• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2017

The present study was performed to reveal the morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic position of Platynosomum fastosum Kossack, 1910. A total 167 specimens of P. fastosum were collected in 8 (4.9%) out of 163 sets of gall-bladders and bile ducts of cats. The number of worms was 1-105 per infected cat. This species was characterized by having a long and slender body, slightly larger ventral sucker than the oral sucker, indistinct prepharynx, small pharynx, short esophagus, bifurcation midway between 2 suckers, and ceca extending to the posterior end of the body. The length of the partial sequences of ITS1 and 5.8S rDNA of P. fastosum were 990 bp, GC-rich. AT/GC ratio was 0.9, there were 9 polymorphic sites, and intraspecific variations ranged from 0.1% to 0.9%. Phylogenetic analyses by neighbor-joining phylogram inferred from ITS1 rDNA sequences revealed that the genetic distance between P. fastosum specimens ranged from 0.3 to 1.5% while the smallest interspecific distance among dicrocoeliid species was 20.9 %. The redescription and genetic characters of P. fastosum are taxonomically important to recognize future different species of the genus Platynosomum showing high intraspecific and morphological variability.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.463-475
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• 2018

The present study was performed to observe histopathological effects of Oculotrema hippopotami Stunkard, 1924 infection in the eye of Hippopotamus amphibius, as well as to reveal new details of morphology and structural features of this monogenean and its comparison between 2 age stages of the parasite. This was done using both light and scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA) and histopathology. The presence of a mixture of different generations (adult and sub-adult) in one host individual is common for Oculotrema Stunkard, 1924 in contrast to Polystoma Zeder, 1800. New metrical and graphical information obtained for adults and sub-adults compared with the previous studies. Here we show the presence of genital papillae in adults, metrical data on the distal part of the vas deferens. SEM micrographs of sperm ejaculatory structures and information about the flattened dorsal side of the body provided for the first time. Histopathological changes, such as necrosis and hemorrhage in host tissues as a result of O. hippopotami attachment structures are described. Structural analysis of different body parts of O. hippopotami of both age groups are also included. We show qualitative differences in the presence of hardening ions (S, P, Ca) in attachment structures (oral and haptor suckers) that increase with the age of the worm. The presence of sub-adults and adults on the same host, together with high levels of infection without high pathogenicity may account for Oculotrema being one of the most successful parasites among the Monogenea.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.235-239
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• 1993

To determine the optimal application level of fertilizers, nitrogen, phosphate, potassium and lime in ramie(Beohmeria nivia Hooker et Arnot), the experiments were conducted for four years from seedling stage propagated by suckers to fully-grown stage under various comibinations of $N, P_2O_5, O$ and lime. Increasing in application rate of N and $K_2$O enhanced stem growth of ramie greatly, and it appeared that lime application also had large effect on increase of stem growth. Yield increased greatly by increasing of application rate with two or three times in N and two times in $K_2$O as much as the standard application rate of fertilizers N-$P_2O_5$-$K_2$O =9-3-9kg/l0a. Especially, treatment with 18kg N, 3kg $P_2O_5, $, 18kg $K_2$O and 200kg lime per l0a showed higher percentage of productive culm and increased yield of crude fiber about 33%. The variation among treatments was relatively small in stem length but larger in fresh weight of shoot and stem. The variation was large at early stage of experiment, that is, from one to two years after planting, but decreased progressively from three years after planting. There was no large difference in number of stems among application rates of fertilizers from three years after planting which was fully-grown stage. However, increasing in application rate of Nand $K_2$O twice as much as the standard rate had large effect on increasing the percentage of productive culm, and hence increased yield greatly.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.4
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• pp.7-10
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• 1965

In an experiment to evaluate the various aspects of symptom of witches' broom of jujube tree with two different kinds of scions, taken from diseased plant and stem- grafted upon sound stocks-one cut before wintering(stored in cellar), the other after wintering, it was observed that the disease rate of those cut before wintering(Nov.) was $\98\%$ whereas those cut after wintering(March) showed much lower rate, $3\%$ initially and gradually increased up to $39\%$. In another experiment of diseased bud grafted into healthy seedling, the finding made in the following year was that 14 stocks(only one of which salt union by callusing) were infected out of the given 23- in the initial stage only 4, yet gradually increased to the number of 14. The shoots from the ground portion of the diseased stock were in general more quickly subjected to the disease than the others. Under natural condition, the diseased trees develop at first seemingly the same leaves as healthy ones; it is not until the branches and loaves grow to a considerable degree that the symptom appears. Once appearing, tile disease grows and the symptom continues to appear as late as in Sept. and early Oct., causing tile plant to develop the extraordinary branches and leaves of extremely reduced size, the typical symptom of witches' broom. Such phenomenon can be observed in the experiments of the foregoing paragraphs. And the suckers and roots of diseased plant are bound to be infected, it was found out with no exception. Viewing from the results of the above experiments and observation, it is believed that the low temperature during winter causes the virus in the above-ground portion of diseased plant to diminish or inactivated, and subsequently the virus in the roots moves up or multiply in the sprouting season.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.477-484
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• 2016

There is renewed interest in natural products as a starting point for discovery of drugs for schistosomiasis. Recent studies have shown that phytol reveals interesting in vivo and in vitro antischistosomal properties against Schistosoma mansoni adult worms. Here, we report the in vitro antischistosomal activity of phytol against Schistosoma haematobium juvenile and adult worms and alterations on the tegumental surface of the worms by means of scanning electron microscopy. The assay, which was carried out with 6 concentrations (25, 50, 75, 100, 125, and $150{\mu}g/ml$) of phytol, has shown a promising activity in a dose and time-dependent manner. There was a significant decline in the motility of the worms and a mortality rate of 100% was found at 48 hr after they had been exposed to phytol in the concentration of $150{\mu}g/ml$. Male worms were more susceptible. On the ultrastructural level, phytol also induced tegumental peeling, disintegration of tubercles and spines in addition to morphological disfiguring of the oral and ventral suckers. This report provides the first evidence that phytol is able to kill S. haematobium of different ages, and emphasizes that it is a promising natural product that could be used for development of a new schistosomicidal agent.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.341-345
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• 2017

The metacercariae of Artyfechinostomum malayanum (Leiper, 1911) Mendheim, 1943 were discovered in Pila sp. snails purchased from a market in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. They were isolated from the snails using the artificial digestion technique and were orally fed to 2 hamsters, 1 rat, and 2 mice to obtain the adult flukes. The metacercariae were round, $145-165{\mu}m$ in diameter, having a cyst wall of $6-10{\mu}m$ in thickness, a head collar and collar spines, and characteristic features of excretory granules. Adult flukes were recovered in the small intestines of the animals at days 14 and 32 post infection and were morphologically observed using a light microscope and a scanning electron microscope. They were plump or elongated, ventrally curved, $6.0-8.1{\times}1.6-2.0mm$ in size, and characterized by the head collar bearing 43 collar spines, including 5 end group ones on each side, a long cirrus sac extending beyond the posterior margin of the ventral sucker, a submedian ovary, and 2 deeply lobed testes. Eggs in uteri were operculate, ovoid to ellipsoid, and $120-135{\times}68-75{\mu}m$ in size. In scanning electron microscopy, the head collar was prominent with collar spines looking like horns. Scale-like tegumental spines were densely distributed on the ventral surface between the head collar and ventral sucker. Sensory papillae were distributed mainly on the tegument around suckers. By this study, it has been first confirmed that the life cycle of A. malayanum exists in Cambodia.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.173-180
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• 1991

A SEM study was performed on the surface of adult P. habayashii Park, 1940, recovered from the snake, Elaphe rufodorsata. The anterior part of the worms was cup-shape and equipped with oral, ventral suckers, pseudosuckers, and tribocytic organ, and the posterior one was finger-like and round-ended, The tegument of the anterior body was covered with 3~4 pointed small spines on the midventral surface and 1~2 pointed ones on the lateral surface. Sensory papillae such as type II, dome-shape ones, and papillae with an opening were distributed over the ventral surface of the anterior portion. The round tribocytic organ was bearing small stout spines laterally, whereas the surface Which comes in contact with the host tissues consisted of numerous long fibrillar fibers. The lip of the oral sucker contained type II papillae. Lateral margin of the anterior body revealed type III papillae.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.487-497
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• 1990

This study was carried out to observe in vitro effect of praziquantel on the tegumental changes of Heterophyopsis continua with scanning electron microscope. Metacercariae were collected from the perch, Lateolabrax japonicus, by artificial digestion technique and fed to 2-week old chickens. Adult worms were recovered from small intestine of chickens 8 days after infection. For working solutions, praziquantel was diluted with TC199 medium at concentration of 0.01, 0.1. 1 and $10{\mu}g/ml$. To each petri dish containing 10ml of solution, 5~10 worms were introduced and incubated at $37^{\circ}C$. For the scanning electron microscopy(SEM), the worms were fixed in cold 2.5% glutaraldehyde, dehydrated in a series of graded ethanol and freeze-dried. Dried specimen was mounted on stub and coated with gold and observed in an SEM. The results were as follows: 1. Severe tegumental alterations were recognized by scanning electron microscope. Bleb formation of tegument was observed in 5 minute group and most pronounced on anterior tegument of worms. The number and size of blebs increased as incubation time prolonged. 2. The surface destruction was more pronounced at ventral margin between the oral and the ventral suckers. 3. The sensory papillae were slightly affected, but destruction of tegumental spine was not recognized. 4. The effect of praziquantel on the worm was found dependent on the concentration and incubation time, however, the effect was more dependent upon the incubation time.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.31-41
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• 2001

The intestinal histopathology and in situ postures of Gymnophalloides seoi (Digenea: Gymnophallidae) were studied using C3H/HeN and C57BL/6 mice as experimental hosts; the effects of immunosuppression were also observed. The metacercariae isolated from naturally infected oysters, 300 or 1,000 in number, were infected orally to each mouse, and the mice were killed at days 3-21 post-infection (PI). In immunocompetent (IC) mice, only a small number of flukes were found in the mucosa of the duodenum and jejunum during days 3-7 PI, with their large oral suckers pinching and sucking the root of villi. The intestinal mucosa showed mild villous atrophy crypt hyperplasia, and inflammations in the villous stroma and crypt, with remarkable goblet cell hyperplasia. These mucosal changes were almost restored after days 14-21 PI. In immunosuppressed (IS) mice. displacement as well as complete loss of villi adjacent to the flukes was frequently encountered, otherwise the histopathology was generally mild, with minimal goblet cell hyperplasia. In these mice, numerous flukes were found, and it seemed that they were actively moving and rotating in situ. Several flukes were found to have invaded into the submucosa, almost facing the serosa. These results indicate that in IC mice the intestinal histopathology caused by G. seoi is generally mild, and the flukes do not penetrate beyond the mucosa, however, in IS mice. the flukes can cause severe destruction of neighboring villi. and some of them invade into the submucosa.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.273-278
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• 2008

Mites in the genus Chorioptes cause a mild form of skin disease in both domestic and wild ruminants. In July 2006, dermatitis characterized by alopecia, marked lichenification, accumulation of crust, and fissuring was recognized in 14 out of 200 Holstein dairy cattle raised in the cattle farm of the National Institute of Animal Science in Cheonan, Republic of Korea. Skin lesions were distributed mainly over the tail base, and sacral and perineal regions. Microscopic examinations of skin scraping samples from severely affected areas revealed numerous mites of all developmental stages. Morphologically, pedicels of the mites were short and unjointed. The tarsal suckers occurred on the pedicels of all the legs in the male worm and on the first, second, and fourth pair of legs in the adult female worm. A single long seta at the tarsus of legs III and the length of legs II being about twice as long as legs IV in adult male mites were observed. Arising anterior to the inner-most spatulate seta was a short seta with an average of $26.4{\pm}5.8{\mu}m$ in length. Also, the length of setae #4 on the opisthosomal lobes was relatively short. Based on these observations, the mites were identified as Choriptes texanus. Although the chorioptic mange may not influence the mortality rate in the affected farm, reports indicate that a decline in milk production can be observed. This is the first report of chorioptic infestation in a cattle farm from Korea.