• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.886-893
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• 2012

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a cephalosporin and beta-lactam antibiotic-resistant strain. In most cases, MRSA is spread from infected patients and infection rates are growing increasingly. Furthermore, increased resistance to antibiotics is causing serious problems in the world. Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for both nosocomial and community-based infections that range from relatively minor skin and soft tissue infections to life-threatening systemic infections. Therefore, there is a need to develop alternative antimicrobial drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases. In this study, we investigated antimicrobial activity of oriental medicine prescription against MRSA. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Sohamhyung-tang water extract against S. aureus strains ranged from 500 to 2,000 ${\mu}g/mL$, so we have it confirmed that a strong antibacterial effect. Also, the combinations of Sohamhyung-tang water extract and conventional antibiotics exhibited improved inhibition of MRSA with synergy effect. We suggest that Sohamhyung-tang water extract against MRSA have antibacterial activity, it has potential as alternatives to antibiotic agent. We suggest that the Sohamhyung-tang water extract lead the treatment of bacterial infection to solve the resistance and remaining side-effect problems that are the major weak points of traditional antibiotics.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.569-573
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• 2017

The present study was performed to reveal the current status and risk factors of Strongyloides stercoralis infections in the villages of Kenethao district, Xayaburi Province, Lao PDR. Fecal specimens were collected and examined for S. stercoralis using Koga-agar plate culture technique. Among 516 individuals, the prevalence of S. stercoralis and hookworm infection was 44.2% and 17.1%, respectively. Co-infection was detected in 13.2% of the cases. The prevalence did not significantly differ between males and females (P=0.193). However, the prevalence of S. stercoralis infection increased significantly with age (P=0.041). Of the risk factors examined, both performing farming activities (P=0.001) and walking barefoot when going outside of the house (P=0.003) showed significant correlations with S. stercoralis infections. Our results suggest that S. stercoralis is highly endemic in this area. The National Helminth Control Program of Lao PDR should take actions to control S. stercoralis infection. In addition, provision of health education about the benefits of wearing shoes would be important for reducing infection in the study area. Moreover, the application of high-sensitivity diagnostic approaches is needed to obtain the true impact of S. stercoralis infections in all rural communities in order to provide surveillance activities in Lao PDR.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.188-193
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• 2019

Since the implementation of conjugate Haemophilus influenzae serotype b (Hib) vaccine, the rate of infections caused by Hib has dramatically decreased, and the proportion of infections caused by non-type b H. influenzae has increased. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is rare; however, it should be considered as a potential complication of bacterial meningitis. Herein, we report about a child who developed CVST after being diagnosed with H. influenzae serotype f meningitis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.269-276
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• 2009

Viruses are the most common cause of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in infants and young children and are a major public health problem in this age group. Viruses were identified in 54.9-70.4% of hospitalized infants and children with LRTIs in Korea. The viral pathogens identified included respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) A and RSV B, influenza (Inf) A, Inf B, parainfluenza (PIV)1, PIV2, human bocavirus (hBoV), human rhinovirus (hRV), adenovirus (ADV), human metapneumovirus (hMPV), human coronavirus (hCoV)-OC 43, hCoV-229E, hCoV-NL63, hCoV-HKU1, and human enterovirus (hEV). Coinfections with ${\geq}$2 viruses were observed in 11.5-22.8% of children. The occurrence of LRTIs was the highest in the first year of life. The specific viruses are frequently associated with specific clinical syndromes of LRTIs. LRTIs caused by RSV were predominant among younger infants. hRV accounted for a larger proportion of LRTIs in young infants than ADV and hBoV. hMPV was frequently detected in children >24 months old. The number of hMPV infections peaked between February and May, whereas hRV was detected throughout the year. Thus far, hCoV is a less common respiratory pathogen in cases of ALRI and URI in Korean children.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.171-175
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• 2008

Here, we report that Vibrio parahaemolyticus induces a rapid remodeling of macrophage actin and activates RhoB GTPase. Mutational analysis revealed that the effects depend on type III secretion system 1 regulated translocation of a V. parahaemolyticus effector protein, VP1686, into the macrophages. Remodeling of actin is shown to be necessary for increased bacterial uptake followed by initiation of apoptosis in macrophages. This provides evidence for functional association of the VP1686 in triggering an eat me-and-die signal to the host.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.327-334
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• 2018

Northern corn leaf spot and southern corn leaf blight caused by Cochliobolus carbonum (anamorph, Bipolaris zeicola) and Cochliobolus heterostrophus (anamorph, Bipolaris maydis), respectively, are common maize diseases in Korea. Accurate detection of plant pathogens is necessary for effective disease management. Based on the polyketide synthase gene (PKS) of Cochliobolus carbonum and the nonribosomal peptide synthetase gene (NRPS) of Cochliobolus heterostrophus, primer pairs were designed for PCR to simultaneously detect the two fungal pathogens and were specific and sensitive enough to be used for duplex PCR analysis. This duplex PCR-based method was found to be effective for diagnosing simultaneous infections from the two Cochliobolus species that display similar morphological and mycological characteristics. With this method, it is possible to prevent infections in maize by detecting infected seeds or maize and discarding them. Besides saving time and effort, early diagnosis can help to prevent infections, establish comprehensive management systems, and secure healthy seeds.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.207-213
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• 1996

Herpes simplex virus(HSV) infections of the CNS are associated with significant morbidity and mortality even when appropriate antiviral therapy is administered. HSV infections of the brain can be subdivided into two categories : neonatal HSV infections, which usually are caused by HSV type 2, and herpes simplex encephalitis(HSE), which occur in patients over 3 months old and is nearly uniformly caused by HSV type 1. The clinical presentation of HSE is one of the focal encephalopathic process associated with altered levels of consciousness, fever, focal seizures and hemiparesis. But because of the lack of pathognomic clinical presentation and diagnostic procedure, the efforts to develop alternative diagnostic procedure have led to the use of new diagnostic technique such as polymerase chain reaction(PCR). We report a case of HSV type 1 encephalitis in 13 month old male infant who presented with altered level of consciousness, fever and focal seizures. With the use of the PCR, HSV-1 DNA was detected in cerebrospinal fluid from the patient. The symptoms and signs of encephalitis subsided by treatment with acyclovir in 14 days.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.77-86
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• 2013

Anthracnose development by Colletotrichum musae was observed to be significantly less in the fruits of the banana cultivar 'Embul' (Mysore, AAB) infected with Phyllosticta musarum than in fruits without such infections. Anthracnose disease originates from quiescent C. musae infections in the immature fruit. P. musarum incites minute, scattered spots, referred to as freckles, in the superficial tissues of immature banana peel which do not expand during maturation or ripening. P. musarum does not appear to have a direct suppressive effect on C. musae as conidia of C. musae germinate on both freckled and non-freckled fruit forming quiescent infections. Our investigations have shown that P. musarum infection induced several defence responses in fruit including the accumulation of five phytoalexins, upregulation of chitinase and ${\beta}$-1,3-glucanase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity and cell wall lignification. $^1H$ and $^{13}C$ NMR spectral data of one purified phytoalexin compared closely with 4'-hydroxyanigorufone. Some of the P. musarum-induced defences that retained during ripening, restrict C. musae development at the ripe stage. This paper examines the potential of P. musarum-induced defences, in the control of anthracnose, the most destructive postharvest disease in banana.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.267-273
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• 2005

The present study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of PCV2 infection of the aborted pigs in Gyeongbuk province from April in 2004 to March in 2005. The prevalence of PCV1 and PCV2 infection was confirmed by the PCR method against 32 aborted pigs of 19 farms, which were requested of diagnosis of disease. Among 32 aborted pigs, abortions caused by PCVI were $7(21.9\%)$ heads and by PCV2 were $9(28.1\%)$ heads. Using PCR, the rate of PCV1 infection of 19 farms which were requested of diagnosis of disease is positive in $2(10.5\%)$ farms and $5(26.3\%)$ farms were positive in PCV2, and compositive infections of PCVI, PCV2 is $1(5.3\%)$ farms. Among 32 aborted the pigs, only PCV2 infection was one case $(3.1\%)$, compositive infections with abortion disease were 8 cases $(25\%)$, Compositive infections with abortion disease were most of the parvovirus infection $(84.2\%)$.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.52-57
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• 2020

Bacterial symbionts are common across insects, including ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Reproduction-manipulating endosymbionts, such as Wolbachia, Spiroplasma, Rickettsia, and Cardinium, are closely associated with many aspects of host-insect life. In addition, phage WO plays an essential role in the phenotypic effects of Wolbachia. Although endosymbionts are possible biological control agents, there is a lack of knowledge of their rate of infection of ants in Korea. We tested a range of Korean ant species for the presence of Wolbachia, Spiroplasma, Rickettsia, Cardinium, and phage WO by extracting DNA from the ants and using specific primer sets to test the status of infections. In addition, the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene of the host ants was amplified to confirm the molecular identification and phylogenetic relationship between the hosts. We found that infection with Wolbachia (29.6% of species) is relatively common when compared with that of other endosymbionts. Only one species was infected with Spiroplasma. Infection with Rickettsia and Cardinium was not detected in the examined ants. Most Wolbachia in ants were infected with phage WO. Although the phenotypic effects of endosymbionts in ants are still unknown, this first survey of endosymbionts in Korea is the first step toward the use of reproduction-manipulating endosymbionts.