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Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a zoonotic disease with a high mortality rate for humans and cats. The clinical course and prognosis of SFTS in dogs remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of SFTS virus (SFTSV) infection in dogs. All evaluated dogs exhibited an acute course and symptoms including fever (57.1%), anorexia (57.1%), depression (42.9%), and vomiting (35.7%). Thrombocytopenia was present in 45.5% of dogs, while jaundice was not observed. C-reactive protein, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase were elevated in some cases. Viral clearance occurred within 6 to 26 days. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the SFTSV sequences were consistent with viruses circulating in the Republic of Korea. As dogs often live in close contact with humans, awareness of the clinical and epidemiological features of SFTS in dogs is crucial. Further large-scale studies are necessary to investigate SFTSV infection in dogs.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is a zoonotic, tick-borne RNA virus of the genus Bandavirus (Family Phenuiviridae), mainly reported in China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea (Korea). For the purpose of this study, a total of 3,898 adult and nymphal ticks of species Haemaphysalis longicornis (94.2%), Haemaphysalis flava (5.0%), Ixodes nipponensis (0.8%), and 1 specimen of Ixodes ovatus, were collected from the Deogyusan National Park, Korea, between April 2016 and June 2018. A single-step reverse transcriptase–nested PCR was performed, targeting the S segment of the SFTSV RNA. Total infection rate (IR) of SFTSV in individual ticks was found to be 6.0%. Based on developmental stages, IR was 5.3% in adults and 6.0% in nymphs. The S segment sequences obtained from PCR were divided into 17 haplotypes. All haplotypes were phylogenetically clustered into clades B-2 and B-3, with 92.7% sequences in B-2 and 7.3% in B-3. These observations indicate that the Korean SFTSV strains were closer to the Japanese than the Chinese strains. Further epidemiological studies are necessary to better understand the characteristics of the Korean SFTSV and its transmission cycle in the ecosystem.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a zoonotic disease with a high mortality rate for humans and cats. The clinical course and prognosis of SFTS in dogs remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of SFTS virus (SFTSV) infection in dogs. All evaluated dogs exhibited an acute course and symptoms such as fever (57.1%), anorexia (57.1%), depression (42.9%), and vomiting (35.7%). Thrombocytopenia was observed in 45.5% dogs, while jaundice was not observed. C-reactive protein, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase were elevated in some cases. Viral clearance occurred within 6 to 26 days. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the SFTSV sequences were consistent with viruses in the regions of the Republic of Korea. Given that dogs often live in close contact with humans, awareness of the clinical and epidemiological features of SFTS in dogs is crucial. Further large-scale studies are necessary to investigate SFTSV infection in dogs.

Background: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging tick-borne zoonosis in China, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and Japan. The presence of the SFTS virus (SFTSV) in compani...

Emergent and re-emergent canine tick-borne infections are attracting increasing attention worldwide. The rise in pet ownership and the close relationship between dogs and their owners are the most concerning factors because dogs may act as competent reservoirs for human tick-transmitted infectious agents.This study contributes to the epidemiological surveillance of canine tick-transmitted infections with zoonotic risk in the Republic of Korea (ROK) by investigating the seroprevalence of the pathogens,Four hundred and thirty whole blood samples from domestic dogs were collected in seven metropolitan cities and nine provinces in the ROK and tested using SensPERT Ab test kits (VetAll Laboratories®) to detect seroreactive animals.The seroprevalence rates identified were 9.8% (42/430) forThis serological survey exhibited the widespread presence of

2.5D IC packages are typically produced through Chip on Wafer (CoW) or Chip on Substrate (CoS) processes. Among these, 2.5D processing involves bonding the interposer chip and ASIC chip perpendicularly in sequence to the substrate for 2.5D package production. However, due to the large size of the interposer chip and its commensurately large high temperature warpage, attaching the interposer chip to the substrate carries a high risk of interconnection defects (non-wet/short) at the chip-substrate joints arising from the warpage difference. Moreover, the warpage difference between the attached interposer chip and ASIC also leads to a high risk of interconnection defects during bonding. For this reason, accurate prediction of the interposer chip high temperature warpage is of utmost importance in 2.5D packages In package warpage simulation, the reference (stress free) temperature is generally taken from high-T processes such as molding or F/C mounting, as they are most critical in inducing package warpage. However, unlike an IC package, the interposer chip undergoes no dominant process in particular which is critical to its chip warpage. Instead, all device fabrication processes prior to package formation impact the final interposer chip warpage. The initial room temperature warpage is determined by the residual stress from each processing step. The high temperature warpage is determined by the difference in metal density between the regions above and beneath the silicon as the temperature is increased. In the present study, we examine a $28.3\times 18.9\text{mm}$ 4-layer BEOL, 1-layer B-RDL interposer chip in order to predict the final interposer chip warpage via the finite element method (FEM) and thereby more effectively control it. To that end, we obtain the residual stress resulting from the front side (BEOL) and back side (B-RDL) processes through warpage measurement at each step. Moreover, we propose a method to maintain the interposer chip warpage close to zero, by adjusting the metal density and CVD film properties. In addition, we aim to address and improve possible Joint defects (non-wet/short) during ASIC chip bonding by predicting the warpage of the interposer chip attached to the substrate.

Anaplasmosis, a tick-borne disease with multiple reservoirs, has been evolving in its pathogenesis, increasing domestic ruminants susceptibility to simultaneous infections with multiple pathogens. However, there is limited information regarding anaplasmosis in domestic ruminants in the Republic of Korea (ROK). We aimed to evaluate the role of Korean cattle and goats in Anaplasma infection maintenance. Polymerase chain reaction was performed to investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of Anaplasma spp. from 686 whole blood samples collected from different ROK provinces. Anaplasma infection was mostly caused by A. phagocytophilum (21.1%) in cattle, and A. bovis (7.3%) in goats. Co-infection cases were found in cattle: A. bovis and A. phagocytophilum (16.7%), and in goats: A. bovis and A. capra (1.0%). Notably, a triple co-infection with A. bovis, A. phagocytophilum, and A. capra was found in one cow. Phylogenetic analysis revealed novel variants of the A. phagocytophilum 16S rRNA and A. capra gltA genes. This research contributes to the ratification of cattle as a potential reservoir of A. capra and demonstrates Anaplasma co-infection types in Korean domestic ruminants. As anaplasmosis is a zoonotic disease, our study could be crucial in making important decisions for public health.

Anaplasmosis, a tick-borne disease with multiple reservoirs, has been evolving in its pathogenesis, increasing domestic ruminants susceptibility to simultaneous infections with multiple pathogens. However, there is limited information regarding anaplasmosis in domestic ruminants in the Republic of Korea (ROK). We aimed to evaluate the role of Korean cattle and goats in Anaplasma infection maintenance. Polymerase chain reaction was performed to investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of Anaplasma spp. from 686 whole blood samples collected from different ROK provinces. Anaplasma infection was mostly caused by A. phagocytophilum (21.1%) in cattle, and A. bovis (7.3%) in goats. Co-infection cases were found in cattle: A. bovis and A. phagocytophilum (16.7%), and in goats: A. bovis and A. capra (1.0%). Notably, a triple co-infection with A. bovis, A. phagocytophilum, and A. capra was found in one cow. Phylogenetic analysis revealed novel variants of the A. phagocytophilum 16S rRNA and A. capra gltA genes. This research contributes to the ratification of cattle as a potential reservoir of A. capra and demonstrates Anaplasma co-infection types in Korean domestic ruminants. As anaplasmosis is a zoonotic disease, our study could be crucial in making important decisions for public health.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is caused by Dabie bandavirus that belongs to the genus Bandavirus in the family Phenuiviridae and order Bunyavirales and is transmitted by hard ticks. It has been detected in several tick species, various animals, and humans. The purpose of this study was to detect SFTS virus (SFTSV) antigen and antibody in wild boar in the Republic of Korea (ROK). A total of 768 sera samples were collected from wild boar in the ROK between January and December 2019. Viral RNA was extracted from sera using viral RNA extraction kit, and one-step RT-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to amplify the S segment of the SFTSV. The sequencing data were analyzed using Chromas and aligned using Clustal X. The phylogenetic tree was constructed using the maximum-likelihood method using MEGA7. In addition, wild boar sera were tested for IgG antibodies against SFTSV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Of a total of 768 sera samples, 40 (5.2%) were positive for SFTSV by RT-PCR targeting the S segment. Two hundred twenty-one (28.8%) and 159 (20.7%) of 768 sera samples were seropositive by ELISA and IFA, respectively. Based on both ELISA and IFA tests of the same samples, 110 (14.3%) wild boar sera samples were positive for SFTSV antibodies. Of a total of 40 positive serum samples by RT-PCR, 33 (82.5%) and 7 (17.5%) sera were classified as the genotype B-3 and D, respectively, by sequence analysis,. These results provide useful information that demonstrates the detection of antigen and antibody in wild boar sera samples for every month of a certain year throughout the ROK.

Ticks are considered important vectors among arthropods and are linked to serious medical and veterinary health problems. In this study, we investigated tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) of Ornithodoros (Carios) sawaii and a newly identified Ornithodoros species from migratory bird nests in the uninhabited islands of the Republic of Korea (ROK). Ticks were collected from seabird nests with soil using a Tullgren funnel. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using specific primer sets targeting genes of Borrelia spp., Rickettsia sp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Anaplasma bovis, and Bartonella spp. for molecular identification of TBPs, and two pathogens, Borrelia sp. and Rickettsia sp. were detected via PCR. Sequence data were analyzed and a phylogenetic analysis was conducted using the maximum-likelihood method in MEGA v.7. The detection rate of Borrelia sp. in O.(C.) sawaii was 6.8 % (5/74), and that of Rickettsia sp. in O. sawaii and the newly identified Ornithodoros species. was 36.5 % (27/74). Sequencing analysis revealed that the 16S ribosomal (r) RNA and flagellin genes of Borrelia sp., and the citrate synthase (gltA) and 17-kDa antigen gene of Rickettsia sp. were closely phylogenetically related to those of Borrelia turicatae and Rickettsia asembonensis. This is the first report identifying Borrelia sp. and Rickettsia sp. from O. sawaii, and Rickettsia sp. from the newly identified Ornithodoros species in the ROK, and these results imply that soft ticks (O. sawaii, and the newly identified Ornithodoros species) may function as pathogen carriers with important implications for public health throughout their distribution areas in Asia.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to survey data of ticks distribution of Korean islands and to investigate pathogens in Argasid ticks.IntroductionTicks and tick-borne diseases have been thought global important issues, because it's affect to animal and human health and are the cause of significant economic losses. The genus Ornithodoros spp., which is included in Family Argasidae, is usually associated with wild animals including seabirds and it was difficult to investigate because seabirds’ nests are found in inaccessible uninhabited islands. However, Ornithodoros spp. has been known for the vector of many diseases including African swine fever.MethodsIn this study, nest with soil and litter of seabirds were collected, to investigate Ornithodoros species from 9 uninhabited islands, Nan-do, Chilsan-do, Chilbal-do, Sogukhol-do, Googul-do, Gaerin-do, Sasu-do, Hong-do (Hallyeohaesang) and Dok-do located western and southern part of the Korea from July, 2017 to September in 2018. The islands are known for breeding places of migratory and resident birds. Maximum ten nests with soil and litter of seabirds were collected from one uninhabited island for the conservation of the islands environment. Ticks were collected from nest with soil and litter of seabirds using Tullgren funnel and were assayed for tick identification by PCR using 16S rRNA gene and tick-borne pathogens including Rickettia spp., Borrelia spp., Bartonella spp., Ehrlichia chaffensis, Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Anaplasma bovis by nested PCR.ResultsTotal 65 Ornithodoros species ticks from 338 seabird's (black-tailed gull, Larus crassirotris; streaked shearwater, Calonectris leucomelas and Swinhoe's storm petrel, Oceanodroma monorhis) nesting soil with litter in 9 uninhabited islands. In the sequence identification of 16S rRNA gene fragment of Ornithodoros species, O. capensis and O. sawaii were 37 and 28, respectively. In the analyses of tick-borne pathogens, Borrelia spp. (n=5) was detected in O. sawaii from Gaerin-do and Googul-do. The total detection rate of Borrelia sp. from Ornithodoros spp. was 7.69% (5/65).ConclusionsIn this research, we discovered that O. sawaii are habitat in west and southern part of uninhabited islands to breeding place of black-tailed gulls and streaked shearwater and O. capensis are habitat in uninhabited islands related to breeding place of streaked shearwater. This is first report of the Borrelia spp. from Ornithodoros sawaii in Korea.

Ensemble methods often help increase prediction ability in various predictive models by combining multiple weak learners and reducing the variability of the final predictive model. In this work, we demonstrate that ensemble methods also enhance the accuracy of prediction under kernel ridge regression and kernel logistic regression classification. Here we apply bagging and random forests to two kernel-based predictive models; and present the procedure of how bagging and random forests can be embedded in kernel-based predictive models. Our proposals are tested under numerous synthetic and real datasets; subsequently, they are compared with plain kernel-based predictive models and their subsampling approach. Numerical studies demonstrate that ensemble approach outperforms plain kernel-based predictive models.

Ticks and tick-borne diseases are important issues worldwide because of their effects on animal and human health. The genus Ornithodoros, which is included in the family Argasidae, is typically associated with wild animals, including seabirds. In this study, samples from the nests of seabirds and surrounding soil were collected to investigate Ornithodoros spp. from 9 uninhabited islands in the western, eastern, and southern parts of Korea from April 2017 to October 2018. The islands are known as the breeding places of migratory and resident birds. Ticks were collected from soil and nest material of seabirds using a Tullgren funnel and identified using 16S rRNA and the cytochrome c oxidase 1 gene (COI), and host animals of soft ticks were identified using the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene by a polymerase chain reaction. In the sequence identity of the 16S rRNA gene fragment of Ornithodoros sp., Ornithodoros sawaii was identified as the closest homologous sequence, and the new Ornithodoros sp. was newly identified. We found that the newly identified Ornithodoros sp. in the Republic of Korea was located in uninhabited islands used as breeding places by the black-tailed gull, Larus crassirostris.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) in a companion dog was confirmed based on clinical symptoms, virus isolation, and virus-specific antibody detection. Fever and anorexia began after tick bite. Viremia disappeared within two weeks and antibodies were detected one week after disease onset.