• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.51 no.4
• /
• pp.436-443
• /
• 2019

Lyme disease is a national notifiable infectious disease as of September 2018. The number of cases of Lyme disease has recently been increasing. This study analyzed the epidemiological features and clinical symptoms of domestic and imported. From 2011 to December 31, 2018, of the 119 cases, 48 confirmed cases, 63 probable cases, and 8 suspected cases. 70 cases (58.8%) were reported in Korea and 49 cases (41.2%) of imported. In addition, 91 cases (76.5%) were reported during the summer~autumn season (June~November). In 2017, the highest number of 31 cases. The time needed to make a diagnosis was 2.8±14.7 days for domestic occurrences versus 1.4±4.5 days for those cases that infection occurred imported. Among the clinical symptoms, fever and rash were statistically significant (P<0.001). Clinical trials included early localized 31 cases (52.1%), early disseminated 43 cases (35.3%), and late disseminated 15 cases (12.6%). The estimated regions of infection in Korea were Chungnam 12 cases (17.1%), Gyeonggi 12 cases (17.1%), and Gangwon 8 cases (11.4%), Patient care is also considered to be very important as this disease occurs of all ages. Therefore, the promotion of preventive education and identification of epidemiological features are of paramount importance and should be implemented. The study's findings can be used as basic data for the prevention and management of patients with lyme disease.

• Research in Plant Disease
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.52-59
• /
• 2023

Cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus (CCYV) is a plant virus that causes damage to cucurbit crops such as watermelon and cucumber, and is transmitted by an insect vector known as the whitefly. Since CCYV was first detected on cucumber in Chungbuk in 2018, it has been reported in other areas including Gyeongsang in Korea. In 2020, we performed field surveys of yellowing diseases in the greenhouses growing melon and watermelon in Chungbuk (Jincheon and Eumseong). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis of 79 collected samples including melon, watermelon, and weeds resulted in detection of CCYV in 4 samples: Three samples were singly infected with CCYV and one samples was mixed infected with CCYV, Cucurbit aphid borne yellows virus, and Watermelon mosaic virus. The complete genome sequences of the four collected CCYV melon isolates (ES 1-ES 4) were determined and genetically compared with those of previously reported CCYV isolates retrieved from GenBank. Phylogenetic analyses of RNA 1 and 2 sequences revealed that four ES isolates were clustered in one group and closely related to the CCYV isolates from China. The analysis also revealed very low genetic diversity among the CCYV ES isolates. In general, CCYV isolates showed little genetic diversity, regardless of host or geographic origins. CCYV has the potential to pose a serious threat to melon, watermelon, and cucumber production in Korea. Further studies are needed to examine the pathogenicity and transmissibility of CCYV in weeds and other cucurbits including watermelon.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.52 no.6
• /
• pp.631-637
• /
• 2014

Genetic characteristics of Plasmodium falciparum may play a role in the treatment outcome of malaria infection. We have studied the association between diversity at the merozoite surface protein-1 (msp-1), msp-2, and glutamate-rich protein (glurp) loci and the treatment outcome of uncomplicated falciparum malaria patients along the Thai-Myanmar border who were treated with artemisinin derivatives combination therapy. P. falciparum isolates were collected prior to treatment from 3 groups of patients; 50 cases of treatment failures, 50 recrudescences, and 56 successful treatments. Genotyping of the 3 polymorphic markers was analyzed by nested PCR. The distribution of msp-1 alleles was significantly different among the 3 groups of patients but not the msp-2 and glurp alleles. The allelic frequencies of K1 and MAD20 alleles of msp1 gene were higher while RO33 allele was significantly lower in the successful treatment group. Treatment failure samples had a higher median number of alleles as compared to the successful treatment group. Specific genotypes of msp-1, msp-2, and glurp were significantly associated with the treatment outcomes. Three allelic size variants were significantly higher among the isolates from the treatment failure groups, i.e., $K1_{270-290}$, $3D7_{610-630}$, $G_{650-690}$, while 2 variants, $K1_{150-170}$, and $3D7_{670-690}$ were significantly lower. In conclusion, the present study reports the differences in multiplicity of infection and distribution of specific alleles of msp-1, msp-2, and glurp genes in P. falciparum isolates obtained from treatment failure and successful treatment patients following artemisinin derivatives combination therapy.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.51 no.4
• /
• pp.420-427
• /
• 2019

Scrub typhus is a fever-related disease that is commonly diagnosed during the autumn season. The number of patients affected by this disease continues to increase every year. However, the cause of the disease and the regional differences of its incidence are poorly understood. This study examined the epidemiological features and regional differences in the incidence of scrub typhus. The monthly incidence of cases from all reports rose to more than 90% during the fall season (October~December). Based on the analysis of the 18,851 cases in the epidemiological investigation, 14,777 (78.4%) and 4,074 (21.6%) cases occurred in high and low occurrence areas, respectively. Moreover, there were more female cases than male cases (males: 7,233 [38.4%]; females: 11,618 [61.6%]; P< 0.001). The clinical symptoms, including fever, chills, myalgia, and eschar of the body, were noted in 16,688 (89.1%), 11,533 (61.2%),11,439 (60.7%), and 6,005 (45.4%) cases, respectively. The incidence rates were higher for Gyeongnam, Jeonam, Jeonbuk, and Chungnam provinces. The areas with a high occurrence of scrub typhus were consistent with the areas experiencing a high distribution of Leptotrombidium scutellare. The incidence of scrub typhus has been rising owing to the increasing population of ticks due to global warming and increased agricultural and outdoor activities. Thus, continuous management of patients and preventive environmental measures are needed to control this disease.

• Research in Plant Disease
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.115-120
• /
• 2010

In this study, changes in virus disease occurrence and yield were monitored in conventional cropping system(rice-barley) and soybean-barley double cropping system in virus-prone area for 5 years. Also, changes in the density of Polymyxa graminis, a fungal vector, was investigated. In assay tests, mixed infection of Barley yellow mosaic virus (BaYMV) and Barley mild mosaic virus (BaMMV) was observed. Disease severity was in the range of 7~9 in conventional cropping system. In continuous cropping of soybean-barley and 3-yearfallow land, disease severity also was around 7. However, disease severity was reduced to medium level (5) when barley cultivation was paused for one or two years in soybean-barley cropping. When barley cultivation was paused for a year, the density of P. graminis, a fungal vector for BaYMV and BaMMV, reduced in barley root and soil. Similarly, barley growth was also enhanced by adopting fallow seasons. Compared with the fifth year of conventional cropping, the number of tillers per $m^2$ was increased by 158 when barley cultivation was paused for an year in soybean-barley cropping. When soybean and barley were cultivated continuously or complete fallow period was extended to three years, plant height and the number of tillers of barley were decreased. Yield components of barley in soybean-barley cropping were superior to those in rice-barley cropping. Compared with the fifth year of conventional cropping and soybean-barley cropping, culm length of barley was 1.3~2.3 cm higher and the number of tillers per $m^2$ was 36~90 higher when barley cultivation was paused for one or two years. However, those in continuous cropping of soybean-barley and 3-year-fallow land were lower compared with conventional cropping. Similarly, yield was increased when barley cultivation was paused for one or two years in the third, forth, and fifth years when compared with conventional cropping.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.56 no.6
• /
• pp.559-565
• /
• 2018

The identification and characterization of pathogenic and zoonotic tick-borne diseases like granulocytic anaplasmosis are essential for developing effective control programs. The differential diagnosis of pathogenic Anaplasma phagocytophilum and non-pathogenic A. phagocytophilum-like Anaplasma spp. is important for implementing effective treatment from control programs. The objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of Anaplasma spp. in horses in Korea by nucleotide sequencing and restriction enzyme fragment length polymorphism assay. Of the 627 horses included in the study, only 1 (0.2%) was infected with A. phagocytophilum. Co-infection with A. phagocytophilumlike Anaplasma spp. was not detected in the study. The 16S rRNA sequence of A. phagocytophilum was similar (99.5-100%) to A. phagocytophilum 16S rRNA isolated from horses in other countries. PCR adapted to amplify A. phagocytophilum groEL and msp2 genes failed to generate amplicons, suggesting genetic diversity in these genes. This study is the first molecular detection of A. phagocytophilum in horses in Korea. Human granulocytic anaplasmosis and animal infection of A. phagocytophilum have been reported in Korea recently. Because of vector tick distribution, global warming, and the increase of the horse industry, horses should be considered as a potential reservoir for A. phagocytophilum, and cross infectivity should be evaluated even though a low prevalence of infection was detected in this study. Furthermore, continuous surveillance and effective control measures for A. phagocytophilum should be established to prevent disease distribution and possible transmission to humans.

• Entomological Research
• /
• v.48 no.6
• /
• pp.522-532
• /
• 2018

As the vector-borne diseases rapidly increased due to climate change, we investigated the incidence of flavivirus occurrence among female mosquito species in urban and rural study sites in Daegu and Gunwi, South Korea using Realtime PCR. We collected more individuals and more species of mosquito in 2016 than in 2015. In 2015, we recorded a total of 22,033 mosquitoes (Trap Index, 224.8) representing 10 species from 5 genera, whereas in 2016, a total of 27,137 mosquitoes (Trap Index, 278.7) representing 13 species from 6 genera were collected. The number of mosquitoes in 2016 was higher in all study sites, except in the migratory bird habitats where the number decreased. Of the 14 species collected over the two years, Aedes vexans nipponii and Anopheles spp. were dominant in the cowsheds in rural farmland; Culex pipiens complex, in urban residential areas; and, Anopheles spp. and Cu. pipiens complex in migratory bird habitats caught in a black light trap. Cu. pipiens complex and Ae. albopictus in urban parks and Ae. albopictus and Armigeres subalbatus in migratory bird habitats were the dominant species caught in BG-sentinel traps. We found that the number of mosquitoes was highest during July-September. We analyzed 1,725 pools to detect flavivirus, where Chaoyang virus was detected among Ae. vexans niponii collected from cowsheds in rural farmland in 2016. The increased number of mosquitoes recorded in 2016 was mainly due to increased temperatures in the study areas, and reflected the change in study sites.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.61 no.2
• /
• pp.154-162
• /
• 2023

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is caused by X-linked recessive disorderliness. It induces severe anemia when a patient with G6PD deficiency is exposed to oxidative stress that occurs with administration of an antimalarial drug, primaquine. The distribution of G6PD deficiency remains unknown while primaquine has been used for malaria treatment in Myanmar. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of G6PD deficiency and its variants in Chin State, Myanmar. Among 322 participants, 18 (11 males and 7 females) demonstrated a G6PD deficiency. Orissa variant was dominant in the molecular analysis. This would be related to neighboring Indian and Bangladeshi population, in which Orissa variant was also reported as the main mutation type. The screening test for G6PD deficiency before primaquine treatment appears to be important in Myanmar.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.530-535
• /
• 2021

Background: Despite the lack of official COVID-19 statistics, various workplaces and occupations have been at the center of COVID-19 outbreaks. We aimed to compare legal measures and governance established for managing COVID-19 infection risks at workplaces in nine Asia and Pacific countries and to recommend key administrative measures. Methods: We collected information on legal measures and governance from both general citizens and workers regarding infection risks such as COVID-19 from industrial hygiene professionals in nine countries (Indonesia, India, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Republic of the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand) using a structured questionnaire. Results: A governmental body overseeing public health and welfare was in charge of containing the spread and occurrence of infectious diseases under an infectious disease control and prevention act or another special act, although the name of the pertinent organizations and legislation vary among countries. Unlike in the case of other traditional hazards, there have been no specific articles or clauses describing the means of mitigating virus risk in the workplace that are legally required of employers, making it difficult to define the responsibilities of the employer. Each country maintains own legal systems regarding access to the duration, administration, and financing of paid sick leave. Many workers may not have access to paid sick leave even if it is legally guaranteed.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.42 no.1
• /
• pp.41-52
• /
• 2016

Objectives: Scrub typhus is one of the most prevalent vector-borne diseases. It is caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, which is transmitted when people are bitten by infected chigger mites. This study aims at quantifying the association between the incidence of scrub typhus and meteorological factors in Jeollabuk-do Province over the period 2001-2015. Methods: Reported cases of scrub typhus were collected from the website of the Disease Web Statistical System supported by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). Simultaneous meteorological data, including temperature, rainfall, relative humidity, and sunshine duration were collected from the website of the National Climate Data Service System by the Korea Meteorological Administration. Correlation and regression analyses were applied to identify the association between the incidence of scrub typhus and meteorological factors. Results: The general epidemiological characteristics of scrub typhus in Jeollabuk-do Province were similar to those nationwide for sex, age, and geographical distribution. However, the annual incidence rate (i.e., cases per 100,000) of scrub typhus in Jeollabuk-do Province was approximately four times higher than all Korea's 0.9. The number of total cases was the highest proportion at 13.3% in Jeonbuk compared to other regions in Korea. The results of correlation analysis showed that there were significant correlations between annual cases of scrub typhus and monthly data for meteorological factors such as temperature and relative humidity in late spring and summer, especially in the case of temperature in May and June. The results of regression analysis showed that determining factors in the regression equation explaining the incidence of scrub typhus reached 46.2% and 43.5% in May and June. Using the regression equation, each 1oC rise in the monthly mean temperature in May or June may lead to an increase of 38 patients with scrub typhus compared to the annual mean of incidence cases in Jeollabuk-do Province. Conclusion: The result of our novel attempts provided rational evidence that meteorological factors are associated with the occurrence of scrub typhus in Jeollabuk-do. It should therefore be necessary to observe the trends and predict patterns of scrub typhus transmission in relation to global-scale climate change. Also, action is urgently needed in all areas, especially critical regions, toward taking steps to come up with preventive measures against scrub typhus transmission.