• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.207-216
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• 2022

Canine babesiosis has been scarcely investigated in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Although it is known that Babesia gibsoni is its primary causative agent, its clinical presentation has not been completely clarified in the ROK. Consequently, the aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical appearance of this parasitic infection based on the anamnesis of the patient and compare of hematological and biochemical test results. Four hundred whole blood samples from patients with a presumptive diagnosis of tick-borne disease were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify the Babesia spp. 18S rRNA gene and by a rapid diagnostic test kit (VetAll Laboratories^®) to detect B. gibsoni seroreactive animals. Thirty-six (9.0%) dogs were PCR-positive but only 24 (6.0%) were seropositive. The investigation revealed that all the courses of the disease are present in the ROK, with the acute course being predominant. The acute course tends to consist of inappetence, lethargy, pyrexia, gastrointestinal symptoms, and occasionally hematuria. It also occurs with common hematological abnormalities, such as thrombocytopenia and anemia, and to a lesser extent biochemical abnormalities, such as hyperbilirubinemia, hypoalbuminemia, and elevated liver enzymes. This research shows that B. gibsoni is an endemic hemoparasite capable of producing a variety of clinical manifestations in dogs. For its accurate diagnosis, a descriptive history of the clinical signs, hematology, and biochemical profile of the patient, along with a well-performing PCR assay, are essential. These findings will help in planning pragmatic preventive strategies against this potent threat in the ROK.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.747-756
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• 1999

Background: Acid-fast stain and cultures for diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis are primary and essential method, but have their limitation : low sensitivity and time consuming. The objective of this study is comparison of amplified Mycobacterium tuberculosis direct test(MTD) by the conventional AFB smears and cultures in the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in respiratory specimens. Methods: During the period between November, 1997 and May, 1998 a total of 267 respiratory specimens (sputum 173, bronchial washing 94) from 187 patients suspected pulmonary tuberculosis were subjected to AFB smears, cultures and MID test. MID is based on nucleic acid amplification. We compared the MID with 3% Ogawa culture method. In positive AFB smear and negative MID specimen, positive culture identification between nontuberculous mycobacterium and M.tuberculosis was assesed by using Accuprobe M.tuberculosis complex probe. In negative AFB smear and negative AFB culture, MTD results are assessed by clinical follow-up. Results : 1) Compared with culture in sputum and bronchial fluid specimens, sensitivity and specificity of MTD in positive AFB smear is 79.7% and 20.0%, sensitivity and specificity of MTD in negative AFB smear specimens is 75.0% and 79.7%. 2) Discrepant analysis is assessed by clinical follow-up and other specimen results beyond study. Culture negative but MTD positive specimens were proved to be true positive and gave MTD sensitivity 79.2%, specificity of 84.4%, positive predictive value 80.5% and negative predictive value 83.2%. 3) 14 out of 31 specimens in negative AFB smear, negative AFB culture and positive MTD showed pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosed on clinical follow-up and sensitivity is 45.2%. 4) 2 out of 13 specimens in positive AFB smear, positive AFB culture and negative MID diagnosed as non tuberculous mycobacterium by Accuprobe culture. Conclusion: This study suggested that MID in respiratory specimens is simple and rapid diagnostic method, but considered adjuvant method rather than replace the conventional AFB smear and culture.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.845-858
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to establish early diagnostic methods for the detection of Aujeszky's disease viral antigens and nucleic acid in nasal cells, and buffy coats from experimentally infected living pigs by a combination of immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization with digoxigenin(DIG)-labled probe and electron microscopy. Forty days old piglets were inoculated intranasally with $10^{7.0}TCID_{50}$ of Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV, NYJ-1-87 strain). The viral antigens and nucleic acid of ADV were detected in nasal cells, and buffy coat for 20 days after inoculation by immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization with DIG-labeled probe and electron microscopical method. The results were compared with conventional methods such as a porcine Aujeszky's disease serodiagnostic(PAD) kit, neutralization test(NT) and virus isolation. 1. The viral antigens, nucleic acids and capsids of ADV were detected in nasal cells, buffy coats from 3 days to 20 days after inoculation by immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization with DIG-labeled probe and electron microscopy, respectively. 2. When viral antigens were detected by the immunocytochemical technique, a diffuse brown deposit was observed in the nucleus and cytoplasm of nasal cells, buffy coats and PK-15 cells under a microscope. 3. DIG-labeled DNA probe was prepared by amplification of conserved sequence of recombinant ADV-gp50 clone with polymerase chain reacction. When ADV-DNA was detected by ISH with DIG-labeled probe, purplish blue pigmentation were observed in the nuclei and cytoplasms of ADV-infected cells under a microscope. Positive signals were observed in nasal cells and in the buffy coat and PK-15 cells at the first day after inoculation. 4. Where ADV-capsids were detected by transmission electron microscopical method, aggregation of capsids was observed in the nuclei and cytoplasms of nasal cells, buffy coats and PK-15 cells. The results suggested that these methods were considered as the highly sensitive and reliable tools for rapid and confirmative diagnosis of Aujeszky's disease in living pigs.