Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of Trichinella spiralis antibodies and the surveillance of selected pig breeding farms in the Republic of Korea

Trichinellosis is a parasitic zoonosis of public health importance. It is caused by Trichinella spiralis which has a wide host range including humans. In the present communication, the ELISA technique was employed on a total of 803 blood samples from 7 selected pig breeding farms in 1996 for diagnosis and surveillance of trichinellosis. Out of the entire 803 samples, nine were found to be suspected while one was positive by ELISA. But western blot analyses employed for further confirmation have shown that all of 10 samples did not react to larval excretory-secretory product antigens. These results indicate that pig breeding farms included in the present study are free from trichinellosis. However, it does not mean Korea is free from trichinellosis since human trichinellosis has recently been reported. The necessity of continued surveillance for trichinellosis in both pigs and wild animals was discussed.

A Case of Tick bite Caused by Ixodes monospinosus / 대한피부과학회지

The occurrence of tick bites and related dermatoses have been rarely described in Korea. Ticks may cause various infectious diseases associated with dermatoses by transmission of the mediating pathogens such as virus, bacteria and rickettsia. We describe herein, to our knowledge, the first tick bite with Ixodes monospinosus in Korea, The patient, a 64-year old male, was bitten by a tick while climbing a mountain which is located in the Kanghwado. He had an asymptomatic, yellowish pea-sized tick attached on the right antecubital area for 7 days' duration, which was identified as an adult female of I. monospinosus by the scanning electron microscopic examination.

Isolation and cultivation of a coxiella burnetii strain from raw milk of dairy cows in korea

No abstract available.

A description with scanning electron microscopy on the tick Ixodes persulcatus (Schulze, 1930 ) male and female specimens

The surface fine structures of Ixodes persulcatus (Schulze, 1930) male and female specimens were observed by means of a scanning electron microscope. A brief review on the biology of the ticks and their disease relationships was also presented. The sexual dimorphism of the specimen was marked; the male was quite smaller than the female. The genital groove was well developed and deep, the anal groove was distinct and characteristically extending anteriorly around the anus. The 4th article was much reduced and situated on the top of the 3rd article ventrally. The hypostome dentition was usually 3/3. The bottom of the basis capitulum of the male specimen was strictly straight in shape. This species was regarded as one of the most important vectors for infectious diseases of migrating birds.

Scanning electron microscopic observations on the surface structure of the tick Boophilus microplus(Canestrini, 1887) female specimens

Boophilus microplus (Canestrini, 1887) female specimens were subjected to scanning electron microscopy for the observation of surface fine structures. Morphological characteristics observed were summarized as follows: The palpi were wider than long, and compressed, ridged dorsally and laterally. There were usually four pairs of ventro-internal setae on the articles. The hypostome dentition was usually 4/4 but occasionally 5/5. The basis capituli were hexagonal dorsally and the porose area was distinct with the holes developed well. There were numerous folds resembling finger prints around the female genital pore. A pair of anal lobes with specified setae on them was also recognized as one of the morphological characteristics.