• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.346-359
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• 2018

Xanthomonas oryzae, a bacterial pathogen causing leaf blight disease (BLB) in rice, can cause widespread disease and has caused epidemics globally, resulting in severe crop losses of 50% in Asia. The pathogen is seed-borne and is transmitted through seeds. Thus, control of BLB requires the elimination of the pathogen from seeds. Concern about environment-friendly organic production has spurred improvements in a variety of biological disease control methods, including the use of bacteriophages, against bacterial plant pathogens. The present study explored the potential of bacteriophages isolated from diseased plant leaves and soil samples in killing the bacterial pathogen in rice seeds. Eight different phages were isolated and evaluated for their bacteriolytic activity against different pathogenic X. oryzae strains. Of these, a phage designated ${\varphi}XOF4$ killed all the pathogenic X. oryzae strains and showed the broadest host range. Transmission electron microscopy of ${\varphi}XOF4$ revealed it to be a tailed phage with an icosahedral head. The virus was assigned to the family Siphoviridae, order Caudovirales. Seedlings raised from the seeds treated with $1{\times}10^8pfu/ml$ of ${\varphi}XOF4$ phage displayed reduced incidence of BLB disease and complete bacterial growth inhibition. The findings indicate the potential of the ${\varphi}XOF4$ phage as a potential biological control agent against BLB disease in rice.

• Healthcare Informatics Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.300-308
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• 2018

Objectives: Prompt detection is a cornerstone in the control and prevention of infectious diseases. The Integrated Disease Surveillance Project of India identifies outbreaks, but it does not exactly predict outbreaks. This study was conducted to assess temporal correlation between Google Trends and Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) data and to determine the feasibility of using Google Trends for the prediction of outbreaks or epidemics. Methods: The Google search queries related to malaria, dengue fever, chikungunya, and enteric fever for Chandigarh union territory and Haryana state of India in 2016 were extracted and compared with presumptive form data of the IDSP. Spearman correlation and scatter plots were used to depict the statistical relationship between the two datasets. Time trend plots were constructed to assess the correlation between Google search trends and disease notification under the IDSP. Results: Temporal correlation was observed between the IDSP reporting and Google search trends. Time series analysis of the Google Trends showed strong correlation with the IDSP data with a lag of -2 to -3 weeks for chikungunya and dengue fever in Chandigarh (r > 0.80) and Haryana (r > 0.70). Malaria and enteric fever showed a lag period of -2 to -3 weeks with moderate correlation. Conclusions: Similar results were obtained when applying the results of previous studies to specific diseases, and it is considered that many other diseases should be studied at the national and sub-national levels.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.133-137
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• 2022

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a severe cross-border infectious disease that causes fever, skin and visceral nodules in cattle. LSD is caused by the lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), a dsDNA virus that belongs to the genus Capripoxvirus. Although LSD has been found only in Southern Africa traditionally, in the last decade it is spreading very quickly through the Middle East and into Eastern Europe and China. It usually affects cattle and water buffalos being transmitted by blood-feeding insects. As it causes a huge economic impact, LSD is a notifiable disease by World Organisation for Animal Health, and managed as the legal infectious disease class I in Korea. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to confirm the existence of LSDV antigens or antibodies in Korean livestock. We collected 1,200 blood samples from cattle (Korean native and dairy cattle) and Korean water deer in 4 major provinces of the country, then tested the existence of LSDV antigen and antibody. None (0.0%) of the 1,200 blood samples were positive for both antigen and antibody of LSDV. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that examines the prevalence of LSDV in Korea. Our study aims to report the LSDV occurrence situation obtained by surveillance in Korea and provide information that may help prevention of LSD epidemics.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2019

A monitoring was performed to survey the mortalities that had occurred in the aquaculture farms of olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) in South Korea from 2015 to 2017. The indirect inquiry for entire farms and the sample survey for selected farms were carried out. The aquatic organism disease inspectors, who have a national license for the diagnosis and prevention of aquatic organism diseases and a have close relationship with the farms, investigated the rates and causes of mortalities according to the standard manual. The mortality rate by sample survey of farms in 2015, 2016, and 2017 were 24.78% (Chunnam: 17.86%, Jeju: 28.69), 30.19% (Chunnam: 24.45%, Jeju: 32.65), and 21.59% (Chunnam: 10.57%, Jeju: 26.00%), respectively. The major cause of mortality was scuticociliatosis, and the mortality caused by viral hemorrhagic septicemia and emaciation disease (Jeju) were also high. Our results can contribute to effective establishment prevention of epidemics system and acquired status as a disease-cleansing country.

• Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.774-777
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• 2005

Dengue Fever(DF) and Dengue haemorrhagic fever(DHF) has become a major international public health concern. Dengue Fever(DF) and Dengue haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is also still the major health problem of Thailand, although many campaigns against it have been conducted throughout the country. GIS and Remotely Sensed data are used to evaluate the relationships between socio-spatial, environmental factors/indicators and the incidences of viral diseases. The aim of the study is to identify the spatial risk factors in Dengue and Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever in Sukhothai province, Thailand using statistical, spatial and GIS Modelling. Preliminary results demonstrated that physical factors derived from remotely sensed data could indicate variation in physical risk factors affecting DF and DHF. The present study emphasizes the potential of remotely sensed data and GIS in spatial factors affecting Dengue Risk Zone analysis. The relationship between land cover and the cases of incidence of DF and DHF by information value method revaluated that highest information value is obtained for Built-up area. A negative relationship was observed for the forest area. The relations between climate data and cases of incidence have shown high correlation with rainfall factors in rainy season but poor correlation with temperature and relative humidity. The present study explores the potential of remotely sensed data and GIS in spatial analysis of factors affecting Dengue epidemic, strong spatial analysis tools of GIS. The capabilities of GIS for analyst spatial factors influencing risk zone has made it possible to apply spatial statistical analysis in Disease risk zone.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.42-47
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• 2012

$Mycoplasma$ $pneumoniae$ (MP), the smallest self-replicating biological system, is a common cause of upper and lower respiratory tract infections, leading to a wide range of pulmonary and extra-pulmonary manifestations. MP pneumonia has been reported in 10 to 40% of cases of community-acquired pneumonia and shows an even higher proportion during epidemics. MP infection is endemic in larger communities of the world with cyclic epidemics every 3 to 7 years. In Korea, 3 to 4-year cycles have been observed from the mid-1980s to present. Although a variety of serologic assays and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques are available for the diagnosis of MP infections, early diagnosis of MP pneumonia is limited by the lack of immunoglobulin (Ig) M antibodies and variable PCR results in the early stages of the infection. Thus, short-term paired IgM serologic tests may be mandatory for an early and definitive diagnosis. MP infection is usually a mild and self-limiting disease without specific treatment, and if needed, macrolides are generally used as a first-choice drug for children. Recently, macrolide-resistant MP strains have been reported worldwide. However, there are few reports of apparent treatment failure, such as progression of pneumonia to acute respiratory distress syndrome despite macrolide treatment. The immunopathogenesis of MP pneumonia is believed to be a hyperimmune reaction of the host to the insults from MP infection, including cytokine overproduction and immune cell activation (T cells). In this context, immunomodulatory treatment (corticosteroids or/and intravenous Ig), in addition to antibiotic treatment, might be considered for patients with severe infection.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.102-108
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• 2012

Fecal specimens from acute gastroenteritis in Seoul from 2003 to 2007 were collected and then tested for the presence of Norovirus by RT-PCR. Among a total of 4,685 samples investigated, 383 samples (8.2%) were positive. The analysis of outbreaks related norovirus contamination occurred from 2003 to 2007 in Seoul revealed 57 cases happened during investigated period. Seasonal prevalence showed winter season predominant characteristics of pattern of epidemics by long term investigation for norovirus infections. The incidence of norovirus infection in the case of acute gastroenteritis by catering food in school were 32%, by food in general restaurant were 29%. This epidemiological investigation in Seoul was strongly needed for control and prevention of outbreaks related with norovirus by forecasting disease epidemics.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.123-136
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• 2012

Diseases caused by begomoviruses (family Geminiviridae, genus Begomovirus) constitute a serious constraint to tropical and sub-tropical agro-ecosystems worldwide. In recent years, they have also introduced in temperate regions of the world where they have great impact and are posing a serious threat to a variety of greenhouse crops. Begomoviral diseases can in extreme cases reduce yields to zero leading to catastrophic losses in agriculture. They are still evolving and pose a serious threat to sustainable agriculture across the world, particularly in tropics and sub-tropics. Till recently, there have been no records on the occurrence of begomoviral disease in South Korea, however, the etiology of other plant viral diseases are known since last century. The first begomovirus infected sample was collected from sweet potato plant in 2003 and since then there has been gradual increase in the begomoviral epidemics specially in tomato and sweet potato crops. So far, 48 begomovirus sequences originating from various plant species have been submitted in public sequence data base from different parts of the country. The rapid emergence of begomoviral epidemics might be with some of the factors like evolution of new variants of the viruses, appearance of efficient vectors, changing cropping systems, introduction of susceptible plant varieties, increase in global trade in agricultural products, intercontinental transportation networks, and changes in global climatic conditions. Another concern might be the emergence of a begomovirus complex and satellite DNA molecules. Thorough understanding of the pathosystems is needed for the designing of effective managements. Efforts should also be made towards the integration of the resistant genes for the development of transgenic plants specially tomato and sweet potato as they have been found to be widely infected in South Korea. There should be efficient surveillance for emergence or incursions of other begomoviruses and biotypes of whitefly. This review discusses the general characteristics of begomoviruses, transmission by their vector B. tabaci with an especial emphasis on the occurrence and distribution of begomoviruses in South Korea, and control measures that must be addressed in order to develop more sustainable management strategies.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.141-148
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• 2011

Annual epidemics of seasonal influenza occur during autumn and winter in temperate regions and have imposed substantial public health and economic burdens. At the global level, these epidemics cause about 3-5 million severe cases of illness and about 0.25-0.5 million deaths each year. Although annual vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the disease and its severe outcomes, influenza vaccination coverage rates have been at suboptimal levels in many countries. For instance, the coverage rates among the elderly in 20 developed nations in 2008 ranged from 21% to 78% (median 65%). In the U.S., influenza vaccination levels among elderly population appeared to reach a "plateau" of about 70% after the late 1990s, and levels among child populations have remained at less than 50%. In addition, disparities in the coverage rates across subpopulations within a country present another important public health issue. New approaches are needed for countries striving both to improve their overall coverage rates and to eliminate disparities. This review article aims to describe a broad conceptual framework of vaccination, and to illustrate four potential determinants of influenza vaccination based on empirical analyses of U.S. nationally representative populations. These determinants include the ongoing influenza epidemic level, mass media reporting on influenza-related topics, reimbursement rate for providers to administer influenza vaccination, and vaccine supply. It additionally proposes specific policy implications, derived from these empirical analyses, to improve the influenza vaccination coverage rate and associated disparities in the U.S., which could be generalizable to other countries.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.14 no.3 s.24
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• pp.111-131
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• 1975

The study has been carried out to investigate the occurrence, damage, characteristics of the pathogen, environmental conditions affecting the disease outbreak, varietal resistance, forecasting, and chemical control of bacterial leaf blight of rice in Korea since 1964. Bacterial leaf blight of rice became a major disease in Korea since 1960. A correlation was found between the annual increase of epidemics and increase of cultivation area of susceptible varieties, Jinheung, Keumnampung etc. Areal damage within the country showed that the more was at southern province, Jeonnam, Gyeongnam and western coast, and at flooded rice paddy. Yield reduction directly related with the amount of infection on upper leaves at heading stage. Fifty per cent of reduction resulted when the lesion area was more than 60 per cent. Less than 20 per cent of lesion area, however, was not affected so much on yield loss One hundred and six isolates collected from all over the country were classified as 8 strains by using 4 different bacteriophages in 1973. It was, however, only two in 1965. There were some specificities on varietal distributions among the strains such as that the Jinheung attacked mainly by strain A, B, C and I, those attack Kimmaze were A, B, H and I. Most strains were found from Tongil except D and E, whereas Akibare was only variety that attacked by strain E. Low temperature, high humidity, heavy rainfall and insutficient daylight favored the disease epidemics. Especially, typhoon and flooding at heading stage were critical factors. The earlier transplanting the more disease was resulted, and more nitrogen fertilizer application accerelated the diseased development in general. The resistance to the disease varied by growing stage of the sane plants. All of recommended varieties in Korea were susceptible to the disease except Norm No. 6 and Sirogane which moderately resistant. The pathogen, Xanthomonas oryzae, was detectable from extract of healthy seedlings that were grown in the field with an heavy infection previous year. The more bacteriophage in irigation water resulted the more disease outbreak, and the existence of more than 50 bacteriophages in 1ml. of irrigation water were necessary to initiate the disease out break. The curves representing occurrence of bacteriophages and disease outbreak were similar with 15 days interval. The survey of bacteriophage occurrence can be utilized in forecasting of the disease two weeks ahead of disease outbreak. Three applications of chemicals, Phenazin and Sangkel, in weekly intervals at the early satage of out-break depressed the symptom development, and increased yield by 20per cent. Proper period for the chemical application was just before the number of bacteriophage reaches 50 in 1ml. of irrigation water.