Naegleria fowleri is pathogenic free-living amoeba leading to primary amoebic meningoencephalitis(PAM) in human and animals. The nfa1 gene cloned from N. fowleri is located on food-cup structure called pseudopodia and function an adherence of host target cells. To evaluate the effect of nfa1 vaccination against N. fowleri infection, we constructed retroviral vector(pQCXIN) expressing nfa1 gene. To determine the effect of vaccination and protective immunity in in vivo models, we measured the immunoglobulin levels, cytokine induction, and survival rate in mice infected with N. fowleri. Both levels of IgG and IgG subclass in DNA vaccinated mice were significantly elevated. The cytokine analysis show that DNA vaccinated mice induces production of IL-4 and IFN-γcytokines suggesting a Th1/Th2 mixed type immune response. The levels of nfa1 specific IgG antibody were maintained highly until 12 weeks post-vaccination in vaccinted mice. The nfa1 vaccinated mice using retroviral vector increased significantly survival rate(60%) after N. fowleri infection. Consequently, the nfa1 vaccination effectively induces protective immunity by upregulation of immune response in mice infected with N. fowleri. These results suggest that DNA vaccination using retroviral vector may be proper trial for treatment and prevention of PAM.

Kaposi’s sarcoma is one of the first recognized in HIV infection even patient can develop KS in any disease stage. Moreover, the oral cavity may be the first site of Kaposi’s sarcoma and oral mucosa involvements of KS in HIV positive are very critical because it had a higher death rate than those who having exclusively cutaneous manifestations of the disease. Early detection of KS oral involvement is very important to prevent disease burden. This case is about a 48 years old male who was first discovered Oral Kaposi’s Sarcoma as HIV infection sign. He didn’t notice any other discomfort other than oral mucosa swelling.

A safety lancet was developed in this study. The development process consists of a conceptual design, mock-up tests, performance evaluation, verification, validation for medical device certification and mass production preparation. It is designed as a single unit which makes it possible to use more convenient. It is also designed as disposable product which cannot be reused or recycled structurally. The developed safety lancet can prevent the secondary infection by needle stick injury or reuse. Biocompatibility and physico-chemical characteristics were passed in KTL(Korea Testing Laboratory). Validation of gamma sterilization of packing materials was passed in professional company for mass production.

By definition, endosymbionts reside in the hosts' cells and are maternally inheritted to offspring as the mitochondriondoes. Recent progresses reveal that some endosymbionts have evolved their manipulabilities of hosts' reproduction. Inthis nature, once an endosymbiont shares its host with others, their association may last long unless their evolutionaryinterest or hosts' fitness is undermined.We tested whether the association existed among the endosymbionts; Wolbachia, Spiroplasma, Cardinium and Rickettsia.The results show that there are some multiple infection cases but there is no obvious pattern in their association.

The members of the genus Flavivirus are noteworthy, as they cause infectious diseases in humans, such as Zika, denguefever, yellow fever, West Nile, and Japanese encephalitis. Due to the increased awareness of the public health risk posedby flavivirus-infected mosquitoes, mosquito collections were performed in six urban parks of South Korea, as the parksare designated for human recreation but also provide suitable habitats for mosquitoes. We examined the diversity andabundance of mosquito species and conducted molecular diagnostics for the detection of flavivirus infections. Monthlycollections were carried out in each park from March to August in 2017. A total of 4,851 mosquitoes (5 genera and13 species) were collected using BG-sentinel traps and then investigated for flavivirus infections. Pathogenic flavivirusinfections causing human diseases were not observed in the field-collected mosquitoes. However, insect-specific flavivirus(ISF) infections were detected in several mosquito pools. ISF has been previously known to enhance or suppress the replicationof medically important flaviviruses in co-infected mosquito cells. In this study, partial sequences of ISF were analyzed.However, further studies are needed in order to determine its genetic characterization and biological function in vivo.

The current study identified risk factors associated with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infection on pig farms in the Republic of Korea using a multinomial logistic regression model to evaluate the PCV2 infection status of pigs at different growth stages. Compulsory disinfection of visitors (odds ratio [OR]: 0.019, 95% confidence interval [CI]: <0.001–0.378, p=0.0095), compulsory registration of visitors (OR: 0.002, 95% CI: <0.001–0.184, p=0.0070), regular blood testing (OR: 0.012, 95% CI: <0.001–0.157, p=0.0007), and running on-farm biosecurity learning programs for workers (OR: 0.156, 95% CI: 0.040–0.604, p=0.0072 and OR: 0.201, 95% CI: 0.055–0.737, p=0.0155, respectively) were identified as factors which could reduce the risk of PCV2 infection. However, visitation by a regular veterinarian (OR: 32.733, 95% CI: 3.768–284.327, p=0.0016) was associated with PCV2 infection.

Owing to climate change and global warming, foodborne infectious diseases are becoming inevitable problems in many countries, and this is also the case in Korea. One of the causal factor of foodborne disease outbreak in the food service business(i.e. restaurant or mass feeding facilities) is inappropriate management of infected food handlers. The need for strengthening of the indications for managing infected food handlers is emphasized continuously. However, precise legal interpretations or analyzation should be done based on microbiological fundamentals before strengthening the guidelines. Therefore, this study analyzes the legal policies of Korea associated with infection control of food handlers and proposes shortcomings or supplementations to existing legal policies.

Treatment of dextran sodium sulfate(DSS) on HeLa cells results to an enhanced susceptibility to Brucella(B.) abortus infection. An increase in the adherence, invasion and intracellular replication of B. abortus was observed in DSS-treated cells. Furthermore, a marked elevation in the intensity of F-actin fluorescence was also observed in DSS-treated cells compared with untreated B. abortus-infected cells. An upregulation of phagocytic signaling proteins by Western blot analysis demonstrated an apparent activation of ERK, p38α and JNK phosphorylation levels in B. abortus-infected DSS-treated cells compared with the control. Colocalization with LAMP-1 proteins was attenuated in DSS-treated cells upon intracellular trafficking of the pathogen compared with control cells. The results of this study demonstrated consistency with other pathogens. The uptake and intracellular replication of B. abortus is hypothesized to be stimulated by various dextran receptors such as C-type lectins that are involved in phagocytosis which can either be direct phagocytic receptors, modulators of the expression of other receptors or as opsonins leading to an enhanced internalization of B. abortus. The complexity of these interactions thus would warrant further investigation into the role of DSS in the pathogenesis of brucellosis. In summary, we conclude that DSS enhanced adhesion, phagocytosis and intracellular replication of B. abortus in epithelial cells which could lead to suppression of the innate immune system in chronic Brucella infection.

Florid cemento-osseous dysplasia (FCOD) is benign and exhibits multifocal involvement of tooth-bearing areas of the jaw. Initially, the lesions are radiolucent but become mixed. In late stages, the lesions change into a radiopaque mass with a thin radiolucent rim. Most FCOD cases are asymptomatic, and conservative treatment is recommended. However, surgical intervention is necessary in secondary infected cases. Because of hypovascularity, infected lesions are difficult to manage and do not respond to antibiotic medications. This clinical report describes the treatment of secondary infection of an FCOD lesion with both conservative and surgical interventions.

2010년에 호접란에서 꽃봉오리 낙화를 동반하는 꽃대가 괴 사증상을 나타내는 바이러스로 추정되는 피해가 상업용으로 호접란을 재배하는 경기도 화성지역 농가에서 ‘Fireweak’ 단 일 품종에서 백만주 가량 발생하였다. 난에 발생하는 주요 바 이러스 특이 프라이머를 이용하여 RT-PCR한 결과 ORSV와 CymMV 프라이머 특이 PCR 산물이 증폭되었으며 이 두 개 의 분리주를 각각 ORSV-NIHHSK2와 CymMV-NIHHSK2로 명명하였다. ORSV-NIHHSK2를 ORSV 48개의 국내 분리주 (GenBank accession no. AB541474-AB541521)와 염기서열 상동성을 비교한 결과 98.3~100%이며 아미노산 서열 상동성 은 97.5~100%이었다. CymMV-NIHHSK2를 52개의 CymMV 국내 분리주(GenBank accession no. AB541522-AB541573) 와 염기서열 상동성을 비교한 결과 90.2~100%, 아미노산 서 열 상동성은 96.0~100%이었다. 바이러스에 감염되지 않은 ‘Fireweak’ 품종을 포함하는 6개 계통에 ORSV-NIHHSK2과 CymMV-NIHHSK2 이병즙액을 인공 접종하여 2년 동안 병징 발현을 관찰한 결과 ‘Fireweak’ 품종에서 꽃이 봉오리 상태에 서 노랗게 말라 죽는 증상을 동반하는 꽃대 괴저증상이 접종 주 총 18 그루 가운데 2 그루에서 관찰되었으며, 잎에 황색반 점 및 괴저 증상을 나타내었다. 따라서 ‘Fireweak’ 품종에서 나타내는 꽃대 괴저 증상은 ORSV와 CymMV 단독 또는 복합 감염에 의한 증상임을 보여주었다. 이 결과로부터 호접란 꽃 대 괴저증상은 ORSV 또는 CymMV 감염에 민감한 품종에서 나타나는 것으로 추정되었다. 이 연구는 호접란에서 ORSV 또 는 CymMV 감염에 의한 화기의 괴저 증상에 관한 세계 최초 보고이다.

Rice stripe virus (RSV) is one of the serious plant pathogenic viruses for rice transmitted by small brown planthopper (SBPH), Laodalphax striatellus. RNA interference (RNAi) was recently suggested as a promising strategy for controlling insect pests, including those that serve as important vectors for plant pathogens. To disturb transmission of the RSV in SBPH using RNAi pathway, we chose nine genes highly expressed in RSV-viruliferous SBPH by transcriptome sequencing. These SBPH-derived dsRNAs were applied to the insects indirectly through xylem of rice leaves by irrigation. qPCR result demonstrated that five out of nine SBPH-derived dsRNAs successfully reduced the replication of RSV in viruliferous SBPH in dose-dependent manner, suggesting that these five dsRNAs could suppress replication of RSV and provide a new tool for RSV control strategy.

Background: Periodontitis is generally a chronic disorder characterized by the breakdown of tooth-supporting tissues. P. gingivalis, a Gram-negative anaerobic rod, is one of the major pathogens associated with periodontitis. Frequently, P. gingivalis infection leads to cell death. However, the correlation between P. gingivalis–induced cell death and periodontal inflammation remains to be elucidated. Among cell deaths, the death of immune cells appears to play a significant role in inflammatory response. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine P. gingivalis–induced cell death, focusing on autophagy and apoptosis in THP-1 cells. Methods: Human acute monocytic leukemia cell line (THP-1) was used for all experiments. Autophagy induced by P. gingivalis in THP-1 cells was examined by Cyto ID staining. Intracellular autophagic vacuoles were observed by fluorescence microscopy using staining Acridine orange (AO); and 3-methyladenine (3-MA) was used to inhibit autophagy. Total cell death was measured by LDH assay. Cytokine production was measured by an ELISA method. Results: P. gingivalis induced autophagy in an MOI-dependent manner in THP-1 cells, but 3-MA treatment decreased autophagy and increased the apoptotic blebs. P. gingivalis infection did not increase apoptosis compared to the control cells, whereas inhibition of autophagy by 3-MA significantly increased apoptosis in P. gingivalis-infected THP-1 cells. Inhibition of autophagy by 3-MA also increased total cell deaths and inflammatory cytokine production, including IL-1β and TNF-⍺. Conclusion: P. gingivalis induced autophagy in THP-1 cells, but the inhibition of autophagy by 3-MA stimulated apoptosis, leading to increased cell deaths and pro-inflammatory cytokines production. Hence, the modulation of cell deaths may provide a mechanism to fight against invading microorganisms in host cells and could be a promising way to control inflammation.

The objective of this study is to assess immunomodulatory effects of mixed Weissella (W.) cibaria JW15 strain with water extract of black soybean (Glycine max) and burdock (Arctium lappa) on Listeria (L.) monocytogenes infection in mice. Female 7-9 week old BALB/c mice were given a daily dose of 1 × 109 CFU of viable JW15 and JW15 mixed with black soybean (BS) and burdock (BD) in 200 μL PBS for 2 weeks. The nomal control group (NC) and positive control group (PC) were given 200 μL PBS. After 2 weeks, mice were infected with L. monocytogenes (1.0 × 105 CFU/mouse) via the tail vein. The NC was injected with 100 μL PBS without L. monocytogenes. After 2 days, mice were euthanized and their body weights were determined. In addition, their livers and spleens were weighed, and serum were analyzed for cytokine (Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)) production. The survival rate was monitored using 5 mice in each group in the same way above until the mice died. Two days after infection with L. monocytogenes, mean spleen weight per body weight (g/kg) of JW15 (5.4 ± 0.88 g/kg), JW15 + BS (6.0 ± 0.64 g/kg), and JW15 + BD (5.3 ± 0.38 g/kg) group were significantly lower than that of the PC (6.8 ± 0.57 g/kg). The level of IL-1β in the serum of JW15 + BD (113.6 ± 31.03 pg/mL) was significantly higher than that of the JW15 (67.9 ± 15.15 pg/mL). Collectively, combination W. cibaria JW15 and water extract of BD and BD have ability to induce synergistic immunomodulative effects and are suitable for consideration as a functional food for humans and functional feed additives for companion animals.

This experiment was carried out to study the effect of rice black-streaked dwarf virus(RBSDV) infection rate on forage productivity of corn varieties in Cheonan of chungcheongnamdo from 2006 to 2008. Forage corn varieties of 10 were cultivated with first cropping(seeding in the last ten days of April) and second cropping(seeding in the last ten days of May) system in field and tested the infection rates of RBSDV and productivity of forage. The Infection rate of RBSDV was significant difference between corn varieties in middle district of Korea. Resistant corn varieties for RBSDV were ‘Kwanganok’, ‘P3156’, ‘Kwangpeyongok’ and ‘P3394’ but susceptible varieties were ‘Suwon19’, ‘DK697’, ‘GW6959’ and NC+7117. Dry matter(DM) yield of forage corn according with infection rates of RBSDV in field was significant difference between varieties(p<0.05). DM yield of susceptible varieties, ‘Suwon 19’, ‘DK697’ and ‘GW6959’ was lower about 20% than that of resistant varieties, ‘Kwangpeyongok’ and ‘P3156’. For increasing the productivity of forage corn, recommend of resistant varieties for RBSDV and control of seeding time are very important in middle district of Korea.