Tick surveillance in two southeastern provinces, including three metropolitan areas, of the Republic of Korea during 2014

Tick-borne disease surveillance was conducted from March–October 2014 in two southeastern provinces, including three metropolitan areas, in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Three general habitats were surveyed: Grasses (grasses and herbaceous and crawling vegetation), Forests (pine, larch, deciduous, and mixed), and Forests+Grasses. A total of 40,048 ticks (1,480 adults; 24,201 nymphs; 14,367 larvae) belonging to three genera and six species were collected. Haemaphysalis longicornis (84.25%; 33,741) was the most commonly collected tick, followed by Haemaphysalis flava (14.52%; 5,816), Ixodes nipponensis (1.09%; 436), Amblyomma testudinarium (0.07%; 27), Haemaphysalis phasiana (0.06%; 23), and Ixodes turdus (0.01%; 5). Overall, adult ticks accounted for only 3.70% of all ticks collected, while nymphs and larvae accounted for 60.43% and 35.87%, respectively. The proportion of H. longicornis nymphs was highest beginning in March (99.51%), slowly declined through July (82.01%) and then rapidly declined to a low in October (6.45%). Large increases in the proportion of H. longicornis larvae were observed in August (42.05%), September (84.19%) and October (93.55%) following increased numbers of adults collected in June (4.20%), July (17.99%) and August (9.79%). Haemaphysalis flava adults and nymphs were commonly collected from April–May and October, while larvae were first collected from July, with peak numbers collected in August and low numbers collected during September–October. The proportion of I. nipponensis adults was highest in March (75.34%), declined to a low in July (0%), and then increased in September (60.00%) and October (90.32%). Larvae were collected only in August–September and accounted for 64.29% and 20.00% of all I. nipponensis collected during those months. Similar proportions of males and females of H. flava (51.47% and 48.53%, respectively) were collected from all habitats, while significantly more I. nipponensis males (62.20%) were collected than females (37.80%). Conversely, the proportion of H. longicornis females (80.00%) collected was significantly higher than for males (20.00%). Overall, the mean number of ticks collected/hr of collection for all habitats was 156.06/hr of collection. Similar numbers were collected/hr for Forests (172.61) and Grasses (168.64), while lower numbers were collected/hr for Forests+Grasses (128.12).

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Morphological abnormalities in ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) from the Republic of Korea

Systematic and Applied Acarology ◽

10.11158/saa.25.11.6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (11) ◽

pp. 1994-2002

Author(s):

Sung-Tae Chong ◽

Heung-Chul Kim ◽

Sang-Jae Suh ◽

Terry A. Klein ◽

Richard G. Robbins

Keyword(s):

Disease Surveillance ◽

Mixed Forest ◽

Republic Of Korea ◽

Haemaphysalis Longicornis ◽

Herbaceous Vegetation ◽

Us Army ◽

Tick Borne Disease ◽

The Republic ◽

First Time ◽

Forest Habitats

Tick-borne disease surveillance was conducted by tick drag among uncut grasses/herbaceous vegetation and mixed forest habitats from 2018–2020 at US Army Garrison Humphreys, Pyeongtaek, the Republic of Korea (ROK). While identifying ticks collected in the spring of 2020, teratological anomalies were observed in nymphs of Haemaphysalis longicornis (in one specimen, partial twinning of the posterior idiosoma, resulting in 2 anuses; in a second, asymmetry of the idiosoma) and Ixodes nipponensis (7 legs). These teratological observations in H. longicornis and I. nipponensis are reported for the first time in the ROK.

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Tick surveillance of migratory birds during 2010–2011 on Hong and Heuksan Islands, Jeollanam Province, Republic of Korea

Systematic and Applied Acarology ◽

10.11158/saa.23.11.13 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 23 (11) ◽

pp. 2214 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sung-Tae Chong ◽

Heung Chul Kim ◽

Jong-Gil Park ◽

Chang-Yong Choi ◽

Chang-Uk Park ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Disease Surveillance ◽

National Park ◽

Migratory Birds ◽

Bird Species ◽

Republic Of Korea ◽

Surveillance Program ◽

Haemaphysalis Longicornis ◽

Haemaphysalis Concinna ◽

Park Service ◽

The Republic

Migratory birds were captured, examined, banded and then released in accordance with a bird banding protocol of the Bird Research Center, National Park Research Institute, Korea National Park Service, from January-December 2010–2011 on Hong and Heuksan Islands, Jeollanam (Jeonnam) Province, in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Concurrently, ticks were collected from captured birds as part of a tick-borne disease surveillance program. A total of 381 ticks belonging to three genera and eight species – Ixodes turdus (297 ticks), Ixodes nipponensis (16), Haemaphysalis flava (46), Haemaphysalis longicornis (9), Haemaphysalis formosensis (5), Haemaphysalis ornithophila (6), Haemaphysalis concinna (1), and Amblyomma testudinarium (1)—were collected from 32 bird species belonging to 3 families. This is the first host report of A. testudinarium (1 nymph) collected from White’s Thrush, Zoothera aurea (Aves: Passeriformes: Turdidae), in the ROK. Most ticks were collected from birds during the months of April (44.1%) and November (54.2%).

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Ticks collected from Chilbal Island, Jeollanam Province, Republic of Korea, during 2014–2015

Systematic and Applied Acarology ◽

10.11158/saa.21.12.5 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 21 (10) ◽

pp. 1641

Author(s):

Heung-Chul Kim ◽

Young-Soo Kwon ◽

Mi-Ran Kim ◽

Chang-Uk Park ◽

Seok-Min Yun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Disease Surveillance ◽

National Park ◽

Migratory Birds ◽

Migratory Bird ◽

Republic Of Korea ◽

Surveillance Program ◽

Haemaphysalis Flava ◽

Tick Borne Disease ◽

Storm Petrel

The 65th Medical Brigade and Public Health Command District-Korea, in collaboration with the Migratory Birds Center, National Park Research Institute, conducted a migratory bird tick-borne disease surveillance program on Chilbal Island, a small, remote, uninhabited island in southwestern Jeollanam Province, Republic of Korea (ROK), during 2014–2015. Ticks were collected by dragging vegetation and from nest soil and litter of the Ancient Murrelet, Synthliboramphus antiquus, and Swinhoe’s Storm Petrel, Hydrobates monorhis, using Tullgren funnels. A total of 115 ticks belonging to three genera and three species were collected. Ornithodoros sawaii (98.3%, 113 ticks) was the most frequently collected tick species, followed by Ixodes signatus (0.9%, 1 nymph) collected from nest soil and litter, and Haemaphysalis flava (0.9%, 1 male) collected by tick drag.

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Ticks collected from soil/nest litter and live and dead nestlings of migratory seabirds during their breeding season at six uninhabited Islands, Republic of Korea during 2009 and 2014–2017

Systematic and Applied Acarology ◽

10.11158/saa.23.8.3 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 23 (8) ◽

pp. 1519

Author(s):

Heung-Chul Kim ◽

Jong-Gil Park ◽

Young-Soo Kwon ◽

Miran Kim ◽

Chang-Uk Park ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Disease Surveillance ◽

Migratory Birds ◽

First Record ◽

Migratory Bird ◽

Republic Of Korea ◽

Medical Department ◽

Ixodes Uriae ◽

Haemaphysalis Flava ◽

The Republic ◽

Storm Petrel

The 65th Medical Brigade (MED BDE)/Medical Department Activity-Korea (MEDDAC-K), in collaboration with the Migratory Birds Research Center, National Park Research Institute, conducted migratory bird tick-borne disease surveillance at six small, remote, uninhabited islands near the western (Nan Island), southwestern (Chilbal, Gugul, Gaerin, Hong, and Sogugul islands) and southeastern (Hong Island) coastal areas of the Republic of Korea (ROK) during 2009 and from 2014–2017. Ticks were collected from nest soil/litter of the Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus), Japanese Murrelet (Synthliboramphus wumizusume), Swinhoe’s Storm Petrel (Hydrobates monorhis), Black-tailed Gull (Larus crassirostris), Pacific Swift (Apus pacificus), and Streaked Shearwater (Calonectris leucomelas) using Tullgren funnels. Ticks also were collected from recently dead nestlings of Swinhoe’s Storm Petrel and Black-tailed Gull at Gugul, Sogugul, Gaerin, Nan, and Hong islands, and single ticks were collected from vegetation (tick drag) and a human bitten on Chilbal Island. A total of 1,578 ticks (61 females, 122 males, 290 nymphs, and 1,105 larvae), belonging to four genera and six species, were collected. Ornithodoros capensis (73.00%; 1,152) was the most commonly collected tick on migratory seabirds, followed by Ornithodoros sawaii (26.55%; 420), Ixodes uriae (0.19%; 3), and Ixodes signatus (0.13%, 2). One (0.06%) Haemaphysalis flava was collected by tick drag and one (0.06%) Amblyomma testudinarium was collected while biting one of the survey members. Ornithodoros species were identified morphologically and confirmed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. This is the first record of O. sawaii collected from nest soil/litter during the 2017 nesting season of the Pacific Swift and Streaked Shearwater in the ROK.

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Molecular Detection and Phylogeny of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ticks Collected from Dogs in the Republic of Korea

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10050613 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 613

Author(s):

A-Tai Truong ◽

Jinhyeong Noh ◽

Yeojin Park ◽

Hyun-Ji Seo ◽

Keun-Ho Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Disease Surveillance ◽

Large Scale ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Republic Of Korea ◽

16S Rrna Genes ◽

Rrna Genes ◽

Haemaphysalis Longicornis ◽

Babesia Gibsoni ◽

The Republic ◽

And Control

Ticks are important vectors of various pathogens that result in clinical illnesses in humans and domestic and wild animals. Information regarding tick infestations and pathogens transmitted by ticks is important for the identification and prevention of disease. This study was a large-scale investigation of ticks collected from dogs and their associated environments in the Republic of Korea (ROK). It included detecting six prevalent tick-borne pathogens (Anaplasma spp., A. platys, Borrelia spp., Babesia gibsoni, Ehrlichia canis, and E. chaffeensis). A total of 2293 ticks (1110 pools) were collected. Haemaphysalis longicornis (98.60%) was the most frequently collected tick species, followed by Ixodes nipponensis (0.96%) and H. flava (0.44%). Anaplasma spp. (24/1110 tick pools; 2.16%) and Borrelia spp. (4/1110 tick pools; 0.36%) were detected. The phylogenetic analyses using 16S rRNA genes revealed that the Anaplasma spp. detected in this study were closely associated with A. phagocytophilum reported in humans and rodents in the ROK. Borrelia spp. showed phylogenetic relationships with B. theileri and B. miyamotoi in ticks and humans in Mali and Russia. These results demonstrate the importance of tick-borne disease surveillance and control in dogs in the ROK.

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New distribution and host records for Ornithodoros capensis Neumann and Ornithodoros sawaii Kitaoka and Suzuki (Acari: Ixodida: Argasidae) collected from Black-tailed Gull, Larus crassirostris, nestlings and nest soil and litter on Hong and Nan Islands, Republic of Korea

Systematic and Applied Acarology ◽

10.11158/saa.22.11.9 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 22 (11) ◽

pp. 1899 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Heung-Chul Kim ◽

Miran Kim ◽

Young-Soo Kwon ◽

Mi-Jin Hong ◽

Chang-Uk Park ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Disease Surveillance ◽

Migratory Birds ◽

Migratory Bird ◽

Republic Of Korea ◽

Surveillance Program ◽

Medical Department ◽

Life History Stages ◽

Tick Borne Disease ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

New Distribution

The 65th Medical Brigade and Medical Department Activity-Korea, in collaboration with the Migratory Birds Research Center, National Park Research Institute, conducted a migratory bird tick-borne disease surveillance program during 2014–2015 on two small, remote, uninhabited islands, Hong (Gull) Island, southern Gyeongnam Province, and Nan Island, western Chungnam Province, Republic of Korea (ROK). Argasid ticks were collected from Black-tailed Gull (Larus crassirostris) nestlings that had recently died and associated nest soil/litter, and all tick life history stages were identified morphologically. Because morphological keys are unreliable for the identification of adult and nymphal argasid ticks, identifications were confirmed by genotyping using polymerase chain reaction techniques. A total of 29 Ornithodoros capensis larvae and 2 Ornithodoros sawaii larvae were collected from 4 of 7 (57.1%) Black-tailed Gull nestlings that had recently died. An additional five O. capensis (2 males, 1 nymph, and 2 larvae) were collected from nest soil/litter. Only O. sawaii larvae (2/41, 4.9%) were collected from dead Black-tailed Gull nestlings on Nan Island. This is the first report of O. capensis from these seabird breeding islands.

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Carbon and PM2.5 Reduction and Design Guidelines for Street Trees in Korea

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su122410414 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (24) ◽

pp. 10414

Author(s):

Hyun-Kil Jo ◽

Jin-Young Kim ◽

Hye-Mi Park

Keyword(s):

Environmental Concern ◽

Design Guidelines ◽

Living Environment ◽

Republic Of Korea ◽

Street Trees ◽

Determining Factors ◽

The Mean ◽

The Republic ◽

Concentration Of Air Pollutants ◽

Pm2.5 Emissions

An increasing concentration of air pollutants, which negatively affect human health and living environment, present a serious environmental concern around the world. Street trees can help reduce carbon (C) and PM2.5 in cities that lack sufficient greenspace. This study quantified C uptake and PM2.5 deposition on street trees in the Republic of Korea and suggested sustainable design guidelines to enhance the effects of C and PM2.5 reduction. The mean C uptake and the PM2.5 deposition on street trees per unit area were 0.6 ± 0.1 t/ha/y and 2.0 ± 0.3 kg/ha/y, respectively. The major determining factors of the levels of C uptake and PM2.5 deposition on street trees were the species, density, size, and layering structure of the planted trees. Street trees in the Republic of Korea annually offset C and PM2.5 emissions from vehicles by 1.4% and 180%, respectively. Based on these results, design guidelines are suggested that can contribute to sharing the value and the importance of planting street trees for the reduction of C and PM2.5 levels in greenspaces.

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Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ticks Collected from Horses in the Republic of Korea

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10091069 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 1069

Author(s):

Hyun-Ji Seo ◽

A-Tai Truong ◽

Keun-Ho Kim ◽

Ji-Yeon Lim ◽

Subin Min ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analysis ◽

16S Rrna ◽

Mitigation Strategies ◽

Republic Of Korea ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Haemaphysalis Longicornis ◽

Stage Of Development ◽

Close Relationship ◽

Medical Importance ◽

The Republic

The horse industry has grown rapidly as a leisure industry in the Republic of Korea (ROK) in parallel with an increased demand for equestrian activities. As a result, there has been an increase in horse breeding and equestrian population and potential exposure to ticks and their associated pathogens. To provide a better understanding of the potential disease risks of veterinary and medical importance, a study was conducted to determine the geographical distribution and diversity of ticks collected from horses and vegetation associated with horse racetracks/ranches throughout the ROK. This included a survey of five associated common pathogens, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Borrelia spp., Babesia caballi, and Theileria equi. A total 9220 ticks were collected from horses and associated pastures. Ticks were identified to species, stage of development, and sex. Two species of ticks, Haemaphysalis longicornis (99.9%) and Ixodes nipponensis (0.1%) were identified. Two of the target pathogens, A. phagocytophilum and Borrelia spp., were detected in 5/1409 tick pools (0.35%) and 4/1409 pools (0.28%) of H. longicornis, respectively, both of which are zoonotic pathogens of medical importance. The results of 16S rRNA phylogenetic analysis of A. phagocytophilum showed a close relationship to strains distributed in China, USA, Germany, Italy, Turkey, and Poland. Borrelia spp. showed a close relationship, based on 16S rRNA gene, to the strains reported from the USA (B. burgdorferi and B. americana) and Japan (B. tanukii and B. garinii). These results provide information about the potential risks of veterinary and medical importance and the development of mitigation strategies for disease prevention.

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Molecular investigation of tick-borne pathogens in ticks removed from tick-bitten humans in the southwestern region of the Republic of Korea

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0252992 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (6) ◽

pp. e0252992

Author(s):

Mi Seon Bang ◽

Choon-Mee Kim ◽

Sang-Hyun Pyun ◽

Dong-Min Kim ◽

Na Ra Yun

Keyword(s):

Tick Species ◽

Spotted Fever ◽

Common Species ◽

Republic Of Korea ◽

Spotted Fever Group ◽

Haemaphysalis Longicornis ◽

Babesia Gibsoni ◽

Specific Pcr ◽

Rickettsia Monacensis ◽

The Republic

In this study, we investigated the presence of tick-borne pathogens in ticks removed from tick-bitten humans in the southwestern provinces of the Republic of Korea (ROK). We identified 33 ticks from three tick species, namely Amblyomma testudinarium (60.6%), Haemaphysalis longicornis (27.3%), and Ixodes nipponensis (12.1%) in order of occurrence via morphology and 16S rDNA-targeting polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Tick-borne pathogens were detected in 16 ticks using pathogen-specific PCR. From the results, 12 ticks (36.4%) tested positive for spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia: Rickettsia monacensis (1/12), R. tamurae (8/12), and Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis (3/12). Three ticks (9.1%) were positive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum. In addition, three ticks (9.1%) tested positive for Babesia gibsoni (1/3) and B. microti (2/3). In conclusion, we identified three tick species; the most common species was A. testudinarium, followed by H. longicornis and I. nipponensis. SFG Rickettsia, A. phagocytophilum, and Babesia spp. were the most frequently detected pathogens in ticks removed from tick-bitten humans. To our knowledge, this is the first report of R. tamurae and Ca. R. jingxinensis detection in Korea. The present results will contribute to the understanding of tick-borne infections in animals and humans in the ROK.

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Ticks (Acari: Ixodida: Ixodidae) collected from nest soil and litter of Synthliboramphus antiquus on Chilbal Island, Jeollanam Province, Republic of Korea, with the first Korean record of Ixodes uriae White

Systematic and Applied Acarology ◽

10.11158/saa.22.7.5 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 22 (7) ◽

pp. 962 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Heung-chul Kim ◽

Chang-uk Park ◽

Miran Kim ◽

Yang-mo Kim ◽

Sook-young Cho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Disease Surveillance ◽

National Park ◽

Migratory Birds ◽

Migratory Bird ◽

Republic Of Korea ◽

Surveillance Program ◽

Medical Department ◽

Ixodes Uriae ◽

Ixodes Ticks ◽

Tick Borne Disease

The 65th Medical Brigade and Medical Department Activity-Korea, in collaboration with the Migratory Birds Research Center, National Park Research Institute, conducted a migratory bird tick-borne disease surveillance program on Chilbal Island during 2016. Chilbal Island is a small, remote, uninhabited government-protected island in southwestern Jeollanam Province, Republic of Korea (ROK). Ticks were collected from nest soil and litter of the Ancient Murrelet, Synthliboramphus antiquus, using Tullgren funnels. A total of 4 Ixodes ticks (3 male Ixodes uriae and 1 female Ixodes signatus) were collected. The principal hosts of I. uriae are pelagic birds that have a largely circumpolar distribution. Ixodes signatus parasitizes other migratory birds in coastal areas of western North America and eastern Asia. This is the first report of I. uriae from the ROK.

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