• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.433-436
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• 1989

Hematologic values were determined in blood samples obtained from 203 normal, healthy Jindo dogs of both sexes that ranged in age from 3 months to 10 years. Age-related differences were detected for the total erythrocyte count, hemoglobin content, PCV and the number of eosinophils. The persistent eosinophilia appears to be due to the dirofilariasis and flea-allergy dermatitis.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.631-634
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• 2010

This study was conducted to survey Dirofilaria (D.) immitis antigen, and Anaplasma (A.) phagocytophilum, Borrelia (B.) burgdorferi, and Ehrlichia (E.) canis antibodies among clinically healthy dogs in the Daejeon city and Kangwon province. Whole blood samples were collected from two hundred and fifty two dogs (127 females and 125 males, 147 outdoors and 105 indoors), and they were tested by using ELISA kit (SNAP 4Dx, IDEXX Laboratories, USA). Chi-squared analysis showed that A. phagocytophilum of female dogs in outdoors group was significantly higher prevalence than that of female dogs in indoors group (p < 0.05). In addition, infection rate of A. phagocytophilum of over 7 year-old-dogs in outdoors group revealed significantly higher prevalence than that of indoors group (p < 0.01). In E. canis, the under 4 year-old-dogs (p < 0.05), 4~7 year-old-dogs (p < 0.05) and over 7 year-old-dogs (p < 0.01) in outdoor group showed significantly higher prevalence than that of indoors group, respectively. In conclusion, this study is the large scale survey of canine D. immitis antigen, A. phagocytophilum, B. burgdorferi, and E. canis antibodies in the Daejeon city and Kangwon province, and it provides an useful reference for clinicians.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.303-306
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• 2008

Unknown age, spayed female mixed dog was presented with a severe lethargy. Radiography, ultrasonography, and blood screen test were performed to make a diagnosis. There were no specific radiographic findings. On the ultrasonography, small amount of ascites was found around gallbladder and hepatic vein was dilated approximately 6.1 mm. Blood screen test revealed a severe anemia. Result of heartworm ELISA kit was positive. At necropsy, parasites were in the left atrium, right ventricles, aorta, pulmonary artery, right renal artery.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.88-93
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• 2016

Dirofilaria immitis is a filarial nematode parasite that causes cardiopulmonary dirofilariasis in dogs. The purpose of this study was the development of real-time PCR assays for efficient detection of D. immitis. The D. immitis-specific primers confirmed in our previous study and a newly designed TaqMan probe were used for quantitative diagnostics. First, SYBR Green real-time PCR was performed using the specific primers and serially diluted genomic DNA or plasmid DNA, and melting curve analyses were performed after amplification. The melting curve showed one specific peak in each of the genomic and plasmid DNA reactions, suggesting that the primers specifically amplify the D. immitis cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene. Comparison of SYBR Green and TaqMan real-time PCR using serially diluted plasmid DNA showed higher efficiency and specificity with TaqMan real-time PCR. The real-time PCR assays developed in this study will provide improved diagnostic methods to overcome the limitations of conventional diagnostic tools and facilitate more rapid and accurate diagnoses.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.496-498
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• 2013

The aim of this study is to report the observed elevation of plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT proBNP) concentration in a Korean Jindo Dog infected with Dirofilaria immitis. Evaluation of the animal included physical examination, thoracic radiography, ELISA kit ($PetCheck^{(R)}$, IDEXX Laboratories, USA) test and plasma NT-proBNP evaluation. The infected animal's NT-proBNP concentration was compared with those of 5 normal dogs of the same age, sex, and breed; the affected Korean Jindo dog had increased plasma NT-proBNP. To the best our knowledge, this is the first report of NT-proBNP elevation in a Korean Jindo dog with dirofilariasis.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.208-213
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• 2007

A 15 kg 6-year-old intact male Jindo dog with a history of a respiratory distress, hindlimb paralysis with necrosed skin of dorsal digit for three weeks was referred to Animal Medical Center, Chonbuk National University. Heartworm infection was identified by kit examination. In plain thoracic radiographs, dilated pulmonary arteries reverse D sign and focal interstitial pattern was compatible with heartworm infection and possible pulmonary thromboembolism. Abdominal radiographs showed poor serosal detail indicating fluid accumulation within peritoneal cavity. No evidence of musculoskeletal abnormalities was found. Ultrasonography presented focal wedge-shaped hyperechogenecity on the both poles of left kidney, weak or absent pulse on the distal to the external iliac artery as well as ascites and irregular liver margin. Multi-organ failure was strongly supposed by blood profile including leukocytosis, anemia, hemoglobinuria bililubinemia, hypoalbuminemia, imbalance of electrolytes, and increased hepatic and renal function values. Interestingly, the glucose level is remarkably lower in pelvic limb compared to thoracic limb. Suspected pulmonary thromboembolism, renal infarction and femoral arterial embolization causing hindlimb paralysis and dermatic necrosis were confirmed by 3D reconstructed CT imaging. Prior to taking a consideration of euthanasia, interventional radiology was experimentally attempted but failed due to not recovered from general anesthesia. Early and accurate diagnosis of thromboembolism is valuable and 3D reconstructed CT images might be very useful to show the correct way to treat effectively.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.600-604
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• 2010

A ten-year-old female mongrel dog was presented to Veterinary Medical Center, Chungbuk National University with the signs of anorexia, weakness, and hemoglobinuria. Patient had been diagnosed as dirofilariasis based on heartworm antigen test and treated with adulticide (melarsomine) at local hospital one day before admission. On laboratory examinations, there were hypochromic and microcytic regenerative anemia, thrombocytopenia, moderate neutrophilia, and increase ALT, AST, and ALP. Radiographic exam showed main pulmonary artery bulging, pulmonary infiltration and hypervascularity, reduced abdominal serosal detail and mild hepatomegaly. Abdominal ultrasonographic exam showed mild peritoneal effusion and large hyperechoic thrombi at trifurcation of the porta hepatica and the splenic vein. In addition, intraluminal low density area and intravascular filling defect were confirmed on contrast enhanced CT scanning at the same anatomic locations. Patient was treated with anticoagulant and thrombolytic therapy. On day 42 after treatment, complete resolution of thrombi was confirmed via ultrasonography and improvement of clinical signs was observed.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.64-70
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• 2019

Dirofilaria immitis (D. immitis) is a filarial nematode that causes cardiopulmonary dirofilariasis in dogs. In the late stages of infection, infected dogs show one or more symptoms and advanced heart disorder with perivascular inflammation. To detect D. immitis specifically and efficiently in the early stages of infection, a duplex TaqMan qPCR assay was developed based on previous studies using primers and probes specialized to detect D. immitis cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and dog glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). As positive controls, plasmid DNAs were constructed from D. immitis COI or dog GAPDH and a TA-cloning vector. Simplex and duplex TaqMan qPCR assays were performed using the specific primers, probes, and genomic or plasmid DNA. The duplex reaction developed could detect D. immitis COI and dog GAPDH in the same sample simultaneously after optimization of the primer concentrations. The limit of detection was 25 copies for the simplex and duplex assays, and both showed good linearity, high sensitivity, and excellent PCR efficiency. The duplex assays for pathogen detection reduce the costs, labor, and time compared to simplex reactions. Therefore, the duplex TaqMan qPCR assay developed herein will allow efficient D. immitis detection and quantification from a large number of samples simultaneously.