• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.50 no.2
• /
• pp.133-137
• /
• 2010

Rabies virus (family Rhabdoviridae, genus Lyssavirus, RV) is the causative agent of rabies in mammals. We conducted a sero-epidemiological survey for RV using sera from South Korean stray and companion dogs in the present study. A total of 533 canine serum samples were collected between February 2006 and December 2007 and were screened for rabies immunity with a neutralizing peroxidase linked assay. Both companion (49.1%) and stray (60.1%) dogs demonstrated RV seropositivity. Regional RV antibody prevalence was measured in the Jeju (87.5%), Gyeonggi (62%), Gyeongsang (59.1%), Jeonra (42%), Chungcheong (37.9%), and Gangwon (30.4%) provinces. Prevalence increased with age but did not exceed 80% in any age group. Stray and companion dogs had RV antibody prevalence values of 26.7% and 23.7%, respectively. Seroprevalence was significantly associated with age $({\chi}2\;=\;9.46;\;p\;=\;0.024)$ for companion dogs, although this association was not evident in stray dogs. There were no significant differences in age between stray and companion dogs and no gender differences in RV seroprevalence. Our results suggested that a widespread and reinforced vaccination program must be applied to Korean dogs.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.58 no.3
• /
• pp.257-265
• /
• 2020

The outbreak of human toxoplasmosis can be attributed to ingestion of food contaminated with Toxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasmosis recently increased in domestic and stray dogs and cats. It prompted studies on the zoonotic infectious diseases transmitted via these animals. Sero- and antigen prevalences of T. gondii in dogs and cats were surveyed using ELISA and PCR, and B1 gene phylogeny was analyzed in this study. Toxoplasmosis antibodies were measured on sera of 403 stray cats, 947 stray dogs, 909 domestic cats, and 2,412 domestic dogs collected at nationwide regions, Korea from 2017 to 2019. In addition, whole blood, feces, and tissue samples were also collected from stray cats (1,392), stray dogs (686), domestic cats (3,040), and domestic dogs (1,974), and T. gondii-specific B1 gene PCR was performed. Antibody prevalence of stray cats, stray dogs, domestic cats, and domestic dogs were 14.1%, 5.6%, 2.3%, and 0.04%, respectively. Antigen prevalence of these animals was 0.5%, 0.2%, 0.1%, and 0.4%, respectively. Stray cats revealed the highest infection rate of toxoplasmosis, followed by stray dogs, domestic cats, and domestic dogs. B1 gene positives were 5 of stray cats, and identified to high/moderate pathogenic Type I/III group. These findings enforce that preventive hygienic measure should be strengthened at One Health level in dogs and cats, domestic and stray, to minimize human toxoplasmosis infections.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.50 no.3
• /
• pp.165-169
• /
• 2010

Recently, the number of stray dogs is proportionate to the increase of the number of the companion dogs. Sarcoptic scabiei var canis, causing scabies, is one of the most important canine zoonotic arthropods in Korea and around the world. Thus, we have tried to know the prevalence of canine scabies in the stray dogs in Korea. A total of 565 stray dogs were collected from the rescue centers all over the country from Jan. 2006 to Dec. 2006. They were grouped with euthanasia or natural death and examined for the gender and age estimated by dental formula. To identify the lesions, the whole body was grossly examined and tested pathologically. Thirty two (5.66%) of 565 dogs were diagnosed as canine scabies. Dogs from urban areas had fewer scabies (0.62%) than those of rural areas (12.5%). Prevalence of scabies in male and female dogs was no difference as 5.96% and 5.25%. Euthanasia group showed higher prevalence (6.48%) than natural death group (2.44%) in scabies. Old dogs over five years showed lower infestration (1.82%) in scabies. In histopathological findings, there were mites in the burrows formed in the subcorneal space. Acanthosis, hyperkeratosis with crust, and vascular dilatation were main findings. One hundred thirteen (20%) of 565 stray dogs were diagnosed to have skin disease. Among them, canine scabies is the most prominent ectoparasite as 5.66 %. With previous reports on human infection in Korea, canine scabies must be regarded as the important zoonotic canine skin disease. Accordingly, for the human and canine hygiene it is imperative that stray dogs with skin problems are segregated and tested for the parasites to treat properly as soon as arriving at rescue shelter.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.297-301
• /
• 2011

Rabies virus is transmitted most commonly through a bite from an infected dog. Especially, stray dogs that are not excluded from contact with rabid wild animals can become rabies vectors. Therefore, serological survey of rabies virus from stray dogs in Seoul Metropolitan City was carried out in this study. To investigate prevalence of rabies antibodies in the stray dogs, serum samples were taken from 500 stray dogs between April and December 2010. Antibodies to rabies virus were detected by indirect ELISA. Of 500 tested sera, 147 (29.4%) were positive to rabies virus. Prevalence rates of rabies antibodies(PRRA) in northern and southern Han river region of Seoul were 26.4% and 33.2% respectively. PRRA in male and female dogs were 33.6% and 26.1% respectively. PRRA in less than 1 year, 1~2< years, 2~3< years, 3~5< years, 5~10< years and over 10 years old dogs were 12.7%, 21.6%, 26.4%, 36.4%, 32.5% and 46.4%, respectively. These results indicates that antibody seroprevalence to rabies is still not enough to prevent rabies and rabies vaccination is required to enhance the seroprevalence in the dogs. To improve the situation, measures to raise public awareness of rabies and its prevention is needed. Also, reducing stray dogs and keeping companion animals from contact with wild animals are indispensable for the prevention of rabies.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.58 no.3
• /
• pp.125-129
• /
• 2018

We investigated the prevalence of canine brucellosis in companion and stray dogs between March 2015 and December 2016 and determined the disease characteristics based on the geographic distribution, sex and age of the dogs in South Korea. We conducted a large-scale survey using serological and bacteriological tests. Samples were collected from 2,394 dogs (1,825 companions and 569 strays). Thirty (1.3%) samples were positive for Brucella canis antibodies including 16 (0.9%) from companion dogs and 14 (2.5%) from stray dogs. Two (1.0%) of the 196 samples cultured from the stray dogs were positive. When compared with male dogs, the female companion and stray dogs had a significantly higher prevalence of brucellosis. Moreover, the prevalence of canine brucellosis was significantly higher in stray dogs older than 6 years and the prevalence of the disease in companion dogs was highest in Incheon (2.1%) and Jeolla (2.1%) provinces. Stray dogs from the Daejeon metropolitan area had the highest prevalence of brucellosis (7.9%). National control measures for canine brucellosis have not previously been implemented. Our findings suggest that appropriate screening tests and control measures are necessary to improve the health of dogs and to protect public health in Korea, particularly with the rapid growth of the companion animal industry.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.49 no.4
• /
• pp.297-307
• /
• 2009

Animal shelters are potentially vulnerable to constant exposure to a variety of diseases for both animals and humans, because thousands of animals with unknown histories are being admitted to each shelter on a yearly basis in Korea. The control of disease spread, therefore, can be a major challenge to veterinarians in most shelters. This study investigated the health status of stray dogs admitted to the Gwangju Animal Shelter during the year of 2008, and analyzed types of disorders at the time of admission as well as newly acquired diseases while housed in the shelter. Canine heartworm disease was the most prevalent infection among stray dogs at the time of admission, while the respiratory disorder was the most common shelteracquired disease. The majority of dogs (93.5%) was either small or middle-sized breeds with Maltese (19.7%) and Shih Tzu (16.0%) being the most commonly found stray dogs. Out of 1,143 dogs admitted to the shelter, owners of 128 dogs (11.2%) visited the shelter and found their lost dogs, while 518 dogs (45.3%) were adopted to new families. Results of this study strongly indicate that stray dogs in Korea are exposed to a variety of diseases and the disease control by veterinarians is one of the most important aspects of the shelter management.

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

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.58 no.5
• /
• pp.487-492
• /
• 2020

Toxoplasmosis is caused by an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite; Toxoplasma gondii, which is one of the most important zoonotic parasite worldwide. In dogs, the sexual reproductive cycle of T. gondii is lacking, and the animals are not widely consumed as food, but they are vital in the mechanical transmission of the parasite. However, there is no present data on the exposure of stray dogs to T. gondii in Malaysia. The objective of this serological survey was to determine the prevalence of T. gondii antibodies (IgG) and associated factors in stray dogs in East and West Malaysia. Antibodies to T. gondii were determined in serum samples from 222 stray dogs from 6 different states in East and West Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia) using an Indirect ELISA. The seroprevalence for T. gondii was 23.4% (Confidence interval: CI 17.8-29.2%). Stray dogs from Selangor and Kuala Lumpur had the highest seroprevalence (32.4%; CI 13.2-45.5%) and lowest in those from Penang and Kedah (12.5%; CI 1.3-23.5%). Gender and breed were not associated with T. gondii seropositivity. However, adult dogs were more likely to be seropositive for T. gondii (OR=2.89; CI 1.1-7.7) compared with younger dogs. These results revealed that T. gondii is prevalent in stray dogs in the studied areas in Malaysia, and indicative of the level of environmental contamination of this parasite especially in urban areas.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.46 no.1
• /
• pp.23-27
• /
• 2008

This study was designed to investigate the incidence of ectoparasite infestation among stray dogs in Gwang-ju City, Republic of Korea. A total of 103 stray dogs collected in the Animal Shelter of Gwang-ju City from November 2003 to August 2005 were investigated in this study. Ectoparasites of one or more genera were detected in 45.6% (47 /103) of the dogs examined for dermatologic lesions and/or skin scrapings (from 3-5 affected areas). Otodectes cynotis was found to be the most frequent parasite (22.3%, 23 / 103), followed by Sarcoptes scabiei var canis (19.4%, 20 / 103), Ctenocephalides canis (6.8%, 7 / 103), Demodex canis (4.9%, 5 / 103), and Trichodectes canis (1.0%, 1 / 103). Monospecific infestation was found in 83.0% (39 / 47) of the affected dogs, whereas concurrent infestations with 2 or more ectoparasites per animal were found in 17.0% (8 / 47) of the affected dogs. Trichodectes canis is reported for the first time in the Republic of Korea. Dogs less than 1 yr old were more heavily infected than other age groups (66.7%), and small-sized dogs of less than 3 kg body weight were more heavily infected than larger dogs (41.7%).

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.49 no.2
• /
• pp.105-111
• /
• 2009

In this study, occurrence of canine brucellosis was surveyed in kennels, indoor dogs and stray dogs in Korea, and infrequent restriction site-polymerase chain reaction (IRS-PCR) was applied to analyze DNA polymorphism of Brucella canis (B. canis) isolates. Among a total of 501 dogs tested, B. canis antibodies by both rapid screening agglutination with 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME RSAT) and immunochromatographic assay were detected in only 14.1% of kennel dogs. There were no seropositive cases in indoor dogs and stray dogs. DNA polymorphism was observed in 16 B. canis isolates by the IRS-PCR. Sixteen isolates were tested with primers, PsalA, PsalC, PsalG and PsalT, and different primers produced different DNA patterns. In regard to the IRS-PCR pattern of 16 isolates, 9 (56.3%) belonged to the IRS-PCR type I. The remaining 7 were differentiated as type II, III and IV. An application of the primer PsalC provided discrimination between B. canis isolated in 2005 and others.