• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.446-448
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• 2011

1살령 수컷 버미즈 비단뱀(Burmese python, Python molurus bivittatus)이 탈피 후 좌측 눈이 흐려지는 것을 주증으로 내원하였다. 뱀은 신체검사와 병력을 토대로, 서브스펙타클의 농양(subspectacular abscess)으로 진단되었다. 원인이 된 병원체는 메티실린 내성 황색 포도상구균(methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA)으로 확인되었다. MRSA는 인수공통적으로 중요한 병원체이며 공중보건과 수의학에서도 중요하게 여겨진다. 이 증례 보고는 MRSA에 감염된 뱀에 대한 최초의 보고이다.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제47권4호
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• pp.413-415
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• 2009

Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii has been performed in 23 PCR positive blood samples from stray cats in Korea. We used 2 separate PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns of SAG2 gene, amplifying the 5' and 3' ends of the locus. The results revealed that all samples belonged to the type I clonal lineage. Although T. gondii organisms were not isolated from the samples, the results of the present study represent that stray cats with T. gondii infection should be seriously concerned in our environment. Adequate and continuous control programs of stray cats are needed to reduce the risk of transmission of T. gondii as a zoonotic infection threatening the public health.

• 한국동물위생학회지
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.241-246
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• 2014

Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Coxiella (C.) burnetii and affects wild and domestic animals worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of C. burnetii in native Korean goat (Capra hircus coreanae) in Gyeongbuk province, Korea, using ELISA. A total of 256 goat blood samples from 56 farms in Gyeongbuk province were collected between May 2012 and March 2013. Among them, 22 (8.6%) samples from 10 (17.9%) farms were seropositive for C. burnetii by ELISA. According to regional analysis, the seroprevalences among goat farms in eastern, western, southern, and northern areas of Gyeongbuk province were 0%, 18.2%, 36.8%, and 6.3%, respectively, showing the highest seroprevalence in the southern region. Among 22 counties in Gyeongbuk province, 10 (45.5%) counties had one or more farms positive to C. burnetii antibody. Accordingly, the seroprevalence of C. burnetii in high-risk humans and animals are constantly demanded by regional investigation.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제23권3호
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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.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.585-590
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• 2008

Human tropic Porcine Endogenous Retroviruses (PERVs) are the major concern in zoonosis for xenotransplantation because PERVs cannot be eliminated by specific pathogen-free breeding. Recently, a PERV A/C recombinant with PERV-C bearing PERV-A gp70 showed a higher infectivity (approximately 500-fold) to human cells than PERV-A. Additionally, the chance of recombination between PERVs and HERVs is frequently stated as another risk of xenografting. Overcoming zoonotic barriers in xenotransplantation is more complicated by recombination. To achieve successful xenotransplantation, studies on the recombination in PERVs are important. Here, we cloned and sequenced proviral PERV env sequences from pig gDNAs to analyze natural recombination. The envelope is the most important element in retroviruses as a pivotal determinant of host tropisms. As a result, a total of 164 PERV envelope genes were cloned from pigs (four conventional pigs and two miniature pigs). Distribution analysis and recombination analysis of PERVs were performed. Among them, five A/B recombinant clones were identified. Based on our analysis, we determined the minimum natural recombination frequency among PERVs to be 3%. Although a functional recombinant envelope clone was not found, our data evidently show that the recombination event among PERVs may occur naturally in pigs with a rather high possibility.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.105-111
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• 2010

To understand the situation of water contamination with Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. in the northern region of Portugal, we have established a long-term program aimed at pinpointing the sources of surface water and environmental contamination, working with the water-supply industry. Here, we describe the results obtained with raw water samples collected in rivers of the 5 hydrographical basins. A total of 283 samples were analyzed using the Method 1623 EPA, USA. Genetic characterization was performed by PCR and sequencing of genes 18S rRNA of Cryptosporidium spp. and $\beta$-giardin of Giardia spp. Infectious stages of the protozoa were detected in 72.8% (206 of 283) of the water samples, with 15.2% (43 of 283) positive for Giardia duodenalis cysts, 9.5% (27 of 283) positive for Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts, and 48.1% (136 of 283) samples positive for both parasites. The most common zoonotic species found were G. duodenalis assemblages A-I, A-II, B, and E genotypes, and Cryptosporidium parvum, Cryptosporidium andersoni, Cryptosporidium hominis, and Cryptosporidium muris. These results suggest that cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis are important public health issues in northern Portugal. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report evaluating the concentration of environmental stages of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in raw water samples in the northern region of Portugal.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제56권1호
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• pp.21-24
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• 2018

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) can be seen in 2 forms, zoonotic and anthroponotic, in Iran. In this study, epidemiological aspects of CL were studied during an 8-year period (2009-2016) in city of Kashan, central Iran. The demographic and epidemiological data, including age, sex, occupation, number and site of the lesions, treatment regimen, past history of CL, and season of all patients were gathered from the health centers. Descriptive statistics were used to describe features of the study data. Total 2,676 people with CL were identified. The highest annual incidence was estimated to be 182 per 100,000 population in 2009 and the least was in 2016 (47 per 100,000 population). The highest frequency affected age groups were observed in 20-29 year-old patients (20.9%). More than 51% of the patients were under 30 years old. The maximum frequency of the disease, 1,134 (43.3%), was seen in autumn. The most common location of lesions was hands (61.4%). Most of the patients (81.6%) were treated by systemic glucantime regimen. In the city of Kashan, the incidence rate of the CL disease is significantly higher than many other regions of Iran. To reduce the risk of disease, control of reservoir hosts and vectors of disease, and education of individual protection are strongly recommended.

• 한국동물위생학회지
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.275-279
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• 2009

Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most common protozoa parasites of human and other warm-blooded animals. Cats and wild felidae play crucial roles in the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis. This study was performed to survey the prevalence of T. gondii infection among stray cats in the Seoul. A total of 422 stray cat blood samples were collected from Seoul area. Positive sera for T. gondii were identified in 56 samples (13.3%) exclusively via the latex agglutination test and the detection no antigen particles among seropositive samples by PCR. The overall infection rate of male stray cats (14.4%) presented as higher than that of female cats (10.7%). This study suggested that T. gondii is widespread in stray cats of Seoul area. It is needed to control urban stray cat population and to reduced the risk of zoonotic transmission of toxolasmosis to other animals and humans.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제54권6호
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• pp.769-775
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• 2016

This retrospective case-control study explored the factors associated with anaphylactic shock during surgery for cystic echinococcosis (CE) at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University between October 2008 and September 2013. Patients who suffered from anaphylactic shock (n=16) were age-matched 3:1 to patients who did not (n=43). Multivariate analysis suggested that IL-4 levels (odds ratio=1.096; 95% confidence interval=1.015-1.185; P=0.02) and cyst size (odds ratio=3.028, 95% confidence interval=1.259-7.283, P=0.013) were independently associated with CE-induced perioperative anaphylactic shock. Using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and a cut-off value of 415.7 ng/ml, IL-4 showed an area under the ROC (AUC) of 0.926, sensitivity of 75.0%, and specificity of 97.7%. Using a cut-off value of 7.8 cm, cyst size showed an AUC of 0.828, sensitivity of 81.3%, and specificity of 76.7%. In conclusion, results suggest that levels of IL-4 and cyst size were independently associated with echinococcosis-induced perioperative anaphylactic shock. These results could help identifying patients with echinococcosis at risk of anaphylactic shock in whom appropriate prophylaxis could be undertaken.

• 한국동물위생학회지
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.223-226
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• 2013

To evaluate the potential risk associated with zoonotic ascarid eggs in educational facilities and public playground in Seoul city, the sand samples collected from April to December in 2011 were examined with a fecal flotation method. Of 5,066 sand samples from 1,367 playgrounds tested, 12 sands from 12 places (0.88%) had ascarid eggs. Sand samples in educational facilities were more contaminated (10/870, 1.15%) with the parasite eggs than those of public playground area (2/497, 0.4%). Fisher's exact tests were used to make pairwise comparisons between which locations were more or less similar with regard to levels of contamination. We didn't find significantly different from one another. Most ascarid eggs detected were found in the Spring. Through this study, we hope to raise awareness of contamination of playgrounds by potentially infectious ascarid ova.