Fifty Years of the Korean Society for Parasitology

In 1959, the Korean Society for Parasitology was founded by clinical scientists, specialists of public health, and 5 core parasitologists with experience in American science and medicine. The Society this year celebrates its 50th anniversary. Due to public health importance at the time of foundation, medical parasitology was the main stream for next 3 decades. Domestic problems of niche parasitic diseases, unlisted in 6 tropical diseases of major importance, had been studied by own efforts. To cope with the demand of parasite control, evaluation system for control activity was built up. Control activity against soil-transmitted nematodes, conducted for almost 3 decades, was evaluated as a success. Evaluation of praziquantel efficacy for clonorchiasis, paragonimiasis, and neurocysticercosis, population dynamics of Ascaris lumbricoides infection in a situation of continuous reinfections, diagnostic modalities of antibody tests combined with brain imaging developed for helminthiasis of the central nervous system and researches on intestinal trematodes were achievements in the first 30 years. During the recent 2 decades, science researches, such as cell and molecular biology of parasites and immunology of parasitic infections have been studied especially on parasitic allergens and proteolytic and anti-oxidant enzymes. Experiences of international cooperation for world health have been accumulated and would be expanded in the future.

Retraction: Reliability and Validity of the Korean Cancer Pain Assessment Tool (KCPAT)

The above article became to belatedly recognized by the editor of Journal of Korean Medical Science (JKMS) having almost same contents with an article which appeared in Korean Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care (=Hankook Hospice Wanhuaeuiryohakhoeji in Korean) 2003;6:152-63, entitled, Reliability and Validity of the Evaluation of Korean Cancer Pain Assessment Tool (K-CPAT). The 2003 article was written in Korean language, and authored by Youn Seon Choi, June young Lee, Jin No Park, Myung Ah Lee, Chang Hwan Yeom and Se Kwon Jang (with corresponding author Dr. J. Lee). Both articles shared same contents of four tables, appendix and message. The executive board for publication of the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences discussed the matter on 12 October 2006, concluded that the JKMS article was a duplicate publication, and resolved to retract the article in order to respect copy right of the Korean Society of Hospice and Palliative Care. Korean Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care have been indexed neither in PubMed nor in KoreaMed. The corresponding author of the article, Dr. Y.S. Choi, accepted the allegation of the duplicate publication.

A seroepidemiological survey of Taenia solium cysticercosis in Nabo, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China

We have observed the seropositive rate of Taenia solium cysticercosis in residents at Nabo Village, Tiandong County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The village had been found to be a relatively high endemic area of porcine cysticercosis among roaming pigs. Of 202 persons examined four males aged 15, 25, 35 and 41 year-old exhibited absorbance (abs) at 0.18, 0.20, 0.35 and 0.55, respectively. In addition, two females whose ages were 35 and 39 years revealed specific antibody levels of abs 0.26 and 0.41 in their sera. Overall positive rate among the people was 2.97%. All of these persons agreed that they had ingested the pork infected with T. solium metacestode (TsM), while history of proglottid discharge was not noticed from all of them. Three males and one female complained of intermittent headache. Our findings reinforced not only that the prevalence of cysticercosis might be related with roaming pigs infected with TsM but also that behavioral and environmental practices in local community constituted risk factors for transmission of the infection.

Indexing the Citation of Korean Medical Literature

No abstract available.

Excretory bladder: the source of cysteine proteases in Paragonimus westermani metacercariae

The cysteine proteases of Paragonimus westermani metacercariae are involved in metacercarial excystment, host immune modulation, and possibly in tissue penetration. In order to clarify the origin of the enzymes, 28 and 27 kDa cysteine proteases in metacercarial excretory-secretory products were purified through the FPLC system using Mono Q column chromatography. The polyclonal antibodies to the enzymes were produced in BALB/c mice. Immunolocalization studies revealed that both cysteine proteases were distributed at the linings of excretory bladder and excretory concretions of the metacercariae. It was suggested that the excretory epithelium of P. westermani undertake the secretory function of metacercarial cysteine proteases, in addition to its role as a route for eliminating waste products.

Molecular cloning and characterization of an antigenic protein with a repeating region from Clonorchis sinensis

In the course of immunoscreening of Clonorchis sinensis cDNA library, a cDNA CsRP12 containing a tandem repeat was isolated. The cDNA CsRP12 encodes two putative peptides of open reading frames (ORFs) 1 and 2 (CsRP12-1 and -2). The repetitive region is composed of 15 repeats of 10 amino acids. Of the two putative peptides, CsRP12-1 was proline-rich and found to have homologues in several organisms. Recombinant proteins of the putative peptides were bacterially produced and purified by an affinity chromatography. Recombinant CsRP12-1 protein was recognized by sera of clonorchiasis patients and experimental rabbits, but recombinant CsRP12-2 was not. One of the putative peptide, CsRP12-1, is designated CsPRA, proline-rich antigen of C. sinensis. Both the C-termini of CsRP12-1 and -2 were bacterially produced and analysed to show no antigenicity. Recombinant CsPRA protein showed high sensitivity and specificity. In experimental rabbits, IgG antibodies to CsPRA was produced between 4 and 8 weeks after the infection and decreased thereafter over one year. These results indicate that CsPRA is equivalent to a natural protein and a useful antigenic protein for serodiagnosis of human clonorchiasis.

Evaluation of Korean Medical Journals

No abstract available.

The State and Medicnine in Korea in the 20th Century : Basic Medical Science

No abstract available.

Clinical Analysis of 40 Cases of Malaria / 감염

BACKGROUND: Endemic malaria has become increasingly rare since the late 1970s, but since the reemergence of indigenous vivax malaria in 1993, the number of cases of malaria have recently increased. We analyzed the cases of malaria who were treated in Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital with regards to epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment outcome, and made a comparison between indigenous and imported cases. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data of 40 confirmed cases of malaria treated in the same hospital. RESULTS: Twenty-one cases were indigenous and 19 were imported malaria. Peripheral blood smear revealed Plasmodium vivax in all indigenous malaria, whereas in imported cases 13 were P. falciparum and 6 were P. vivax. Yeonchon-gun(7 cases) was the most prevalent area in the indigenous cases; Africa and Southeast Asia(7 cases, respectively) were the most prevalent areas in the imported cases. Anemia(hemoglobin <10g/dL) was found more frequently in the imported cases, but the difference was not statistically significant. One patient, who was infected in South America showed initially resistant to primaquine, but was cured after extended treatment with increased dosage of primaquine. CONCLUSION: As cases of indigenous malaria in Korea are increasing, early diagnosis, treament, and prevention of malaria are important. To prevent imported malaria, anyone who travels to endemic areas should receive proper education and chemoprophylaxis, considering the pattern of drug resistance.

The Last Fifty Years of Western Medicine in Korea: Korean Society for Parasitology

No abstract available.

Cutaneous Infection of Larval strongyloides stercoralis Manifesting Pseudolymphomatous Reactions

Larval nematodes belonging to genera Ancylostoma, Strongyloides, Rhabditis, Gnathostoma or microfilariae (Onchocerca volvulus)/adult filaria (Loa loa) can invade human skin, each making different lesion. In a 71-year old immunocompetent Koreanman with 23% eosinophilia and elevated serum IgG (2530 mg/dl), a skin biopsy was undertaken for a nodular lesion at abdominal wall. A longitudinal section of a larval nematode was recognized in mid-dermal tunnel surrounded by pseudolymphomatous diffuse lymphoreticular cell infiltration. The larval nematode, 15 um in maximum diameter, had outermost cuticular layer and pale intestinal cells. The nematode section was identified as a filariform larva of Strongyloides stercoralis mainly based on its maximum diameter. In Korea, this is the first description of a cutaneous larval nematode infection. This case did not show quick migration of lesion which is a typical manifestation of classical cutaneous larva migrans.

Sparganum infections in normal adult population and epileptic patients in Korea: A seroepidemiologic observation

A seroepidemiologic observation of anti-Spirometra erinacei plerocerciod (sparganum) antibody (IgG) in serum was made in normal adult and epileptic patients in Korea from February 1987 to September 1990. Sera were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for anti-spaganum antibody together with anti-Taenia solium metacestode, and anti-Paragonimus westermani antibodies. Sera reacted positively to sparganum antigen only were considered. Positive rate for anti-sparganum antibody in 850 normal adults was 1.9% (standardized rate by provincial population was 1.7%). In 2,667 randomly selected patients of epilepsy at 28 local centers of the Changmi Club, positive rate was 2.5%(standardized rate: 2.3%). In both normal adult and patient groups, the higher antibody rates were observed in Kangwon and Chonnam province. Positive rates were 10 times higher in male than in female in normal adults and 4.5 times in male epileptic patients. The rates were elevated especially with age over 30-year. Odd ratio of the antibody was 1.32 which indicated an ambiguous etiologic factor for epilepsy.

An Experimental Study on Cerebral Paragonimiasis using Cats

PURPOSE: It is important to diagnose paragonimiasis in early active stage because it can be dured by chemotherapy. However, it is difficult to make a correct diagnosis of cerebral paragonimiasis in the early active stage, and the radiographic findings of cerebral paragonimiasis have been rarely reported. Thus, this experimental study was designed to produce early active cerebral paragonimiasis and to demonstrate radiologic-pathologic correlations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 8 cats, 7-8 metacercariae of Paragonimus westerrnani were directly introduced into the brain parenchyma of each cat's after trephination of the skull. In anogher 16 cats, the juvenile worms and the adult worms that had developed for varying periods (2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks) in the lunges of another cats were introduced into the brain parenchyma of each cat's with the same procedures described above. Follw-up MR images and chest radiographs were obtained at 2 days, 1 weeks, 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after innoculation. The autopsies and histopathological examinations of the cat's brain were undertaken in 22 cats. In 9 cats that were suspected with pulmonary lesions on chest radiograph, the soft tissue radiographs of inflated-fixed lungs were obtained. RESULTS: In one cat with innoculation of adult worm, acute suppurative inflammation of the brain parenchyma was demonstrated. But the other cats with innoculction of adult worm or juvenile worm and the cats with innoulation of metacercaris did not reveal any evidence of acute cerebral paragonimiasis. More than half of the introduced metacercariae(5 out of 8 cats) were found in the lung parenchyma, while only 25%(4 out of 16 cats) of the adult worm innoculated cats were. CONCLUSION: Acute suppurative inflammation suggesting acute stage cerebral paragonimiasis was obtained in one case of adult worm innoculated cat. Most of the innoculated metacercariae and some of the juvenile worms or adult worms were migrated to the lungs.

Cerebral Sparganosis:Two Cases Diagnosed by CT/MR and ELISA Tests

No abstract available.

Seroepidemiological observation of Taenia solium cysticercosis in epileptic patients in Korea

Prevalence survey of neurocysticercosis was made in a mixed epilepsy patients of Changmi Club in Korea. From February 1987 to July 1990, a total of 2,667 randomly selected patients at 27 local centers was tested for their serum levels of anti-Cysticercus antibody (IgG) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Positive rate of the antibody was 4.0% in the examined patients. The standardized antibody positive rate by provincial population was 3.1%. The rate was the highest in patients living in Cheju Do (8.4%). The patient age brackets of 0 approximately 9 years and over 50-year showed higher positive rates of the antibody. In 750 normal persons who checked up routine physical examination, the antibody positive rate was 2.1% (standardized rate was 1.8%). These seroepidemiological data disclosed for the first time the prevalence of cysticercosis in epileptic patients and in population.

An imaging diagnosis of cerebral paragonimiasis: CT and MR findings and correlation with ELISA antibody test

To evaluate the CT and MR findings of cerebral paragonimiasis (PW) and to assess the diagnostic value of the specific antibody test by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for PW, 55 CT scans and 13 MR images of 57 patients with cerebral PW were reviewed retrospectively, and correlated with the serum/CSF antibody levels. We divided the into three groups, early active(n=21), chronic(n=32), and combined stage (n=4), on the basis of CT/MR findings. In the group of early active stage the most common and characteristic findings was multiple, conglomerated, ring-like enhancing lesions in the unilateral cerebral hemisphere, which was seen in 52% on CT and 44% on MR. Other non-specific findings included a solitary ring-like or irregular enhancing lesions, ill-defined low density lesions without enhancement, localized hemorrhage with or without enhancing lesions. In the group of chronic stage there were multiple calcifications of various shapes, most commonly 1-2cm sized round shape, and associated encephalomalacia. MR was superior to CT in detecting hemorrhage and in characterizing the central contents of ring-shaped calcifications, while it was inferior to CT in identifying small calcifications. Antibody levels of serum and CSF were positive in 86% and 82% in early active group, and in 48% and 31% in chronic sgage respectively. The positive rate was significantly different between the two groups (P=0.001). CT/MR findings were characteristic in only approximately half the cases in early active cerebral PW which can be cured by traziquantel therapy. Therefore, antibody test by ELISA is recommended as a complementary tool, particularly in patients with non-specific imaging findings.

An imaging diagnosis of cerebral paragonimiasis: CT and MR findings and correlation with ELISA antibody test

To evaluate the CT and MR findings of cerebral paragonimiasis (PW) and to assess the diagnostic value of the specific antibody test by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for PW, 55 CT scans and 13 MR images of 57 patients with cerebral PW were reviewed retrospectively, and correlated with the serum/CSF antibody levels. We divided the into three groups, early active(n=21), chronic(n=32), and combined stage (n=4), on the basis of CT/MR findings. In the group of early active stage the most common and characteristic findings was multiple, conglomerated, ring-like enhancing lesions in the unilateral cerebral hemisphere, which was seen in 52% on CT and 44% on MR. Other non-specific findings included a solitary ring-like or irregular enhancing lesions, ill-defined low density lesions without enhancement, localized hemorrhage with or without enhancing lesions. In the group of chronic stage there were multiple calcifications of various shapes, most commonly 1-2cm sized round shape, and associated encephalomalacia. MR was superior to CT in detecting hemorrhage and in characterizing the central contents of ring-shaped calcifications, while it was inferior to CT in identifying small calcifications. Antibody levels of serum and CSF were positive in 86% and 82% in early active group, and in 48% and 31% in chronic sgage respectively. The positive rate was significantly different between the two groups (P=0.001). CT/MR findings were characteristic in only approximately half the cases in early active cerebral PW which can be cured by traziquantel therapy. Therefore, antibody test by ELISA is recommended as a complementary tool, particularly in patients with non-specific imaging findings.

Observation on neurocysticercosis in childhood

No abstract available.

Serologic Longterm Follow-up Study in Cerebral Parenchymal Cysticercosis Patients by ELISA after Praziquantel Treatment

A total of 28 patients of confirmed cerebral parenchymal cysticercosis was followed serologically by ELISA(enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) and clinically over 1 year after praziquantel treatment. The subjects were confined to pure cerebral parenchymal form of neurocysticercosis patients in order to evaluate the effect of praziquantel on specific IgG antibody level. The main clinical features were epilepsy and headache and the brain CT showed multiple low densities, cystic rnass, nodule and calcifications. The patients included in this study were categorized into 3 groups according to the follow-up period, namely, group I (1-2 years), group II (2-3 years) and group III(over 3 years). In serum, the post-treatment(last follow-up) anti-body levels were decreased to 71% in group I, 50% in group II and 52% in group III of pre-treatment levels. Also, in CSF, the post-treatment antibody levels were decreased to 81% in group I, 71% in group II and 33% in group III of pre-treatment levels. Eight patients(2 in group I, 3 in group II, 3 in group III) showed negative conversion of IgG antibody in both serum and CSF during follow-up period. All antibody levels in serum and CSF were expected to decline below negative range around 56-57 months after praziquantel treatment by simple linear regression analysis. However, in CSF, it took about 66-67 months for high pre-treatrnent titer patients above 0.8 to convert into negative range and about 34-35 rnonths for low pre-treatrnent titer ones below 0.8. In conclusion. It might be possible to differentiate serologically the early cured from the chronically ill patients uith slowly calcifying lesion by ELISA in neurocysticercosis, :which would be also helpful to determine the next treatment modality.

Immunoblot observation of antigenic protein fractions in Paragonimus westermani reacting with human patients sera

: In order to observe the antigenic fractions in saline extract of adult Paragonimus westermani, proteins in the crude extract were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in reducing conditions. The separated protein fractions were transferred to nitrocellulose paper on which 20 sera from human paragonimiasis were reacted and immunoblotted. Out of 15 stained protein bands in SDS-PAGE, 7 reacted with the sera. Of 14 reacted bands, 30 kilodalton(kDa) band was the most frequently reacted (95%) and was a strong antigen. Protein bands of 23 and 46 kDa were also strong antigens. Bands of over 150 kDa, 120 kDa, 92 kDa, 86 kDa, 74 kDa, 62 kDa, 51 kDa, 32 kDa, 28 kDa, 16.5 kDa and 15.5 kDa were also reactive but their frequencies of the reaction were variable.