Black larder beetles prefer to feed on decomposing animal bodies, particularly those that are dried. When conditions are dry and warm, these beetles often appear in large numbers on dried animal carcasses. In our case, the dried carcasses of several cats were found nearly skeletonized at a villa in Daegu Metropolitan City on July 13, 2022. There were very few empty pupae of Lucilia sericata (Meigen) in the villa, but many adult black larder beetles, larvae, and larval cast skin (exuviae) (Dermestes haemorrhoidalis Küster) belonging to the family of larder beetles (Dermestidae) were found. We estimated the minimum post-mortem interval to be 44.5 days using temperature data from the nearest meteorological observatory and reported animal carcass decomposition and Dermestidae developmental rates. Police investigation confirmed that the cats were alive at least 3 months ago. Consequently, the neglected cats could not have been deceased in the villa for more than 3 months. As a result, the estimate closely matched the statement from the suspect.

Bovine spastic paresis (BSP) is a neuromuscular disorder characterized by hypertension and stiffness of hindlimb. Two Korean native cattle (Hanwoo) calves developed BSP or BSP-like symptoms, and a tenotomy of superficial tendon of medial head and deep tendon of lateral head of gastrocnemius muscle was performed for treatment. A cast was applied postoperatively to prevent muscle rupture and was removed three weeks later. The prognosis was evaluated at 3 weeks, 6 and 18 months postoperatively. Neither calf showed any other postoperative sequelae. This is the first case study to report the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of BSP in Hanwoo.

Background: Since 2013, the number of requests for diagnosis for horses based on neurological symptoms has increased rapidly in South Korea. The affected horses have commonly exhibited symptoms of acute seasonal hindlimb ataxia. A previous study from 2015–2016 identified Setaria digitata as the causative agent. Objectives: This study is an epidemiological investigation to find out risk factors related to the rapid increase in hindlimb ataxia of horses due to aberrant parasites in South Korea. Methods: An epidemiological investigation was conducted on 155 cohabiting horses in 41 horse ranches where the disease occurred. The surrounding environment was investigated at the disease-causing horse ranches (n = 41) and 20, randomly selected, non-infected ranches. Results: Hindlimb ataxia was confirmed in nine cohabiting horses; this was presumed to be caused by ectopic parasitism. Environments that mosquitoes inhabit, such as paddy fields within 2 km and less than 0.5 km from a river, had the greatest association with disease occurrence. Conclusions Most horse ranches in South Korea are situated in favorable environments for mosquitoes. Moreover, the number of mosquitoes in the country has increased since 2013 due to climate change. Additional research is required; however, these data show that it is necessary to establish guidelines for the use of anthelmintic agents based on local factors in South Korea and disinfection of the environment to prevent disease outbreaks.

A 12-month-old domestic rabbit died suddenly without specific clinical signs. Gross examination revealed irregular yellowish hepatic nodules with pus in the submandibular muscles, lungs, uterus, and small intestines. Histopathological examination of the liver showed granulomatous inflammation with acid-fast-positive bacteria. Mycobacterium bovis SB1040 was identified by polymerase chain reaction and spoligotyping, and Pasteurella multocida was isolated from the multiple lesions. This report demonstrates the pathological features of rare bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in a domestic rabbit, the first case in the Republic of Korea. To ensure public safety, we recommend routine monitoring of rabbits to control the incidence of bTB.

Abstract: This paper describes the development of neurological signs of two prematurely born calves four days after birth. The pathological examination results indicated fibrinopurulent polyserositis, including meningoencephalitis with suppurative bronchopneumonia. Bovine viral diarrhea virus subtype 2a was detected in most of the internal organs, and the bacterial colonies cultured from the samples were identified as Klebsiella (K.) pneumoniae. Molecular analysis via multilocus sequence typing identified a different K.pneumoniae isolate in each calf-type 14 in calf A and type 65 in calf B. This is the first report identifying K.pneumoniae sequence types 14 and 65 in cattle.

Background: Although rarely used at present in South Korea, saline implants accounted for most of the implants used from 1992 to 2007. However, few studies have reported on the long-term outcomes of saline implants, especially in breast reconstruction. We analyzed the long-term outcomes of patients who underwent direct-to-saline implant reconstruction. Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent saline implant-based immediate breast reconstruction between 2003 and 2007. The patients’ demographic information, medical history, operative/implant details, and oncologic data were collected. Early and late complications, reoperations, and final outcomes of the implant (maintenance, explantation, exchange, and autologous conversion) were analyzed to determine the long-term results and to identify factors affecting the outcomes. Results: Early complications (within 90 days) were noted in 19.5% of patients and late complications (after 90 days) occurred in 29.3% of patients. The most common early complications were skin necrosis and delayed healing, whereas the most common late complications were rippling or visibility and capsular contracture. Of the implants, 22% were replaced (12%) or converted to autologous tissue (10%). The factors that influenced the final outcomes were patient age, nipple-areola-sparing procedure, breast size, implant fill volume, and implant manufacturer. Conclusions Patients who previously received saline implants still visit the clinic for consultations. This long-term follow-up study with few dropouts reflects the real needs of reconstruction patients. Our results provide useful information for consulting with patients who already have saline implants or those who request for as much information about available implant options as possible.

A stray female cat of unknown age, presenting bright red watery diarrhea, was submitted to the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency for diagnosis. In the small intestines extracted from the necropsied cat, numerous white oval-shaped organisms were firmly embedded in the mucosa and there was thickening of intestinal wall. Histopathological analysis revealed severe necrotizing enteritis, together with atrophied intestinal villi, exfoliated enterocytes, and parasitic worms. Recovered worms were identified as Pharyngostomum cordatum by morphological observation and genetic analysis. Although P. cordatum is known to occur widely in Korea, this is the first clinical description of an infection by P. cordatum causing severe feline enteritis.
Animals ; Cats ; Diagnosis ; Diarrhea ; Enteritis ; Enterocytes ; Female ; Helminths ; Humans ; Intestine, Small ; Korea ; Mucous Membrane ; Plants ; Quarantine

A 10-year-old male spotted seal presented with loss of appetite and decreased activity. Grossly, the internal organs revealed several filarial nematodes in the right ventricle of the heart and the pulmonary vessels. Histopathological examination of the brain revealed moderate nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis with glial nodules and neuronophagia. Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) of genotype I was isolated from the brain. All nematodes were identified as Dirofilaria immitis. This is the first clinical case of co-infection with D. immitis and JEV in a seal, suggesting that the seal, may be a dead-end host, like the human and horse, for JEV.
Appetite ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Brain ; Child ; Coinfection ; Dirofilaria immitis ; Dirofilaria ; Encephalitis Virus, Japanese ; Encephalitis, Japanese ; Genotype ; Heart ; Heart Ventricles ; Horses ; Humans ; Male ; Meningoencephalitis ; Republic of Korea

PURPOSE: Skin grafts have been widely used in managing extensive chest wall defects after mastectomy for advanced breast cancer. However, their durability and tolerability to radiotherapy is still controversial. A thoracoabdominal (TA) flap with a few technical refinements can safely transfer a larger flap while minimizing complications. METHODS: From January 2007 to February 2018, a retrospective review was performed to compare 2 groups after wide breast excision: skin graft group (group 1) and lateral-based, single vertical incision rotation-advancement TA flap (group 2). Patients' demographics, operative details, complications, hospital stay, postoperative outpatient visits, cost, and start of adjuvant therapy were analyzed between the 2 groups. RESULTS: During the study period, 34 patients received skin graft and 41 patients received TA flap. group 2 had a shorter hospital stay (6.41 ± 2.64 days vs. 12.62 ± 4.60 days, P < 0.001) and shorter time to complete wound healing (29.27 ± 18.68 days vs. 39.24 ± 27.70 days, P = 0.03) than group 1. There was also a difference in the period from surgery to initiation of adjuvant therapy (group 1, 45.04 days ± 17.79 days; group 2, 37.07 ± 15.38 days, P = 0.073). Although limitation in shoulder motion was more frequent in group 2, limitation of motion for >1 year was observed in 4 patients in only group 1 (43.90% vs. 38.24%, P = 0.613). CONCLUSION: TA flap has a simple design that minimizes concerns involving the donor site. Moreover, it does not require complicated procedures and allows for re-elevation whenever necessary. Finally, it guarantees faster wound recovery than skin graft with fewer complications.
Breast Neoplasms ; Breast ; Demography ; Humans ; Inflammatory Breast Neoplasms ; Length of Stay ; Mastectomy ; Outpatients ; Radiotherapy ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Retrospective Studies ; Shoulder ; Skin ; Surgical Flaps ; Thoracic Wall ; Thorax ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries

BACKGROUND: The most common surgical treatment for paralytic lagophthalmos is the placement of a weight implant in the upper eyelid; however, this technique confers the risks of implant visibility, implant extrusion, and entropion. In this study, we present a new technique of placing platinum weight implants between the levator aponeurosis and inner septum to decrease such complications. METHODS: A total of 37 patients with paralytic lagophthalmos were treated between March 2014 and January 2017 with platinum weight placement (mean follow-up, 520.1 days). After dissecting through the orbicularis oculi muscle, the tarsal plate and levator aponeurosis were exposed. The platinum weights (1.0–1.4 g) were fixed to the upper margin of the tarsal plate and placed underneath the orbital septum. RESULTS: Five patients could partially close their eye after surgery. The average distance between the upper eyelid and the lower eyelid when the eyes were closed was 1.12 mm. The rest of the patients were able to close their eye completely. Three patients patient developed allergic conjunctivitis after platinum weight insertion, which was managed with medication. None of the patients complained of discomfort in the upper eyelid after surgery. Visibility or extrusion of the implant were observed in three patients. CONCLUSIONS: Postseptal weight placement is a safe and reproducible method in both primary and secondary upper eyelid surgery for patients with paralytic lagophthalmos. It is a feasible method for preventing implant visibility, implant exposure, and entropion. Moreover, platinum is a better implant material than gold because of its smaller size and greater thinness.
Conjunctivitis, Allergic ; Entropion ; Eyelid Diseases ; Eyelids* ; Facial Paralysis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Methods ; Orbit ; Platinum* ; Prostheses and Implants ; Thinness ; Weights and Measures