Korean hemorrhagic fever (KHF) occurred for the first time in Korea in 1951, a though it had previously been known in both i anchuria and Russia. After the Korean war, the disease was designated as endemic in the area of the Demilitarized Zone and since then has gradually spread southwesterly, and from 100 to 800 hospitalized cases have been reported every year.
Although 60 years have passed since hemorrhagic nephroso-nephritis was recorded in ladivostok, its etiologic agent and mode of transmission are yet unknown.
The objectives of this research were;
a) detection of the antigen of KHF,
b) demonstration of specific anti bodies in the serums of patients during e tours, of illness.
The authors have been ble to demonstrate the antigen and antibodies of KHF by use of immunofluorescent antibody techniques for the first time.
The results of experiments were as follows;
1. Specific antigens to KHF convalescent serum were demonstrated in lung and kidneys of Apodemus agrarius coreae collected in the endemic foci of KHF. 34 strains of the antigen were isolated from 1,337 tissues examines and confirmed they were identical antigen. Neutralization of the antigens with KHF patient´s serums showed, clearly the antigens are specific to KHF convalescent serums. The new antigen was names as Korea antigen.
2. Specific antibodies to Korea antigen in the patient´s serums were increased remarkably during the course of illness. It wasl possible to diagnose the disease serologically by demonstration of antibody increase.
3. Specific antibodies to Korea antigen were demonstrated in the serum of a person recovered from KHF 5 years ago.
4. Natural reservoir of KHF in the endemic foci of Kyungido, Korea was Apodemus agrarius coreae and it´s occurrence harboring Korea antigen was high in May and October in parallel with peaks of KHF patients in 1975.
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