Akabane disease is caused by an arthropod-borne viral pathogen and leads congenital abnormalities of the central nervous system in infected ruminants. One isolate, KV0505, showed cytopathic effect in Vero cells. The KV0505 isolate was obtained from plasma, which was collected from a cattle raised on Jeju Island in May 2005. Jeju Island is located near the southern part of the Korean peninsula. The isolate was confirmed as Akabane virus (AKAV) by immunofluorescence assay using AKAV specific monoclonal antibodies and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Suckling mice inoculated with the isolate showed signs of paralysis and died within 10 days post-inoculation. Comparisons of the KV0505 N gene sequence with 39 other known AKAV strains revealed nucleotide homologies ranging from 83.6% (MP496 strain) to 99.7% (M171 strain). When compared with the K-9 strain, which was isolated from a cow in Korea in 1994, the nucleotide sequence homology with the N gene was 99.7%. Thus, genes of the KV0505 isolate were closely related to those of the M171 strain, which were clustered into the Ic group of AKAV.

We report the electrocution of Korean native cattle by a fallen electric wire, which caused the death of thirteen animals. The owner of the cattle felt an electric shock on touching the steel pen and found a fallen 220-V wire on the roof of the barn; additionally, the roof was singed. Clinically, the animals developed spasm, difficulty breathing, and excessive salivation. Histopathologically, many visceral organs revealed severe congestion or hemorrhage, which is consistent with previous reports. This study revealed that the proper installation of electric wires on farms is essential to prevent economic loss by electrocution.

Comparative studies of histopathologic lesions from 23 purified protein derivative (PPD) positive cattle, 21 slaughter cattle found with tuberculosis, and 11 tuberculosis-positive elk (Cervus elaphus) were performed. PPD positive cattle did not show specific histopathologic lesions in all 23 heads that were no visible lesion reactor. Slaughter cattle found with tuberculosis revealed microscopically classical granulomatous lesion (tubercle) with central caseous necrosis surrounded by mantle of epithelioid cells and Langhan's giant cells capsuled by connective tissue in lung. Elk was noted with some different lesion patterns with classical granulomatous lesion and suppurative abscesses that was composed of fibrin, degenerated cells without having connective tissue. In addition, many Langhan's giant cells infiltration in alveoli at peripheral lesion were observed in some cases of classical granulomatous lesion and suppurative abscesses.

Eosinophilic myositis lesions are characterized by severe eosinophil infiltration along muscles of affected animals. The exact cause of the lesion remains controversial and the carcass is condemned once this lesion is seen during meat inspection. A cow slaughtered in Chonbuk province, Korea was observed to have disseminated pale foci throughout the musculature; meat samples were obtained and macroscopically investigated. Cut ends of neck and thigh muscle tissues showed variably sized, multifocal pale white-grayish nodular lesions. Histopathological examination consistently revealed inflammatory lesions with adjacent infiltration of eosinophilic granulocytes and focal necrotic calcification. However, no parasites, including Sarcocystis sp., could be discerned in the affected carcass. This case was diagnosed as idiopathic eosinophilic myositis in cattle.