• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.85-99
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• 2008

Avian reovirus (ARV) is a causative agent of viral arthritis/tenosynovitis, and malabsorption syndrome in broiler. The characteristics of malabsorption syndrome caused by ARV are diarrhea, poor feed conversion and stunting. Therefore, ARV infection has been recognized as one of the most important disease in the poultry industry because of economical losses. However, few study of ARV infection in broiler industry has been conducted in Korea. To evaluate the presence of ARV infection in broiler farms, epidemiological survey such as serological test and virus isolation has been conducted. For the serological survey using ELISA method, we selected five broiler farms which were located at different area and had a history of growth retardation, lameness, diarrhea and poor feathering. From these farms serum samples were collected at 1 day, 14 days and market age. All these farms had no history of vaccination against ARV. In addition to serological survey, we tried to isolate ARV from birds of designated farms at market age and collected feces and tissue samples such as cecal tonsil, intestine and liver. We were identified ARV by RT-PCR and transmissible electron microscopy. The samples were inoculated into 9-day-old embryonated eggs via the chorioallantoic membrane to observe the pock formation. For the pathogenicity test of ARV isolates, we inoculated with the isolates to the right footpad of 3-week-old SPF chicks and observed clinical signs and pathological changes for 14 days after challenge. Most broilers sampled for serological survey have maternal antibodies which were widely distributed at 1 day and decreased by 14 days. However, at the market age several broiler farms showed fairly high antibody titer against ARV. This increase of antibody titer at market age means the possible infection of ARV during the grow-out period. Among total 15 samples for the isolation of ARV. 2 samples were positive by RT-PCR and finally identified as a ARV. We inoculated these isolates in the SPF birds and observed that the antibody titer was increased from 7 days after challenge. However, we did not find any clinical signs both control and challenge groups. Based on the above results, it is clear that the ARV infection has been circulated in the broiler industry and caused significant economic losses. Further study is needed to evaluate the virulence of the isolates in the digestive system of broiler and the molecular characteristics of isolates.

• Clinical and Molecular Hepatology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.374-383
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• 2018

Background/Aims: There have been numerous efforts to reduce mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) with antiviral agents during pregnancy. However, there are limited data regarding the outcomes of pregnant women after delivery. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of antiviral agents in preventing MTCT of HBV and maternal long-term outcomes. Methods: The HBV-infected pregnant women treated with antiviral agents to prevent MTCT were retrospectively reviewed. Forty-one pregnant women who received telbivudine or tenofovir during late pregnancy (28-34 week) were analyzed. Hepatitis B virus surface antibody (HBsAb) positivity was tested in 43 infants after 7 months of birth. Eleven mothers were followed >1 year after delivery. Results: The mean HBV DNA titer before antiviral therapy was 8.67 (6.60-9.49) log copies/mL, and the median age at delivery was 32 years (range, 22-40). Eleven patients were treated with tenofovir and 30 with telbivudine. The median duration was 57 days (range, 23-100), and the median HBV DNA titer at birth was 5.06 log copies/mL (range, 2.06-6.50). Antiviral treatments were associated with significant HBV DNA reduction (P<0.001). Among 43 infants (two cases of twins), HBsAb was not detected in two, subsequently confirmed to have HBV infection. Biochemical flare was observed in two of 11 mothers followed >12 months, and an antiviral agent was administered. Conclusions: Antiviral treatment during late pregnancy effectively reduced MTCT. Long-term follow-up should be required in such cases. In addition, given that maternal biochemical flare occurred in 18% of mothers, re-administration of antiviral agents might be required.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.149-156
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• 1993

Human chorionic gonadotropin(hCG) and intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG) treatment were attempted as a novel therapeutic approach for unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion(RSA). Forty-four and 3 women with a history of RSA were treated with hCG and IVIG, respectively, during pregnancy. Of these patients, serum blocking factor assay was performed before and after each treatment, in 15 patients; 12 cases with hCG and 3 cases with IVIG. The results were as follows: 1. Of 44 women who receive hCG during pregnancy, 24 delivered healthy infants at term, 10 patients suffered repeat abortion, and 10 women are still pregnant under 28 weeks. Over all success rate of hCG treatment was 70.6% (24/34). Although there is no statistical significance, absolute serm blocking level was decreased after treatment(N=12). 2. Of 3 women who receive IVIG during pregnancy, all 3 women are still pregnant under 28 weeks. Serum blocking level was increased after treatment, however, this increment was not statistically significant. Although no conclusion could be extracted from the patients who received IVIG, the therapeutic effect of hCG is comparable to that of the other therapeutic regimens, such as allogeneic leukocytes. It was postulated that actual etiology of unknown RSA would be classified as hormonal origin although combined etiologies are common in Korean women.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.193-198
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• 1988

In order to examine the efficacy of concurrent vaccination with live and killed Newcastle disease(ND) vaccines two types of each live($B_1$ and LaSota) and killed(gel and oil) vaccines of all commercial origin were administered either alone or simultaneously to day-old broiler chicks having maternal antibody. Live vaccines were given by conjuntival instillation in volumes of 25${\mu}\ell$ containing $10^{6.0}$ to $10^{6.3}$ median embroy infective dose(EH)) while killed vaccines were given in 0.3$m\ell$ volumes subcutaneously at the back of the neck Hemagglutination inhibition(HI) antibodies were determined at weekly intervals until 8 weeks of age and protection rate was determined at 4 and 8 week of age by challenge inoculation with virulent ND virus(NDV). During the 8 weeks experimental period concurrent administration of live and oil vaccine produced the highest level of HI antibody and the most satisfactory protection, whereas concurrent rent vaccination with live and gel vaccine induced poor immune responses. There was no noticeable difference in the efficacy between the live vaccines, Bl and LaSota when simultaneously administered with oil vaccine. Except for oil vaccine, single administration of either live or killed vaccine at day-old produced less than 50% protection at 4 and 8 weeks postvaccination(PV). Oil vaucine alone induced 80% and 70% protection at 4 and 8 week PV, respectively. Concurrent vaccination caused on visible side reaction like respiratory symptoms and did not negatively influence the growth rate of birds until the end of experiment.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.264-270
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• 2005

Breastfeeding has been known as the best feeding practice to prevent allergies including atopic dermatitis (AD) However, the benefit on the prevention of allergic disease is still controversial. The objectives of this study were to examine the rate of sensitization to the protein of eggs, cow's milk and soy in exclusively breastfed infants and to evaluate antigen-antibody reaction between breast milk and serum of AD infant. Data on feeding and food hypersensitivity were obtained for 62 AD infants (32 male, 30 female) aged < 6 month who had visited Samsung Medical Center from September 2001 to May 2003. Food hypersensitivity was determined by measuring specific IgE to egg, cow's milk and soy. Specific IgE levels > 0.7 kU/L by CAP assay (Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden) were considered positive. The rates of sensitization in breastfed infants were $41.9\%$ (26/62) to egg, $30.6\%$ (19/62) to milk and $18.0\%$ (11/62) to soy. Immunoblotting analyses were performed using breast milk with the matched serum of seven AD infants (4 male/3 female). Binding patterns of AD infant's IgE to breast milk extract showed visible specific band for immunoglobulin, especially in case of a lactating mother who did not completely restricted ingestion of egg, milk and soy. These results indicate that sensitization to food allergen develops via breast milk feeding. Breast milk feeding should be recommended in infants at risk of developing allergic disease, but maternal intake of highly allergenic food might be restricted for prevention and treatment of food allergy among the babies with AD.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.63 no.8
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• pp.329-334
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• 2020

Background: Birth asphyxia is a leading cause of neonatal mortality. Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels may have a predictive role in the identification and prevention of hypoxic disorders, as they increase in cases of ischemia of the liver, heart, brain, bowel, and kidney. Purpose: This study aimed to assess the value of IMA levels as a diagnostic marker for neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Methods: Sixty newborns who fulfilled 3 or more of the clinical and biochemical criteria and developed HIE as defined by Levene staging were included in our study as the asphyxia group. Neonates with congenital malformation, systemic infection, intrauterine growth retardation, low-birth weight, cardiac or hemolytic disease, family history of neurological diseases, congenital or perinatal infections, preeclampsia, diabetes, and renal diseases were excluded from the study. Sixty healthy neonates matched for gestational age and with no maternal history of illness, established respiration at birth, and an Apgar score ≥7 at 1 and 5 minutes were included as the control group. IMA was determined by double-antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of a cord blood sample collected within 30 minutes after birth. Results: Cord blood IMA levels were higher in asphyxiated newborns than in controls (250.83±36.07 pmol/mL vs. 120.24±38.9 pmol/mL). Comparison of IMA levels by HIE stage revealed a highly significant difference among them (207.3±26.65, 259.28±11.68, 294.99±4.41 pmol/mL for mild, moderate, and severe, respectively). At a cutoff of 197.6 pmol/mL, the sensitivity was 84.5%, specificity was 86%, positive predictive value was 82.8%, negative predictive value was 88.3%, and area under the curve was 0.963 (P<0.001). Conclusion: IMA levels can be a reliable marker for the early diagnosis of neonatal HIE and can be a predictor of injury severity.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.265-269
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• 1999

Thrombocytopenic patients without detectable bound antiplatelet antibody should be diagnosed with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) if no other cause of their decreased platelet count could be found. More recently the term "autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (ATP) has supplanted ITP since the disease is related to the production of autoantibodies against one's own platelets. This entity should not be confused with isoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (also called alloimmune thrombocytopenic purpura). In this cases maternal antiplatelet antibodies directed against the PLA 1 antigen on the fetal platelets causes severe fetal and neonatal thrombocytopenia in a situation analogous to Rheusus disease. Antibodies to the negatively charged phospholipids, lupus anticoagulant, and anticardiolipin have been linked to adverse pregnancy events. Pregnant women possessing these antibodies have an increased risk of spontaneous abortion, stillbirths, intrauterine fetal growth retardation, preterm birth, and arterial and venous thrombosis. Antiphospholipid antibodies decrease or may even disappear between pregnancies only to recur with increased activity in a subsequent pregnancy and lead to loss. We have experienced a case of antiphospholipid syndrome associated with autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura in patient with recurrent spontaneous abortion. So we report this case with a brief review of literatures.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.68-72
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• 2020

Purpose: Trisomy 21, the cause of Down syndrome (DS) with various medical problems, is the most common aneuploidy during the fetal period. For diagnosis, a non-invasive screening test using maternal blood, which cannot be confirmed and invasive confirmation test with a risk of miscarriage, may be performed. The trophoblast retrieval and isolation of the cervix (TRIC) have been proposed by some researchers as an alternative to overcome the limitations of current tests. We experimented using TRIC to identify the possibility of trisomy 21 for the first time in Asia. Materials and Methods: Three cases of DS were analyzed confirmed by invasive tests (chorionic villus sampling, amniocentesis). All samples of trophoblasts immediately were immersed in phosphate-buffered saline and processed with formalin for fixation. The trophoblasts were isolated using an anti-human leukocyte antigen-G antibody coupled to magnetic nanoparticles. β-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-expressing cells were considered as trophoblast cells, and the detection rate calculated. DS was confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Results: The mean trophoblast detection rate using β-hCG was 78.1%, and the detection rate using FISH was 22.2%. In all cases, the trisomy of chromosome 21 was identified. Conclusion: Trophoblast can be obtained from the five weeks of gestation and has a high detection rate, so it is noted that it can replace the current prenatal genetic test. To realize the clinical application as a prenatal genetic test, we will need additional efforts to identify trisomy 21 as well as other chromosomal abnormalities in future large-scale studies.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.9-22
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• 1996

Respiratory Syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections in human, with infants and young children being particularly susceptible. In the temperate zones, sharp annual outbreaks of RSV occur during the colder months, in both the northern and the southern hemisphere. RSV is unusual in that it can repeatedly reinfect individuals throughout life and infect babies in the presence of maternal antibody. RSV isolates can be divided into two subgroups, A and B, on the basis of their reactions with monoclonal antibodies, and the two subgroups are also distinct at the nucleotide sequence level. The specific diagnosis of RSV infection was best made by isolation of virus in tissue culture, identification of viral antigen, or by specific serologic procedures. Recently, rapid detection of RSV and analysis of RSV strain variation became possible by development of methods of reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction amplification. In this study, to determine the genetic diversity of RSV found in Korea, 173 bp and 164 bp spanning selected regions of the RSV F and SH genes were enzymatically amplified and sequenced, respectively. Eight for F gene and three for SH gene were detected in 66 nasopharyngeal swap samples tested. Two major antigenic subgroups, A and B were confirmed from Korean samples (seven for subgroup A and one for subgroup B). At the nucleotide level of the F gene region, Korean subgroup A strains showed 95-99% homologies compared to the prototype A2 strain of subgroup A and 93-100% homologies among Korean subgroup A themselves. For the SH gene region, Korean subgroup A strain showed 97.5% homology compared to the prototype A2 strain of subgroup A, and Korean subgroup B strain showed 97% homology compared to the prototype 18537 strain of subgroup B. Most of base changes were transition and occured in codon position 3, which resulted in amino acid conservation. Using the maximum parsimony method, phylogenetic analysis indicated that Korean RSV strains formed a group with other RSV strains isolated from the United States, Canada, the Great Britain and Australia.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.301-309
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• 1997

The objective of this study was to determine the microtubule assembly and chromatin configuration during the first cell cycle in bovine oocytes following injection of spermatozoon, sperm head and tail. The microtubule and chromatin configuration was imaged with fluorescent labeled monoclonal ${\alpha}$-tubulin antibody and propidium iodide under laser scanning confocal microscope. Microtubule and chromatin dynamics in bovine oocytes following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were not different from those observed during in vitro fertilization (IVF). Following ICSI, the microtubular aster was observed around sperm midpiece. During pronuclear formation, the sperm aster was enlarged and seen around male and female pronuclei. At mitotic metaphase, the microtubular spindle assemble astral poles and chromosomes were aligned on the spindle equator. At mitosis, asters were concentrated to each spindle pole and they filled the cytoplasm. After injection of the isolated sperm head, the microtubular aster was not seen around sperm head in any cases (0/18). Instead, microtubules were organized from the cytoplasm, which filled the whole cytoplasm during pronuclear apposition. These microtubules seem to move male and female pronuclei. These results suggest that isolated sperm head can develop into normal pronucleus in mature bovine oocytes, and competent to participate syngamy with the ootid chromatin. The functional microtubules following isolated sperm head injection in bovine oocytes appeared to be organized solely from maternal stores.