• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.139-144
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• 2011

The present study was performed to estimate the seroprevalence of larval Anisakis simplex infection among the residents health-examined in 3 hospitals in southern parts of Korea. A total of 498 serum samples (1 serum per person) were collected in 3 hospitals in Susan Metropolitan city, Masan city, and Geoje city in Gyeongsangnam-do (Province) and were examined by IgE-ELISA and IgE-western blotting with larval A. simplex crude extract and excretory-secretory products (ESP). The prevalence of antibody positivity was 5.0% and 6.6% with ELISA against crude extracts and ESP, respectively. It was also revealed that infection occurred throughout all age groups and higher in females than in males. A specific protein band of 130 kDa was detected from 10 patients with western blot analysis against crude extract and ESP among those who showed positive results by ELISA. Our study showed for the first time the seroprevalence of anisakiasis in Korea. The allergen of 130 kDa can be a candidate for serologic diagnosis of anisakiasis.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.78-84
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• 2015

Although researches have highlighted the important role of enhanced farm biosecurity to reduce the severity and prevalence of diseases in livestock, to date there has been little study in Korea on farmers' adoption of biosecurity measures to control porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection. To mitigate the risk of PRRSV infection in pigs, the risk factors by which PRRSV is introduced in pig farms must be determined. The primary aim of this study was to investigate pig producers' perceptions about on-farm biosecurity practices. We also analyzed data obtained from a cross-sectional study on 196 farrow-to-finish farms conducted between March 2013 and February 2014 to identify risk factors for PRRSV infection at farm level. Standardized questionnaires with information about basic demographical data and management practices were collected in each farm by on-site visit of trained veterinarians. Farms were classified as negative or positive through the use of infection profiles that combined data on PCR positive pigs and serological testing including antibody titer, sero-conversion pattern at each age category, and vaccination status. Data on biosecurity practices, farm management and environmental characteristics were analyzed using multivariate ordinal logistic regression. Generally, the biosecurity level in the pig farms included in this study were insufficient to reduce/prevent the risk of PRRSV infection given the high pig density areas and the considerable extent of vehicle movement. Factors associated with PRRSV infection were those where owners used on-farm vaccination programs had a lower risk of infection (OR = 0.19, 95% CI 0.06-0.61). The results from the analysis may guide to tailor biosecurity measures in the reduction or prevention of PRRS to the specific circumstances of pig farms in different localities of the world. To the best knowledge of the authors, this is the first study to report information on the biosecurity practices currently implemented on Korean pig farms.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.161-165
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• 2003

Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (OR) is a recently described gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium associated with respiratory tract infection in poultry. In order to investigate current occurrence of OR infection and to evaluate antibiotic susceptibility, the prevalence of OR antibody in domestic chickens were examined and the minimal inhibitory concentrations(MICs) of 8 antibiotics for 11 OR isolates was determined. All isolates tested were mostly susceptible to three antibiotics, ampicillin (MICs ranging from 0.38 ${\mu}g$/ml to 2 ${\mu}g$/ml), tetracycline (MICs 0.094～3 ${\mu}g$/ml) and doxycycline (MICs 0.047～4 ${\mu}g$/ml) but resistant to genatmicin. Ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, enrofloxacin, and ofloxacin gave most isolates inhibition only in case of a higher concentration (MICs ranged in most cases from 3 ${\mu}g$/ml to 48 ${\mu}g$/ml). Out of 188 chicken flocks including broilers, broiler breeders, and layers, seropositive flock to OR were detected in 5 broilers (4%), 17 broiler breeders (50%), and 16 layers (55.2%), using commercial OR enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) kits. It suggested that OR infection was widespreaded in poultry farms in Korea.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.18-26
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• 2009

Purpose: Recently, the role of serum tumor marker has been studied for an important issue on diagnosing and treating tumors in the head and neck region because tests using tumor markers need relatively simple procedures and are acceptable to patients, compared with other test methods. Tumor marker tests were performed on patients with squamous cell carcinoma, which were known to have the highest prevalence among tumors in the head and neck region. Association between each tumor marker, and diagnosis and prognosis of tumors was assessed. Materials and methods: Tumor marker tests were carried out on 31 patients who visited Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department in Dankook University Dental Hospital between January 2003 and August 2008 and who were diagnosed as primary oral squamous cell carcinoma through out histopathologic diagnosis. Blood sample from these patients was performed to measure tumor markers using nuclear medicine diagnostic equipment. Measured entries were as follows: PSA(prostate-specific antibody), SCCAg( Squamous Cell Carcinoma Related Antigen), CA 19-9(Cancer Antigen 19-9), Ferritin, $\alpha$- FP(Alpha-Fetoprotein), Cyfra 21-1, CA125 (Cancer Antigen 125) and p53. Results: Analyses on each tumor marker indicated that squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck region had statistically significant correlation with p53, SCC-Ag(TA-4), Cyfra 21-1 and Ferritin. p53 demonstrated the highest sensitivity. Especially, 4 cases among 18 cases which Ferritin was measured exhibited metastasis. In all those 4 cases, Ferritin values were higher than the standards (15 - 332ng/ml). Therefore, Ferritin is considered to have a close relation with metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma. Conclusion: This study shows that tumor marker tests are more useful in evaluating progression and prognosis of tumors rather than in diagnosing them. Particularly, serum Ferritin is considered to be beneficial in assessing metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck region and in developing treatment plans based on the assessment.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.70-74
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• 2003

This study investigated the relationship of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection to iron-deficiency anemia in high school girls. Four hundred and fourty-five subjects resided in Ulsan City in Korea were evaluated by questionnaire or blood analysis for serum indicators of iron status, daily nutrient intakes, symptoms of anemia, and H. pylori IgG antibody status. In H. pylori infected subjects, total energy intake of was 1534.14±350.81 kcal (73.0% of the Korean RDA), the iron intake of subjects was 11.38±3.90 mg (71.1% of Korean RDA) and calcium intake was 467.63±175.96 mg (58.3% of the Korean RDA). Carbohydrate (p < 0.05), vitamin A (p < 0.05), vitamin C (p < 0.01) intakes were significantly lower in infected subjects than in non-infected subjects. The prevalence of anemia (hemoglobin (Hb) < 12 g/dL.) in H. pylori infected subjects was 22.7% as compared to 14.7% in non-infected subjects. The mean serum ferritin of infected subjects (21.71±21.50 ng/mL) was significantly lower than in non-infected subjects (p < 0.05) (as was the mean Hb concentration (12.54±1.51 g/dL) and hematocrit (37.99±3.64%)). Total iron binding capacity (TIBC) of H. pylori infected subjects (449.09±78.23 ㎍/dL) was significantly higher than that of non-infected subjects (432.99＋76.15 ㎍/dL) (P < 0.05). The levels of iron, red blood cell (RBC) and transferrin saturation were similar in infected and non-infected subjects. Two symptoms of anemia, 'pale face (p < 0.01)' and 'decreased ability to concentrate (p < 0.005)', were significantly higher in H. pylori infected subjects than in non-infected subjects. High school girls are known to be more vulnerable to iron deficiency than other age groups, and this research demonstrates that infection with H. pylori increases their risk of iron-deficiency anemia.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2021

Q fever is a worldwide zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii. Domestic ruminants are considered to be major source of human infection. The aim of this survey was to investigate seroprevalence of C. burnetii in ruminants in Gwangju area. A total of 1,000 samples (serum and lactoserum) were collected from 987 Korean native cattle, 5 Korean native goats, 2 beef cattle, 6 bulk-tank milk from each dairy farm in Gwangju area from January to October 2020 and analyzed by ELISA. The seroprevalence of C. burnetii in bulk-tank milk from each dairy farms was 50.0%. Korean black goat and beef cattle had negative antibody test results for C. burnetii. The seroprevalence of C. burnetii in Korean native cattle in Gwangju area was 7.1% and was higher in female (7.8%) than in male (3.4%) (P=0.024). The seroprevalence of C. burnetii in Korean native cattle appeared to increase with age (3.8% in 1 year-old, 7.1% in 3 year-old, and 10.7% in more than 5 year-old) (P<0.001). The seroprevalence of C. burnetii of Korean native cattle increased in spring and May was the highest in particular (P<0.001). As the distribution and density of tick-habitat are expected to increase due to climate crisis, this survey highlights the need for monitoring C. burnetii in domestic ruminants, including surveillance of C. burnetii infection in people working for livestock industry.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.23-27
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• 2022

Systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) is a multisystemic disorder of autoimmune etiology. SLE can occur commonly in young women, and the early symptoms include fever, myalgia, arthralgia, weight loss, lymphadenopathy and these nonspecific symptoms develop into skin rash, splenomegaly, serositis and encephalopathy. Diagnosis of SLE requires clinical and serologic criteria, and treatment choices are hydroxyquinolone and NSAIDs for mild disease, corticosteroids and immunosuppressant for severe disease. In lupus patient, the prevalence of lymphadenopathy is 12~59%. Although lymphadenopathy is common finding in SLE, it is hard to distinguish in early phase of SLE. A 38-year-old woman visited our hospital for cervical lymphadenopathy with polyarthritis and malaise. Multiple cervical lymph nodes enlargement was found on Neck CT, and serologic laboratory test including ANA, antiphospholipid antibody, and anti-dsDNA was positive. For excluding lymphoma, PET-CT and excisional biopsy were performed. The patient finally diagnosed with SLE, and got regular follow-up without complication.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.11
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• pp.1217-1221
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• 2008

Purpose : An association between idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been recognized for decades because thrombocytopenia is the first manifestation in some patients with SLE. However, the risk of later development of SLE in childhood ITP is currently unknown. We retrospectively evaluated the incidence and clinical significance of the positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) in children with acute ITP. Methods : This study was retrospectively performed to review the clinical and laboratory characteristics in 77 children diagnosed to have acute ITP and admitted to the Pusan National University Hospital between January 2003 and December 2006. Patients tested positive for ANA were regularly followed-up for at least 12 months for symptoms indicative of SLE. Results : Seventy-seven children were included in the study; 38 males (49.4%) and 39 females (50.5%), the mean age was 4.5 years. Sixteen (20.8%) ITP patients had a positive ANA, with a median titer of 1:320. The mean age of the patients with positive ANA was 9.3 years, which is much older than 3.3 years for patients with negative ANA (P<0.05). The positive ANA group was predominantly female (81.3%) compared to the negative ANA group (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in mean platelet counts between both groups. No statistically significant difference was found in ANA positivity and progression to chronic ITP or SLE. After the median follow-up of 32 months, SLE was diagnosed only in one ITP patient with positive ANA. Conclusion : Our data demonstrated that ANA positivity is often found in children with acute ITP. Large-scale studies should be considered to determine the significance of ANA positivity in childhood ITP for the later development of SLE.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.318-322
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• 2014

Chlamydophila pneumonia is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia throughout the world. It causes mild pneumonia or bronchitis in adolescents and young adults. Older adults may experience more severe disease and repeated infections. To the best of our knowledge, no study has attempted to investigate the prevalence of C. pneumonia in a closed community in Korea. We compared the infection rate of C. pneumonia among university dormitory residents using the miro-immunofluorescence (MIF) method. Antibody titers of IgG (1:32 or more) indicate past infection of C. pneumonia. A recent infection was defined as serum with a high titer of IgG (1:512 or more) or a positive IgM (1:16 or more). The past infection rate of C. pneumonia among the university dormitory residents was 71.7%. The recent infection rate of C. pneumonia according to IgG and IgM titers was 28.3% and 23.3%, respectively. The past infection positive rate according to the number of residence months was 1 month (50%), 7 months (71.4%), 13 months (66.7%), and 35 months (89.5%). The recent infection positive rate according to IgG antibody titers was 1 month (50%), 7 months (28.6%), 13 months (33.3%), and 35 months (10.5%). The recent infection rate of C. pneumonia according to IgM antibody titers was 1 month (41.7%), 7 months (28.6%), 13 months (26.7%), and 35 months (5.3%). The results suggest that the past infection rate of C. pneumonia is increased by the number of residence months in a closed community and that the recent infection rate of C. pneumonia according to IgG and IgM serological tests is decreased by the number of residence months.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.603-607
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• 2007

The sample sizes required to detect at least one chicken infectious bronchitis virus(IBV) infection at flock-level were determined using pooled samples for 48 submissions with different samples in each. A total of serum samples of 9,980 layers from Kangwon, Chungpook and Chungnam province were collected and tested hemagglutination inhibition(HI) antibody titers against IBV both individually and with pooling size of 10. Of the 48 submissions, 72.9% were required less than 5 pools to detect at least one infected pool at 95% confidence level, and the corresponding rate was 77.1% at 90% confidence level. Overall, the number of pools was decreased as the percent of positive pools increased. At two different cut-of HI titer${\geq}9\;and{\geq}10$ for individual samples the seroprevalence was 50.1% and 33.4%, respectively while 59.9% were seropositive for pooled samples at HI $titer{\geq}8$. The correlation coefficients between pooled and individual samples at each submission were 0.592(p<0.001) for HI $titer{\geq}9$ and 0.561(p<0.001) for ${\geq}10$, with common correlation coefficient of 0.576. This study indicated that pooled testing for the detection of IBV infection may be an alternative strategy when only the pooled results are of interest and the prevalence has not known exactly.