• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.221-228
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• 2006

We conducted a study to compare the safety and tolerability of anti-relapse drugs elubaquine and primaquine against Plasmodium vivax malaria. After standard therapy with chloroquine, 30 mg/kg given over 3 days, 141 patients with P. vivax infection were randomized to receive primaquine or elubaquine. The 2 treatment regimens were primaquine 30 mg once daily for 7 days (group A, n = 71), and elubaquine 25 mg once daily for 7 days (group B, n = 70). All patients cleared parasitemia within 7 days after chloroquine treatment. Among patients treated with primaquine, one patient relapsed on day 26; no relapse occurred with elubaquine treatement. Both drugs were well tolerated. Adverse effects occurred only in patients with G6PD deficiency who were treated with primaquine (group A, n = 4), whose mean hematocrit fell significantly on days 7,8 and 9 (P= 0.015, 0.027, and 0.048, respectively). No significant change in hematocrit was observed in patients with G6PD deficiency who were treated with elubaquine (group B, n = 3) or in patients with normal G6PD. In conclusion, elubaquine, as anti-relapse therapy for P. vivax malaria, was as safe and well tolerated as primaquine and did not cause clinically significant hemolysis.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.141-145
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• 2003

This study was performed to investigate the prevalence of theileriosis and to compare the prevalence of this disease in Korean native cattle reared under different environmental conditions, namely, in a grazing area and a non-grazing area by polymerase chain reaction. Three hundred and one Korean native cattle (276 cows and 25 bulls) that had not received prior treatment or been vaccinated to prevent theileriosis were examined by PCR for Theileria sergenti infection from 2001 to 2002. In our study, the parasitemia range in T. sergenti-positive cattle by microscopy were from 0.1 to 3％ (mean 0.8％). In terms of mean prevalence, 204 of the 301 Korean native cattle (67.8％) were positive reaction by PCR. Our results also revealed that the infection rate among cows (70.3％) was significantly higher than that among bulls (40.0％) (p < 0.01). T. sergenti infection among the over 3 year-old-group (75％) had a significant higher prevalence than that among the less than 3 year-old-group (61.8％) (p < 0.05). Our data also showed that grazing areas (76.1％) had the significant higher prevalence than non-grazing areas (51％) (p < 0.001). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the prevalence of T. sergenti infection is high and that its prevalence in grazing cattle is higher than that in non-grazing cattle, Therefore, life-long treatment and the development of an optimal vaccine are needed to reduce the numbers of bovine theileriosis in both grazing and non-grazing areas.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.639-644
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• 2014

Congenital malaria is assumed to be a risk factor for infant morbidity and mortality in endemic areas like Maumere, Indonesia. Infected infants are susceptible to its impact such as premature labor, low birth weight, anemia, and other unspecified symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of congenital malaria and the influence of mother-infant paired parasite densities on the clinical outcome of the newborns at TC Hillers Hospital, Maumere. An analytical cross sectional study was carried out in newborns which showed criteria associated with congenital malaria. A thick and thin blood smear confirmed by nested PCR was performed in both mothers and infants. The association of congenital malaria with the newborn's health status was then assessed. From 112 mother-infant pairs included in this study, 92 were evaluated further. Thirty-nine infants (42.4%) were found to be infected and half of them were asymptomatic. Infected newborns had a 4.7 times higher risk in developing anemia compared to uninfected newborns (95% CI, 1.3-17.1). The hemoglobin level, erythrocyte amount, and hematocrit level were affected by the infants' parasite densities (P<0.05). Focusing on newborns at risk of congenital malaria, the prevalence is almost 3 times higher than in an unselected collective. Low birth weight, anemia, and pre-term birth were the most common features. Anemia seems to be significantly influenced by infant parasite densities but not by maternal parasitemia.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.393-397
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• 2016

Low parasitemic condition in malaria remains a diagnostic challenge; as the available diagnostic methods failed to detect. Currently, hemozoin (Hz) pigment is gaining attention in the diagnosis of malaria. The major drawback is ease of detection of Hz in routine practice. A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the role of Hz pigment and to compare the performance of quantitative buffy coat assay (QBC) and PCR in such conditions. Clinically suspected cases of malaria were examined by both Giemsa stain and immunochromatographic test (ICT). Samples positive by ICT and negative by Giemsa stain were further examined by nested PCR targeting 18S rRNA and QBC for the presence of malaria parasites and pigments. Thirty blood samples fulfilled the inclusion criteria out of which 23 were Plasmodium vivax (Pv), 4 Plasmodium falciparum (Pf), and 3 mixed (Pv and Pf) by immunochromatographic test. Twenty-one out of 30 (70%) were positive by nested PCR in comparison to 25/30 (83%) by QBC. Samples containing both malaria parasites and Hz pigment by QBC completely showed concordance with the PCR result. However, 61% of total samples containing only Hz pigment were observed positive by PCR. Hz pigment remains an important tool for malaria diagnosis. Identification of leukocytes containing pigments by QBC not only indicates recent malarial infections but also puts light on severity of the disease. QBC assay is a rapid, highly sensitive, and cost-effective method to detect malaria parasites and Hz pigment especially in low parasitemic conditions.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.349-358
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• 2000

Effects of repeated administration of diminazene aceturate (Hoechst Veterin r GmbH. Ger- many) that has been introduced as effective compound against Babesiosis and trppanosomiasis were investigated in dogs experimentally infacted with Babesia gibsoni. Adull mongrel dogs of both sexes were inoculated will nonpreserved infected blood and then maintained chronic anemia. A single dose of diminazene aceturate of 7mg/kg b.w. was administrated intramnuscularIy on day 7.1 arid ,7. Clin- ical and hcmatological findings following inoculation and medication were observed and 7enlm bio chemical analysis also was monitored. Parasitemia was detected between 3 and 6 days after inoculation. The rate of parasitized erythrocytes,1 in peripheral blood reached the peak on the 13th day and was maintained the percentage of 0.1 to 1.0 until the medication of diminazene aceturate. RBC was significantly (p<0.01) decreased on the 3rd day and then kept on decreasing. The lowest value was observed on the 16th day. WBC remained generally within normal ranges. PCV revea1ed the sig-nificant (p<0.01) decrease within the range of 24-27% and platelet was significantly (p<0.05) decreased during the period. Senum chemical values (ALT, AST. total bilirubin. LDH BUN, area- tinine, total protein. albumin and glucose) were within normal ranges during the experimental period. Serum CPK values were significantly (p<0.01) increased on the 3rd day. There was no clinically, sig-nificant difference in a single dose of diminazene aceturate of 7 mg/kg b.w. But the administration of diminazene aceturate of 14 mg/kg b.w. revealed vomiting and anorexia and one dog died in 30 hours after administration. The administration of 14mg/kg b.w. resulted in vomiting, salivation, actor- exia, tremor of head and involuntary movement and one dog died in 27 hours after administration. WBC, RBC, PCV and Platelet values were no significant difference and hematological findings revealed persistent anemia and thrombocytopenia during chronic anemia after inoculation. AST activity its was significantly (p<0.01) increased 11\\`from 3 days after medication and AST activity was on the same trend. Serum CPK activity revealed significant (p<0.01) increase within 6 hors)\\`s after every administration and decreased in 48 howl·s after administration.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.213-222
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• 1997

This study was carried out to investigate the reproduction efficiency and disease of Holstein heifer grazed on mixed pasture desighed with association of tall fescue and white clover cultivar (3 treatments = TI : Tall fescue Fawn + White clover Regal + Orchardgrass + Perennial ryegrass, T2 : Tall fescue Roa + Ladino clover Regal + Orchardgrass + Perennial ryegrass, T3 : Tall fescue Roa + White clover Tahora + Orchardgrass + Perennial ryegrass) on reproduction efficiency and disease in Holstein heifers, ftom April 1994 to November 1996. The results are as follows: 1. Erythrocyte counts, hemoglobin and packed cell volume of hematological values were $8.12\times10^6/{\mu}\ell, 9.9g/m\ell and 30.6m\ell/100m\ell$ respectively. While those were decreased to $4.84~5.93 \times10^6/{\mu}\ell, 7.0~7.8g/100m\ell and 22.8~28.3m\ell/100m\ell$, on pastuage (May-August), WBC counts was increased from $14.4\times10^3/{\mu}\ell to 14.0~18.3 \times 10^{3/\mu\ell}$ on pasturage. No significant differences were detected among the treatments on pastures. 2. Parasitemia levels increased to $14.0\pm8.2$(parasite/1,000rbc) at 1 month after pasturage. 3. At the occurrence of tirst estrus and conception, the average age of the Holstein heifers was $14.3\pm1.9$ and $17.4\pm1.5$ months, respectively, and the average interval of estrus cycle was $20.6\pm1.0$ days. Howerer, there was no significant difference on reproductive efficiency among 3 treatments. 4. The outbreak of diseases were tick bane disease, pink eye, pneumonia, mastitis, gastroentitis, waterpoisoning ringworm papillon and atosis during pasturage period(may-october). These diseases were showed no significant difference among 3 treatments. 5. In conclusion, there are no significant difference on the reproductive effeciency and disease outbreak among three treatments.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.339-344
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• 2022

The development of drug resistance is one of the most severe concerns of malaria control because it increases the risk of malaria morbidity and death. A new candidate drug with antiplasmodial activity is urgently needed. This study evaluated the efficacy of different dosages of aqueous extract of Strychnos ligustrina combined with dihydroartemisinin and piperaquine phosphate (DHP) against murine Plasmodium berghei infection. The BALB/c mice aged 6-8 weeks were divided into 6 groups, each consisting of 10 mice. The growth inhibition of compounds against P. berghei was monitored by calculating the percentage of parasitemia. The results showed that the mice receiving aqueous extract and combination treatment showed growth inhibition of P. berghei in 74% and 94%, respectively. S. ligustrina extract, which consisted of brucine and strychnine, effectively inhibited the multiplication of P. berghei. The treated mice showed improved hematology profiles, body weight, and temperature, as compared to control mice. Co-treatment with S. ligustrina extract and DHP revealed significant antimalarial and antipyretic effects. Our results provide prospects for further discovery of antimalarial drugs that may show more successful chemotherapeutic treatment.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.201-210
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• 1995

This study aims to assess the possible strain-dependent variations in detection of ToxopLosmn antigens and antibodies. The virulent RH strain or avirulent Beverley strain of T gondii were injected into mice, intraperitoneally, and their antigens, antibodies and parasites were identified from the blood or tissues: liver, brain and spleen by ELISA, Western blot and PCR. In mice infected with RH strain, circulating antigens and parasitemia were first detected from 2 days after infection, and ToxopIasma DNA were found in the blood, liver, brain and spleen from 3 days after infection. It was impossible to detect specific IgM and IgG antibodies to T gondij and any specific band was not found by Western blot. In mice infected with Beverley strain, circulating antigens were detected between day 10 and day 35. The Toxoplusma DNA was found in the blood and liver from day 15 until day 60, and in the brain from day 20. But Toxoplosma DNA in the spleen were mainly detected between day 10 and day 30. The IgM antibodies were first appeared on day 10 post-infection, and were noted obviously increased between day 15 and 25. The IgG antibodies were first detected on day 15, and showed progressively increased titers. The antibody binding bands were specific according to infection period. Sera from mice infected with Beverley strain reacted mainly with the antigen of 27.5-kDa and 32.5-kDa. In conclusion, mice infected with RH strain revealed Toxoplosma antigens strongly, but not antibodies. However. mice infected with Beverley strain revealed both the Toxoplasma antigens and antibodies. The present results showed that immune responses are different between avirulent and virulent T gonnii.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.59 no.5
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• pp.507-512
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• 2021

Since 1993, vivax malaria has been recognized as a public health burden in Korea. Despite of pan-governmental malaria-control efforts and the dramatic reduction in the burden of this disease over the last 10 years, vivax malaria has not been well controlled and has remained continuously endemic. We focused interviewed and examined the charts of 28 confirmed vivax malaria patients given malarial therapy for whom daily records were kept from Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do of Korea. Various epidemiological characteristics of vivax malaria, including the incubation period, medication used, and recurrence, and an evaluation of the parasitic characteristics from the focused interviews of patients from this region are described here. Most of the participants indicated the 3 most common symptoms of malaria (headache, chills and fever). Of the 28 cases, 2 experienced a second attack and there were 17 and 11 cases with short- and long-term incubation periods, respectively, yielding a short-term to long-term ratio of 1.5. Based on the parasitemia stages, most of the participants were tested at 5 to 7 days (11 cases) and 7 to 15 days (11 cases) after initial wave of asexual parasites. In conclusion, public health authorities should consider developing management measures to decrease the time lag for diagnosis and drafting unified and robust guidelines for drug use for malaria and drawing up unified and robust guidelines on the use of medication for malaria. It also suggests that routine monitoring, surveillance, and precise medical surveys in high-risk vivax malaria endemic areas are pivotal to controlling this persistent public disease and finally eliminating it from Korea.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.282-291
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• 2023

Despite the recent progress in public health measures, malaria remains a troublesome disease that needs to be eradicated. It is essential to develop new antimalarial medications that are reliable and secure. This report evaluated the pharmacokinetics and antimalarial activity of 1,2,6,7-tetraoxaspiro[7.11]nonadecane (N-89) using the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei in vivo. After a single oral dose (75 mg /kg) of N-89, its pharmacokinetic parameters were measured, and t_1/2 was 0.97 h, T_max was 0.75 h, and bioavailability was 7.01%. A plasma concentration of 8.1 ng/ml of N-89 was maintained for 8 h but could not be detected at 10 h. The dose inhibiting 50% of parasite growth (ED₅₀) and ED₉₀ values of oral N-89 obtained following a 4-day suppressive test were 20 and 40 mg/kg, respectively. Based on the plasma concentration of N-89, we evaluated the antimalarial activity and cure effects of oral N-89 at a dose of 75 mg/kg 3 times daily for 3 consecutive days in mice harboring more than 0.5% parasitemia. In all the N-89-treated groups, the parasites were eliminated on day 5 post-treatment, and all mice recovered without a parasite recurrence for 30 days. Additionally, administering oral N-89 at a low dose of 50 mg/kg was sufficient to cure mice from day 6 without parasite recurrence. This work was the first to investigate the pharmacokinetic characteristics and antimalarial activity of N-89 as an oral drug. In the future, the following steps should be focused on developing N-89 for malaria treatments; its administration schedule and metabolic pathways should be investigated.