• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.94-101
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• 2018

Tuberculosis (TB) is infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection. It is known that not only the property of microorganism but also the genetic susceptibility of infected patients is controlled. Interleukin 2 (IL-2) is a cytokine belonging to type 1 T helper (Th1) activity. In addition, IL-2, when infected with MTB, binds IL-2 receptor and promotes T cell replication and is involved in granuloma formation. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic polymorphisms of the IL-2 receptor gene in tuberculosis patients and normal individuals. We analyzed 22 SNPs in three genes using the genotype data of 443 tuberculosis cases and 3,228 healthy controls from the Korea Association Resource for their correlation with tuberculosis case. IL2RA, IL2RB, and IL2RG genes were genotyped of 16, 4, and 2 SNPs, respectively. Among three genes, only IL2RA gene polymorphisms showed statistically significant association with tuberculosis case. 6 SNPs with high significance were identified in the IL2RA gene. In addition, the linkage disequilibrium (LD) structure of IL2RA gene was confirmed. SNP imputation of IL2RA gene was performed, it was confirmed that more SNPs were significant between case and control. If we look at the results of IL2RA gene analysis above, we can see that genetic polymorphism in the gene expressing $IL-2R{\alpha}$ will regulate the expression level of $IL-2R{\alpha}$, and the change in the immune system involved in $IL-2R{\alpha}$. In this study, genetic polymorphism that may affect host immunity suggests that susceptibility to tuberculosis may be controlled.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제79권4호
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• pp.282-288
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• 2016

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major health problem, and accurate and rapid diagnosis of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extended drug-resistant (XDR) TB is important for appropriate treatment. In this study, performances of solid and liquid culture methods were compared with respect to MDR- and XDR-TB isolate recovery and drug susceptibility testing. Methods: Sputum specimens from 304 patients were stained with Ziehl-Neelsen method. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) isolates were tested for recovery on $L{\ddot{o}wenstein$-Jensen (LJ) medium and the BacT Alert 3D system. For drug susceptibility testing of Mtb, isolates were evaluated on M-KIT plates and the BacT Alert 3D system. Results: The recovery rates were 94.9% (206/217) and 98.2% (213/217) for LJ medium and the BacT Alert 3D system, respectively (kappa coefficient, 0.884). The rate of drug resistance was 13.4% for at least one or more drugs, 6.0% for MDR-TB and 2.3% for XDR-TB. M-KIT plate and BacT 3D Alert 3D system were comparable in drug susceptibility testing for isoniazid (97.7%; kappa coefficient, 0.905) and rifampin (98.6%; kappa coefficient, 0.907). Antibiotic resistance was observed using M-KIT plates for 24 of the total 29 Mtb isolates (82.8%). Conclusion: The liquid culture system showed greater reduction in the culture period, as compared with LJ medium; however, drug susceptibility testing using M-KIT plates was advantageous for simultaneous testing against multiple drug targets.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제25권5호
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• pp.738-744
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• 2015

Tuberculosis is one of the most threatening infectious diseases to public health all over the world, for which Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is the etiological agent of pathogenesis. Ursolic acid (UA) has immunomodulatory function and exhibits antimycobacterial activity. However, the intracellular killing effect of UA has yet to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intracellular killing effect of UA during mycobacterial infection. The intracellular killing activity of UA was evaluated in the macrophage cell line THP-1 by the MGIT 960 system as well as by CFU count. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the level of nitric oxide (NO) were measured using DCF-DA and Griess reagent, respectively. Phagocytosis was observed by a fluorescence-based staining method, and the colony forming units were enumerated on 7H11 agar medium following infection. In addition, MRP8 mRNA expression was measured by qRT-PCR. UA significantly decreased the number of intracellular Mycobacterium through generation of ROS and NO. In addition, it profoundly activated the phagocytosis process of THP-1 cells during MTB-infection. Furthermore, our data demonstrated that UA activated the phagocytosis process in human monocyte cells through MRP8 induction. These data suggest that UA firmly contributes to the intracellular killing effect of macrophages during mycobacterial infection.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.36-44
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• 1998

연구배경: IFN-$\gamma$는 단핵식세포를 활성화시키며 여러 종류의 세포내 세균에 대한 숙주의 방어기전에 중요한 역할을 하는 것으로 알려져있다. 그러나 사람에 있어서 IFN-$\gamma$의 항 결핵 효과와 작용기전에 대해서는 거의 알려진 바가 없다. 본 연구에서는 결핵의 발병기전에서 IFN-$\gamma$의 역할을 알아보기 위해 폐포대식세포의 결핵균 탐식과 TNF-$\alpha$ 생산에 IFN-$\gamma$가 미치는 영향을 알아보았다. 방 법: 활동성 폐질환이 없는 8명의 사람에게서 얻은 기관지 폐포세척액에서 폐포대식세포를 표면흡착법으로 분리하여 결핵균과 같이 배양하면서 ($1{\times}10^6$ cells/ml, $3{\times}10^7$ bacteria/ml) 배양액에 IFN-$\gamma$(300U/ml), LPS(0.5ug/ml), 자가혈청(10%)을 첨가하여 2시간 배양 후 항산성 염색(modified Kynion method)을 하여 결핵균을 탐식한 폐포대식세포를 관찰하였다. 그리고 폐포대식세포배양액에 IFN-$\gamma$(300U/ml), MTB($1{\times}106bacteria/ml$) and LPS(0.5ug/ml)를 각각 첨가하여 24시간 배양 후 상층액에서 TNF-$\alpha$의 농도를 ELISA method로 측정하였다. 그리고 IFN-$\gamma$(300U/ml), LPS(0.5ug/ml)로 24시간 자극한 폐포대식세포의 결핵균 탐식율도 관찰하였다. 결 과: IFN-$\gamma$는 폐포대식세포의 결핵균 탐식율을 증가시키지 않았으며(percentage of PAM-phagocytosed MTB: control: $22.1{\pm}4.9$, IFN-$\gamma$: $20.3{\pm}5.3$), 폐포대식세포를 24시간 자극하였을 때 폐포대식세포의 TNF-$\alpha$의 생산을 증가시키지 않았다 (control: $21{\pm}38pg/ml$, IFN-$\gamma$: $87{\pm}106pg/ml$). 그리고 IFN-$\gamma$로 24 시간 전처치한 폐포대식세포의 결핵균 탐식율 또한 증가하지 않았다(control: $24.5{\pm}9.5$, IFN-$\gamma$: $23.4{\pm}10.1$). 결 론: IFN-$\gamma$는 폐포대식세포의 결핵균 탐식과 TNF-$\alpha$ 생산에 영향을 미치지 않는다.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제50권1호
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• pp.20-28
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• 2018

결핵(TB)은 Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) 복합체의 구성원에 의한 세균 감염 질병이다. 결핵은 전 세계 인구의 1/3이 감염된 것으로 알려져 있으며, 한국에서는 매년 약 4만 명의 새로운 결핵환자가 발생한다. 또한, 비결핵 항상균 감염이 증가하고 있는 추세이다. 전통적인 결핵 및 비결핵 항상균 진단방법은 세균 배양으로 3~4주 이상이 소요된다. 따라서, 신속하고 정확한 결핵균(TB) 및 비결핵 항상균(NTM) 진단법의 필요성이 요구되고 있다. 결핵균 및 비결핵 항상균을 구분하기 위하여, 전 세계적으로 다양한 진단 방법이 개발되고 있다. 특히, 결핵균과 비결핵 항상균을 신속하고 정확한 동정의 요구가 증가함에 따라, 정확하고 신속하게 진단하기 위한 체외 진단 방법이 개발 되고 있다. 그러나 현재 결핵과 비결핵 항상균에 대한 체외 진단 시약의 성능 평가는 부족한 실정이다. 최근 식약청은 결핵균 및 비결핵 항상균 체외 진단 시약에 대한 가이드 라인을 발표했다. 본 연구에서는, 미국 FDA에 승인을 받은 결핵균 및 비결핵 항산균에 대한 체외 진단 시약의 성능을 검토하였다. 이 검토는 결핵균 및 비결핵 항상균 체외 진단 시약 평가에 유용한 참고 자료가 될것으로 사료된다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.489-499
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• 2019

Subunit vaccines are safer and more stable than live vaccines although they have the disadvantage of eliciting poor immune response. To develop a subunit vaccine, an effective delivery system targeting the key elements of the protective immune response is a prerequisite. In this study, oxidized carbon nanospheres (OCNs) were used as a subunit vaccine delivery system and tuberculosis (TB) was chosen as a model disease. TB is among the deadliest infectious diseases worldwide and an effective vaccine is urgently needed. The ability of OCNs to deliver recombinant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) proteins, Ag85B and HspX, into bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs) and dendritic cells (BMDCs) was investigated. For immunization, OCNs were mixed with the two TB antigens as well as the adjuvant monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL). The protective efficacy was analyzed in vaccinated mice by aerosol Mtb challenge with a virulent strain of Mtb and the bacterial burdens were measured. The results showed that OCNs are highly effective in delivering Mtb proteins into the cytosol of BMDMs and BMDCs. Upon immunization, this vaccine formula induced robust Th1 immune response characterized by cytokine profiles from restimulated splenocytes and specific antibody titer. More importantly, enhanced cytotoxic $CD8^+$ T cell activation was observed. However, it did not reduce the bacteria burden in the lung and spleen from the aerosol Mtb challenge. Taken together, OCNs are highly effective in delivering subunit protein vaccine and induce robust Th1 and $CD8^+$ T cell response. This vaccine delivery system is suitable for application in settings where cell-mediated immune response is needed.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.42-46
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• 2020

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major health problem worldwide. TB depends not only on the characteristics of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) but also on the genetic susceptibility of infected patients. Recent studies have suggested that FOXO3 play an important role in the human immune associated disorder, such as TB. It was previously reported that FOXO3 genetic variants associated with a risk of TB in Chinese population. In this study, we confirm whether the genetic polymorphism of the FOXO3 gene, which was previously in Chinese, is reproduced in Korean population. Of the 154 SNPs were extracted from the FOXO3 gene, reproducibility analysis of the four SNPs performed in the previous study showed that there was a statistically significant correlation in the three SNPs (rs4946935, rs1536057, rs3800228). This study suggests that polymorphism of the FOXO3 gene in Koreans may affect the onset of tuberculosis and could be used to treat and prevent tuberculosis.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.355-364
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• 2023

Objectives: The objective of the present study was to identify mycobacterial infection in retired dusty workers who were ineligible for medical care benefits for work-related pneumoconiosis. Methods: Sputum samples were collected from 170 retired dusty workers living in Gangwon-do. The mycobacterial culture was grown in 2% Ogawa medium and Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube(MGIT). Mycobacterial species were identified using MolecuTech REBA Myco-ID^Ⓡ. Results: Thirty-one(18.2%) out of 170 sputum samples were identified as positive for culture. Among the positive culture samples, eleven(6.5%) were identified as mycobacterial species. The proportion of mycobacteria was M. avium 2.3%(4/170), M. fortuitum complex 1.2%(2/170), M. intracellulare 1.2%(2/170), M. abscessus 0.6%(1/170), M. tuberculosis(MTB) complex 0.6%(1/170), and MYC(NTM except 19 species) 0.6%(1/170). Conclusions: In comparison with previous studies, the incidence rate of tuberculosis(TB) in retired dusty workers who were ineligible for medical care benefits for work-related pneumoconiosis was higher than in close contact with TB patients, workers exposed to silica, and patients with silicosis. And the proportion of non-tuberculosis mycobacteria(NTM) was higher than that of MTB.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제77권4호
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• pp.161-166
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• 2014

Since tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global health concern and the incidence of multi-drug resistant (MDR)-TB is increasing globally, new modalities for the detection of TB and drug resistant TB are needed to improve TB control. The Xpert MTB/RIF test can be a valuable new tool for early detection of TB and rifampicin resistance, with a high sensitivity and specificity. Late-generation fluoroquinolones, levofloxacin, and moxifloxacin, which are the principal drugs for the treatment of MDR-TB, show equally high efficacy and safety. Systemic steroids may reduce the overall TB mortality attributable to all forms of TB across all organ systems, although inhaled corticosteroids can increase the risk of TB development. Although fixed dose combinations were expected to reduce the risk of drug resistance and increase drug compliance, a recent meta-analysis found that they might actually increase the risk of relapse and treatment failure. Regarding treatment duration, patients with cavitation and culture positivity at 2 months of TB treatment may require more than 6 months of standard treatment. New anti-TB drugs, such as linezolid, bedaquiline, and delamanid, could improve the outcomes in drug-resistant TB. Nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease has typical clinical and immunological phenotypes. Mycobacterial genotyping may predict disease progression, and whole genome sequencing may reveal the transmission of Mycobacterium abscessus. In refractory Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease, a moxifloxacin-containing regimen was expected to improve the treatment outcome.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제79권1호
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• pp.1-4
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• 2016

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health problem in South Korea. The Joint Committee for the Development of Korean Guidelines for Tuberculosis published the Korean Guidelines for Tuberculosis in 2011 to provide evidence-based practical recommendations to health care workers caring for patients with TB in South Korea. After reviewing recent national and international scientific data on TB, the committee updated the Korean guidelines for TB in 2014. This article presents some practical issues related to the 2014 updated guidelines: namely use of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis-polymerase chain reaction assay and the Xpert MTB/RIF assay in the diagnosis of TB, as well as medical treatment for patients with multidrug-resistant TB.