Survey of IgE Reactivity to Nonbiting Midges in Korea and Identification of IgE-Binding Protein

PURPOSE: Chironomids (nonbiting midges) are widely and abundantly distributed near ponds, rivers, and artificially dammed pools used for irrigation. Chironomids contain allergens and cause airway allergy in humans. In this study, we aimed to examine the allergic potential of chironomids in inhabitants living near artificially dammed pools. METHODS: We examined immunoglobulin E (IgE) reactivity to chironomid extracts in the sera of residents living around installed dams and assessed the correlations of IgE responses between chironomids (Chironomus flaviplumus, Chironomus kiiensis, Cricotopus bicinctus) and house dust mites (Dermatophagoides farinae). In addition, we identified potential IgE binding proteins specific for adult C. bicinctus, a popular species in Korea. Specific IgE antibodies in sera collected from the participants against the extracts were tested using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The average IgE-positive rates were 10.4%, 8.1%, and 8.2% in C. bicinctus, C. flaviplumus, and C. kiiensis, respectively. The IgE-positive rate and IgE titer of C. bicinctus antigen were higher in residents living around installed dams than in those who lived other places (P = 0.013). Western blotting using sera having high IgE titers to C. bicinctus in ELISA showed the presence of a protein of approximately 42 kDa that was homologous to the actin protein isoform in C. bicinctus extracts as demonstrated using mass spectrometry. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that people living near installed dams were more sensitized to C. bicinctus and that the 42 kDa IgE-binding protein could be useful for further studies on chironomid allergic disease and clinical applications.

Population Dynamics of Five Anopheles Species of the Hyrcanus Group in Northern Gyeonggi-do, Korea

To investigate the population densities of potential malaria vectors, Anopheles species were collected by light traps in malaria endemic areas, Paju and Gimpo, Gyeonggi-do of Korea. Five Anopheles Hyrcanus sibling species (An. sinensis, An. pullus, An. lesteri, An. kleini, and An. belenrae) were identified by PCR. The predominant species, An. pullus was collected during the late spring and mid-summer, while higher population consists of An. sinensis were collected from late summer to early autumn. These 2 species accounted for 92.1% of all Anopheles mosquitoes collected, while the other 3 species accounted for 7.9%. Taking into account of these population densities, late seasonal prevalence, and long-term incubation period (9-13 months) of the Korean Plasmodium vivax strain, An. sinensis s.s is thought to play an important role in the transmission of vivax malaria in the study areas.

A Case of Furuncular Cutaneous Myiasis after Traveling to Cameroon / 대한피부과학회지

Myiasis is defined as an infestation of live human and vertebrate animals with dipterous larvae, which at least for a period, feed on dead or living tissue of the host, liquid body substances or ingested food. Among several types of myiasis, cutaneous myiasis is classified as the most common type. Cutaneous myiasis is subdivided into furuncular, migratory and wound myiasis based on the infested morphology. Common dipterous larvae for furuncular myiasis include Dermatobia hominis, Cordylobia anthropophaga, Cuterebra spp., Wohlfahrtia vigil and W. opaca. Early lesions resemble other insect bite reactions, but the physician can differentiate the lesions by the visualization of larvae through an aperture with serous exudes as the larvae grow. Although cutaneous myiasis is not uncommon in endemic areas, there has been one previous report of cutaneous myiasis by C. anthropophaga in the Korean dermatological literature. We report here an interesting case of furuncular cutaneous myiasis by C. anthropophaga in a patient after traveling to Cameroon.

Reemergence of the bedbug Cimex lectularius in Seoul, Korea

A healthy 30-yr-old woman carrying an insect that had been caught in her living room visited the International Clinic at Severance Hospital, Seoul, in December 2007. The insect she brought was identified to be a nymph of a bedbug, Cimex lectularius, and her skin rashes looked typical bedbug's bites. Her apartment was investigated, and a dead body of a bedbug, cast skins, and hatched eggs were found in her rooms and neighbors' rooms in the same building. She was living in that apartment in Seoul for 9 months since she had moved from New Jersey, USA. We assume that the bedbugs were introduced from abroad, since there had been no report on bedbugs in Seoul for more than 2 decades at least. This is a report of a reemergence of the common bedbug, C. lectularius in Seoul, Korea.

Redescription of Chironomus salinarius (Diptera: Chironomidae), nuisance midges that emerged in brackish water of Jinhae-man (Bay), Kyongsangnam-do, Korea

Huge numbers of non-biting midges emerged from brackish water which were made at the harbor construction field in Jinhae City, Kyongsangnam-do, Korea in late summer in 2005, and caused a serious nuisance to villagers. The midges were collected and identified as Chironomus salinarius (Kieffer, 1921). Although this species was recorded in Korea for the first time in 1998, the morphological descriptions were so brief and simple. A full redescription is made with detailed illustrations for ecological and control workers of this nuisance midge.

Effectiveness of education for control of house dust mites and cockroaches in Seoul, Korea

We evaluated the efficacy of health education in reducing indoor arthropod allergens in Seoul. The mite control measures comprised the use of mite-proof mattress and pillow coverings, regular washing of potentially infested materials, maintenance of a low humidity, removal of carpets, and frequent vacuum cleaning. Cockroach control measures included trapping, application of insecticides, and protecting food. Of 201 homes enrolled in October 1999, 63 volunteers were included in a 2-year follow-up survey between April 2000 and January 2002. Before intervention, the density of mites/g of dust varied greatly; 27.1/g in children's bedding, 20/g in adult bedding, 7.2/g on the floors of children's bedrooms, 6.8/g in sofas, 5.9/g on the floors of adult's bedrooms, 3.9/g on living room floors, 3.7/g in carpets, and 1.9 mites/g on kitchen floors. The predominant mite species and house percentages infested were; Dermatophagoides farinae 93%, D. pteronyssinus 9%, and Tyrophagus putrescentiae 8%. Comparing 1999 and 2001 infestations, before and after 25 mo of education, mite abundance was reduced by 98%, from 23.7 to 0.57 mites/g of dust. In 1999, cockroaches were detected in 62% homes: 36% Blattella germanica and 35% Periplaneta spp., including 9% double infestations of B. germanica and P. americana. Following intervention, cockroach infestation rates decreased to 22% of houses in 2000 and 23% in 2001. We conclude that continuous and repetitive health education resulted in the effective control of domestic arthropods.

Field Trial on the control effect of fipronil bait against German cockroaches

A field trial on the control effect of fipronil poison bait against German cockroaches (Blatella germanica) was carried out at different restaurant types in Sinchon, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Monitoring was performed applying food baited traps for 2 days per week. Reduction rates of German cockroaches by applying fipronil baits were 90.9% at Korean restaurants, 96.4% at Chinese restaurants, and 89.4% in beer hall kitchens after 4 weeks of the treatment. Overall average of the reduction rate was 93.9%. As the natural reduction rate at untreated restaurants was 11.5% after 4 weeks, a correction of the average reduction rate by applying the Abbot formula was 93.1%.

Studies on Anopheles sinensis, the vector species of vivax malaria in Korea

Extensive previous studies on taxonomy, behavior/bionomics and control of Anopheles sinensis are reviewed and summarized. Recent molecular identification revealed that the population of An. sinensis complex includes An. sinensis, An. pullus, An. lesteri and at least two new species, and An. yatsushiroensis is synonmy of An. pullus. An. sinensis is the main vector specie of vivax malaria in Korea. Larvae of An. sinensis breed in wide range of habitats which are naturally-made clean water, stagnant or flowing; main habitats include rice fields, ditches, streams, irrigation cannals, marshes, ponds, ground pools, etc. Their host preferences are highly zoophilic. Human blood rate is very low (0.7-1.7%) ; nevertheless An. sinensis readily feeds on man when domestic animals are not found near by. They feed on hosts throughout the night from dusk to dawn with a peak period of 02: 00-04: 00 hours; they are slightly more exophagic (biting outdoors) ; much larger numbers come into the room when light is on. Main resting places are outdoors such as grasses, vegetable fields and rice fields. A mark-release-recapture study resulted that 37.1% was recaptured within 1 km, 29.4% at 1-3 km, 21.1% at 3-6 km, 10.3% at 6-9 km and 2.1% at 9-12 km distance. An. sinensis hibernate outdoors (mostly under part of dense grasses) during October-March. At the end of the hibernation period (March-April) they feed on cows at daytime. Until today any single measure to effectively control An. sinensis population has not been found. Indoor residual spray with a long-lasting insecticide can not reduce vector population densities, but shorten their life spans in some degree, so contributes to malaria control.

Analysis of 205 Cases of Parasite Infection Confirmed in Clinical Specimens / 대한임상미생물학회지

BACKGROUND: We analysed 205 cases of parasitic infection that were confirmed at Dept. of Parasitology, Hanyang University, College of Medicine from January 1986 to December 2003. METHODS: Parasitic worms were observed on gross examination or light microscope after treatment with lactophenol. Stool was examined with formalin-ether method for detection of eggs or protozoal cysts and scotch tape method was used for E. vermicularis eggs. In case of S. stercoralis, stool sample was incubated at 26degrees C for 48 to 72 h to confirm filariform larvae. Commercial ELISA kit for T. canis and ELISA test with hydatid cystic fluid from a patient were evaluated. Tissues were stained H&E after 10% formalin fixation and observed under the light microscope. RESULTS: There were detected 31 species of parasite among 205 specimens. Nematodes of 84 cases (41.5%), Anisakis sp., P. decipiens, E. vermicularis and T. callipaeda, visceral larva migrans, T. trichiura, A. lumbricoides, S. stercoralis, cutaneous larva migrans, Mammomonogamus sp. were observed. Cestodes of 41 cases (21.0%), D. latum, sparganum, T. saginata, cysticercus cellulosae, hydatid cyst and trematodes of 34 cases (16.6%), C. sinensis, M. yokogawai, P. westermani and N. seoulense were noted. Protozoa of 34 cases (16.6%), E. histolytica, E. dispar, T. vaginalis, Plasmodium sp. G. lamblia, E. coli, E. nana, P. carinii and arthropoda of 11 cases (5.4%), I. nipponensis, P. pubis, T. floricolum and Culex sp. larva were classified. CONCLUSIONS: Food-borne parasitic infections were distinctly noted in this analysis. And raw food or water are important as a source of parasitic infection in the future.

A human case of house dust mite Tarsonemus floricolus collected from sputum

A 23-year-old medical student showed a positive reaction on a skin test for Paragonimus westermani, and two Tarsonemus floricolus mites were subsequently found by sputum examination and identified morphologically. Our report is the first human case of Tarsonemus floricolus in Korea.

Immunoblot Analysis of Allergens in Mosquito, Culex pipiens / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE: Adverse reactions to mosquito bites have been recognized for some time, and these usually consist of large swellings, generalized urticaria, angioedema, and less frequently asthma. There have been some efforts to define immunologic characteristics of mosquito allergens throughout the world. But, in Korea, the immunologic analysis of mosquito allergen have not been made. METHODS: Extracts of locally distributed female mosquito Culex pipiens, were prepared from their heads and thoraxes. By sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, proteins of two extracts were isolated. Then their proein bands were transferred to nitrocellulose membrane. Immunoblotting was performed with sera of allergic patients to mosquito bites, then completed by antibodies to human IgE. RESULTS: Immunoblotting showed IgE binding proteins weighing 70 kD, 60 kD, 34 kD in Culex pipiens. CONCLUSION: We found that mosquito antigens induced IgE response, and it suggested that species-specific antigens exist. Further investigation using salivary gland extracts from Culex genus are needed in identifying specific allergens.

Identification and purification of IgE-reactive proteins in German cockroach extract

Cockroaches have been implicated as a cause of respiratory allergy in urban areas worldwide. IgE-reactive German cockroach proteins were identified with molecular weights (MWs) of 90, 66, 50, 43 and 36 KD by immunoblot analysis in both immune BALB/c mice and sensitized humans. Prominent IgE-reactive proteins were purified using FPLC by ion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration and hydrophobic chromatography. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of a purified protein with a MW of 66 KD on SDS-PAGE was Val-Thr-Leu-Lys-Lys(Val)-Met-Ile-Lys-Thr-Phe-Tyr. No homologous protein was found through a search of GenBank that indicated a novel IgE-reactive protein in German cockroach extract. Another purified protein with a MW of 36 KD reacted strongly with a monoclonal antibody against Bla g 2.

Can Malaria be Endemic in South Korea? / 감염

No abstract available.

Allergic immune responses to the fractionated antigen of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus / 알레르기

As molecular size of the most major allergens of house dust mite(HDM) are known to be less than 30 kD, allergic immune reactions may be different according to the molecular fractions of HDM allergens. In this study, we fractionated D. pteronyssinus (D. pt) antigen according to its molecular weights, fraction I(FI), II(FII, more than 30 kD), III( FIII, less than 30 kD), and evaluated the differences of allergic immune responses in 40 atopic patients. FIII(A/H ratio-2.44+/-0.61) elicited stronger response on intradermal skin test than FI (0.76 +/-0.10, p<0.001) and FII(0.88+/-0.12, p<0.001). The immunoblot analysis revealed that the nine out of 10 atopics had IgE binding bands with 15 kD protein of FIII which were not found in FI and FII. The geometric mean of absorben value of specific IgE to FIII was 0.067, which was higher than that of FII(0.013, p<0.001), with no difference from that of FI(0.042). The skin reactivity to whole D. pt antigen correlated with FIII- specific IgE(r=0.3862, p<0.01), not with FI-(r=0.2605, p=0.07) and FII-specific IgE(r=0. 1103, p=0.45). FI-specific IgG levels in atopic sera(n=40) were significantly higher than that of FII and FIII in all IgG subclasses (p<0.001). Both atopic(n=4) and nonatopic (n=4) groups showed multiple IgG, IgG1, and IgG2 binding bands at high molecular proteins in immunoblot analysis. The prevalence and density of the IgG and IgG1 binding bands to 15 kD were higher and more intense in atopics than those of nonatopics. In conclusion, we suggest that fractionated antigens of D. pteronyssinus had different antigenicities and that the allergic immune responses to HDMs in atopics and nonatopic are different according to molecular fractions of HDM.

An Epidemiologic Study on Occupational Dermatosis Associated with Mites / 예방의학회지

An outbreak of dermatosis occurred in a livestock fodder factory at Kyongju in May 1994. Authors conducted a questionnaire survey on 60 workers in the factory and a dermatologist examined their skin lesion. Authors also collected mites and identified them. The obtained results were summarized as follows; 1. Twentyeight cases of dermatosis were identified with attack rate of 46.7%. Attack rate was not different by department, age, sex, educational level and employment duration. Attack rate was 67.5% in productive worker and 5.0% in clerical workers (p0.05). 2. Three cases among 28 dermatosis cases and one subject among 32 non-cases had a history of same dermatosis last year. Only one of dermatosis cases had a history of dermatosis among family members. History of other skin lesion and allergy was very rare in both cases and non-cases. 3. Skin lesions of the cases were rice-sized erythematous papules or vesicles with a central biting point. Onset date of dermatosis was between May 1 and June 10. Duration was from one day to more than 30 days. Skin lesion was most frequent at the back(75.0%). and also observed at the arms(64.3%). abdomen(60.7%), legs(57.1%), chest(32.1%) and neck (25.0%). Skin lesion was aggravated while workers are sweeping the floor(35.7%), working at the workplace(21.4%) and in bed at night(28. 6%). 4. Total l,637 mites were collected and identified into 3 suborder, 7 families and 17 species. Dermafophagoides farinae was most frequent Nnd most of the species identified were blood sucking mites. Authors concluded that the outbreak of dermatosis was brought about by mite-bites and grain beetle parasitizing Acarophenax tribolii was the most suspected species. Further studies to identify the specific species causing dermatosis and route of import are needed.

Studies on the current epidemiological situation of brugian filariasis in endemic areas of Korea

An epidemiological study on brugian filariasis was carried out in endemic areas including Cheju Island in Korea, with a brief review of literatures.The results showed that the incidence among residents has remarkably decreased in Cheju Island, which was the main endemic area. Reviewing available informations on the prevalence of filariasis reported in recent years and also judging from the present socio-economic conditions which enable people to practice personal protection against mosquitos, it can be said with confidence that filariasis has almost disappeared from Cheju Island and inland areas. The disease is considered to remain at a low level of endemicity in Hugsan Islands. Certainly mass diethylcarbamazine (DEC) treatment carried out in Cheju Island in the 1960s and 1970s and remarkable economic growth followed by improved living standard and altered life-style of inhabitants could all have combined effects on the disappearance of this mosquito-borne diseae in this island. If the present trends go on, the possibility of resurgence of filariasis in Cheju Island is hardly postulated.

Methods of sampling population of the Japanese encephalitis vector Mosquitoes in Korea (a preliminary report)

For the determination/confirmation of the vector species of Japanese encephalitis in Korea and for the study of their bionomics, a preliminary assessment of different collecting methods of sampling mosquito population was undertaken. Man-biting catches, cow-biting catches, pig-baited window-trap hut, light trap, dry ice trap and man-baited double net were employed. The advnntages and disadvantages of these methods are discussed. A pig-baited window-trap hut and cow-biting catches outdoors are considered the best ways of collecting large numbers of Culex tritaeniorhynchus summorosus, the most important vector of Japanese encephalitis, for virus isolation and insecticide susceptility testing. The latter method requires, however, more man-power. Light traps set in a pigsty or cowshed are the simplest and most convenient tools for studying tne mosquito population density and seasonal prevalence.

Study on natural infection of Plasmodium vivax in Anopheles sinensis in Korea

On epidemiological grounds, Anopheles sinensis has been suspected for many years to be the malaria vector in Korea. Of 7,517 dissections of A. sinensis, one specimen was found for the first time in Korea naturally infected with sporozoites in August 1962. Experimental infection of A. sinensis with Plasmodium vivax had been successfully conducted at earlier date.

Insecticide susceptibility tests on adults of Anopheles sinensis in Korea

The authors carried out two series of field test to determine the basic lines of DDT and Dieldrin susceptibility of Anopheles sinensis at Andong(1961) and Yoju(1962), where malaria endemicity is relatively high in Korea. Tests were performed in accordance with the standard method established by the World Health Oraganization(1960). The results were summarized as follows: The LC-50 of DDT for A. sinensis caught at Andong as 1.5 %, while for the same species in Yoju was 1.3 %. The LC-50 of Dieldrin for A. sinensis caught at Andong was 0.075 %, while the LC-50 for the same species at Yoju was 0.07 %. These results therefore indicate Anopheles sinensis, as the malaria vector species in Korea, is susceptible to DDT and Dieldrin.