• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.305-316
• /
• 2022

Bordetella (B.) bronchiseptica, Mycoplasma (M.) felis, and Chlamydia (C.) felis are considered as main bacterial pathogens of feline upper respiratory tract disease (URTD). In this study, a new triplex quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (tqPCR) assay was developed for the rapid and differential detection of these bacteria in a single reaction. The assay specifically amplified three bacterial genes with the detection limit of below 10 copies/reaction. The assay showed high repeatability and reproducibility, with coefficients of intra-assay and inter-assay variation of less than 1%. Based on the diagnostic results of the assay using 94 clinical samples obtained from cats with URTD signs, prevalence of B. bronchiseptica, M. felis, or C. felis was 10.6%, 36.2%, or 6.4%, respectively, indicating that the diagnostic sensitivity was comparable to those of previously reported monoplex qPCR assays. The dual infection rates for B. bronchiseptica and M. felis or M. felis and C. felis was 2.1% or 3.2%, respectively. These results indicated that M. felis has been widely spread, and its co-infection with B. bronchiseptica or M. felis has been frequently occurred in Korean cat population. The developed tqPCR assay will serve as a promising tool for etiological and epidemiological studies of these three bacterial pathogens and the prevalence data obtained in this study will contribute to expanding knowledge about the epidemiology of feline URTD in Korea.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.273-275
• /
• 2018

A 6-month-old male cat was presented for investigation of depression, loss of appetite, dehydration, pale conjunctival mucous membrane, weight loss, fast heart and respiratory rates, nasal discharge and cough. Nasal swabs collected from the studied cat. As the results of bacterial culture with nasal swabs, it was suspected with Mycoplasma spp. Also, Mycoplasma species was detected by the PCR reaction with Mycoplasma genus primers. At species PCR assay, the specimens evaluated for the presence of M. felis, M. arginini, M. gateae, and Acholeplasma laidlawii and the result was visualization of bands from 238 bp in agarose gel 1.5% showing M. felis amplicons in samples. In conclusion, we detected M. felis in a cat with respiratory disease. PCR was able to detect successfully M. felis infection in cats.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.31-36
• /
• 2015

Two cats were obtained from a cat kennel. Over the previous 7 days, the cats had shown cough, anorexia, depression and nasal discharge. In this study, the consensus PCR was able to detect successfully Mycoplasma species in nasal swab samples of the cats. To identify feline mycoplasma species from the lung tissue of the cats with pneumonia, Mycoplasma species-specific PCR reactions were conducted. As the results, we could identify M. felis by the positive amplified DNAs. On the other hand, we could not detect any positive reactions with the PCR reaction for M. arginini, M. canis, M. edwardii, M. cynos, M. gateae, M. maculosum, M. molared, M. opalescens, M. spumans and Mycoplasma HRC-689. In conclusion, we detected M. felis from the kenneled cats with pneumonia. We suggested that this consensus PCR would be useful and effective for monitoring Mycoplasma species in various kinds of animals including cats. The application of preceding consensus PCR before the species-specific PCRs may be the most recommended strategy for the identification of Mycoplasma spp.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.45 no.3
• /
• pp.145-153
• /
• 2022

Pathogens such as feline herpesvirus, feline calicivirus, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Chlamydia felis, Mycoplasma felis and Pasteurella multocida usually cause feline upper respiratory tract disease (URTD). Real-time PCR was used to analyze the detection and prevalence of the most common respiratory pathogens in cats with (n=69) and without respiratory signs (n=31). Pathogens were detected in 53 cats, divided into 37 (69.8%) with a single pathogen, 15 (28.3%) with two pathogens, and 1 (1.9%) with three pathogens. M. felis had the highest detection rate in 29 (42.0%) cats, P. multocida was detected in 18 (26.1%), FHV in 10 (14.5%), FCV in 7 (10.1%), B. bronchiseptica in 3 (4.3%), and C. felis in 2 (2.9%). M. felis was the most frequently detected pathogen in cats living outdoors without vaccination. Of the 37 cats infected with single pathogen, nasal discharge was observed in 13 (35.1%), ocular signs in 6 (16.2%), drooling in 5 (13.5%), dyspnea in 3 (8.1%), and asymptomatic in 10 (27.0%). In 51 outdoor and 49 indoor cats, pathogens were detected in 35 (68.6%) and 18 (36.7%) cats, respectively. Of the 29 cats infected with M. felis, 22 (75.9%) showed respiratory signs, and 7 (24.1%) were healthy. In the age of the 53 positive cats, 10 (18.9%) were under the age of 1 year, 26 (49.1%) were aged 1~3 years, and 17 (32.1%) were aged 3 years or older. Although the number of cats in the study was small, the results can provide valuable data on the prevalence of URTD in Korean cats.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.133-138
• /
• 2010

Infection status of intestinal flukes was investigated in residents of Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do, the Republic of Korea. Total 1,257 fecal samples of residents were examined by formalin-ether sedimentation technique and Kato-Katz thick smear method. Helminth eggs were detected from 95 (7.6%) residents, and eggs of heterophyid flukes and Clonorchis sinensis were found from 62 (4.9%) and 40 (3.2%) cases, respectively. The larger heterophyid eggs, somewhat darkbrown in color and $37.7{\times}21.5{\mu}m$ in average size, and found in 32 (2.6%) out of 62 egg positive cases of heterophyid flukes. To confirm the adult flukes, we performed worm recovery from 12 cases after praziquantel treatment and purgation with $MgSO_4$. A total of 1,281 adult flukes, assigned to 7 species, were recovered from 9 cooperative cases. Heterophyes nocens (total 981 specimens) was collected from 9 cases, Stictodora fuscata (80) from 7, Gymnophalloides seoi (75) from 5, Pygidiopsis summa (140) from 3, Stellantchasmus falcatus (3) from 2, and Stictodora lari and Acanthotrema felis (each 1 worm) from 1 case each. The intrauterine eggs of S. fuscata collected from the recovered worm were identical with the larger heterophyid eggs detected in the stool examination. By the present study, it was confirmed that A. felis is a new intestinal fluke infecting humans, and residents in Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do are infected with variable species of intestinal trematodes.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.94 no.2 s.159
• /
• pp.112-116
• /
• 2005

This study was conducted to obtain the information of distribution, protection and management for mammal species in fragmented forest areas around the road from June 2002 to May 2003 in 9 study sites of Baekdugdaegan mountains, Korea. Field signs of twelve mammals, moles Molera robusta, Korean hares Lepus coreanus, Manchurian chipmunk Tamias sibiricus, red squirrels Sciurus vulgaris, Korean racoon dogs Nyctereutes procyonoides, Siberian weasels Mustela sibirica, badgers Meles meles, otters Lutra lutra, Bengal cats Felis bengalensis, wild boars Sus scrofa, water deer Hydropotes inermis and roe deer Capreolus pygargus were recorded in this study. There were no differences in total number of species between 50 m areas and 50-100 m areas from road in snow and non-snow season. Number of mammals' field signs were different in non-snow season between both areas. Red squirrels and Siberian weasels were more abundant in 50 m areas, and Korean hares and Manchurian chipmunks were in 50-100 m areas. Habitat using pattern of mammal species may be affected by the road. Reasonable road construction and maintenance would be needed for protection and management of wildlife and their habitats.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.38.1-38.12
• /
• 2023

Background: Poor disease management and irregular vector control could predispose sheltered animals to disease such as feline Bartonella infection, a vector-borne zoonotic disease primarily caused by Bartonella henselae. Objectives: This study investigated the status of Bartonella infection in cats from eight (n = 8) shelters by molecular and serological approaches, profiling the CD4:CD8 ratio and the risk factors associated with Bartonella infection in shelter cats. Methods: Bartonella deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was detected through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer gene, followed by DNA sequencing. Bartonella IgM and IgG antibody titre, CD4 and CD8 profiles were detected using indirect immunofluorescence assay and flow cytometric analysis, respectively. Results: B. henselae was detected through PCR and sequencing in 1.0% (1/101) oral swab and 2.0% (1/50) cat fleas, while another 3/50 cat fleas carried B. clarridgeiae. Only 18/101 cats were seronegative against B. henselae, whereas 30.7% (31/101) cats were positive for both IgM and IgG, 8% (18/101) cats had IgM, and 33.7% (34/101) cats had IgG antibody only. None of the eight shelters sampled had Bartonella antibody-free cats. Although abnormal CD4:CD8 ratio was observed in 48/83 seropositive cats, flea infestation was the only significant risk factor observed in this study. Conclusions: The present study provides the first comparison on the Bartonella spp. antigen, antibody status and CD4:CD8 ratio among shelter cats. The high B. henselae seropositivity among shelter cats presumably due to significant flea infestation triggers an alarm of whether the infection could go undetectable and its potential transmission to humans.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.27.1-27.12
• /
• 2024

Background: A urethral obstruction (UO) is an emergency commonly observed in male cats, which can result in significant clinical and laboratory alterations, leading to complications and death. Objectives: This study aimed to correlate symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) with the urea, creatinine, potassium, and bicarbonate levels in cats with UO. In addition, the correlation between clinical score and time of obstruction was evaluated. Methods: Thirty male cats were selected and allocated into a control group (CG, n = 13) and an obstruction group (OG, n = 17). The laboratory analyses were conducted before treatment (M0) and at different times after treatment (12 h [M12], 24 h [M24], and 48 h [M48]). Correlations were established between SDMA and creatinine, urea, bicarbonate, potassium, time of obstruction, and the clinical score. Results: A strong correlation (r > 0.6) was observed between SDMA and creatinine, urea, and potassium in the OG. Furthermore, there was substantial agreement (kappa value) between SDMA and creatinine at M24. A higher clinical score was associated with a longer time of obstruction. In the OG, at M48, the SDMA and creatinine levels were 50% and 41.2% higher, respectively. Conclusions: A correlation was observed between SDMA and creatinine in obstructed cats, and significant agreement between these values was observed 24 h after the unblocking treatment. A correlation among SDMA, urea, and potassium was observed. Approximately 9% more cats continued to have elevated SDMA levels after 48 h of treatment compared to creatinine. This suggests a slightly lower sensitivity of the latter biomarker but does not exclude the possibility of congruent and normalized values after a longer evaluation period.