• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• 제37권2호
• /
• pp.71-76
• /
• 1999

Since 1993, the number of vivax malaria cases has increased every year in the northern part of the Republic of Korea (ROK). This study was designed to characterize factors related to the reemergence of malaria in the ROK. A total of 21 cases diagnosed in 1993 and 1994 distributed sporadically in the narrow zone along the demilitarized zone (DMZ). Of total 317 civilian inhabitant cases reported in 1994-1997, 287 cases were studied and 80.8% of them resided within 10km from the southern border of the DMZ. The frequency distribution of anti-Plasmodium vivax antibody titers using indirect fluorescent antibody test was compared in three villages in relation with distance from the DMZ. The number of inhabitants with high antibody titers was larger in the village nearest to the border than that in more distant villages. The present results highly suggested that the reemerging vivax malaria start in the border area, most possibly caused by infected mosquitoes which flew across the border. This pattern of transmission repeated year after year.

• 생약학회지
• /
• 제43권3호
• /
• pp.239-242
• /
• 2012

This study was carried out to investigate the anti-malarial activity of Juniperus chinensis by in vitro and in vivo system using Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine-sensitive(3D7) and P. falciparum chloroquine-resistant(S20) strains. According to cytotoxicty test on NIH 3T3 cell, the ethanol extract(EtOH), ethylacetate(EtOAc) fraction and aqueous fraction possessed significant anti-malarial activity against both 3D7 and S20 strains at non-toxic concentrations(<100 /). In vitro assay, EtOAc fraction showed notable activity against 3D7 and S20 strains of P. falciparum with $IC_{50}$ values of $37{\pm}2{\mu}g/ml$ and $36{\pm}6{\mu}g/ml$. In animal test using P. falciparum infected human erythrocytes, the treatment of EtOAc fraction significantly inhibited parasitaemia in mice in a dose-dependent manner that is parasitaemia of 42%, 34% and 31% in doses of 10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg, respectively. The study provides data to support the medicinal importance of the J. chinensis.

• 대한수의학회지
• /
• 제35권1호
• /
• pp.123-130
• /
• 1995

Artemisinin, a sesquiterpene lactone, is isolated from the leafy portion of the Artemisia annua and has been known to be effective against Plasmodium species. Since the genera of Plasmodium and Eimeria(E) tenella are included the same order, Eucoccidiidae, it is presumed that artemisinin may also be effective against E tenella. In order to study the anticoccididal effects of artemisinin, the chickens inoculated with E tenella were treated with artemisinin at different concentrations as feed additive and the results were compared to those of non-medicated, infected control(NIC) and non-medicated, non-infected control(NNC) group. Artemisinin demonstrated anticoccidial effects by showing, compared to NIC group, improved results in all parameters, such as bloody diarrhea, lesion scores, the numbers of excreted oocystis in feces, body weight gain and feed conversion rate. Anticoccidial index(ACI) of artemisinin treated group (5ppm~50ppm) was higher than that of NIC group. Improvements were greatest in the group treated with artemisinin 50ppm with an ACI of 147.6. These results indicate that artemisinin has anticoccidial effects on the Eimeria tenella.

• 대한수의학회지
• /
• 제35권1호
• /
• pp.115-121
• /
• 1995

The herb, Artemisia(A) annua, a member of the composital family, has been used successfully for malaria(Plasmodium sp) patients in china. Since the genera of Plasmodium and Eimeria(E) tenella are related, it is presumed that A annua may also be effective against E tenella. In order to study the anticoccidial effects of A annua the chickens inoculated with E tenella were treated with the extract of A annua in drinking water and the results were compared to those of non-medicated, infected control(NIC) and non-medicated, non-infected control(NNC) group. A annua demonstrated anticoccidial effects by showing, compared to NIC group, improved results in all parameters, such as bloody diarrhea, lesion scores, the numbers of excereted oocysts in feces, body weight gain and feed conversion rate. Anticoccidial index(ACI) of the A annua treated group (123.4) was higher than that of NIC group (96.9). These results indicate that Artemisia annua has anticoccidial effects on the Eimeria tenella.

• 셀메드
• /
• 제4권4호
• /
• pp.26.1-26.9
• /
• 2014

Reactive oxygen species are known to mediate various pathological conditions associated with malaria. In this study, the antioxidant potential of Clerodendrum violaceum leaf extracts, an indigenous antimalarial remedy, was evaluated. Total phenol, flavonoid, selenium, vitamins C and E contents of Clerodendrum violaceum leaf extracts were determined. The free radical scavenging activities of the extracts against DPPH, superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide coupled with their reducing power were also evaluated in vitro. Moreover, responses of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) in a rodent malaria model to a 4-day administration of Clerodendrum violaceum leaf extracts were also evaluated. The methanolic extract was found to contain the highest amounts of antioxidant compounds/element and also demonstrated the highest free radical scavenging activity in vitro. The results showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in SOD and CAT activities with a concurrent significant (p < 0.05) increase in GPx and GR activities in both erythrocytes and liver of untreated Plasmodium berghei NK65-infected animals compared to the uninfected animals. The extracts were able to significantly increase (p < 0.05) SOD and CAT activities and significantly reduce (p < 0.05) GPx and GR activities in both the liver and erythrocytes compared to those observed in the untreated infected animals. The results suggest the augmentation of the antioxidant system as one of the possible mechanisms by which Clerodendrum violaceum extract ameliorates secondary effects of malaria infection, alongside its antiplasmodial effect in subjects.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
• /
• 제17권2호
• /
• pp.94-100
• /
• 2001

Roots of Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris var. chinensis) seedlings infected with Plasmodiophora brassicae were examined by light and electron microscopy to reveal histopathological changes related to pathogenesis in the susceptible host. The pathogen colonized the cortex and partly the stele as well, invading up to the xylem. Gall tissues could be differentiated from the initially infected tissues, involving less compact organization and new vascular development. The infected cells were much hypertrophied, and contained one to several plasmodia. Except cellular hypertrophy, no pathological ultrastructural modification was noted in the infected calls. Infected cytoplasm became dense with ground cytoplasm, inconspicuous central vacuole, and increased cellular organelles such as mitochondria and dictyosomes. There were two types of nuclear states of plasmodium, uninucleate and multinucleate. Both plasmodia were structurally similar, filled with lipid droplets, bounded with envelope, and containing mitochondria, endo-plasmic reticulum, and sometimes small vacuoles. Plasmodial fragmentation, which may be regarded as a way to discharge plasmodial materials into host cytoplasm, commonly occurred, forming plasmodial fragments by outgrowth of plasmodial cytoplasm and regional compartmentalization. Plasmodial fragments were degenerated sometimes followed by forming chains of spherical vesicles especially in the uninucleate plasmodial state. These ultrastructural features indicate the biotrophic nature of the pathogen associated with its pathogenesis in the susceptible host.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• 제39권3호
• /
• pp.223-226
• /
• 2001

In South Korea, the north border area has been under vivax malaria epidemic since 1993. However, Jeollabuk-do, which is about 300 kms from the border, has not experienced the same epidemic. 1 investigated a total of 58 notified cases of malaria in Jeollabuk-do in the year 2000. All of the cases had an exposure history in the epidemic area. Among them were 49 ex-soldiers, 3 soldiers who served near the border area and 6 civilians who traveled there. The causal agent of all cases was Plasmodium vivax. Except the civilians, the soldiers and ex-soldiers were aged in their twenty's. In the present study, the incubation period was from 6 to 520 days with a median of 157 days, and the latent onset type (92%) was more prevalent than the early onset type. illness onset of most cases (86%) peaked during the summer season (June to September) despite of variable incubation periods. The time lag for diagnosis ranged from 2 to 42 days with a median of 11 days. Jeollabuk-do has not been an area of epidemic untill now, but incidences have been increasing annually since 1996. In Jeollabuk-do, early diagnosis and treatment can be a feasible disease control measure to prevent spreading from the epidemic area.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• 제44권2호
• /
• pp.139-143
• /
• 2006

Peripheral gangrene, characterized by distal ischemia of the extremities, is a rare complication in patients with falciparum malaria. Patients with this complication have generally undergone early amputation of the affected areas. In this report, we describe 3 adult Thai patients presented at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Bangkok, with high grade of fever ranged 6-9 days, jaundice, acute renal failure, respiratory failure, alteration of consciousness and shock. Two patients had gangrene developed at the lower extremities on day 1 of hospitalization and 1 patient had gangrene developed on day 3. Blood smears revealed hyperparasitemia with Plasmodium falciparum. These patients were diagnosed as having severe malaria with peripheral gangrene. The resolution of gangrene was successfully achieved by treatment with artesunate and conservative treatment in 2 of 3 cases.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• 제4권2호
• /
• pp.288-292
• /
• 1997

Malaria is a febrile disease caused by protozoan parasites, genus Plasmodium. In Korea., indigenous malaria has been believed to be eradicated by 1984, and, thereafter, all of the reported cases were imported malaria. But since the first case report of re-emerging indigenous malaria in 1993, increasing number of cases were reported reaching more than 350 cases in 1996. However, indigenous malaria in children has not been reported yet. We experienced two cases of indigenous malaria in sisters who were 7 and 5 years old, respectively. Elder sister was presented with periodic fever, splenomegaly and mild headache. She had been to Guam before 4 months of the onset of symptoms. Younger sister was suffered from fever and splenomegaly and has not been abroad. They were diagnosed by examination of peripheral blood smear to be infected with Plasmodium vivax and were treated with hydroxychloroquine and primaquine successfully. These cases are believed to be first re-emerging cases of indigenous malaria in children, and malaria should be included in the differential diagnosis of unexplained febrile children.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• 제57권4호
• /
• pp.445-450
• /
• 2019

Human infections due to the monkey malaria parasite Plasmodium knowlesi is increasingly being reported from most Southeast Asian countries specifically Malaysia. The parasite causes severe and fatal malaria thus there is a need for urgent measures for its control. In this study, the level of polymorphisms, haplotypes and natural selection of full-length pkmsp8 in 37 clinical samples from Malaysian Borneo along with 6 lab-adapted strains were investigated. Low levels of polymorphism were observed across the full-length gene, the double epidermal growth factor (EGF) domains were mostly conserved, and non-synonymous substitutions were absent. Evidence of strong negative selection pressure in the non-EGF regions were found indicating functional constrains acting at different domains. Phylogenetic haplotype network analysis identified shared haplotypes and indicated geographical clustering of samples originating from Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo. This is the first study to genetically characterize the full-length msp8 gene from clinical isolates of P. knowlesi from Malaysia; however, further functional characterization would be useful for future rational vaccine design.