• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.809-815
• /
• 2018

Influenza, which is a highly contagious disease caused by the influenza A virus, continues to be a major health concern worldwide. Although the accurate and early diagnosis of influenza virus infection is important for controlling the spread of this disease and rapidly initiating antiviral therapy, the current influenza diagnostic kits are limited by their low sensitivity. In this study, we developed several new influenza nucleoprotein (NP)-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and compared their sensitivity and specificity of those with commercially available anti-NP mAbs. Three mAbs, designated M24.11, M34.3, and M34.33, exhibited higher reactivities to recombinant NPs and A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (H1N1) viral lysates compared with the commercial mAbs, as assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. M34.3 and M34.33 showed higher reactivities with A/California/04/09 (pandemic H1N1) and A/Philippines/2/82 (H3N2) viral lysates than the commercial mAbs. In contrast, M24.11 had marked reactivity with H3N2 but not with pandemic H1N1. Immunofluorescent confocal microscopy showed that the three mAbs effectively detected the presence of influenza virus in lung tissues of mice infected with A/Puerto Rico/8/1934. These results indicate that the newly developed M34.3 and M34.33 mAbs could be useful for the development of influenza diagnostics.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.27 no.8
• /
• pp.1539-1548
• /
• 2017

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is an opportunistic pathogen that commonly causes fatal infections in cystic fibrosis and burn patients as well as in patients who are hospitalized or have impaired immune systems. P. aeruginosa infections are difficult to treat owing to the high resistance of the pathogen to conventional antibiotics. Despite several efforts, no effective prophylactic vaccines against P. aeruginosa are currently available. In this study, we investigated the activity of the CIA06 adjuvant system, which is composed of alum and de-O-acylated lipooligosaccharide, on a P. aeruginosa outer membrane protein (OMP) antigen vaccine in mice. The results indicated that CIA06 significantly increased the antigen-specific IgG titers and opsonophagocytic activity of immune sera against P. aeruginosa. In addition, the antibodies induced by the CIA06-adjuvanted vaccine exhibited higher cross-reactivity with heterologous P. aeruginosa strains. Finally, mice immunized with the CIA06-adjuvanted vaccine were effectively protected from lethal P. aeruginosa challenge. Based on these data, we suggest that the CIA06 adjuvant system might be used to promote the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of the P. aeruginosa OMP vaccine.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.358-364
• /
• 2017

Asymmetric PCR preferentially amplifies one DNA strand for use in DNA hybridization studies. Linear-After-The-Exponential-PCR (LATE-PCR) is an advanced asymmetric PCR method which uses innovatively designed primers at different concentrations. This study aimed to optimise LATE-PCR parameters to produce single-stranded DNA of Candida spp. and Aspergillus spp. for detection via probe hybridisation. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was used to design limiting primer and excess primer for LATE-PCR. Primer annealing and melting temperature, difference of melting temperature between limiting and excess primer and concentration of primers were optimized. In order to confirm the presence of single-stranded DNA, the LATE-PCR product was hybridised with digoxigenin labeled complementary oligonucleotide probe specific for each fungal genus and detected using anti-digoxigenin antibody by dot blotting. Important parameters that determine the production of single-stranded DNA in a LATE-PCR reaction are difference of melting temperature between the limiting and excess primer of at least $5^{\circ}C$ and primer concentration ratio of excess primer to limiting primer at 20:1. LATE-PCR products of Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis and Aspergillus terreus at up to 1:100 dilution and after 1 h hybridization time, successfully hybridised to respective oligonucleotide probes with no cross reactivity observed between each fungal genus probe and non-target products. For Aspergillus fumigatus, LATE-PCR products were detected at 1:10 dilution and after overnight hybridisation. These results indicate high detection sensitivity for single-stranded DNA produced by LATE-PCR. In conclusion, this advancement of PCR may be utilised to detect fungal pathogens which can aid the diagnosis of invasive fungal disease.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.28 no.7
• /
• pp.1119-1126
• /
• 2007

Hydrogen gas and carbon nanotubes along with nanocarbon were produced from commercial natural gas using fixed bed catalyst reactor system. The maximum amount of carbon (491 g/g of catalyst) formation was achieved on 25% Ni, 3% Cu supported catalyst without formation of CO/CO2. Pure carbon nanotubes with length of 308 nm having balloon and horn type shapes were also formed at 673 K. Three sets of catalysts were prepared by varying the concentration of Ni in the first set, Cu concentration in the second set and doping with K in the third set to investigate the effect on stabilization of the catalyst and production of carbon nanotubes and hydrogen by copper and potassium doping. Particle size analysis revealed that most of the catalyst particles are in the range of 20-35 nm. All the catalysts were characterized using powder XRD, SEM/EDX, TPR, CHN, BET and CO-chemisorption. These studies indicate that surface geometry is modified electronically with the formation of different Ni, Cu and K phases, consequently, increasing the surface reactivity of the catalyst and in turn the Carbon nanotubes/H2 production. The addition of Cu and K enhances the catalyst dispersion with the increase in Ni loadings and maximum dispersion is achieved on 25% Ni: 3% Cu/Al catalyst. Clearly, the effect of particle size coupled with specific surface geometry on the production of hydrogen gas and carbon nanotubes prevails. Addition of K increases the catalyst stability with decrease in carbon formation, due to its interaction with Cu and Ni, masking Ni and Ni:Cu active sites.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.936-944
• /
• 2013

Cronobacter muytjensii is an important foodborne pathogen as a potential risk in infant formula powder (IFP). To develop a new and sensitive method for the detection of Cronobacter spp. in IFP, an immunoglobulin G (IgG) specific for C. muytjensii (formerly known as Enterobacter sakazakii ATCC 51329) was developed. Further, an indirect noncompetitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (INC-ELISA) was developed by using the anti-C. muytjensii IgG. As a result, this newly developed INC-ELISA method was found very sensitive for C. muytjensii with detection limit of $6.5{\times}10^3CFU/ml$ in pure culture and 1 cell/25 g of IFP. This INC-ELISA method also displayed excellent specificity for C. muytjensii showing no cross-reactivity with other strains of Cronobacter genus and 11 other foodborne pathogenic strains. These results show that the developed INC-ELISA method was very sensitive, efficient, and rapid for the detection of C. muytjensii. Hence, this method could be applied to the development of diagnostic kits for the rapid and easy detection of C. muytjensii.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.174-181
• /
• 2017

Purpose: Epitope spreading is a phenomenon in which distinct subdominant epitopes become major targets of the immune response. Heat shock protein (HSP) 60 from Porphyromonas gingivalis (PgHSP60) and peptide 19 from PgHSP60 (Pep19) are immunodominant epitopes in autoimmune disease patients, including those with periodontitis. It remains unclear whether Pep19 is a dominant epitope in subjects without periodontitis or autoimmune disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the epitope spreading pattern and verify Pep19 as an immunodominant epitope in healthy teenagers using dot immunoblot analysis. The patterns of epitope spreading in age-matched patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (type 1 DM) and healthy 20- to 29-year old subjects were compared with those of healthy teenagers. Methods: Peptide from PgHSP60, Mycobacterium tuberculosis HSP60 (MtHSP60), and Chlamydia pneumoniae HSP60 (CpHSP60) was synthesized for comparative recognition by sera from healthy subjects and patients with autoimmune disease (type 1 DM). Dot immunoblot analysis against a panel of peptides of PgHSP60 and human HSP60 (HuHSP60) was performed to identify epitope spreading, and a densitometric image analysis was conducted. Results: Of the peptide from PgHSP60, MtHSP60, and CpHSP60, PgHSP60 was the predominant epitope and was most consistently recognized by the serum samples of healthy teenagers. Most sera from healthy subjects and patients with type 1 DM reacted more strongly with PgHSP60 and Pep19 than the other peptides. The relative intensity of antibody reactivity to Pep19 was higher in the type 1 DM group than in the healthy groups. Conclusions: Pep19 is an immunodominant epitope, not only in autoimmune disease patients, but also in healthy young subjects, as evidenced by their robust immunoreactivity. This result suggests that the Pep19-specific immune response may be an initiator that triggers autoimmune diseases.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.485-498
• /
• 1994

Porphyromonas endodontalis is a black-pigmented anaerobic Gram-negative rod which is associated with endodontal infections and this microorganism possesses a potential for pathogenicity. The purpose of this study was to compare the membrane components of Porphyromonas endodontalis and Porphyromonas gingivalis and to study the immune reaction patterns of Porphyromonas endodontalis with patients with periapical lesion. Porphyromonas endodontalis (ATCC 35406), Porphyromonas gingivals serotypea (381), serotype b(W50), serotype c(A7A1-28) were cultured in anaerobic condition. Rabbit antisera were prepared by intravenous injection of formalized whole cells and human sera were obtained from patients and dental students. Indirect immunofluorescence method was used to study on the cross reaction between Porphyromonas endodontalis and Porphyromonas gingivalis serotype a, b, c antigen. Total membrane protein profiles of Porphyromonas endodontalis antigen were studied by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the reactivity of antigenic components of Porphyromonas endodontalis against sera of patients and rabbit anti-Porphyromonas endodontalis antisera were assessed by Immunoblotting method. The following results were obtained : 1. Antigens of Porphyromonas endodontalis has multiple antigenic components, and both patients with periapical lesion and normal healthy individual showed immune response to this. 2. Patients group and healthy individual group showed a diversity of immune reaction pattern but they showed immune response against 43kd protein. 3. Patients with periapical lesion showed more diverse immune response than healthy individual and in some patients, much more bands appeared to lower molecular weight protein. 4. According to indirect immunofluorescence and Immunoblotting study, Porphyromonas endodontalis did not share common antigen with Porphyromonas gingivalis serotype a, b, c.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.170-178
• /
• 2020

The Lily mottle virus (LMoV) impedes the growth and quality of lily crops in Lanzhou, China. Recently Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV) has been detected in LMoV-infected plants in this region, causing plant stunting as well as severe foliar symptoms, and likely posing a threat to lily production. Consequently, there is a need to develop simple, sensitive, and reliable detection methods for these two viruses to prevent them from spreading. Reverse transcription (RT) loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays have been developed to detect LMoV and ArMV using two primer pairs that match six conserved sequences of LMoV and ArMV coat proteins, respectively. RT-LAMP assay results were visually assessed in reaction tubes using green fluorescence and gel electrophoresis. Our assays successfully detected both LMoV and ArMV in lily plants without the occurrence of viral cross-reactivity from other lily viruses. Optimal conditions for LAMP reactions were 65℃ and 60℃ for 60 min for LMoV and ArMV, respectively. Detection sensitivity for both RT-LAMP assays was a hundredfold greater than that of our comparative RT-polymerase chain reaction assays. We have also found this relatively rapid, target specific and sensitive method can also be used for samples collected in the field and may be especially useful in regions with limited or no laboratory facilities.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.113-124
• /
• 2000

We had isolated 8 viruses from 91 specimen collected at southwest Cheju Province during early spring 1998 and 2 viruses from 9 specimen collected at Chung Nam Province during early spring 1999. To perform cross-reactivity among 4 mumps vaccine strains and 10 wild-type mumps viruse isolates, we immunized mice and took antisera against each virus. There were no antibody titer differences by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), but most isolated mumps viruses showed a little cross-reactivities with Jeryl Lynn and Rubini strains. It has shown similar result by haemagglutination-inhibition (HAI) test. These results show that 4 mumps strains used as vaccine have the protection ability against endemic wild-type mumps viruses. Also the SH gene analysis was performed to identify genotypes. Most isolated mumps viruses belonged to genotype D. These results indicate that endemic mumps viruses in Korea are different to ones isolated in Japan and China.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.76-86
• /
• 2020

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is damaging to the growth and quality of lettuce crops in Lanzhou, China. Recently, however, for the first time an isolate of lettuce necrotic yellows virus (LNYV) has been detected in lettuce crops in China, and there is concern that this virus may also pose a threat to lettuce production in China. Consequently, there is a need to develop a rapid and efficient detection method to accurately identify LNYV and CMV infections and help limit their spread. Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assays were developed to detect the nucleoprotein (N) and coat protein (CP) genes of LNYV and CMV, respectively. RT-LAMP amplification products were visually assessed in reaction tubes separately using green fluorescence and gel electrophoresis. The assays successfully detected both viruses in infected plants without cross reactivity recorded from either CMV or LNYV or four other related plant viruses. Optimum LAMP reactions were conducted in betaine-free media with 6 mM Mg²⁺ at 65℃ for LNYV and 60℃ for 60 min for CMV, respectively. The detection limit was 3.5 pg/ml and 20 fg/ml using RT-LAMP for LNYV and CMV plasmids, respectively. Detection sensitivity for both RT-LAMP assays was greater by a factor of 100 compared to the conventional reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays. This rapid, specific, and sensitive technique should be more widely applied due to its low cost and minimal equipment requirements.