• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.16.1-16.19
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• 2023

Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine is the only licensed vaccine for tuberculosis (TB) prevention. Previously, our group demonstrated the vaccine potential of Rv0351 and Rv3628 against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection by directing Th1-biased CD4⁺ T cells co-expressing IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2 in the lungs. Here, we assessed immunogenicity and vaccine potential of the combined Ags (Rv0351/Rv3628) formulated in different adjuvants as subunit booster in BCG-primed mice against hypervirulent clinical Mtb strain K (Mtb K). Compared to BCG-only or subunit-only vaccine, BCG prime and subunit boost regimen exhibited significantly enhanced Th1 response. Next, we evaluated the immunogenicity to the combined Ags when formulated with four different types of monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL)-based adjuvants: 1) dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DDA), MPL, and trehalose dicorynomycolate (TDM) in liposome form (DMT), 2) MPL and Poly I:C in liposome form (MP), 3) MPL, Poly I:C, and QS21 in liposome form (MPQ), and 4) MPL and Poly I:C in squalene emulsion form (MPS). MPQ and MPS displayed greater adjuvancity in Th1 induction than DMT or MP did. Especially, BCG prime and subunit-MPS boost regimen significantly reduced the bacterial loads and pulmonary inflammation against Mtb K infection when compared to BCG-only vaccine at a chronic stage of TB disease. Collectively, our findings highlighted the importance of adjuvant components and formulation to induce the enhanced protection with an optimal Th1 response.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.298-305
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• 2002

These cases were performed on the bases of clinical consideration about patients who had Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) infection. One patient was a 67-years-old women who had sequela of inter cranial hemorrhage & inter ventricular hemorrhage, hypertention, urinary tract infection and pneumonia. Clinical symptoms were intermittent fever, sputum, Lt. side hemiparesis and dysphagia. She was chronic, repeated infection state. It could be regarded as "unpreparedness of the spirit which animates and controls the universe; 正氣虛", the oriental term which indicates a condition of chronic disease or general weakness. According to the oriental medicine principle, oriental medicine was taken such as Wunggunza-tang(六君子湯) and the patient had taken a turn for the better. After 3 months, MRSA infection diappeared. The other patient was a 43-years-old women who had Both brain stem infarction, Lt. cerebellar infarction, hypercholesterolemia, urinary tract infection and pneumonia, Clinical symptoms were quadriplegia, dysphagia(levin tube insert state), aphasia, respiration disorder(tracheostomy cannular keep state) and sputum. She was chronic, repeated infection state. It could be regarded as "unpreparedness of spleen energy, unpreparedness of both energy and blood; 脾氣虛, 氣血兩虛", the oriental term which indicates a condition of chronic disease or immunodeficiency. According to the oriental medicine principle, oriental medicine was taken such as Bojungyggi-tang(補中益氣湯), Palmul-tang(八物湯) and the patient had taken a turn for the better. After I month, MRSA was turned into Escherichia coli.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.72-76
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• 2016

Infantile osteopetrosis is a rare congenital disorder caused by abnormal bone resorption. Patients with osteopetrosis can have severe anemia, thrombocytopenia, hepatosplenomegaly, rickets, visual impairment, and deafness. Cytomegalovirus also can cause a congenital infection with anemia, thrombocytopenia, hepatosplenomegaly, and calcifications in the brain. We report a 38-day-old infant with severe hepatosplenomegaly, thrombocytopenia, hypocalcemia, and growth failure. Real time polymerase chain reaction detected cytomegalovirus in the plasma. Skeletal radiography revealed generalized bone sclerosis. He was diagnosed with osteopetrosis along with cytomegalovirus infection. Only the test for mutation of the CLCN7 gene, representing the most common and heterogeneous form of osteopetrosis, was available, and the result was negative. With supportive care and antiviral treatment, severe thrombocytopenia due to the cytomegalovirus infection almost normalized despite the possible immunosuppression caused by osteopetrosis. We present the first report of an infant who suffered from osteopetrosis and CMV infection which was successfully treated by long term antiviral agent therapy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.16-21
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• 2007

Objective : Civilian gunshot injuries to the brain are relatively rare and study of these injuries has been neglected in South Korea. We present our experience with penetrating gunshot injuries to the brain and review the outcome of surgical management, as well as other clinical predictors influencing the prognosis. Methods : We present a retrospective analysis of 13 patients with penetrating gunshot injuries to the brain who were treated at our hospital over a period of 22 years. Results : The Glasgow Coma Scale[GCS] score on admission was recorded to be : 3-5 in 1 patient, 6-8 in 3 patients, 9-12 in 2 patients and 13-15 in 7 patients. There were 11 patients who underwent surgical treatment, and the surgical mortality rate was 0%. The admission GCS score was the most valuable prognostic factor. The best results were found to be in patients admitted with an initial GCS higher than 13. There were no favorable outcomes in patients admitted with a GCS of 8 or lower. There was a correlation between the presence of a transventricular or bihemispheric trajectory and poor outcome. The patients admitted with unilobar wounds resulted in better outcome than those with bilobar or multilobar wounds. Retained deep intracranial bone or metal fragments were the most common postoperative complication. However, retained fragments did not increase the risk of infection or seizure. Conclusion : Our results suggest that a less aggressive approach, consisting of minimal local debridement and removal of the bone and metal fragments that are easily accessible, can be successfully used in civilian gunshot wounds to the brain.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 2020

Parvimonas micra is a non-spore-forming anaerobic gram-positive coccus and a known commensal of the skin, gums, vagina, and gastrointestinal tract. It is rarely associated with severe infections, which typically follow invasive procedures such as dental treatment. We describe a case of a brain abscess caused by P. micra in an immunocompetent 11-year-old boy without periodontal disease. He presented with a 7-day history of headaches and vomiting, and complained of diplopia that began on the day of presentation. He did not have any recent dental treatment or specific past medical history. A brain abscess in the left frontoparietal lobe was noted on brain magnetic resonance imaging. P. micra was cultured from brain abscess aspirate. He was successfully treated with surgical drainage and combined antibiotic therapy with ceftriaxone and metronidazole for 6 weeks.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.79-83
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• 2011

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease due to infection with Trichomonas vaginalis, and it can cause serious consequences for women's health. To study the virulence factors of this pathogen, T. vaginalis surface proteins were investigated using polyclonal antibodies specific to the membrane fractions of T. vaginalis. The T. vaginalis expression library was constructed by cloning the cDNA derived from mRNA of T. vaginalis into a phage ${\lambda}$ Uni-ZAP XR vector, and then used for immunoscreening with the anti-membrane proteins of T. vaginalis antibodies. The immunoreactive proteins identified included adhesion protein AP65-1, ${\alpha$-actinin, kinesin-associated protein, teneurin, and 2 independent hypothetical proteins. Immunofluorescence assays showed that AP65-1, one of the identified immunogenic clones, is prevalent in the whole body of T. vaginalis. This study led us to identify T. vaginalis proteins which may stimulate immune responses by human cells.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.165-172
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• 1985

Present study aimed to elucidate the immunosuppressive effect of prednisolone on Naegleria fowlsri infection in mice. N. fowleri was cultured in CGVS medium (Willert and Le Ray, 1973) . White female mice, weighing about 18g, used for experiments were divided into five groups; untreated control group, prednisolone treated groups (before, during and after infection), and only prednisolone treated group. In the prednisolone treated group, the hormone was injected intramuscularly 5 doses of 10 mg/kg every other day. According to designated time of treatment, each mouse was challenged with $1{\times}10^5$ N. fowleri intranasally. Changes of body weights, clinical manifestations and number of dead mouse were observed. Brain and lung tissues of dead mice were cultured in the non-nutrient agar (Kasprzak and Mazur, 1972), or stained with hematoxylin.rosin for the examination of histopathological changes. Results of the experiment are summarized as follows: Mortality among the prednisolone treated groups was higher than that in untreated control group, and among the treated groups, the pretreated group showed shorter survival time. Body weights among untreated control mice showed no significant increase, however, treated groups of mice showed the decrease during the administration and recovery of the weights were observed at 2 to 3 days after the completion of treatment. In the treated control groups, the infected mice began to show the pathologic findings 5 days after infection while, the untreated mice began to show the findings 8 days after infection. Tissue damages in brain and lung occurred due to virulence of amoeba were more severe among treated mice than that in untreated control group. The above mentioned results suggest that the treatment with prednisolone weaken the resistance of mice against N. fowleri infection, and probably induce more severe primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. Especially severe pathological findings were shown in pre-treated group, compared with untreated group.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.33-36
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• 2015

Group D streptococci are known to cause newborn septicemia and meningitis, but the Streptococcus bovis group strains rarely cause serious neonatal infections in Korea. Central nervous system (CNS) complications of neonatal S. bovis group infection have rarely been reported. In adults, S. bovis group strains cause bacteremia and endocarditis, and are associated with gastrointestinal malignancy. However, only a few studies have reported meningitis and septicemia in infants. Here, we describe a case of bacteremia and meningitis due to Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus with a delayed CNS complication in an infant. A 28-day-old male infant was admitted to the hospital with a 1-day history of fever. Cultures of blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and urine showed the presence of S. bovis group strain-S. gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus. He was discharged after 21 days of intravenous ampicillin and cefotaxime administration. Two weeks later, he was readmitted with a fever and short episodes of tonic-clonic movements. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed marked bilateral frontal subdural effusion. He was discharged after 31 days of antibiotic therapy, and no neurological sequelae were observed at the 9-month follow-up. In conclusion, we present a rare case of neonatal S. gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus infection causing urinary tract infection, septicemia, meningitis, and delayed CNS complications. This case emphasizes the need for physicians to be aware of S. bovis infection in infants.

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.119-124
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• 2007

Adenoviral vectors are among the most promising vectors available for human gene therapy. However, the use of recombinant adenoviral vectors, including replicationcompetent adenovirus (RCA), raises a variety of safety concerns in relation to the development of new therapies based on gene therapy. To examine how organic compounds change in rat plasma following the injection of adenovirus, $\beta$-galactosidase expressing recombinant adenovirus (designated rAdLacZ) or RCA, we investigated the content of fatty acids (FAs), which are important biochemical indicators in pathological conditions. Pattern recognition analysis on the level of FAs in rat plasma is described for the visual discrimination of adenovirus infection groups from normal controls. Plasma FAs from four control rats (normal group), and from four rats with rAdLacZ infection and six rats with RCA infection (the two abnormal groups), were examined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in selected ion monitoring modes as their tert-butyldimethylsilyl derivatives. In total, 20 FAs were positively detected and quantified. The results of the Student's t-test on the normal mean of two abnormal groups, the levels of three FAs (p<0.05) from rAdLacZ group and eleven FAs (p<0.05) from RCA group were significantly different. When star symbol plotting was applied to the group mean values of 20 FAs after normalization to the corresponding normal mean values, the resulting eicosagonal star patterns of the two infected groups were distorted into similar shapes, but were distinguishable from each other. Thus, these approaches will be useful for screening and monitoring of diagnostic markers for the effects of infection following the use of adenoviral vectors in gene therapy.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.44 no.4 s.140
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• pp.271-283
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• 2006

The third-stage larvae (L3) of the parasitic nematode, Anisakis simplex, have been implicated in the induction of hyperimmune allergic reactions in orally infected humans. In this work, we have conducted a review of an investigation into immune reactions occurring in animals experimentally infected with A. simplex L3. The patterns of serum antibody productions if the experimental animals against excretory-secretory products (ESP) of A. simplex L3 contributed to our current knowledge regarding specific humoral immune reactions in humans. In our review, we were able to determine that L3 infection of experimental animals may constitute a good model system for further exploration of immune mechanisms and allergy in anisakiasis of humans.