• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.307-313
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• 2016

Serosurveillance for zoonotic diseases in small mammals and detection of chiggers, the vector of Orientia tsutsugamushi, were conducted from September 2014 to August 2015 in Gwangju Metropolitan Area. Apodemus agrarius was the most commonly collected small mammals (158; 91.8%), followed by Myodes regulus (8; 4.6%), and Crocidura lasiura (6; 3.5%). The highest seroprevalence of small mammals for O. tsutsugamushi (41; 26.3%) was followed by hantaviruses (24; 15.4%), Rickettsia spp. (22; 14.1%), and Leptospira (2; 1.3%). A total of 3,194 chiggers were collected from small mammals, and 1,236 of 3,194 chiggers were identified with 7 species of 3 genera: Leptotrombidium scutellare was the most commonly collected species (585; 47.3%), followed by L. orientale (422; 34.1%), Euchoengastia koreaensis (99; 8.0%), L. palpale (58; 4.7%), L. pallidum (36; 2.9%), Neotrombicula gardellai (28; 2.3%), and L. zetum (8; 0.6%). L. scutellare was the predominant species. Three of 1,236 chigger mites were positive for O. tsutsugamushi by PCR. As a result of phylogenetic analysis, the O. tsutsugamushi strain of chigger mites had sequence homology of 90.1-98.2% with Boryong. This study provides baseline data on the distribution of zoonotic diseases and potential vectors for the development of prevention strategies of vector borne diseases in Gwangju metropolitan area.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1179-1185
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• 2008

The immune-stimulating activities of Bordetella bronchiseptica antigens containing dermonecrotoxin (BBD) loaded in chitosan microspheres (CMs) have already been reported in vitro and in vivo with a mouse alveolar macrophage cell line (RAW264.7) and mice. Therefore, this study attempted to demonstrate the successful induction of mucosal immune responses after the intranasal administration of BBD loaded in CMs (BBD-CMs) in colostrum-deprived pigs. The BBD was introduced to the CMs using an ionic gelation process involving tripolyphosphate (TPP). Colostrum-deprived pigs were then directly immunized through intranasal administration of the BBD-CMs. A challenge with a field isolate of B. bronchiseptica was performed ten days following the final immunization. The BBD-specific IgG and IgA titers, evident in the nasal wash and serum from the vaccinated pigs, increased with time (p<0.05). Following the challenge, the clinical signs of infection were about 6-fold lower in the vaccinated pigs compared with the nonvaccinated pigs. The grades for gross morphological changes in the turbinate bones from the vaccinated pigs were also significantly lower than the grades recorded for the nonvaccinated pigs (p<0.001). Therefore, the mucosal and systemic immune responses induced in the current study would seem to indicate that the intranasal administration of BBD-CMs may be an effective vaccine against atrophic rhinitis in pigs.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.14.1-14.17
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• 2021

Scrub typhus develops after the individual is bitten by a trombiculid mite infected with Orientia tsutsugamushi. Since it has been reported that pneumonia is frequently observed in patients with scrub typhus, we investigated whether intranasal (i.n.) vaccination with the outer membrane protein of O. tsutsugamushi (OMPOT) would induce a protective immunity against O. tsutsugamushi infection. It was particular interest that when mice were infected with O. tsutsugamushi, the bacteria disseminated into the lungs, causing pneumonia. The i.n. vaccination with OMPOT induced IgG responses in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. The anti-O. tsutsugamushi IgA Abs in BAL fluid after the vaccination showed a high correlation of the protection against O. tsutsugamushi. The vaccination induced strong Ag-specific Th1 and Th17 responses in the both spleen and lungs. In conclusion, the current study demonstrated that i.n. vaccination with OMPOT elicited protective immunity against scrub typhus in mouse with O. tsutsugamushi infection causing subsequent pneumonia.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.521-525
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• 2018

Rodents are well-known reservoirs and vectors of many emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, but little is known about their role in zoonotic disease transmission in Bhutan. In this study, a cross-sectional investigation of zoonotic disease pathogens in rodents was performed in Chukha district, Bhutan, where a high incidence of scrub typhus and cases of acute undifferentiated febrile illness had been reported in people during the preceding 4-6 months. Twelve rodents were trapped alive using wire-mesh traps. Following euthanasia, liver and kidney tissues were removed and tested using PCR for Orientia tsutsugamushi and other bacterial and rickettsial pathogens causing bartonellosis, borreliosis, human monocytic ehrlichiosis, human granulocytic anaplasmosis, leptospirosis, and rickettsiosis. A phylogenetic analysis was performed on all rodent species captured and pathogens detected. Four out of the 12 rodents (33.3%) tested positive by PCR for zoonotic pathogens. Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella grahamii, and B. queenslandensis were identified for the first time in Bhutan. Leptospira interrogans was also detected for the first time from rodents in Bhutan. The findings demonstrate the presence of these zoonotic pathogens in rodents in Bhutan, which may pose a risk of disease transmission to humans.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.51.1-51.5
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• 2020

A novel coronavirus emerged in human populations and spread rapidly to cause the global coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Although the origin of the associated virus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]) remains unclear, genetic evidence suggests that bats are a reservoir host of the virus, and pangolins are a probable intermediate. SARS-CoV-2 has crossed the species barrier to infect humans and other animal species, and infected humans can facilitate reverse-zoonotic transmission to animals. Considering the rapidly changing interconnections among people, animals, and ecosystems, traditional roles of veterinarians should evolve to include transdisciplinary roles.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.511-515
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• 2007

White-spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is a devastating, infectious virus affecting shrimp. Although sensitive techniques involving PCR have been developed to assist farmers in screening shrimp (brood stock) for WSSV prior to stocking ponds, such practices have not yet been applied in Korea. Despite the rationality of implementing screening, there has been some doubt as to whether the stocking of WSSV-PCR-negative fly epidemiologically decreases white-spot disease outbreaks. Here, we report a retrospective analysis of data from shrimp farms in the western coast of Korea where WSSV-PCR-negative brood stocks were used to stock rearing ponds. A total of 366 shrimp from Heuksan Island were sampled for WSSV with PCR. Of the tested shrimp, 7.2% (28 brood stocks) were identified as WSSV positive; only WSSV-PCR-negative shrimp were used for brood stocks. Total unit production (final shrimp production/ the area of the ponds) was higher, at 1.96, in ponds where WSSV-PCR-negative shrimp were used, as compared with 1.02 in other ponds in Korea in 2004. This retrospective analysis of WSSV in Korea may be useful to the shrimp aquaculture industry, suggesting a testable hypothesis that may contribute to the eventual control of WSSV outbreaks.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.353-356
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• 2015

Background: In 2012, the Alaska Section of Epidemiology investigated personnel potentially exposed to a Brucella suis isolate as it transited through three laboratories. Methods: We summarize the first implementation of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2013 revised recommendations for monitoring such exposures: (1) risk classification; (2) antimicrobial postexposure prophylaxis; (3) serologic monitoring; and (4) symptom surveillance. Results: Over 30 people were assessed for exposure and subsequently monitored for development of illness. No cases of laboratory-associated brucellosis occurred. Changes were made to gaps in laboratory biosafety practices that had been identified in the investigation. Conclusion: Achieving full compliance for the precise schedule of serologic monitoring was challenging and resource intensive for the laboratory performing testing. More refined exposure assessments could inform decision making for follow-up to maximize likelihood of detecting persons at risk while not overtaxing resources.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.47.1-47.16
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• 2023

Scrub typhus, a mite-borne infectious disease, is caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi. Despite many attempts to develop a protective strategy, an effective preventive vaccine has not been developed. The identification of appropriate Ags that cover diverse antigenic strains and provide long-lasting immunity is a fundamental challenge in the development of a scrub typhus vaccine. We investigated whether this limitation could be overcome by harnessing the nanoparticle-forming polysorbitol transporter (PST) for an O. tsutsugamushi vaccine strategy. Two target proteins, 56-kDa type-specific Ag (TSA56) and surface cell Ag A (ScaA) were used as vaccine candidates. PST formed stable nano-size complexes with TSA56 (TSA56-PST) and ScaA (ScaA-PST); neither exhibited cytotoxicity. The formation of Ag-specific IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgA in mice was enhanced by intranasal vaccination with TSA56-PST or ScaA-PST. The vaccines containing PST induced Ag-specific proliferation of CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T cells. Furthermore, the vaccines containing PST improved the mouse survival against O. tsutsugamushi infection. Collectively, the present study indicated that PST could enhance both Ag-specific humoral immunity and T cell response, which are essential to effectively confer protective immunity against O. tsutsugamushi infection. These findings suggest that PST has potential for use in an intranasal vaccination strategy.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.249-254
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• 2010

Deer can be one of the susceptible animals to bovine infectious diseases, and thus, may play a role either as a reservoir or amplifier host for spreading the diseases to other species such as cattle and goat. This study was conducted to determine the serum antibodies to bacterial infectious diseases for brucellosis, tuberculosis (TB), paratuberculosis (Johne's disease) in deer. Serum samples were randomly collected from 78 deer from 31 farms at Jeonbuk province, and 7 wild water deer from Jeonbuk wild animal treatment center during 2005 to 2007, respectively. Four farm deer (5.1%) showed antibodies to tuberculosis using Antigen Rapid Bovine TB Ab Test Kit. One elk (1.3%) and one wild water deer had antibodies for paratuberculosis. Antibody against Brucellosis was not detected in tube agglutination test (TAT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). These data suggest that caution should be applied to inspection of velvet, deer blood and meat for human consumption from deer because of zoonotic bacterial diseases in deer. In addition, farmed deer can be a transmissible host for zoonotic disease to diary or raising farm.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.427-432
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• 2021

The infection status of zoonotic trematode metacercariae (ZTM) was investigated in total 568 freshwater fishes (19 species) from the irrigation canal of Togyo-jeosuji (Reservoir) in Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do, the Republic of Korea for 3 years (2018-2020). All fishes were examined using the artificial digestion method. The metacercariae of Clonorchis sinensis (CsMc) were detected in 180 (43.8%) out of 411 fish of positive species, and their infection intensity was 38 per fish infected (PFI). Especially, in 2 fish species, i.e., Pseudorasbora parva and Puntungia herzi, the prevalence was 82.1% and 31.3%, and the infection intensity with CsMc was 88 and 290 PFI, respectively. Metagonimus spp. metacercariae (MsMc) were found in 403 (74.1%) out of 544 fish of positive species, and their infection intensity was 62 PFI. In the pale chub, Zacco platypus, the prevalence of MsMc was 98.6%, and their infection intensity was 144 PFI. Centrocestus armatus metacercariae were detected in 171 (38.9%) out of 440 fish of positive species, and their infection intensity was 1,844 PFI. Echinostoma spp. metacercariae were found in 94 (19.6%) out of 479 fish of positive species, and their infection intensity was 3 PFI. Metorchis orientalis metacercariae were detected in 43 (29.3%) out of 147 fish of positive species, and their infection intensity was 4 PFI. By the present study, it has been confirmed that some species of ZTM, including CsMc and MsMc, are prevalent in fishes from the irrigation canal of Togyo-jeosuji in Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do, Korea.