies provided clear evidence that microRNAs are abundant in the lung, liver and kidney and modulate a diverse spectrum of their functions. Moreover, a large number of studies have reported links between alterations of miRNA homeostasis and pathological conditions such as infectious diseases, sickle cell disease and endometrium diseases as well as lung, liver and kidney diseases. As a consequence of extensive participation of miRNAs in normal functions, alteration and/or abnormalities in miRNAs should have importance in human diseases. Beside their important roles in patterning and development, miRNAs also orchestrated responses to pathogen infections. Particularly, emerging evidence indicates that viruses use their own miRNAs to manipulate both cellular and viral gene expression. Furthermore, viral infection can exert a profound impact on the host cellular miRNA expression profile, and several RNA viruses have been reported to interact directly with cellular miRNAs and/or to use these miRNAs to augment their replication potential. Here I briefly summarize the newly discovered roles of miRNAs in various human diseases including infectious diseases, sickle cell disease and enodmetrium diseases as well as lung, liver and kidney diseases.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.373-378
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• 2005

Influenza virus has a unique characteristics of annual epidemics of acute respiratory disease with attack rate of 10%-30% of the population. It is also the classical emerging infectious disease causing global pandemics when new antigenic shift occur. This antigenic shift is the key to its ability to evoke periodic pandemics, and it has caused at least 3 pandemics in 20th century. I reviewed these 3 pandemics in their natural courses and the epidemiology of the recent emerging influenza A viruses, especially the H5 and H7 subtypes. I descr ibed the epidemics of these vi ruses in human population and why we should be prepared to these viruses.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.104-110
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• 1999

Field infectious bursal disease viruses (IBDVs) were isolated from IBDV-suspected commercial chickens. The variable region in VP2 gene of six Korean IBDV isolates (K-IBDVs) and IBD vaccines was examined using the reverse transcriptase / polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RT/PCR-RFLP) assay. With all K-IBDVs and vaccine IBDVs, a 474-bp fragment of the VP2 gene was amplified and tested with various restriction enzymes. Restriction enzymes BstNI and StyI differentiated K-IBDV isolates and IBD vaccines into four groups. Restriction enzyme profiles of K-IBDV isolates were different from them of IBD vaccines. K-IBDV isolates except for 310 isolate had specific SspI and TaqI recognition sites, which were recognized in highly virulent IBDVs, but IBD vaccines had no those sites. This study showed that RT/PCR-RFLP assay was thought to be valuable tool for differentiation of IBDVs and identification of highly virulent IBDV.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 1996

Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) viruses and single-stranded RNA(ssRNA) viruses were detected in a strain of Pleurotus mushroom cultivated in a farm. Those fungal virsus were purified in the pH 6.0 or pH 7.2 using CsCI or Cs$_{2}$SO$_{4}$ buoyant density centrifugation. Each viral particles were not completely separated at any trials. However, mushroom bacili-form virus contains a single major nucleic acid with 0.7 Kb ssRNA, which might code for 20 Kd viral capsid protein. The dsRNAs are encapsidatred into spherical-form viruses, whereas ssRNA viral genomes are encapsidated into two different sizes of bacili-form particles. A healthy-looking mushroom also contained some spherical-form viruses with dsRNAs. Laboratory strains of Pleurotus ostreatus and a cultivated strain of P. sajor-caju did not show any viral particles. Mushrooms with specific disease symptoms. however, contained at least four different sizes of spherical-form viruses. Thus, we concluded that a bacilli-form virus case a severe disease symptoms of adnormal on mushroom development.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.41.1-41.6
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• 2023

Many viruses can infect different types of birds, with poultry being the most susceptible. These viral diseases have a direct negative impact on the poultry industry, with significant economic losses. This study examined a group of the most important viruses that infect backyard chickens in 2 specific areas of Basrah Governorate, south of Iraq. The study analyzed avian influenza viruses (AIVs), Newcastle disease virus (NDV), and infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). Two hundred and ninety oropharyngeal swabs, 150 from Abu Al-Khasib and 140 from Shatt Al-Arab regions in the Basrah governorate, were obtained from backyard chickens with clear respiratory signs. The samples were subjected to viral RNA extraction, and the viral nucleic acids were detected using a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction technique. The overall rate of viral infections was 74.8%, which varied depending on the type of virus: 15.8%, 31.3%, and 27.5% for AIV, NDV, and IBV, respectively. The NDV and IBV had much higher infection rates than that of AIV. In addition, the prevalence of AIV in the Shatt Al Arab district was significantly higher than in the Abul Khasib district. Moreover, there were no significant differences between the NDV and the IBV distributions in either of the targeted regions in this study.