• ALGAE
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.181-192
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• 2011

Ballasting and deballasting of shipping vessels in foreign ports have been reported worldwide as a vector of introduction of non-native aquatic plants and animals. Recently, attention has turned to ballast water as a factor in the global increase of harmful algal blooms (HABs). Many species of microalgae, including harmful dinoflagellate species, can remain viable for months in dormant benthic stages (cysts) in ballast sediments. Over a period of four years, we surveyed ballast water and sediment of ships docked in two ports of Tampa Bay, Florida, USA. Sampling conditions encountered while sampling ballast water and sediments were vastly different between vessels. Since no single sample collection protocol could be applied, existing methods for sampling ballast were modified and new methods created to reduce time and labor necessary for the collection of high-quality, qualitative samples. Five methods were refined or developed, including one that allowed for a directed intake of water and sediments. From 63 samples, 1,633 dinoflagellate cysts and cyst-like cells were recovered. A native, cyst-forming, harmful dinoflagellate, Alexandrium balechii (Steidinger) F. J. R. Taylor, was collected, isolated, and cultured from the same vessel six months apart, indicating that ships exchanging ballast water in Tampa Bay have the potential to transport HAB species to other ports with similar ecologies, exposing them to non-native, potentially toxic blooms.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2022

African swine fever (ASF) is fatal to domestic pigs and wild boars (Sus scrofa) and affects the domestic pig industry. ASF is transmitted directly through the secretions of infected domestic pigs or wild boars, an essential source of infection in disease transmission. ASFV is also very stable in the environment. Thus, the virus is detected in the surrounding environment where ASF-infected carcasses are found. In this study, ASF infection monitoring was conducted on the swab and whole blood samples from wild animals, various hematopoietic arthropod samples that could access infected wild boar carcasses or habitats to cause maintenance and spread of disease, and soil samples of wild boar habitats. ASF viral DNA detection was confirmed negative in 317 wildlife and environmental samples through a real-time polymerase chain reaction. However, ASF occurs in the wild boars and spreads throughout the Korean peninsula. Therefore, it is necessary to trace the route of ASF virus infection by a continuous vector. Additional monitoring of various samples with potential ASF infection is needed to help the epidemiologic investigation and disease prevention.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2020

We investigated the genotypes of Leptospira spp. detected in symptomatic dogs in Thailand. During April to December 2012, 6 out of 41 client-owned dogs were diagnosed with leptospirosis based on polymerase chain reaction tests. All of the infected dogs showed clinical symptoms related to leptospirosis. Direct genotyping of the causative agent of the canine leptospirosis was conducted from the archival DNA samples extracted from urine or blood of those 6 infected dogs. Sequencing of the partial 16S rRNA and lipL32 genes from all samples identified Leptospira (L.) interrogans as the infecting species. Multilocus sequence typing tests were successful for 2 out of 6 samples. The sequence type (ST) was identified as ST50 for both samples where the profile corresponded to L. interrogans species and Bataviae serogroup. The presence of this genotype of Leptospira has never been reported in Thailand. Thus, our findings showed the existence of ST50 L. interrogans serogroup Bataviae and the ability to cause leptospirosis in dogs in Thailand.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.314-318
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• 2008

Korean long-tailed goral (Nemorhaedus caudatus) is one of the most endangered species in South Korea. However, detailed species distribution and sex ratio data on the elusive goral are still lacking due to difficulty of identification of the species and sex in the field. The primary aim of this study was to develop an economical PCR-RFLP method to identify species using invasive or non-invasive samples from five Korean ungulates: goral (N. caudatus), roe deer (Capreolus pygargus), feral goat (Capra hircus), water deer (Hydropotes inermis) and musk deer (Moschus moschiferus). The secondary aim was to find more efficient molecular sexing techniques that may be applied to invasive or non-invasive samples of ungulate species. We successfully utilized PCR-RFLP of partial mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (376 bp) for species identification, and sex-specific amplification of ZFX/Y and AMELX/Y genes for sexing. Three species (goral, goat and water deer) showed distinctive band patterns by using three restriction enzymes (Xbal, Stul or Sspl). Three different sexing primer sets (LGL331/335 for ZFX/Y gene; SE47/48 or SE47/53 for AMELX/Y gene) produced sex-specific band patterns in goral, goat and roe deer. Our results suggest that the molecular analyses of non-invasive samples might provide us with potential tools for the further genetic and ecological study of Korean goral and related species.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.391-397
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• 2009

Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo kiautschensis) is a natural monument (No. 324) and is also classified as an endangered wildlife grade II the Ministry of Environment of Korea. Eurasian eagle owl is threatened by the human being. But the efficient rescue and treatment for Eurasian eagle owl are still problematic, due to lack of basic data. In this study, to obtain basic resources for establishing more efficient rescue system, we held a physical examination and measured size physical part. In addition, we analyzed blood sample and feces samples and autopsy. We conduct the physical examination with measuring tapes and scales for 16 live features and 11 dead features. After inhalation anesthesia take the blood samples from wing vein. Blood samples are analyzed in hematologic and chemistric methods. We collected the feces through individual floor of cages from 12 live features and conducted the feces analysis. Autopsy was conducted for 11 dead samples. In physical examination, the mean body weight and total length of live features was 2.26${\pm}$0.35kg, 61${\pm}$2.38cm, the mean body weight and total length of dead features was 1.57${\pm}$0.51kg, 59.31${\pm}$3.51cm. Mean PCV was 46.57${\pm}$4.97%, while mean TPP was 3.49${\pm}$0.57g/dL. In feces sample analysis, 9 of 12 owls(75%) were infested by gastrointestinal helminths. The infection rates were: Trematoda (41.7%), Capilaria sp.(66.7%), acanthocephalans (25%). In autopsy, we confirmed 11 features were infested by duplicated infection of more than 2 helminths. Result of this study will be used for establishing reference range for physical features, blood analysis in Eurasian eagle owl. Therefore, to obtain basic resources for establishing more efficient rescue system, we have to make long-term conservation plans for Eurasian eagle owl.

• ALGAE
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.49-58
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• 2015

In September 2007, reports of respiratory irritation and fish kills were received by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) from the Jacksonville, Florida area. Water samples collected in this area indicated a bloom of Karenia brevis, the dinoflagellate that produces brevetoxin, which can cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning. For the next four months, K. brevis was found along approximately 400 km of coastal and Intracoastal waterways from Jacksonville to Jupiter Inlet. This event represents the longest and most extensive red tide the east coast of Florida has experienced and the first time Karenia species other than K. brevis have been reported in this area. This extensive red tide influenced commercial and recreational shellfish harvesting activities along Florida's east coast. Fourteen shellfish harvesting areas (SHAs) were monitored weekly during this event and 10 SHAs were closed for an average of 53 days due to this red tide. The length of SHA closure was dependent on the shellfish species present. Interagency cooperation in monitoring this K. brevis bloom was successful in mitigating any human health impacts. Kernel density estimation was used to create geographic extent maps to help extrapolate discreet sample data points into $5km^2$ radius values for better visualization of the bloom.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.57-59
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• 2020

A 3-year-old, captive female river cooter was presented with a 4-day history of progressive unilateral swelling of the right side of the head, lethargy, and anorexia. History, physical examination, and radiographic examination revealed an aural abscess. After administration of antibiotics and supportive care, surgical intervention was performed. Swab samples were collected from the tympanic cavity during surgery for cytology and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Molecular analyses of 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences identified Citrobacter spp. and Morganella morganii. The patient was treated with ciprofloxacin and meloxicam and recovered after 2 months. This report describes the successful correction of a unilateral aural abscess that responded well to surgical intervention and a properly selected antibiotic.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.50-52
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• 2020

Twenty-four cinereous vultures that had been taken to a wildlife center due to starvation and exhaustion were studied to evaluate approaches for determining sex. Coelioscopy was performed to identify sexes of two vultures, whereas, DNA testing was performed to identify the sexes of the 24 vultures. Testes and ovaries could be unambiguously identified with an endoscope and DNA analyses could identify sex sex in most, but not all of the specimens. Although the coelioscopy examination can unambiguously confirm sex, the approach is invasive and requires anesthesia. Thus, coelioscopic examination should only be performed when sex cannot be determined through DNA analysis.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.147-153
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• 2016

A total of 782 blood and 465 tissue samples from 1,039 wild animals and 127 dairy goats were collected from January 2011 to December 2013 in 10 provinces of South Korea and tested for the presence of brucellosis. The Rose Bengal test revealed that 8.0% (52/650) of the serum samples were seropositive, while 4.2% (33/782) of the serum samples were positive for Brucella antibodies by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Of the 650 sera examined, only 16 (2.5%) were positive by both serological tests. Direct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay using B4/B5 primers for Brucella abortus (BCSP31) revealed the prevalence of Brucella to be 26.5% (129/487) in blood samples and 21% (98/465) in tissue samples while, 16S rRNA PCR detected Brucella DNA in 6.8% (33/487) and 2.6% (12/465) in blood and tissue samples, respectively. Of PCR-positive samples, only 6.2% (30/487) of blood samples and 2.4% (11/465) of tissue samples were found to be positive by both BCSP31 and 16S rRNA PCRs. However, Brucella strains were isolated by blood culture from only two out of 487 blood samples (0.4%). This characterization and identification of pathogenic Brucella isolates is the first to clearly indicate that the organisms were Brucella abortus biovar 1.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.67.1-67.11
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• 2022

Background: Budgerigar fledgling disease polyomavirus (BFDV) is the pathogen that causes budgerigar fledgling disease in psittacine species. The clinical signs of PBFV infection include ascites, hepatitis, and crop stasis. BFDV is associated with a high mortality rate in nestling birds. In contrast, adult birds only have mild symptoms such as feather dystrophy. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, genetic characteristics, and phylogenetic analysis of BFDV in pet parrots in Korea. Methods: Fecal and tissue samples were collected from 217 pet parrots from 10 veterinary hospitals including Chungbuk National University Veterinary Hospital. The molecular screening was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of the small t/large T antigen gene segment. Full-length genome sequencing with the Sanger and phylogenetic analysis were performed on BFDV-positive samples. Results: The PCR results based on the small t/large T antigen gene marker indicated that BFDV DNA was present in 10 out of 217 screened samples. A whole-genome sequence was obtained from six strains and phylogenetic analysis revealed no significant relationship existed between the species and geographical locations amongst them. Conclusions: The prevalence of BFDV infection in South Korea is not high when compared to the prevalence of BFDV in other parts of the world, however, it has been reported sporadically in various species and geographic locations. The whole-genome analysis revealed 0.2%-0.3% variation in intragenomic homogeneity among the six strains analyzed. Korean strains are separately on the phylogenetic tree from their counterparts from China and Japan which might reflect the substantial genetic variation.