• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.53-53
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• 1961

During the period from 1956 to 1959, a serological survey was conducted in au effort to assessing the incidence of brucellosis in various domestic animals in Korea. The following results were obtained. 1. Seventy-six dairy cattle which were imported in the year of 1956 had 9 positive reactors (11.84%). Of 1127 goats imported in 1956 and 1958, eleven(0.98%) were reactor animals. 2. In 1956, of 108 dairy cattle tested 10(9.25%) were reactors. In 1937 and 1958, a total of 155 dairy cattle examined hid ten (6.45%) positive reactors. In 1959, of 127 dairy cattle examined two were reactor animals. 3. In 1958 and 1959, 432 goats in some districts in Korea were subject to test for brucellosis and the test revealed five (1.15%) reactors. In 1958, 683 swine serum samples were examined and eleven (1.04%) were positive. In 1959, 1133 Korean cattle were tested and seven samples (0.64%) showed positive reactions. 4. In the month of July in 1939, 580 beef cattle in Cheju National Ranch and Branch were examined and 111 (19.13%) were found to be reactors. In October of the same year, 157 cattle, consisting of reactor and suspicious cattle groups, were tested, of which 71 samples reacted positive and 47 remained suspicious. 5. In December of the year of 1958, there occurred. an outbreak of brucellosis in a swine herd in the Sachon Branch Experimental Station. Seven serological tests on 438 swine serum samples were conducted, of which 122 (27.87%) were found positive. 6. Dairy cattle No. 33 and No. 35 which had been imported in 1956 and detected as highly positive, were examined for a prolonged period to follow the variation of antibody titers. A marked drop in antibody titer was seen two months after the initial test while the re-increase in titer was observer our months after the first examination.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.14 no.2 s.23
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• pp.71-76
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• 1975

The study has been carried to find a proper site for seed potato production in Jeon Bug Province, Korea. Two fields, one at the alpine area (700-800 m sea level) in Muju county and the other at the plain area in Jeoniu, were chose for this study. Seed potatoes for the experiment were obtained from Alpine Experiment Station and from the traditional sources in Muju area. During the growing season the virus infection (Potato virus X,S,Y, and M) was detected by serolgical method. The average percent of virus infection on the original seed potatoes, which have been used as a seed source in Korea, was $50.5\%$, and the ratio of the infection for each of potato virus, Y, M and X was 34..87, 40.33, 41.00 and $87.10\%$, respectively. Infection percentage of virus at first year in Muju area was $11.7\%$ and those in Jeonju area was $18.95\%$. In case of potato virus Y, the most prevalent virus in Korea, lower Infection percentage $(6.45\%)$ was found in Muju area than in tile Jeonju area $(26.0\%)$ when the seed from Alpine Experiment Station was planted in both areas. The percentage of infected seed potato, Alpine Experiment Station$(41.75\%)$ was almost the same as those from the traditional sources in Muju $(42.17\%)$. The production of seed potato, however, was much better by the seeds from Alpine Experiment Station.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 1968

For the effective control of Syphilis, many investigators have developed a more rapid, simple and economical screening serological test which is adequately sensitive and specific. To fulfill the requirements of a more rapid serologic test for syphlis, a substitute for the conventional serum specimen was needed since considerable time and labor are involved in the processing of blood to serum. Burdon suggested the use of plasma in the serologic tests for syphilis as a substitute for serum. He noticed that plasma was more sensitive than serum in the Kline and Kahn tests, and attributed this to the presence of more antibody-like substance, "reagin" in plasma than in serum. However, to make plasma sufficiently sensitive, it was necessary to inactivate plasma by heating at a temperature of $56^{\circ}C$ for about 30 minutes. Heating of plasma resulted in the precipitation of fibrinogen which made centrifugation necessary to obtain dear plasma. Since the chief disadvantage to the use of unheated plasma(or serum) was a reduction in sensitivity of results-which probably was due to a labile factor such as complement-Portnoy et al began to consider rapid chemical methods of inactivation of plasma(or serum). They experienced that choline chloirde was shown to be anticomplementary which suggested its use as an inactivating agent for unheated plasma(or serum). In 1959 Portnoy et al reported the Rapid Plasma Reagin(RPR) Test for syphilis which is a more rapid, economical and simple. But still this test has many disadvantages as a rapid performing, field and office procedure, because it requires the usual laboratory equipments such as centrifuge, rotating machine, microscope etc. To substitute these disadvantages of the RPR test, in 1962, Portnoy et al developed the Rapid Plasma Reagin(RPR) card test for syphilis, which has the following advantages: a) Simplicity and rapidity of performance, b) Requires no laboratory equipments, c) Stable antigen suspension, d) Adequate sensitivity and specificity. This RPR card test can be used as a rapidly performing and screening test in field investigation, outpatient clinics, small laboratories and hospitals doing limited syphilis serology, and predonor in blood bank. Private clinic which has limited laboratory equipment and technic for syphilis serology can also use this RPR card test as a tool in the rapid diagnosis of syphilis. It was thought that this RPR card test is a useful tool in Korea for private physician and mass survey for syphilis diagnosis. But Portnoy patented the reagents needed for the performing the RPR card test. Therefore authors developed newly the reagents and according to Portnoy's method evaluated the newly developed. RPR card test compared with the VDRL, Kolmer CF, and RPCF tests. The RPR card and VDRL tests were performed plasma and serum from the total 1,132 cases. Among these 1,131 cases, 521 were syphilis suspected laboratory specimens, and 611 were syphilis unsuspected healthy young men. After screening with these two tests, the RPR card and VDRL tests, reactive specimens to the above one or both tests were retested by the Kolmer CF and RPCF tests.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.58 no.5
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• pp.487-492
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• 2020

Toxoplasmosis is caused by an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite; Toxoplasma gondii, which is one of the most important zoonotic parasite worldwide. In dogs, the sexual reproductive cycle of T. gondii is lacking, and the animals are not widely consumed as food, but they are vital in the mechanical transmission of the parasite. However, there is no present data on the exposure of stray dogs to T. gondii in Malaysia. The objective of this serological survey was to determine the prevalence of T. gondii antibodies (IgG) and associated factors in stray dogs in East and West Malaysia. Antibodies to T. gondii were determined in serum samples from 222 stray dogs from 6 different states in East and West Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia) using an Indirect ELISA. The seroprevalence for T. gondii was 23.4% (Confidence interval: CI 17.8-29.2%). Stray dogs from Selangor and Kuala Lumpur had the highest seroprevalence (32.4%; CI 13.2-45.5%) and lowest in those from Penang and Kedah (12.5%; CI 1.3-23.5%). Gender and breed were not associated with T. gondii seropositivity. However, adult dogs were more likely to be seropositive for T. gondii (OR=2.89; CI 1.1-7.7) compared with younger dogs. These results revealed that T. gondii is prevalent in stray dogs in the studied areas in Malaysia, and indicative of the level of environmental contamination of this parasite especially in urban areas.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.131-140
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• 2001

Objectives : During March-May, 2000, a measles outbreak occurred at Youngduk, Korea. This county is divided into two areas with different historical and socioeconomic background. The outbreak occurred in one of these areas. We conducted a comparative epidemiologic study on the two areas in order to evaluate the factors related to the epidemic. Materials and Methods : We selected two groups, grades 3 and 5 in a primary schools in each area. We investigated outbreak-related factors using parent-questionnaires, the vaccination history from the student's health record and the records concerning the recent measles-outbreak from the local health center. Serologic test on measles-IgG and -IgM antibody was done. Results : The infection rate was 31.5% for the epidemic area and 3.7% for non-the epidemic area according to clinical or serological criteria (p<0.001). No difference was seen in the measles vaccination rate, residence at the time of vaccination or past measles infection history between the two areas. In the epidemic area, the attack rate for the 4-6 year-old MMR booster group(20.5%) was higher than the non-booster group(32.4%), but was not found significantly. Vaccine efficacy was 29.6% in the epidemic area and 87.0% in the non-epidemic area (p<0.001). The IgG level and positive rate were significantly different between the two areas (median 10727 IU/ml, 98.9% in epidemic area; median 346 IU/ml, 85.9% in the non-epidemic area, p<0.001). However, the IgG level and positive rate between the measles-cases and non-cases were not significantly different. Conclusions : This outbreak took place in mostly vaccinated children. These results suggest that a reduction of herd immunity for immunity failure after vaccination may be one of the feasible factors related to the outbreak pattern in the two areas. The results of the IgG level and positive rate suggest that re-establishment of a normal value for IgG level and of a qualitative method for IgG are needed.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.162-170
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• 2021

Objectives: This study was carried out to understand the seroprevalence and risk factors for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) among the Korea National Park Service (KNPS) workers. Methods: We used the stored serum samples (763) and survey results collected from the previous investigation on scrub typhus and Lyme disease among the KNPS workers during 2016-2017. The serum samples were analyzed by double-antigen sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, which was used to test the total antibody including IgG and IgM. Results: The SFTS seroprevalence among the KNPS worrkers was 1.4%. In multivariate logistic analysis, the national park exploration programs (odds ratio, 3.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-12.01) was significantly associated with the seroprevalence of SFTS. Conclusion: This study was the first serological study of SFTS among forestry workers in South Korea. Although the KNPS workers are at a high-risk group of SFTS, the prevention activities related to the working environment and habit was insufficient. Thus, systematic prevention education and training for the KNPS workers need to be strengthened.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.175-185
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• 1982

Since bovine lymphosarcoma causes considerable economic loss to the dairy industry, seroepidemiological survey on bovine leucosis virus (BLV) was carried out for the dairy herds throughout the country to observe the epidemiological situation of the disease by using immunodiffusion test. Attempts were simultaneously made to detect bovine leucosis virus in the lymphocytes from BLV antibody-positive cattle by means of fluorescent antibody techniques, syncytium assay and electron microscopy. In immunodiffusion test for BLV antibody in 2003 heads of dairy cattle selected randomly from 164 herds, the prevalence of positive reactors by regions were 37.8% in Central, 27.2% in Honam (Southwest), 28.0% in Youngnam (Southeast) and 25.2% in Youngdong (East coast)and averaging 29.7%. By provinces, Chungcheong appeared the highest prevalence of BLV antibody carriers (41.8%), while Jeonbug revealed the lowest incidence rate (24.4%). When the results of serological studies were analyzed by age groups and the sizes of herds, the number of reactors increased gradually with the advance in the age of cattle and the herd size. The highest rate of BLV carriers was found in the ages between 6 and 8 years, and in the size of herds with 20 to 50 heads. One hundred and seventeen breeding bulls from the central regions were tested for BLV antibody. Four out of 70 bulls (5.7%) of Korean cattle and 14 out of 39 bulls (35.9%) of Holstein were reactive for BLV antigens. Of 164 dairy herds examined, 17 herds (10.4%) have no BLV antibody-positive cattle, while 42 herds (25.6%) were included in the range of 20 to 40% of the positive rate and 10 herds (6.1%) in the range of over 80% of the rate. When the lymphocytes from the BLV antibody carrying cattle were cultured in the presence of phytohemagglutinin and stained with FITC-conjugated sheep anti-BLV serum, 8 out of 11 cases (72.7%) of BLV positive cattle revealed specific fluorescence for BLV in the lymphocytes. In syncytium assay of the peripheral lymphocytes of the cattle, 5 out of 7 (71.4%) lymphocytes from BLV antibody carriers induced syncytia in the indicators of bovine embryonic splenic cells. The cultured lymphocytes were examined with an electron microscope to detect the BLV particles. Two out of 6 specimens (33.3%) from the reactors showed the typical type C virus with the size of 90 to 110 nm around microvilli and in intracytoplasmic vacuoles.