| Seung-Hun Lee | 12 Articles |
The leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) is a wild felid species that serves as a reservoir of zoonotic parasites. In this study, we investigated intestinal parasite taxa by reanalyzing previously published shotgun metagenomic sequencing data from fecal samples of wild leopard cats using a custom 18S rRNA gene reference database constructed from the NCBI nucleotide database. Among 11 metagenomic samples, 5 parasite species were identified: Toxoplasma gondii, Clonorchis sinensis, Strongyloides planiceps, Cylicospirura petrowi, and Pharyngostomum cordatum. These findings demonstrate that shotgun metagenomic analysis of fecal samples can be a useful tool for monitoring zoonotic parasite infections in this species and for investigating parasite life cycles. However, this approach is limited by its dependence on existing reference databases and requires experimental validation of the findings.
Enterocytozoon is a genus of microsporidian parasites, with Enterocytozoon bieneusi being a well-known species. It infects various mammalian hosts, including humans, and exhibits zoonotic potential. Out of the 97 fecal and intestinal samples collected from wild raccoon dogs in Korea, 12 (12.4%) tested positive for E. bieneusi via PCR, revealing 2 genotypes: genotype D and EbpA. Both genotypes were found to belong to the zoonotic Group 1. Notably, this study is the first to report the EbpA genotype in Korea. Although studies on E. bieneusi in raccoon dogs are relatively limited, the findings suggest potential public health concerns.
Ticks are important ectoparasites that serve as key vectors of various pathogens, posing significant risks to both human and animal health. In this study, 3 genera and 5 species of ticks, including Haemaphysalis longicornis, H. flava, H. doenitzi, Ixodes nipponensis, and Amblyomma testudinarium, were analyzed both morphologically and molecularly. Morphological identification was conducted using established taxonomic keys, followed by molecular characterization through analysis of complete cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1, 1,539 bp) and mitochondrial 16S rDNA (1,191–1,215 bp), and nuclear 18S rDNA (1,812–1,816 bp). Phylogenetic and pairwise distance analyses demonstrated that all 3 genes were effective for genus identification; cox1 and mitochondrial 16S rDNA were more effective than 18S rDNA in species identification. Additionally, this study is the first to identify H. doenitzi in the Korean mainland via molecular characterization. These results may serve as reference data for the molecular identification of tick species.
Enterocytozoon bieneusi is an opportunistic microsporidian parasite with zoonotic potential that causes gastrointestinal illness in humans and animals. This study aimed to investigate the presence and genetic diversity of E. bieneusi from cats in Korea and to assess the potential public health risks associated with zoonotic genotypes. Among the 137 feline fecal samples, 4 (2.9%) were PCR-positive for E. bieneusi. In addition, 2 E. bieneusi genotypes were identified: Type IV, a known zoonotic genotype belonging to Group 1, and KCAT1, a novel genotype with zoonotic potential belonging to Group 1. This study is the first to report on these genotypes from cats in Korea, most of which were companion cats visiting veterinary clinics. Despite the low detection rate, the presence of zoonotic genotypes in companion cats is a potential public health concern because of the close physical interaction between cats and their human caregivers. These findings indicate the importance of routine monitoring and the molecular characterization of E. bieneusi in companion animals to comprehensively understand their zoonotic transmission patterns and to guide future risk assessments and preventive strategies.
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Enterocytozoon bieneusi is an important microsporidian protozoa that causes intestinal disorders in humans. We collected 191 fecal samples from roadkill deer carcasses, among which 13 (6.8%) showed positive reaction for E. bieneusi by polymerase chain reaction assay. Phylogenetic analysis revealed 6 distinct genotypes, 1 of which was novel. All genotypes belonged to Group 1, which has low host specificity, indicating possible transmission through sylvatic cycle. E. bieneusi infection was predominant in female deer (p<0.05).
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Acanthamoeba infection is associated with keratitis in humans; however, its association with keratitis in dogs remains unclear. To investigate this possibility, we collected 171 conjunctival swab samples from dogs with eye-related diseases (65 with keratitis and 106 without keratitis) at Chungbuk National University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Korea, from August 2021 to September 2022. Polymerase chain reaction identified 9 samples (5.3%) as Acanthamoeba positive; of these, 3 were from dogs with keratitis (4.6%) and 6 were from dogs without keratitis (5.7%). Our results indicated no significant association between Acanthamoeba infection and keratitis, season, sex, or age. All Acanthamoeba organisms found in this study had the genotype T4, according to 18S ribosomal RNA analysis. Acanthamoeba infection in dogs might have only a limited association with keratitis.
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This study aimed to examine the distribution of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in domestic pigs in the Republic of Korea. From May 2020 to October 2021, 364 pig fecal samples were collected from 75 farms in 7 Provinces and microscopically examined. A total of 170 (46.7%) pigs were infected with at least one of the following parasites: Balantioides coli, strongyles, Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis, and coccidia. By parasite species, B. coli, strongyles, A. suum, T. suis, and coccidia oocysts or eggs were detected in 144 (39.6%), 24 (6.6%), 14 (3.8%), 4 (1.1%), and 1 (0.3%) samples, respectively. One hundred fifty-four, 15, and 1 cases showed single, double, and triple infections, respectively. Of the swine fecal samples from 75 farms, 69 specimens (92.0%) were infected with 1 or more parasites. All surveyed farms across the country exhibited a positive rate of over 30%, among which the highest positive rate was 65.0% in Chungcheongnam-do, and Jeollabuk-do was followed by 61.9%. Winter showed a statistically lower prevalence than other seasons. This study showed that gastrointestinal parasites are prevalent in pigs in Korea, although the diversity of parasites is low.
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Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a microsporidian pathogen. Recently, the equestrian population is increasing in Korea. The horse-related zoonotic pathogens, including E. bieneusi, are concerns of public health. A total of 1,200 horse fecal samples were collected from riding centers and breeding farms in Jeju Island and inland areas. Of the fecal samples 15 (1.3%) were PCR positive for E. bieneusi. Interestingly, all positive samples came from Jeju Island. Diarrhea and infection in foals were related. Two genotypes (horse1, horse2) were identified as possible zoonotic groups requiring continuous monitoring.
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This study reports the first two clinical cases of spirometrosis caused by Spirometra sp. in cats in Korea. In these two cases, the cats vomited, and long proglottids of tapeworm were recovered. The sick cats presented with anorexia and lethargy. However, they unexpectedly showed no diarrhea, which is the main symptom of spirometrosis. Based on a fecal floatation test as well as morphological and molecular analyses, the parasite was diagnosed as Spirometra sp. The 2 cases were treated with praziquantel. This study suggests regular monitoring of health and deworming in companion animals, even when animals are well cared for, with regular preventive medication. Additionally, spirometrosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis in cases of gastrointestinal symptoms in Spirometra endemic areas.
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The purpose of this study was 2-fold: 1) to investigate the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasite infection in cats reared in Daegu, Republic of Korea and 2) to assess the efficacy and safety of a topical emodepside/praziquantel formulation for cats with parasitic infections. The gastrointestinal parasite infections were examined microscopically using the flotation method. Of 407 cats, 162 (39.8%) were infected by at least one gastrointestinal parasite, including Toxocara cati (63.0%), Toxascaris leonina (31.5%), Taenia taeniaeformis (3.7%), and Cystoisospora felis (1.9%). None of the infected animals had multiple infections. When the data were analyzed according to sex, age, and type of cat, stray cats showed statistically higher prevalence than companion cats (P<0.05). On the 5th day after treatment, no parasitic eggs were detected using microscopic examination. In addition, no adverse effects, such as abnormal behaviors and clinical symptoms, were observed in the cats treated with the drug. These results quantify the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in cats in Daegu, Republic of Korea, and show that topical emodepside/praziquantel is a safe and effective choice for treating the parasitic infections in cats.
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Anaplasmosis is a tick-borne, non-contagious, zoonotic disease caused by Anaplasma spp., which include Anaplasma marginale, A. centrale, A. phagocytophilum, A. platys, A. ovis, and A. bovis. Recently, in Korea, the prevalence of Anaplasma spp. has been investigated in some animals, such as dogs, horses, goats, cats, and Korean water deer. In cattle, A. marginale is the most virulent species and regarded as the typical type of species. However, data on the seroprevalence of Anaplasma spp. in cattle in Korea during the last decade is limited. This study was designed to investigate the seroprevalence of bovine anaplasmosis in Korea. From 2010 to 2013, blood samples were collected from 568 cattle. Forty animals (7.0%) tested seropositive for Anaplasma spp. by cELISA. Despite that current bovine anaplasmosis seropositivity rate in the Gyeongsangbuk-do is lower than those in tropical countries, anaplasmosis needs to be regarded as a concerning disease. The identification of the specific Anaplasma species infecting cattle in this province requires additional molecular studies. Moreover, further monitoring and control programs for bovine anaplasmosis is required, and the information from this study will be beneficial to develop these programs.
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Lyme disease is a tick-borne zoonotic infectious disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. The present study assessed the infection status of B. burgdorferi among horses reared in Korea using ELISA and PCR. Between 2009 and 2013, blood samples were collected from 727 horses throughout Korea. Data for each animal including age, gender, breed, and region of sample collection were used for epidemiological analysis. Overall, 38 (5.2%; true prevalence: 5.5%) of 727 horses were seropositive by ELISA. There were statistically significant differences according to breed and region (P<0.001) whose differences might be attributed to the ecology of vector ticks and climate conditions. Using 2 nested PCR, none of the samples tested positive for B. burgdorferi. Thus, a positive ELISA result can indicate only that the tested horse was previously exposed to B. burgdorferi, with no certainty over the time of exposure. Since global warming is likely to increase the abundance of ticks in Korea, continuous monitoring of tick-borne diseases in Korean horses is needed.
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