• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.245-250
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• 2011

In the present study, we carried out a seropositive survey of Neospora (N) caninum and Toxoplasma (T) gondii in cattle at northern area of Gyeongnam province, Korea. Serum sample was obtained from Holstein cattle (n=248, 44 farms in 5 counties) and Korean indigenous cattle (n=120, 23 farms in 4 counties). All 368 sera were tested for antibodies to N. caninum and T. gondii by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Seropositive of N. caninum at farm and heads were 41.8% (28/67) and 12.8% (47/368), respectively. Twenty-five cattle (6.8%) were seropositive to T. gondii, and eighteen (26.9%) of 67 studied farms had cows seropositive to T. gondii. The seroprevalence of Holstein cattle was much higher than that of Korean indigenous cattle. There was no apparent association of T. gondii seropositivity with age, while the seropositivity for N. caninum was associated with cattle age. The farm of cattle above the age of 5 years (16.8%) was more infective than less than 4 years (9.3%). This is the first report on seroprevalence of N. canium and T. gondii in Holstein and Korean indigenous cattle in Gyeongnam, Korea.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.173-178
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• 2022

The majority of the children experience milder coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms. Children represent a significant source of community transmission. Children under 18 years of age account for an estimated 4.8% of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections globally. However, no conclusive statements pertaining to the multi-fold aspects of the virus in children could be drawn due to the lower prevalence of pediatric cases. The present study was conducted to identify the indirect impact of SARS-CoV-2 infections on developing herd immunity among children in the age group 3 to 18 years by investigating their antibody levels. In the study, 240 children aged 3~18 years were recruited by the Department of Pediatrics, Government Medical College and Hospital, Amritsar, India, and quantification of the antibodies was performed at the Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL), Government Medical College (GMC), Amritsar, India. Out of the 240 serum samples, 197 (82.08%) showed seropositivity, while 43 (17.92%) were seronegative. When stratified, it was observed that in the age group 3~6 years, 22.33% of children were found to have anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies while in the age groups 7~10 years, 11~14 years, and 15~18 years, respectively, 37.06%, 30.46%, and 10.15% were seropositive. Although there was seroconversion among children which was useful for predicting the next wave, no differences in seropositivity were observed between adults and children.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.245-252
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• 1999

Purpose : The aim of this study is to determine the age-specific seropositivity and the level of measles specific IgG in adults and to evaluate herd immunity to measles in Korea, the measles specific IgG were measured from the sera of adults over ages of 20 in Korea. Methods : 156 sera were collected from 156 out-patients over ages 20, who had visited clinical laboratory from June to July in 1997 at Korea University Ansan Hospital. The histories of natural measles or vaccination were not undertaken. Measles specific IgG titers were measured using ELISA method($SIA^{TM}$ Measles IgG Kit Co. St. Louis. Mo). Results : The results obtained from this study were as follows. 1) The seropositivity of measles specific IgG in adults was 94.9%. And there were no significant differences in their age and gender. 2) The mean measles-specific IgG titer was $238{\pm}84AU/mL$. And there were no significant differences in age and gender, except significant lower in 4th decades than other age groups. And there were no significant correlations between age and measles specific IgG level. Conclusion : In conclusion, a seropositivity of in adults was 94.9% which was higher than that of adolescents(91.2% in previous study), and antibody level was similar with adolescents. The herd immunity of the adults were considered to enough for protecting the transmission of measles in the community. For the eradication of measles in Korea, more efforts will be required to increase the vaccine coverage rate in children and adolescents.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.53-56
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• 2013

This study was carried out to investigate the seroprevalence of Neospora caninum infection in dairy cattle of northern Gyeonggi province in Korea. A total of 716 dairy cattle from 14 dairy farms were tested for the presence of antibodies against N. caninum using a commercial ELISA test kit. Herd and individual seroprevalences of N. caninum were 92.8% (13/14) and 23.1% (166/716), respectively. The seroprevalence of dairy cattle according to age was the highest at 49~72 months (27.4%), but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). No significant relationship between N. caninum seropositivity with the herd size of the dairy farms was found (P>0.05). The results indicate that N. caninum infection spreads widely in dairy farms of northern Gyeonggi province in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 1999

Mycoplasmal pneumonia of swine(MPS) cause by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae has been recognized as a serious impediment to swine production due to chronic respiratory disorder which result in the weight loss and decreased feed conversion. The disease causes a great economic losses in pig industry by characterizing with high morbidity, low mortality, growth retardation and low feed efficiency. The present study was conducted to investigate the titers of antibody against M hyopneumoniae from the regional and seasonal groups of the slaughtered pigs by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The result have shown that the average seropositive rate of M hyopneumoniae infection was 84.6% . The regional seropositive rate in Korea showed 87.4% in Kyonggj, 83.4n in Kangwon, 89.2% in Chungnam and 77.6% in Chungbuk area, respectively. Also the seasonal seropositive rate was appeared as 78.6% in spring,90.1% in summer, 76.9% in autumn and 83.8% in winter, respectively.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.11
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• pp.1165-1171
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• 2008

Purpose : This study aimed to identify the true extent of non-responsiveness in full-term infants born from HBsAg-negative or HBsAg-positive mothers and vaccinated against hepatitis B virus (HBV) at 0, 1, and 6 months of age and to evaluate the effect of revaccination among non-responders. Methods : The study included 716 full-term infants born in 2004-2007. Of 716, 662 infants (A group) were born to HBsAg-negative mothers and 54 infants (B group: 50, except HBsAg-positive infants) were born to HBsAg-positive mothers. All infants were administered DNA recombinant vaccines at 0, 1, and 6 months of age. B group infants received hepatitis B immunoglobulin at birth. Anti-HBs titers were tested at 7-12 and 9-15 months in A and B groups, respectively. Three revaccination doses were administered to non-responders whose anti-HBs titers were under 10 mIU/ml; revaccinated infants were retested at 1-3 months after last vaccination. The association between HBeAg seropositivity of mother and the failure of HBV immunoprophylaxis was evaluated. Results : The seroconversion rates after primary hepatitis B vaccination were higher in A group (94.1%) than in B group (78%, P<0.001). The seroconversion rates were high in revaccinated infants (A group non-responders: 96.9%, B group non-responders: 87.5%). The failure of HBV immunoprophylaxis was significantly associated with maternal HBeAg seropositivity (P<0.001). Conclusion : The seroconversion rates after primary hepatitis B vaccination were low in B group infants. Revaccination of non-responders in B group was very effective. Therefore, anti-HBs testing and revaccination of B group is very important. Revaccination of non-responders in A group was also very effective. Thus, testing the immune status of infants born to HBsAg-negative mothers even after primary hepatitis B vaccination should be considered. However, to realize this, further studies on the cost-effectiveness of anti-HBs testing in healthy full-term infants are necessary.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.134-137
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• 2009

Although there is circumstantial evidence that infectious bronchitis(IB) in the Korean layer industry has contributed to severe economic losses, the seroprevalence against IB virus(IBV) and risk factors associated with seropositivity are not well known. During May to October 2007, 820 blood samples were randomly collected from 41 laying hen flocks(20 birds in each flock) with $\geq$ 3,000 birds of 18 week of age or older in three provinces of Korea. The samples size was determined considering a flock-size range of 3,000-65,000 birds, an expected bird-level seroprevalence of $\geq$ 15%, and a 95% level of confidence. Serum samples were examined using a hemagglutination inhibition test for antibodies to IBV. The overall apparent flock-level seroprevalence was 46.3%(95% CI, 31.1-66.6) with no statistically significant differences among provinces(X=1.205, p>0.05). There were 19 positive flocks with one to eight seropositive birds, and 11 of these had one or two seropositive birds. None of the measured parameters were significantly associated with seropositivity against IBV in a subsequent multivariable logistic regression analysis. A longitudinal risk factor studies considering management and vaccination characteristics possibly associated with the IBV flock prevalence would be beneficial.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.33.1-33.10
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• 2022

Background: Endemic circulation of human-specific hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotypes 1 and 2 may occult the importance of sporadic zoonotic HEV transmissions in Africa. Increasing numbers of studies reporting anti-HEV antibodies in cattle and the discovery of infectious HEV in cow milk has raised public health concern, but cattle exposure has seldom been investigated in Africa. Objectives: This study aimed at investigating the role of cows in the epidemiology of HEV in Burkina Faso and farmers habits in terms of dairy product consumption as a prerequisite to estimate the risk of transmission to humans. Methods: Sera from 475 cattle and 192 pigs were screened for the presence of anti-HEV antibodies while HEV RNA in swine stools was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Data on mixed farming, dairy product consumption and selling habits were gathered through questionnaires. Results: The overall seroprevalence in cattle was 5.1% and herd seroprevalence reached 32.4% (11/34). Herd seropositivity was not associated with husbandry practice or presence of rabbits on the farms. However, herd seropositivity was associated with on-site presence of pigs, 80.7% of which had anti-HEV antibodies. The majority of farmers reported to preferentially consume raw milk based dairy products. Conclusions: Concomitant presence of pigs on cattle farms constitutes a risk factor for HEV exposure of cattle. However, the risk of HEV infections associated with raw cow dairy product consumption is currently considered as low.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.29-32
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• 2008

The aim of this study is to determine the Toxocara seropositive rate among healthy people with eosinophilia. A total of 97 people residing in Seoul who were healthy and whose blood eosinophilia was over 10%, as shown by regular health check-ups in 2004, were subjected to this study. Their sera were tested by immunoblotting and ELISA with the antigen of larval Toxocara canis excretory-secretory (ES) protein. Sixty-five sera were band-positive (67.0%). The seropositve control sera were positive to band sizes of 66 kDa, 56 kDa, 32 kDa, and 13 kDa. In ELISA, 63 sera (65.0%) were positive to T. canis ES protein. There was no significant correlation between the IgG ELISA titer and the level of eosinophilia (r = 0.156, P = 0.156). As there were insufficient data to determine whether there were cross-reactions with other helminthic infections, or whether atopy occurred, further studies are required to verify the cause of the seropositive reactions against T. canis ES antigen. Toxocariasis seropositivity is suggested to be the major cause of eosinophilia, since the Toxocara seroprevalence among Korean rural adults was shown to be approximately 5%.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.167-171
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• 2011

We report here the records of 10 consecutive Korean patients (10 eyes) with ocular toxoplasmosis which showed the typical clinical manifestations with seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii specific IgG antibodies by micro-ELISA between 2006 and 2010. Nine patients were males and 1 was female; their age was $50.5{\pm}13.8$ years. The most common accompanying signs were vitritis (100%), anterior uveitis (70%), and scattered white deposit (80%). Pre-existing retinochoroidal scar was found in 1 (10%) patient. All patients received antiparasitic chemotherapy and systemic corticosteroid treatment, which resolved the presenting attack and recovered the visual acuity better than initial one in 9 patients and worse in 1. Optic atrophy, cataract, and retinal neovascularization were observed during the follow-up period and recurrence was detected in 3 eyes (30%) 6 to 20 months after the initial attack. In Korea, although rarely detected and reported, ocular toxoplasmosis needs more attention in clinical field of retinal diseases.