In the present study, the outbreak patterns of bovine brucellosis in Korea from 2000 to 2011 were analyzed to understand the epidemiological evolution of this disease in the country. A total of 85,521 brucella reactor animals were identified during 14,215 outbreaks over the 12-year study period. The number of bovine brucellosis cases increased after 2003 and peaked in 2006 before decreasing thereafter. The majority of the bovine brucellosis cases were Korean native cattle, Han Woo. The numbers of human brucellosis cases and cattle outbreaks increased and decreased in the same pattern. The correlation coefficient for human and bovine cases per year was 0.96 (95% confidence interval = 0.86~0.99; p < 10(-3)). The epidemiological characteristics of bovine brucellosis appeared to be affected by the intensity of eradication programs that mainly involved a test-and-slaughter policy. Findings from the present study were based on freely available statistics from web pages maintained by government agencies. This unlimited access to information demonstrates the usefulness of government statistics for continually monitoring the health of animal populations.
Animals ; Brucellosis/epidemiology/virology ; Brucellosis, Bovine/*epidemiology/microbiology ; Cattle ; Disease Outbreaks/*veterinary ; Humans ; Republic of Korea

This paper describes the epidemiological characteristics of bovine brucellosis in Korea during January 2000~September 2004, which encompasses the period when the incidence of bovine brucellosis increased abruptly. Data from the National Animal Infectious Disease Data Management System were used for this study. A range of epidemiological measures was calculated including annual herd and animal incidence. During the study period, there were 1,183 outbreaks on 638 farms. In beef cattle, annual herd incidence increased from 0.2 (2000) to 11.5 (2004, to September) outbreaks per 10,000 and annual animal incidence varied between 3.4 (2000) and 105.8 (2004, to September) per 100,000, respectively. On 401 (62.9%) infected farms during this period, infection was eradicated without recurrence. Recurrence of infection was significantly higher on farms where abortion was reported (53.3%), compared to farms where it was not (30.0%). On beef cattle farms, infection was introduced most frequently through purchased cattle (46.2%). Based on the results of this study, the establishment and spread of brucellosis in the Korean beef cattle population were mainly due to incomplete or inappropriate treatment of aborted materials and the movement of infected cattle.
Animals ; Brucellosis ; Brucellosis, Bovine ; Cattle ; Communicable Diseases ; Disease Outbreaks ; Incidence ; Korea ; Recurrence

Human brucellosis is an endemic zoonotic disease that is rare in Korea. However, there have been regional increases in its prevalence. Spondylodiscitis is a common osteoarticular complication of brucellar infection and is difficult to diag nose- because the clinical presentation is often variable and nonspecific. We report the case of a 56-year-old male with brucellar spondylodiscitis who was from Gyeongsangbuk-do, an endemic region of bovine brucellosis in Korea.
Animals ; Brucellosis ; Brucellosis, Bovine ; Cattle ; Discitis ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence

Brucellosis is a zoonosis caused by Brucella species. B. melitensis, B. suis, B. abortus and B. canis can infect humans. Recently, as the cases of bovine brucellosis have increased every year in Korea, the cases of human brucellosis have also increased among livestock workers and veterinarians in rural areas, since the first human case was reported in 2003. Because clinical manifestations of the disease are nonspecific and may be very atypical, clinicians and laboratory persons need to be active in using diagnostic tools including polymerase chain reaction in addition to the ordinary culture and serologic tests, and taking an appropriate measure to prevent intralaboratory infection. We report herein our experience in three human brucellosis cases diagnosed by cultures, serologic tests and gene detection.
Animals ; Brucella ; Brucellosis* ; Brucellosis, Bovine ; Cattle ; Humans* ; Korea ; Livestock ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Serologic Tests ; Veterinarians

BACKGROUND: Brucellosis is a zoonosis caused by the gram-negative coccobacilli Brucella. Humans are infected by ingestion of unpasteurized milk or dairy products from or by direct contact with infected animals. Although human brucellosis is known to be rare, there has been an increase in bovine brucellosis in Cheju island since the 1980s. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of anti- Brucella antibody in people from endemic areas. METHODS: Sera obtained from 2,372 residents in Cheju island were screened for anti-Brucella antibody by slide agglutination test and confirmed by duplicated tube agglutination test. Sera with titers equal to or above 1:80 were considered positive. RESULTS: Fourteen of 2,372 sera were positive (0.59%). Positive rate was 0.34% in males and 0.82% in females. There was no significant difference in the positive rates between males and females. Seropositive rate was slightly higher in persons at 40 years or older. Seropositive rates in different areas of Cheju island were as follows : South Cheju-gun 0.97%, North Cheju-gun 0.64%, Cheju city 0.46%, and Sogwipo city 0.0%. The antibody titers of positive sera were determined: 7 sera were positive at 1:80, 4 at 1:160, and 3 were positive at 1:320. Occupations of seropositive persons were as follows : 7 farmers; 3 stockbreeders; 1 engaged in service trade; 1 engaged in food processing; 1 working at a stable; one unknown. Seropositive rates among people at a relatively high risk were 0.94%. Seropositive rate of people who were proven to be not at risk for Brucella infection was 0.51%. There was no significant difference in the seropositive rates between the two groups(P>0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings confirmed the occurrence of human Brucella infection in Cheju island and suggest the need for surveillance in other parts of the country as well.
Agglutination Tests ; Animals ; Brucella ; Brucellosis* ; Brucellosis, Bovine ; Cattle ; Dairy Products ; Eating ; Female ; Food Handling ; Humans ; Jeju-do* ; Male ; Milk ; Occupations ; Prevalence ; Seroepidemiologic Studies*

BACKGROUND: As the incidence of bovine brucellosis increases in Korea, the incidence of human brucellosis is also increasing since 2002. However, it is difficult to identify Brucella species by using the conventional methods. METHODS: Three strains of gram-negative coccobacilli were isolated from blood specimens of three patients with prolonged fever, which were not identified by using the conventional methods. After extracting total DNA from these isolates, PCR amplification of 16S rRNA and omp2 genes was performed. These sequences secured by PCR assay were compared with known sequences by using GenBank BLAST. RESULTS: DNA sequences were obtained from 3 isolates by using PCR amplification of 16S rRNA. These sequences had more than 99.9% similarities with Brucella species by using GenBank BLAST. In the second place, after comparing DNA sequences secured by PCR amplification of omp2a and omp2b by using GenBank BLAST, these isolates were confirmed as B. abortus. CONCLUSIONS: DNA sequence analysis is a rapid and accurate method for identification of uncommon microorganisms, such as Brucella species.
Animals ; Base Sequence ; Brucella abortus* ; Brucella* ; Brucellosis ; Brucellosis, Bovine ; Cattle ; Databases, Nucleic Acid ; DNA ; Fever ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

OBJECTIVES: Cases of human brucellosis in Korea have recently increased due to the increasing incidence of bovine brucellosis. The authors conducted this study to elucidate the status of brucellosis through seroepidemiologic study. METHODS: We selected our study population from a high risk group. We conducted a questionnaire survey and obtained blood samples to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis antibodies for 10 days in February, 2005. The titers of brucellosis were measured by the combination of standard tube agglutination test (STA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. RESULTS: Our study subjects comprised 1,075 cases: 971 livestock workers, 51 veterinarians, and 53 artificial inseminators. In the STA test, 27 cases (2.5%) had titers of greater than or equal to 1:20. Of 1,068 cases (7 cases were excluded due to previous brucellosis), 7 cases of brucellosis were diagnosed with titers of 1:160, giving a seroprevalence of brucellosis of 0.66%. The seroprevalence in the male group was 0.95%, and that of livestock workers, veterinarians, and artificial inseminators was 0.52%, 4.17%, and 0.00%, respectively. The Spearman's correlation coefficient between the positive rate of bovine brucellosis per capita and household and human brucellosis was 0.806 and 0.744, respectively. The concordance rate between the Korea National Institute of Health and the Gyeongsangbuk-do Institute of Health and Environment by the STA and ELISA tests was 94.7% and 100.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The study results indicated in higher seroprevalence rate among veterinarians than among livestock workers and artificial inseminators. Because veterinarians may be exposed to this high risk, effective working guidelines for veterinarians to guard against brucellosis must be developed. Moreover, more extensive epidemiologic research for laboratory workers and meat handlers is needed.
Adult ; Aged ; Agriculture ; Animal Husbandry ; Animals ; Brucellosis/*epidemiology ; Brucellosis, Bovine/epidemiology ; Cattle ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Korea/epidemiology ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases/*epidemiology ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Veterinarians

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this paper is to evaluate the current status of the disease, the mechanism of infection, and pathogenesis, its zoonotic potential, diagnostic advances, treatment regimens, and the preventive measures that can be adopted in managing human brucellosis in under-developed countries such as Nepal. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of all the available literture through Google Scholar, PubMed, Gideon Informatics, World Health Organization and other legitimate sources. Other secondary informations were collected from the government agencies such as department of livestock services and Ministry of Health. The obtained information was then re-analysed and summarized. RESULTS: Few publications have addressed brucellosis in Nepal and most of those publications have focused on bovine brucellosis with sparse information available on brucellosis in humans and small ruminants. Brucella abortus is the most predominant causative agent followed by B. suis. B. abortus is predominant in cattle accounting for a substantial portion of bovine abortion in the country. Lack of awareness, unhealthy food habit, traditional husbandry practices, and a lack of surveillance and immunization have been the major factors in maintaining a vicious cycle of propagation of the disease in human and animals. Unfortunately, nothing has been done to identify the species of Brucella at the biovar level. CONCLUSIONS: Although brucellosis has been reported to be endemic in Nepal, neither the distribution nor the economic and public health impact of this disease is well characterized. Robust and well-designed nationwide survey is warranted to assess the prevalence and distribution of disease in livestock and humans. Such data would facilitate the design of appropriate control programmes.
Animals ; Brucella ; Brucella abortus ; Brucellosis* ; Brucellosis, Bovine ; Cattle ; Developing Countries ; Food Habits ; Government Agencies ; Humans ; Immunization ; Informatics ; Livestock ; Nepal* ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Ruminants ; World Health Organization

BACKGROUND: Since the first Korean case of human brucellosis was reported in 2002, the incidence of human brucellosis has been rapidly increasing. We performed this study to evaluate the clinical characteristics of human brucellosis occurring in South Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Demographic features, clinical manifestations, and therapeutic outcomes of cases confirmed as brucellosis according to WHO diagnostic criteria were evaluated. Species of Brucella isolates were identified with 16S rRNA gene sequencing method. Serologic diagnosis was performed with standard tube agglutination test (STA). RESULTS: A total of 34 cases were enrolled from 2003 to 2006 in six hospitals. Eight cases were confirmed with the isolation of Brucella from blood and 26 cases were confirmed with titer of antibodies < or =1:160 by STA. Male (31) was predominant and most of the patients were cattle farmers. The most common transmission route was direct contact with infected or their cattle byproducts. Fever was the most prominent symptom and fatigue followed. Gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal systems were commonly complicated. Patients were treated with doxycycline and rifampin or aminoglycosides for more than 6 weeks. All patients responded well to the therapeutic regimens, but one patient relapsed 10 months after treatment. CONCLUSION: Brucellosis occurring in Korea has been caused by B. abortus, whose preferred natural host animals are cattle. Korean patients were infected through direct contact with bovine brucellosis. Clinical manifestations of brucellosis were similar to those occurring worldwide. Therapeutic outcomes were good among patients with brucellosis in Korea. In order to prevent human brucellosis, measures to eradicate bovine brucellosis should precede.
Agglutination Tests ; Aminoglycosides ; Animals ; Antibodies ; Brucella ; Brucella abortus ; Brucellosis* ; Brucellosis, Bovine ; Cattle ; Diagnosis ; Doxycycline ; Fatigue ; Fever ; Genes, rRNA ; Humans* ; Incidence ; Korea* ; Male ; Musculoskeletal System ; Rifampin

BACKGROUND: Since the first Korean case of human brucellosis was reported in 2002, the incidence of human brucellosis has been rapidly increasing. We performed this study to evaluate the clinical characteristics of human brucellosis occurring in South Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Demographic features, clinical manifestations, and therapeutic outcomes of cases confirmed as brucellosis according to WHO diagnostic criteria were evaluated. Species of Brucella isolates were identified with 16S rRNA gene sequencing method. Serologic diagnosis was performed with standard tube agglutination test (STA). RESULTS: A total of 34 cases were enrolled from 2003 to 2006 in six hospitals. Eight cases were confirmed with the isolation of Brucella from blood and 26 cases were confirmed with titer of antibodies < or =1:160 by STA. Male (31) was predominant and most of the patients were cattle farmers. The most common transmission route was direct contact with infected or their cattle byproducts. Fever was the most prominent symptom and fatigue followed. Gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal systems were commonly complicated. Patients were treated with doxycycline and rifampin or aminoglycosides for more than 6 weeks. All patients responded well to the therapeutic regimens, but one patient relapsed 10 months after treatment. CONCLUSION: Brucellosis occurring in Korea has been caused by B. abortus, whose preferred natural host animals are cattle. Korean patients were infected through direct contact with bovine brucellosis. Clinical manifestations of brucellosis were similar to those occurring worldwide. Therapeutic outcomes were good among patients with brucellosis in Korea. In order to prevent human brucellosis, measures to eradicate bovine brucellosis should precede.
Agglutination Tests ; Aminoglycosides ; Animals ; Antibodies ; Brucella ; Brucella abortus ; Brucellosis* ; Brucellosis, Bovine ; Cattle ; Diagnosis ; Doxycycline ; Fatigue ; Fever ; Genes, rRNA ; Humans* ; Incidence ; Korea* ; Male ; Musculoskeletal System ; Rifampin