Search

Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a microsporidian parasite commonly found in rabbits that can infect humans, causing encephalitozoonosis. The prevalence of encephalitozoonosis is not well documented, even when many clinics suspect pet rabbits as being highly infected. This study investigated the seropositivity of E. cuniculi using ELISA. The examination of 186 rabbits using ELISA showed that 22.6% (42/186) were seropositive against E. cuniculi. In analysis with healthy status, all 42 seropositive sera were collected from clinically normal rabbits. Moreover, the gender and age of pet rabbits did not have anysignificant effect on E. cuniculi infection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to describe the seroprevalence of E. cuniculi in pet rabbits and suggests that pet rabbits could act as an important reservoir of encephalitozoonosis for both pet animals and humans in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the first investigation on the presence of leaf blight of Lindera obtusiloba (Japanese spicebush) brought by Pestalotiopsis microspora in Korea. It highlights the risk of the disease with its ability to cause outbreaks to Japanese spicebush in Korea. Symptoms of the disease include the occurrence of gray or dark brown lesions in the leaves with yellowish patches leading to irregular discoloration until the leaf becomes blighted. The cultural and morphological characteristics of the pathogen resemble with that of Pestalotiopsis microspora. Genetic sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region strengthened the occurrence of the fungus.