Cloning of the short-tailed Gyeongju Donggyeong dog via SCNT: conserving phenotypic inheritance

Somatic cell nuclear transfer is a useful tool to maintain genetic information of animals. The GyeongjuDonggyeong dog is a breed registered as natural monument in Korea. The unique feature of the Donggyeong dog isits tail, as the Donggyeong dog can be classified as either short tailed or tailless. The aim of this studywas to preserve the Donggyeong dog’s unique feature by cloning. Fibroblasts were obtained from a short-tailedDonggyeong dog. In vivo matured oocytes were enucleated, microinjected with a donor cell andfused electrically. Reconstructed embryos were transferred to six recipient dogs. One surrogate becamepregnant, and one short-tailed Donggyeong dog was delivered. This study demonstrated that the phenotype of theDonggyeong dog could be conserved by somatic cell nuclear transfer.     

Surveillance of classical swine fever in wild boar in South Korea from 2010–2014

Classical swine fever (CSF) is a highly contagious systemic hemorrhagic viral disease ofpigs. Wild boar plays a crucial role in the epidemiology of CSF. Between 2010 and 2014,samples were collected nationwide from 6,654 wild boars hunted in South Korea. Anti-CSFantibodies were identified in 0.59% (39 of 6,654) of the wild boar samples using a virusneutralization test and were primarily detected in wild boars living close to thedemilitarized zone and the area of the Taebaek Mountains surroundings. The CSF virus(subgroup 2.1b) was isolated from two wild boars captured in a nearby border area. Thecriteria used to define high-risk areas for targeted CSF surveillance in South Koreashould be further expanded to include other regions nationwide.     

Characterization of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and Salmonella enterica serovar 4,[5],12:i:- isolates from pigs presenting with diarrhea in Korea

Between 2011 and 2012, a total of 896 pig fecal samples were collected from nine provinces in Korea, and 50 salmonella enterica susp. enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) was isolated. The characteristics of the 50 strains were analyzed, and 4 strains were identified as Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar 4,[5],12:i:-. Salmonella 4,[5],12:i:- could not be distinguished from S. Typhimurium through phage typing, antimicrobial resistance testing or multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA). However, among the four Salmonella 4,[5],12:i:- strains, one (KVCC-BA1400078) was identified as a Salmonella 4,[5],12:i:- clone isolated from humans in the United States, and another (KVCC-BA1400080) was identified as DT193, which has been primarily isolated from humans and animals in European countries. The presence of Salmonella 4,[5],12:i:- in Korea poses a significant threat of horizontal transfer between pigs and humans.     

Nonsurgical resolution of caudal mediastinal paraesophageal abscess in a cat

A one-year-old, castrated male domestic short hair cat was admitted with a history of anorexia, regurgitation and pyrexia for two days. Fever and leukocytosis were identified. There were a large soft tissue density oval mass in the caudal mediastinum on thoracic radiographs, a fluid-filled oval mass in the caudal mediastinum on ultrasonography, and left-sided and ventrally displaced and compressed esophagus on esophagram. On esophageal endoscopy, there were no esophageal abnormalities. CT findings with a fluid filled mass with rim enhancement indicated a caudal mediastinal paraesophageal abscess. The patient was treated with oral antibiotics, because the owner declined percutaneous drainage and surgery. The patient was admitted on emergency with severe respiratory distress; and ruptured abscess and deteriorated pleuropneumonia were suspected. With intensive hospitalization care and additional antibiotic therapy, the patient had full recovery.