Our cumulative data indicate the presence of various populations of S. pseudintermedius in clinically normal dogs in Seoul metropolitan area.

Arthropod-borne viruses (Arboviruses) are transmitted by arthropods such as Culicoides biting midges and cause abortion, stillbirth, and congenital malformation in ruminants, apparently leading to economic losses to farmers. To monitor the distribution of Culicoides and to determine their relationship with different environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, wind speed, and altitude of the farms) on 5 cattle farms, Culicoides were collected during summer season (May-September) in 2016 and 2017, and analyzed for identification of species and detection of arboviruses. About 35% of the Culicoides were collected in July and the collection rate increased with increase in temperature and humidity. The higher altitude where the farms were located, the more Culicoides were collected on inside than outside. In antigen test of Culicoides against 5 arboviruses, only Chuzan virus (CHUV) (2.63%) was detected in 2016. The Akabane virus (AKAV), CHUV, Ibaraki virus and Bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) had a positive rate of less than 1.8% in 2017. In antigen test of bovine whole blood, AKAV (12.96%) and BEFV (0.96%) were positive in only one of the farms. As a result of serum neutralization test, antibodies against AKAV were generally measured in all the farms. These results suggest that vaccination before the season in which the Culicoides are active is probably best to prevent arbovirus infections.

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A wild adult Eurasian scops owl (Otus scops), which was unable to fly, was rescued. Physical examination revealed a sticky exudate around the glottis. Heterophilic leukocytosis was identified through complete blood count, and radiography revealed a marked elevated density of posterior air sacs and inner cavities in both sides of the humerus and femur. Fungal cultures of samples taken from the owl suggested a respiratory fungal infection. Through molecular typing, the fungus was identified as Epicoccum nigrum. The owl was treated with oral itraconazole and broad-spectrum antibiotics. After one month, the inner cavities of pneumatic bones were slightly distinguishable by radiography and the owl started to fly well. Two months later, the air sac and all pneumatic bones displayed normal appearance.

Biofilm production is a well-known causative factor of catheter- and medical device-related sepsis. Its high prevalence in coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) has recently been reported. Information on biofilm production in CoNS isolated from wild animals is lacking. Herein, we studied the biofilm formation capabilities of CoNS isolated from rescued wild animals in the Republic of Korea. Swab samples were collected from the conjunctiva, nasal cavity, perianal area, and rectum for mammals while the sampling was done from the conjunctiva, oral mucosa, pericloacal area, and cloaca for birds. Isolation of CoNS was based on morphological and biochemical analyses along with molecular typing. Biofilm production was analyzed using 96-well plate based quantitative adherence assays. The studies demonstrated that CoNS of mammalian origin have higher biofilm-producing ability (70.4%) than the isolates from birds (62.5%). In particular, all methicillin-resistant (MR) CoNS isolated from mammals were capable of biofilm formation while only 63.3% of MR CoNS isolated from birds could produce biofilms. The MR CoNS isolated from mammals also had a significantly higher ability to form biofilms (100%) than methicillin susceptible CoNS (60.0%) than those isolates from birds. The findings show that wild animals may act as reservoirs as well as possible transmitters of biofilm-mediated antibiotic resistant genes.

Avian blood parasites, including Plasmodium spp. and Haemoproteus spp., are found worldwide but only limited information of their occurrence is available in the Republic of Korea (ROK). We determined the prevalence of Plasmodium and Haemoproteus and their phylogenetic characteristics in wild birds in ROK. Blood samples were collected from 118 wild birds of 27 species in the Chonbuk Province, ROK. While 43 (36%) were positive for avian haemosporidia on microscopic examination of blood smears, 53 (45%) were positive by PCR targeting the cytochrome b gene. By direct sequencing of PCR amplicons, 47 (89%) were identified as Haemoproteus spp. and 6 (11%) as Plasmodium spp. Phylogenetic analysis using the cytochrome b gene revealed that resident and migrant birds have very similar genetic lineages of both parasites in ROK, suggesting the possibility that migrant birds may act as a mediator for the parasite among Asian countries.

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