Molecular Detection of Coxiella burnetii in Cattle on Ulleung Island, Korea: A Population-based Study with Four Years of Follow Up

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.

Seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii infection in cattle on Ulleung Island, Korea / 대한수의학회지

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.

Three New Recorded Species of the Physalacriaceae on Ulleung Island, Korea

Most known species in the Physalacriaceae are saprotrophs that grow on decaying leaves and wood, and approximately 21 genera in the Physalacriaceae have been reported worldwide. During an ongoing survey of indigenous fungi in Korea, four specimens belonging to the Physalacriaceae were collected on Ulleung Island. These specimens were identified as three species based on morphological characteristics and molecular analysis of rDNA-internal transcribed spacer sequences. Three species in three genera were shown to be new records in Korea: Hymenopellis orientalis, Paraxerula hongoi, and Ponticulomyces orientalis. The latter two are the first records of these genera in Korea. In this study, we provide detailed morphological descriptions of these species and describe their phylogenetic position within the Physalacriaceae.

Ten New Recorded Species of Macrofungi on Ulleung Island, Korea

Ulleung Island is a biodiversity hotspot in South Korea. During a survey of indigenous fungal species from Ulleung Island conducted from 2015 to 2016, we discovered 10 unrecorded macrofungi in Korea. These macrofungi were identified to the species level using morphological features and phylogenetic analysis based on the internal transcribed spacer region: Deconica phyllogena, Mycena zephirus, Phaeomarasmius proximans, Phlebia radiata, Pluteus semibulbosus, Postia alni, Resinicium pinicola, Scytinostroma portentosum, Tricholomopsis flammula, and Tyromyces kmetii. We also provide detailed morphological descriptions for these 10 species.

A New Record of Penicillium raphiae Isolated from Agricultural Soil of Ulleung Island, Korea

A fungal isolate EML-NCP01 was recovered from agricultural soil in Ulleung Island, Korea. Phylogenetic analysis of internal transcribed spacer and beta-tubulin genes identified the isolate as the Penicillium species P. raphiae. Morphologically, the EML-NCP01 isolate was identical to the previous description of P. raphiae. The species presented here has not been reported in Korea.

Telemedicine of Skin Diseases in Ulleung Island / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Telemedicine can be useful in dermatology on Ulleung island which is 217 km away from Pohang and without dermatologists. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to measure the effectiveness of telemedicine in treating skin diseases on Ulleung island. METHODS: 33 patients on Ulleung island were examined by a fullmotion real-time video by one dermatologist in a Dongsan hospital of Keimyung University once a week. From June 2011 to June 2012, there have been 53 treatments of telemedicine in 33 patients. RESULTS: 14 diseases were found in 33 patients. The most common disease group was infectious skin disease and eczema in 9 patients. In addition, there were other skin diseases such as acne vulgaris, allergic contact dermatitis, prurigo nodularis, lichen simplex chronicus, malignant melanoma, seborrheic dermatitis, polymorphous light eruption and so on. CONCLUSION: Dermatology favors telemedicine because we had investigated its value and possibilities by clinical experience of telemedicine between Ulleung island and Dongsan medical center in Daegu.