Aims: Expression of recombinant proteins across a range of different host organisms has profound contribution to the advancement in biotechnology. In this study, we aimed to construct a highly versatile broad host range (BHR) expression vector, designated as pYL101C. Methodology and results: The Golden Gate cloning approach was used to construct pYL101C. Key features of pYL101C include a strong integron promoter (PINTc), a BHR pBBR1 origin of replication (ori), gentamycin resistance gene (GmR) as a selectable marker and a multiple cloning site (MCS) downstream of the promoter for easy-cloning purpose. To verify the functionality of pYL101C, we cloned the superfolder green fluorescent protein (sfGFP) reporter gene into pYL101C and transferred the resultant recombinant plasmid pYL101C::sfGFP into various Gram-negative bacteria. Transformants obtained stably expressed strong green fluorescence under blue light excitation even without selection after four passages. Conclusion, significance and impact of study The constructed BHR expression vector, pYL101C and recombinant pYL101C::sfGFP are stable and can be used to monitor the presence of Gram-negative bacteria, such as endophytes and pathogens in their hosts and environment.
Host Specificity ; Plasmids ; Cloning, Molecular

Eight species of Marssonina parasitic on 21 species of host plants from Korea are described and illustrated. They are Marssonina brunnea (Ellis & Everh.) Magnus, M. capsulicola (Rostr.) Magnus, M. celastri H.D. Shin & H.T. Lee, M. coronaria (Ellis & Davis) Davis, M. fragariae (Lib.) Kleb., M. juglandis (Lib.) Magnus, M. rosae (Lib.) Died. and M. sennenis (Gonz. Frag.) Vassiljevsky & Karak. Of these, M. capsulicola and M. coronaria sometimes poss three-celled conidia and M. sennenis is characterized by a short appendage at the basal end of the conidia. Morphological features of conidia and host ranges were of taxonomic values for species delimitation.
Fragaria ; Host Specificity ; Korea* ; Rosa ; Spores, Fungal

Bacteriophages were induced from staphylococcus intermedius isolates from dogs and used for a phage typing. Mitomycin C induction was performed on 60 strains of S. intermedius and all phages were reacted with the strains. Twenty-eight strains (46.7%) were found to be lysogenic. Based on host ranges, eight phages were selected. By using the eight phages, 129 strains isolated from canine clinical specimens were subjected to the phage typing at the routine test dilution (RTD) and 100xRTD. Typability of the phage set was 78.3%, yielding 40 phage patterns. The phage set was considered useful for differentiating S. intermedius strains isolated from dogs. None of 50 strains of S. aureus, 2 (3.6%) of 56 S. simulance strains, 13 (24.5%) of 53 S. chromogenes strains and 46 (28.1%) of 164 S. hyicus strains were typable by the phages at 100xRTD.
Animals ; Bacteriophage Typing* ; Bacteriophages* ; Dogs ; Host Specificity ; Mitomycin ; Staphylococcus intermedius* ; Staphylococcus*

Transmission of animal scabies to human is probably rare because of the relative host specificity of the mites. However, recurrent exposure to animal scabies mites can produce troublesome and diagnostically puzzling lesions. We report herein on a human infestation of canine scabies and this occurred in a 26-year-old male who presented with a 4-month history of severe pruritic skin lesions. His puppy was diagnosed with scabies infestation by a veterinarian two months previously. Since that time, he no longer raised the puppy. Microscopic examination of a mineral oil preparation after scraping the papules revealed a mite. He was diagnosed with canine scabies.
Adult ; Animals ; Host Specificity ; Humans ; Male ; Mineral Oil ; Mites ; Scabies ; Skin ; Veterinarians

To use recombinant viruses with wider host range as viral insecticides, we investigated the characteristics and pathogenicity of host range expanded recombinant viruses in insect cells. We compared host range expanded recombinant viruses, RecS-B6 and RecB-8, constructed by cotransfection of Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) and Bombyx mori NPV (BmNPV), to host range expanded AcNPV, Ac-BH, by substitution of the 0.6 Kb fragment of the BmNPV helicase gene. Restriction endonuclease profiles of RecS-B6 and RecB-8 DNAs were different from those of parent viruses. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the 0.6 Kb region in the putative helicase gene of RecS-B6 and RecB-8 showed that their structures were identical to the counterpart region of BmNPV Comparison of viral replication of these recombinant viruses in Sf-21 and BmN-4 cells showed that Ac-BH, compared to wild type viruses, replicated well in BmN-4 cells but poorly in Sf-21 cells. In contrast, RecS-B6 and RecB-8 replicated relatively well in both cells compared to parent viruses. These results may imply that random genomic recombinant viruses, RecS-B6 and RecB-8, possess better potential as viral pesticides than helicase-mediated recombinant virus, Ac-BH.
Base Sequence ; Bombyx ; DNA ; DNA Restriction Enzymes ; Host Specificity* ; Humans ; Insecticides ; Insects* ; Nucleopolyhedrovirus ; Parents ; Pesticides ; Virulence*

Zoonoses are diseases caused by the agents that are transmitted between vertebrate animals and human. It is the interaction between agents, host, and the environment they share that determines whether or not infection will be successful. Zoonotic diseases usually have a wide range of host and are particularly important sources of emerging new infectious diseases in human. From an evolutionary point of view, infections in humans and in other animals share common origins. Zoonotic agents are extremely variable in their host specificity and their impact on individuals and host population. The control of zoonoses depends on attempts to reduce vector populations of to limit contacts with reservoir species. In most instances, however, the control efforts require an environmental or human behavioral modification in addition to direct efforts to reduce the size of the vector population. In this article, I described the common natural history and ecologic characteristics of zoonoses, and explained why we should keep an eye on the change in zoonoses with emerging infections. And I also introduced the recent change in the incidence of notifiable zoonotic diseases among animals and humans in Korea, and the principle of control and prevention of zoonoses.
Animals ; Communicable Diseases ; Epidemiology* ; Host Specificity ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Natural History ; Vertebrates ; Zoonoses*

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have mutualistic relationships with more than 80% of terrestrial plant species. This symbiotic relationship is ancient and would have had important roles in establishment of plants on land. Despite their abundance and wide range of relationship with plant species, AMF have shown low species diversity. However, molecular studies have suggested that diversity of these fungi may be much higher, and genetic variation of AMF is very high within a species and even within a single spore. Despite low diversity and lack of host specificity, various functions have been associated with plant growth responses to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonization. In addition, different community composition of AMF affects plants differently, and plays a potential role in ecosystem variability and productivity. AMF have high functional diversity because different combinations of host plants and AMF have different effects on the various aspects of symbiosis. Consequently, recent studies have focused on the different functions of AMF according to their genetic resource and their roles in ecosystem functioning. This review summarizes taxonomic, genetic, and functional diversities of AMF and their roles in natural ecosystems.
Colon ; Ecosystem* ; Efficiency ; Fungi* ; Genetic Variation ; Host Specificity ; Plants ; Spores ; Symbiosis

BACKGROUND: Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised patients. However, IA is difficult to diagnose, especially in the aforementioned patient group. Recently, galactomannan assay (GMA) using enzyme immunoassay has been introduced in Korea. We evaluated its diagnostic usefulness in the diagnosis of IA and we analyzed the results according to the underlying diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients who underwent GMA during the period from October 2007 to June 2008 were evaluated retrospectively. According to the criteria of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group, IA was classified into four clinical categories: 'proven', 'probable', 'possible', and 'non' IA. Patients with 'proven' and 'probable' IA were used as the reference standards for IA. GMA was performed using Platelia Aspergillus EIA (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA, USA). Optical density index > or =0.5 was considered positive. RESULTS: Of the 144 patients who underwent GMA, two patients were classificed as 'proven' IA and sixteen patients were 'probable' IA. Overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the assay were 50% (95% confidence interval [CI95], 26-74%), 88% (CI95, 81-93%), 38% (CI95, 19-59%), and 93% (CI95, 86-97%), respectively. Among the 99 patients with underlying hematologic diseases, GMA showed 67% (CI95, 35-90%) sensitivity and 89% (CI95, 80-94%) specificity, whereas in 45 patients with underlying diseases other than hematologic diseases, sensitivity and specificity of the assay were 17% (CI95, 0-64%) and 87% (CI95, 73-96%), respectively. CONCLUSION: GMA showed high specificity, irrespective of the patient population. However, sensitivity of GMA was low and the assay was less sensitive in patients with underlying diseases other than hematologic diseases than in patients with hematologic diseases.
Aspergillosis ; Aspergillus ; Hematologic Diseases ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Korea ; Mannans ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity

BACKGROUND: Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised patients. However, IA is difficult to diagnose, especially in the aforementioned patient group. Recently, galactomannan assay (GMA) using enzyme immunoassay has been introduced in Korea. We evaluated its diagnostic usefulness in the diagnosis of IA and we analyzed the results according to the underlying diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients who underwent GMA during the period from October 2007 to June 2008 were evaluated retrospectively. According to the criteria of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group, IA was classified into four clinical categories: 'proven', 'probable', 'possible', and 'non' IA. Patients with 'proven' and 'probable' IA were used as the reference standards for IA. GMA was performed using Platelia Aspergillus EIA (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA, USA). Optical density index > or =0.5 was considered positive. RESULTS: Of the 144 patients who underwent GMA, two patients were classificed as 'proven' IA and sixteen patients were 'probable' IA. Overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the assay were 50% (95% confidence interval [CI95], 26-74%), 88% (CI95, 81-93%), 38% (CI95, 19-59%), and 93% (CI95, 86-97%), respectively. Among the 99 patients with underlying hematologic diseases, GMA showed 67% (CI95, 35-90%) sensitivity and 89% (CI95, 80-94%) specificity, whereas in 45 patients with underlying diseases other than hematologic diseases, sensitivity and specificity of the assay were 17% (CI95, 0-64%) and 87% (CI95, 73-96%), respectively. CONCLUSION: GMA showed high specificity, irrespective of the patient population. However, sensitivity of GMA was low and the assay was less sensitive in patients with underlying diseases other than hematologic diseases than in patients with hematologic diseases.
Aspergillosis ; Aspergillus ; Hematologic Diseases ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Korea ; Mannans ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Adenovirus remains a significant threat to public health. Recent studies showed that bats can harbor diverse adenoviruses. To further investigate the distribution and genetic diversity of bat adenoviruses in China, we collected throat and anal swab samples of 11 bat species from 6 provinces of China, including Beijing, Hunan, Jiangxi, Yunnan, Guizhou and Hainan. Nested PCR was used to identify potential bat adenoviruses from the samples, and positive results were cloned and sequenced for genetic diversity study. In addition, nucleotide sequence alignments based on corresponding amino acid sequence similarities were used for phylogenetic analyses. Our results showed that about 20% of bat species in China are positive to adenoviruses, and Myotis ricketti is likely to be the most important host of bat adenoviruses in all locations. Moreover, we identified two diverse sequences of bat adenoviruses from the same sample of Ia io in Guizhou province of China. In general, the average nucleotide and amino acid sequence similarities of the conserved region of DNA polymerases of bat adenoviruses are 66.6% and 74.7%, respectively. The differences between bat species and their residences environments may have driven the adaptive evolution of the viruses, leading to the genetic diversity of the bat adenoviruses.
Adenoviridae ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Animals ; China ; Chiroptera ; virology ; Genetic Variation ; Host Specificity ; Phylogeny