• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.111-115
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• 2000

Three cases of human infection by Trichinella spiralis were first confirmed by detecting encysted larvae in the biopsied muscle in December 1997, in Korea. The patients were one 35-and two 39-year-old males residing in Kochang-gun, Kyongsangnam-do. They had a common past history of eating raw liver, spleen, blood and muscle of a badger, Meles meles melanogenvs, and complained of high fever, facial and periorbital edema, and myalgia. Hematologic and biochemical examinations revealed leukocytosis and eosinophilia, and highly elevated levels of GOT, GPT, LDH and CPK. In the gastrocnemius muscle of a patient, roundly coiled nematode larvae were detected. The larvae measured 0.775-1.050 (av 0.908) mm in length, and 0.026-0.042 (av. 0.035) mm in maximum width. The specific IgG antibody levels in three patients' sera were significantly higher when compared with those of normal controls. The patients were treated with flubendazole and albendazole for 15-30 days, and discharged at 13-34 days post-admission. From the above findings, it was confirmed that T. spiralis is present in Korea, and the badger plays a role of as the natural host.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.59-63
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• 2008

In order to obtain greater insight into the relevant genomic expression patterns of Trichinella spiralis, 992 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were collected from a cDNA library of T. spiralis muscle stage larvae and assembled into 60 clusters and 385 singletons. Of them, 445 (44.7%) ESTs were annotated to their homologous genes, and small fractions were matched to known genes of nematodes. The annotated ESTs were classified into 25 eukaryotic orthologous groups (KOG). Cytochrome C oxidase (34 clones) was found to be most frequent species.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.385-390
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• 2012

In order to know the effect of pre-existing Trichinella spiralis infection on experimentally induced intestinal inflammation and immune responses, we induced colitis in T. spiralis-infected mice and observed the severity of colitis and the levels of Th1, Th2, and regulatory cytokines and recruitment of $CD4^+CD25^+Foxp3^+$ T (regulatory T; $T_{reg}$) cells. Female C57BL/6 mice were infected with 250 muscle larvae; after 4 weeks, induction of experimental colitis was performed using 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). During the induction period, we observed severity of colitis, including weight loss and status of stool, and evaluated the disease activity index (DAI). A significantly low DAI and degree of weight loss were observed in infected mice, compared with uninfected mice. In addition, colon length in infected mice was not contracted, compared with uninfected mice. We also observed a significant increase in production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and IFN-${\gamma}$, in spleen lymphocytes treated with DSS; however, such an increase was not observed in infected mice treated with DSS. Of particular interest, production of regulatory cytokines, IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}$, in spleen lymphocytes showed a significant increase in mice infected with T. spiralis. A similar result was observed in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN). Subsets of the population of $T_{reg}$ cells in MLN and spleen showed significant increases in mice infected with T. spiralis. In conclusion, T. spiralis infection can inhibit the DSS-induced colitis in mice by enhancing the regulatory cytokine and $T_{reg}$ cells recruitment.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.297-304
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• 2013

Trichinosis is a parasitic zoonosis caused by the nematode Trichinella spiralis. Anthelmintics are used to eliminate intestinal adults as well as tissue-migrating and encysted larvae. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ivermectin and myrrh obtained from the aloe-gum resin of Commiphora molmol on experimental trichinosis. Ninety albino mice were orally infected with 300 T. spiralis larvae. Drugs were tested against adult worms at day 0 and day 5 and against encysted larvae on day 15 and day 35 post-infection (PI). Mature worms and encysted larvae were counted in addition to histopathological examination of muscle specimens. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total protein, albumin, globulin, urea, and creatinine values were estimated. Significant reductions in mean worm numbers were detected in ivermectin treated mice at day 0 and day 5 PI achieving efficacies of 98.5% and 80.0%, while efficacies of myrrh in treated mice were 80.7% and 51.5%, respectively. At days 15 and 35 post-infection, ivermectin induced significant reduction in encysted larval counts achieving efficacies of 76.5% and 54.0%, respectively, while myrrh efficacies were 76.6% and 35.0%, respectively. AST, ALT, urea, and creatinine levels were reduced, while total proteins were increased in response to both treatments compared to their values in the infected non-treated mice. Ivermectin use for controlling T. spiralis could be continued. Myrrh was effective and could be a promising drug against the Egyptian strains of T. spiralis with results nearly comparable to ivermectin.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 2001

We have studied the genetic differences among four isolates of Trichinella including a new strain of Trichinella spiralis (ISS 623) recently found from a human case who took a badger in Korea. Because they have a different host origin and came from geographically separated regions, we supposed the genetic pattern of the isolates might be different as had been previously reported. It was analysed by PCR-RFLP analysis of the rDNA repeat that can readily distinguish a species or strain from others. Isolated genomic DNA of each isolate of Trichinella larvae was amplified with ITSl specific primers and digested with restriction endonucleases. The PCR product of ITSl was confirmed using Southern blot analysis to be a 910 Up fragment. The restriction fragments of each isolate had variable patterns when it was digested with Rsa I only. According to the RFLP patterns, the estimated genetic divergence between each isolate was different. In conclusion, four isolates of Thichinella including a new strain of T. spiralis obtained from a Korean patient may have genetic differences in the ITSl region and the Shanghai isolate was genetically more similar to the Japanese unknown isolate than others in the ITSl region.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.45 no.1 s.141
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• pp.65-68
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• 2007

The application of Giemsa technique to stain compressed diaphragm samples obtained from rodents experimentally infected with Trichinella spiralis is described. Diaphragm samples from rats heavily infected with 20 muscle larvae per gram of body weight(20 ML/gbw) were cut into several pieces and stained with Giemsa; on the other hand, whole diaphragms from slightly infected mice(1 ML/gbw) were also stained with Giemsa. Besides, muscle samples were also stained with Giemsa. Observation at 10 $\times$ magnification revealed that both ML and nurse cells(NC) look as bluish structures clearly contrasting with the pinkish color of the non-infected muscle fibers. NC in the diaphragms of mice could be easily observed at naked eye as blue points contrasting with the pink surrounding areas formed by the non-infected muscle fibers. Among NC observed in the diaphragms of rats infected with 20 ML/gbw, 4.4% was multiple infection. These findings were confirmed in sectioned and hematoxylin-eosin stained specimens. This data could be usefulness for a rapid diagnosis of trichinellosis in post-mortem mammals without magnification procedures.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.163-171
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• 2016

As most infections by the helminth parasite elicit the recruitment of $CD4^+CD25^+Foxp3^+$ T ($T_{reg}$) cells, many scientists have suggested that these cells could be used for the treatment of immune-mediated inflammation and associated diseases. In order to investigate the distribution and alteration of activated $T_{reg}$ cells, we compared the expression levels of $T_{reg}$ cell activation markers in the ileum and gastrocnemius tissues 1, 2, and 4 weeks after infection. The number of $T_{reg}$ cells was monitored using GFP-coded Foxp3 transgenic mice. In mice at 1 week after Trichinella spiralis infection, the number of activated $T_{reg}$ cells was higher than in the control group. In mice at 2 weeks after infection, there was a significant increase in the number of cells expressing Foxp3 and CTLA-4 when compared to the control group and mice at 1 week after infection. At 4 weeks after infection, T. spiralis was easily identifiable in nurse cells in mouse muscles. In the intestine, the expression of Gzmb and Klrg1 decreased over time and that of Capg remained unchanged for the first and second week, then decreased in the 4th week. However, in the muscles, the expression of most chemokine genes was increased due to T. spiralis infection, in particular the expression levels of Gzmb, OX40, and CTLA-4 increased until week 4. In addition, increased gene expression of all chemokine receptors in muscle, CXCR3, CCR4, CCR5, CCR9, and CCR10, was observed up until the 4th week. In conclusion, various chemokine receptors showed increased expressions combined with recruitment of $T_{reg}$ cells in the muscle tissue.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.431-438
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• 2015

In Trichinella spiralis infection, type 2 helper T (Th2) cell-related and regulatory T ($T_{reg}$) cell-related immune responses are the most important immune events. In order to clarify which Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are closely associated with these responses, we analyzed the expression of mouse TLR genes in the small intestine and muscle tissue during T. spiralis infection. In addition, the expression of several chemokine- and cytokine-encoding genes, which are related to Th2 and $T_{reg}$ cell mediated immune responses, were analyzed in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) isolated from myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/TIR-associated proteins (TIRAP) and Toll receptor-associated activator of interferons (TRIF) adapter protein deficient and wild type (WT) mice. The results showed significantly increased TLR4 and TLR9 gene expression in the small intestine after 2 weeks of T. spiralis infection. In the muscle, TLR1, TLR2, TLR5, and TLR9 gene expression significantly increased after 4 weeks of infection. Only the expression of the TLR4 and TLR9 genes was significantly elevated in WT MEF cells after treatment with excretory-secretory (ES) proteins. Gene expression for Th2 chemokine genes were highly enhanced by ES proteins in WT MEF cells, while this elevation was slightly reduced in MyD88/$TIRAP^{-/-}$ MEF cells, and quite substantially decreased in $TRIF^{-/-}$ MEF cells. In contrast, IL-10 and $TGF-{\beta}$ expression levels were not elevated in MyD88/$TIRAP^{-/-}$ MEF cells. In conclusion, we suggest that TLR4 and TLR9 might be closely linked to Th2 cell and $T_{reg}$ cell mediated immune responses, although additional data are needed to convincingly prove this observation.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.61-74
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• 1997

In case of tissue invading nematode, proteolytic enzyme was required at their parasitic life. Proteinases obtained from these parasites(Toxocara canis, Ansakis spp. and Trichinella spiralis) were extracted, isolated and further purified. And then the analysis for activity and inhibitory effect of proteinases were performed by appropriate substrate. Determination of protein as a circulating antigen was done in use of infected animal serum with above parasites, respectively. For above experimental objects, following procedures were performed. First, enzymatic activity was measured in use of azocasein and inhibitory effect of porteinase were studied by various inhibitors. Second, partially purified proteins containing enzymatic activity were obtained by ion exchange chromatography, ultrafiltration and electrophoretic elution. Third, role of the partially purified protein as a circulating antigen. The results obtained were as follows : 1. Enzymatic activity of each nematode proteinase was varied according to pH. Optimal pH of Toxocara canis, Ansakis spp. and Trichinella spiralis were pH 6.0, pH 5.5 and pH 6.5, respectively. The optimal molarity of buffer was 0.1M phosphate buffer. Although little difference between these proteinases was observed, temperature stability was at least maintained at $4^{\circ}C$ until 5 days. 2. In case of Ansakis spp. and Toxocara canis, enzymatic activity of these proteinases was considerably inhibited by Leupeptin and EDTA. For maximum enzymatic activity of above proteinases, it was required that cysteine residue of enzyme should be protected. And it was suggested that metallo type was contained in enzyme active site. Proteinase of Trichinella spiralis contained metallo type also. 3. Although partial purification was performed in Ansakis spp. and Toxocara canis, proteins maintaining enzymatic activity were identified as a circulating antigen. From SDS-PAGE and immunoblot, 25 kDa was presented in Ansakis spp.. Specific antigen of Toxocara cains was 110 kDa protein fraction. 55 and 42 kDa proteins were reacted with normal serum. Trichinella spiralis 60 kDa protein fraction was successfully purified from excretory materials in culture. As a result of immune-reaction with Trichinella spiralis infected serum, highly purified 60 kDa protein was maintained antigenicity until final purification step.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 2007

In order to observe the localization of excretory, purified and infected antigenic protein in the tissue of Trichinella spiralis larvae, immunogoldlabeling methodology using IgG and protein A-gold complex was implemented. T. spiralis larvae obtained from rat muscle were initially cultured in medium, and secreted excretory antigen was collected for 1 or 3 days. Purified antigenic protein was obtained from homogenized T. spiralis larvae. Rabbits were then immunized with 1 or 3 days secreted excretory protein and purified 45 kDa protein, and IgG was purified from collected serum. Serum, against infected antigen, collected from rat on 1 and 4 weeks after infection with T. spiralis larvae, and IgG was purified from collected serum. T. spiralis larvae were embedded in Lowicryl HM20 medium. Then they were finally treated with immunized IgG and protein A-gold complex (particle size; 15 nm) and observed under electron microscope. In T. spiralis larvae tissue, the tissue antigen reacted with rabbit IgC antigen Day 1 secreted excretory protein, infected antigenic protein and purified 45 kDa protein. But different distribution pattern of labeled gold particles were observed. When Day 1 secreted excretoy protein was used, gold particle labeling was observed specifically on the cuticle, basal layer, esophagus interstitial matrix (EIM) and ${\alpha}_0,\;{\alpha}_1$ granules of stichocyte of the worm. In a separate group of tissue, the antigen reacted with rabbit IgG against Day 3 secreted excretory protein. Labeled gold particles were specifically distributed on the surface layer of cuticle, EIM and ${\alpha}_0$ granules of stichocyte of the worm. In case of using infected antigenic protein, gold particle labeling was specifically distributed on the cuticle and EIM of the worm. When purifed 45 kDa protein was used gold particle labeling was specifically distributed on the cuticle, basal layer, EIM and ${\alpha}_0,\;{\alpha}_1$ granules of stichocyte of the worm. Therefore, excretory antigens appeared to originate from the cuticle and ${\alpha}_0,\;{\alpha}_1$ granules of stichocyte for the first day but the cuticle layer associated with globular proteins and ${\alpha}_0$ granules of stichocyte after 3 days and infected antigens appeared to originate from the cuticle for 1 and 4 weeks after infection. These results suggest that excretory and infection specific antigens are secreted into the cuticle, basal layer, EIM and ${\alpha}_0,\;{\alpha}_1$ granules of stichocyte and 45 kDa protein may be contained these specific antigens.