Development of a Quantitative RT-PCR Assay to Differentiate Rift Valley Fever Virus Smithburn Vaccine Strain from Clone 13 Vaccine Strain.

A new quantitative RT-PCR assay was developed to differentiate Rift Valley fever (RVF) Smithburn vaccine strain from Clone 13 vaccine strain. The new qRT-PCR assay targeting the S segment (NSs and N gene) was tested on synthesized standard RNA and MP-12 strain viruses. The detection limit of the new qRT-PCR assay is 1 copy/μL of NSs and N, and is able to differentiate the Smithburn vaccine strain of RVF from the Clone 13 vaccine strain.

Improved sero-monitoring assay for classical swine fever (CSF) using the recombinant E2 protein of a recent Korean isolate.

Classical swine fever (CSF) is a highly contagious disease of pigs that causes fever, diarrhea and paralysis, often resulting in death. E2 is the major structural protein of the CSF virus (CSFV) and mediates the entrance of the virus, subsequently inducing a neutralizing immune response. In this study, the E2 gene of a recent Korean isolate of CSF, SW03, was cloned and the DNA sequence was compared to other strains via phylogenetic analysis.

Serosurveillance for Japanese encephalitis, Akabane, and Aino viruses for Thoroughbred horses in Korea.

Recent global warming trends may have a significant impact on vector-borne viral diseases, possibly affecting vector population dynamics and disease transmission. This study measured levels of hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) antibodies against Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and neutralizing antibodies against Akabane virus (AKAV) and Aino virus (AINV) for Thoroughbred horses in Korea. Blood samples were collected from 989 racehorses in several provinces, between October 2005 and March 2007.

Characteristics of persistent Salmonella Enteritidis strains in two integrated broiler chicken operations of Korea.

The objectives of the study were to investigate the phenotypic and genotypic characterization of the persistent Salmonella Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) isolates in two integrated broiler chicken operations, with attention focused mainly on the epidemiological approach. In the distribution of virulence genes, Salmonella enterotoxin (stn), invading host cell (invA), and Salmonella plasmid virulence (spvC) genes were widely distributed among the S.

Serosurveillance of viral diseases in Korean native goats (Capra hircus).

A total of 804 goat sera were collected from 144 goat farms in five regions of South Korea during a period between 2005 and 2006 and screened for the antibodies of viral pathogens in ruminants. The individual seropositive rates for each virus were 13.7% (110/804) for bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1), 9.

Molecular characterization and genogrouping of VP1 of aquatic birnavirus GC1 isolated from rockfish Sebastes schlegeli in Korea.

The cDNA nucleotide sequence of genome segment B encoding the VP1 protein was determined for the aquatic birnavirus GC1 isolated from the rockfish Sebastes schlegeli in Korea. The VP1 protein of GC1 contains a 2,538 bp open reading frame, which encodes a protein comprising 846 amino acid residues that has a predicted MW of 94 kDa. The sequence contains 6 potential Asn-X-Ser/Thr motifs.

The seroprevalence of Japanese encephalitis virus in goats raised in Korea.

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) causes a mosquitoborne viral zoonosis that is becoming increasingly important to public health in east and south Asia. Although JEV is primarily associated with reproductive failure in swine, JEV infection can cause fever and headache in humans and is associated with aseptic meningitis and encephalitis. The exact mode of transmission, including host range and possible source of viral amplification within livestock, is still not completely clear.

Characterization of Salmonella spp. isolated from an integrated broiler chicken operation in Korea.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the biological and genetic characterization of persistent Salmonella isolates in an integrated broiler chicken operation, in an attempt to elucidate the source of contamination. From the breeder farm, the hatchery, the broiler farm and the chicken slaughter house of an integrated broiler chicken operation, a total of 6 serotypes were observed. Although S.

Development and evaluation of indirect ELISA for the detection of antibodies against Japanese encephalitis virus in swine.

The Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is one of causative agents of reproductive failure in pregnant sows. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA) was examined for its potential use in the rapid monitoring of the JEV, and the results were compared with those from the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and serum neutralization (SN) tests. The comparative analysis showed that the results of I-ELISA showed a significant correlation with the conventional HI (r = 0.

Fluoroquinolone resistance and gyrA and parC mutations of Escherichia coli isolated from chicken.

Escherichia coli is a common inhabitant of the intestinal tracts of animals and humans. The intestines of animals also represent an ideal environment for the selection and transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes. The aim of this study was to investigate the resistance of E.

Immunogenicity of baculovirus expressed recombinant proteins of Japanese encephalitis virus in mice.

Genes encoding for the premembrane and envelope (prME), envelope (E) and nonstructural protein (NS1) of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) were cloned. Each protein was expressed in baculovirus expression system. Of the three proteins expressed in baculovirus system, only prME had hemagglutination activity.

TaqMan reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for the detection of Japanese encephalitis virus.

One step TaqMan reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using TaqMan probe was developed for detection of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). Real-time RT-PCR was optimized to quantify JEV using the detection system (Rotor Gene 2000 detector) and dual-labeled fluorogenic probes. The gene specific labeled fluorogenic probe for the 3' non-translated region (3' NTR) was used to detect JEV.

Molecular characterization of full-length genome of Japanese encephalitis virus (KV1899) isolated from pigs in Korea.

We have determined the complete nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) strain KV1899, isolated from a fattening pig in Korea. In comparison with 22 fully sequenced JEV genomes currently available, we found that the 10,963-nucleotide RNA genome of KV1899 has a 13-nucleotide deletion in the 3' non-translated variable region and 53 unique nucleotide sequences including 3' non-translated region (NTR). Its single open reading frame has a total of 28 amino acid substitutions.

Biophysical characterization of Japanese encephalitis virus (KV1899) isolated from pigs in Korea.

A virus strain, showing cytopathic effect in Vero cell, was isolated from plasma of a fattening pig in Gyeonggi province, Korea in October 1999. The evaluation of physicochemical/biological properties of the isolate showed that the virus, KV1899, inoculated suckling mouse showed paralysis and died within 7 days post-inoculation, the mouse brain suspension had hemagglutinating activity with goose RBC. Pathogenicity of isolate was carried out by intracranial and intraperitoneal inoculation of 3-4 weeks mice.