• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.521-525
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• 2018

Rodents are well-known reservoirs and vectors of many emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, but little is known about their role in zoonotic disease transmission in Bhutan. In this study, a cross-sectional investigation of zoonotic disease pathogens in rodents was performed in Chukha district, Bhutan, where a high incidence of scrub typhus and cases of acute undifferentiated febrile illness had been reported in people during the preceding 4-6 months. Twelve rodents were trapped alive using wire-mesh traps. Following euthanasia, liver and kidney tissues were removed and tested using PCR for Orientia tsutsugamushi and other bacterial and rickettsial pathogens causing bartonellosis, borreliosis, human monocytic ehrlichiosis, human granulocytic anaplasmosis, leptospirosis, and rickettsiosis. A phylogenetic analysis was performed on all rodent species captured and pathogens detected. Four out of the 12 rodents (33.3%) tested positive by PCR for zoonotic pathogens. Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella grahamii, and B. queenslandensis were identified for the first time in Bhutan. Leptospira interrogans was also detected for the first time from rodents in Bhutan. The findings demonstrate the presence of these zoonotic pathogens in rodents in Bhutan, which may pose a risk of disease transmission to humans.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.79-88
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• 2017

The study of canine vector-borne diseases in the Philippines started in the 1970s but only gained interest in the past decade. Characterization of such diseases in the Philippines remains incomplete, thus, it is necessary to obtain additional information on the prevalence and diversity of canine tick-borne diseases in the country. In this study, blood samples were obtained at two veterinary clinics in Metro Manila, Philippines from 114 dogs suspected of having canine tick-borne pathogens. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed on whole blood DNA extracts followed by sequencing, and the following pathogens were detected: Hepatozoon (H.) canis (5.26%), Babesia (B.) vogeli (5.26%), Ehrlichia (E.) canis (4.39%), and Anaplasma platys (3.51%). Additionally, a set of multiplex PCR primers were developed to detect H. canis, Babesia spp. (B. canis and B. vogeli), and E. canis in canine blood. Multiplex and conventional single-reaction PCR results for the 114 dog blood samples were similar, except for one H. canis sample. Multiplex PCR is, therefore, a useful tool in screening infected dogs in veterinary clinics. This study's results, together with those of previous studies in the country, show that canine vector-borne pathogens are an emerging veterinary concern in the Philippines.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.57-60
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• 2014

A six-months-old male Korean domestic shorthair cat was presented with fever, tachypnea, anorexia, and weight loss and admitted to Lee Seung Jin Animal Medical Center. During the routine physical examination, clinical signs such as mild dehydration and jaundice in the sclera were present. The complete blood count (CBC) and serum chemistry result showed anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutrophilia, and hyperbilirubinemia. Radiography revealed hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. Blood smear and microscopic examination showed severe hemolysis and anisocytosis. We sent the blood sample to the Neodin Veterinary Laboratory for PCR analysis to conduct a test to find out Ehlichia, feline hemoplasmas (haemobartonella), feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and anaplasma infection. According to PCR examination, the blood of this cat was positive for feline hemoplasmas (Mycoplasma haemofelis), but negative for other pathogens. The patient was prescribed doxycycline for 4 weeks and prednisolone for 1 week. The free of feline hemoplasmas infection was confirmed by PCR recheck after six months.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.137-142
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• 1995

Anaplasmosis is a tick-borne disease of large and small ruminants, causing losses through mortality, abortion, weight loss and reduced milk production. In one dairy farm, for example, 250 of a total of 800 imported goats were diagnosed with a mysterious type of anemia during the summer and autumn of 1992. The etiologic agent was identified as Anaplasma spp by acridine orange and ultrastructure by electron microscopy. In order to monitor variations in blood biochemical and hematological parameters associated with the disease, blood samples were collected by jugular venipuncture from 50 goats at 3 month intervals between the period of February and October, 1993. The levels of RBCs, HB and HCT decreased from $18.48{\pm}1.96$ to $13.47{\pm}2.48X10^6/mm^3$, $12.25{\pm}1.41$ to $9.54{\pm}1.77g/dl$, and $43.09{\pm}4.75$ to $30.93{\pm}5.78%$, respectively. The values of MCH(Mean corpuscular hemoglobin), MCHC(Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) and PLT(Platelet) were elevated from $6.58{\pm}0.30$ to $7.05{\pm}0.47pg$, $28.40{\pm}1.20$ to $30.82{\pm}1.85g/dl$ and $1688.34{\pm}750$ to $2046.82{\pm}783X10^3/mm^3$, respectively. Percent parasitized erythrocytes(PPE) increased from $0.61{\pm}0.5$ to $2.22{\pm}1.9%$, clinical biochemical parameters aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were $66.64{\pm}23.1K.U$ and $14.90{\pm}6.59K.U$, respectively and persisted at high levels throughout the observation period. The level of albumin(2.46)0.52 g/dl) was decreased corresponding to an elevated globulin and a reduced albumin/globulin ratio in October as compared with the values in February. It is concluded that caprine anaplasmosis may be an important cause of anemia and hepatic malfunction in goats.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.417-419
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• 1994

최근 우리나라는 anaplasmosis 유행 지역으로부터 사슴을 비롯한 반추수를 수입하고 있다. 이처럼 리켓치아성 질환을 비롯한 원충성 질병의 국내 유입 기회가 높아지고 있다. 그러나 사슴에서의 anaplasmosis에 대한 연구보고 예는 접할 수 없었다. 1993년 전라북도의 한 사슴 목장에서는 호주 등지로부터 수입한 250 여두의 사슴에서 빈혈을 수반한 심한 쇄약증세를 나타내는 20마리 사슴의 혈액도말 표본을 Giemsa stain 과 acridine orange stain 방법으로 진단하였던 바, 이 중 8 마리에서 Anaplasma spp가 관찰되었기에 anaplasmosis에 의한 경제적 손실을 최소화하는데 일익을 도모하고자 사슴에서의 anaplasmosis 발병을 보고하는 바이다.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.268-274
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• 2016

Filariasis causing nematode Brugia malayi is shown to harbor wolbachia bacteria as symbionts. The sequenced genome of the wolbachia endosymbiont from B.malayi (wBm) offers an unprecedented opportunity to identify new wolbachia drug targets. Hence the enzyme carbonic anhydrase from wolbachia endosymbiont of Brugia malayi (wBm) which is responsible for the reversible interconversion of carbon dioxide and water to bicarbonate and protons (or vice versa) is chosen as the drug target for filariasis. This enzyme is thought to play critical functions in bacteria by involving in various steps of their life cycle which are important for survival, The 3D structure of wBm carbonic anhydrase is predicted by selecting a suitable template using the similarity search tool, BLAST. The BLAST results shows a hexapeptide transferase family protein from Anaplasma phagocytophilum (PDB ID: 3IXC) having 77% similarity and 54% identity with wBm carbonic anhydrase. Hence the above enzyme is chosen as the template and the 3D structure of carbonic anhydrase is predicted by the tool Modeller9v7. Since the three dimensional structure of carbonic anhydrase from wolbachia endosymbiont of Brugia malayi has not yet solved, attempts were made to predict this protein. The predicted structure is validated and also molecular docking studies are carried out with the suitable inhibitors that have been solved experimentally.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.59 no.5
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• pp.489-496
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• 2021

Ticks can transmit pathogenic bacteria, protozoa, and viruses to humans and animals. In this study, we investigated the microbiomes of Haemaphysalis longicornis according to sex and life stages. The Shannon index was significantly higher for nymphs than adult ticks. Principal coordinates analysis showed that the microbiome composition of female adult and male adult ticks were different. Notably, Coxiella-like bacterium (AB001519), known as a tick symbiont, was found in all nymphs and female adult ticks, but only one out of 4 male adult ticks had Coxiella-like bacterium (AB001519). In addition, Rickettsia rickettsii, Coxiella burnetii, and Anaplasma bovis were detected in this study.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.217-225
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• 2020

This study was conducted to survey pathogens of canine coronavirus (CCV), canine distemper virus (CDV), canine influenza virus (CIV), canine parvovirus (CPV), severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), Dirofilaria (D.) immitis, Giardia and antibodies against Anaplasma (A.) phagocytophilum, Borrelia (B.) burgdorferi, Brucella (B.) canis and Ehrlichia (E.) canis among stray dogs in Gyeonggi province. We collected 271 feces, 291 bloods, 311 nasal and ocular swab samples from 311 of dogs in the Gyeonggi province assistance dogs sharing center from January to December, 2019. Among canine infectious disease pathogens, Giardia was highly detected in 46/271 (17.0%) samples. Subsequently, CCV 10.3% (28/271), D. immitis 8.2% (24/291), CPV 4.1% (11/271), CDV 1.0% (3/311), A. phagocytophilum (antibody) 0.3% (1/291), E. canis (antibody) 0.3% (1/291) were detected. Based on the results, this study is expected to provide a useful reference for disease control and management of stray dogs.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.473-478
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• 1990

This survey was conducted to observe the prevalence of blood parasites in slaughtered cattle included Korean native cattle, Charolias, Hereford, Aberdeenangus and Holstein breeds in the Western area of Kyeongnam. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. The prevalence of T sergenti was shown 71.8% as 395 heads of a total of 550 heads examined and from Jaunary to November the monthly prevalence of T sergenti was shown the range of 61.1% to 84% except 38.5% in December. The other blood parasites included Babesia and Anaplasma were not detected from the blood samples except Setaria spp microfilariae. 2. The distribution of parasitaemia levels of T sergenti in positive cattle was shown 93.9% in the range of 1~10/1000 rbc, 4.1% in 11~20, 1.3% in 21~30 and 0.8% above the range of 31. 3. The pervalence of T sergenti by breeds of slaughtered cattle was shown 71.2% in Korean native cattle, 72.7% in Charolias, 78.3% in Hereford and 81. 8% in others (Aberdeen-angus and Holstein) respectively. Also the parasitaemia levels in these cattle were shown higher levels in imported cattle included Charolias, Hereford, Aberdeen-angus and Holstein breeds comparing with Korean native cattle. 4. The prevalence of Setaria spp microfilariae in slaughtered cattle was shown 6.9% and by monthly prevalence of the parasite was shown higher in March, April and May compared with June, July, August and October. But in the winter season included January, February, November and December the parasite was not detected from the blood samples. 5. The distribution of parasitaemia levels of Setaria spp microfilariae per ml of blood was shown 65.8% in the range of 1~50, 13.2% in 51~100 and 10.5% in 101~200 and above the range of 201, respectively.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2020

Livestock husbandry is vital to economy of the Tarim Basin, Xinjiang Autonomous Region, China. However, there have been few surveys of the distribution of ixodid ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and tick-borne pathogens affecting domestic animals at these locations. In this study, 3,916 adult ixodid ticks infesting domestic animals were collected from 23 sampling sites during 2012-2016. Ticks were identified to species based on morphology, and the identification was confirmed based on mitochondrial 16S and 12S rRNA sequences. Ten tick species belonging to 4 genera were identified, including Rhipicephalus turanicus, Hyalomma anatolicum, Rh. bursa, H. asiaticum asiaticum, and Rh. sanguineus. DNA sequences of Rickettsia spp. (spotted fever group) and Anaplasma spp. were detected in these ticks. Phylogenetic analyses revealed possible existence of undescribed Babesia spp. and Borrelia spp. This study illustrates potential threat to domestic animals and humans from tick-borne pathogens.