The rapid evolution of antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus (S.) aureus is of considerable concern. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains are especially one of the greatest public concerns since the treatment of infections is more difficult when encountering resistance. In this study, we conducted a nationwide survey on the antimicrobial resistance of S. aureus isolated from raw meat samples collected from 16 countries, including Korea, and investigated the prevalence of MRSA as a possible source of human infection. Of 1,984 meat samples, S. aureus was isolated from 218 (11.0%) samples consisting of 23 (12.1%) from domestic meat and 195 (10.9%) from imported meat. The isolated rates of poultry meat, pork and beef were 12.8%, 7.0% and 10.0%, respectively. With regard to imported meat, the incidence varied from 4.8% to 16.6% from 13 countries, with the exception of Austria and Poland. In a resistance test to 20 antimicrobial agents, one hundred and eighty-four isolates (84.4%) were resistant to one or more antimicrobial agents tested. Especially, 17 (7.8%), 124 (56.9%) and 28 (12.8%) isolates showed a resistance to 3, 2 and 1 drugs, respectively. One isolate originating from domestic beef was resistant to 7 drugs. Another isolate originating from imported poultry meat showed resistance to oxacillin and methicillin by the disk diffusion test and minimal inhibition concentration method, but showed negative for detection of the mecA gene.

The pirarucu, Arapaima gigas (body weight = 18.3 kg and total length = 102 cm) which had been reared in one of the private commercial aquaria for exhibition was found dead and submitted for diagnostic examination. A pure bacterial culture was isolated from the kidney, which was enlarged, and contained fluids. Results of the bacterial identification yielded Serratia fonticola. This paper describes the first isolation of S. fonticola from pirarucu.

A 6-year-old female Boston terrier dog was presented with seizure episode, forelimb paraparesis, excessive panting, and ataxia. On physical and neurological examination, episcleral vessel engorgement, delayed postural reaction, delayed pupillary light reflex (both direct and consensual), and crossed forelimb were noted. Serum biochemical profiles were not remarkable other than mildly elevated hepatic enzymes. On cerebrospinal fluid analysis, elevated protein concentration was observed. In magnetic resonance imaging scans, the left frontal brain lesion with ring enhancement strongly suggested the presence of intracranial tumor. Concurrently, secondary hydrocephalus and syringomyelia were also observed. The dog was euthanized at 4 months after initial presentation because of aggravated neurological signs. This case was definitely diagnosed as an intracranial anaplastic oligodendroglioma based on postmortem histopathologic examination.

A 2-month-old female Abyssinian cat was presented with a severe ascites, cyanosis, and exercise intolerance. Diagnostic studies revealed Ⅴ/Ⅵ holosystolic murmur, sinus tachycardia, generalized cardiomegaly with marked left atrial enlargement and shunt flow between left and right ventricles. Doppler study showed bi-directional shunts in rest and right-to-left shunt after exercise. Based on clinical signs and diagnostic findings, the cat was diagnosed as a reversed ventricular septal defect. The cat was treated with furosemide, nitroglycerine, dobutamine and oxygen supplement. Despite initial improvement of clinical signs after initiation of medical treatment, the cat died of sudden cardiac arrest. Necropsy revealed a perimembranous ventricular septal defect.

The purpose of this study is to define the normal findings of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the clinically healthy Beagle dogs and to provide basic information in diagnosis of neurologic disorders. CSF obtained from 13 clinically healthy dogs was examined for total and differential cell counts, total protein concentration, glucose and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentration, specific gravity, turbidity, and protein electrophoresis. On gross examination, CSF samples evaluated were clear and colorless. Few red blood cells and nucleated cells were present. The mean concentration of glucose and LDH examined were 65.8 mg/dl and 2.7 mg/dl, respectively. The cellular components of CSF samples based on differential counts were monocytes (41.9%), activated macrophages (35.8%), lymphocytes (20.0%), neutrophils (1.65), and eosinophils (0.7%). The fractions of electrophoretic protein in CSF were albumin (52.7%), alpha-globulin (16.5%), beta-globulin (24.8%), and gamma-globulin (3.0%). Results of albumin quota were ranged from 0.15 to 0.38. In conclusion, this study provided normal composition of CSF in Beagle dogs.

Mesenteric torsion was diagnosed in a 2-year-old, spayed female Miniature Schnauzer. The patient was presented with acute depression, vomiting, lethargy and hematochezia. On physical examination, severe dehydration, tachycardia, tachypnea, weak femoral pulse, delayed capillary refill time and pale mucous membrane were found and the dog was in shock. Radiography and ultrasonography revealed intestines distended with gas, ascites and the "C" shaped distended intestine. Medical treatments including fluid therapy, analgesics, antibiotics and lidocaine for reducing reperfusion injury were applied. And then, the mesenteric torsion was definitively diagnosed through exploratory laparotomy and intestinal resection and anastomosis were performed. The dog made an uneventful recovery and was free of clinical sign one week after surgery. Mesenteric torsion is an unusual and life-threatening disease in dogs. It has usually been described in the middle and large breed dogs, especially German Shepherds. However, the mesenteric torsion should be included in the differential diagnostic lists for acute abdomen even in small breed dog. The mortality rate of mesenteric torsion can be reduced through prompt diagnosis, proper preventive therapy for shock and reperfusion injury and emergency surgery.

This study was conducted to investigate biochemical properties and O group serotypes of pathogenic 203 Escherichia (E.) coli isolates from poultry with collibacillosis in Korea during the period from April 2003 to December 2005. Biochemical and fermentative properties of 203 isolates of E. coli tested were in accordance with Cowan and Steel's classification standard. One hundred and forty one isolates (69.5%) could be classified into a total of 20 O serotypes. Among them, the predominant O groups were O78 (32.5%), O88 (7.8%), O15 (6.8%), O141 (6.4%), and O158 (3.0%) in decreased order. Other infrequently encountered serogroups included: O8 (2%), O161 (2%), O20 (1.5%), O125 (1.5%), O2 (1%). And O6, O18, O24, O46, O76, O109, O119, O138, O139 and O148 had a frequency of 0.5%, respectively. Sixty two isolates (30.5%) were non-typeable with standard 173 O antisera used in this study.

Lactic acid bacteria have been reported their beneficial roles on host including reduction of infectious diarrhea problems. In this study, preventive effect of Lactobacillus (L.) reuteri HY25101 and L. johnsonii HY25103 on porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) was investigated in suckling piglets. Two groups of one day old PEDV naive piglets were orally administered L. reuteri HY25101 and L. johnsonii HY25103 for three days respectively before challenge with lethal dose of PEDV. In second experiment, passive immunized one day old piglets using colostrums containing PEDV specific IgA were used. The survival rates of the L. reuteri HY25101 administered group were significantly higher than that of L. johnsonii HY25103 administered group and viral shedding was rapidly diminished in L. reuteri HY25101 administered group. Interestingly piglets born from the sow immunized with attenuated PEDV vaccine were not completely protected from PEDV challenge, however coadministeration of L. reuteri HY25101 and colostrums containing PEDV specific IgA were more effectively prevent PEDV infection. These results suggested that dietary treatment using L. reuteri HY25101 could reduce diarrheal problem and mortality rate caused by PEDV in suckling pigs. In addition, L. reuteri HY25101 could be used as one of effective compensation treatment with attenuated live vaccine for PED.

Plasmodium spp. in domestic and wild birds are microscopic, intracellular parasitic protozoa within the blood cells and tissues cause avian malaria. A 17-month-old Magellan penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) with a clinical signs of anorexia, depression, and respiratory distress for 3 days was submitted to the Pathology Department of Veterinary Medicine, Cheju National University in October 2005. It was born and reared in the Jeju Island. Grossly, the liver was enlarged, pale and friable. The spleen was also enlarged with dark red coloration and friable. Histopathologically, the lesions in the liver were characterized by multifocal infiltration of macrophages and lymphocytes especially in perivascular regions. The schizonts of Plasmodium spp. contained up to 30 merozoites were found in numerous infiltrated mononuclear cells. Similarly, histiocytic cells were proliferated in red pulp of spleen and the schizonts were found in these cells. Numerous dark brown pigments were widely distributed in the liver and spleen. The result of the nested polymerase chain reaction clarified the causative agent of this case was Plasmodium spp.. This is the first report for the outbreak of avian malaria caused by Plasmodium spp. in a penguin that was born and reared in Jeju Island in Korea.

A 3-year-old spayed female Persian feline with non regenerative anemia showed persistent autoagglutination in EDTA anticoagulated blood. Primary immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) was suspected and the underlying causes for IMHA were excluded by radiologic, sonographic, serologic and molecular studies. Cytologic examination of the bone marrow revealed that dysmyelopoiesis and dysplastic changes were prominent in the erythroid cells. These changes included asynchronous maturation of the nucleus and cytoplasm, binucleation, trinucleation, fragmented or lobulated nuclei and multilineages. Mild dysgranulopoiesis and dysmegakaryocytopoiesis were also detected including pseudo Pelger-Huet anomalies, giant band neutrophils, asynchronous maturation of the nucleus and cytoplasm in granulopoiesis and large hypolobulated forms as well as dwarf megakaryocytes in megakaryocy-topoiesis. Myelodysplastic syndrome and congenital dysmyelopoiesis was ruled out by the low number of blast cells. Finally, secondary dysmyelopoiesis associated with IMHA was diagnosed and immuno-suppressive treatment was successfully responsive.