Sero-epidemiological survey of rickettsial infections among domestic dogs in Korea

국내 개의 리켓치아 감염에 관한 역학조사

One hundred twelve domestic dog sera were collected from Kyonggi, Kanngwon, Cholla, and Kyongsang province. All the sera were examined by immunofluorescence antibody test(IFAT) against scrub typhus, murine typhus and spotted fever group rickettsia infection. The antibody prevalence was 5.40%(6/112) against scrub typhus. The sero-prevalence rates of scrub typhus were 16.30%(5/31) in Cholla and 5.90%(1/17)in Kyonggi areas. The prevalence of scrub typhus was higher in older dogs that were 6 years or more. The antibody prevalence was 8.04%(9/112) against murine typhus. The sero-positive rates to murine typhus were 5.88%(1/17) in Kyonggi, 8.33%(2/24) in Kangwon, 9.68%(3/31) in Cholla, and 7.50%(3/40) in Kyongsang areas, respectively. The sero-positive dogs to murine typhus were widely distributed throughout all age groups from 2 months to above 9 years old. The antibody prevalence was 16.96%(19/112) for spotted fever group rickettsial infection. The sero-positive rates of spotted fever group rickettsia were 11.76%(2/17) in Kyonggi, 12.90%(4/31) in Cholla, and 32.50%(13/40) in Kyongsang areas. The sero-positive dogs to spotted fever group rickettsia were observed at all age groups of dog. The sero-positive prevalence between sex showed higher in female than in male except for spotted fever group rickettsia infection.