• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.55 no.1
• /
• pp.55-60
• /
• 2017

Fascioliasis is a foodborne zoonotic parasitic disease. We report 4 cases occurring in the same family, in whom diagnosis of acute fascioliasis was established after series of tests. One case was hospitalized with fever, eosinophilia, and hepatic lesions. MRI showed hypodense changes in both liver lobes. The remaining 3 cases presented with the symptom of stomachache only. Stool analysis was positive for Fasciola eggs in 2 adult patients. The immunological test and molecular identification of eggs were confirmed at the National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China. The results of serological detection were positive in all the 4 patients. DNA sequencing of PCR products of the eggs demonstrated 100% homology with ITS and cox1 of Fasciola hepatica. The conditions of the patients were not improved by broad-spectrum anti-parasitic drugs until administration of triclabendazole.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.60 no.5
• /
• pp.309-315
• /
• 2022

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and recurrent illness of the gastrointestinal tract. Treatment of IBD traditionally involves the use of aminosalicylic acid and steroids, while these drugs has been associated with untoward effects and refractoriness. The absence of effective treatment regimen against IBD has led to the exploration of new targets. Parasites are promising as an alternative therapy for IBD. Recent studies have highlighted the use of parasite-derived substances, such as excretory secretory products, extracellular vesicles (EVs), and exosomes, for the treatment of IBD. In this report, we examined whether EVs secreted by Giardia lamblia could prevent colitis in a mouse model. G. lamblia EVs (GlEVs) were prepared from in vitro cultures of Giardia trophozoites. Clinical signs, microscopic colon tissue inflammation, and cytokine expression levels were detected to assess the effect of GlEV treatment on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental murine colitis. The administration of GlEVs prior to DSS challenge reduced the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1 beta, and interferon gamma. Our results indicate that GlEV can exert preventive effects and possess therapeutic properties against DSS-induced colitis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.25 no.10
• /
• pp.1621-1628
• /
• 2015

Chlamydia possesses a conserved 7.5 kb plasmid that is known to play an important role in chlamydial pathogenesis, since some chlamydial organisms lacking the plasmid are attenuated. The chlamydial transformation system developed recently required the use of plasmid-free organisms. Thus, the generation and identification of plasmid-free organisms represent a key step in understanding chlamydial pathogenic mechanisms. A tricolor immunofluorescence assay for simultaneously detecting the plasmid-encoded Pgp3 and whole organisms plus DNA staining was used to screen C. muridarum organisms selected with novobiocin. PCR was used to detect the plasmid genes. Next-generation sequencing was then used to sequence the genomes of plasmid-free C. muridarum candidates and the parental C. muridarum Nigg strain. We generated five independent clones of plasmid-free C. muridarum organisms by using a combination of novobiocin treatment and screening plaque-purified clones with anti-Pgp3 antibody. The clones were confirmed to lack plasmid genes by PCR analysis. No GlgA protein or glycogen accumulation was detected in cells infected with the plasmid-free clones. More importantly, whole-genome sequencing characterization of the plasmid-free C. muridarum organism and the parental C. muridarum Nigg strain revealed no additional mutations other than loss of the plasmid in the plasmid-free C. muridarum organism. Thus, the Pgp3-based immunofluorescence assay has allowed us to identify authentic plasmid-free organisms that are useful for further investigating chlamydial pathogenic mechanisms.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.50 no.3
• /
• pp.259-262
• /
• 2012

We assessed the prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis infection and changes in the egg positive rate (EPR) over 1-year time, using the adhesive cellophane-tape perianal swab method in 2,347 preschool children in Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea in 2008 and 2009. The overall EPR for E. vermicularis was 4.1% in 2008 and 4.5% in 2009. A study population of 389 children was repeatedly examined for 2 years. Within this group, the EPR in 2009 was twice higher than in 2008, and the EPR of the group of 5-7-year-old children was significantly higher than that of other age groups. Moreover, in the group of 5-7-year-old children in 2009, the rates of positive and negative conversion were significantly higher and lower, respectively, than in other age groups. Conclusively, enterobiasis was prevalent during 2008-2009 among preschool children in Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do, and the increased EPR in 2009 was due to an increase in newly acquired infections among 5-7-year-old children.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.559-573
• /
• 2020

The purpose of this study analyzed the overview of corrugated cardboasrd manufacturing industry and then provide direction for improvement. The BREF (BAT reference document) is an important reference for licensees and officer, including the best available techniques for the industry and achievable environmental performance, technical characteristics, and economic information. In the corrugated cardboard manufacturing process, wastewater pollutants are generated throughout the production process, and water is used in the dissociation and aging process. Atmospheric emissions are mostly generated by steam production from boilers and incinerators for the dry process. SO₂, NOx, CO₂, CO, HCl, dust, VOC, and odor were common. In the EU-BREF (European union BAT reference documents) BAT for wastewater have taken up a relatively large proportion. Items of water pollutants in wastewater were common in COD, BOD, N, P, SS, and however EU-BREF had different pollutants such as AOX and salt compared to K-BREF. In order to improve the quality of the K-BREF, it is necessary to devise basic data research method and data acqusitiom method. Consideration should be given to additional environmental management techniques that reflect the emissions characteristics of the corrugated cardboard manufacturing process. In addition, further research is needed to develop methodologies for selecting BATs considering environmental and economic feasibility.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.61 no.1
• /
• pp.84-88
• /
• 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the positive rates for Enterobius vermicularis eggs among preschool children in Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do, the Republic of Korea (Korea) over a period of 5 years (2017-2021). Perianal swab samples, obtained using cellotape, from 10,392 preschool children in 26 districts were examined microscopically for E. vermicularis eggs. The test results were notified through the local health center, and the families of children who tested positive were advised to provide them anthelmintics treatment. The annual positive rates were 5.0%, 5.2%, 4.4%, 2.2%, and 1.0% in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively. The overall positive rate was higher in boys than in girls (P< 0.05), and children aged 5-7 years were at a higher risk of being infected than those aged 0-4 years (P< 0.05). Although the rates of infection by E. vermicularis in the survey area, Yeosu-si, were still in the 1% range , the results of this study suggest that they can be significantly reduced through continuous intervention centered around the test-treatment strategy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.177-181
• /
• 2016

This cross-sectional descriptive and qualitative study was aimed to study the people participation and their approaches toward the human carcinogenic liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini, prevention and control in Ban Chaun sub-district administrative organization (BCSAO) and Bamnet Narong sub-district municipality (BNSM), Bamnet Narong district, Chaiyaphum Province, Thailand between June 2013 and February 2014. Participants were purposive selected, included chiefs of sub-district administrative organizations, sub-district municipalities, sub-district health promotion hospitals (SHPHs), heads of village, and a further sample was selected with a multi-stage random sampling for public health volunteers, and villagers. The pre-designed questionnaire contained items for individualized status and the participatory steps of sharing ideas, decision-making, and planning, procession, evaluation, and mutual benefit, for the project O. viverrini prevention and control (POPC). In-depth interviews were used for collection of need approaches to POPC. With 375 participants who completed the questionnaire, it was found that people had a high level regarding to participate in the POPC, particularly in the process stage ($\bar{X}=3.78$, S.D. = 0.56), but the lowest level was found in sharing ideas, decision making, and planning step ($\bar{X}=3.65$, S.D. = 0.63). By comparison, participant status and organization did not significantly differ with people participation. In each step, Ban Chaun sub-district had a high level of participation in the step of sharing ideas, decision making, and planning toward POPC, more than Bamnet Narong sub-district municipality (t=2.20, p=0.028). Approaches for POPC in Ban Chaun sub-district and Bamnet Narong sub-district municipality included requirements for budget support, annual campaigns for liver fluke prevention and control, campaign promotion, risk group observation, home visiting, community rules regarding reducing raw fish consumption in their communities, and a professional public health officer for working in their communities, BCSAO, BNSM, and SHPH, for O. viverrini prevention and control. This study indicates that people realize that eradication of the liver fluke needs a continuous people participation for O. viverrini prevention and control in their communities.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.24 no.12
• /
• pp.1728-1735
• /
• 2014

Scrub typhus, caused by infection with Orientia tsutsugamushi, is a mite-borne zoonotic disease endemic to the Asian-Pacific region. In Korea, the incidence of this disease has increased with climate changes, and over 10,000 cases of infection were reported in 2013. Although this infection is treatable with antibiotics such as doxycycline and azithromycin, an effective prophylactic vaccine against O. tsutsugamushi would be more desirable for preventing scrub typhus in endemic areas. In this study, we investigated the 56-kDa type-specific antigen (TSA56), which is a major outer membrane protein of O. tsutsugamushi, as a vaccine candidate. Intranasal immunization of recombinant TSA56 (rec56) induced a higher level of TSA56-specific IgG than that induced by intramuscular immunization of tsa56-expressing DNA (p56). Both types of immunization induced a cell-mediated immune response to TSA56, as demonstrated by the splenic cell proliferation assay. Mice immunized with p56, followed by rec56 plus heat-labile enterotoxin B subunit from E. coli, had a stronger protection from a homologous challenge with the O. tsutsugamushi Boryong strain than with other combinations. Our preliminary results suggest that an effective human vaccine for scrub typhus can include either recombinant TSA56 protein or tsa56-expressing DNA, and provide the basis for further studies to optimize vaccine performance using additional antigens or different adjuvants.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.286-298
• /
• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the effects of community mapping based on volunteered Geographic Information System on smoking prevention among female middle school students. Methods: This study used a triangulation method which integrated quantitative data from a "pre-post" study on a nonequivalent control group and qualitative data from focus group interviews. Data was collected from 4 August 2015 to 10 January 2016. The experimental group (n=24) participated in community mapping along with education on smoking prevention and the control group (n=28) participated only in routine education. Both groups were measured on their knowledge and attitude related to smoking prevention through self-report questionnaires. The quantitative data was analyzed by descriptive statistics, $x^2$ analysis, and t-test using SPSS 23.0. The qualitative data was collected through focus group interviews to investigate the social-environmental effect of smoking prevention. Results: Knowledge related to smoking prevention was significantly higher (t=2.591, p=.013) in the experimental group than the control group. But attitude related to smoking prevention did not show significant differences between the two groups. When asked about their experiences of the community mapping program, it turned out to be a process where they could learn practical knowledge related to smoking prevention and experience their individual practices manifested as collective intelligence while working together with community members. The study found that community mapping had an effect on smoking prevention from a social and environmental aspect. Conclusion: To be more effective, school education on smoking prevention should be provided in connection with the community. It is also desirable to provide an opportunity where adolescents can experience discovering and solving practical problems along with their own community.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.19-32
• /
• 2021

Purpose: This study was aimed to identify the influencing factors on the COVID-19 infection prevention behavior of adults residing in Gyeongsangnam-do by examining relationships between anxiety, health belief and COVID-19 infection prevention behavior. Methods: The participants of this study were recruited from a website, and the total number of participants was 186. The self-report questionnaires were distributed during July 2020. Results: Multiple regression analysis revealed the significant factors affecting the COVID-19 infection prevention behavior of adult residing in Gyeongsangnam-do were perceived barriers(��=-3.68, p<.001), perceived benefits(��=3.39, p=.001), perceived susceptibility(��=2.83, p=.005), sex(��=2.59, p=.010). The total explanatory power of the study variables for COVID-19 infection prevention behavior was 35.0%(F=17.61, p<.001). Conclusions: Based on these findings, in order to promote COVID-19 infection prevention behavior, there is needed to reduce obstacles for carrying out infection prevention behaviors, and develop multi-faceted promotional strategies for infection prevention behaviors.