The author has studied the beta-glucuronidase activity in several tissues such as liver, stomach and small intestine of the male and female rabbits infected with different doses of metacercariae of Clonorchis sinensis. The metacercariae of Clonorchis sinensis were isolated from Pseudorasbora parva caught in Kim Hae by digestion technic. The experimental animals were sacrificed in the period of 1, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35th days following the infection. The results obtained were summarized as follows: In the groups infected with 100 metacercariae, Beta-glucuronidase activity was slightly increased during the entire periods than control rabbits. It was the highest in the first day with 1.535 and 1.421 mu/g, 14th days with 2.521 and 2.200 mu/g, and then lowered by the time, gradually. In the groups infected with 500 metacercariae, Beta-glucuronidase activity was highly increased on the first day with 1.535 and 1.866 mu/g than that 100 metacercariae groups according to each organs. It was the highest on the 7th day and 14th day. In the groups infected with 1,000 metacercariae, beta-glucuronidase activity was remarkably increased in the first and 14th days according to each organs, and then lowered gradually day by day. beta-glucuronidase activity of all organs was more increased than that of normal organs and the highest activity in the liver with 2.521 mu/g, intestine(1.612) and stomach (1.581) respectively. beta-glucuronidase activity of rabbits was higher in the female than in the male. On the basis of these results, it was suggested that beta-glucuronidase activity was affected by the duration of infection and by the number of Clonorchis sinensis, according to the organs and sex of the rabbits.
parasitology-helminth-trematoda ; Clonorchis sinensis ; beta-glucuronidase ; biochemistry

PURPOSE: Although remarkable progress has been made in efforts to control measles since measles vaccines became available for use, the longterm success of their vaccination programmes has been questioned, with the worldwide resurgence of the disease. This resurgence has increased attention on the inadequacy of current immunization programmes. In 1993 there have been measles outbreaks in Seong-nam city located near the sourthern Seoul, Korea. To characterize further the epidemiology of measles in Seong-nam city, we analysed demographic characteristics of measles cases reported for the year 1993. METHODS: With the cooperation of the nurse teacher in elimentary school, the data of measles cases were collected and each case was confirmed at local clinics, hospital or general hospital, including inha General Hospital. RESULTS: 1) Out of 645 cases(male: female = 1.08:1) the children above 5 yrs of age were 586 cases of which 529 cases(90.3%) were vaccinated on after 15 months of age. After the survey, measles occurred in 1.9% of the 11 elementary school students. Children with past MMR vaccination history showed milder course of measles than those without the vaccination history. 2) Out of 87 patients who had been brought to Inha General Hospital, 55%(n=48) was 6 to 1 5 months of age, 13%(n=11) was 15 months to 4 years of age, and 32%(n=28) was 5 to 14 years of age, which showed two major outbreaks: those in which of the cases occurred below 16 months of age and those in which considerable cases occurred among school-age persons. 3) Below 15 months of age, most of the cause of the unvaccination were inadequate access to medical care and lack of public awareness in some communities, with the resulting lack of d emand for immunization services. The causes of unvaccination above 15 months of age were neglect or oblivion in 35%(n=2 0), mild acute illness not contraindicated to vaccine use in 21%(n=12), economic difficulty in 8. 8%(n=5), vaccine omission after natural measles before 12 months of age in 7%(n=4). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the high uptake of measles vaccine there is currently a nationwide e pidemic of measles, especially among the school-age groups. Secondary vaccine failure is also thought to be important cause of measles ortbreak as well as primary vaccine failure. A booster dose of measles vaccine may be necessary to reduce the measles outbreak to allow the goal of measles elimination to be achieved, with the reinforcement of age-appropriate Immunization.
Child ; Disease Outbreaks* ; Epidemiologic Studies* ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Gyeonggi-do* ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Immunization ; Korea ; Measles Vaccine ; Measles* ; Seoul ; Vaccination ; Vaccines

OBJECTIVES: Pneumoconisis and noise-induced hearing loss(NIHL) have been reported as main occupational diseases by the Special Health Examination. The Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance has reported various work-related diseases, however, these two diseases occupied almost a half of compensated cases. Therefore, it was not well known about the status of occupational diseases other than pneumoconiosis, NIHL, and cardiocerebrovascular accident(CVA). This study was conducted to analyze claimed cases as an occupational disease, that was requested to the Korea Industrial Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA). METHODS: The local office of the Korea Labor Welfare Corporation(KLWC) has asked the KOSHA for confirmation of claimed cases as an occupational disease. We analyzed 379 cases requested from KLWC, the Ministry of Labor, employers, unions and occupational health agencies from 1992 to 1999. RESULTS: Male was 80. 7 % of the requested cases. Their mean age was 42 years old and 75. 5 % of them were more than 35 years old. The requested cases were increased rapidly from 25 cases in 1992 to 108 cases in 1999 and the accept rate was 50. 7 %. The majority of requested cases were respiratory diseases(22.4 %), cancers(18.5 %), Neuropsychiatric problems (14. 5 %), and musculoskeletal problems (13. 5 %). The accept rate was high in reproductive, respiratory, musculoskeletal and digestive disorders and low in neuropsychiatric, renal and otologic problems and occupational cancers. 73. 6 % of them were caused by chemical agents, especially 28. 5 % were by organic solvents. 67 % of them were clinically confirmed at university hospitals. A half of the cases were from KyongIn area, even the request came from the whole country. CONCLUSIONS: A claim was common in workers whose age was over 35 years old and exposure history was over 10 years. The respiratory diseases and neuropsychiatric disorders were still main problems in occupational health and occupational cancers was increasing even though its accept rate was not high yet.
Accidents, Occupational ; Adult ; Compensation and Redress ; Hearing ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Insurance ; Korea* ; Male ; Occupational Diseases* ; Occupational Health* ; Pneumoconiosis ; Solvents