• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.120-127
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• 2009

Purpose: The study aimed at monitoring the immune status of health care workers (HCWs) of a tertiary hospital after accidental exposure to Hepatitis B virus (HBV). Methods: Between January 2004 and December 2006, 353 cases of exposure to Hepatitis B virus were reported. The HBV-exposed HCWs were required to undergo follow-up serum tests to analyze their immune status one year after the exposure. The obtained data were then analyzed to determine the incidence of exposure and of sero-conversion. Results: In this hospital, an average of 9.8 cases of Hepatitis B exposure among HCWs was reported in a month. Follow-up tests conducted after exposure revealed that 90.4% of the HBV-exposed HCWs were positive for Hepatitis B antibody and 66.9% of the HBV-exposed HCWs were reported to have antibody levels exceeding 10 mIU/mL. Results of serum tests for the HBV antigen conducted one year after exposure were negative for all the exposed HCWs. Conclusion: Among the 79.6% of the HCWs who underwent serum tests one year after exposure the HBV sero-conversion rate was 0.0%. However, a further investigation in the form of long-term and multi-center studies is required to confirm this result. Furthermore, an active system should be established to ensure that all exposed HCWs undergo follow-up serum tests.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.403-415
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• 1974

The author has investigated epidemiological features of human cases of epidemic encephalitis (E. E.) in the Republic of Korea and the status of antibody requisition in pre-and post-epidemic time. And virological and serological studies with regarding the relationship of E. E. infection between human and piglet, and field survey against its vector by means of virus isolation from mosquitoes were carried out. Finally, vaccine field trial against human population has also been evaluated in order to confirm its effectiveness. The results of the studies are summarized as follows : 1. The annual incidence of reported cases during the past 25 years (1949-1973) in the Republic of Korea has shown two patterns, one was typical cyclic incidence and the other one was irregular. Annual average morbidity and mortality rate per 100,000 population were 5.7 and 2.1 and fatality rate was 34.6% in typical cyclic years. 2. With regard to the geographical distribution of E. E., the province of Jeolla-Bug-Do illustrated the highest incidence regardless of the epidemic size. 3. The main epidemic period was between mid-August and mid-September (above 90% of the total number of cases). The first case was reported in middle of July and the epidemic ceased in late of October. 4. An analysis of the age distribution of cases of E. E., has shown that above 90% of the total cases occurred in the age groups under 14 years and it was noted that about its 54% were occurred in the age groups between 5-9 years group. 5. Through the Haemagglutination Inhibition (H-I) test for the laboratory diagnosis of E. E., it was found that higher H-I antibody titer was usually detected in the convalescent phase, 15 days after onset. 6. The H-I antibody survey against 563 healthy population by age groups during the pre-epidemic season showed that 422(75%) were less than H-I titer, 1:20 and 122(21.7%) were positive H-I titer, 1:20. Among the 94 American in Seoul who had not been in E. E. endemic area previously only one person had appeared sero-conversion as a H-I titer of 1:80 after post-epidemic season. 7. The E. E. virus could be isolated from the mosquitos pools-C, tritaeniorhyncus which were caught between late July and middle August. 8. E.E. Virus was also isolated from piglet blood on early August and H-I antibody conversion was occurred mostly on middle of August. 9. H-I antibody sero-conversion rate reached to high level when vaccine purified by mouse brain tissue inoculated, showing 98.9%. Higher antibody titer was acquired when booster inoculation was performed, Four fold rise of H-I add N-T antibodies was confirmed with 93.2% and 82.1% respectively.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.333-341
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• 1990

To investigate bovine leukosis virus (BLV) infection in the cattle rearing in a dairy farm where a case of bovine lymphosarcoma had been identified several years ago, the 196 Holstein cattle including newborn calves to 12 years of age were tested. The BLV antibody test and peripheral lymphocyte count for bovine leukosis were carried out by the immunodiffusion (ID) test and Bendixen's Kep. These tests were performed 2 to 4 times at the interval of 3 to 5 months. The observed results were as follows: 1. The positive rates of BLV-antibody in the 1st, the 2nd, the 3rd and the 4th tests were 23.3%, 28.1%, 49.0% and 55.7%, respectively. The conversion rates from negative to positive in the 2nd, the 3rd and the 4th tests were 8.9%, 41.4%, and 20.0%, respectively. Results showed that the highest conversion rate was observed at the 3rd test which was conducted after winter. The highest positive rate by ID test were observed in 4 year old cattle in the 1st and 2nd tests, and in 2 year old herd in the 3rd and 4th tests. 2. In hematological test by Bendixen's Key, the positive and suspicious rates in the 1st, the 2nd, the 3rd and the 4th tests were 5.8 and 7.8%, 8.3 and 6.6%, 8.7 and 10.1%, 10.8 and 19.6% respectively. Results showed that the positive and. suspicious rates increased in course of time. 3. 70 to 100% of the positive cattle in hematological test were positive for BLV-antibody test. All of 13 cattle with persistent lymphocytosis (PL) were also positive for BLV-antibody, indicating the high relationship between PL and BLV-antibody. 4. The number of total leukocytes and absolute lymphocytes in the BLV-antibody positive cattle appeared significantly higher than those of the negative cattle. The markedly increased cell counts were observed in the cattle over one year old. 5. The mean of total leukocytes and absolute lymphocytes in the negative cattle for BLV-antibody increased slightly after sero-conversion into positive. 6. In the clinical examinations during experimental periods, none of the 72 positive cattle for BLV-antibody showed any lesions for bovine leukosis.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.23 no.1 s.29
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• pp.57-64
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• 1990

Since the reservoir of leptospires organism is consisted of a broad spectrum of animals, the best method of prevention is vaccination. The clinical trial of leptospires vaccine conducted on human volunteer for its immunogenicity and safety. Summarized results are as following : 1. The Oral temperature among vaccinated group ranged from $36.7{\pm}0.46^{\circ}C\;to\;37.0{\pm}0.34^{\circ}C$, while in placebo injected group it ranged from $36.4{\pm}0.46^{\circ}C\;to\;36.7{\pm}0.53^{\circ}C$. There was no association between vaccination and fever (p>0.05) 2. Mild local reactions revealed in vaccinees were swelling (50-75% ), Redness($75{\sim}90%$), and induration ($25{\sim}40%$). Placebo injected group revealed only redness in 12.5% in 1st injection and 37.5% in second injection. The duration local reactions on injection site for th vaccinees and place groups disappeared within 48 hours. 3. Generalized Symptoms complained by the vaccinees were myalgia (25%), back pain(15%), headache (15%), pruritus(15%), and abdominal pain(10%), whereas placebo group complained of headache (25%), myalgia(12.5%), back pain(12.5%), pain in eyes(12.5%), abdominal pain(12.5%) pruritus (12.5%) and nausea(12.5%). 4. The serological test(MAT) of vaccinees showed geometric mean antibody titer as follows : a. L. icterohemorrhagiae lai 1 week after 1st vaccination : 22.45 1 week after 2nd vaccination : 111.23 3 week after 2nd vaccination : 266.64 b. L. canicola canicola 1 week after 1st vaccination : 24.62 1 week after 2nd vaccination : 123.92 3 week after 2nd vaccination : 276.55 c. L. icterohemorrhagiae copenhageni 1 week after 1st vaccination : 28.28 1 week after 2nd vaccination : 128.55 3 week after 2nd vaccination : 247.88 Whereas all of the place injected group showed below 1:20 titers. The sero-conversion rate of vaccinees were 100 percent.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.78-84
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• 2015

Although researches have highlighted the important role of enhanced farm biosecurity to reduce the severity and prevalence of diseases in livestock, to date there has been little study in Korea on farmers' adoption of biosecurity measures to control porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection. To mitigate the risk of PRRSV infection in pigs, the risk factors by which PRRSV is introduced in pig farms must be determined. The primary aim of this study was to investigate pig producers' perceptions about on-farm biosecurity practices. We also analyzed data obtained from a cross-sectional study on 196 farrow-to-finish farms conducted between March 2013 and February 2014 to identify risk factors for PRRSV infection at farm level. Standardized questionnaires with information about basic demographical data and management practices were collected in each farm by on-site visit of trained veterinarians. Farms were classified as negative or positive through the use of infection profiles that combined data on PCR positive pigs and serological testing including antibody titer, sero-conversion pattern at each age category, and vaccination status. Data on biosecurity practices, farm management and environmental characteristics were analyzed using multivariate ordinal logistic regression. Generally, the biosecurity level in the pig farms included in this study were insufficient to reduce/prevent the risk of PRRSV infection given the high pig density areas and the considerable extent of vehicle movement. Factors associated with PRRSV infection were those where owners used on-farm vaccination programs had a lower risk of infection (OR = 0.19, 95% CI 0.06-0.61). The results from the analysis may guide to tailor biosecurity measures in the reduction or prevention of PRRS to the specific circumstances of pig farms in different localities of the world. To the best knowledge of the authors, this is the first study to report information on the biosecurity practices currently implemented on Korean pig farms.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.379-388
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• 2013

Avian paramyxovirus (APMV) type 4 and 6 were isolated during an avian influenza (AI) surveillance program of wild birds. This study also conducted experimental infection of wild-bird-origin APMV type 4 and 6 in specific pathogen free (SPF) chickens to study pathogenicity and transmission within domestic flocks. In addition, serological prevalence data of APMV type 4 and 6 in domestic fowls was conducted with chicken sera collected from 2007 to 2009 in order to understand infection status. The results of the animal experiment showed that APMV type 4 and 6 had the ability to infect chickens with sero-conversion and to transmit the virus from infected birds to contacted birds, but showed low pathogenicity. Serological tests revealed that APMV type 4 was widespread in the poultry industry, especially in layer flocks, but the positive rate for APMV type 6 was very low. This study concluded that wild bird-origin APMV type 4 and 6 could infect the chickens by inter-species transmission and the seroprevalence of APMV type 4 was quite high in Korean poultry. However, since almost all the chicken flocks had a high level of antibody titer against APMV type 1, there was possibility of cross reaction between APMV type 1 and 4, which made the interpretations more complicated. In order to understand infection status in the natural environment, additional study is necessary regarding the seroprevalence of APMV type 4 and 6 in the wild bird population.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.324-329
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• 2015

The primary aim of this study was to investigate biosecurity practices in pig farms and to determine the major risk factors associated with PCV2 infection for a sampled swine population in Korea. To this end, we analyzed data from a cross-sectional study of 296 farrow-to-finish farms, which was conducted between March and September 2014 to explore the prevalence of swine disease at farm level. Face-to-face interviews by on-site visit of trained veterinarians were conducted with the farm owners or managers using a standardized questionnaires with information about basic demographical data and management practices. Farms were classified as negative or positive through the use of infection profiles that combined data on serological testing including PCR antigen test result, antibody titer and sero-conversion pattern at each age category taking into account vaccination status. Data were analyzed using multivariate ordinal logistic regression. Results from this study indicated that biosecurity level of the farms was considered not good given low compliance of the biosecurity programs and facilities in the farm: off-site removal of dead stocks (7%), off-site location of storage facility for incoming feeds (12.6%), off-site pick-up location for finishers (19.3%), restrictions on feed supplier vehicles for farm entrance (19.6%), restriction of finisher trucks entering the farm (22.4%), and restriction on manure disposal trucks entering the farm (26.4%). In the final model (n = 255), allowance of finisher truck driver to the pig unit had increased risk of infection (OR = 2.4, 95% CI 1.22-4.67) whereas farms with a sign forbidding the entrance had decreased risk of infection (OR = 0.19, 95% CI 0.10-0.58). Further comprehensive research with larger sample size is required to better understand the multifactorial characteristic that some predisposing risk factors that were not available in this study. To the best knowledge of the authors, this was the first study to use empirical data to report risk factors associated with PCV2 infection in the Korean pig farms. Results from the current study could be used to decide optimal biosecurity measures to reduce the impact of PCV2 infection to farmers and policy makers.