Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant disease for both humans and animals worldwide. The genus Mycobacterium includes several species that cause TB disease in humans and other animals. Amongst the members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC), M. tuberculosis is mainly a human pathogen, whereas M. bovis has a broad host range and is the principal agent responsible for TB in domestic and wild mammals. M. bovis also infects humans, causing zoonotic TB through ingestion, inhalation. M. bovis accounts for only a small percentage of the reported cases of TB in humans. In recent years, TB in farmed deer has become a disease as public health importance in several countries. Nowadays, there has been rapid outbreak of bovine TB in cattle and deer in Korea. Investigations are needed to elucidate the relative importance of M. bovis on TB incidence in humans, especially in Korea where bovine TB remains a problem. Also, the human sources as the cause of animal infection, M. tuberculosis from the farm workers also important for TB control of animals in Korea. Differentiation between the causative organisms may only be achieved by sophisticated laboratory methods involving bacteriological characteristics, biochemical properties, and routine resistance to pyrazinamide (PZA). M. bovis shows inherently resistant to PZA whereas M. tuberculosis is susceptible to PZA. In this study, we developed a multiplex-PCR assay based on a 12.7-kb fragment for the differential detection of M. bovis and M. tuberculosis. A total of 131 M. tuberculosis complex isolates were randomly obtained from cattle and deers that were PPD positive. they all yielded M. bovis. M. tuberculosis was not isolated from animals. and, a total of 25 M. tuberculosis complex isolates which is resistant to PZA were obtained from patient. PZA resistant MTC in humans was caused entirely by M. tuberculosis. The multiplex-PCR protocol was highly species-specific and time saving for identification of M. bovis and M. tuberculosis. This multiplex-PCR assay will be easily used as a routine monitoring tool in veterinary and medical laboratories.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) often confounds the interpretation of skin test in tuberculosis diagnosis, resulting in false-positive reaction. And, NTM are emerging pathogens that cause opportunistic infections in both humans and animals. The prevalence of NTM on human disease has been well investigated, whereas that of NTM on animal disease is not well established in Korea. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of NTM on cattle, which did not have symptoms of tuberculosis disease. A total of 426 isolates were collected in Korean native cattle and dairy cattle from 2007 to 2010. The most frequently isolated organisms were Mycobacterium peregrimum (n=5, 28%), Mycobacterium fortuitum (n=3, 17%), Mycobacterium intracellulare (n=2, 11%), Mycobacterium phlei (n=1, 5.6%), Mycobacterium terrae (n=1, 5.6%), Mycobacterium llatzerense (n=1, 5.6%), and Norcadia spp. (n=1, 5.6%). It seems to be necessary to further study the prevalence of NTM on environment (water, soil, feces) as well as animals.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis and autoimmune polyradiculoneuropathy. Campylobacter jejuni is the most commonly identified infectious trigger for GBS. A sialic-acid containing lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Campylobacter is thought to be involved in the triggering of GBS. The galE (UDPgalactoset- epimerase) gene of Campylobacter spp. is involved in the synthesis of LPS. In this study, we detected the galE gene in Campylobacter spp. responsible for triggering the onset of GBS. The PCR assay detected the presence of the gene in 14 of the 25 (56%) Campylobacter isolates from domestic chicken, 20 of the 28 (71.4%) Campylobacter isolates from imported chicken and 50 of the 51 (98%) Campylobacter isolates from human clinical samples. Also, the specific 497-bp region of galE sequence in Campylobacters responsible for triggering the onset of GBS was amplified from GBS patient. These results could provide evidence of the first GBS-related C. jejuni infection in Korea.

To determine the prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in meats, a total of 4,161 samples (1,953 domestic and 2,208 imported) were collected from 304 slaughterhouses nationwide and registered cold storages for imported meats in Korea during 2005～2009. The isolation rates of C. jejuni and C. coli in domestic beef, pork, chicken and duck meats were 0.1% (1/630), 0% (0/630), and 0.1% (1/644), 0% (0/644) and 20.5% (125/609), 10.2% (62/609) and 25.7% (18/70), 20.0% (14/70), respectively. In the case of imported meats, C. jejuni were isolated from 0.1% (1/943) and 15.2% (83/546) of pork and chicken meats, respectively, and C. coli were detected only from 4.8% (26/546) of chicken meats. Neither C. jejuni nor C. coli were detected from imported beef, and C. coli were also not detected from imported pork. In conclusion, chicken meats had much higher rate of contamination with Campylobacter compared to beef and pork. Therefore, HACCP system that is now mandatory for slaughterhouses should be actively practiced for safe and sanitary processing, handling, and marketing of chicken meats. In addition, all critical control points should be determined by processing procedures at processing plants as well as farms and slaughterhouses, and monitoring should be carried out at regular intervals.