• 대한수의학회지
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• 제54권3호
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• pp.147-150
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• 2014

Q-fever is a vector-borne (Coxiella [C.] burnetii) zoonotic disease that is an increasing public health concern. To date, some research about Q-fever prevalence in dairy herds and human patients has been reported in Korea, but information about Korean native cattle is scarce. To measure the prevalence rates of C. burnetii in Korean native cattle, a total of 1,095 bovine serum samples collected during 2010~2013 were analyzed with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Sixty-eight heads of cattle were diagnosed as positive and while 19 heads were suspected (positive rate = 6.2%). Interestingly, Jeju province had a seropositivity rate six times greater than that of other provinces (18.9% vs. 3.2%). High seroprevalence might be caused by wide distribution of ticks in Jeju province compared to other regions. Based on these data, extensive monitoring of C. burnetii infection in cattle, tick distribution, and climate changes is required.

• 한국균학회지
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.77-87
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• 2015

곤충이 곰팡이병에 감염되는 것을 흔히 볼 수 있고, 대부분은 이들에 대해 감수성을 나타내고 있다. 최근 살충제 저항성이 문제가 되면서 곤충병원성 곰팡이를 이용한 모기 방제에 대한 연구가 더욱 주목을 받고 있고, Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Lagenidium giganteum와 같은 병원성 곰팡이를 모기 방제에 사용하기 위해 노력 중이다. 이 총설에서는 말라리아, 뎅기열, 사상충, 황열병 등을 옮기는 모기들의 방제에 사용되는 곤충병원성 곰팡이를 정리하고 이들의 활용방안을 논하였다.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제54권3호
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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 Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제45권5호
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• pp.277-282
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• 2012

Field epidemiology involves the implementation of quick and targeted public health interventions with the aid of epidemiological methods. In this article, we share our practical experiences in outbreak management and in safeguarding the population against novel diseases. Given that cities represent the financial nexuses of the global economy, global health security necessitates the safeguard of cities against epidemic diseases. Singapore's public health landscape has undergone a systemic and irreversible shift with global connectivity, rapid urbanization, ecological change, increased affluence, as well as shifting demographic patterns over the past two decades. Concomitantly, the threat of epidemics, ranging from severe acute respiratory syndrome and influenza A (H1N1) to the resurgence of vector-borne diseases as well as the rise of modern lifestyle-related outbreaks, have worsened difficulties in safeguarding public health amidst much elusiveness and unpredictability. One critical factor that has helped the country overcome these innate and man-made public health vulnerabilities is the development of a resilient field epidemiology service, which includes our enhancement of surveillance and response capacities for outbreak management, and investment in public health leadership. We offer herein the Singapore story as a case study in meeting the challenges of disease control in our modern built environment.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.184-189
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• 2020

라임병은 진드기를 매개로 하여 보렐리아속균 감염에 의해 발생하는 세균 질환이다. 가장 흔한 증상으로 초기에 유주성 홍반이 대부분의 환자에게서 관찰되며, 신경, 심혈관계 및 관절을 침범하는 증상이 발현할 수 있다. 저자들은 미국 코네티컷주로 여행력이 있는 13세 남자에게서 발현한 라임병을 진단하여 보고하는 바이다. 환자는 2016년 여름에 미국에서 숲 체험에 참여하던 중 발열, 두통, 양쪽 무릎 관절통을 호소하여 귀국하였으며, 내원 시 양 하지에 다수의 유주성 홍반이 관찰되었다. 심전도 검사에서 1도 방실 차단이 확인되었다. 간접면역형광항체법과 웨스턴블럿법 검사에서 라임병 특이 IgM 항체가 양성으로 확인되었다. 경구 doxycycline으로 4주간 치료하였으며, 유주성 홍반이 소실되고 심전도가 정상 소견으로 회복되었다. 라임병의 진단에 있어 호발 지역으로의 여행력을 확인하는 것이 중요하다. 라임병에 의한 심장염은 무증상 방실 전도차단으로 나타날 수 있고 고도 방실 차단으로 진행할 수 있어 주의를 요하며 적절한 항생제 치료를 통해 회복될 수 있다.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제46권3호
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• pp.195-198
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• 2008

Plasmodium falciparum liver stage antigen-1 (PfLSA-1) is one of the few antigens expressed exclusively in liver stage parasites. In this study, we evaluated the antibody responses against recombinant PfLSA-1 in naturally infected individuals in Myanmar. High levels of antibody responses (70.7%) were detected in 82 serum samples from 116 infected individuals, and IgG responses to PfLSA-1 principally composed of responses of IgG1 and IgG3 subclasses. These results show that PfLSA-1 elicits effective antibody responses in individuals infected with P. falciparum, and thus it could be not only an attractive candidate protein for vaccine development, but also a useful antigen for serodiagnosis of the infection.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제48권4호
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• pp.275-279
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• 2016

Dengue fever is a vector borne disease caused by a dengue virus. It is an RNA virus of the family flaviviridae, with different serotypes. Herein, we report our attempt to carry out a sensitivity comparison of immunodiagnostic assays for dengue fever in dengue positive patients. Blood samples from 189 volunteers were collected. To determine the sensitivity of the NS1 test, two different types of tests-immunochromatographic tri-line test and rapid dengue test (RDT)-as well as IgM and IgG capture ELISA were performed. The result of RDT has shown that 59.7% of volunteers were IgM positive and 50.2% were IgG positive. Conversely, the results from capture ELISA shows 79.8% and 59.7% for IgM and IgG, respectively. The sensitivity of the capture ELISA test for IgM and IgG was higher than that of immunochromatographic tri-line rapid test, but the specificity was lower. Therefore, to confirm dengue fever, we recommend performing more detailed, investigative tests since a single test may not be sufficient.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제59권5호
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• pp.489-496
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• 2021

Ticks can transmit pathogenic bacteria, protozoa, and viruses to humans and animals. In this study, we investigated the microbiomes of Haemaphysalis longicornis according to sex and life stages. The Shannon index was significantly higher for nymphs than adult ticks. Principal coordinates analysis showed that the microbiome composition of female adult and male adult ticks were different. Notably, Coxiella-like bacterium (AB001519), known as a tick symbiont, was found in all nymphs and female adult ticks, but only one out of 4 male adult ticks had Coxiella-like bacterium (AB001519). In addition, Rickettsia rickettsii, Coxiella burnetii, and Anaplasma bovis were detected in this study.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제55권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2017

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania donovani is an endemic vector-borne disease in Sri Lanka. Over 2,500 cases have been reported since 2000 and the number of CL cases has dramatically increased annually. Total 57 clinically suspected CL patients attending the dermatology clinic in Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital were recruited from January to June 2015. Slit skin smears and skin biopsies were taken from each of the subjects. Clinical and epidemiological data were obtained using interviewer administered questionnaire. Forty-three (75.4%) patients among 57 were confirmed positive for L. donovani. The majority (77%) of infected patients was males, and the most affected age group was 21-40 years. Soldiers in security forces, farmers, and housewives were identified as high risk groups. The presence of scrub jungles around the residence or places of occupation (P=0.003), the presence of sandflies (P=0.021), and working outsides more than 6 hr per day (P=0.001) were significantly associated with CL. The number of lesions ranged from 1-3, and the majority (76%) of the patients had a single lesion. Upper and lower extremities were the prominent places of lesions, while the wet type of lesions were more prevalent in females (P=0.022). A nodular-ulcerative type lesion was common in both sexes. The presence of sandflies, scrub jungles, and outdoor activities contributed to spread of Leishmania parasites in an endemic pattern. Implementation of vector control programs together with health education with regard to transmission and prevention of CL are necessary to control the spread of this infection.

• 한국유기농업학회지
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.427-433
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• 2016

보리누른모자이크병은 토양전염성 곰팡이인 Polymyxa graminis (P. graminis)에 의해 매개된다. 본 연구에서는 BaYMV 이병토양 및 이병주 뿌리로부터 P. graminis의 PCR 검정방법을 확립하였다. P. graminis type I (P. graminis f.sp. temperata) Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) 영역의 염기서열 특이적인 primer를 제작하고, 이병토양 및 이병주의 뿌리와 잎으로부터 DNA를 추출하여 PCR 검정을 실시하였다. 결과 P. graminis는 이병토양 및 이병주 뿌리로부터 검출되었다. 남부지역의 대표적인 보리 재배지역 8개 지역으로부터 이병토양을 채집하여 PCR 검정에 의해 P. graminis의 분포상황을 조사하였다. 결과 조사한 지역 전체에서 P. graminis의 분포가 확인되었다.