• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.139-144
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• 1996

Purpose : Coxiella burnetii is a well-known causative agent of granuolmatous inflammation and an inducer of morphological change and transformation of human B lymphocyte in vitro. Coxiella burnetii manifests with several clinical symptoms depending upon the organs that are involved. We therefore undertook to clarify the association of Kawasaki disease and Coxiella burnetii. Subjects and Methods : The patient's sera were tested for antibodies specific for Coxiella burnetii, using indirect fluorescent antibody technique(IFA). We compared Coxiella burnetii infection with 3 groups of patients, group 1 (Kawasaki disease), group 2 (other febrile disease) and group 3 (control group). Results : 1) In children with Kawasaki disease (group 1), 93% of the patient tested positive for Coxiella burnetii. 2) In group 2 children, 20% of the patient tested positive for Coxiella burnetii. 3) In group 3 children, 10% of the patient tested positive for Coxiella burnetii 4) There were significant higher positive rate for Coxiella burnetii in Kawasaki disease than group 2 and group 3 (p<0.05). Conclusions : We concluded that our cases of Kawasaki disease were associated with Coxiella burnetii infection. Further studies will be needed to understand the precise role of Coxiella infection in Kawasaki disease.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.69-73
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• 2019

In a population-based study with 4 years of follow up, we evaluated the prevalence of Coxiella burnetii in cattle on Ulleung Island, Korea. In this study, the rates of C. burnetii infection in cattle on Ulleung Island were determined by PCR and were found to be 0.3-1.0% in the period 2011-2014. All 17 C. burnetii partial 16S rRNA gene sequences from PCR-positive cattle were identical and 2 geographic representatives were included in our analysis. The nucleotide sequences of the 2 samples showed high (98.4-100%) identity with C. burnetii sequences obtained from the GenBank. In this long-term tracking study, the number of cattle positive for C. burnetii on Ulleung Island was low. To prevent the transmission of C. burnetii on Ulleung Island, control strategy should include biosecurity improvement in surveillance, livestock management, administering suitable tests before purchasing animals to detect C. burnetii shedders, and restricting movements between herds.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.147-151
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• 2018

We assessed the seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) in cattle on Ulleung Island, Korea in a population-based follow up study for 4 years and determined the spatial distribution and risk factors associated with C. burnetii. The seroprevalence of C. burnetii was determined to be 1.4-2.0% during 2011-2014. Overall, nine cattle from three farms that tested seropositive showed C. burnetii antibody seroconversions between 2011 and 2014. The number of seropositive cattle was low, suggesting that movement of and contact between animals was possible risk factors for the transmission of C. burnetii.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.37 no.4
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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 Clinics
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.504-507
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• 2015

Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular rickettsial organism and the causative agent of Query fever, a zoonosis that occurs worldwide. In Korea, C. burnetii infection had occurred in humans and animals. However, the studies were only conducted in geographically limited area for detection of C. burnetii. The objective of this study was to detect C. burnetii in Korean native cattle and dairy cattle nationwide by real-time PCR. The total of 807 blood samples from 622 Korean native cattle and 185 dairy cows, 170 individual milk samples of dairy cows, and 348 bulk tank milk samples of dairy herds were collected nationwide. From blood samples, C. burnetii was detected in 17 (2.7%) out of 622 Korean native cattle and 2 (1.1%) of 185 dairy cows. From milk samples, C. burnetii was detected in 27 (15.9%) out of 170 individual milk samples of dairy cows. And C. burnetii was detected in 84 (24.1%) of 348 bulk tank milk samples. In conclusion, this study revealed that the detection rates are considerably high in cattle and the infection of C. burnetii has been continuously occurring in cattle of Korea. In order to prevent the hazards of a zoonosis Q-fever that occur both humans and domestic animals, further studies are needed to clarify the epidemiology of Q-fever of domestic animals and humans in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.81-85
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• 2000

Coxiella burnetii (C burnetii) is the causative agent of Q fever in animal and human. The distribution of the disease has been documented around world. In this study we developed the competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(cELISA) and compared it with indirect immunofluorescent assay(IFA). A monoclonal antibody(Mab) against C burnetii and a peroxidase-conjugated anti-mouse IgM were used as an indicator system competing against antibody in animal serum or as an indicater of the absence of antibody. Sera were considered antibody positive when the percentage inhibition index(PI index) is upper than 30. PI index is calculated as 100-[sample OD/Mab OD)${\times}100$]. Among 162 bovine serum samples, 23 samples were antibody positive both in cELISA and IFA. And 156 samples showed same results. From goat with experimentally induced infection with C burnetii the antibody was detected 20 days early in cELISA compared to IFA. On the basis of present findings, it was demonstrated that cELISA is a reliable diagnostic method for The detection of specific antibodies against C burnetii infection.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.239-246
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• 2016

The prevalence of Coxiella burnetii in native Korean goats in Jeonbuk province was investigated using ELISA (sera) and PCR (vaginal mucus). A total of 798 blood samples from 189 farms were collected in 2013 and 2015. Seroprevalence was 13.6% in 2013 and 15.7% in 2015. Tracking survey of six seropositive farms on the prevalence of C. burnetii was conducted. 137 (41.4%) out of 331 goats were seropositive and 47 (17.6%) out of 267 goats were positive in PCR. The higher seropositivity observed in adult goats and female goats significantly, the seroprevalence of C. burnetii was higher as age increased (<1 y=13.2%~${\geq}5$ y=100%)(P<0.05) and female goats (44.8%) was higher than male goats (24.1%) on the seroprevalence (P<0.05). 21 (7.9%) goats positive in PCR was seronegative. The prevalence of C. burnetii in native Korean goats in slaughter house was 30.0% in ELISA and 11.5% in PCR. Significantly, female goats (62.8%) was higher than male goats (12.3%) on the seroprevalence (P<0.05). Based on these data, C. burnetii was easily exposed in domestic animals: native Korean goats-related areas such as farms and slaughter house.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2021

Q fever is a worldwide zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii. Domestic ruminants are considered to be major source of human infection. The aim of this survey was to investigate seroprevalence of C. burnetii in ruminants in Gwangju area. A total of 1,000 samples (serum and lactoserum) were collected from 987 Korean native cattle, 5 Korean native goats, 2 beef cattle, 6 bulk-tank milk from each dairy farm in Gwangju area from January to October 2020 and analyzed by ELISA. The seroprevalence of C. burnetii in bulk-tank milk from each dairy farms was 50.0%. Korean black goat and beef cattle had negative antibody test results for C. burnetii. The seroprevalence of C. burnetii in Korean native cattle in Gwangju area was 7.1% and was higher in female (7.8%) than in male (3.4%) (P=0.024). The seroprevalence of C. burnetii in Korean native cattle appeared to increase with age (3.8% in 1 year-old, 7.1% in 3 year-old, and 10.7% in more than 5 year-old) (P<0.001). The seroprevalence of C. burnetii of Korean native cattle increased in spring and May was the highest in particular (P<0.001). As the distribution and density of tick-habitat are expected to increase due to climate crisis, this survey highlights the need for monitoring C. burnetii in domestic ruminants, including surveillance of C. burnetii infection in people working for livestock industry.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.249-254
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• 2013

This study was done to determine the seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii in cattle with reproductive disorders reared in eastern Gyeongbuk province. A total of 146 cattle blood samples from 83 farms in eastern Gyeongbuk province were collected in 2011~2012. Among them, 17 (11.6%) samples from 11 (13.3%) farms were seropositive for C. burnetii by ELISA. In dairy cattle with mastitis, 15 (38.5%) milk samples from 9 (42.9%) farms were seropositive among 39 milk samples from 21 farms. Among the seropositive farms, one farm with high seroprevalence was selected to assess the seroprevalence of C. burnetii in the bulk-tank milk (BTM) and blood samples of dairy cattle. The BTM sample from the farm was seropositive to C. burnetii and 6 (15%) out of 40 dairy cattle were seropositive. In cattle with reproductive disorders including infertility, abortion and stillbirth, 2 (1.9%) samples from 2 (3.2%) farms were positive among 107 samples collected from 62 farms. Among 2 positive samples, one of them is dariy cattle (100%) and the other is Korean cattle (0.9%) (P<0.001). This suggests that Korean cattle was relatively resistant to C. burnetii. Based on the data obtained, we identified association between C. burnetii shedding in milk and chronic subclinical mastitis in dairy cattle. Since seroprevalence of C. burnetii is relatively high in dairy cattle, further intensive studies on C. burnetii among the high risk milk farms and dairy cattle herds are needed to evaluate infection status.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.243-248
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• 2013

Q fever is a rickettsial infection caused by Coxiella burnetii that is transmitted from animals to humans. Modes of transmission to humans include inhalation, tick bites and ingestion of unpasteurized milk or dairy products. This survey was aimed at monitoring the seroprevalence of C. burnetii in bulk-tank milk (BTM) in Gyeongbuk province. In addition, the seroprevalence of C. burnetii was investigated at the herd level of dairy cattle in eastern Gyeongbuk province in which many dairy cattle are reared. Among 324 BTM samples collected from 20 country areas, 175 (54%) BTM samples from 15 (75%) country areas were positive for C. burnetii by ELISA. By regions, the seroprevalence of BTM samples in eastern, central, western and northern areas of Gyeongbuk province were 62.7%, 48.4%, 45.1%, and 41.4%, respectively. When analyzed in the dairy cattle reared in the eastern area where high seroprevalence occurred in BTM samples, 119 (24.2%) out of 492 dairy cattle were positive for C. burnetii. Seroprevalence of C. burnetii in dairy cattle was increased with daily milk yield of farm (P<0.05) and age (P<0.001). Since seroprevalence of C. burnetii is relatively high in both BTM samples and dairy cattle reared in Gyeongbuk province, further studies on the high risk farms and herds are needed to evaluate infection status and appropriate control programs in this region.