• 한국동물위생학회지
• /
• 제24권2호
• /
• pp.109-116
• /
• 2001

This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence rate for rabies antibody (PRRA) of dogs near the Pukhansan National Park and in some other districts in Seoul Metropolitan city. From April to July 2000, a total of 414 serum samples were taken from dogs for breeding (92), pet dogs (162), and unclaimed/stray dogs (162). Rabies virus antibodies were detected by neutralizing peroxidase-linked assay (NPLA). Of 414 sera tested, 145 (35%) were positive to rabies virus antibody. PRRA in Pukhansan National Park area and in the other districts of Seoul city were 34.8% and 35.4%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the prevalence rate between these two districts. PRRA in pet dogs, unclaimed/stray dogs, and dogs for breeding were 39.5%, 35%, and 27.2% respectively. PRRA in dogs from residential areas, apartments, animal hospitals, and farms were 32.5%, 60%, 35.3%, and 26.7% respectively. Especially, the dogs reared in apartments had a significantly higher seroprevalence (60%) than those in residential or farm areas. PRRA in less than 1 year, 1~<2 years, 2~<3 years, and over 3 years old dogs were 14.7%, 40.4%, 38.4%, and 53% respectively, and overall 35% in the dog population. In addition, we found that dogs less than 1 year of age had lower antibody prevalence than those over 1 year of age. It was concluded that enhancement of vaccination is important in the prevention of the rabies, and that rabies vaccines should not be less supplied than the population of the dog.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• 제51권3호
• /
• pp.357-361
• /
• 2013

Several epidemiological surveys have reported the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in stray cats in Korea, but little information is available on T. gondii infection in household cats. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors of T. gondii infection among household cats reared in Seoul, Korea. A total of 474 blood samples were collected from clinically healthy household cats. All samples were tested using ELISA and PCR. The risk factor analysis was based on a questionnaire filled out by the owners. The overall positive rate for ELISA and PCR assays was 2.2% (10/437) and 2.1% (10/474), respectively. With regard to the origin of cats, the positive rates among cats adopted from the animal shelter and veterinary clinic for stray cats were significantly different (P<0.05). Our study demonstrated that the positive rate of T. gondii infection in household cats was low and that this low prevalence was assumed to be associated with keeping the cats indoors and restriction of eating raw food and uncooked meat. Therefore, we suggest that the owners check the origin of the cats prior to adoption to prevent infection of other animals, including humans.

• 한국동물위생학회지
• /
• 제37권3호
• /
• pp.197-202
• /
• 2014

Dirofilaria immitis infection is one of the most important parasitic diseases in dogs and public health. It often elicits nodules in the pulmonary parenchyma and in the subcutaneous tissues of human. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of D. immitis infection among 754 dogs in Seoul area from April to December 2012. The infection rate of 754 dogs was 9.8% (74/754) by the antigen test (canine SNAP 4Dx). The infection rates of D. immitis in dogs at the age of < 2, 2~4, 5~7, 8~10, and > 10 years were 3.7% (7/189), 12.9% (30/233), 15.0% (19/127), 9.8% (18/184), and 0% (0/21), respectively. The infection rates in the female and male dogs were 9.7% (33/340) and 9.9% (41/414), respectively. The regional infection rates in northern and southern Han river region of Seoul were 10.7% (44/410) and 8.7% (30/344), respectively. In order to confirm D. immitis infection, we performed PCR on serum samples of 74 dogs which tested positive for D. immitis antigen by the antigen test and we detected a specific gene ITS-2 in 59 serum samples. In conclusion, this study suggests that treatment and preventive care on the D. immitis infection should be considered in dogs of Seoul area.

• 대한수의학회지
• /
• 제54권1호
• /
• pp.39-48
• /
• 2014

The prevalence of thermophilic Campylobacter (C.) spp. in stray, breeding, and household dogs was 25.2, 12.0, and 8.8%, respectively. C. jejuni and C. upsaliensis were the predominant Campylobacter spp. from household dogs. cdtA, cdtB, and cdtC were detected by PCR in all isolates. Despite the high cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) gene prevalence, only 26 (31%) C. jejuni strains and one (15.3%) C. coli strain showed evidence of CDT production in HEp-2 cell cytotoxicity assays. Virulence-associated genes detected in the C. jejuni and C. coli isolates were cadF, dnaJ, flaA, racR, ciaB, iamA, pldA, virB11, ceuE, and docC. cadF, dnaJ, flaA, and ceuE were found in all C. jejuni and C. coli isolates. When detecting Guillain-Barr$\acute{e}$ syndrome-associated genes (galE, cgtB, and wlaN), galE was identified in all isolates. However, cgtB and wlaN were more prevalent in C. jejuni isolates from humans than those from dogs. Adherence and invasion abilities of the C. jejuni and C. coli strains were tested in INT-407 cells. A considerable correlation (adjusted $R^2$= 0.678) existed between adherence and invasion activities of the Campylobacter spp. isolates.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• 제53권4호
• /
• pp.477-481
• /
• 2015

Giardia is a major public health concern and considered as reemerging in industrialized countries. The present study investigated the prevalence of giardiosis in 202 sheltered dogs using PCR. The infection rate was 33.2% (67/202); Gyeongsangbuk-do and Daejeon showed 25.7% (39/152, P<0.0001) and 56% (28/50), respectively. The prevalence of infected female dogs (46.7%, P<0.001) was higher than in male dogs (21.8%). A higher prevalence (43.5%, P<0.0001) was observed in mixed breed dogs than purebred (14.1%). Although most of the fecal samples collected were from dogs of ${\geq}1$ year of age which showed only 27.4% positive rate, 61.8% (P<0.001) of the total samples collected from young animals (<1 year of age) were positive for G. intestinalis. A significantly higher prevalence in symptomatic dogs (60.8%, P<0.0001) was observed than in asymptomatic dogs (23.8%). Furthermore, the analysis of nucleotide sequences of the samples revealed that G. intestinalis Assemblages A and C were found in the feces of dogs from Gyeongsangbuk-do and Daejeon. Since G. intestinalis Assemblage A has been known to infect humans, our results suggest that dogs can act as an important reservoir of giardiosis in Korea. Hence, hygienic management should be given to prevent possible transmission to humans.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• 제57권6호
• /
• pp.647-656
• /
• 2019

Isthmiophora hortensis (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) is a dominant echinostome in animal reservoir hosts and humans in the Republic of Korea (Korea). We intended to investigate the infection status with this echinostome species in the several species of wild animals and describe the morphological characteristics in the faunistic view point. A total of 175 animal carcasses belonging to 3 families, i.e., Canidae, Felidae and Mustelidae, were collected from the southern regions of Korea from March 2010 to July 2017. Isthmiophora spp. worms were recovered from the small intestines of each animal under a stereomicroscope after washing of intestinal contents. Isthmiophora hortensis was recovered from 4 species of wild carnivores, i.e., Nyctereutes procyonoides (3/107: 2.8%), Mustela sibirica (11/31: 35.5%), Meles lucurus (2/3: 33.3%) and Martes flavigula (1/2: 50%). The other 3 carnivores comprising stray dogs, cat and leopard cat were negative for I. hortensis infection (0/2, 0/10 and 0/12, respectively). Specimens obtained from the Lutra lutra (6/8: 75%) were identified as a distinct species, I. inermis, by morphological comparison. Isthmiophora inermis has thinner body, elongate testes and different anterior limits of vitelline fields. Detailed morphological descriptions and comparisons with the morphological characteristics are provided. Conclusively, it was confirmed for the first time that 3 species of mustelid mammals, i.e., M. sibirica, M. lucurus, and M. flavigula, are to be the new definitive hosts of I. hortensis in Korea. Additionally, I. inermis is to be newly added in the Korean echinostome fauna.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
• /
• 제34권1호
• /
• pp.95-100
• /
• 2018

Rabies causes the highest mortality of all viral diseases in the world unless the victim has been protected either by active immunization or post-exposure immunoprophylaxis. Infected stray dogs, raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats are the demonstrated carriers of most cases of rabies. It is difficult to diagnose a rabid animal in the field unless characteristic clinical signs are evident. However, this study used a commercial fast check kit comprised of immunochromatographic test (ICT) strips (ICTS) to diagnose rabies infection in clinically suspected samples obtained from a wildebeest. A 10-year old male wildebeest (approximate weight, 150 kg) died at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari (BSMS) Park, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh with a clinical history of severe excitation and abundant oral secretions. A gross pathological examination revealed no specific lesions indicating any fatal diseases. The entire brain was collected within 6 hours of death, and the brain sample was tested using the ICT strips following the manufacturer's directions. The rabies viral antibody was detected within the brain stem and medulla of the brain tissue of the dead wildebeest.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• 제25권3호
• /
• pp.46.1-46.11
• /
• 2024

Importance: Rabies is a neglected tropical viral disease most often transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. Objective: This study assessed the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the Shone Ttown community toward rabies. Methods: A survey-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Shone town, Ethiopia, from November 2022 to April 2023. Woreda was selected purposefully, while Kebeles and the study populations were selected by simple random sampling. Four hundred and sixteen respondents were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Results: All respondents had heard about rabies from different sources, with the majority hearing from informal sources (62%). Approximately 51.9%, 0.7%, and 47.4% of individuals were aware of saliva contact, rabid animal bites, and both as means of transmission, respectively. The survey showed that 64.4% of participants knew the 100% fatal nature of rabies once the clinical signs developed, and 35.6% did not. Approximately 51.4% of respondents agreed that killing stray dogs was an effective method for rabies prevention. In this study, 72.6% of the respondents had contact with pets, and 36.8% of the interviewees had vaccinated their dogs. Only the educational level (p = 0.03) was associated with knowledge of the transmission route. Age (p = 0.04) and educational level (p = 0.01) had a statistically significant association with knowledge of the risk of not vaccinating dogs. Conclusions and Relevance: A lack of formal education in the communities, low levels of education, and the majority of respondents acquiring their knowledge from unofficial sources are important contributors to the low levels of awareness.