• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.245-250
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• 2019

Newcastle disease (ND) is an infectious poultry disease that caused high mortality and reduced egg production. NDVs are regularly present in the domestic duck population. And ducks play a possible role in the maintenance and transmission of NDVs. While we were monitoring the Avian Influenza, NDVs were isolated from field samples by accident. So we analysed the biological and genetic characteristics of these viruses. Lentogenic NDVs were isolated from two farms among twenty breeder duck farms. The ages of ducks were 39 weeks old in the 'A' farm and 3~72 weeks old in the 'B' farm. And they were not inoculated with the NDVs vaccine. In the biological characteristics, the both viruses which separated from the farm 'A' and 'B' were thermostable. The amino acid sequence of a site from 112 to 119 in the fusion (F) protein was 'GKQGRLIG' which has monobasic motif in the samples of both farms. And this means the separated NDVs are lentogenic. Phylogenetic analysis was performed by entire nucleotide sequence of F protein. The virus strains from the A farm (MN095239) and the B farm (MN095240) belonged to class II genotype I. Using the analysis of whole F protein nucleic acid sequence, the MN095239 (GenBank) had homology with Ulster strain about 99.95% and the MN095239 (GenBank) had homology with KR/CK/KU_LBM255/09 strain about 99.89%. NDV surveillance is needed to investigate epidemiological relationship of domestic breeder duck isolates in Korea.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Applied Microbiology Conference
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• 2001.06a
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• pp.155-157
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• 2001

Bifidobacterium spp. is nonpathogenic, gram-positive and anaerobic bacteria, which inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals. In breast-fed infants, bifidobacteria comprise morethan 90％ of the gut bacterial population. Bifidobacteria spp. are used in commericial fermented dairy products and have been suggested to exert health promoting effects on the host by maintaining intestinal microflora balances, improving lactose tolerance, reducing serum cholesterol levels, increasing synthesis of vitamins, and aiding the immune enchancement and anticarcinogenic activity for the host. These beneficial effects of Bifidobacterium are strain-related. Therefore continued efforts to improve strain characteristics are warranted. in these respect, development of vector system for Bifidobacterium is very important not only for the strain improvement but also because Bifidobacterium is most promising in serving as a delivery system for the useful gene products, such as vaccine or anticarcinogenic polypeptides, into human intestinal tract. For developing vector system, we have characterized several bifidobacterial plasmids at genetic level and developed several shuttle vectors between E. coli and Bifidobacterium using them. Also, we have cloned and sequenced several metabolic genes and food grade selection marker. Also we have obtained bifidobacterial surface protein, which will be used as the mediator for surface display of foreign genes. Recently we have succeeded in expressing amylase and GFP in Bifidobacterium using our own expression vector system. Now we are in a very exciting stage for the molecular breeding and safe delivery system using probiotic Bifidobacterium strains.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.253-258
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• 2015

Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite of the phylum Apicomplexa, can infect all warm-blooded vertebrates, including humans, livestock, and marine mammals. The aim of this study was to investigate whether superoxide dismutase (SOD) of T. gondii can be used as a new marker for genetic study or a potential vaccine candidate. The partial genome region of the SOD gene was amplified and sequenced from 10 different T. gondii isolates from different parts of the world, and all the sequences were examined by PCR-RFLP, sequence analysis, and phylogenetic reconstruction. The results showed that partial SOD gene sequences ranged from 1,702 bp to 1,712 bp and A + T contents varied from 50.1% to 51.1% among all examined isolates. Sequence alignment analysis identified total 43 variable nucleotide positions, and these results showed that 97.5% sequence similarity of SOD gene among all examined isolates. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these SOD sequences were not an effective molecular marker for differential identification of T. gondii strains. The research demonstrated existence of low sequence variation in the SOD gene among T. gondii strains of different genotypes from different hosts and geographical regions.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2014

Although it has been generally accepted that porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) induces weak and delayed protective immunity after infection, it is unclear that the same immunological features can be applicable to all PRRS viruses because huge genetic variation exists even among the same genotypes of PRRSV (Type 1 and 2). In the current study, two genetically distinct type 2 PRRSV strains (VR-2332 and JA142) which showed approximately 90% nucleotide homology based on ORF5 sequences were characterized by both in vitro and in vivo assessments to determine the immunological features of the viruses. For in vitro assessment, porcine alveolar macrophages (PAM) were infected with the viruses at $10^{-3}$ multiplicity of infection (MOI) and then supernatants and cells were collected separately at 36 hrs post infection to determine the relative expression levels of IL-$1{\alpha}$, IL-12, TNF-${\alpha}$ and INF-${\alpha}/{\beta}$ by quantitative RT-PCR. In addition, five PRRSV-free pigs were inoculated with either of JA142 or VR2332 for in vivo assessment. Serum samples were collected every week until 6 weeks post challenge. The serum samples were analyzed for the levels of viremia, PRRSV nucleocapsid-specific antibody and virus neutralizing antibody. Based on those assessments, the two viruses showed different patterns of cytokine expression in PAM and immune responses in pigs after infection. These results indicate that genetically distinct PRRSV strains have different immunological features, which might be criteria for virus classification and selection of candidate virus strains for vaccine development in the future.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.221-228
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• 2011

Rodent malaria parasites, such as Plasmodium berghei, are practical and useful model organisms for human malaria research because of their analogies to the human malaria in terms of structure, physiology, and life cycle. Exploiting the available genetic sequence information, we constructed a cDNA library from the erythrocytic stages of P. berghei and analyzed the expressed sequence tag (EST). A total of 10,040 ESTs were generated and assembled into 2,462 clusters. These EST clusters were compared against public protein databases and 48 putative new transcripts, most of which were hypothetical proteins with unknown function, were identified. Genes encoding ribosomal or membrane proteins and purine nucleotide phosphorylases were highly abundant clusters in P. berghei. Protein domain analyses and the Gene Ontology functional categorization revealed translation/protein folding, metabolism, protein degradation, and multiple family of variant antigens to be mainly prevalent. The presently-collected ESTs and its bioinformatic analysis will be useful resources to identify for drug target and vaccine candidates and validate gene predictions of P. berghei.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.123-132
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• 2019

Two infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) K046-12 and K047-12 strains were isolated and the nearly complete genomes of them were sequenced. Sequence comparisons showed that the K046-12 genome was most similar to Korean IBV strains, and the K047-12 genome was most similar to QX-like IBV strains. Phylogenetic analysis showed that nearly all K046-12 and most K046-12 genes were placed in the same cluster as Korean IBV isolates, but the S1 region was placed in the same cluster as Mass-type IBVs. For K047-12, nearly all K047-12 and most K047-12 genes were located in the same cluster as QX-like IBVs, but the M region was located in the same cluster as Korean IBV isolates with K047-12. Recombination analysis confirmed that K046-12 is a recombinant strain with the primary parental sequence derived from Korean IBVs and minor parental sequence derived from Mass-type IBV, and K047-12 is a recombinant strain with the major parental sequence derived from QX-IBV and minor parental sequence derived from Korean IBVs. This study showed that new IBV recombinants are constantly generated among various IBVs, including those used for vaccination. Therefore, genetic analysis of new virus isolates should be performed for effective infectious bronchitis control and appropriate vaccine development.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.54-60
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• 2022

Salmonella meningitis is rare yet poses causes significant neurological morbidity in children. Infants, especially those under 3 months of age, and those with immunocompromised states, such as malignancy, malaria, and human immunodeficiency virus infection, are at increased risk for developing Salmonella meningitis. Herein, we describe a case of Salmonella meningitis in a previous healthy 8-year-old girl who presented with high fever, vomiting, and altered mental status. Group D Salmonella species were isolated in cerebrospinal fluid culture, and no abnormal findings were noted in brain magnetic resonance imaging. Immunoglobulin levels and lymphocyte subset counts were within the normal ranges, and no genetic mutation responsible for primary immunodeficiency disease was detected by next-generation sequencing. The patient's condition improved rapidly with third-generation cephalosporin, and no complications or sequalae developed. Nontyphoidal Salmonella can cause meningitis in immunocompetent children and can be successfully treated with early administration of antibiotics.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.25-36
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• 2024

In this study, we analyzed the phylogenetic classification, epitope prediction, and pathogenicity of red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV) isolated from rock bream between 2019 and 2023. Phylogenetics based on genes encoding MCP and ATPase indicated that all five RSIV isolates belonged to RSIV subtype II. The deduced amino acid sequence of the MCP for the amplicons (1362 bp) obtained from RSIV isolates had a length of 453 amino acids. Among these, the amino acid sequences of the RSIV-19, 21, 22, and 23 isolates showed 100% identity, while the RSIV-20 isolate showed 99.78% identity with one residue difference at position 306. As a result of antigenicity analysis based on amino acid sequence, the antigenicity score of the RSIV-20 isolate was 0.6386 and the other RSIV isolates were 0.6365. Additionally, the prediction of their antigenic determinants resulted in a total of 17 identical antigenic plots. When each RSIV was inoculated into rock bream, no significant differences were observed with 100% cumulative mortality in all groups. This study provides data on the potential for genetic variation of RSIV isolated in the same marine area over the past five years, and the antigenicity and pathogenicity results of each isolate are expected to be useful information for selecting future vaccine strains.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.600-604
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• 2012

Rotavirus is the main cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children of the world. However, the frequency of genetic alterations makes it hard to control the prophylaxis. Therefore, continuous monitoring of the rotavirus's genetic change is inevitable to prevent disease prevalence and is useful in inventing an efficient vaccine. From January 2005 to December 2010, we investigated 11,607 stool samples of acute gastroenteritis patients in the Incheon metropolitan area. About 13.18% (1,530 stool samples) of all samples had a positive reaction against rotavirus using an antigen capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Then, the 160 stool samples were searched for subtypes of group A rotavirus by using a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and a nested multiplex RCR. In P sub-typing, P8 (56.3%) was an extremely prevalent genotype, followed by P6 (21.3%), and P1A (10.0%). G1 (39.4%) was most widespread in the G subtype, followed by G4 (25.0%) and G3 (18.8%). G1P8 (35.5%) was the most common G and P subtype combination, followed by G4P6 (19.3%) and G3P8 (13.1%). These results might be useful data for understanding the epidemiological status of group A-rotavirus dispersion in the Incheon metropolitan area.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.166-173
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• 2010

Purpose : Genetic and clinical factors can influence the permeability of the peritoneal membrane. The peritoneal equilibration test (PET) is helpful in measuring peritoneal permeability in peritoneal dialysis (PD). We investigated the influence of genetic polymorphism of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the PET parameters. Methods : Pediatric patients who underwent PET within 12 months of initiating PD at Seoul National University Children's Hospital and Samsung Medical Center were selected. The patients with positive history of peritonitis before PET were excluded. The VEGF -2578C/A, -14978T/C, -1154G/A, -634G/C, and +936C/T single-nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped. Results : The mean 4-hour dialysate-to-plasma ratio for creatinine (D/P creatinine) and the mean 4-hour dialysate glucose to baseline dialysate glucose ratio (D/$D_0$ glucose) were $0.56{\pm}0.13$ and $0.43{\pm}0.11$, respectively. The patients with haplotype CTGGC showed higher 4-hour D/P creatinine ($0.67{\pm}0.12$ vs $0.50{\pm}0.09$, P=0.007) and lower 4-hour D/$D_0$ glucose ($0.35{\pm}0.12$ vs $0.47{\pm}0.08$, P=0.037) than those without haplotype CTGGC. Conclusion : The VEGF genetic polymorphism may influence the peritoneal solute transport.