• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.45 no.1 s.141
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• pp.39-44
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• 2007

A new endemic focus of Gymnophalloides seoi infection has been discovered on Aphae Island(Shinan-gun, Jeollanam-do), Republic of Korea. This area, which is referred to as Bokyong-ri, is a small seashore village located in the northern portion of the island. Fecal samples were collected from a total of 57 residents and examined by the Kato-Katz and formalin-ether sedimentation techniques. Helminth eggs were detected in 37 samples(64.9%); 33 samples were positive for G. seoi eggs(57.9%), 4 for Pygidiopsis summa(7.0%), 13 for other heterophyids(22.8%), 1 for Clonorchis sinensis(1.7%), and 1 for Trichuris trichiura(1.7%). Women(70.4%) revealed higher rates of G. seoi infection than did men(46.7%), and individuals older than 50 years of age also evidenced higher rates of G. seoi infection than in other age groups(P<0.05). In worm collection from 13 G. seoi egg positive cases, G. seoi (total 86,558 specimens), Heterophyes nocens(278), Stictodora sp.(10), Heterophyopsis continua(3), P. summa(3), and unidentified flukes(42) were collected. Oysters, the source of G. seoi infection, were collected from an area proximal to the village and 50 were examined for metacercariae; 47(94%) were found infected and the observed metacercarial density was $9.5{\pm}8.9$ per oyster. The results of this study indicate that Bokyong-ri is a new endemic area of G. seoi infection, with high rates of infection in humans and oysters.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.205-211
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• 2007

The infection status of mullets Mugil cephalus (n = 139) and gobies (n = 35) Acanthogobius fIavimanus with metacercariae of Heterophyes nocens and Pygidiopsis summa was examined in 11 western, southern, and eastern coastal areas of the Republic of Korea, using a digestion technique. Heterophyid metacercariae were highly prevalent in mullets from western and southern coastal areas; Shinan-gun (100% for H. nocens and 100% for P. summa), Muan-gun (93% and 100%), Buan-gun (42% and 75%), Seocheon-gun (73% and 53%), Ganghwa-gun (47% and 100%), Sacheon-shi (47% and 77%), and Gangjin-gun (50% and 70%, respectively). Only 1 (10%) of 10 mullets from an eastern coastal area, i.e., Donghae-shi, was positive for P. summa metacercariae. Metacercarial densities were the highest in the trunk of mullets for H. nocens and the gill for P. summa. Gobies from Muan-gun were positive for H. nocens (40%) and P. summa metacercariae (40%), and gobies from Seocheon-gun revealed H. nocens metacercariae (20%). The metacercarial density was remarkably higher in mullets than in gobies. The results revealed that H. nocens and P. summa metacercariae are prevalent in mullets and gobies from coastal areas of the Republic of Korea, and the prevalence and intensity of infection vary according to geographical locality.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 2011

Toxoplasma gondii Korean isolate (KI-1) tachyzoites were inoculated intraduodenally to BALB/c mice using a silicon tube, and the course of infection and immune responses of mice were studied. Whereas control mice, that were infected intraperitoneally, died within day 7 post-infection (PI), the intraduodenally infected mice survived until day 9 PI (infection with $1{\times}10^5$ tachyzoites) or day 11 PI (with $1{\times}10^6$ tachyzoites). Based on histopathologic (Giemsa stain) and PCR (B1 gene) studies, it was suggested that tachyzoites, after entering the small intestine, invaded into endothelial cells, divided there, and propagated to other organs. PCR appeared to be more sensitive than histopathology to detect infected organs and tissues. The organisms spread over multiple organs by day 6 PI. However, proliferative responses of splenocytes and mesenteric lymph node (MLN) cells in response to con A or Toxoplasma lysate antigen decreased significantly, suggesting immunosuppression. Splenic $CD4^+$ and $CD8^+$ T-Iymphocytes showed decreases in number until day 9 PI, whereas IFN-${\gamma}$ and IL-10 decreased slightly at day 6 PI and returned to normal levels by day 9 PI. No TNF-${\alpha}$ was detected throughout the experimental period. The results showed that intraduodenal infection with KI-1 tachyzoites was successful but did not elicit significant mucosal immunity in mice and allowed dissemination of T. gondii organisms to systemic organs. The immunosuppression of mice included reduced lymphoproliferative responses to splenocytes and MLN cells to mitogen and low production of cytokines, such as IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-10, in response to T. gondii infection.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.325-329
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• 2010

Toxoplasma gondii KI-1, a recent new isolate from Korea, shows similar pathogenicity and infectivity to mice compared to the virulent RH strain. To understand characteristics of host immunity, including immune enhancement or suppression, we investigated proliferative responses and phenotypes of spleen cells. In addition, kinetics of IFN-${\gamma}$, a Th1 cytokine, was examined in BALB/c mice up to day 6 post-infection (PI). Intraperitoneal injection of mice with $10^3$ KI-1 tachyzoites induced significant decreases (P < 0.05) in proliferative responses of spleen cells. This occurred at days 2-6 PI even when concanavalin A (con A) was added and when stimulated with KI-1 antigen, suggesting suppression of the immunity. $CD4^+$ T-cells decreased markedly at day 2 PI (P < 0.05), whereas $CD8^+$ T-cells, NK cells, and macrophages did not show significant changes, except a slight, but significant, increase of $CD8^+$ T-cells at day 6 PI. The capacity of splenocytes to produce IFN-${\gamma}$ by con A stimulation dropped significantly at days 2-6 PI. These results demonstrate that intraperitoneal injection of KI-1 tachyzoites can induce immunosuppression during the early stage of infection, as revealed by the decrease of $CD4^+$ T-cells and IFN-${\gamma}$.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.191-198
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• 2007

A total of 205 larval gnathostomes were collected from 18 (22.5%) of 80 red banded odd-tooth snakes, Dinodon rufozonatum rufozonatum, which had been smuggled from China and confiscated at Customs in Susan, Republic of Korea. In order to identify the species, some of the larvae were observed by a light microscope and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The larvae were $2.18{\times}0.29mm$ in average size, and had a pair of lips at the anterior end, a muscular esophagus, 2 pairs of cervical sacs, and brownish intestines. The head bulb was characteristically equipped with 4 rows of hooklets; the average number of hooklets in each respective row was 38.6, 40.5, 41.5, and 43.7. In SEM views, the mouth evidenced a pair of lateral lips of equal size in a half-moon shape. Each lip featured a couple of labial papillae and a small amphid located between the 2 papillae. The hooklets on the head bulb had single-pointed, posteriorly-curved tips. The cuticular spines were larger and more densely distributed on the anterior part of the body, and decreased gradually in size and number toward the posterior body. On the basis of these morphological characteristics, the larvae were identified as the third stage larvae of Gnathostoma hispidum.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2003

The tegumental ultrastructure of juvenile and adult Himasthla alincia (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) was observed by scanning electron microscopy. One-, 5- (juveniles) and 20-day-old worms (adults) were harvested from chicks experimentally fed metacercariae from a bivalve, Mactra veneriformis. The juvenile worms were elongated and cu wed ventrally. The head crown bore 31 collar spines, arranged in a single row. The lip of the oral sucker had 12 paired, and 3 single type 1 sensory papillae, and the ventral sucker had about 25 type II sensory papillae. The anterolateral surface between the two suckers was densely packed with tegumental spines with 4-7 pointed tips. The adult worms were more elongated and filamentous, and had severe transverse folds over the whole body surface. On the head crown and two suckers, type 1 and 11 sensory papillae were more densely distributed than in the juvenile worms. Retractile brush-like spines, with 8-10 digits, were seen on the anterolateral surface, whereas claw-shaped spines, with 2-5 digits, were sparsely distributed posteriorly to the ventral sucker The cirrus characteristically protruded out, and was armed with small spines distally. The surface ultrastructure of H. alincia was shown to be unique among echinostomes, especially in the digitation of its tegumental spines, the distribution of sensory papillae and by severe folds of the tegument.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.389-395
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• 2004

Conclusion are drawn from the clinical cases susceptible to Ojuck-san(吳積散) in Hyungsang medicine, as follows ; Ojuck-san is effective to those diseases caused by cold and damp(寒濕). Because cold and damp belongs to Yin pathogeny, Ojuck-san is mainly applied to Yin syndrome of Bangkwang type persons. Ojuck-san is effective in dissolving five kinds of masses accumulated in abdomen, so that it is preferential to the patients who have masses around the umbilicus or in lower abdomen. Ojuck-san is referred in the following chapters of Dongeuibogam(東醫寶鑑) ; uterus, chest, abdomen, loin, upper limbs, lower limbs, cold, and damp. Ojuck-san is applicable to the persons with the following characteristics in Hyungsang; Jijjucksang(地積象), woman, Bangkwang type, fish type, Hyul type, Ki type, Gualeum meridian type, pale lip, bluish thenar eminence, big mouth, smudgy face, thick leg, potbelly and big hips.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.17-21
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• 2010

Dysphonia is a medical terminology for voice disorders characterized by hoarseness, harshness, weakness, or even loss of voice ; any impairment in ability to produce voice sounds using the vocal organs, larynx, The causes of dysphonia can be classified into two groups, organic and functional. Functional dysphonia includes spasmodic dysphonia, muscle tension dysphonia, mutational dysphonia and conversion dysphonia, etc, The findings of laryngoscopy in these dysphonia are almost normal. Therefore, physicians should diagnosis these diseases from careful history taking and abundant understandings about the phonation pattern, Organic dysphonia is caused by anatomical problems in the larynx, especially on the vocal fold, Some lesions, however, are not easily found because these lesions are too small, or located on the lower lip of vibrating vocal fold. Laryngopharyngeal reflux induced laryngitis, vascular lesions, sulcus vocalis, vocal atropy including presbylaryngis, and mucosal tears are common lesions easily missed in laryngoscopy, Therefore, a high index of suspicion is necessary to avoid missing vocal fold mucosal lesions, and the strobovideolaryngoscopy is indispensable in making the diagnosis,

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.101-107
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to estimate the wrinkle treatment effect of Miso Facial Acupuncture with the facial skin photographing system. Methods : Six middle-aged women with no diseases were recruited. Miso Facial Acupuncture, a total ten times was performed three times a week. The facial skin photograph of each participant was checked two times-pretreatment, posttreatment-using the facial skin photographing system. Both squares and counts of wrinkles in the facial 3 parts were measured for each one. Results : Both squares and counts of wrinkles were decreased on average. The improvement of lower eyelid were the best of all. And the wrinkles of outside of lip were reduced a little. Conclusions : in this study, we could evaluate the wrinkle treatment effects of Miso Facial Acupuncture by an objective and scientific method. Miso Facial Acupuncture has notable effect in wrinkle treatment. As though we had not wide experiences in this treatment, more researches are needed.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.233-236
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• 2015

A total 7 outbreaks of trichinellosis have occurred in Korea, mostly as a result of consumption of raw wild boar (Sus scrofa) meat. Since only 1 serological survey on wild boars had yet been performed in Korea, the present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of trichinellosis in wild boars and some species of rodents by artificial digestion and serological examinations in Yanggu-gun, Gangwon-do, the endemic area of trichinellosis. Both the wild boar and rodent muscle samples revealed no Trichinella larvae by direct examination and artificial digestion method. However, serological examinations revealed that 4 wild boar sera samples out of 118 (3.4%) were positive to Trichinella antigen. Although the recovery of Trichinella larvae ended in a failure, it is proved for the first time that the sylvatic cycle of Trichinella has been maintained in wild boars of Gangwon-do, Korea.