Face masks will be used to prevent pandemic recurrence and outbreaks of mutant SARS-CoV-2 strains until mass immunity is confirmed. The polypropylene (PP) filter is a representative disposable mask material that traps virus-containing bioaerosols, preventing secondary transmission. In this study, a copper thin film (20 nm) was deposited via vacuum coating on a spunbond PP filter surrounding a KF94 face mask to provide additional protection and lower the risk of secondary transmission. Film adhesion was improved using oxygen ion beam pretreatment, resulting in cuprous oxide formation on the PP fiber without structural deformation. The copper-coated mask exhibited filtration efficiencies of 95.1 ± 1.32% and 91.6 ± 0.83% for NaCl and paraffin oil particles, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 inactivation was evaluated by transferring virus-containing media onto the copper-coated PP filters and subsequently adding Vero cells. Infection was verified using real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunochemical staining. Vero cells added after contact with the copper-coated mask did not express the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and envelope genes of SARS-CoV-2. The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid immunofluorescence results indicated a reduction in the amount of virus of more than 75%. Therefore, copper-coated antiviral PP filters could be key materials in personal protective equipment, as well as in air-conditioning systems.

Coxiella burnetii and Coxiella-like bacteria (CLB) are genetically and ecologically distinct despite some genetic similarities. Furthermore, CLB are exceptionally diverse and widespread in ticks, but rarely detected in domestic animals. Since Coxiella bacteria can be transmitted from infected horses by inhalation or by coming in contact with ticks during activities such as horseback riding, it is necessary to study their prevalence. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first large-scale nationwide investigation of the prevalence of C. burnetii and CLB among horses reared in South Korea. Of 816 blood samples collected between 2007 and 2013, 11 (1.3%) were identified as C. burnetii by ELISA, and six (0.7%) as CLB by 16S rRNA sequencing. While a sequence from Jeju Island was similar (97.9–100%) to those within clade B, five sequences obtained from the northern region were categorized into a new clade, indicating the sequence diversity of the genus Coxiella. Studies until date had detected CLB only in ticks; here, we describe their detection in mammals. Given their zoonotic potential, strategic monitoring and appropriate control programs for Coxiella species need to be established.

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ObjectiveTo investigate the relationships between spinal mobility, pulmonary function, structural change of the spine, pain, fatigue, and quality of life (QOL) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).MethodsThirty-six patients with AS were recruited. Their spinal mobility was examined through seven physical tests: modified Schober test, lateral bending, chest expansion, occiput to wall, finger to ground, bimalleolar distance, and range of motion (ROM) of the spine. Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) was performed using a spirometer, and vertebral squaring was evaluated through the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score (mSASSS). QOL, disease activity, functional capacity, and fatigue were evaluated by SF-36 Health Survey (SF-36), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), and the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue (MAF) scale, respectively. Perceived physical condition and degree of pain were assessed using 10 cm visual analogue scale.ResultsParticipants showed reduced spinal mobility, which was negatively correlated with mSASSS. PFT results showed reduced forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) and increased FEV1/FVC. Reduced FEV1 and FVC showed positive correlations with reduced spinal mobility and a negative relationship with mSASSS. Perceived physical condition and degree of pain were both significantly related to the SF-36, BASDAI, BASFI, and MAF scores.ConclusionThis study shows that both reduced spinal mobility and radiographic changes in the vertebral body may have a predictive value for pulmonary impairment in patients with AS. Likewise, pain and perceived physical condition may play an important role in the QOL, functional capacity, and fatigue level of these patients.

We assessed the prevalence and performed molecular analysis of Cryptosporidium spp. in diarrheal feces of calves in Korea. Diarrheal fecal samples were collected from 951 young calves (<3months) on 425 farms. Cryptosporidium prevalence was assessed by PCR and ELISA, and molecular characterization was performed by targeting the 18S rRNA, heat-shock protein 70 (hsp70), and glycoprotein 60 (gp60) genes. Data were analyzed according to the sex, type of cattle, region, season, and type of diarrhea. PCR analysis revealed Cryptosporidium spp. in 9.9% (94/951) of diarrheal fecal samples. C. parvum and C. bovis/ryanae were present in 6.1% (58/951) and 4.1% (39/951) of diarrheal fecal samples, respectively. In addition, ELISA showed positive results for C. parvum in 9.7% (92/951) samples. Statistical analysis of the PCR and ELISA results revealed a lower prevalence of C. parvum in the hemorrhagic diarrheal samples (P<0.05). For C. bovis/ryanae, seasonality and high prevalence in hemorrhagic diarrhea were observed (P<0.05). Of the 951 samples tested for C. parvum, 903 samples showed agreement with a κ value of 0.65, indicating good agreement between the two tests. Although C. bovis and C. ryanae share highly similar 18S rRNA sequences, PCR based on hsp70 successfully distinguished C. bovis from C. ryanae. Sequence analysis of gp60 revealed that C. parvum belonged to the IIa families and was further subtyped as IIaA18G3R1 and IIaA16G3R1, which have not been previously reported in Asia. These findings indicate that Cryptosporidium spp. play an important role in diarrhea in young calves in Korea. Considering the zoonotic significance of C. parvum IIa subtype and dense rearing system of cattle in Korea, prevention and continuous monitoring of Cryptosporidium are required.

Members of the genus Coxiella can be transmitted from ticks to humans during contact with animals; Coxiella may thus spread from the infected horses or ticks to humans. In this study, the presence of Coxiella burnetii and Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLE) in ticks found on infested horses was determined using PCR and genotyping. A total of 213 ticks were randomly collected from 51 horses (4–5 ticks per horse) raised on Jeju Island, Korea, between 2009 and 2013. All ticks were morphologically identified as adult Haemaphysalis longicornis, a predominant tick species widespread in Korea. Based on the results of nested PCR and 16S rRNA sequencing, CLE were detected in 121 (52.4%, 95% CI: 45.9–58.8) ticks. CLE 16S rRNA sequences from 9 randomly selected ticks were 100% identical. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these 9 sequences were highly similar (97.9–100%) to the sequences of clade B species, like the CLE previously described to be found in Haemaphysalis spp. This study showed that CLE are prevalent in ticks that infest horses reared on Jeju Island, and this is, to the best of our knowledge, the first study to describe CLE occurrence in ticks infesting animals reared in Korea. Because of the high prevalence of CLE in ticks found on horses, CLE transmission from ticks to other animals and humans remains a possibility. This warrants a detailed study of other hosts and regions. Considering the zoonotic potential of Coxiella, further strategic surveillance of Coxiella transmission is necessary.

This study evaluated the prevalence of Eimeria species, particularly E bovis, E zuernii and E auburnensis that are pathogenic to cattle, in faecal samples collected from cattle with diarrhoea reared in the Republic of Korea by using microscopy and PCR. In addition, the prevalence of Eimeria species was analysed according to age, type of cattle, region, season and nature of diarrhoea. Overall, Eimeria species were identified in 279 of the 1261 (22.1 per cent) faecal samples through microscopy, and statistical analysis revealed a lower prevalence in calves aged than three weeks or less and higher prevalence in cattle with haemorrhagic diarrhoea. Of the 279 microscopy-positive samples, E bovis, E zuernii and E auburnensis were identified in 100 (7.9 per cent), 83 (6.6 per cent) and 27 (2.1 per cent) faecal samples, respectively, by using PCR. To the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to apply PCR for epizootiology of bovine coccidiosis.