Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is the causative agent of enzootic bovine leukosis. This study was conducted to clarify the seroprevalence of BLV in the Republic of Korea. Blood samples were obtained from Korean native cattle farms in all provinces of South Korea except Jeju. A commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with 4,498 samples to detect antibodies against BLV was conducted. The results revealed that the prevalence of BLV was dependent upon age, with increasing prevalence among cattle occurring until they were 5 years old. The highest seroprevalence in cattle was observed in Chungnam (29.6%) and the lowest was observed in Jeonnam (2.6%). The mean overall prevalence for BLV antibodies in the survey was 10.2%, indicating that BLV is widespread nationwide.

Rotaviruses are double-stranded RNA viruses of the family Reoviridae, a highly diverse family of pathogens of humans and animals. In this study, we identified the lapine rotavirus from diarrheic feces of rabbits by polymerase chain reaction. In order to determine the genetic characteristics of the Korean strain, the sequences of the VP4, VP7, and NSP4 genes were determined and compared with those of reference sequences. Results of sequence and phylogenetic analyses showed that our strain was a G3P [3] rotavirus carrying the group C gene encoding NSP 4 proteins. This is the first report of an outbreak and molecular characterization of lapine rotavirus in Korea.

A screening method has been developed for detecting sulfamethazine(SMZ) contamination of meat or feeds by using horseradish pero×idase (HRP) labeled protein A (Prot A-HRP)and an indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The assay is based on competitive binding of guinea pig anti-SMZ with SMZ in sample and SMZ-gelatin con$lt;jugate(SMZ.GEL) followed by the uptake of prot A-HR,P onto polystyrene microwell plate coated with SMZ.GEL. Percent binding B/Bo × 100) was calculated from the absorbance in the absence (BO) and presence (B) of SMZ. By the sandard curve prepared by plotting log(SMZ) vs percent binding of each lmown reference solution, the detection limit was 1.0 ppb or leas. Cross reaction with sulfadimethoxine, sulfaguaniding, sulfamerazine, sulfamthoaypyridazine, sulfanilamide, aulfisomidine and aulfisoxazole were not observed. But sulfamerazine crosareacted in the test. The EC-50 value (concentration causing 50% inhibition of color development compared with blank) of sulfamerazine was 2.0 ppm. Further quality control will make the ELISA system ideal for the detection of SMZ in meat or feeds.