• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.437-446
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• 2018

To investigate the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pork on the market in Korea, an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for tissue fluid (CAU-tf-ELISA) was developed using a soluble extract of T. gondii RH strain tachyzoites. As the standard positive controls, the piglets were experimentally infected with T. gondii: Group A (1,000 cysts-containing bradyzoites), Group B (500 cysts-containing bradyzoites) and Group C ($1.0{\times}10^3$ or $1.0{\times}10^4$ tachyzoites). The CAU-tf-ELISA demonstrated infection intensity-dependent positivity toward tissue fluids with average cut-off value 0.15: 100% for Group A, 93.8% for Group B and 40.6% for Group C. When tissue-specific cut-off values 0.066-0.199 were applied, CAU-tf-ELISA showed 96.7% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive and 90.0% negative predictive values. When compared with the same tissue fluids, performance of CAU-tf-ELISA was better than that of a commercial ELISA kit. Of the 583 Korea domestic pork samples tested, anti-T. gondii antibodies were detected from 9.1% of whole samples and 37.9% from skirt meat highest among pork parts. In the 386 imported frozen pork samples, 1.8% (skirt meat and shoulder blade) were positive for anti-T. gondii antibodies. In Korea, prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies in the pork on retail markets appeared high, suggesting that regulations on pig farming and facilities are necessary to supply safe pork on the tables.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.303-306
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• 2014

Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) disease survey of tomato plants cultivated at Youngam, Changseong and Hwasun in Jeonnam Province was conducted in 2012 to 2013. To detect TYLCV in the field, PCR assay was performed using genomic DNAs extracted from tomato samples. According to cropping pattern, 23 and 59.4% of TYLCV infections were shown in semi-forcing and retarding cropping systems, respectively, and the frequencies of diseased plants were 0.4 and and 13.1% in the two cropping systems, respectively. Especially, TYLCV incidences in the susceptible varieties were 24.3 and 83.0% in semi-forcing and retarding cropping systems, respectively. Resistant varieties showed 9.1% infection in retarding cropping system but did not in semi-forcing cropping system. Also, TYLCV was occurred on early June after transplanting on April and at approximate 20 days after transplanting on August or September.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.273-280
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• 2013

Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) was occurred at 8 areas including Naju, Suncheon, Younggwang, Youngam, and Shinan in Jeonnam province and the crops of Younggwang were severely damaged by TSWV. The hot pepper (Capsicum annuum), bell pepper (Capsicum annuum v ar. angulosum) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicon) in greenhouse and hot pepper in open field were infected by TSWV. Especially, hot pepper was severely damaged by TSWV infection. The survey data indicated that 1.1-30% in the nursery field at Naju, Suncheon, and Jangheung were infected by TSWV. Plants were infected by TSWV from early June to August. However, TSWV-infected seedlings from nursery fields showed the disease symptoms from May after transplanting. In pepper greenhouses, Frankliniella occidentalis was more dominant insect vector than Frankliniella intonsa. But in open field, the population of insect vector was opposed to greenhouse. In addition, the removal of weeds was able to delay the incidence of TSWV via side-window of greenhouse in Winter. Taken together, the control of weed and insect vector nearby side-window of greenhouse is important to prevent TSWV infection of plants.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.66-74
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• 2018

Field surveys to investigate the incidence and occurrence pattern of viruses in red pepper were conducted during 2015-2016 in Korea. A total of 424 samples in 2015 and 368 samples in 2016 were collected based on selection of plants showing symptoms from farmer's field from every June to September. Reverse transcription-Polymerase chain reaction was used to test all samples for the presence of one or more of following viruses: Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Broad bean wilt virus 2 (BBWV2), Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), Beet western yellows virus (BWYV), Pepper mottle virus (PepMoV), Potato virus Y (PVY) and Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV). The average disease incidence was 91.7% in 2015 and 98% in 2016 and the all seven viruses were found although there were different kinds of regions. The percent virus incidence in collected samples during 2015 was as follows: CMV, 73.8%; BBWV2, 68.3%; BWYV, 46.9%; PMMoV, 14.6%; TSWV, 12.7%; PepMoV, 6.6% and PVY, 3.3%. For 2016, incidence was as follows: CMV, 73.3%; BBWV2, 71.4%; BWYV, 34.7%; TSWV, 27.9%, PMMoV, 19.2%; PepMoV, 13.5% and PVY, 3.5%. Mixed infections were prevalent over single infections and infection rate was 83% and 86.7% in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.69-74
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• 2017

In 2015, a nationwide survey was carried out to investigate about occurrence pattern of virus infecting foxtail millet. A total 100 foxtail millet leaf samples showing virus-like and abnormal symptoms were collected in the seven main cultivated regions of Korea. Four viruses were identified using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and RNA sequencing. Of the collected 100 foxtail millet samples, 10 were Barley virus G (BVG), 4 were Rice stripe virus (RSV), 1 was Northern cereal mosaic virus (NCMV), and 1 was Sugarcane yellow leaf virus (ScYLV) infection. To our best knowledge, this is the first report of BVG and NCMV infecting foxtail millet in Korea and ScYLV is expected as new Polerovirus species. This research will be useful in breeding for improved disease-resistant foxtail millet cultivars.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2002

Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point System (HACCP) is recognized worldwide as a science-based and systematic approach for food safety. This has been initiated to establish the HACCP system in Korean slaughterhouses by suggesting some of effective implementation ways. An awareness level survey using questionnaire for 124 owners and 363 employees of the slaughterhouses, and 170 government officers responsible for HACCP duties was performed. This study shows that only 34.7% of owners, 21.1% of employees, and 57.1% of government officers have good understanding of HACCP, but 93.5%, 88.9% and 93.6% respectively have the willingness of HACCP implementation. Major benefits in HACCP implementation in the slaughterhouse raised by respondents were improvement of hygiene level of the plant (54.1%), increase of meat sale (17.6%), pride of the production of safe meat for human consumption (9.6%) and increase of meat export (7.5%), while major obstacles were financial difficulties (33.2%), poor levels of the facilities and equipments in the plants (27.3%), poor level of personal hygiene (19.4%), and lack of understanding of HACCP (12.3%). The most urgent measures which respondents raised to implement HACCP system effectively in the slaughterhouses at the moment were the Improvement of levels of facilities and equipments in the plants (36.6%), the establishment of HACCP base through education and training (19%), special benefits to HACCP implementing plant (11.8%), and close relationship between government and the industry (10.3%). The present study shows some of effective ways to implement HACCP in slaughterhouses.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.235-242
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• 2015

A 2014 nationwide survey in radish fields investigated the distribution of common viruses and possible emerging viruses. Radish leaves with virus-like symptoms were collected and 108 samples assayed by RT-PCR using specific primers for Radish mosaic virus (RaMV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), and Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV); 47 samples were TuMV positive, and RaMV and CMV were detected in 3 and 2 samples, respectively. No samples showed double infection of TuMV/RaMV, or RaMV/CMV, but two double infections of TuMV/CMV were detected. TuMV isolates were sorted by symptom severity, and three isolates (R007-mild; R041 and R065-severe) selected for BLAST and phylogenetic analysis, which indicated that the coat protein (CP) of these isolates (R007, R041, and R065) have approx. 98-99% homology to a previously reported TuMV isolate. RaMV CP showed approx. 99% homology to a previously reported isolate, and the CMV CP is identical to a previously reported Korean isolate (GenBank : GU327368). Three isolates of TuMV showing different pathogenicity (degree of symptom severity) will be valuable to study determinants of pathogenicity.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.160-164
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• 2012

The goat industry has been developing for many years in Korea to meet demands for food and medicine. However, many complicated patterns of disease have arisen in goat farms as this industry has developed. In this study, disease occurrence patterns in Korean black goats were surveyed in six professional farming households in Imsil and Soonchang in the Jeonbuk province and in Hamyang and Sachon in the Gyeongnam province to understand and extend the goat disease database. We observed morbidity rates between 2.0% and 9.8% for adult goats and between 2.9% and 68.3% for kids. Kids showed a markedly higher incidence of disease when compared to adults. The rate of disease occurrence was 40.0% for floppy kid syndrome (FKS), 37.7% for diarrhea, 16.0% for respiratory disease, and 1.9% for skin disease. The observed mortality rates were 0.7% ~ 10.0%, and 2.2% ~ 24.9% for adult goats and kids, respectively. In addition, FKS, diarrhea, and respiratory disease were observed in 38.3%, 28.9%, and 10.0%, respectively, of dead goats. In conclusion, the majority of diseases in goats occur during the neonatal period, and FKS is the highest single cause of mortality in Korean black goats. Thus careful attention must be paid to kids to reduce the goat mortality rate.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.65-89
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• 2012

Objective : In order to investigate and improve public Korean medical health service satisfaction level, this study was designed. Method : A questionnaire has been conducted on 212 patients who received treatments at six public health centers in the northern part of Gyeongbuk during 15 days between Sep. 24 and Oct. 8, 2011. Result : 1. An Investigation on the usage of herbal clinics in public health centers reveals that 63.7% have received three times or more medical treatments previously and 61.8% have had their illness treated at other medical institutions. In regard to illness 32.1% have had arthritis or muscle aches. 50.9% have taken insurance medication after having had treatments at the public health centers. 66% have assessed acupuncture and moxa cautery the most satisfying. 2. To a question regarding whether herbal health treatment costs higher than that of physician's, the highest response at 31.6% is 'No'. And to a question regarding whether herbal medicines administered at public health centers have more side effects than that of physician's, the highest response at 39.6% is 'No'. 3. To a question regarding whether herbal treatment of public health centers has little effect against acute disease, 48.1% of responses are 'Fair'. To a question regarding whether herbal treatments, when compared with physician's treatments, boost better recovery of patients, 48.1% of responses are 'Fair'. To a question regarding whether herbal medicine is unscientific, when compared with that of western medicine, 38.2% of responses are 'Fair', To a question regarding whether herbal medicine has faster effect on disease than western medicine, 41.0% of responses are 'Fair'. To a question regarding whether herbal medicine is more effective on disease prevention and promotion of health than disease treatment, 38.2% of responses are 'Fair'. And to a question regarding whether the lack of various types of physical therapy devices in herbal medicine, when compared with western medicine causes inconvenience in herbal treatment, 42.0% of responses are 'Fair'. Those responses take up highest portion at each questionnaire. 4. A comparative study between herbal treatments and physician's treatments has also been conducted. To questions regarding which one of the two considering types of disease is the better, responses are the latter accounted for 43.9% against 'Cancer', the latter accounted for 45.3% against 'Endocrine disorders', the former accounted for 30.7% against 'Psychiatric disorders', the latter accounted for 38.2% gainst 'Otolaryngological(ENT) disease', the former accounted for 47.6% against 'Post traumatic stress disorder', and the former accounted for 52.4% against 'Muscle-skeletal disease'. 5. An investigation on frequency of patients' visits via (p<0.05) of subjects show a statistically significant difference. 6. First, an investigation on frequency of reasons of medical treatments reveal that age, occupation, monthly income, and insurance type (p<0.05) of subjects show a statistically significant difference. Secondly, an investigation on frequency of subjects taking insurance medicines after herbal health treatments reveal that monthly income (p<0.05) of subject shows a statistically significant difference. 7. First, an investigation on frequency of a claim that herbal treatments of public health center does not have great effect on acute disease reveals that age, education, and insurance type (p<0.05) of subjects show a statistically significant difference. Secondly, an investigation on frequency of analysis that herbal treatments has faster effect on disease compared with western treatments reveals that education level, religion, monthly income, and insurance type (p<0.05) of subjects show a statistically significant difference. 8. When herbal clinics of public health centers and general herbal medicine institutions are compared, a survey on additional treatments that herbal clinics need the most reveals that education level, monthly income, and insurance type (p<0.05) of subjects show a statistically significant difference. Secondly, an investigation on frequency of subjects who want various forms of herbal medicines reveals that occupation and insurance type (p<0.05) of subjects show a statistically significant difference. Conclusion : In order to improve efficiency of treatments and enhance patient's satisfaction level, this study suggests measures such as providing a differentiated acupuncture treatments as a whole, streamlining an reception procedure, adopting more elaborated computer system for a patient to get proper medical attention, standardizing a treatment duration in order for a maximum result, keeping regular office hours, and optimizing a consultation time for a patient.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.25-31
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• 2016

During a field survey in 2014, a Rorippa palustris plant showing virus-like symptom was collected from a pepper field in Dangjin in Korea. The collected sample was subjected to examine infection with pepper-infecting viruses. Molecular diagnosis assay showed that the collected R. palustris sample was co-infected with Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) and Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). This is the first identification of PMMoV from R. palustris and the first report of CMV infection of R. palustris in Korea. To examine phylogenetic positions of the identified PMMoV and CMV isolates, their complete genome sequences of were determined and compared with those of previously reported isolates of the cognate viruses. Phylogenetic analyses revealed the isolates of PMMoV and CMV obtained from R. palustris are closely related to the pepper isolates of the cognate viruses. Our results suggest that R. palustris could act a weed reservoir of PMMoV and CMV.