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The horse industry has grown rapidly as a leisure industry in the Republic of Korea (ROK) in parallel with an increased demand for equestrian activities. As a result, there has been an increase in horse breeding and equestrian population and potential exposure to ticks and their associated pathogens. To provide a better understanding of the potential disease risks of veterinary and medical importance, a study was conducted to determine the geographical distribution and diversity of ticks collected from horses and vegetation associated with horse racetracks/ranches throughout the ROK. This included a survey of five associated common pathogens, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Borrelia spp., Babesia caballi, and Theileria equi. A total 9220 ticks were collected from horses and associated pastures. Ticks were identified to species, stage of development, and sex. Two species of ticks, Haemaphysalis longicornis (99.9%) and Ixodes nipponensis (0.1%) were identified. Two of the target pathogens, A. phagocytophilum and Borrelia spp., were detected in 5/1409 tick pools (0.35%) and 4/1409 pools (0.28%) of H. longicornis, respectively, both of which are zoonotic pathogens of medical importance. The results of 16S rRNA phylogenetic analysis of A. phagocytophilum showed a close relationship to strains distributed in China, USA, Germany, Italy, Turkey, and Poland. Borrelia spp. showed a close relationship, based on 16S rRNA gene, to the strains reported from the USA (B. burgdorferi and B. americana) and Japan (B. tanukii and B. garinii). These results provide information about the potential risks of veterinary and medical importance and the development of mitigation strategies for disease prevention.
Hyun-Ji Seo; A-Tai Truong; Keun-Ho Kim; Ji-Yeon Lim; Subin Min; Heung-Chul Kim; Mi-Sun Yoo; Soon-Seek Yoon; Terry A. Klein; Yun Sang Cho. Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ticks Collected from Horses in the Republic of Korea. Pathogens 2021, 10, 1069 .
AMA StyleHyun-Ji Seo, A-Tai Truong, Keun-Ho Kim, Ji-Yeon Lim, Subin Min, Heung-Chul Kim, Mi-Sun Yoo, Soon-Seek Yoon, Terry A. Klein, Yun Sang Cho. Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ticks Collected from Horses in the Republic of Korea. Pathogens. 2021; 10 (9):1069.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHyun-Ji Seo; A-Tai Truong; Keun-Ho Kim; Ji-Yeon Lim; Subin Min; Heung-Chul Kim; Mi-Sun Yoo; Soon-Seek Yoon; Terry A. Klein; Yun Sang Cho. 2021. "Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ticks Collected from Horses in the Republic of Korea." Pathogens 10, no. 9: 1069.
Ticks are important vectors of various pathogens that result in clinical illnesses in humans and domestic and wild animals. Information regarding tick infestations and pathogens transmitted by ticks is important for the identification and prevention of disease. This study was a large-scale investigation of ticks collected from dogs and their associated environments in the Republic of Korea (ROK). It included detecting six prevalent tick-borne pathogens (Anaplasma spp., A. platys, Borrelia spp., Babesia gibsoni, Ehrlichia canis, and E. chaffeensis). A total of 2293 ticks (1110 pools) were collected. Haemaphysalis longicornis (98.60%) was the most frequently collected tick species, followed by Ixodes nipponensis (0.96%) and H. flava (0.44%). Anaplasma spp. (24/1110 tick pools; 2.16%) and Borrelia spp. (4/1110 tick pools; 0.36%) were detected. The phylogenetic analyses using 16S rRNA genes revealed that the Anaplasma spp. detected in this study were closely associated with A. phagocytophilum reported in humans and rodents in the ROK. Borrelia spp. showed phylogenetic relationships with B. theileri and B. miyamotoi in ticks and humans in Mali and Russia. These results demonstrate the importance of tick-borne disease surveillance and control in dogs in the ROK.
A-Tai Truong; Jinhyeong Noh; Yeojin Park; Hyun-Ji Seo; Keun-Ho Kim; Subin Min; Jiyeon Lim; Mi-Sun Yoo; Heung-Chul Kim; Terry Klein; Hyunkyoung Lee; Soon-Seek Yoon; Yun Cho. Molecular Detection and Phylogeny of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ticks Collected from Dogs in the Republic of Korea. Pathogens 2021, 10, 613 .
AMA StyleA-Tai Truong, Jinhyeong Noh, Yeojin Park, Hyun-Ji Seo, Keun-Ho Kim, Subin Min, Jiyeon Lim, Mi-Sun Yoo, Heung-Chul Kim, Terry Klein, Hyunkyoung Lee, Soon-Seek Yoon, Yun Cho. Molecular Detection and Phylogeny of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ticks Collected from Dogs in the Republic of Korea. Pathogens. 2021; 10 (5):613.
Chicago/Turabian StyleA-Tai Truong; Jinhyeong Noh; Yeojin Park; Hyun-Ji Seo; Keun-Ho Kim; Subin Min; Jiyeon Lim; Mi-Sun Yoo; Heung-Chul Kim; Terry Klein; Hyunkyoung Lee; Soon-Seek Yoon; Yun Cho. 2021. "Molecular Detection and Phylogeny of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ticks Collected from Dogs in the Republic of Korea." Pathogens 10, no. 5: 613.
Whole-genome sequencing of infectious agents enables the identification and characterization of emerging viruses. The MinION device is a portable sequencer that allows real-time sequencing in fields or hospitals. Hantaan orthohantavirus (Hantaan virus, HTNV), harbored by Apodemus agrarius, causes hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and poses a critical public health threat worldwide. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using nanopore sequencing for whole-genome sequencing of HTNV from samples having different viral copy numbers. Amplicon-based next-generation sequencing was performed in A. agrarius lung tissues collected from the Republic of Korea. Genomic sequences of HTNV were analyzed based on the viral RNA copy numbers. Amplicon-based nanopore sequencing provided nearly full-length genomic sequences of HTNV and showed sufficient read depth for phylogenetic analysis after 8 h of sequencing. The average identity of the HTNV genome sequences for the nanopore sequencer compared to those of generated from Illumina MiSeq revealed 99.8% (L and M segments) and 99.7% (S segment) identities, respectively. This study highlights the potential of the portable nanopore sequencer for rapid generation of accurate genomic sequences of HTNV for quicker decision making in point-of-care testing of HFRS patients during a hantavirus outbreak.
Kyungmin Park; Seung-Ho Lee; Jongwoo Kim; Jingyeong Lee; Geum-Young Lee; Seungchan Cho; Seung Lee; Kkothanahreum Park; Jin No; Shailesh Budhathoki; Yu-Jin Kim; Young-Su Kim; Heung-Chul Kim; Terry Klein; Won-Keun Kim; Jin-Won Song. Multiplex PCR-Based Nanopore Sequencing and Epidemiological Surveillance of Hantaan orthohantavirus in Apodemus agrarius, Republic of Korea. Viruses 2021, 13, 847 .
AMA StyleKyungmin Park, Seung-Ho Lee, Jongwoo Kim, Jingyeong Lee, Geum-Young Lee, Seungchan Cho, Seung Lee, Kkothanahreum Park, Jin No, Shailesh Budhathoki, Yu-Jin Kim, Young-Su Kim, Heung-Chul Kim, Terry Klein, Won-Keun Kim, Jin-Won Song. Multiplex PCR-Based Nanopore Sequencing and Epidemiological Surveillance of Hantaan orthohantavirus in Apodemus agrarius, Republic of Korea. Viruses. 2021; 13 (5):847.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKyungmin Park; Seung-Ho Lee; Jongwoo Kim; Jingyeong Lee; Geum-Young Lee; Seungchan Cho; Seung Lee; Kkothanahreum Park; Jin No; Shailesh Budhathoki; Yu-Jin Kim; Young-Su Kim; Heung-Chul Kim; Terry Klein; Won-Keun Kim; Jin-Won Song. 2021. "Multiplex PCR-Based Nanopore Sequencing and Epidemiological Surveillance of Hantaan orthohantavirus in Apodemus agrarius, Republic of Korea." Viruses 13, no. 5: 847.
An epidemiological investigation was conducted for a scrub typhus case reported in a U.S. Forces Korea military patient in the Republic of Korea in November 2018. The patient had a fever, maculopapular rash, and an eschar. The full-length sequence of Orientia tsutsugamushi 56-kDa type-specific antigen (TSA) gene was obtained from eschar tissue by multiplex PCR-based Next Generation Sequencing for genetic identification. Based on the 56-kDa TSA gene, the O. tsutsugamushi aligned most closely with the Boryong strain.
Seungchan Cho; Jon Allison; Kkothanahreum Park; Jin No; Seung-Ho Lee; Kyungmin Park; Jongwoo Kim; Terry Klein; Heung-Chul Kim; Won-Keun Kim; Jin-Won Song. A Clinical Case of Scrub Typhus in the United States Forces Korea Patient with Eschar and Genetic Identification of Orientia tsutsugamushi Using Multiplex PCR-Based Next-Generation Sequencing. Pathogens 2021, 10, 424 .
AMA StyleSeungchan Cho, Jon Allison, Kkothanahreum Park, Jin No, Seung-Ho Lee, Kyungmin Park, Jongwoo Kim, Terry Klein, Heung-Chul Kim, Won-Keun Kim, Jin-Won Song. A Clinical Case of Scrub Typhus in the United States Forces Korea Patient with Eschar and Genetic Identification of Orientia tsutsugamushi Using Multiplex PCR-Based Next-Generation Sequencing. Pathogens. 2021; 10 (4):424.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSeungchan Cho; Jon Allison; Kkothanahreum Park; Jin No; Seung-Ho Lee; Kyungmin Park; Jongwoo Kim; Terry Klein; Heung-Chul Kim; Won-Keun Kim; Jin-Won Song. 2021. "A Clinical Case of Scrub Typhus in the United States Forces Korea Patient with Eschar and Genetic Identification of Orientia tsutsugamushi Using Multiplex PCR-Based Next-Generation Sequencing." Pathogens 10, no. 4: 424.
In a follow-up to the investigations of soft ticks identified from seabird nest soil and litter collected from coastal islands of the Republic of Korea (ROK), Ornithodoros sawaii and Ornithodoros capensis were assessed for the presence and identification of rickettsiae. Ticks collected from samples of 50–100 g of nest litter and soil from seabird nests were identified individually by morphological techniques, and species confirmed by sequencing of the mt-rrs gene. Subsequently, tick DNA preparations were screened for the presence of rickettsiae using a genus-specific nested PCR (nPCR) assay targeting the 17 kDa antigen gene. The amplicons from the 17 kDa assay and two additional nPCR assays targeting the gltA and ompB gene fragments were sequenced and used to identify the rickettsiae. A total of 134 soft ticks belonging to two species, O. sawaii Kitaoka & Suzuki 1973 (n = 125) and O. capensis Neumann 1901 (n = 9), were collected. Rickettsia lusitaniae DNA was detected and identified among O. sawaii ticks (n = 11, 8.8%) collected from nest litter and soil of the Japanese murrelet (Synthliboramphus wumizusume Temminck 1836) at Gugul Island along the western coastal area of the ROK. This study confirmed for the first time the presence of R. lusitaniae associated with O. sawaii collected from migratory seabird nests in the ROK.
Heung-Chul Kim; Ju Jiang; Jun Hang; Su Yeon Kim; Seok-Min Yun; Chang-Uk Park; Miran Kim; Sung-Tae Chong; Christina M Farris; Allen L Richards; Terry A Klein. Detection of Rickettsia lusitaniae Among Ornithodoros sawaii Soft Ticks Collected From Japanese Murrelet Seabird Nest Material From Gugul Island, Republic of Korea. Journal of Medical Entomology 2021, 58, 1376 -1383.
AMA StyleHeung-Chul Kim, Ju Jiang, Jun Hang, Su Yeon Kim, Seok-Min Yun, Chang-Uk Park, Miran Kim, Sung-Tae Chong, Christina M Farris, Allen L Richards, Terry A Klein. Detection of Rickettsia lusitaniae Among Ornithodoros sawaii Soft Ticks Collected From Japanese Murrelet Seabird Nest Material From Gugul Island, Republic of Korea. Journal of Medical Entomology. 2021; 58 (3):1376-1383.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHeung-Chul Kim; Ju Jiang; Jun Hang; Su Yeon Kim; Seok-Min Yun; Chang-Uk Park; Miran Kim; Sung-Tae Chong; Christina M Farris; Allen L Richards; Terry A Klein. 2021. "Detection of Rickettsia lusitaniae Among Ornithodoros sawaii Soft Ticks Collected From Japanese Murrelet Seabird Nest Material From Gugul Island, Republic of Korea." Journal of Medical Entomology 58, no. 3: 1376-1383.
Encounters with ticks harboring pathogenic agents have demonstrated increasing public health implications. Tick surveillance in the Republic of Korea (ROK) is essential for determining tick distributions and the potential regions where tick-borne pathogens may be found. Extensive tick collections (tick drags and tick flagging) were previously performed by Force Health Protection & Preventive Medicine (FHP&PM), Medical Activity-Korea (MEDDAC-K)/65th Medical Brigade (MED BDE) personnel, in collaboration with the Public Health Activity-Korea in the ROK. A total of 144,131 ticks were collected from 2,019 locations during 2004-2016. The associated location data (GPS coordinates) for each of the collection sites were incorporated into distribution maps using ArcGIS and combined with environmental data in the Maxent ecological niche modeling program (n = 733 geographical unique locations from 1,429 presence records/collection locations) to produce estimates of tick distributions for each species. The predominant tick species found and modeled were, in order of prevalence: Haemaphysalis longicornis, H. flava, Ixodes nipponensis, H. phasiana, I. turdus, Amblyomma testudinarium, H. japonica, and I. persulcatus. Haemaphysalis longicornis, H. flava, and I. nipponensis were the most widely distributed and most commonly collected species of ticks. The maps and models of suitable habitat regions produced in this study provide a better understanding of where there are potential risks of encountering a particular tick species, and which, as demonstrated herein with rickettsiae, can be used to study tick-pathogen dynamics of diseases. Knowledge of the distribution of ticks is important in the ROK because of the presence of tick-borne diseases, such as severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome, tick-borne encephalitis, rickettsioses, and borrelioses.
Heidi K. St. John; Penny Masuoka; Ju Jiang; Ratree Takhampunya; Terry A. Klein; Heung-Chul Kim; Sung-Tae Chong; Jin-Won Song; Yu-Jin Kim; Christina M. Farris; Allen L. Richards. Geographic distribution and modeling of ticks in the Republic of Korea and the application of tick models towards understanding the distribution of associated pathogenic agents. Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases 2021, 12, 101686 .
AMA StyleHeidi K. St. John, Penny Masuoka, Ju Jiang, Ratree Takhampunya, Terry A. Klein, Heung-Chul Kim, Sung-Tae Chong, Jin-Won Song, Yu-Jin Kim, Christina M. Farris, Allen L. Richards. Geographic distribution and modeling of ticks in the Republic of Korea and the application of tick models towards understanding the distribution of associated pathogenic agents. Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases. 2021; 12 (4):101686.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHeidi K. St. John; Penny Masuoka; Ju Jiang; Ratree Takhampunya; Terry A. Klein; Heung-Chul Kim; Sung-Tae Chong; Jin-Won Song; Yu-Jin Kim; Christina M. Farris; Allen L. Richards. 2021. "Geographic distribution and modeling of ticks in the Republic of Korea and the application of tick models towards understanding the distribution of associated pathogenic agents." Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases 12, no. 4: 101686.
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is an emerging human pathogen, endemic in areas of China, Japan, and the Korea (KOR). It is primarily transmitted through infected ticks and can cause a severe hemorrhagic fever disease with case fatality rates as high as 30%. Despite its high virulence and increasing prevalence, molecular and functional studies in situ are scarce due to the limited availability of high-titer SFTSV exposure stocks. During the course of field virologic surveillance in 2017, we detected SFTSV in ticks and in a symptomatic soldier in a KOR Army training area. SFTSV was isolated from the ticks producing a high-titer viral exposure stock. Through the use of advanced genomic tools, we present here a complete, in-depth characterization of this viral stock, including a comparison with both the virus in its arthropod source and in the human case, and an in vivo study of its pathogenicity. Thanks to this detailed characterization, this SFTSV viral exposure stock constitutes a quality biological tool for the study of this viral agent and for the development of medical countermeasures, fulfilling the requirements of the main regulatory agencies.
Unai Perez-Sautu; Se Gu; Katie Caviness; Dong Song; Yu-Jin Kim; Nicholas Paola; Daesang Lee; Terry Klein; Joseph Chitty; Elyse Nagle; Heung-Chul Kim; Sung-Tae Chong; Brett Beitzel; Daniel Reyes; Courtney Finch; Russ Byrum; Kurt Cooper; Janie Liang; Jens Kuhn; Xiankun Zeng; Kathleen Kuehl; Kayla Coffin; Jun Liu; Hong Oh; Woong Seog; Byung-Sub Choi; Mariano Sanchez-Lockhart; Gustavo Palacios; Seong Jeong. A Model for the Production of Regulatory Grade Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Exposure Stocks: From Field Surveillance to Advanced Characterization of SFTSV. Viruses 2020, 12, 958 .
AMA StyleUnai Perez-Sautu, Se Gu, Katie Caviness, Dong Song, Yu-Jin Kim, Nicholas Paola, Daesang Lee, Terry Klein, Joseph Chitty, Elyse Nagle, Heung-Chul Kim, Sung-Tae Chong, Brett Beitzel, Daniel Reyes, Courtney Finch, Russ Byrum, Kurt Cooper, Janie Liang, Jens Kuhn, Xiankun Zeng, Kathleen Kuehl, Kayla Coffin, Jun Liu, Hong Oh, Woong Seog, Byung-Sub Choi, Mariano Sanchez-Lockhart, Gustavo Palacios, Seong Jeong. A Model for the Production of Regulatory Grade Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Exposure Stocks: From Field Surveillance to Advanced Characterization of SFTSV. Viruses. 2020; 12 (9):958.
Chicago/Turabian StyleUnai Perez-Sautu; Se Gu; Katie Caviness; Dong Song; Yu-Jin Kim; Nicholas Paola; Daesang Lee; Terry Klein; Joseph Chitty; Elyse Nagle; Heung-Chul Kim; Sung-Tae Chong; Brett Beitzel; Daniel Reyes; Courtney Finch; Russ Byrum; Kurt Cooper; Janie Liang; Jens Kuhn; Xiankun Zeng; Kathleen Kuehl; Kayla Coffin; Jun Liu; Hong Oh; Woong Seog; Byung-Sub Choi; Mariano Sanchez-Lockhart; Gustavo Palacios; Seong Jeong. 2020. "A Model for the Production of Regulatory Grade Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Exposure Stocks: From Field Surveillance to Advanced Characterization of SFTSV." Viruses 12, no. 9: 958.
Aedes albopictus (Skuse) was first reported in the Republic of Korea in 1941 (Suwon, Gyeonggi Province). Recently, a mosquito-monitoring program was established in response to the potential development of autochthonous infections of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses, to identify the regional characteristics of Ae. albopictus in Suwon. Daily collections of adult mosquitoes were conducted using Blackhole UV-LED traps and BG-Sentinel traps baited with octenol, carbon dioxide or both at five sites in Suwon (Sungkyunkwan University, Manseok, Seoho, Olympic, and Jungang parks) from 1 July to 1 November 2016. Based on the ecological cycle of mosquitoes, an estimated association between the daily mean temperatures [2 wk prior to the collection date (lag 2 wk)] and relative population abundance were developed using a generalized linear model. The overall proportion of female mosquitoes collected from all traps was 88.3%. Higher female trap indices were observed for mosquitoes collected at BG-Sentinel traps. Additionally, the BG-sentinel trap was more effective collecting Ae. albopictus. Culex pipiens (Coquillett) was the most frequently collected mosquito using UV-LED traps, followed by Ae. vexans nipponii (Theobald), Ochlerotatus koreicus (Edwards), Cx. inatomi (Kamimura and Wada), and members of the Anopheles Hyrcanus Group. Within a certain temperature range, daily mean temperatures 2 wk prior to the collection period was significantly associated with a maximum abundance of Ae. albopictus (P < 0.05) at 26.2°C (95% confidence interval: 24.3–29.4°C). The BG-Sentinel trap is an effective trap for monitoring relative population abundance of Ae. albopictus, and trap catches are significantly correlated with daily mean temperatures.
Myung-Jae Hwang; Jong-Hun Kim; Heung-Chul Kim; Myung Soon Kim; Terry A Klein; Juhwa Choi; Kisung Sim; Yeonseung Chung; Yadav Prasad Joshi; Hae-Kwan Cheong. Temporal Trend of Aedes albopictus in Local Urban Parks of the Republic of Korea. Journal of Medical Entomology 2020, 57, 1082 -1089.
AMA StyleMyung-Jae Hwang, Jong-Hun Kim, Heung-Chul Kim, Myung Soon Kim, Terry A Klein, Juhwa Choi, Kisung Sim, Yeonseung Chung, Yadav Prasad Joshi, Hae-Kwan Cheong. Temporal Trend of Aedes albopictus in Local Urban Parks of the Republic of Korea. Journal of Medical Entomology. 2020; 57 (4):1082-1089.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMyung-Jae Hwang; Jong-Hun Kim; Heung-Chul Kim; Myung Soon Kim; Terry A Klein; Juhwa Choi; Kisung Sim; Yeonseung Chung; Yadav Prasad Joshi; Hae-Kwan Cheong. 2020. "Temporal Trend of Aedes albopictus in Local Urban Parks of the Republic of Korea." Journal of Medical Entomology 57, no. 4: 1082-1089.
Arboviruses continue to be a significant global health concern. The unbiased metagenomic analyses of mosquito-borne and mosquito-specific viruses are useful to understand viral diversity and for the surveillance of pathogens of medical and veterinary importance. Metagenomic analysis was conducted on 6368 mosquitoes (736 pools), covering 16 species from 18 locations throughout the Republic of Korea (ROK) in 2016. In this report, we describe three viruses detected in a single pool of Aedes vexans nipponii collected at Yongsan U.S. Army Garrison, located in a densely populated district of Seoul, the ROK. The three novel viruses, designated as Yongsan bunyavirus 1 (YBV1), Yongsan picorna-like virus 3 (YPLV3) and Yongsan sobemo-like virus 1 (YSLV1), share sequence and structural characteristics with members belonging to the family Bunyaviridae, order Picornavirales, and family Solemoviridae, with shared RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) amino acid identities of 40%, 42% and 86%, respectively. The real-time reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of 3493 Aedes vexans nipponii (257 pools) showed a high prevalence of YBV1 and YSLV1 viruses, which were present in 65% and 62% of tested pools, respectively. This study highlighted the utility of a metagenomic sequencing approach for arbovirus discovery and for a better understanding of the virome of potential medically relevant vectors.
Mark Sanborn; Terry A. Klein; Heung-Chul Kim; Christian K. Fung; Katherine L. Figueroa; Yu Yang; Edward A. Asafo-Adjei; Richard G. Jarman; Jun Hang. Metagenomic Analysis Reveals Three Novel and Prevalent Mosquito Viruses from a Single Pool of Aedes vexans nipponii Collected in the Republic of Korea. Viruses 2019, 11, 222 .
AMA StyleMark Sanborn, Terry A. Klein, Heung-Chul Kim, Christian K. Fung, Katherine L. Figueroa, Yu Yang, Edward A. Asafo-Adjei, Richard G. Jarman, Jun Hang. Metagenomic Analysis Reveals Three Novel and Prevalent Mosquito Viruses from a Single Pool of Aedes vexans nipponii Collected in the Republic of Korea. Viruses. 2019; 11 (3):222.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMark Sanborn; Terry A. Klein; Heung-Chul Kim; Christian K. Fung; Katherine L. Figueroa; Yu Yang; Edward A. Asafo-Adjei; Richard G. Jarman; Jun Hang. 2019. "Metagenomic Analysis Reveals Three Novel and Prevalent Mosquito Viruses from a Single Pool of Aedes vexans nipponii Collected in the Republic of Korea." Viruses 11, no. 3: 222.
Haemaphysalis longicornis, the cattle tick or bush tick, has an extended distribution throughout Asia and the Pacific region, including China, Russia, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific islands. It is an obligate ectoparasite found commonly on medium to large sized wild and domestic animals, with humans as an accidental host. Haemaphysalis longicornis transmits a number of pathogens, including severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome and tick-borne encephalitis viruses, bacteria, helminths, and protozoans, that impact on veterinary (wild and domestic animals) and human health. Surveys of rickettsial pathogens associated with H. longicornis from China, the ROK, and Japan have resulted in the discovery of more than 35 incompletely characterized molecular isolates of Rickettsia. In response to the increased global threat of tick-borne rickettsial diseases, H. longicornis collected from the ROK and China were assessed in our laboratory and two additional Rickettsia spp. isolates (ROK-HL727 and XinXian HL9) were identified. These agents were fully characterized by multilocus sequence typing using partial gene fragment sequences of rrs, gltA, ompA, ompB, and sca4. Phylogenetic comparisons of these Rickettsia isolates with known Rickettsia species and other molecular isolates identified from H. longicornis were performed to better understand their interrelationships. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences from these 5 gene fragments showed that ROK-HL727 was closely related to rickettsial isolates of H. longicornis previously reported from China, the ROK and Japan, but distinct from any currently recognized Rickettsia species. It therefore qualifies genetically as a new species, introduced herein as Candidatus Rickettsia longicornii. The XinXian-HL9 isolate detected from China was determined to be genetically similar to the human pathogen Rickettsia heilongjiangensis. People living and working in areas where H. longicornis is endemic should be aware of the potential for rickettsial diseases.
Ju Jiang; Huijuan An; John S. Lee; Monica L. O’Guinn; Heung-Chul Kim; Sung-Tae Chong; Yanmin Zhang; Dan Song; Roxanne G. Burrus; Yuzhou Bao; Terry A. Klein; Allen L. Richards. Molecular characterization of Haemaphysalis longicornis-borne rickettsiae, Republic of Korea and China. Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases 2018, 9, 1606 -1613.
AMA StyleJu Jiang, Huijuan An, John S. Lee, Monica L. O’Guinn, Heung-Chul Kim, Sung-Tae Chong, Yanmin Zhang, Dan Song, Roxanne G. Burrus, Yuzhou Bao, Terry A. Klein, Allen L. Richards. Molecular characterization of Haemaphysalis longicornis-borne rickettsiae, Republic of Korea and China. Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases. 2018; 9 (6):1606-1613.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJu Jiang; Huijuan An; John S. Lee; Monica L. O’Guinn; Heung-Chul Kim; Sung-Tae Chong; Yanmin Zhang; Dan Song; Roxanne G. Burrus; Yuzhou Bao; Terry A. Klein; Allen L. Richards. 2018. "Molecular characterization of Haemaphysalis longicornis-borne rickettsiae, Republic of Korea and China." Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases 9, no. 6: 1606-1613.
Rickettsiae constitute a group of arthropod-borne, Gram-negative, obligate intracellular bacteria that are the causative agents of diseases ranging from mild to life threatening that impact on medical and veterinary health worldwide. A total of 6,484 ticks were collected by tick drag from June-October 2013 in the southwestern provinces of the Republic of Korea (ROK) (Jeollanam, n = 3,995; Jeollabuk, n = 680; Chungcheongnam, n = 1,478; and Chungcheongbuk, n = 331). Ticks were sorted into 311 pools according to species, collection site, and stage of development. DNA preparations of tick pools were assayed for rickettsiae by 17 kDa antigen gene and ompA nested PCR (nPCR) assays and the resulting amplicons sequenced to determine the identity and prevalence of spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR). Haemaphysalis longicornis (4,471; 52 adults, 123 nymphs and 4,296 larvae) were the most commonly collected ticks, followed by Haemaphysalis flava (1,582; 28 adults, 263 nymphs and 1,291 larvae), and Ixodes nipponensis (431; 25 adults, 5 nymphs and 401 larvae). The minimum field infection rate/100 ticks (assuming 1 positive tick/pool) was 0.93% for the 17 kDa antigen gene and 0.82% for the ompA nPCR assays. The partial 17 kDa antigen and ompA gene sequences from positive pools of H. longicornis were similar to: Rickettsia sp. HI550 (99.4–100%), Rickettsia sp. FUJ98 (99.3–100%), Rickettsia sp. HIR/D91 (99.3–100%), and R. japonica (99.7%). One sequence of the partial 17 kDa antigen gene for H. flava was similar to Rickettsia sp. 17kd-005 (99.7%), while seven sequences of the 17 kDa antigen gene obtained from I. nipponensis ticks were similar to R. monacensis IrR/Munich (98.7–100%) and Rickettsia sp. IRS3 (98.9%). SFG rickettsiae were detected in three species of ixodid ticks collected in the southwestern provinces of the ROK during 2013. A number of rickettsiae have been recently reported from ticks in Korea, some of which were identified as medically important. Results from this study and previous reports demonstrate the need to conduct longitudinal investigations to identify tick-borne rickettsiae and better understand their geographical distributions and potential impact on medical and veterinary health, in addition to risk communication and development of rickettsial disease prevention strategies.
Yoontae Noh; Yeong Seon Lee; Heung-Chul Kim; Sung-Tae Chong; Terry A. Klein; Ju Jiang; Allen L. Richards; Hae Kyeong Lee; Su Yeon Kim. Molecular detection of Rickettsia species in ticks collected from the southwestern provinces of the Republic of Korea. Parasites & Vectors 2017, 10, 1 -10.
AMA StyleYoontae Noh, Yeong Seon Lee, Heung-Chul Kim, Sung-Tae Chong, Terry A. Klein, Ju Jiang, Allen L. Richards, Hae Kyeong Lee, Su Yeon Kim. Molecular detection of Rickettsia species in ticks collected from the southwestern provinces of the Republic of Korea. Parasites & Vectors. 2017; 10 (1):1-10.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYoontae Noh; Yeong Seon Lee; Heung-Chul Kim; Sung-Tae Chong; Terry A. Klein; Ju Jiang; Allen L. Richards; Hae Kyeong Lee; Su Yeon Kim. 2017. "Molecular detection of Rickettsia species in ticks collected from the southwestern provinces of the Republic of Korea." Parasites & Vectors 10, no. 1: 1-10.
Kwang Shik Choi; Seung-Yeol Lee; Do-Un Hwang; Heung-Chul Kim; Kyu-Sik Chang; Hee-Young Jung. Analysis of Pyrethroid Resistance Allele in Malaria Vector Anopheles sinensis from Malaria High-risk Area. The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science 2016, 20, 286 -292.
AMA StyleKwang Shik Choi, Seung-Yeol Lee, Do-Un Hwang, Heung-Chul Kim, Kyu-Sik Chang, Hee-Young Jung. Analysis of Pyrethroid Resistance Allele in Malaria Vector Anopheles sinensis from Malaria High-risk Area. The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science. 2016; 20 (4):286-292.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKwang Shik Choi; Seung-Yeol Lee; Do-Un Hwang; Heung-Chul Kim; Kyu-Sik Chang; Hee-Young Jung. 2016. "Analysis of Pyrethroid Resistance Allele in Malaria Vector Anopheles sinensis from Malaria High-risk Area." The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science 20, no. 4: 286-292.
Ticks play an important role in transmission of arboviruses responsible for emerging infectious diseases, and have a significant impact on human, veterinary, and wildlife health. In the Republic of Korea (ROK), little is known about information regarding the presence of tick-borne viruses and their vectors. A total of 21,158 ticks belonging to 3 genera and 6 species collected at 6 provinces and 4 metropolitan areas in the ROK from March to October 2014 were assayed for selected tick-borne pathogens. Haemaphysalis longicornis (n=17,570) was the most numerously collected, followed by Haemaphysalis flava (n=3317), Ixodes nipponensis (n=249), Amblyomma testudinarium (n=11), Haemaphysalis phasiana (n=8), and Ixodes turdus (n=3). Ticks were pooled (adults 1-5, nymphs 1-30, and larvae 1-50) and tested by one-step reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or nested RT-PCR for the detection of severe fever with thrombocytopenia virus (SFTSV), tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), Powassan virus (POWV), Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus (OHFV), and Langat virus (LGTV). The overall maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) [estimated numbers of viral RNA positive ticks/1000 ticks] for SFTSV and TBEV was 0.95 and 0.43, respectively, while, all pools were negative for POWV, OHFV, and LGTV. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of SFTSV, TBEV, POWV, OHFV, and LGTV in ixodid ticks collected from vegetation in the ROK to aid our understanding of the epidemiology of tick-borne viral diseases. Results from this study emphasize the need for continuous tick-based arbovirus surveillance to monitor the emergence of tick-borne diseases in the ROK.
Seok-Min Yun; Ye-Ji Lee; Wooyoung Choi; Heung-Chul Kim; Sung-Tae Chong; Kyu-Sik Chang; Jordan M. Coburn; Terry A. Klein; Won-Ja Lee. Molecular detection of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome and tick-borne encephalitis viruses in ixodid ticks collected from vegetation, Republic of Korea, 2014. Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases 2016, 7, 970 -978.
AMA StyleSeok-Min Yun, Ye-Ji Lee, Wooyoung Choi, Heung-Chul Kim, Sung-Tae Chong, Kyu-Sik Chang, Jordan M. Coburn, Terry A. Klein, Won-Ja Lee. Molecular detection of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome and tick-borne encephalitis viruses in ixodid ticks collected from vegetation, Republic of Korea, 2014. Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases. 2016; 7 (5):970-978.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSeok-Min Yun; Ye-Ji Lee; Wooyoung Choi; Heung-Chul Kim; Sung-Tae Chong; Kyu-Sik Chang; Jordan M. Coburn; Terry A. Klein; Won-Ja Lee. 2016. "Molecular detection of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome and tick-borne encephalitis viruses in ixodid ticks collected from vegetation, Republic of Korea, 2014." Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases 7, no. 5: 970-978.
As a result of the reintroduction of malaria in the Republic of Korea (ROK) in 1993 and the threat to military and civilian populations, the Korea Military National Defense (MND) increased emphasis on vector control in 2012 at ROK Army (ROKA) installations located near the DMZ, while decreasing chemoprophylaxis, fearing potential drug resistance. Mosquito surveillance demonstrated a need for continuous monitoring of disease patterns among ROKA soldiers and vector malaria infection rates to ensure positive outcomes. Anopheles spp. were collected from May-October at three ROKA installations in three locations near the DMZ. Each of the areas included one installation <2 km and two installations 11-12 km from the DMZ in Paju and Yeoncheon counties, Gyeonggi Province. Anopheles spp. were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques and then assayed for the presence of vivax malaria sporozoites. The ROK MND reported vivax malaria patients monthly to Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Correlations for the incidence of Plasmodium vivax patients and infected Anopheles species were analysed using the Wilcoxon rank sum test, Pearson correlation test and liner regression analysis. A total of 4282 Anopheles spp. were collected. Anopheles kleini (69.5 %) was the most commonly collected, followed by Anopheles pullus (17.3 %), Anopheles belenrae (4.5 %), Anopheles sineroides (4.2 %), Anopheles sinensis sensu stricto (2.7 %), and Anopheles lesteri (1.9 %). Overall, 21 malaria patients were reported by the ROK MND. The monthly incidence of the malaria patients correlated with the monthly number of Plasmodium vivax sporozoite positive Anopheles spp. The monthly numbers of An. kleini demonstrated the highest correlations to the numbers of ROKA malaria patients throughout the mosquito season (P < 0.01). Anopheles spp. positive for P. vivax and malaria patients at ROKA installations located <2 km from the DMZ were higher than for ROKA installations located 11-12 km from DMZ. The number of Anopheles spp. positive for P. vivax sporozoites correlated with the monthly number of malaria cases and exposure of ROKA soldiers from May-October to P. vivax malaria infections. Malaria vector surveillance and vector control is warranted as part of an effective malaria management program at ROKA installations located near DMZ.
Kyu Sik Chang; Dae-Hyun Yoo; Young Ran Ju; Wook Gyo Lee; Jong Yul Roh; Heung-Chul Kim; Terry A. Klein; E-Hyun Shin. Distribution of malaria vectors and incidence of vivax malaria at Korean army installations near the demilitarized zone, Republic of Korea. Malaria Journal 2016, 15, 259 .
AMA StyleKyu Sik Chang, Dae-Hyun Yoo, Young Ran Ju, Wook Gyo Lee, Jong Yul Roh, Heung-Chul Kim, Terry A. Klein, E-Hyun Shin. Distribution of malaria vectors and incidence of vivax malaria at Korean army installations near the demilitarized zone, Republic of Korea. Malaria Journal. 2016; 15 (1):259.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKyu Sik Chang; Dae-Hyun Yoo; Young Ran Ju; Wook Gyo Lee; Jong Yul Roh; Heung-Chul Kim; Terry A. Klein; E-Hyun Shin. 2016. "Distribution of malaria vectors and incidence of vivax malaria at Korean army installations near the demilitarized zone, Republic of Korea." Malaria Journal 15, no. 1: 259.
After the re-emergence of Plasmodium vivax in 1993, a total of 31,254 cases of vivax malaria were reported between 1993–2012 in the Republic of Korea (ROK). The purpose of this study was to review Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention records to investigate the transmission of malaria from 2010–2012. Reporting of microscopy-diagnosed cases of malaria is mandatory in the ROK. In this study, all available records of malaria cases and malaria vectors collected from 2010 – 2012 in Cheorwon County, Gangwon Province and Ganghwa County, Incheon Metropolitan City, were reviewed. Although the number of cases of malaria peaked a third time in 2010 (1,772 cases) since the re-emergence of P. vivax, the incidence decreased two-fold to 838 in 2011 and three-fold to 555 in 2012. The number of cases decreased 52.7% in 2011 compared with that in 2010 and 33.8% in 2012 compared with that in 2011. However, the number of cases increased in Incheon Metropolitan City (15.3%) and Gyeongnam Province (23.1%) in 2012 compared with 2011. Of the 3,165 cases of vivax malaria in 2010–2012, 798 (25.2%) were in ROK military personnel, 519 (16.4%) in veterans, and 1,848 (58.4%) in civilians. In total, there were 2,666 male patients and 499 female patients, and the ratio of female to male patients increased from 1:7.9 in 2011 to 1:4.1 in 2012. A rapid decrease in the incidence of malaria was observed in most areas from 2010 to 2012, but the incidence increased again in the western part of the demilitarized zone. Therefore, more intensive surveillance is needed throughout high risk areas to identify factors responsible for increase/decrease in the incidence of malaria in the ROK.
Tong-Soo Kim; Jin Su Kim; Byoung-Kuk Na; Won-Ja Lee; Heung-Chul Kim; Seung-Ki Youn; Jin Gwack; Hee Sung Kim; PyoYun Cho; Seong Kyu Ahn; Seok Ho Cha; Yun-Kyu Park; Sung Keun Lee; Yoon-Joong Kang; Youngjoo Sohn; Yeongseon Hong; Hyeong-Woo Lee. Decreasing incidence of Plasmodium vivax in the Republic of Korea during 2010–2012. Malaria Journal 2013, 12, 309 -309.
AMA StyleTong-Soo Kim, Jin Su Kim, Byoung-Kuk Na, Won-Ja Lee, Heung-Chul Kim, Seung-Ki Youn, Jin Gwack, Hee Sung Kim, PyoYun Cho, Seong Kyu Ahn, Seok Ho Cha, Yun-Kyu Park, Sung Keun Lee, Yoon-Joong Kang, Youngjoo Sohn, Yeongseon Hong, Hyeong-Woo Lee. Decreasing incidence of Plasmodium vivax in the Republic of Korea during 2010–2012. Malaria Journal. 2013; 12 (1):309-309.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTong-Soo Kim; Jin Su Kim; Byoung-Kuk Na; Won-Ja Lee; Heung-Chul Kim; Seung-Ki Youn; Jin Gwack; Hee Sung Kim; PyoYun Cho; Seong Kyu Ahn; Seok Ho Cha; Yun-Kyu Park; Sung Keun Lee; Yoon-Joong Kang; Youngjoo Sohn; Yeongseon Hong; Hyeong-Woo Lee. 2013. "Decreasing incidence of Plasmodium vivax in the Republic of Korea during 2010–2012." Malaria Journal 12, no. 1: 309-309.