• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.275-285
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• 1998

Based on the geographic range and distribution of its rodent reservoir host, the European common vole (Microtus arvalis), Tula virus is likely to be widespread throughout Eurasia. Tula virus-infected voles have been captured in Central Russia, Austria, Czech and Slovak Republics, and the former Yugoslavia. Although serologic evidence for Hantaan (HTN) or Seoul (SEO) virus infection can be found in the vast majority of the more than 300 cases of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) occurring annually in Korea, approximately 4% of Korean patients with HFRS show a more than 4-fold higher antibody titer to Puumala (PUU) virus than to HTN or SEO virus by double-sandwich IgM ELISA, suggesting the existence of pathogenic Puumala-related hantaviruses in Korea. To further define the geographic distribution and genetic diversity of Tula virus in Eurasia and to investigate the existence of previously unrecognized Microtus-borne hantavirus in Korea, arvicolid rodents were captured in Lodz, Poland in 1995 and in Yunchon-kun, Kyungki-do during April to May, 1998. In addition, sera from 18 Korean HFRS patients who showed higher (or the same) antibody titer to Tula virus than HTN and SEO viruses were examined for hantavirus RNA by RT-PCR. Hantaviral sequences were not detected in any of the 18 patients or in 35 reed voles (Microtus fortis) in Korea. Alignment and comparison of a 208-nucleotide region of the S segment, amplified from lung tissues of two hantavirus-seropositive Marvalis captured in Poland, revealed $80.8{\sim}83.2%$ sequence similarity, respectively, with Tula virus strains from Central Russia and the Czech and Slovak Republics. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the newfound Tula virus strains from Poland were closely related to other Tula hantaviruses from Eurasia.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.287-293
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• 2012

Knowledge of the prevalence of human Toxoplasma gondii infection is required in the Republic of Korea. In this study, we surveyed the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection and analyzed the risk factors associated with seropositivity among residents in 2 administrative districts; Seoul and the island of Jeju-do, which have contrasting epidemiologic characteristics. Sera and blood collected from 2,150 residents (1,114 in Seoul and 1,036 in Jeju-do) were checked for IgG antibody titers using ELISA and for the T. gondii B1 gene using PCR. In addition, participants completed a questionnaire that solicited information on gender, age, occupation, eating habits, history of contact with animals, and travel abroad. The T. gondii B1 gene was not detected in all residents examined. However, ELISA showed 8.0% (89 of 1,114 sera) positive for IgG antibodies against T. gondii in Seoul and 11.3% (117 of 1,036 sera) in Jeju-do. In both districts, the positive rates were higher in males than in females, and those 40-79 years of age showed higher rates than other ages. In Seoul, residents older than 70 years of age showed the highest positive rate, 14.9%, whereas in Jeju-do the highest prevalence, 15.6%, was in those in their sixties. The higher seropositive rate in Jeju-do than in Seoul may be related to eating habits and occupations. The present results and a review of related literature are indicative of an increased seroprevalence of T. gondii in Korea in recent years.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.363-367
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• 2013

The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in birds has epidemiological significance because birds are indeed considered as a good indicator of environmental contamination by T. gondii oocysts. In this study, the prevalence of T. gondii in 313 house sparrows in Lanzhou, northwestern China was assayed by the modified agglutination test (MAT). Antibodies to T. gondii were positive in 39 (12.46%) of 313 samples (MAT titer ${\geq}$ 1:5). Tissues of heart, brain, and lung from the 39 seropositive house sparrows were tested for T. gondii DNA, 11 of which were found to be positive for the T. gondii B1 gene by PCR amplification. These positive DNA samples were typed at 9 genetic markers, including 8 nuclear loci, i.e., SAG1, 5'- and 3'-SAG2, alternative SAG2, SAG3, GRA6, L358, PK1, c22-8 and an apicoplast locus Apico. Of them, 4 isolates were genotyped with complete data for all loci, and 2 genotypes (Type II variants; ToxoDB #3 and a new genotype) were identified. These results showed that there is a potential risk for human infection with T. gondii in this region. To our knowledge, this is the first report of T. gondii seroprevalence in house sparrows in China.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.431-436
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• 2005

Objectives : We investigated the seroprevalence of the measles antibody and its at tributable factors for the students who underwent routine 2-dose Schedule Era. Methods : The subjects were 996 students of the national measles seroepidemiologic study in December 2000 who had vaccination records. We conducted a questionnaire survey and we performed serologic testing for the measlesspecific IgG by using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results : The coverage for the first dose of the MMR vaccination at 12-15 months of age was 95.1% and the coverage for the second dose of MMR at 4-6 years of age was 35.0%. The proportion of subjects undergoing 2-dosesof MMR dec reased as the age of the subjects increased. The seropositive rate of the measles antibody was significantly high in the second dose vaccinees (93.5% in the second dose group, 84.7% in the non-second dose group, p<0.001) and it was 72.0% in the 0-dose group, 85.4% in the 1-dose group and 93.7% in the 2-dose group (p<0.001). Two point eight percent of the subjects had a past history of measles infection. On the multiple logistic regression analysis, the first and second dose (odds ratio, 8.54; 95% CI.=3.05-23.91), the first dose (odds ratio, 3.06; 95% CI.=1.20-7.81) and the outbreak in the year 2000 (odds ratio, 1.89; 95% CI.=1.24-2.88) were the significant factors for the seropositivity. Conclusions : Maintaining high coverage with a 2-dose vaccination program would be the decisive factor to prevent an outbreak of measles and to eliminate measles in Korea.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.237-242
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• 2009

Objectives : The incidence of zoonoses in Korea has increased recently. However, the study of high risk groups for zoonoses has not been conducted to date in Korea. Thus, we did this study to obtain data on brucellosis among slaughterhouse workers in Korea. Methods : We evaluated the structure of slaughterhouses and the process of slaughtering by reviewing the relevant literature and doing field studies. We visited 73 slaughterhouses and 62 residual products handle houses across the country. In addition, we conducted a questionnaire survey of the work activities, and obtained blood samples in order to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of brucellosis. The titers of brucellosis antibodies were measured using the standard tube agglutination test SAT). We diagnosed subjects as seropositive for Brucellosis if the titers were more than 1:160. The data collected was evaluated using SPSS ver. 17.0. Results : We included 1,503 subjects and obtained 1,482 blood samples among them: 849 workers involved in slaughtering, 351 handlers of residual products, 190 inspectors and their assistants, and 92 grading testers and their assistants. The seroprevalence of brucellosis among the slaughterhouse workers was 0.8% (95% CI=0.4-1.5). Broken down, the seroprevalence of brucellosis among the workers involved in slaughtering was 0.7% (95% CI=0.3-1.6), the handlers of residual products was 1.7% (95% CI=0.7-3.9) respectively. Risk factors for contracting brucellosis among slaughterhouse workers were being splashed with cattle blood around the mouth, cattle secretions around the body and not putting on protective apron while at work. Conclusions : An educational program is needed for high risk groups on zoonoses about the prevention of infection. Thus, effective working guidelines for workers who participate in the slaughter of animals must be developed in order to protect them from zoonoses.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.40-45
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• 1999

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the seroepidemiology of hepatitis A and hepatitis B in Korean children. Methods: 801 children aged 6 to 12 years were enrolled. IgG antibody to hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs), and IgG antibody to HBc (anti-HBc) were measured by radioimmunoassay. Results: Of the 801 children, the seroprevalence of anti-HAV was 0%. Three (0.4%) were seropositive for HBsAg. The seroprevalence of anti-HBs was 61.8%. Two (0.4%) of 495 anti-HBs positive subjects were positvie for anti-HBc. Of the 801 children, 658 (82.1%) had received hepatitis B vaccination. Conclusions: Since natural anti-HAV is not acquired in the childhood, the outbreak of hepatitis A is possible in adolescents and young adults. The decrease in seroprevalence of HBsAg and the increase in seroprevalence of anti-HBs might result from hepatitis B vaccination program in childhood.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.44 no.1 s.137
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• pp.49-54
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• 2006

In order to develop tools for an early serodiagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum infection, we evaluated the usefulness of P. falciparum liver stage antigen-3 (LSA-3) as a serodiagnostic antigen. A portion of LSA-3 gene was cloned, and its recombinant protein (rLSA-3) was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by column chromatography. The purified rLSA-3 and 120 test blood/serum samples collected from inhabitants in malaria-endemic areas of Mandalay, Myanmar were used for this study. In microscopic examinations of blood samples, P. falciparum positive rate was $39.1\%$ (47/120) in thin smear trials, and $33.3\%$ (40/120) in thick smear trials. Although the positive rate associated with the rLSA-3 $(30.8\%)$ was lower than that of the blood stage antigens $(70.8\%)$, rLSA-3 based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay could detect 12 seropositive cases $(10.0\%),$ in which blood stage antigens were not detected. These results indicate that the LSA-3 is a useful antigen for an early serodiagnosis of P. falciparum infection.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.473-483
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• 1987

Present study was undertaken to find when is right time for vaccination against Measles, Mumps and Rubella and what is the seropositive conversion rate after those vacinations. For this purpose, sera from 106 infants and children adimitted in Prediatric Department of Won Kwang University Hospital, Iri, Chonbuk, Korea were divided into 3 groups, such as (1) Vaccination group with definite information when it was given, (2) Unknown group whether vaccination was given or not, (3) Not vaccinated group. They were tested of IgG and IgM antibodies against Measles, Mumps and Rubella using Enzyme Immunoassay method and the following results were obtained. 1. Infants below 6 month of age showed to have IgG antibodies which seemed to have been transferred from mother in 87.8%(29/33) for Measles, 78.8%(26/33) for Mumps and 39.4%(13/13) for Rubella. And they showed IgM antibodies which are thought to have been produced by recent infection in 24.2%(8/33) for Measles, 48.5%(16/33) for Mumps and 9.1%(3/33) for Rubella. 2. Positivity of antibody IgG against Rubella was observed remarkably lower than it is against Measles and Mumps being only 39.4%(13/33) in $0{\sim}5$ month, 30.8%(8/26) in $6{\sim}11$ months, 30%(3/10) in $12{\sim}14$ months and 62.9%(22/35) in $18{\sim}36$ months of age. 3. ${\Delta}OD's$ of IgG and IgM antibodies against Measles were observed increasing with age being 0.444, 0.220 in $0{\sim}5$ months, 0.326, 0.134 in $6{\sim}11$ months, 0.581, 0.140 in $12{\sim}14$ months, 0.512, 0.000 in $15{\sim}17$ months and 0.887, 0.278 in $18{\sim}36$ months of age, respectively. 4. ${\Delta}OD's$ of IgG and IgM antibodies against Mumps were observed increasing with age being 0.427, 0.340 in $0{\sim}5$ months, 0.400, 0.249 in $6{\sim}11$ months, 0.694, 0.314 in $12{\sim}14$ months, 0.539, 0.165 in $15{\sim}17$ months and 0.854, 0.350 in $18{\sim}36$ months of age, respectively. 5. Vaccination for Measles, Mumps and Rubella is generally to start at 15 months of age in Korea, by which age their antibodies are found to exsist in more than 80% of tested samples. So, it seems to be very reasonable to start the vaccination schedule at earlier age than it does currently. 6. From the present study, it seems to have been clearly confirmed that Enzyme Immunoassay method is a reliable method with good reproducibility for mass survey of IgG and IgM antibodies against Measles, Mumps and Rubella in infants and children.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.515-519
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• 2009

Antibodies to Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia chaffeensis were detected by the immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test in sera collected from cats, thoroughbred horses and Holstein cattle in Gwangju, Jeonju and Jeju Island of Korea. Two hundred fifty four sera (33 feral and pet cats, 92 grazing horses and 129 grazing cattle) were obtained from Republic of Korea. Antibodies to A. phagocytophilum (titer $\geq$ 80) were detected in 6 of the 33 feral and pet cats (18.2%), and 1 seropositive cat (3.0%) also had antibodies to E. chaffeensis. Only 1 of 129 (0.8%) cattle and 2 of 92 (2.2%) horses had antibodies to A. phagocytophilum. Antibodies to E. chaffeensis were not detected in either of these animals. This is the first report of serological evidence of A. phagocytophilum and E. chaffeensis from cats, cattle and horses in Korea. These rickettsial agents could have an important impact on human health or impact animal health with economic losses among industrial grazing animals in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.148-153
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• 2000

Purpose : This study was conducted to analyze the results of arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis and to verify the advantages of the technique compared to open ankle arthrodesis. Materials and Methods : Between October 1992 and August 1996, the arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis had been performed in five patients(six ankle joints): two patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis(one patient surgically treated bilaterally), two with osteoarthritis and one with tuberculous arthritis. There were one man and 4 women. Average age was 48 years ranging from 38 to 65 years. Follow up period was average 45 months(range, $12\~80$). Results : All patients were successfully treated with ankle joint arthrodesis under arthroscopic control. The mean time to fusion was 10 weeks(range, $6\~15$). There was a $100\%$ fusion rate without any complication. Conclusion : The arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis was successful in all cases with less morbidity and short hospital stay. It was technically feasible with excellent predictability.