• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제42권2호
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• pp.67-70
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• 2004

A small scale survey was performed to know the infection status of intestinal parasite in children of the residential institutions and street communities in Metro Manila, Philippines. A total of 284 stool samples from 11 institutions and 3 street communities was examined by the formalin-ether concentration method. The scotch tape anal swab was adapted to 121 children to investigate the infection status of Enterovius vermicularis. It was found out that 62.0％ of the children examined were positive for one or more intestinal parasites. Multiple infections were observed in 34.2％ of the children. Among 172 children who gave detail information, the prevalence for Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and hookworm was 36.0％, 44.8％, and 7.0％ respectively. Of the children examined, 47.7％ were found to be harboring parasitic protozoans such as Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, and Blastocystis hominis. The most prevalent of these protozoans was B. hominis with an infection rate of 40.7％. The prevalence of these infections among children living in institutions was relatively high. More efforts should be made to implement anthelminthic programs including bi-annual follow-up treatments.

• 한국어병학회지
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.163-166
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• 2009

The ectoparasite ciliate Trichodina has been recorded from above 100 species of freshwater and marine fishes. In April 2009, we investigated the trichodia infection in 13 species of marine fishes captured by emplacement net and gill net in order to understand trichodina infection status among the natural fish populations along the Namhae-Gun coast area, the southen coast of Korea. Trichodina infection was observed in 10 out of 10 sea basses Lateolabrax japonicus, 2 out of 5 finespotted flounder Pleuronichthys cornutus and 1 out of a stone flounder Kareius bicoloratus. The sea bass infected with the parasite showed hypertrophy and exfoliation in gill epithelium. In addition, hyperplasia and lamellar fusion of gill filament were noticed among naturally affected sea bass.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제57권2호
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• pp.93-99
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• 2019

Both Plasmodium spp. and Toxoplasma gondii are important apicomplexan parasites, which infect humans worldwide. Genetic analyses have revealed that 33% of amino acid sequences of inner membrane complex from the malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei is similar to that of Toxoplasma gondii. Inner membrane complex is known to be involved in cell invasion and replication. In this study, we investigated the resistance against T. gondii (ME49) infection induced by previously infected P. berghei (ANKA) in mice. Levels of T. gondii-specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b antibody responses, $CD4^+$ and $CD8^+$ T cell populations were found higher in the mice infected with P. berghei (ANKA) and challenged with T. gondii (ME49) compared to that in control mice infected with T. gondii alone (ME49). P. berghei (ANKA) + T. gondii (ME49) group showed significantly reduced the number and size of T. gondii (ME49) cysts in the brains of mice, resulting in lower body weight loss compared to ME49 control group. These results indicate that previous exposure to P. berghei (ANKA) induce resistance to subsequent T. gondii (ME49) infection.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.122-124
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• 2019

Simian malaria is a zoonotic disease caused by Plasmodium knowlesi infection. The common natural reservoir of the parasite is the macaque monkey and the vector is the Anopheles mosquito. Human cases of P. knowlesi infection has been reported in all South East Asian countries in the last decade, and it is currently the most common type of malaria seen in Malaysia and Brunei. Between 2007-2017, 73 cases of P. knowlesi infection were notified and confirmed to the Ministry of Health in Brunei. Of these, 15 cases (21%) were documented as work-related, and 28 other cases (38%) were classified as probably related to work (due to incomplete history). The occupations of those with probable and confirmed work related infections were border patrol officers, Armed Forces and security personnel, Department of Forestry officers, boatmen and researchers. The remaining cases classified as most likely not related to work were possibly acquired via peri-domestic transmission. The risk of this zoonotic infection extends to tourists and overseas visitors who have to travel to the jungle in the course of their work. It can be minimised with the recommended use of prophylaxis for those going on duty into the jungles, application of mosquito/insect repellants, and use of repellant impregnated uniforms and bed nets in jungle camp sites.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.27-32
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• 2007

The status of Dirofilaria immitis infection was assessed in pet dogs of Busan, Korea, and chemoprophylactic effects of microfilaricidal medication were evaluated. A total of 294 pet dogs older than 6 mo were examined, 217 of which had been maintained indoors, and 77 had been kept outdoors. The $Snap^R$ kit and direct microscopic examinations of the peripheral blood were used. The mean overall parasite positive rates were 10.2% and 6.5%, respectively. Outdoor dogs evidenced adult worm infection rate of 31.2% and microfilaria infection rate of 18.2%. The indoor dogs, however, evidenced adult worm infection rate of 2.8% and microfilaria infection rate of 2.3%. The prevalence in males was more than 2 times that of females. The changing pattern of infection rates by age evidenced a gradual increase, from 2- to 6-year-old dogs, after which, a decrease in infection rates was noted. With regard to chemoprophylaxis, the infection rates of complete and incomplete chemoprophylaxis groups were found to be 2-3 times lower than that of the non-chemoprophylaxis group. The results of the present study indicate that the risk of exposure to D. immitis in pet dogs is quite high, particularly in male outdoor dogs, and chemoprophylactic measures were quite effective.

• 한국양식학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국양식학회 2006년도 수산관련학회 공동학술대회 발표요지집
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• pp.457-458
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• 2006

• 한국수산과학회지
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.62-67
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• 1999

1992, 1993년에 경남 통영, 거제 및 전남 여수 등 남해안 주요 굴 채묘 어장에서 참굴, Crassostrea gigas의 극심한 채묘 부진 현상이 발생하여 이에 대한 원인 구명의 일환으로 각 시험 어장 서식 모패 중의 난소기생충 감염율을 조사하고 감염난 및 비감염난에 대한 발생 비교 시험을 실시하였다. 그리고, 모패 중 난의 건강도 판정 및 발생 가능성 추정을 위하여 난 지질 함량을 측정하였다. 또한, 각 채묘 부진 해역에서 채집한 굴 유생 중의 세균의 오염정도와 오염균의 세균상 등을 조사하였다. 1992년 8월에서 1993년 9월 사이 경남 통영 저산, 거제 오수 및 전남 여수 경도, 굴전 지역 굴 암컷 모패의 난소기생충, Marteiliodes chungmuensis 감염 율은 각각 $11.8\~100\%,\;14.3\~100\%,\;$15.4\~93.3\%,\;12.5\~91.7\%$였으나, 충남 대천의 자연산 굴 암컷 모패에서는 난소기생충이 검출되지 않았다. 한편, 난소기생충에 감염된 난의 세포질 내에서는 직경 78$\~$80nm의 바이러스성 입자 (virus-like particle)가 관찰되었다. 난소기생충에 감염된 난을 사용한 인공 발생 실험에서 기생충에 감염된 난은 수정이 불가능하였으며, 동일 생식소에 감염난과 함께 있었던 정상난도 수정은 가능하였으나, $80\%$ 이상이 형태적으로 비정상적인 발생을 하였고, 정상적으로 발생하여 D형 및 초기각정기까지 도달한 유생도 외부 각부터 녹기 시작하여 연체부까지 파괴되는 세포 괴사 현상을 나타내며 전량 폐사하였다. 채묘 부진 현상이 발생한 통영 저산 양식산 참굴의 난지질 함량은 3.8ng/egg이었으나, 충남 대천 자연산의 난지질은 6.2ng/egg였다. 한편, 발생 전 낮은 난 지질 함량을 나타내었던 통영 저산 산의 난은 정상적인 수정, 발생 단계를 거쳐 수정 7일째 초기각정기까지는 발달하였으나, 이후 발생이 진전되지 못한 채 수정 10일째 전량 폐사하였다. 각 시험어장에서 채취한 참굴 유생의 단위개체당 생균수는 거제 오수가 8,100으로 가장 높았고, 통영 저산이 98, 여수 굴전이 5.5로 나타났다. 각 시험어장에서 채수한 해수 중의 생균수는 여수 굴전이 14,000/ml으로 가장 높았으며, 거제 오수와 통영 저산이 각각 370, 260/ml으로 비슷하였다. 채묘 부진 해역에서 채집된 패류 유생 중의 세균상은 Pseudomonas속 및 그 유사세균이 $53.3\~87.1\%$로 절대 우점종을 차지하였다.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제58권4호
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• pp.393-402
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• 2020

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite that causes severe disease when the infection occurs during pregnancy. Adenosine is a purine nucleoside involved in numerous physiological processes; however, the role of adenosine receptors in T. gondii-induced trophoblast cell function has not been investigated until now. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the intracellular signaling pathways regulated by adenosine receptors using a HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cell model of T. gondii infection. HTR8/SVneo human extravillous trophoblast cells were infected with or without T. gondii and then evaluated for cell morphology, intracellular proliferation of the parasite, adenosine receptor expression, TNF-α production and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling pathways triggered by adenosine A₃ receptor (A₃AR). HTR8/SVneo cells infected with T. gondii exhibited an altered cytoskeletal changes, an increased infection rate and reduced viability in an infection time-dependent manner. T. gondii significantly promoted increased TNF-α production, A₃AR protein levels and p38, ERK1/2 and JNK phosphorylation compared to those observed in uninfected control cells. Moreover, the inhibition of A₃AR by A₃AR siRNA transfection apparently suppressed the T. gondii infection-mediated upregulation of TNF-α, A₃AR production and MAPK activation. In addition, T. gondii-promoted TNF-α secretion was dramatically attenuated by pretreatment with PD098059 or SP600125. These results indicate that A₃AR-mediated activation of ERK1/2 and JNK positively regulates TNF-α secretion in T. gondii-infected HTR8/SVneo cells.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제54권6호
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• pp.711-717
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• 2016

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that stimulates production of high levels of proinflammatory cytokines, which are important for innate immunity. NLRs, i.e., nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors, play a crucial role as innate immune sensors and form multiprotein complexes called inflammasomes, which mediate caspase-1-dependent processing of $pro-IL-1{\beta}$. To elucidate the role of inflammasome components in T. gondiiinfected THP-1 macrophages, we examined inflammasome-related gene expression and mechanisms of inflammasome-regulated cytokine $IL-1{\beta}$ secretion. The results revealed a significant upregulation of $IL-1{\beta}$ after T. gondii infection. T. gondii infection also upregulated the expression of inflammasome sensors, including NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4, NLRP6, NLRP8, NLRP13, AIM2, and NAIP, in a time-dependent manner. The infection also upregulated inflammasome adaptor protein ASC and caspase-1 mRNA levels. From this study, we newly found that T. gondii infection regulates NLRC4, NLRP6, NLRP8, NLRP13, AIM2, and neuronal apoptosis inhibitor protein (NAIP) gene expressions in THP-1 macrophages and that the role of the inflammasome-related genes may be critical for mediating the innate immune responses to T. gondii infection.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제57권2호
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• pp.83-92
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• 2019

Based on the reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulatory properties of diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), we investigated the effects of DPI on host-infected T. gondii proliferation and determined specific concentration that inhibit the intracellular parasite growth but without severe toxic effect on human retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE-19) cells. As a result, it is observed that host superoxide, mitochondria superoxide and $H_2O_2$ levels can be increased by DPI, significantly, followed by suppression of T. gondii infection and proliferation. The involvement of ROS in anti-parasitic effect of DPI was confirmed by finding that DPI effect on T. gondii can be reversed by ROS scavengers, N-acetyl-L-cysteine and ascorbic acid. These results suggest that, in ARPE-19 cell, DPI can enhance host ROS generation to prevent T. gondii growth. Our study showed DPI is capable of suppressing T. gondii growth in host cells while minimizing the un-favorite side-effect to host cell. These results imply that DPI as a promising candidate material for novel drug development that can ameliorate toxoplasmosis based on ROS regulation.