Canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1) causes infectious hepatitis in members of the family Canidae, including dogs. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA) that detects CAV-1 antibodies is required for large-throughput tests of dog sera. We collected 165 serum samples from dogs of Chungbuk and Gyeongbuk provinces between February 2016 and October 2018. The Korean CAV-1 vaccine strain CAV1V was propagated in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells and purified via Nuvia cPrime anion-exchange chromatography; the virus served as an I-ELISA antigen. Virus-neutralizing anti-CAV-1 titers in dog sera were measured using the virus neutralization (VN) method. The I-ELISA was optimized using purified CAV-1 antigen and serum samples. This kit was used to evaluate dog sera. The VN and I-ELISA data were compared. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the I-ELISA were 97.0%, 74.2%, and 92.7% compared to the VN assay, respectively. The I-ELISA data significantly correlated with those of VN (r = 0.88). These results suggest that the I-ELISA is useful for serosurveillance of CAV-1 in dog sera.

PURPOSE: We conducted a randomized, multicenter, phase III trial to compare S-1 plus docetaxel (DS) with S-1 plus cisplatin (SP) as adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III gastric cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stage III gastric cancer patients who had received curative gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy were randomized into equal groups to receive adjuvant chemotherapy of eight cycles of DS (S-1 70 mg/m2/day on days 1-14 plus docetaxel 35 mg/m2on days 1 and 8) every 3 weeks or SP (S-1 70 mg/m2/day on days 1-14 plus cisplatin 60 mg/m2on day 1) every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate. RESULTS: Between November 2010 and July 2013, 153 patients (75 patients to DS and 78 patients to SP) were enrolled from 8 institutions in Korea. After the capecitabine plus oxaliplatin was approved based on the CLASSIC study, itwas decided to close the study early. With a median follow-up duration of 56.9 months, the 3-year DFS rate between two groups was not significantly different (49.14% in DS group vs. 52.5% in SP group). The most common grade 3-4 adverse event was neutropenia (42.7% in DS and 38.5% in SP, p=0.351). SP group had more grade 3-4 anemia (1.3% vs. 11.5%, p=0.037), whereas grade 3-4 hand-foot syndrome (4.1% vs. 0%, p=0.025) and mucositis (10.7% vs. 2.6%, p=0.001) were more common in DS group. Fifty-one patients (68%) in DS group and 52 (66.7%) in SP group finished planned treatment. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that SP or DS is an effective and tolerable option for patients with curatively resected stage III gastric cancer.
Anemia ; Capecitabine ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant* ; Cisplatin ; Disease-Free Survival ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrectomy ; Hand-Foot Syndrome ; Humans ; Korea ; Lymph Node Excision ; Mucositis ; Neutropenia ; Stomach Neoplasms*

PURPOSE: The development of a genetically modified live rabies vaccine applicable to wild raccoon dogs is necessary for the eradication of rabies in Korea. Thus, we constructed a recombinant rabies virus (RABV) called the ERAGS strain, using a reverse genetic system and evaluated its safety and efficacy in mice and its safety and immunogenicity in raccoon dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ERAGS, which has Asn194Ser and Arg333Glu substitutions in the glycoprotein, was constructed using site-directed mutagenesis. Mice were inoculated with the ERAGS strain (either 10(5.0) or 10(7.0) FAID(50)/mL) via intramuscular (IM) or intracranial injections and then challenged with a virulent RABV. Raccoon dogs were administered the ERAGS strain (10(8.0) FAID(50)/mL) either orally or via the IM route and the immunogenicity of the strain was evaluated using fluorescent antibody virus neutralization tests. RESULTS: The ERAGS strain inoculated into murine neuroblastoma cells reached 10(7.8) FAID(50)/mL at 96-hour post-inoculation. The virus was not pathogenic and induced complete protection from virulent RABV in immunized 4- and 6-week-old mice. Korean raccoon dogs immunized with the ERAGS strain via IM or oral route were also safe from the virus and developed high titer levels (26.4-32.8 IU/mL) of virus-neutralizing antibody (VNA) at 4 weeks post-inoculation. CONCLUSION: The ERAGS RABV strain was effectively protective against rabies in mice and produced a high VNA titer in raccoon dogs.
Animals ; Glycoproteins ; Korea ; Mice* ; Mouth ; Mutagenesis, Site-Directed ; Neuroblastoma ; Neutralization Tests ; Rabies Vaccines ; Rabies virus* ; Rabies* ; Raccoon Dogs* ; Raccoons* ; Vaccines

BACKGROUND: The patients who received organized inpatient care are more likely to survive and to be independent. The benefit is most apparent in units based in a discrete ward, stroke unit (SU). The observed benefit is sufficiently large to warrant efforts of widespread implementation of SU care. The Korean Stroke Society surveyed acute stroke care hospitals to know the density and the distribution of SU in Korea. METHODS: One hundred-sixty one acute care hospitals were selected among those included in the 5th Quality Audit in 2014 by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service of Korea. A senior director of stroke service in each hospital was chosen and asked about the current status of acute stroke care including SU and major obstacles to establish SU in each hospital. RESULTS: The results of the questionnaire revealed the shortage of a total SU number and markedly uneven distribution of SU between rural and urban area. Most hospitals indicated the absence of the insurance reimbursement for medical service in SU, which served as the fundamental cause of lack of skilled manpower for establishing SU. CONCLUSIONS: The state-of-the-art SU, which is properly certified or designated, should be spread out more evenly in Korea for the optimal treatment of public regardless of a residential district. Government should encourage and support for the establishment of SU, which is an important first step toward making it reality.
Humans ; Inpatients ; Insurance ; Insurance, Health ; Korea* ; Stroke*

BACKGROUND: The patients who received organized inpatient care are more likely to survive and to be independent. The benefit is most apparent in units based in a discrete ward, stroke unit (SU). The observed benefit is sufficiently large to warrant efforts of widespread implementation of SU care. The Korean Stroke Society surveyed acute stroke care hospitals to know the density and the distribution of SU in Korea. METHODS: One hundred-sixty one acute care hospitals were selected among those included in the 5th Quality Audit in 2014 by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service of Korea. A senior director of stroke service in each hospital was chosen and asked about the current status of acute stroke care including SU and major obstacles to establish SU in each hospital. RESULTS: The results of the questionnaire revealed the shortage of a total SU number and markedly uneven distribution of SU between rural and urban area. Most hospitals indicated the absence of the insurance reimbursement for medical service in SU, which served as the fundamental cause of lack of skilled manpower for establishing SU. CONCLUSIONS: The state-of-the-art SU, which is properly certified or designated, should be spread out more evenly in Korea for the optimal treatment of public regardless of a residential district. Government should encourage and support for the establishment of SU, which is an important first step toward making it reality.
Humans ; Inpatients ; Insurance ; Insurance, Health ; Korea* ; Stroke*

Hepatitis E has traditionally been considered an endemic disease of developing countries. It generally spreads through contaminated water. However, seroprevalence studies have shown that hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections are not uncommon in industrialized countries. In addition, the number of autochthonous hepatitis E cases in these countries is increasing. Most HEV infections in developed countries can be traced to the ingestion of contaminated raw or undercooked pork meat or sausages. Several animal species, including pigs, are known reservoirs of HEV that transmit the virus to humans. HEVs are now recognized as an emerging zoonotic agent. In this review, we describe the general characteristics of HEVs isolated from humans and animals, the risk factors for human HEV infection, and the current status of human vaccine development.
Animals* ; Developed Countries ; Developing Countries ; Eating ; Endemic Diseases ; Hepatitis E virus* ; Hepatitis E* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans* ; Meat ; Risk Factors ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Swine ; Vaccines ; Viruses ; Water Pollution ; Zoonoses

Virus-like particles (VLPs) composed of the truncated capsid protein of swine hepatitis E virus (HEV) were developed and immune responses of mice immunized with the VLPs were evaluated. IgG titers specific for the capsid protein of swine HEV were significantly higher for all groups of mice immunized with the VLPs than those of the negative control mice. Splenocytes from mice immunized with the VLPs also produced significantly greater quantities of interferon (IFN)-gamma than interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10. These newly developed swine HEV VLPs have the capacity to induce antigen-specific antibody and IFN-gamma production in immunized mice.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral/blood ; Capsid Proteins/immunology ; Female ; Hepatitis E/immunology/*veterinary/virology ; Hepatitis E virus/*immunology ; Immunization/*veterinary ; Interferon-gamma/blood ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Swine ; Swine Diseases/*immunology/virology ; Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle/immunology ; Viral Hepatitis Vaccines/*immunology

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) can infect not only human but also several animals. This study has been conducted to evaluate the comprehensive anti-HEV seroprevalence in zoo animals in Korea. Anti-HEV antibodies were identified in 14 of 64 zoo animal species. HEV antibodies were detected for the first time in Eurasian Lynx, Setland Pony, Fallow Deer, Ezo Sika, Formosa Deer, East Wapitis, Barasingha, Corriedale, American Bison, Guanacos, Reticulated Giraffe, and Saanen. These results indicate that the several zoo animal species were exposed to HEV.
Animals ; Animals, Zoo ; Antibodies ; Bison ; Camelids, New World ; Deer ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis E ; Hepatitis E virus ; Humans ; Korea ; Lynx ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Taiwan

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for the abnormal prion protein isoform (PrPres) are indispensable for diagnosing chronic wasting disease (CWD). In this study, eight mAbs were developed by immunizing PrP knockout mice with recombinant elk PrP and an immunogenic PrP peptide. The reactivity of the mAbs to recombinant PrP and the PrP peptide was measured, and their isotypes were subsequently determined. Among them, four mAbs (B85-05, B85-08, B85-12, and B77-75) were shown by Western blotting to recognize proteinase K-treated brain homogenate derived from an elk suffering from CWD.
Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Blotting, Western ; Brain ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Stress, Psychological ; Wasting Disease, Chronic

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease is a highly acute and fatal viral disease caused by rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV). Since first outbreak in Korea 1987, RHDV has been continually affected in the country, but the pattern of outbreak seem to be changed. In this study, to understand the pathogenesis of the new RHDVa serotype, we therefore carried out to inoculate RHDVa to rabbits, and to examine the sequential histopathologic changes and viral distribution. Macroscopically, various sized dark red or white spots or appearance were observed in the liver, lung, kidney uterus and ureter. In euhanized rabbits, significant pathologic findings such as infiltration of heterophils and mononuclear cells were observed at 24 hours after inoculation (HAI), and these were sequentially extended periportal to centrilobular area. However, in dead rabbits, severe hepatic degeneration and/or necrosis with relatively weak inflammatory responses were observed. RHDV antigens began to detect in liver, spleen, and lung from 12 HAI by PCR. Immunohistochemically, RHDV positive cells were seen in only liver from 24 HAI, and the degree of immunogen reactivity was stronger in dead rabbits than in euthanized ones. In conclusion, RHDVa caused the subacute or chronic infection accompanying low mortality and moderate to severe inflammatory reaction in rabbits, suggesting the possibility that RHD could become endemic.
Dental Caries ; Hemorrhagic Disease Virus, Rabbit ; Kidney ; Korea ; Liver ; Lung ; Necrosis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rabbits ; Spleen ; Sprains and Strains ; Ureter ; Uterus ; Virus Diseases