• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.249-252
• /
• 1989

Fibricola cratera is a strigeoid trematode indigenous to North America that, heretofore, was known only to infect wild mammals. Herein, it is reported that an experimental inoculation of a human volunteer produced a patellt infection that lasted 40 months. Symptoms of epigastric discomfort, loose stools and flatulence occurred over the first year of infection and ameliorated thereafter. Eggs per gram of stool were low (${\leq}2$) throughout the course of infection and were not detected by the standard technique of formalin-ether concentration. To monitor infection, the entire stool sample was examined each month after sieving through No. 10 (pore size 2 mm) and 100 (pore size $145{\;}{\mu\textrm{m}}$) sieves and collecting eggs on a No. 325 (pore size $45{\;}{\mu\textrm{m}}$) sieve. This is the first report of a North American strigeoid trematode capable of maturing in a human and is only the second species of strigeoid known to do so. The other species is F. seoulensis which has been implicated in 26 human infections in Korea.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.21-24
• /
• 1992

The infectivity of metacestodes of Asian Taenia saginata, now tentatively called Taenia saginata taiwanensis, in human host was confirmed. The metacestodes used in experimental infection were collected from the livers of naturally infected domestic pigs at an abattoir in Cheongju City, Korea. The first gravid proglottid was spontaneously discharged 76 days after infection. Two worms were recovered two years later by chemotherapy. The scolex was unarmed. The number of main uterine branches, varying from 16 to 21, was similar to that of classical Taenia saginata. The liver of pigs was confirmed to be an infection source of Asian T. saginata in Korea.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2014

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is etiologically associated with a variety of diseases including lymphoproliferative diseases, lymphomas, carcinomas, and autoimmune diseases. Humans are the only natural host of EBV and limited species of new-world monkeys can be infected with the virus in experimental conditions. Small animal models of EBV infection, required for evaluation of novel therapies and vaccines for EBV-associated diseases, have not been available. Recently the development of severely immunodeficient mouse strains enabled production of humanized mice in which human immune system components are reconstituted and express their normal functions. Humanized mice can serve as infection models for human-specific viruses such as EBV that target cells of the immune system. This review summarizes recent studies by the author's group addressing reproduction of EBV infection and pathogenesis in humanized mice.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.59 no.11
• /
• pp.432-439
• /
• 2016

Asthma is recognized as a complex disease resulting from interactions between multiple genetic and environmental factors. Accumulating evidence suggests that respiratory viral infections in early life constitute a major environmental risk factor for the development of childhood asthma. Respiratory viral infections have also been recognized as the most common cause of asthma exacerbation. The advent of molecular diagnostics to detect respiratory viruses has provided new insights into the role of human rhinovirus (HRV) infections in the pathogenesis of asthma. However, it is still unclear whether HRV infections cause asthma or if wheezing with HRV infection is simply a predictor of childhood asthma. Recent clinical and experimental studies have identified plausible pathways by which HRV infection could cause asthma, particularly in a susceptible host, and exacerbate disease. Airway epithelial cells, the primary site of infection and replication of HRV, play a key role in these processes. Details regarding the role of genetic factors, including ORMDL3, are beginning to emerge. This review discusses recent clinical and experimental evidence for the role of HRV infection in the development and exacerbation of childhood asthma and the potential underlying mechanisms that have been proposed.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.59 no.10
• /
• pp.395-401
• /
• 2016

Since the outbreak of the enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection in Malaysia in 1997, large epidemics of EV71 have occurred in the Asia-Pacific region. Many children and infants have died from serious neurological complications during these epidemics, and EV71 infection has become a serious public health problem in these areas. EV71 infection causes hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in children, and usually resolves spontaneously. However, EV71 occasionally involves the central nervous system (CNS), and induces diverse neurological complications such as brainstem encephalitis, aseptic meningitis, and acute flaccid paralysis. Among those complications, brainstem encephalitis is the most critical neurological manifestation because it can cause neurogenic pulmonary hemorrhage/edema leading to death. The characteristic clinical symptoms such as myoclonus and ataxia, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis, and brainstem lesions on magnetic resonance imaging, in conjunction with the skin rash of HFMD and the isolation of EV71 from a stool, throat-swab, or CSF sample are typical findings indicating CNS involvement of EV71 infection. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin and milrinone are recommended in cases with severe neurological complications from EV71 infection, such as brainstem encephalitis. Despite the recent discovery of receptors for EV71 in human cells, such as the scavenger receptor B2 and P-selection glycoprotein ligand 1, it is not known why EV71 infection predominantly involves the brainstem. Recently, 3 companies in China have completed phase III clinical trials of EV71 vaccines. However, the promotion and approval of these vaccines in various countries are problems yet to be resolved.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.12.1-12.17
• /
• 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in the human population in late 2019, it has spread on an unprecedented scale worldwide leading to the first coronavirus pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 infection results in a wide range of clinical manifestations from asymptomatic to fatal cases. Although intensive research has been undertaken to increase understanding of the complex biology of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the detailed mechanisms underpinning the severe pathogenesis and interactions between the virus and the host immune response are not well understood. Thus, the development of appropriate animal models that recapitulate human clinical manifestations and immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 is crucial. Although many animal models are currently available for the study of SARS-CoV-2 infection, each has distinct advantages and disadvantages, and some models show variable results between and within species. Thus, we aim to discuss the different animal models, including mice, hamsters, ferrets, and non-human primates, employed for SARS-CoV-2 infection studies and outline their individual strengths and limitations for use in studies aimed at increasing understanding of coronavirus pathogenesis. Moreover, a significant advantage of these animal models is that they can be tailored, providing unique options specific to the scientific goals of each researcher.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.54 no.7
• /
• pp.313-315
• /
• 2011

Reactive arthritis comprises a subgroup within infection-associated arthritides in genetically susceptible hosts. Researchers and clinicians recognize two clinical forms of reactive arthritis which occurs after genitourinary tract infection and after gastrointestinal tract infection. Chlamydia infection has been implicated as the most common agent associated with post-venereal reactive arthritis. Studies have proposed Shigella infection, Salmonella infection, or Yersinia infection as the microorganisms responsible for the post-dysenteric form. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 antigen is the best-known predisposing factor. We report a case of HLA-B27-associated reactive arthritis after Salmonella enteritis at Pusan National University hospital.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Veterinary Clinics Conference
• /
• 2009.10a
• /
• pp.268-268
• /
• 2009

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.247-253
• /
• 2007

Leishmania (L.) tropica is a causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis, and occasionally of visceral or viscerotropic leishmaniasis in humans. Murine models of Leishmania infection have been proven to be useful for elucidation of mechanisms for pathogenesis and immunity in leishmaniasis. The aim of this study was to establish a murine model for human viscerotropic leishmaniasis, and the growth pattern of L. tropica was studied in different tissues of BALB/c mice in order to find out whether the parasite visceralizes in this murine model. L. major was used as a control as this species is known to cause a progressive infection in BALB/c mice. L. tropica or L. major was injected into the footpad of mice, and thickness of footpad, parasite loads in different tissues, and the weight of the spleen and lymph node were determined at different intervals. Results showed that L. tropica visceralizes to the spleen and grows there while its growth is controlled in footpad tissues. Dissemination of L. tropica to visceral organs in BALB/c mice was similar to the growth patterns of this parasite in human viscerotropic leishmaniasis. The BALB/c model of L. tropica infection may be considered as a good experimental model for human diseases.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.44 no.6
• /
• pp.377-383
• /
• 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To understand the identity, functional characteristics and therapeutic targets of the virus and the diseases, appropriate infection models that recapitulate the in vivo pathophysiology of the viral infection are necessary. This article reviews the various infection models, including Vero cells, human cell lines, organoids, and animal models, and discusses their advantages and disadvantages. This knowledge will be helpful for establishing an efficient system for defense against emerging infectious diseases.