• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.90-95
• /
• 2019

The Korea Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention interpreted that recent outbreaks of scarlet fever in Korea since 2011 was resulted from the expansion of scarlet fever notification criteria. To suggest a relevant hypothesis regarding this emerging outbreak, a time series analysis(TSA) of scarlet fever incidence between 2002 and 2016 was conducted. The raw data was the nationwide insurance claims database administered by the Korean National Health Insurance Service. The inclusion criteria were children aged ≤14 years residing in Jeju Province, Korea who received any form of healthcare for scarlet fever from 2002 to 2016. The season was defined as winter (December, January, February; Q1), spring (March, April, May; Q2), summer (June, July, August; Q3), and autumn (September, October, November; Q4). There were seasonal variations with showing peak season on Q1 and Q3. And three phases as 2002 Q2~2005 Q2, 2005 Q2~2009 Q4, and 2010 Q1~2016 Q4 were found between 2002 and 2016. The results from TSA suggested that the recent outbreak of scarlet fever among children in Jeju Province might be a phenomenon from 'unknown birth-related environmental factors' changed after 2010.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.19-30
• /
• 1994

Regarding to Q fever which is one of the most important zoonoses in Food (Milk) Hygiene and in Environmental Public Health, a sero-epidemiological study was carried out to detect the complement fixation antibodies to Coxiella burnetii Nine Mile strain phase II antigen among the milking cows in Kyunggi Province. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. The overall prevalence of the CF antibodies to Q fever among 989 milking cows of 75 dairy farms in Kyunggi Province was revealed as high as 58.7% by the farms and 27.8% by the individual cows with higher prevalence in Kyunggi Central and Kyunggi East regions than any other regions in the Province. 2. Anticomplementary reactions were appeared as 7.5% (74/989) and it ranged from 1.0% to 16.0% according to the regions investigated. 3. In the titration of the positively reacted sera, the figures of 16.7%, 37.5%, 29.8%, 9.5%, 2.9% and 3.6% at the serum dilutions of 1: 10, 1: 20, 1: 40, 1: 80, 1: 160 and higher than 1: 160, respectively. 4. It was recognized that the relatively higher cumulated frequency distribution of the CF antibodies was shown in the sera collected from the regions with higher prevalence of Q fever. 5. There was a high correlation between the prevalence of Q fever CF antibodies and the age which is usually equivalent to one year older than the calving history of the milking cows.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.56 no.4
• /
• pp.249-254
• /
• 2016

As the meat of black goats has become popular as a healthy food, domestic goat meat-related industries are steadily growing. However, previous studies are scarce of informations about the zoonotic disease originated from the black goat in Korea. In this study, we investigated Korean black goat's infectious diseases representing bovine tuberculosis, brucellosis, and Q fever. One hundred and eighty samples were collected from a local slaughter house located in Jeollanam-do. Three typical zoonotic diseases were separately examined by carrying out enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Histopathological test was additionally performed in tuberculosis. In case of tuberculosis, results of the PCR and histopathological test were negative but the ELISA results were positive in eight samples. In case of brucellosis, one out of the total samples was shown to be positive in the ELISA and none in the PCR. In case of Q fever, there were forty one positive in the ELISA and twenty positive in the real-time PCR. Those results indicate that the Korean black goat could be a natural reservoir in the possible chain-infections among human, cows and goats. Thus, further study needs in order to improve productivity as well as to prevent the zoonosis spreading and circulation of other livestock with the black goat in this country.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.177-181
• /
• 2019

Q fever is a zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetti that is important not only for livestock but also for humans. This research aims to investigate infection rate of Q fever by examining the prevalence of antibody titers in cattle in Sejong City. From March to October 2018, 505 samples of Hanwoo serum and 47 samples of bulk-tank milk were collected and analyzed using ELISA. According to the result, 25 (53.2%) out of 47 bulk-tank milk samples were antibody positive and 28 (5.5%) out of 505 cows were antibody positive. The seroprevalence of C. burnetii increased with age (<1 y=0%, 1~2 y=4.1%, 3~5 y=7.5%, ≥6 y=9.6%) and was higher in females (6.5%) compared to males (0%).

• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.87.1-87.12
• /
• 2021

Background: African swine fever virus (ASFV), classical swine fever virus (CSFV), and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) are still prevalent in many regions of China. Co-infections make it difficult to distinguish their clinical symptoms and pathological changes. Therefore, a rapid and specific method is needed for the differential detection of these pathogens. Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop a multiplex real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (multiplex qRT-PCR) for the simultaneous differential detection of ASFV, CSFV, and PRRSV. Methods: Three pairs of primers and TaqMan probes targeting the ASFV p72 gene, CSFV 5' untranslated region, and PRRSV ORF7 gene were designed. After optimizing the reaction conditions, including the annealing temperature, primer concentration, and probe concentration, multiplex qRT-PCR for simultaneous and differential detection of ASFV, CSFV, and PRRSV was developed. Subsequently, 1,143 clinical samples were detected to verify the practicality of the assay. Results: The multiplex qRT-PCR assay could specifically and simultaneously detect the ASFV, CSFV, and PRRSV with a detection limit of 1.78 × 10⁰ copies for the ASFV, CSFV, and PRRSV, but could not amplify the other major porcine viruses, such as pseudorabies virus, porcine circovirus type 1 (PCV1), PCV2, PCV3, foot-and-mouth disease virus, porcine parvovirus, atypical porcine pestivirus, and Senecavirus A. The assay had good repeatability with coefficients of variation of intra- and inter-assay of less than 1.2%. Finally, the assay was used to detect 1,143 clinical samples to evaluate its practicality in the field. The positive rates of ASFV, CSFV, and PRRSV were 25.63%, 9.36%, and 17.50%, respectively. The co-infection rates of ASFV+CSFV, ASFV+PRRSV, CSFV+PRRSV, and ASFV+CSFV+PRRSV were 2.45%, 2.36%, 1.57%, and 0.17%, respectively. Conclusions: The multiplex qRT-PCR developed in this study could provide a rapid, sensitive, specific diagnostic tool for the simultaneous and differential detection of ASFV, CSFV, and PRRSV.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.54 no.3
• /
• pp.147-150
• /
• 2014

Q-fever is a vector-borne (Coxiella [C.] burnetii) zoonotic disease that is an increasing public health concern. To date, some research about Q-fever prevalence in dairy herds and human patients has been reported in Korea, but information about Korean native cattle is scarce. To measure the prevalence rates of C. burnetii in Korean native cattle, a total of 1,095 bovine serum samples collected during 2010~2013 were analyzed with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Sixty-eight heads of cattle were diagnosed as positive and while 19 heads were suspected (positive rate = 6.2%). Interestingly, Jeju province had a seropositivity rate six times greater than that of other provinces (18.9% vs. 3.2%). High seroprevalence might be caused by wide distribution of ticks in Jeju province compared to other regions. Based on these data, extensive monitoring of C. burnetii infection in cattle, tick distribution, and climate changes is required.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.61-65
• /
• 2019

Seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) in bulk-tank milk and cattle in Daegu area was analyzed from 2017 to 2018 by ELISA. The prevalence of antibodies in collected bulk-tank milk from 12 dairy cattle farms was 41.7% (10/24) and the seroprevalence of 249 cows reared in the area of Daegu was 3.2% (8/249) By age, the seroprevalence was 1.9% (2/105) in less than 2 years of age, 4.2% (5/119) between 3 and 5 years of age and 4.0% (1/25) in more than 6 years of age. By breed, the seroprevalence of the Hanwoo cattle was 1.2% (2/162) and the seroprevalence of the dairy cattle was 6.9% (6/87). The result suggested that seroprevalence of C. burnetii was relatively high in both bulk-tank milk samples and dairy cattle than the Hanwoo cattle. Based on these data, it is necessary to keep monitoring the prevalence of Q fever in Daegu area.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.50 no.3
• /
• pp.195-200
• /
• 2017

Objectives: Q fever is a zoonotic disease that occurs worldwide; however, little is known about its prevalence in South Korea. We attempted to determine the prevalence of Q fever seroreactivity among Korean slaughterhouse workers and the risk factors for seroreactivity according to the type of work. Methods: The study was conducted among 1503 workers at a total of 73 slaughterhouses and 62 residual-product disposal plants. During the study period, sites were visited and surveys were administered to employees involved in slaughterhouse work, and serological tests were performed on blood samples by indirect immunofluorescence assays. Serological samples were grouped by job classification into those of slaughter workers, residual-product handlers, inspectors and inspection assistants, and grading testers and testing assistants. Employee risk factors were analyzed according to the type of work. Results: Out of 1481 study subjects who provided a blood sample, 151 (10.2%) showed reactive antibodies. When these results were analyzed in accordance with the type of work, the result of slaughter workers (11.3%) was similar to the result of residual-product handlers (11.4%), and the result of inspectors and assistants (5.3%) was similar to the result of grading testers and assistants (5.4%). Among those who answered in the affirmative to the survey question, "Has there been frequent contact between cattle blood and your mouth while working?" the proportions were 13.4 and 4.6%, respectively, and this was identified as a risk factor that significantly varied between job categories among slaughterhouse workers. Conclusions: This study found a Q fever seroreactivity rate of 10.2% for slaughterhouse workers, who are known to be a high-risk population. Contact with cattle blood around the mouth while working was the differential risk factor between job categories among slaughterhouse workers.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.233-239
• /
• 2015

Both Q-fever and Toxoplasmosis are zoonosis. Q-fever occurs due to intracellular bacteria, while Toxoplasmosis is created by protozoan. Both of them have a wide range of host including livestock and wild animals and occur sporadically all over in the world. In this study, seroprevalence of Q-fever and Toxoplasmosis was investigated on cows bred in the area of Seoul where there was a fairly high possibility to occur, while vaccine was not used in Korea. As for experiment materials, cattle blood collected from 190 cows from February to September in 2014 was used ELISA. According to the result, there was a positive reaction on Q-fever from 18 cows out of total 190 cows (9.5%) and on Toxoplasmosis from 32 cows (16.8%). Seroprevalence of both diseases per age was turned out to be negative for those aged less than 2. In addition, it was shown to be positive on 4 cows out of 87 (4.6%) cows aged from 3 to 5, on 7 cows out of 30 cows (23.3%) aged from 6 to 7. Finally, it was shown to be positive on 7 cows out of 17 cows (41.2%) aged 8 or above. Toxoplasmosis was turned out to be positive on 1 cow out of 56 cows (1.8%) aged less than 2, on 6 cows out of 87 cows (6.9%) aged from 3 to 5, on 17 cows out of 30 cows (56.7%) aged from 6 to 7. In addition, it was turned out to be 8 cows out of 17 cows (47.1%) aged 8 or above. Seroprevalence of both diseases was turned out to be higher as age increased. Therefore, it seems that a wide range of investigation on the entire disease spreaders as well as livestock is required since infection of Q-fever and Toxoplasmosis, types of zoonosis, has continuously occurred, and the number of insects, wild animals, and stray animals serving as a role of spreading diseases by changes in seasons and environments has been gradually increasing in Korea.

• Journal of the korean veterinary medical association
• /
• v.43 no.12
• /
• pp.1104-1112
• /
• 2007