Serologic Studies of Japanese Encephalitis in Domestic Animals and Chickens

Abstract

Occurrence of hemagglutination-inhibition CHI) antibodies to Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus was studied among various domestic animals and chickens in or near Seoul area. The times of sample .collection were mid-October to early Nevember, 1961Horses, consisting of 53 adults and one colt, were bled from jugular vein. Blood serum samples from cattle and hogs were collected at the abatoir, Seoul, their estimated ages being 3 to 5 years and 6 to 15 months respectively. Most dogs bled were less than one year of age. Blood samples of chickens, mostly of broiler age, were obtained by cardiac puncture prior to slaughter. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. Of 54 horses, 47(87%) were found to possess demonstrable HI antibodies. 2. Eighty-two of 92 cattle serum samples (89%) tested were positive. 3. HI antibodies were detected from 33 of 37 swine samples(90%), the levels of titer being the highest of all animal groups tested. 4. Tests of 48 dog serum samples revealed 8 positive samples(17%). 5. In regard to chicken samples, only one of 136 had a low (1:10) HI titer. 6. Implications of these findings in the ecology of JE near Seoul were discussed.