We previously developed a W-chromosome-specific primer (P0) for universal avian sexing, in conjunction with the P2 and P8 primers. In our prior study, 18 bird species across 12 orders were tested to assess the applicability of this approach. However, the reliability of the test needs further confirmation with a larger sample size due to potential sequence polymorphism in the PCR primer binding site. To validate the reliability of P0, we examined the conservation of nucleotide sequences in the Chromodomain-Helicase DNA-binding 1 (CHD1) gene on the W and Z chromosomes, focusing on the P0 binding site in Domestic Chickens (Gallus domesticus), Saunders’s Gulls (Larus saundersi), and White Storks (Ciconia boyciana). We found no variation in the P0 binding site of 90 Domestic Chickens, 37 Saunders’s Gulls, and 39 White Storks. In addition, there was no interspecies polymorphism among the three species except one nucleotide, indicating conservation of the sequence on both chromosomes targeted by P0.

Objective: This study aims to isolate and identify aerobic and anaerobic bacterial species in the feces of wild KWD. Methods: Fecal samples were collected from 55 wild KWD of varying age and sex.Aerobic bacteria were cultured at 37°C for 24–48 h under standard conditions, whereas anaerobic bacteria were cultured at 37°C for 48–72 h in an anaerobic environment. Bacterial identification was conducted using DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction amplification targeting the 16S rRNA gene. Results: The predominant aerobic bacteria identified belonged to the Firmicutes (58.18%) and Proteobacteria (41.82%) phyla, with Escherichia coli (31.82%) and Bacillus cereus (31.82%) being the most common species. Among anaerobic bacteria, most belonged to the Firmicutes (71.03%), Proteobacteria (27.10%), and Fusobacteriota (1.87%) phyla, with Paraclostridium bifermentans (28.97%) and E. coli (22.43%) being the most prevalent species.Other frequently identified anaerobic species were Fusobacterium varium, Lactococcus garvieae, Terrisporobacter glycolicus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Clostridium sporogenes. Conclusions and Relevance: Our findings indicate a diverse microbial community in the feces of water deer, offering valuable insights into their gut microbiota and its potential implications for health and ecology.

Objective: This study aims to isolate and identify aerobic and anaerobic bacterial species in the feces of wild KWD. Methods: Fecal samples were collected from 55 wild KWD of varying age and sex.Aerobic bacteria were cultured at 37°C for 24–48 h under standard conditions, whereas anaerobic bacteria were cultured at 37°C for 48–72 h in an anaerobic environment. Bacterial identification was conducted using DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction amplification targeting the 16S rRNA gene. Results: The predominant aerobic bacteria identified belonged to the Firmicutes (58.18%) and Proteobacteria (41.82%) phyla, with Escherichia coli (31.82%) and Bacillus cereus (31.82%) being the most common species. Among anaerobic bacteria, most belonged to the Firmicutes (71.03%), Proteobacteria (27.10%), and Fusobacteriota (1.87%) phyla, with Paraclostridium bifermentans (28.97%) and E. coli (22.43%) being the most prevalent species.Other frequently identified anaerobic species were Fusobacterium varium, Lactococcus garvieae, Terrisporobacter glycolicus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Clostridium sporogenes. Conclusions and Relevance: Our findings indicate a diverse microbial community in the feces of water deer, offering valuable insights into their gut microbiota and its potential implications for health and ecology.

Objective: This study aims to isolate and identify aerobic and anaerobic bacterial species in the feces of wild KWD. Methods: Fecal samples were collected from 55 wild KWD of varying age and sex.Aerobic bacteria were cultured at 37°C for 24–48 h under standard conditions, whereas anaerobic bacteria were cultured at 37°C for 48–72 h in an anaerobic environment. Bacterial identification was conducted using DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction amplification targeting the 16S rRNA gene. Results: The predominant aerobic bacteria identified belonged to the Firmicutes (58.18%) and Proteobacteria (41.82%) phyla, with Escherichia coli (31.82%) and Bacillus cereus (31.82%) being the most common species. Among anaerobic bacteria, most belonged to the Firmicutes (71.03%), Proteobacteria (27.10%), and Fusobacteriota (1.87%) phyla, with Paraclostridium bifermentans (28.97%) and E. coli (22.43%) being the most prevalent species.Other frequently identified anaerobic species were Fusobacterium varium, Lactococcus garvieae, Terrisporobacter glycolicus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Clostridium sporogenes. Conclusions and Relevance: Our findings indicate a diverse microbial community in the feces of water deer, offering valuable insights into their gut microbiota and its potential implications for health and ecology.

Objective: This study aims to isolate and identify aerobic and anaerobic bacterial species in the feces of wild KWD. Methods: Fecal samples were collected from 55 wild KWD of varying age and sex.Aerobic bacteria were cultured at 37°C for 24–48 h under standard conditions, whereas anaerobic bacteria were cultured at 37°C for 48–72 h in an anaerobic environment. Bacterial identification was conducted using DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction amplification targeting the 16S rRNA gene. Results: The predominant aerobic bacteria identified belonged to the Firmicutes (58.18%) and Proteobacteria (41.82%) phyla, with Escherichia coli (31.82%) and Bacillus cereus (31.82%) being the most common species. Among anaerobic bacteria, most belonged to the Firmicutes (71.03%), Proteobacteria (27.10%), and Fusobacteriota (1.87%) phyla, with Paraclostridium bifermentans (28.97%) and E. coli (22.43%) being the most prevalent species.Other frequently identified anaerobic species were Fusobacterium varium, Lactococcus garvieae, Terrisporobacter glycolicus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Clostridium sporogenes. Conclusions and Relevance: Our findings indicate a diverse microbial community in the feces of water deer, offering valuable insights into their gut microbiota and its potential implications for health and ecology.

Pet rabbits are affected by the highly contagious ectoparasite Psoroptes (P.) ovis, which carries significant economic implications for the global rabbit industry. Accurate identification of the mite species remains essential to implement effective treatment and control strategies. Two approximately oneyear-old female pet rabbits were admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Chungbuk National University due to excessive scratching of the ears and the presence of waxy debris within the ear canals. Mites were isolated from the waxy debris extracted from the ear canals and subsequently identified as Psoroptes spp. through microscopic examination. Species confirmation was achieved through mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 cox1 gene analysis. The analysis revealed the mites to be P. ovis based on cox1 gene sequences. The deposited GenBank accession numbers for these sequences are OR985022 and OR985023. This represents the first report of mitochondrial cox1 gene sequences of P. ovis isolated from pet rabbits in South Korea.

A 4-year-old intact female veiled chameleon was presented with anorexia and respiratory symptoms. Physical examination revealed mild lethargy, open-mouthed breathing and stomatitis, with sticky fluid coating the oral mucus membrane. Pathogens such as Pseudomonas spp., Aeromonas spp., Ranavirus spp. or Herpes spp. has previously been implicated to cause stomatitis. Cytology confirmed fungal hyphae and bacterial growth. Molecular analysis revealed Fusarium (F.) solani and Pseudomonas spp. The fungus F. solani is known to cause keratitis in humans, and has been reported to cause skin lesions or systemic infections in reptiles. Pseudomonas spp. is a common bacterium in associated with stomatitis. This is the first clinical case report of F. solani infection causing stomatitis in reptiles. Several pathogens should be considered for accurate diagnosis and treatment of stomatitis.

Background: Budgerigar fledgling disease polyomavirus (BFDV) is the pathogen that causes budgerigar fledgling disease in psittacine species. The clinical signs of PBFV infection include ascites, hepatitis, and crop stasis. BFDV is associated with a high mortality rate in nestling birds. In contrast, adult birds only have mild symptoms such as feather dystrophy. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, genetic characteristics, and phylogenetic analysis of BFDV in pet parrots in Korea. Methods: Fecal and tissue samples were collected from 217 pet parrots from 10 veterinary hospitals including Chungbuk National University Veterinary Hospital. The molecular screening was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of the small t/large T antigen gene segment. Full-length genome sequencing with the Sanger and phylogenetic analysis were performed on BFDV-positive samples. Results: The PCR results based on the small t/large T antigen gene marker indicated that BFDV DNA was present in 10 out of 217 screened samples. A whole-genome sequence was obtained from six strains and phylogenetic analysis revealed no significant relationship existed between the species and geographical locations amongst them. Conclusions The prevalence of BFDV infection in South Korea is not high when compared to the prevalence of BFDV in other parts of the world, however, it has been reported sporadically in various species and geographic locations. The whole-genome analysis revealed 0.2%–0.3% variation in intragenomic homogeneity among the six strains analyzed. Korean strains are separately on the phylogenetic tree from their counterparts from China and Japan which might reflect the substantial genetic variation.

In November 2019 a 5-month-old mixed-breed rabbit presented to Chungbuk National University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea (Korea) with symptoms comprising pruritus, crusts on skin, poor appetite and reduced defecation. The rabbit was purchased 2 months prior from a pet shop located in a big market, and that the symptoms were first observed about 2 weeks prior to the hospital visit. Physical examination revealed that the patient had crust formation and alopecia on the nose together with lesions on the digits. A skin scraping test was performed using mineral oil and a high density of mites was observed by microscopy. Each mite showed a round, tortoise-like body with 4 comparatively short pairs of legs. The anus was located at the terminal unlike with suspected pathogen, Notoedres cati. Based on morphological characteristics, we identified the mite as Sarcoptes sp. Ivermectin was administered weekly by subcutaneous injection at a dosage of 0.4 mg/kg, and 4 weeks of follow-up study revealed the patient was fully recovered. And no more mites were detected from the case. This is the first case report of sarcoptic mange in a pet rabbit in Korea.

OBJECTIVE: Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is a rare primary low-grade astrocytic tumor classified as WHO II. It is generally benign, but disease progression and malignant transformation have been reported. Prognostic factors for PXA and optimal therapies are not well known. METHODS: The study period was January 2000 to March 2012. Data on MR findings, histology, surgical extents and adjuvant therapies were reviewed in twenty-two patients diagnosed with PXA. RESULTS: The frequent symptoms of PXA included seizures, headaches and neurologic deficits. Tumors were most common in the temporal lobe followed by frontal, parietal and occipital lobes. One patient who died from immediate post-operative complications was excluded from the statistical analysis. Of the remaining 21 patients, 3 (14%) died and 7 (33%) showed disease progression. Atypical tumor location (p<0.001), peritumoral edema (p=0.022) and large tumor size (p=0.048) were correlated with disease progression, however, Ki-67 index and necrosis were not statistically significant. Disease progression occurred in three (21%) of 14 patients who underwent GTR, compared with 4 (57%) of 7 patients who did not undergo GTR, however, it was not statistically significant. Ten patients received adjuvant radiotherapy and the tumors were controlled in 5 of these patients. CONCLUSION: The prognosis for PXA is good; in our patients overall survival was 84%, and event-free survival was 59% at 3 years. Atypical tumor location, peritumoral edema and large tumor size are significantly correlated with disease progression. GTR may provide prolonged disease control, and adjuvant radiotherapy may be beneficial, but further study is needed.
Disease Progression ; Disease-Free Survival ; Edema ; Headache ; Humans ; Necrosis ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Occipital Lobe ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Seizures ; Temporal Lobe