• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2017

Measles virus is a highly contagious, exanthematic virus, preventable by the use of an effective live-attenuated vaccine. However, measles virus remains endemic in many area of the world causing nearly 200,000 deaths per year and still a major cause of child mortality, mostly in developing countries. In March 2014, Republic of Korea was certified as a 'national measles elimination' by the WHO as a result of a high-quality case-based surveillance system and population immunity, which was achieved by a high vaccination rate (>95.0% since 1996). But, since the beginning of 2014, the Gyeonggi province has experienced a resurgence of measles cases. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of measles viruses isolated from confirmed measles in Gyeonggi province during January 1, 2014 ~ July 31, 2014, 60 isolates were obtained from 72 confirmed measles specimens. Genotypic distributions and genetic diversities of isolated measles virus were analyzed by sequencing of nucleoprotein (N) gene. 58 (96.7%) imported cases were identified. The predominant genotype was B3, which reflects the circulating measles virus in adjacent countries. The sequences of nucleoprotein (N) gene of isolated MeV were showed that the strains characterized showed the highest degree of identity (99%) with the Philippine related strains in 2013-2014. Therefore, infected traveler returning from the Philippines transmitted secondary infection in Korea.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.325-338
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• 1991

The present study was undertaken to determine the endemicity of trematode infections in Yongyang County, Kyungpook Province, Korea. One hundred and seventy-seven out of 955 residents examined were found to be infected with one or more kinds of helminthes. The prevalence rate was 18.5%. Among them, 70 were found to be infected with Clenorchis sinensis, 74 with Meta-gonimus sp. and 2:l with both flukes. The eggs of Fasciolidae were demonstrated from two specimens. The prevalence rate of clonorchiasis in males was 12.6%, while that in females was 3.6% (p<0.05). The prevalence of metagonimiasis in males was 12.0% and was also significantly higher than 6.1% in females (p<0.05). The intensity of both infections was significantly heavier in males than in females. The prevalence of both nukes was higher in residents of oyer 30 years of age than in those below that age. No correlation was found between the intensity and the age group. Among eight species of the fresh-water fish collected at the Panbyon River, Zacco temmincki was found to be the most frequently and heavily infested with metacercariae of Metagonimus sp., and Gnathopogon asromaculatus alone was found to be infested with metacercariae of Clonorchis sinensis. The present results suggest that Yongyang area still remains endemic with Clonorchis sinensis and Metagonimus sp. infection.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.129-140
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• 1987

The present study was undertaken to demonstrate the surface structure of Paragonimus westermani metacercaria in Korea with special reference to the distribution of sensory papillae. Metacercariae were isolated from crayfish, one of the second intermediate tost of P. westermani in Bogil island, Chollanam-do (Province), Korea, where has been known as an endemic area of human paragonimiasis. Isolated metacercariae were encysted and examined with light. scanning and transmission electron microscopes for morphological features. On the surface of iBetacercariae, three types of sensory FaFillae were identified. Large domed papillae ($3~5{\mu\textrm{m}}$), which were covered with wrinkled plasma n!embrane of the worm, were distributed on the oral and ventral suckers only. On the oral sucker, these large domed papillae were 12~13 in number. On the other hand large domed papillae on the ventral sucker were constantly 6 in number and hexagonal in distribution. Small domed papillae ($2~3{\mu\textrm{m}}$), of which surface was more smooth than those of large ones, were distributed symmetrically on the ventral (30~32 pairs) and dorsal surfaces (40~42 Pairs). Ciliated Papillae ($0.8~1.5{\mu\textrm{m}}$) were observed about 5~6 in number around the oral sucker and 3~5 pairs each on the ventral and dorsal surface of the body. Single Fcinted spines covered the entire surface of the body except around the excretory pore. Spines on the anterior fart of the body were 0.9~2.0${\mu\textrm{m}}$ in length and $45~55/100{\mu\textrm{m}}$2 in number, and were gradually reduced in length ($0.4~1.4{\mu\textrm{m}}$) and in nuns.her ($12~27/100{\mu\textrm{m}}$2) toward the posterior part. The body wall of p. westermoni metacercariae was consisted with anucleated syncytium layer, fibrous interstitial layer and musclar layer. In the anucleated syncytium, biconcave ($0.15~0.55{\mu\textrm{m}}$) and spherical ($0.08~0.16{\mu\textrm{m}}$) secretory granules, which were transferred from epidermal cells via protoplasmic tubules, mitochondria and rihoEorses, T-ere observed. Spines originated around the basement membrane protruded externally. Epidermal cells were consisted with a nucleus and a cytoplasm, and connected to syncytium with protoplasmic tubules. In the cytoplasm many secretory granules, mitochondria, Golgi complex, endoplasmic reticula, ribosomes and lipid droplets were observed.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 1998

A Czonorchis sinensis-specific antigen in excretory-secretory product of C. sinensis (CsE) was assessed in human clonorchiasis by immunoblot. Thirty and 7 kDa antigens of CsE2, one of four different batches of CsEs reacted strongly with infection sera from clonorchiasis patients; however, the antigens reacted weakly with 6-month post- treatment sera from praziquantel-cured cases, but were still highly detected by the sera from praziquantel∼failed patients, indicating that the 30 and 7 kDa antigens can detect antibodies during an active infection. The 30 kDa antigen showed some cross reactions with sera from patients with Pcragonimus westemani and Metcfonimw vokogcujci, while the 7 kDa antigen did not, suggesting that the 7 kDa antigen has high specificity. The 30 kDa antigen reacted with some past clonorchiasis sera, whereas the 7 kDa antigen did not, supporting that antibodies to the 7 kDa antigen are not present in sera from past clonorchiasis patients. In an endemic area, 92% (23/25) of active clonorchiasis patients and 91% (10/11) of mixed infection patients with C. sinensis and M. Wokosawai had IgG antibodies to the 7 kDa antigen, while 40% (6/15) of past clonorchiasis individuals and 43% (3/7) of metagonimiasis patients cross-reacted to the antigen. These data suggest that the 7 kDa antigen in an excretory-secretory antigen may serve as a marker of an active clonorchiasis with reliable specificities in past clonorchiasis, paragonimiasis and metagonimiasis.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.147-152
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• 2020

Malaria is a potent burden on public healthcare worldwide due to requiring rapid diagnosis and treatment. Nowadays, prompt diagnosis with rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) has been widely accepted as an effective diagnostic technique in malaria-endemic countries, primarily due to their easy operation, fast output, and straightforward interpretation. The global availability and use of RDTs have gradually grown over recent decades as field-applicable diagnostic tests for the reliable confirmation of malaria infection and proper case management. This study was conducted to evaluate diagnostic performance of 3 commercially available malaria RDT kits : BIOCREDIT^TM Malaria Ag Pf(pLDH), Malaria Ag Pf(pLDH/pHRPII), and Malaria Ag Pf/Pv(pLDH/pLDH) (where pLDH and pHRPII stand for plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase and histidine-rich protein 2, respectively) for the specific detection of Plasmodium falciparum. A total of 1,129 blood samples including 95 blood samples, confirmed as vivax malaria infection by microscopic examinations and a nested-PCR method, were tested for falciparum malaria infection. The overall sensitivity and specificity of Malaria Ag Pf(pLDH/pHRPII), Malaria Ag Pf/Pv(pLDH/pLDH), and Pf(pLDH) for P. falciparum were 99.0% and 100%, 95.8% and 100%, and 100% and 100%, respectively. It is proposed that the 3 RDT kits perform reliable level of diagnostic accuracy of detection for P. falciparum parasites.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.421-430
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• 2020

This study aimed to investigate whether mass drug administration (MDA) intervention has an equivalent effect on reducing the prevalence and intensity of Schistosoma haematobium infection regardless of the baseline values. A repeated cross-sectional survey was performed targeting students of 12 primary schools in Al Jabalain and El Salam districts of White Nile State, Sudan, at both 1 week before and 8 months after the MDA. Prior to the baseline survey, schoolaged children in Al Jabalain had received MDA interventions twice in 4 years, while those in El Salam had not. The baseline prevalence was 9.1% in Al Jabalain and 35.2% in El Salam, which were reduced to 1.8% and 5.5% at 8 months after the MDA, respectively. The corresponding reduction rates were 80.3% and 84.4%, not significant difference between both districts. However, changes in the geometric mean intensity (GMI) of egg counts were significantly different between both districts. The baseline GMIs were 14.5 eggs per 10 ml of urine (EP10) in Al Jabalain and 18.5 EP10 in El Salam, which were reduced to 7.1 and 11.2 EP10 after treatment, respectively. The corresponding reduction rates were 51.0% and 39.5%. In conclusion, MDA interventions were found to bring about similar relative reduction in prevalence regardless of the baseline value; however, the relative reduction in infection intensity was more salient in the district with a low baseline value for both prevalence and intensity. This clearly points to the importance of repeated MDA interventions in endemic areas, which will eventually contribute to schistosomiasis elimination.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.243-252
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• 2015

This study was performed to establish a production system for in situ and ex situ conservation of Elsholtzia minima Nakai, an endemic plant grown in Jeju Island. Moreover, this study aimed to identify root-growth characteristics according to the use of pre-treatment agents and seedling growth effect according to fertilizer application. The mean temperature was similar in greenhouse and vinyl-moist chamber, but air humidity was higher in vinyl-moist chamber than in greenhouse. After stem planting of Elsholtzia minima Nakai, initial root growth was observed after 10 days in greenhouse and after 7 days in vinyl-moist chamber. Root growth rate was more rapid in vinyl-moist chamber. Moreover, survival rate, root growth rate and root number was slightly higher in vinyl-moist chamber than in greenhouse, indicating that vinyl-moist chamber is more effective in plant growth. When pre-treatment agents were used to remove root growth-inhibiting substances, a higher root growth rate of more than 95% was found in pre-treatment groups, excluding the group treated with AgNO₃ at 77.5%. Thus, Elsholtzia minima Nakai is thought to have less root growth inhibitors. In the analysis of nitrogen application rate and Osmocote application by seedling container, a difference was found in survival rate and growth according to application rate and container conditions. When Osmocote, a slow release fertilizer, was applied to the soil surface around each culture container, survival rate and the growth of aerial and root parts were most favorable. Thus, Osmocote fertilizer is thought to be desirable for seedling propagation of Elsholtzia minima Nakai.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.90-100
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• 2019

This study was carried out from March to November, 2013 to investigate the fish community structure and distribution characteristics of Phoxinus phoxinus and Rhynchocypris kumgangensis appearing in Gihwacheon Stream, Pyeongchang. A total of 6 families and 19 species of fish emerged during the survey period. The dominant species were R. kumgangensis (Individuals 44.7%, Biomass 30.2%) and P. phoxinus (Individuals 27.7%, Biomass 15.9%). Endemic species were 10 species including Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpus, Coreoleuciscus splendidus, Hemibarbus mylodon, Gobiobotia brevibarba, Microphysogobio longidorsalis, R. kumgangensis, Zacco koreanus, Korecobitis rotundicaudata, Iksookimis koreensis and Coreoperca herzi. Endogenous species were P. tenuicorpus, G. brevibarba and P. phoxinus. Hemibarbus mylodon was a natural monument. Oncherhynchus mykiss was exotic species and translocated species was Oncorhynchus masou masou. The dominant species, R. kumgangensis, appeared at all survey sites. Except for St.6, the b value was more than 3.0 and the slope of K value showed positive correlation. P. phoxinus appeared in St. 3~St. 6 and St. 3 and St. 4 only showed stable populations.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.152-157
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• 2019

Porphyra yezoensis is a red algal species in the genus Porphyra. The phenetics and genetic diversity of four populations of P. yezoensis in Korea were reconstructed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Overall, 55 fragments were generated among the tested P. yezoensis array with 20 OPERON primers. A total of 30(54.5%) of these bands were polymorphic. The OPA-18-02 band was amplified in the samples of Nakdong population and absent in them of other three populations. The OPA-20-02 band was only amplified in the Seocheon population. Both bands exhibited distinctive patterns in specific populations. The effective number of alleles per locus (Ae) ranged from 1.161 to 1.293 with a mean of 1.366. The Seocheon population had a high expected diversity (0.163). The Nakdong population was an isolated endemic and intertidal zone. Thus the narrow distributed Nakdong population had a low expected diversity (0.092). Shannon's index of phenotypic diversity (I) of the Seocheon population (0.238) was the highest among all populations. Total genetic diversity ($H_T$) varied between 0.132 for OPA-02 and 0.420 for OPA-19. The interlocus variation of genetic diversity ($H_S$) was 0.059 for OPA-18 and 0.339 for OPA-19. On a per locus basis, the proportion of total genetic variation due to differences among populations ($G_{ST}$) ranged from 0.012 for OPA-11 to 0.762 for OPA-18 with a mean of 0.415, indicating that 42% of the total variation was found among these populations. In an assessment of the proportion of diversity present within this species, 58.5% (100%-41.5%) of genetic variation resided within the populations studied. The Nm was estimated to be low (0.705).