• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.45 no.2 s.142
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• pp.139-144
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• 2007

We investigated a small-scale serological survey to screen tissue-parasitic helminthiases of North Koreans as one of research programs for re-unification of Korea. Soil-transmitted helminthiases were found highly prevalent among North Korean residents at the border with China. ELISA using 4 tissue-parasitic helminth antigens was applied to 137 residents living in Cheongjin-shi, Hamgyeongbuk-do, North Korea and 133 female refugees in South Korea in 2004-2005. Among a total of 270 samples, 31 (11.5%), 25 (9.3%), and 11 (4.1%) were positive for specific IgG antibodies to antigens of Clonorchis sinensis, Taenia solium metacestode, and sparganum, respectively. The overall positive rate was 21.5%; 38.2% in males and 15.8% in females. The present finding suggests that tissue parasites, such as C. sinensis, T. solium metacestode and sparganum are highly prevalent in some limited areas of North Korea. These foodborne tissue-parasitic helminthiases should be considered for future control measures of parasitic diseases in North Korea.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.124-130
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• 1996

A survey was conducted to determine the prevalance of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) on fish farms in Korea and the epidemiology of IPNV infection in the farmed rainbow trout. In total, 43 pools of rainbow trout with apparent signs of viral infection from five provinces were obtained and analyzed. Evident cytopathic effects, including karyopycnosis and cell destruction, were observed in CHSE (chinook samlmon embyro)-214 cells infected with the virus isolates. Of these, ten viral isolates were assumed to be IPNV based on biophysical properties. RNA analysis revealed that the isolates contained two-segmented RNA genomes, further indicating that the viral isolates are IPNV. Antigenic comparison of the IPNV isolates identified three distinct serological groups separable by the cross-neutralization test. Of the ten IPNV isolates, six could be classified as strain DRT, two as strain Ab, and two as strain VR299. We were not able to isolate new strain of IPNV or any isolate serologically similar to the standard strain Sp.poraceae and families of the Agaricales, they are genetically more related to the Polyporaceae. These results are consistent with morphological characters observed in those mushrooms. However, it is premature to conclude taxonomic status Ganoderma species in the present study employing small sample size.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.243-248
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• 2001

Two Tobamoviruses, Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) and Zucchini green mottle mosaic virus (ZGMMV), occurred in Korea in 463 ha in 1998, 33.9 ha in 1999, and 44.2 ha in 2000. CGMMV was detected in watermelon, cucumber, oriental melon, and melon, whereas ZGMMV was mainly detected in zucchini squash. Thirty-six CGMMV isolates wee classified into three types by analysis of single strand cDNA conformational polymorphism (SSCP) of the coat protein gene. In a comparison of serological relationships among CGMMV, ZGMMV, and Kyuri green mottle mosaic virus (KGMMV), the three tobamoviruses specifically reacted with each homologous antibody in the double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and rapid imunofilter paper assay (RIPA), although ZGMMV and KGMMV were slightly biologcially similar. In a survey of the three tobamoviruses in cucurbitgrowing field in Korea by RIPA, CGMMV and ZGMMV were detected but KGMMV was not found in commercially growing cucurbit crops so far. Seed contamination ratio of CGMMV in bottle gourd seeds tested was 84%, while seed trasmission ratio from the virus-contaminated seeds was 2.0%. Soil transmission ratio was 0-3.5% in fields naturally infested with CGMMV or ZGMMV. Control measures of the virus diseases are roguing and sanitation. These suggest that it is important to rogue the first infected crops, which include the seed and soil, especially early in the season. This may be practicable to control the diseases because CGMMV and ZGMMV have a narrow host range restricted to cucurbitaceous crops.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.97-100
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• 2014

This study was performed in Korea to get serological information for bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1), most commonly found in cattle. Antibodies against BoHV-1 were examined by targeting infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) in unvaccinated and vaccinated cattle, using viral neutralization (VN) test. In 2013, among 261 sera collected from IBR-unvaccinated herds, 7 sera (2.7%) were found seropositive and their VN titers were ranging from 1:4 to 1:32. Among 315 sera collected from IBR-vaccinated herds in large capacity farms, 303 sera (96.2%) were found to be seropositive for BoHV-1 and their VN titers were in the range of 1:4 to 1:2048. It was found that the IBR-vaccinated herds had higher levels of VN titer than IBR-unvaccinated herds. The results indicated that it may be due to heavy vaccination in vaccinated herds and no or a little infection in unvaccinated herds. At the end of the study it was concluded that although the seropositivity in IBR-unvaccinated herds was low, the monitoring of IBR should be continuously practiced to control and prevent the disease because of exportation of living cattle causing its nationwide outbreaks.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.51-56
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• 2003

Avian pneumoviros(APV), also known as avian rhinotracheitis virus(ARTV), affects both turkeys and chickens and is known to be the primary causative agent of turkey rhinotracheitis (TRT). The aim of this study was to establish the presence or absence of antibodies to avian pneumovirus in the commercial poultry population of Korea. For this purpose, chicken serum samples were obtained and tested by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The tested serum was collected in laying hens with reduction of egg production or normal in Gyeongbuk province. A total of 184 sera representing 42 different poultry farms of the Gyeongbuk region of Korea were included in this study. Laying hens of 16 different farms with reduction of egg production and laying hens of 26 different farms with clinically healthy at the time of serum sampling were considered positive to antibody against APV. In the farms with reduction of egg production, positive farm to antibody against avian pneumovirus were 11 of 16 different farms(68.8%) and positive sera were 47(58.8%) of 80 different serum. In the farms with clinically healthy flock, positive farm to antibody against avian pneumovirus were 12(46.2%) of 26 different farms and positive serum sample were 39(37.5%) of 104 different sera. According to the results tested to 42 different farms in 14 city, 8 of 14 city have flocks with antibody positive laying hens against APV, 1 of 14 city have antibody suspicious and 5 of 14 city shown antibody negative, respectively.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.387-392
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• 2020

A serological survey was performed using ELISA to estimate the prevalence of tissue and luminal helminthic infections among hospital patients in Hanoi region, Vietnam. An overall seroprevalence of tissue and luminal helminthiases was 64.0% (95% CI 61.2-66.8) among 1,120 patients who visited Hanoi Medical University Hospital, Vietnam in 2018. The highest seroprevalence was observed against Toxocara spp. (59.0%), followed by Strongyloides stercoralis (46.3%), Gnathostoma spp. (25.5%), cysticercus (12.8%), Angiostrongylus cantonensis (10.5%), Fasciola spp. (11.1%), and Clonorchis sinensis (8.7%). Mono-infection by one species (11.1%) was lower than multiple infections (53.0%) (P<0.05). The seroprevalence in males (59.3%) was lower than in females (66.2%) but not statistically significant (P>0.05). Children (<15 years) revealed lower seroprevalence (34.0%) than adults (68.4%), and the age group 51-70 years revealed the highest seroprevalence (76.0%). Among the seropositive patients, eosinophilia (≥8.0%) was noted in 80.2%. The present results suggested active transmission of various tissue and luminal helminths among people in Hanoi, Vietnam.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.1451-1455
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• 2009

Porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV) is a betaherpesvirus which causes reproductive failure in breeding sows and generalized infection in newborn piglets. It has worldwide distribution including Korea. Serological survey on this virus has been reported in 76.3% of pigs, but virological survey and epidemiological analysis on PCMV distribution have been reported in only a few papers in Korea. In this study, we investigated the virological prevalence and infection status of PCMV on a farm level in selected swine farms with respiratory diseases. A total of 1,938 blood samples taken from groups of pigs of different ages were collected from 31 farms distributed nationwide in 2006 and 2007 and tested by PCR to detect the presence of PCMV. Virological prevalence at farm level and pig level were 96.8% and 17.5%, respectively, suggesting that PCMV has endemically infected Korean pig herds. The prevalence at farm level in gilts, sows and suckling piglet groups were 16.7%, 36.7% and 56.7%, indicating that vertical infections frequently occurred in conception or newborn stage. Thereafter, detection rates of PCMV were slightly increased in pig groups aged 40 and 70 days (70.0% and 73.3%), and then gradually decreased as they aged - 33.3% in 100, 26.7% in 130 and 16.7% in 160 day old pig groups. The prevalence at pig level has similar patterns to that at farm level. With the passage of time, the variation of infection patterns of PCMV was investigated in four PCMV-positive farms. Three blood samples were collected at intervals of 6 months in each farm, and examined for presence of PCMV using PCR. The results revealed that once PCMV was introduced to the pig farms, it continuously circulated between and within groups of sows and piglets in those farms. Taken together, it can be concluded that PCMV has endemically infected Korean pig farms and has the potential risk for emerging pathogen in combination with the known endemic pathogens including porcine reproductive, respiratory syndrome virus and porcine circovirus type 2. Therefore, more research is needed on diagnosis, epidemiology and control strategy for PCMV on the field.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 1976

An attempt was made by the authors to survey the distribution of C. renale in apparently healthy Korean male cattle and dairy cattle, and to determine the types of C. renale isolated in Korea. A total of 153 urine samples and 240 vaginal smears were collected from 253 cows for examination, and 124 urine samples of Korean cattle were investigated. Of them, one case showed cystitis symptoms. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. The organism was detected from 8(6.5%) of 124 specimens of Korean cattle. The isolates studied in this survey belonged to type I (4.1%), type III (1.6%) and untypable(0.8%) of C. renale. 2. The rate of isolation of C. renale was 7.5% (19 of 253 individuals) in apparently healthy cow. The 26 strains isolated from the 19 dairy cattle belonged to type I (38.5%), type II (26.9%), type III (24.6%) and untypable(11.5%) in the serological classification. From the cow with clinical cystitis, type III strain was isolated. 3. It appears that the isolation rate depends on the history of pasture rather than the number of cattle; higher percentages were detected from the pasture which had fed for longer period. 4. From the findings mentioned above, it is clear that three types of C. renale were distributed in the apparently healthy Korean and dairy cattle in Korea. And this is the first report on the isolation and distribution of C. renale in Korea.

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

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.673-678
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• 2016

Epidemiological study on strongyloidiasis in humans is currently lacking in Malaysia. Thus, a cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis infection among the inhabitants of longhouse indigenous communities in Sarawak. A single stool and blood sample were collected from each participant and subjected to microscopy, serological and molecular techniques. Five species of intestinal parasites were identified by stool microscopy. None of the stool samples were positive for S. stercoralis. However, 11% of 236 serum samples were seropositive for strongyloidiasis. Further confirmation using molecular technique on stool samples of the seropositive individuals successfully amplified 5 samples, suggesting current active infections. The prevalence was significantly higher in adult males and tended to increase with age. S. stercoralis should no longer be neglected in any intestinal parasitic survey. Combination of more than 1 diagnostic technique is necessary to increase the likelihood of estimating the 'true' prevalence of S. stercoralis.