Jae-Won Byun

Molecular Characterization of Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Producing and Plasmid-Mediated AmpC β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli Isolated from Stray Dogs in South Korea

ABSTRACT A total of 47 extended-spectrum-cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli strains isolated from stray dogs in 2006 and 2007 in the Republic of Korea were investigated using molecular methods. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and AmpC β-lactamase phenotypes were identified in 12 and 23 E. coli isolates, respectively. All 12 ESBL-producing isolates carried blaCTX-M genes. The most common CTX-M types were CTX-M-14 (n = 5) and CTX-M-24 (n = 3). Isolates producing CTX-M-3, CTX-M-55, CTX-M-27, and CTX-M-65 were also identified. Twenty-one of 23 AmpC β-lactamase-producing isolates were found to carry blaCMY-2 genes. TEM-1 was associated with CTX-M and CMY-2 β-lactamases in 4 and 15 isolates, respectively. In addition to blaTEM-1, two isolates carried blaDHA-1, and one of them cocarried blaCMY-2. Both CTX-M and CMY-2 genes were located on large (40 to 170 kb) conjugative plasmids that contained the insertion sequence ISEcp1 upstream of the bla genes. Only in the case of CTX-M genes was there an IS903 sequence downstream of the gene. The spread of ESBLs and AmpC β-lactamases occurred via both horizontal gene transfer, accounting for much of the CTX-M gene dissemination, and clonal spread, accounting for CMY-2 gene dissemination. The horizontal dissemination of blaCTX-M and blaCMY-2 genes was mediated by IncF and IncI1-Iγ plasmids, respectively. The clonal spread of blaCMY-2 was driven mainly by E. coli strains of virulent phylogroup D lineage ST648. To our knowledge, this is the first report of blaDHA-1 in E. coli strains isolated from companion animals. This study also represents the first report of CMY-2 β-lactamase-producing E. coli isolates from dogs in the Republic of Korea.

An outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Korea, 2008

In spite of intensive surveillance programs for the control of HPAI, an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in Korea in April 2008 caused serious damage to poultry farms, as did previous outbreaks in 2003/2004 and 2006/2007. Six viruses were selected from the Korean 2008 isolates for genetic analysis, and all eight gene segments from each of the influenza viruses were sequenced. A phylogenetic analysis showed that all of the viruses were of the same virus type and that the hemagglutinin (HA) gene was clustered with that of clade 2.3.2 viruses. However, the internal and neuraminidase (NA) genes were closely related to those of the clade 2.3.4 viruses (recent human and bird isolates from Southeast Asia).

An outbreak of fatal hemorrhagic pneumonia caused by Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus in shelter dogs.

An outbreak of fatal hemorrhagic pneumonia with 70~90% morbidity and 50% mortality occurred in an animal shelter in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, Korea. Clinically, the affected dogs showed severe respiratory distress within 48 h after arriving in the shelter. The dead were found mainly with nasal bleeding and hematemesis. At necropsy, hemothorax and hemorrhagic pneumonia along with severe pulmonary consolidation was observed, though histopathological analysis showed mainly hemorrhagic bronchopneumonia. Lymphoid depletion was inconsistently seen in the spleen, tonsil and bronchial lymph node. Gram-positive colonies were shown in blood vessels or parenchyma of cerebrum, lung, liver, spleen, and kidney. Also, Streptococcus (S.) equi subsp. zooepidemicus was isolated from the various organs in which the bacterium was microscopically and histologically detected. In addition, approximately 0.9 Kb specific amplicon, antiphagocytic factor H binding protein, was amplified in the bacterial isolates. In this study, we reported an outbreak of canine hemorrhagic bronchopneumonia caused by S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus in an animal shelter in Yangju, Korea.

Molecular and serologic detection of Coxiella burnetii in native Korean goats (Capra hircus coreanae).

The occurrence of Q fever in native Korean goats (Capra hircus coreanae) was investigated for the first time in the country using ELISA and PCR. A total of 597 blood samples were collected from goats belonging to five different provinces of Korea. To detect Coxiella burnetii, sera were separated from the whole blood and analysed by ELISA; DNA was extracted directly from the whole blood and analysed by PCR. Overall, 114 (19.1%, 95% C.I.=16.1-22.4) and 57 goats (9.5%, 95% C.I.=7.5-12.2) tested positive for C. burnetii in the ELISA- and PCR-based screening, respectively, while 18 goats (3.0%, 95% C.I.=1.9-4.7) tested positive in both the assays. There was a significant difference between the number of ELISA- and PCR-positive goats (P<0.05). The seroprevalence of Q fever was significantly higher among the adult goats (≥1y, 22.0%) than among the young goats (<1y, 13.8%) (P<0.05). While the results of the serologic analysis showed no seasonal variation, data from the PCR-based assay indicated that there were a higher number of positive cases during the cold seasons. Because Q fever infection has high rates of prevalence in native Korean goats, further studies on humans at a high risk of contracting this disease should be conducted. The PCR-based assay used in this study is a useful method for the direct detection of C. burnetii in blood samples from small ruminants.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in dogs from Korea

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are closely related protozoan parasites, they share many common hosts, and can cause neurological diseases in dogs. Dogs can have close contacts with humans and livestock and therefore they can act as reservoirs of these parasites. The aim of this study was to survey the seroprevalence of antibodies against T. gondii and N. caninum and their co-infection rate in dogs in Korea. In total, sera from 553 domestic dogs were collected from different breeds, sexes, and ages of dogs from nine provinces across the country of Korea during 2006 and 2007. The presence of antibodies against T. gondii and N. caninum was analyzed using the latex agglutination test (LAT) with a cut-off value of 1:32, and the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) using a serum titer of 1:100. In the total dog population, 71 (12.8%) dogs were positive for anti-T. gondii antibodies and only 20 (3.6%) were positive for anti-N. caninum antibodies. Relatively higher seropositive frequencies of antibodies against T. gondii (20.1%) and N. caninum (4.9%) were detected in the dog population from the Gyeonggi. A higher proportion of animals seropositive for anti-T. gondii antibodies was found in stray dog populations as compared to household dog populations: 18.5% (59/319) vs 5.1% (12/234), respectively. The Chi-square tests revealed significant differences in the seropositive frequencies of antibodies against T. gondii between stray and household dogs in the total population (p<0.0001), and in dogs from the Gyeonggi (p<0.01). No significant differences were observed for the presence of antibodies against T. gondii or N. caninum when compared across the sex or age (p>0.05). The first serological survey on antibodies against both T. gondii and N. caninum parasites across the entire country showed that co-infection was not common in these canine populations with a seropositive level of 0.72%. The significantly higher positive frequency of T. gondii antibodies in stray dogs in both, Gyeonggi and in the total dog populations suggests that further investigation on the seroprevalence of parasites should focus on stray dogs.

Prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in fecal Escherichia coli isolates from stray pet dogs and hospitalized pet dogs in Korea.

A total of 628 Escherichia coli isolates recovered from 877 intestinal samples of stray pet dogs (n = 565) and hospitalized pet dogs (n = 312) in Korea were analyzed for resistance to 15 antimicrobial agents. Most common resistance observed in E. coli isolated from both groups of dogs was to tetracycline (52.4-53.6%), streptomycin (35.8-41.7%), ampicillin (32.9-47.1%), nalidixic acid (21.6-37.4%), and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (19.7-36.4%). Resistance to chloramphenicol, gentamicin, and ciprofloxacin was observed in 19.4% (17.1-24.3%), 18% (16.1-21.8%), and 16.1% (13.5-21.4%) of the isolates, respectively. No E. coli isolated from hospitalized dogs showed resistance to imipenem and cefepime, whereas three (0.7%) isolates from stray dogs were resistant to cefepime. Some of the isolates from both groups showed resistance to cefotaxime (2.4-3.9%) and amikacin (0.5-1.5%). In general, the frequency of resistance tended to be higher in isolates from hospitalized dogs than isolates from stray dogs against most antimicrobials tested. Around 39% (162/422) and 27% (55/206) of E. coli isolates from stray dogs and hospitalized dogs were susceptible to all antimicrobials tested, respectively. Multiresistance (> or = 3 subclasses of antimicrobials) was observed in 32% and 48% of E. coli isolates from stray dogs and hospitalized dogs, respectively. More attention should be paid to the use of antimicrobials and the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance in companion animals.

Seroprevalence of Brucellosis and Isolation of Yersinia enterocolitica O:9 in Pigs

Ten farrow-finish farms participated in this seromonitoring that was conducted to investigate the porcine brucellosis situation in Korea. In total, eight (80.0%) of the 10 farms and 139 (24.0%) of 578 pigs tested showed a positive response in the Rose Bengal test (RBT). Seroprevalence levels were determined using RBT according to age; 35 (14.6%) of 239 piglets, 36 (31.3%) of 115 growing pigs, and 68 (30.4%) of 224 finishing pigs and sows were positive, respectively. All positive samples in RBT were tested with the tube agglutination test (TAT) and competitive ELISA (C-ELISA), simultaneously. Although 48 samples came up positive in the TAT, all samples tested with C-ELISA were negative. Among 26 rectal swab samples from the TAT positive-pigs, Yersinia enterocolitica O:9 was isolated from seven samples (26.9%). Therefore, we speculated that the positive reaction of RBT and TAT in this study might be induced by the serologically cross-reacting bacteria with Brucella abortus.

Detection and Determination of Toxoplasma gondii Seroprevalence in Native Korean Goats ( Capra hircus coreanae )

Toxoplasma gondii is an important zoonotic protozoan pathogen that causes serious illness in immunocompromised humans and infection in animals worldwide. The current study was conducted for detection of T. gondii infection and determination of the seroprevalence of the pathogen in native Korean goats (Capra hircus coreanae). Analysis of a total of 610 sera samples collected from 60 herds between 2009 and 2011 were performed using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit for detection of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies. Among the animals tested, 5.1% (31/610) showed seropositivity for anti-T. gondii antibodies, and 38.3% (23/60) of the herds were seropositive. The prevalence rates between young (<1 year) and adult (≥1 and ≤3 years) goats were 7.0% and 4.1%, respectively, without statistical significance (p>0.05). Likewise, the prevalence rates observed during cold season (October-March) and warm season (April-September) were 2.9% and 5.5%, respectively, without statistical significance. Seroprevalence rates observed in the northern, central, and southern regions were 7.9%, 3.8%, and 4.2%, respectively. In conclusion, we report for the first time on the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies in native Korean goats (Capra hircus coreanae). The results of this study also indicate that there is a nationwide distribution of T. gondii infection among goats. Therefore, the implementation of integrated control strategies as well as measures for prevention and control of T. gondii infection within goats is recommended.

Meningoencephalitis caused by Halicephalobus gingivalis in a thoroughbred gelding.

ABSTRACT A 6-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was euthanized after a 2-month period of abnormal neurological signs, such as circling left in his pen and hitting his head and body against the wall. After the horse was euthanized on the farm, a half of the brain and whole blood were submitted for diagnostic tests. Histopathological examination of the brain revealed granulomatous and eosinophilic meningoencephalitis with numerous intralesional nematodes, predominantly affecting the cerebrum. Multifocal malacic foci were scattered in the brain parenchyma. The intralesional parasites were identified as Halicephalobus gingivalis by morphological features and PCR testing. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of meningoencephalitis caused by H. gingivalis in the horse in Korea.

Real-time PCR for differentiation of F4 (K88) variants (F4ab, F4ac, F4ad) of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli from diarrhoeic piglets

A one-step real-time PCR using one set of oligonucleotide primers and three probes was developed for differentiation of F4 (K88) variants (F4ab, F4ac, F4ad) of enterotoxigenic Escherichiacoli (ETEC) from diarrhoeic pigs. The limits of detection of F4ab, F4ac and F4ad in broth dilution were 10(6), 10(5) and 10(4)colony forming units (CFU)/mL, respectively. In faecal samples spiked with E.coli, the limits of detection of F4ab, F4ac and F4ad were 10(6), 10(6) and 10(4)CFU/g faeces, respectively, without enrichment and 10(3), 10(2) and 10(2)CFU/g faeces following enrichment. In 42 ETEC field isolates from pigs in Korea encoding the F4 gene, all were identified as the F4ac variant.