• 한국자원식물학회지
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• 제28권6호
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• pp.710-717
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• 2015

Humankind has been searching for medicinal materials from various plant sources in an attempt to treat disease. Mistletoe is one indubitable plant source for these materials due to its effectiveness in treating various diseases, but it has almost disappeared from the mountainous areas of Korea due to excessive harvesting. In this study, in order to select host tree species for Korean mistletoe [Viscum album var. coloratum (Kom.) Ohwi] by seed inoculation and to clarify the effect of host specificity among various tree species were conducted for the purpose of gaining basic information for the artificial cultivation of Korean mistletoe. Almost all the seeds of Korean mistletoe germinated in vitro at the temperature of 15℃. Among host trees used in this study, Prunus mume showed the highest parasitic affinity with inoculated Korean mistletoe, compared with any other host plants. However, treatment of hormones could not increase the low survival rate of Korean mistletoe on the host trees.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제58권2호
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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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• 제50권3호
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• pp.233-238
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• 2012

The precise diagnosis of the acute toxoplasmosis in pregnant women and immunocompromsied patients has critical importance. Most of the commercially available assays use the whole Toxoplasma soluble extract as the antigen. However, the assays currently available for the detection of specific anti-Toxoplasma antibodies may vary in their abilities to detect serum immunoglobulins, due to the lack of a purified standardized antigen. The aim of this study was production and evaluation of the usefulness of the recombinant Toxoplasma gondii GRA7 antigen for the serodiagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii IgM and IgG by ELISA. A total of 70 T. gondii IgM positive sera, 74 T. gondii IgG positive sera, and 60 sera from subjects who were not infected with T. gondii were examined. These sera were shown different absorbance values in ELISA test. To control the specificity of the rGRA7 other parasitic diseases, for example, echinococcosis, malaria, leishmaniasis, fascioliasis, and strongyloidiasis were tested of which none showed positive results. Sensitivity and specificity of the generated recombinant IgG ELISA in comparison with commercial ELISA (com ELISA) were 89% and 90%, and the sensitivity and specificity of the generated recombinant IgM ELISA were 96% and 90%, respectively. The results obtained here show that this antigen is useful for diagnostic purposes.

• 식물병연구
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.149-155
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• 2019

선충 포식성곰팡이는 유기물에서 번식하다가 양분이 부족해지면 특수 기관을 형성하여 선충을 포획하고 선충으로부터 양분을 섭취하기 때문에 토양 내 동물계와 먹이사슬을 이루며 생태계에서 중요한 부분을 차지한다. 본 연구에서는 끈끈이그물형 포식기관을 가진 3종, Arthrobotrys oligospora, A. sinensis, A. thaumasia과 수축성올가미형 포식기관을 가진 Drechslerella brochopaga 1종 등 4종의 선충 포식성곰팡이의 식세균성선충 9종, 식균성선충 1종, 식물기생성선충 2종 등 총 12종의 선충류에 대한 포식력을 검정하였다. 4종의 포식성곰팡이에 모두 감수성인 선충은 식물기생성선충 2종류(Meloidogyne incognita, Pratylenchus penetrans), Rhabditidae에 속하는 P. strongyloides, Mesorhabditis irregularis이었고 접종 4일 후부터 선충을 포식하였으며, 선충 내부로 곰팡이가 번식하여 15일째에는 거의 선충의 형태를 알아볼 수 없을 정도였다. 반면, Cephlobidae에 속하는 Acrobeloides spp., A. avenae는 4종의 포식성곰팡이에 모두 저항성을 보였으며 15일 후 관찰하였을 때, 접종배지 내에 선충 수가 초기접종 밀도와 같거나 오히려 2-3배 정도까지 번식되었다. 나머지 선충 종들은 포식성곰팡이 종류에 따라 감수성에 다소간 차이가 있었다. 본 연구결과, 선충 포식성곰팡이가 선충 종에 따라 특이적으로 반응하였으며 이러한 기주특이성을 이용하여 식물기생성선충의 친환경적 방제를 위한 하나의 수단으로 이용될 수 있다.

• 한국해양학회지:바다
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• 제7권3호
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• pp.181-194
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• 2002

기생은 공생하는 두 생물사이에 한쪽(기생생물)은 이득을 얻는 반면에 다른 한쪽(숙주)은 해를 입는 관계를 말한다. 이러한 기생관계가 생물학적으로 적조를 제어하기 위한 하나의 방법으로서 응용될 수 있으며, 특히 적조생물을 숙주로 하는 기생성 와편모류인 Amoebophrya spp.는 그 잠재력이 큰 것으로 오랫동안 주목받아 왔다. Amoebophrya spp.는 유독성 및 유해성 적조를 일으키는 종을 포함하여 24속 40여종 이상의 와편모류들을 감염시킬 수 있는 것으로 알려져 있다 기생성 와편모류 Amoebophrya는 포자(dinospore)의 분산 및 감염 단계,감염 후 숙주 세포내에서 성장단계 (trophont), 그리고 숙주 세포 밖의 생식단계(vermiform) 등의 간단한 생활사를 가지고 있다. 최근의 연구결과에 의하면, 분산 및 감염을 담당하는 dinospore는 각 숙주-기생생물 관계에 따라 감염능력, 생존능력 및 감염 성공률 등 서로 다른 생물학적 차별성을 보인다. 각 숙주기생생물 관계 기원 dinospores의 서로 다른 생물학적 특성, 교차 감염실험 및 분자생물학적 연구결과 등으로 보아 Amoebophrya ceratil가 숙주 특이성이 없는 단일종이라는 이전의 주장보다는 아마도 숙주 특이성을 갖고 있는 여러 분류군으로 구성된 종 복합체 (species complex)라는 가설이 타당하다. 숙주 와편모류들은 기생성 와편모류 Amoebophrya에 의해 일단 감염되고 나면 더 이상 성장하지 못하고 생식능력을 잃고 모두 사망하게 되는데, 이 감염 과정동안 해당 플랑크톤 생태계에 대한 영향은 다양하게 나타난다. 독립영양성 와편모류들이 감염될 경우 그들의 광합성 능력이 크게 영향을 받으며, 감염위치(핵 또는 세포질)에 따라서 영향받는 속도가 다르다. 이 기생성 와편모류에 의한 감염은 광주성 및 유영속도 등에 영향을 미쳐서 숙주 와편모류의 일주 수직이동 양상과 같은 동태에도 커다란 영향을 끼칠 수 있다. 기생성 와편모류의 감염으로 인한 숙주의 사망은 자연 사망할 때보다 시간적으로 더 빨리 숙주로부터 다량의 유기물이 방출되게 할 수 있을 뿐만 아니라, 기생생물에 의한 감염은 감염기간 동안에도 숙주로부터 상당한 양의 용존 유기물이 인위적으로 방출되게 할 가능성이 있다. 기생생물에 감염시에는 상대적으로 크기가 큰 숙주 와편모류의 생체량이 사망과 동시에 크기가 작은 수많은 포자들로 생물학적 전환이 일어나고, 이어서 이들 포자들은 섬모류 등의 포식자들에게 먹이로서 이용i소화될 수 있으므로, 숙주 와편모류가 지녔던 물질과 에너지가 미소생물고리내에서 보다 오랜기간 동안 머무를 수 있는 가능성이 더욱 커질 것으로 생각된다 다양한 숙주-기생생물 관계에 대하여 다양한 물리, 화학적 환경요인과 여타의 생물학적 요인들이 어떠한 영향을 미치는지에 대한 보다 심도있는 연구는 플랑크톤 생태학과 적조역학에서 기생성 와편모류의 역할을 보다 잘 이해하도록 하는데 기여할 것으로 기대된다.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.153-157
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• 2009

Diagnosis of hydatidosis is based on immunodiagnostic methods along with radiological and ultrasound examinations. The objectives of the present study were to develop a specific and simple antigen-based ELISA method for diagnosis of hydatidosis and compare it with antibody detection method. The subjects in this study included 89 patients in the following groups: surgically confirmed hydatidosis patients (35 cases), control with other parasitic diseases (29 cases), and healthy controls (25 cases). Hyperimmune serum was raised against hydatid cyst fluid in rabbits. Anti-hydatid cyst IgG was purified by affinity chromatography using protein A column and labeled with horseradish peroxidase. Collected sera were assessed for hydatid cyst antigens and antibody by ELISA. Circulating hydatid antigen was found in 9 out of 35 patients with surgically confirmed hydatidosis. A sensitivity of 25.7% and a specificity of 98.0% were calculated for the antigen detection assay. Antibody detection by indirect ELISA, using antigen B, showed that 94.2% of patients (33 cases) have anti-hydatid cyst antibodies in their serum while cross reaction was noted in a few of non-hydatidosis patients. A sensitivity of 94.2% and specificity of 81.6% were found for the antibody detection assay. Findings of this study indicated that antibody detection assay is a sensitive approach for diagnosis of hydatid cyst while antigen detection assay might be a useful approach for assessment of the efficacy of treatment especially after removal of the cyst.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제51권2호
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• pp.177-182
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• 2013

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the potential role of the 27-Kilodalton (KDa) antigen versus Fasciola gigantica adult worm regurge antigens in a DOT-Blot assay and to assess this assay as a practical tool for diagnosis fascioliasis in Egyptian patients. Fasciola gigantica antigen of an approximate molecular mass 27- (KDa) was obtained from adult worms by a simple elution SDS-PAGE. A Dot-Blot was developed comparatively to adult worm regurge antigens for the detection of specific antibodies from patients infected with F. gigantica in Egypt. Control sera were obtained from patients with other parasitic infections and healthy volunteers to assess the test and compare between the antigens. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of Dot-Blot using the adult worm regurge were 80%, 90%, 94.1%, and 69.2% respectively, while those using 27-KDa were 100% which confirms the diagnostic potential of this antigen. All patients infected with Fasciola were positive, with cross reactivity reported with Schistosoma mansoni serum samples. This 27-KDa Dot-Blot assay showed to be a promising test which can be used for serodiagnosis of fascioliasis in Egyptian patients especially, those presenting with hepatic disease. It is specific, sensitive and easy to perform method for the rapid diagnosis particularly when more complex laboratory tests are unavailable.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제55권3호
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• pp.173-177
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• 2014

Neurocysticercosis is the commonest parasitic disease of the human central nervous system. The incidence of intra ventricular form of neurocysticercosis (NCC) is less common accounting 10-20% that of total central nerve system cysticercosis. Intra ventricular NCC is complicated due, to its high incidence of acute hydrocephalus caused by ball valve mechanism. The only reliable tool for diagnosis of NCC is by neuroimaging with CT or MRI. MRI preferred over CT because of its high specificity and sensitivity. In emergency situations like acute hydrocephalus one can proceed with emergency endoscopic surgery. Through the endoscopic view, intra ventricular NCC (IVNCC) has distinguished morphological features like the full moon sign. This feature not only helps in identification of IVNCC, but also guides in further endoscopic treatment strategy. Authors report two cases of 3rd ventricular NCC with acute hydrocephalus managed with emergency endoscopy. Authors have discussed the clinical features, intra operative endoscopic findings and role of endoscopy in emergency surgery for NCC with acute hydrocephalus.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제57권1호
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• pp.61-67
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• 2019

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) in sheep is a hazardous zoonotic parasitic disease that is caused by Echinococcus granulosus (Eg). At present, serological test is an important diagnostic method for Eg infection in domestic animals. Here, a fusion protein Eg mefAg-1 harboring 8 dominant B-cell epitopes of Eg such as antigen B, tetraspanin 1, tetraspanin 6, reticulon and Eg95 was produced in E. coli and evaluated for CE in sheep by indirect ELISA. Eg mefAg-1 showed in ELISA a high sensitivity (93.41%) and specificity (99.31%), with a coincidence rate of 97.02%. Overall, it is suggested that the Eg mefAg-1 could be a potential antigen candidate for CE serodiagnosis in sheep.

• 한국수산과학회지
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• 제52권5호
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• pp.539-546
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• 2019

The major cultured marine fishes in sea off the coast Gyeongsangnam-do Province, South Korea, were assessed and included 9.3% rockfish Sebastes schlegelii, 7.8% red seabream Pagrus major, and 2.1% rock bream Oplegnathus fasciatus. The number of insurance payments related to disease mortality in cultured fish in 2017 was fourfold that in 2016. Economic loss in aquaculture due to disease in cultured fish is high and represents an important inhibitory factor affecting marine fishery productivity. In 2018, diseases led to severe production losses in several aquaculture species: 40.0% in rockfish, 11.4% in olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus, 10.0% in filefish Thamnaconus modestus, and 9.3% in red seabream. Fish-parasitic pathogens such as Microcotyle sebastis, Alella spp., and Dactylogyrus spp. enter mainly via the gills and skin surface. Among bacterial pathogens, Vibrio species were most common, with Vibrio harveyi being the dominant species causing infections in these fishes. The bacterium Lactococcus garvieae is thought to exhibit host specificity in fish. The fish species in the present study exhibited a higher tendency for infection by heterologous pathogens than by a single pathogen; therefore, it is necessary to devise new strategies for treating diseases in cultured fish.