• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.46-51
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• 2011

To examine the seroprevalence of Neospora caninum (N. caninum) infections in cattle raised at farms where an abortion had previously occurred in Gongju city and Yeongi-gun of Chungnam Province, 280 head of cattle from six farms were examined by ELISA. Thirty-two pregnant cattle from four farms were examined to determine the abortion rate in N. caninum-infected pregnant cattle and the infection pattern in newborn calves. The six farms where the abortions had previously occurred demonstrated positive reactions to N. caninum. Although the mean seropositive rate of the six farms was 17.5%, the range of seropisitivity was 3.4-57.1% due to the difference in seroprevalence between farms. The general pattern of seropositivity in cows was higher than in heifers. In addition, the abortion rate of N. caninumpositive in 18 out of 32 pregnant dams raised in four farms was 16.7%. The seroprevalence of newborn calves from N. caninum-positive pregnant animals differed according to the farm but was 86.7% overall. In contrast, 14 newborn calves from the N. caninum-negative pregnant cattle showed negative responses. This suggests that N. caninum is endemic and occurs through vertical transmission from chronically-infected dams. Therefore, aborted dams should be discarded.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.129-135
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• 1997

Serum samples from 123 males and 123 females collected by age in 1996 were analyzed for antibodies against surface antigen of Hepatitis B virus and C22-3, C200 antigens of Hepatitis C virus. Sera from the children under the age of 10 showed 30% seropositivity to the surface antigen of Hepatitis B virus, 33.3% in $10{\sim}19$ year group, 20% in $20{\sim}29$ year group, 17.6% in $30{\sim}39$ year group, 3.3% in $40{\sim}49$ year group, 5.9% in $50{\sim}59$ year group, 8,3% in $60{\sim}69$ year group, 2.9% in $70{\sim}79$ year group, but antibody could not found in $80{\sim}86$ year group. 12 out of 123 male sera were positive, 19 out of 123 female sera were positive and overall rate of positivity of antibody against surface antigen of Hepatitis B virus was 12.6%. Serum samples from peoples under the age of 30 had not antibody against C22-3, C200 antigens of Hepatitis C virus. The positivity rate was 2.9% in $30{\sim}39$ year group. 5 out of 30 sera from $40{\sim}49$ year age group were positive, and 3 positive sera showed extremely high titer (1:524,288) but the titers of two remaining sera were 1:32, 1:8,192 respectively. 5.9% was positive in $50{\sim}59$ year group, 8.3% in $60{\sim}69$ year group, 11.8% in $70{\sim}79$ year group but all negative in $80{\sim}86$ year group 6 out of 123 male sera were positive (4.9%), 9 out of 123 female sera were positive (7.3%). Overall rate of positivity of antibody against C22-3, C200 antigen of Hepatitis C virus was 6.1 %. None out of 246 sera had both antibodies against Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis C virus.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.169-175
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• 2015

The relationship between anti-Plasmodium vivax circumsporozoite protein (CSP) antibody levels and the prevalence of malaria in epidemic areas of South Korea was evaluated. Blood samples were collected from inhabitants of Gimpo-si (city), Paju-si, and Yeoncheon-gun (county) in Gyeonggi-do (province), as well as Cheorwon-gun in Gangwon-do from November to December 2004. Microscopic examinations were used to identify malaria parasites. ELISA was used to quantitate anti-circumsporozoite protein (CSP) antibodies against P. vivax. A total of 1,774 blood samples were collected. The overall CSP-ELISA-positive rate was 7.7% (n=139). The annual parasite incidences (APIs) in these areas gradually decreased from 2004 to 2005 (1.09 and 0.80, respectively). The positive rate in Gimpo (10.4%, 44/425) was the highest identified by CSP-ELISA. The highest API was found in Yeoncheon, followed by Cheorwon, Paju, and Gimpo in both years. The positive rates of CSP-ELISA were closely related to the APIs in the study areas. These results suggest that seroepidemiological studies based on CSP may be helpful in estimating the malaria prevalence in certain areas. In addition, this assay can be used to establish and evaluate malaria control and eradication programs in affected areas.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.11
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• pp.1165-1171
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• 2008

Purpose : This study aimed to identify the true extent of non-responsiveness in full-term infants born from HBsAg-negative or HBsAg-positive mothers and vaccinated against hepatitis B virus (HBV) at 0, 1, and 6 months of age and to evaluate the effect of revaccination among non-responders. Methods : The study included 716 full-term infants born in 2004-2007. Of 716, 662 infants (A group) were born to HBsAg-negative mothers and 54 infants (B group: 50, except HBsAg-positive infants) were born to HBsAg-positive mothers. All infants were administered DNA recombinant vaccines at 0, 1, and 6 months of age. B group infants received hepatitis B immunoglobulin at birth. Anti-HBs titers were tested at 7-12 and 9-15 months in A and B groups, respectively. Three revaccination doses were administered to non-responders whose anti-HBs titers were under 10 mIU/ml; revaccinated infants were retested at 1-3 months after last vaccination. The association between HBeAg seropositivity of mother and the failure of HBV immunoprophylaxis was evaluated. Results : The seroconversion rates after primary hepatitis B vaccination were higher in A group (94.1%) than in B group (78%, P<0.001). The seroconversion rates were high in revaccinated infants (A group non-responders: 96.9%, B group non-responders: 87.5%). The failure of HBV immunoprophylaxis was significantly associated with maternal HBeAg seropositivity (P<0.001). Conclusion : The seroconversion rates after primary hepatitis B vaccination were low in B group infants. Revaccination of non-responders in B group was very effective. Therefore, anti-HBs testing and revaccination of B group is very important. Revaccination of non-responders in A group was also very effective. Thus, testing the immune status of infants born to HBsAg-negative mothers even after primary hepatitis B vaccination should be considered. However, to realize this, further studies on the cost-effectiveness of anti-HBs testing in healthy full-term infants are necessary.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.147-150
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• 2014

Q-fever is a vector-borne (Coxiella [C.] burnetii) zoonotic disease that is an increasing public health concern. To date, some research about Q-fever prevalence in dairy herds and human patients has been reported in Korea, but information about Korean native cattle is scarce. To measure the prevalence rates of C. burnetii in Korean native cattle, a total of 1,095 bovine serum samples collected during 2010~2013 were analyzed with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Sixty-eight heads of cattle were diagnosed as positive and while 19 heads were suspected (positive rate = 6.2%). Interestingly, Jeju province had a seropositivity rate six times greater than that of other provinces (18.9% vs. 3.2%). High seroprevalence might be caused by wide distribution of ticks in Jeju province compared to other regions. Based on these data, extensive monitoring of C. burnetii infection in cattle, tick distribution, and climate changes is required.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.129-135
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• 2002

Objective : The primary objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HBsAg-positives in the late 1990's among Korean adults. In addition, we evaluated the association of age, a residential area, a vaccination rate, a family history of chronic liver diseases and a past history of acute liver disease with the seropositivity of HBsAg, and estimated the prevalence of chronic HBV infection by follow-up for 6 month or more. Methods : A total of 10 areas, six metropolitan and four small cities, were selected. In each cities, one health screening center was selected for recruitment of study subjects. The study subjects were enrolled from a general health examination program that is provided by medical insurance companies. Questionnaires on various risk factors were administered to the study subjects. Sera was drawn and tested for HBsAg by radioimmunoassay. HBeAg and ALT were also tested for those of HBsAg positive. The HBsAg positives was retest for HBsAg 6 months later Results : Among the study subjects (n= 1816), the seroprevalence of HBsAg was 5.5% (95% CI=4.5%-6.6%), 7.4% in men (95% CI=5.8-9.4) and 3.6% in women (95% CI=2.5-5.0). A past history of acute liver disease and a family history of chronic liver diseases was shown to be risk factors for HBsAg positivity. Among the 31 HBsAg-positives, negative seroconversion rate was estimated to be 3.2%, Thus, prevalence of chronic HBV infection was estimated to be 5.3% (95% CI=3.7-6.6). Conclusion : In this study, the HBsAg seroprevalence rate was lower than that of the other studies in 1980's, particularly in young adult and women. Considering the public health importance of liver cancer and chronic liver diseases, the further effort is needed to prevent and reduce the HBV infection.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.251-256
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• 2000

There have been some reports about the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibody among Koreans, and most of all data were taken from patients visiting hospitals. However, the epidemiological data of the community-based study in Korea are rare. This study was performed to evaluate the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among the inhabitants of the rural area Okcheon-gun, Korea. A total of 1,109 serum samples (499 males, 610 females) were examined for the IgG antibodies by ELISA. To set up the cut-off point for ELISA, we used a commercial latex agglutination (LA) kit. The sensitivity and specificity of ELISA against LA test were 89.5%, and 98.6% respectively. Among 1,109 sera, 6.9% showed seropositivity by ELISA. The positive rates of males and females were 6.0% and 7.2%, respectively. However, there were no significant differences between sexes. Comparing the age groups, the highest seropositive rate showed in the seventies or higher, and their rates had a tendency to increase with age (0.05 < p < 0.3). These results revealed that the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in rural inhabitants is similar to previous reports in Korea; however we need further investigation to clarify the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in the general population.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.271-279
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• 2000

Objectives : To assess the seroprevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis in high school students in Cheju Province, Korea. Methods : A total of 4,570 high school students from 18 schools in Cheju Province were investigated for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies(IgG) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Risk factors for toxoplasmosis, such as place of residence, type of house, contact with cats and other pets, and rare meat consumption, were examined by questionnaire. Results . The overall antibody positive rate was 5.5% and ranged from 2.6 to 11.5% by school. There was no significant difference between males and females. Statistical analyses of the questionnaire data indicated that the risk factors for seropositivity were: (1) birth place (Cheju/others), (2) place of residence (rural/urban), (3) dietary habits (vegetarian/non vegetarian), (4) eating rare meat, (5) exposure to pets and (6) hepatitis B. Conclusion : We confirmed that the prevalence of the anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibody in a population of high school students in Cheju Province was to the previously reported prevalence.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.3
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• pp.257-260
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• 2011

A 65-year-old woman was admitted due to poor oral intake and a dry cough over the previous 3 months. The physical examination was remarkable for bibasilar crackles, and plain chest radiography showed reticulation in both lower lung fields. A pulmonary function test demonstrated a restrictive pattern with a reduced diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide. High resolution computed tomography showed reticulation and honey-combing in both peripheral lung zones, which was consistent with usual interstitial pneumonia pattern. Her skin showed livedo reticularis. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein level were elevated, and hematuria was noted on urinary analysis. A serologic test for auto-antibodies showed seropositivity for Myeloperoxidase-Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA). A kidney biopsy was performed and showed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. She was diagnosed as having pulmonary fibrosis with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and treated with high dose steroids. Here we report a case of pulmonary fibrosis coexistent with microscopic polyangiitis.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.287-290
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• 2018

Anaplasmosis is a tick-borne, non-contagious, zoonotic disease caused by Anaplasma spp., which include Anaplasma marginale, A. centrale, A. phagocytophilum, A. platys, A. ovis, and A. bovis. Recently, in Korea, the prevalence of Anaplasma spp. has been investigated in some animals, such as dogs, horses, goats, cats, and Korean water deer. In cattle, A. marginale is the most virulent species and regarded as the typical type of species. However, data on the seroprevalence of Anaplasma spp. in cattle in Korea during the last decade is limited. This study was designed to investigate the seroprevalence of bovine anaplasmosis in Korea. From 2010 to 2013, blood samples were collected from 568 cattle. Forty animals (7.0%) tested seropositive for Anaplasma spp. by cELISA. Despite that current bovine anaplasmosis seropositivity rate in the Gyeongsangbuk-do is lower than those in tropical countries, anaplasmosis needs to be regarded as a concerning disease. The identification of the specific Anaplasma species infecting cattle in this province requires additional molecular studies. Moreover, further monitoring and control programs for bovine anaplasmosis is required, and the information from this study will be beneficial to develop these programs.