Brucellosis is the most common zoonosis worldwide, which is caused by Brucella spp. In humans, it can be mainly occurred by direct contact with infected animals or consumption of contaminated dairy products. This study focused on human brucellosis caused by B. melitensis discovered from Chinese worker in Korea in 2015. We investigated molecular epidemiological evidence to find the infection source. We first performed several PCR methods including 16S rRNA PCR, multiplex PCR and real-time PCR to identify Brucella species. We also conducted MLVA typing for epidemiological trace-back analysis. The isolate from the patient was confirmed to B. melitensis through Brucella-specific PCR. In clustering analysis with B. melitensis from foreign countries, this human isolate was correlated with B. melitensis isolates from humans and sheep in China by 99.9% similarity. Thus, we assumed the brucellosis patient has been already infected in China followed by migration to Korea according to molecular epidemiological analysis with history evidence. Moreover, we suggest it needs to take measures to reduce the risk for intercountry transmission of brucellosis due to the influx of infected people from abroad.

Various viral and bacterial pathogens interact with environmental factors to cause diarrhea in piglets. Enterococcus spp. are Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria that are commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract of several animal species, including pigs. Enterococcus spp. have been reported to infect several animal species as a pathogen. However, gastrointestinal infection by Enterococcus hirae is rare in pigs; only a few cases have been reported worldwide. Four piglets with diarrhea were examined in the diagnostic laboratory of Optipharm Inc. (Cheongju, Korea). During the initial post-mortem examination, no disease lesions were observed. Upon microscopic examination, we found numerous Gram-positive cocci that were adhered to epithelial villi in the jejunum and ileum. However, the villi did not exhibit significant structural damage. Cultured bacteria were identified as E. hirae using the VITEK 2 system and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Using PCR, we also confirmed that viruses and protozoa that can potentially infect piglet intestines were absent. In antibiotic susceptibility test, the bacteria were resistant to most types of antibiotics. This study presents rare cases of E. hirae infection of the piglet small intestine, which can occur in association with diarrhea possibly by the continuous use of antibiotics.

Brain abscesses caused by odontogenic infection are a rare and life-threatening condition. When dental patients show neurological symptoms such as decreased consciousness, a brain abscess should be considered as a possible diagnosis. We reported that a 65-year-old man visited the emergency room because of left facial edema, high fever, limitation of mouth opening and decreased consciousness. CT, bone scan, and microbiologic examination revealed that the brain abscess originated from left mandibular osteomyelitis with an apical lesion in tooth #36. It was hard to diagnose the location of odontogenic infection. Because there were no evidence of submandibular abscess which is a common path of mandibular posterior infection, early diagnosis was difficult. MRI and radiographs such as facial CT and brain CT revealed procedure that inflammatory findings progressed through the coronoid process, the temporal space, into the subdural space. We compared the present case to previous cases, articles published after the year 2000 in Korea and abroad were investigated. The patient was treated successfully with extraction of causative teeth, drainage surgery, intravenous antibiotics by collaboration between the department of oral maxillofacial surgery and neurosurgery. It is difficult to diagnose brain abscess because central nervous system can be infected by various pathway. As shown in this case, patients with a brain abscess caused by a dental infection should be diagnosed and treated with a multidisciplinary approach.

BALB/c mice were vaccinated with Brucella (B.) abortus recombinant protein L27 (50S ribosomal protein L27) cloned into a pMal vector system. L27 was induced, purified and injected intraperitoneally (IP). Mice were vaccinated on 0-, 15- and 35-day. Serum cytokines were evaluated on 36- and 49-day from first vaccination. Mice were intraperitoneally infected with 5×104 CFU of virulent B. abortus 544 on day-50 and sacrificed after two weeks from infection. Bacterial burden from the spleen was quantified and showed a 0.7- and 0.9-log reduction in vaccinated mice in comparison to PBS and MBP (maltose binding protein) groups respectively. Cytokines in the serum demonstrated increased interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and other pro-inflammatory cytokines such as macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). On the other hand, interleukin 10 (IL-10) was attenuated in the sera of vaccinated mice. This cytokine profile is indicative of a cell-mediated type of immune response which is favorable for the eradication of intracellular infections. The current study showed the potential of another B. abortus ribosomal protein in inducing protective immunity against B. abortus infection.

We studied the infection rate of and various metacercariocidal approaches to controlling Gymnophalloides seoi for prevention of human infection in cultured and natural oysters in Korea. The selected survey areas were Aphae-do (Shinan-gun, Jeollanam-do), which is an endemic area for G. seoi, and Tongyeong (Geonsangnam-do), which is the main production area of oysters in Korea. In the Tongyeong area, the metacercariae of G. seoi were not detected in cultured oysters (0/201) or wild oysters (0/134). Seventy-two G. seoi metacercariae were observed in 33 of 265 natural oysters collected from Aphae-do; however, metacercariae were not detected in the cultured oysters (0/1101) purchased from the Daejeon Fish Market. To investigate the viability of G. seoi metacercariae, various metacercariocidal treatments were used with 3.5% saline and oyster juice used as positive controls. The metacercariae survived for 75.4 h in 3.5% saline and 112.6 h in oyster juice. After the metacercariocidal treatment, G. seoi metacercariae were survived for 13.29 min in tap water, < 20 sec in 4.3% vinegar, no effect in a rinse of the whole oyster body in 70°C water for 1 sec, but 1 sec in a rinse of the whole oyster body in 90°C water for 1 sec. The greatest metacercariocidal effect on G. seoi was from rinsing oysters in 90°C water followed by those from treatment with 20% ethyl alcohol, 4.3% vinegar, and tap water. However, we suggest that the most actual prevention to G. seoi human infection is rinsing the oysters with tap water for at least 30 min.

2012~2017년까지 강원도 3개 시 ‧ 군(춘천시, 강릉시, 횡성군)에서 채집된 모기는 총 6속 13종, 654,362마리가 채집되었다. 채집된 모기는 분류하여 얼룩날개모기속을 제외하고 종별, 채집일, 채집 장소에 따라 최대 50마리를 1개 실험군으로 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, 염기서열 분석방법으로 플라비바이러스 감염여부를 조사하였다. 채집모기 276,224마리에 대해 7,721개 실험군을 검사한 결과 68개 실험군(0.9%)에서 플라비바이러스 유전자가 검출되었다. 검출된 플라비바이러스의 염기서열 분석결과 4개 실험군은 일본뇌염바이러스 (Japanese encephalitis virus), 64개 실험군은 차오양바이러스(Chaoyang virus)로 확인되었다. 일본뇌염바이러스는 2012년 춘천시에서 채집 된 2,728마리의 빨간집모기 중 1개 실험군, 2013년 횡성군에서 채집된 19마리의 동양집모기 중 1개 실험군, 2017년 춘천시에서 채집된 1,111마리의 빨간집모기 중 1개 실험군, 강릉시에서 채집된 빨간집모기 724마리 중 1개 실험군에서 검출되었다. 검출된 일본뇌염바이러스의 유전형은 모두 Ⅴ형 바이러스였다. 차오양바이러스는 강원도 내에서 6년간 채집된 금빛숲모기 232,871마리, 5,055개 실험군을 대상으로 검사한 결과 63 개 실험군에서 검출되었으며, 춘천지역에서 채집된 빨간집모기 585개 실험군 중 1개 실험군에서 검출되었다. 채집지역별 금빛숲모기의 차오양 바이러스 감염률이 가장 높은 지역은 MIR (최소감염률) 0.32, MLE (최대우도법) 0.33 (CI 0.23~0.46) 감염률을 보인 춘천시였다. 그 뒤로 횡성군 MIR 0.30, MLE 0.30 (CI 0.16~0.52)과 강릉시 MIR 0.21, MLE 0.21 (CI 0.13~0.31)순이었다. 월별 금빛숲모기의 차오양바이러스 감염률은 10월에 MIR 0.38, MLE 0.38 (CI 0.07~1.25)로 가장 높은 감염률을 나타내었다.

59세 여자가 복부 통증을 주소로 내원하였다. 복부 전산화 단층촬영에서 담관 결석이 의심되는 병변이 발견되었다. 내시경역행담췌관조영술을 하는 중에 간디스토마 성충이 배출되었다. 대변과 혈청에서 간디스토마 충란과 항체가 각각 발견되어 간디스토마 감염증으로 진단하였다. 내시경 시술과 구충제를 복용 후 증상은 서서히 호전되었다. 환자는 간디스토마 비유행지역에 거주하였고 날 것이나 덜 익힌 민물생선을 섭취한 기왕력이 없었다. 대한민국은 간디스토마 유행지역에 속하며 사람들은 조리기구 등을 통한 간접 접촉을 통해서 감염될 수 있다. 그러므로 대한민국에서 담관 질환이 있는 환자들을 진료할 때 간디스토마 감염의 가능성을 고려하여야 한다. 우리는 문헌고찰과 함께 임상 증례를 보고한다.

This study evaluated the protective effects of a combination of eight B. abortus recombinant proteins that were cloned and expressed into a pMal vector system and DH5α: nucleoside diphosphate kinase (rNdk), 50S ribosomal protein (rL7/L12), malate dehydrogenase (rMDH), DNA starvation/stationary phase protection protein (rDps), elongation factor (rTsf), arginase (rRocF), superoxide dismutase (rSodC), and riboflavin synthase subunit beta (rRibH). The proteins were induced, purified, and administered intraperitoneally into BALB/c mice. The mice were immunized three times at weeks 0, 2, and 5 and then infected intraperitoneally (IP) with 5×104 CFU of virulent B. abortus 544 one week after the last immunization. The spleens were collected and the bacterial burden was evaluated at four weeks post-infection. The results showed that this combination produced a significant reduction of the bacterial burden in the spleen with a log reduction of 1.01 compared to the PBS group. Cytokine analysis revealed induction of the cell-mediated immune response in that TNF (tumor necrosis factor) and proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 (Interleukin 6) and MCP-1 (macrophage chemoattractant protein-1) were elevated significantly. In summary, vaccination with a combination of eight different proteins induced a significant protective effect indicative of a cell mediated immune response.

Rock bream iridovirus (RBIV) is a megalocytivirus widely infected in various fish species in Korea, causing symptoms of acute inflammation and enlargement of spleen. In our previous study, RBIV induced the initial upregulation but later down-regulation of proinflammatory cytokines and IFN1 gene expression. Signal transducers and activators of transcriptions (STAT) are transcription factors involved in the regulation of immune genes including IFNs. This study was conducted to analyse the expression of STAT2. The expressional study of STAT2 gene was performed in head kidney and spleen upon RBIV infection and immune stimulants like LPS or poly I:C in vitro. Consequently, STAT2 gene expression pattern was different in head kidney and spleen as it was significantly up-regulated by LPS from 4 h to 8 h but down-regulated at 24 h while up-regulated by poly I:C at 8 h in head kidney while, in spleen, STAT2 gene expression was down regulated by LPS but significantly up-regulated by poly I:C. Upon RBIV stimulation, STAT2 gene expression was significantly down-regulated by high dose RBIV at 4 h but up-regulated at 8 h and 24 h in head kidney. In spleen cells, it was up-regulated by medium dose RBIV at 4 h and by high dose RBIV at 4 h and 8 h but down regulated later then. In vivo, STAT2 gene expression was not significantly affected by RBIV infection while significant up-regulated by vaccination at day 7 post-vaccination, indicating STAT2 gene can be involved in adaptive immune response in rock bream.

breakdown of tooth-supporting tissues, producing dentition loss. Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), a Gramnegative anaerobic rod, is one of the major pathogens associated with periodontitis. Neutrophils are first line defense cells in the oral cavity that play a significant role in inflammatory response. Xylitol is a known anti-caries agent and has anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we conducted experiments to evaluate anti-inflammatory effects of xylitol on P. gingivalis infected neutrophils for possible usage in prevention and treatment of periodontal infections. P. gingivalis was intraperitoneally injected and peritoneal lavage was collected for cytokine determination. For in vitro study, neutrophils were collected from mouse peritoneal cells after zymosan injection or bone marrow cells. Neutrophils were stimulated with live P. gingivalis and ELISA was used to determine the effect of xylitol on P. gingivalis induced cytokine production. IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α concentration and neutrophil population in the peritoneal lavage was increased in P. gingivalis-infected mouse. Peritoneal cells infected with live P. gingivalis revealed significantly increased production of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α at multiplicity of infection of 10. Neutrophils from bone marrow and peritoneal lavage revealed increased production of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. Xylitol significantly mitigated P. gingivalis induced cytokine production in neutrophils. Findings indicate that xylitol is an anti-inflammatory agent in neutrophils infected with live P. gingivalis, that suggests its use in periodontitis management.

Mass breeding of Protaetia brevitarsis seluensis results in the entomopathogenic fungal infection, usually Metarhizium anisoplaie. A mixture of microorganisms (Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) delayed fungal infection by M. anisopliae, which infected fewer P. b. seluensis when the microorganism mixture was added to sawdust as feed for P. b. seluensis for 30d, their mortality rate was approximately 35% less than that of the control group, which was fed sawdust without the EM. In addition, the growth of M. anisopliae on agar media spread with each bacterium as inhibited by up to 80%.

Beauveria bassiana (Bb) is a potential biopesticide against western flower thrips. To understand molecular characteristics of two Bb isolates (ERL836 and JEF-007), whole genome sequencing and RNA-seq were performed. The whole genome of Bb ERL836 was sequenced (3,934,801,443 bp) using Pacbio sequencing and 15 contigs were analyzed. To understand the molecular mechanisms of pathogenicity in two Bb genome (before infection and after infection), next generation sequencing (NGS) was analyzed to compare transcriptomes. A result of differentially expressed gene (DEG) showed that 2,689 contigs were up-regulated and 2,619 contigs were down-regulated. Randomly selected five genes were validated to be highly up-regulated. This work can provide an understanding of the interaction between Bb and westetn flower thrips.