• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.211-215
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• 2004

Toxoplasmosis has been well known as an important human infection to consider especially in pregnant women. Although many serologic methods are available, the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis can be extremely difficult. The presence of increased levels of Toxoplasma-specific IgG antibodies indicates an infection, but it does not differentiate between a recent and past infection. The purpose of our study was to compare the performance of the ELISA T. gondii IgG/IgM test, a widely used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, to the ELISA IgG avidity method. One hundred and four serum samples (from 38 males and 66 females) were tested and evaluated from symptomatic patients (chorioretinitis, lymphadenopathy), and from women in their first trimester of pregnancy who were suspected of having toxoplasmosis, The high IgG avidity and ELISA IgG antibody levels were in agreement for 51 of the specimens (49.0％). Thirty-eight discrepant (borderline) results from the IgG avidity method were positive for IgM (3 specimens) and IgG (37 specimens). Interestingly, out of the eight serum samples that were positive for both IgG and IgM antibodies, two samples were low IgG avidity, and three samples were borderline. There was no statistically significant relation observed between the results of the IgG avidity method and the ELISA IgG test, and the IgG avidity method and ELISA IgM test (X$^2$=1.987; p=0.370 and X$^2$=2.152; p=0.341, respectively). The IgG avidity method was considered easy to perform and an acceptable approach for the differentiation of discrepant results (recent/chronic) and for the current detection of T. gondii antibodies. We concluded that the determination of IgG avidity is a helpful tool for the diagnosis of the ocular form of toxoplasmosis and it is a safe method for screening this disease in the first trimester of pregnancy.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.131-137
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• 2022

Osteomyelitis typically occurs because of the direct inoculation of bacteria or fungi after penetrating trauma or surgical contamination or, by extension, from soft tissue infection. Osteomyelitis is rarely reported in wildlife animals, though severe chronic osteomyelitis cases do exist in wildlife owing to the scarcity of medical support in the wild environment. This report describes three cases of chronic osteomyelitis in wild raccoon dogs related to trauma. The typical symptoms of three reported cases were ataxia, stiffness, muscle atrophy, and lethargy. All three cases were relevant to traumatic or severe external injury, and skin infestation caused by ectoparasites was apparent on an ocular inspection. In the radiographic examination, diffuse sites of osteolytic lesions and remarkable periosteal responses were demonstrated around the injured limb in all three cases. Apparent neutrophilia with a left shift, lymphocytosis, and monocytosis in hematological examinations generally indicated chronic infection as shown in case 1 and 3. Treatment was attempted with broad-spectrum antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, enrofloxacin, clindamycin, and meloxicam. These treatment options helped improve the overall prognosis of chronic osteomyelitis, but the outcomes did not meet the treatment goal entirely. Osteomyelitis can be extremely challenging to treat, particularly in wild animals, because of their distinctive traits, such as masking phenomenon and uncontrolled exposure to ectoparasites. Earlier diagnosis with a radiographic examination, hematological examinations, and careful patient monitoring, followed by prolonged antibiotic therapy and restricted exercise, are the key factors leading to a better prognosis.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.199-204
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• 2006

Streptococcosis of olive flounder(Paralichthys olivaceus) is an important bacterial disease in Jeju island. In this study, we investigated monthly infection pattern of this disease in different size of the flounder fish. Even though the disease occurred throughout the year, the infection ratio was relatively higher in the months with warm water season. The infection was more prevalent in adult flounder over 30 cm total length compare to these of small size fish. Two infectious species of streptococcosis pathogens were detected by multiplex PCR assay. Detection ratios of Streptococcus iniae and S. parauberis reached up to 46% and 54%, respectively, from June 2003 to May 2005 in Jeju island. S. iniae occurred intensively from September to October, whereas S. parauberis reported from March to May. S. iniae and S. parauberis infections of cultured flounder share some common features, but clinical findings showed considerable differences between two diseases. Distended abdomen, protruded anus and ascitic fluid in the peritoneal cavity are evident lesions detected in S. iniae infection, whereas, flounders infected by S. parauberis showed prominent lesions such as darkened surface and haemorrhaging in the non-ocular side. Both streptococcosis pathogens were sensitive to antibiotics, such as ampicillin and amoxicillin. However, S. iniae strains were more sensitive to doxycycline, erythromycin and oxytetracycline than S. parauberis strains.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.247-255
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• 1999

Sequential morphologic changes in the lymphoid organs were examined after ocular and cloacal inoculation in 3weekold chicks with a highly virulent strain (SH/92) of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). The infected chickens were sacrificed at 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hrs post inoculation (Pl), and thymus, harderian gland, ceacal tonsil, and spleen were observed. Histologically, the significant lesions were characterized by lymphocyte depletion and the earliest detectable changes were evident at 12 hrs Pl. In thymic cortex, lymphoid depletion with apoptosis and prominent "tingible body macrophages" were observed. As the infection advanced, the lesions showed more severe changes. Dying cells were characterized either by capping of nuclear chromatin (apoptosis) or by cytoplasmic swelling (necrosis). In situ staining for apoptosis, some lymphoid cells revealed typical positive reaction, even the stainability was variable depend on every lymphoid organs. These results suggest that IBBV (SH/92) cause severe damage both primary and secondary lymphoid organs, and both T and B lymphocytes. Also the lymphoid depletion of these organs is caused by necrosis and apoptosis induced by IBDV.d by IBDV.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.196-200
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• 2006

Congenital toxoplasmosis is caused by vertical transmission of Toxoplasma gondii from mother during pregnancy. The broad clinical spectrum of congenital toxoplasmosis ranges from stillbirth or death shortly after birth to survival with either cerebral damage or mild or subclinical disease, consisting usually of ocular involvement. The authors experienced a case of congenital toxoplasmosis in prematurity baby whose mother had lived recently in Africa. The diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis was confirmed on the basis of clinical finding of chorioretinitis and positive serologic test for toxoplasma IgM antibody.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 1997

Herpes simpex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infects the genital and oral mucosae of human and other animals. HSV-2 infection is a widespread health problem causing various clinical syndromes including oral, genital, and ocular lesions, viral encephalitis, and recurrent diseases. Hybridorna cell lines secreting a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against the HSV-2 were produced by fusing spleen cells of HSV-2-immunized mice with Sp2/0-AgI4 myeloma cells. One hybridoma cell line was established and its monoclonal C-2, IgM, recognized the antigens of 134, 86, and 43 kDa in western blot analysis. In SDS-P AGE analysis of HSV -2 antigens, 25 bands were separated between 3D kDa and 159 kDa. In indirect immunofluorescent assay, mAbs exhibited binding to the virus antigen expressed on Vero cell infected with HSV-2.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.553-558
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• 2018

Pathogenic Acanthamoeba spp. cause granulomatous amoebic encephalitis and keratitis. Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a rare but serious ocular infection that can result in permanent visual impairment or blindness. However, pathogenic factors of AK remain unclear and treatment for AK is arduous. Expression levels of proteins secreted into extracellular space were compared between A. castellanii pathogenic (ACP) and non-pathogenic strains. Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed 123 differentially expressed proteins, including 34 increased proteins, 7 qualitative increased proteins, 65 decreased proteins, and 17 qualitative decreased proteins in ACP strain. Twenty protein spots with greater than 5-fold increase in ACP strain were analyzed by liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. These proteins showed similarity each to inosine-uridine preferring nucleoside hydrolase, carboxylesterase, oxygen-dependent choline dehydrogenase, periplasmic-binding protein proteinases and hypothetical proteins. These proteins expressed higher in ACP may provide some information to understand pathogenicity of Acanthamoeba.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.178-185
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• 2005

Purpose : Ocular adnexal and orbital infections are broadly divided into preseptal(periorbital) and postseptal(orbital) cellulitis by orbital septum. In this study, we investigated the difference between periorbital and orbital cellulitis regarding their pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, treatments, and prognosis. Methods : We reviewed medical records of 50 cases who were hospitalized in the Severance hospital due to orbital cellulitis from May 1995 to April 2004. Results : There were 32 males and 18 females. The mean age was $3.2{\pm}3.5$ year. According to the result of orbital computerized tomography, 36 cases were periorbital cellulitis, 10 cases orbital cellulitis and 4 cases not diagnosed. The clinical manifestations of periorbital cellulitis are periorbital swelling(100%), fever(19%), orbital pain(6%), and chemosis(22%). On the other hand, those of orbital cellulitis are periorbital swelling(100%), fever(80%), orbital pain(60%), proptosis(20%), chemosis(70%) and limitation of eye movement(20%). The etiologies of periorbital cellulitis are sinusitis(14%), upper respiratory infection(8%), conjunctivitis (19%), skin wound(14%) and unknown(44%). The etiologies of orbital cellulitis are sinusitis (50%), upper respiratory infection(20%), and unknown(30%). The first line antibiotics used in the majority of cases were combinations of cefoxitin+aminoglycoside. 5 patients with orbital cellulitis taking cefoxitin+aminoglycoside had to change the medication into vancomycin or clindamycin. 3 patients with orbital cellulitis underwent operation while 1 patient developed bacterial meningitis. Conclusion : According to invasion of orbit, ocular adnexal and orbital infections are quite different in their pathogenesis, treatment and prognosis. As atypical cases may confound the diagnosis, prompt orbital computerized tomography is required for an accurate diagnosis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.454-461
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• 1988

Myasthenia gravis is a functional neuromuscular disorder with characteristic voluntary muscle weakness. The role of thymus in pathogenesis of this disorder has become apparent that thymectomy in treatment has gained acceptance. Between January 1976 and June 1987, twenty patients underwent thymectomy for myasthenia gravis at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, College of Medicine, Korea University. A clinical study that is focused on the factors affecting the operative results was analyzed and the following results were obtained. Among the 20 patients, male to female ratio was 8:12 and the age of onset was ranged from 3 years to 67 years. The chief complaints in order of frequency were as follows; ocular symptoms such as ptosis and diplopia[7 cases], general weakness[4 cases], swallowing difficulty[3 cases], dyspnea[3 cases], dysphasia[1 case], headache[1 case] and dizziness[1 case]. The severity of disease was classified by modified Osserman`s method that Group IIa was 8 cases, Group IIb; 7 cases, Group IIc; 3 cases and Group I; 2 cases. In histopathology of thymus, the most frequent finding was hyperplasia[11 cases] followed by thymoma[4 cases], normal tissue[3 cases] and malignant` thymoma[2 cases]. There were two cases of postoperative complications; one case was wound infection and the other was mediastinitis. One case of malignant thymoma died due to respiratory failure with pulmonary metastasis. There was 16 cases[80%] of improvement after thymectomy as follows; complete remission was 4 cases[20%], marked improvement was 9 cases[45%] and subjective improvement only was 3 cases[15%]. The effect of severity and duration of disease on operative result has statistically significant. The effect of thymus histopathology on operative result was not statistically significant. But there were comparable results between thymoma cases and non-thymoma cases.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.223-229
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• 2013

This study aimed to explore the clinical, radiological, and pathological characteristics of intraocular cysticercosis due to Taenia solium metacestode infection. Total 8 patients diagnosed with intraocular cysticercosis at the Red Cross Hospital of Yunnan Province, China were examined retrospectively. Patients with clear dioptic media had undergone fundus chromophotography. All patients underwent B ultrasonography of the ocular region (CT) successive scanning of the orbit and cerebral tissues. Parasites were extracted surgically and then examined pathologically. The fundus chromophotography showed a white and condensing scolex package in the vesicle. The B ultrasonic examination showed a vesicle-like echogenic mass in the vitreous chamber, in which the high-level echo spot was the cysticercus scolex. The pathological examinations showed that the vesicle wall exhibited hyaline degeneration, inflammatory cell infiltration, neuroglial fiber, and glial cell proliferation layers from the inside to the outside. The scolex is round and is composed of the outer tissue (the body wall) and the inner furrow tissue; these tissues migrated together. Primordially differentiated sucking discs were found in one case, but no hooklets were found. The inner scolex tissue was folded like a paper flower. The severity of intraocular disease is closely correlated with the pathophysiological processes of the cysticercus worm. Pathological examination of the intraocular lesions can help to evaluate the course of the disease as well as to provide a scientific basis for effective antiparasitic medication.