Cervicofacial necrotizing fasciitis (CNF) of the face is a rare and potentially life-threatening bacterial infection that requires immediate intervention. CNF involving the buccal fat pad particularly demands surgical drainage, with attention to the surrounding anatomical structures to prevent vascular or nerve damage. In this study, we reviewed the anatomy of buccal fat pads to suggest appropriate surgical approaches. A retrospective chart review was conducted on seven patients with CNF who had a buccal fat pad abscess requiring surgical incision and drainage between January 2022 and August 2023. Abscesses within the central buccal fat pad and its pterygoid extensions were drained via intraoral incisions. Abscesses in the temporal extension were addressed by the Dingman approach. All patients underwent our surgical drainage regimen combined with proper intravenous antibiotics, leading to successful treatment of CNF without significant functional sequelae, with an average stay of 18.71 days. The buccal fat pad, which corresponds to the deep space of the face, is surrounded by vital structures such as the facial artery, vein, nerve, and parotid duct. When treating abscesses in the buccal fat pad, it is important to understand the relationship of the fat pad to other vital structures for optimal outcomes.

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.
Animals ; Anopheles/*classification/genetics/*growth & development ; Humans ; Malaria, Vivax/transmission ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods ; Population Dynamics ; Republic of Korea ; Seasons

Iron is an essential element for almost all living organisms. The possible role of iron for growth, adherence and cytotoxicity of Entamoeba histolytica was evaluated in this study. The absence of iron from TYI-S-33 medium stopped amebic growth in vitro. However, iron concentrations in the culture media of 21.4-285.6 microM did not affect the growth of the amebae. Although growth was not retarded at these concentrations, the adhesive abilities of E. histolytica and their cytotoxicities to CHO cell monolayer were correlated with iron concentration. Amebic adhesion to CHO cell monolayers was significantly reduced by low-iron (24.6 +/- 2.1%) compared with 62.7 +/- 2.8 and 63.1 +/- 1.4% of amebae grown in a normal-iron and high-iron media, respectively. E. histolytica cultured in the normal- and high-iron media destroyed 69.1 +/- 4.3% and 72.6 +/- 5.7% of cultured CHO cell monolayers, but amebae grown in the low-iron medium showed a significantly reduced level of cytotoxicity to CHO cells (2.8 +/- 0.2%). Addition of divalent cations other than iron to amebic trophozoites grown in the low-iron medium failed to restore levels of the cytotoxicity. However, when E. histolytica grown in low-iron medium were transferred to normal-iron medium, the amebae showed completely restored cytotoxicity within 7 days. The result suggests that iron is an important factor in the adherence and cytotoxicity of E. histolytica to CHO cell monolayer.
Animals ; CHO Cells ; Cell Adhesion/drug effects ; Cell Survival ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Entamoeba histolytica/*drug effects/*physiology ; Iron/*pharmacology

Iron is an essential element for almost all living organisms. The possible role of iron for growth, adherence and cytotoxicity of Entamoeba histolytica was evaluated in this study. The absence of iron from TYI-S-33 medium stopped amebic growth in vitro. However, iron concentrations in the culture media of 21.4-285.6 microM did not affect the growth of the amebae. Although growth was not retarded at these concentrations, the adhesive abilities of E. histolytica and their cytotoxicities to CHO cell monolayer were correlated with iron concentration. Amebic adhesion to CHO cell monolayers was significantly reduced by low-iron (24.6 +/- 2.1%) compared with 62.7 +/- 2.8 and 63.1 +/- 1.4% of amebae grown in a normal-iron and high-iron media, respectively. E. histolytica cultured in the normal- and high-iron media destroyed 69.1 +/- 4.3% and 72.6 +/- 5.7% of cultured CHO cell monolayers, but amebae grown in the low-iron medium showed a significantly reduced level of cytotoxicity to CHO cells (2.8 +/- 0.2%). Addition of divalent cations other than iron to amebic trophozoites grown in the low-iron medium failed to restore levels of the cytotoxicity. However, when E. histolytica grown in low-iron medium were transferred to normal-iron medium, the amebae showed completely restored cytotoxicity within 7 days. The result suggests that iron is an important factor in the adherence and cytotoxicity of E. histolytica to CHO cell monolayer.
Animals ; CHO Cells ; Cell Adhesion/drug effects ; Cell Survival ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Entamoeba histolytica/*drug effects/*physiology ; Iron/*pharmacology

Trichostrongylus eggs observed in cellophane-thick smears are difficult, in practice, to distinguish from hookworm eggs. In order to overcome these limitations, a molecular approach was conducted. A Trichostrongylus colubriformis adult worm was obtained from a human in Laos, which was identified morphologically. ITS-1 sequence of this worm was determined, and found to be most similar with that of T. colubriformis among the Trichostrongylus spp. reported so far. Then, this sequence was compared with those of human hookworm species, Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus, and species-specific oligonucleotide primers were designed. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using these primers evidenced specifically amplified PCR products of Trichostrongylus sp., A. duodenale and N. americanus from the eggs of each (520 bp, 690 bp, and 870 bp, respectively). A species-specific PCR technique can be developed in order to study the epidemiology of Trichostrongylus spp. and hookworms in endemic areas.
Ancylostoma/*genetics/isolation & purification ; Ancylostomiasis/*diagnosis/parasitology ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; DNA, Intergenic/genetics ; DNA, Protozoan/genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/genetics ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Necator americanus/*genetics/isolation & purification ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/*methods ; Sequence Alignment ; Trichostrongylosis/*diagnosis/parasitology ; Trichostrongylus/*genetics/isolation & purification

Trichostrongylus eggs observed in cellophane-thick smears are difficult, in practice, to distinguish from hookworm eggs. In order to overcome these limitations, a molecular approach was conducted. A Trichostrongylus colubriformis adult worm was obtained from a human in Laos, which was identified morphologically. ITS-1 sequence of this worm was determined, and found to be most similar with that of T. colubriformis among the Trichostrongylus spp. reported so far. Then, this sequence was compared with those of human hookworm species, Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus, and species-specific oligonucleotide primers were designed. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using these primers evidenced specifically amplified PCR products of Trichostrongylus sp., A. duodenale and N. americanus from the eggs of each (520 bp, 690 bp, and 870 bp, respectively). A species-specific PCR technique can be developed in order to study the epidemiology of Trichostrongylus spp. and hookworms in endemic areas.
Ancylostoma/*genetics/isolation & purification ; Ancylostomiasis/*diagnosis/parasitology ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; DNA, Intergenic/genetics ; DNA, Protozoan/genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/genetics ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Necator americanus/*genetics/isolation & purification ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/*methods ; Sequence Alignment ; Trichostrongylosis/*diagnosis/parasitology ; Trichostrongylus/*genetics/isolation & purification

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.
Tick Control/*methods ; *Pyroglyphidae ; Population Density ; *Periplaneta ; Korea ; Insect Control/*methods ; Health Education/*standards ; Environment ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Dermatophagoides farinae ; *Blattellidae ; Animals ; Allergens/analysis

Free-living amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba are causative agents of granulomatous amebic encephalitis and amebic keratitis. Because the virulence of Acanthamoeba culbertsoni cultured in the laboratory is restored by consecutive brain passages, we examined the genes induced in mouse brain-passaged A. culbertsoni by differential display reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (DDRT-PCR). Enhanced A. culbertsoni virulence was observed during the second mouse brain passage, i.e., infected mouse mortality increased from 5% to 70%. Ten cDNAs induced during mouse brain passage were identified by DDRT-PCR and this was confirmed by northern blot analysis. BlastX searches of these cDNAs indicated the upregulations of genes encoding predictive NADH-dehydrogenase, proteasomal ATPase, and GDP-mannose pyrophosphorylase B, which have previously been reported to be associated with A. culbertsoni virulence factors.
Virulence/genetics ; Up-Regulation ; Serial Passage ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Mice ; Genes, Protozoan/genetics ; *Gene Expression Regulation ; Gene Expression Profiling/methods ; DNA, Protozoan/biosynthesis/*physiology ; DNA, Complementary/biosynthesis ; Cloning, Molecular/methods ; Brain/parasitology ; Blotting, Northern/methods ; Animals ; Amebiasis/mortality/*parasitology ; Acanthamoeba/*genetics/*pathogenicity

Giardia intestinalis infections arise primarily from contaminated food or water. Zoonotic transmission is possible, and at least 7 major assemblages including 2 assemblages recovered from humans have been identified. The determination of the genotype of G. intestinalis is useful not only for assessing the correlation of clinical symptoms and genotypes, but also for finding the infection route and its causative agent in epidemiological studies. In this study, methods to identify the genotypes more specifically than the known 2 genotypes recovered from humans have been developed using the intergenic spacer (IGS) region of rDNA. The IGS region contains varying sequences and is thus suitable for comparing isolates once they are classified as the same strain. Genomic DNA was extracted from cysts isolated from the feces of 5 Chinese, 2 Laotians and 2 Koreans infected with G. intestinalis and the trophozoites of WB, K1, and GS strains cultured in the laboratory, respectively. The rDNA containing the IGS region was amplified by PCR and cloned. The nucleotide sequence of the 3' end of IGS region was determined and examined by multiple alignment and phylogenetic analysis. Based on the nucleotide sequence of the IGS region, 13 G. intestinalis isolates were classified to assemblages A and B, and assemblage A was subdivided into A1 and A2. Then, the primers specific to each assemblage were designed, and PCR was performed using those primers. It detected as little as 10 pg of DNA, and the PCR amplified products with the specific length to each assemblage (A1, 176 bp; A2, 261 bp; B, 319 bp) were found. The PCR specific to 3 assemblages of G. intestinalis did not react with other bacteria or protozoans, and it did not react with G. intestinalis isolates obtained from dogs and rats. It was thus confirmed that by applying this PCR method amplifying the IGS region, the detection of G. intestinalis and its genotyping can be determined simultaneously.
Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/*methods ; Phylogeny ; Mice ; Humans ; Giardiasis/parasitology/veterinary ; Giardia lamblia/*classification/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Genotype ; Dogs ; Dog Diseases/parasitology ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/*analysis ; DNA, Protozoan/*analysis/isolation & purification ; Base Sequence ; Animals

PURPOSE: Allergens that cause asthma include those derived from indoor allergens such as animal dander (dog and cat). The aim of the study is to provide baseline data on characteristics of home environments in Korea, which will be used for future comparative studies of indoor environmental factors between populations with contrasting asthma prevalence. METHODS: The study was performed during September through November (Autumn) 1999. A total of 206 residential homes were volunteers from different districts in Seoul. They participate in home environment survey and skin prick tests. The dust specimens were collected by vacuum cleaner (V-582T, 520W; LG). We detected animal dander (Can f 1 and Fel d 1) by monoclonal-antibody based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). RESULTS: The average indoor temperature was 25.1+/-2.9 degrees C and the relative humidity was 54.0+/-9.6%. The positive rate of dog (Can f 1) was 35.4% and cat (Fel d 1) was 33.5%. It is the same between Can f 1 and Fel d 1 distributed within dust samples from the four sites of the homes. And the distribution level of Can f 1 and Fel d 1 was, for the living room 26.2%, 17%, for the bedroom 20.9%, 15%, for the children's room 20.4%, 10.2%, for the kitchen 16%, 8.7 %, in descending order. CONCLUSION: The positive rate of Can f 1 was higher than Fel d 1 in dust samples. The living room has highest distribution of dust samples among the four sites of a home. And it has similar distribution between Can f 1 and Fel d 1.
Allergens* ; Animals ; Asthma ; Cats* ; Dander ; Dogs* ; Dust ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humidity ; Korea ; Prevalence ; Seoul* ; Skin ; Vacuum ; Volunteers