Stillbirth in sows and neurological symptoms in suckling pigs occurred sporadically on a pig farm in Hiroshima Prefecture. Fibrin deposits in the hearts were observed at the necropsies of two of the pigs. A histopathological examination of the principal organs of the two pigs revealed suppurative meningitis and fibrinous suppurative epicarditis due to gram-positive cocci. From the organs, three Streptococcus suis serotype 14 were isolated. In addition, immunostaining with the antiserum against S. suis serotype 14 was positive in the lesions of the brains, spinal cords and hearts. These S. suis serotype 14 isolates showed the same Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern, and were classified into Sequence Type 1 by Multi-Locus Sequence Typing (MLST). In conclusion, we diagnosed these cases as streptococcal infections due to S. suis serotype 14, probably derived from the same clone. This is the first report on the cases caused by S. suis serotype 14 in Japan to be diagnosed by immunohistochemical examinations.

The number and motility of sperm decreased dramatically and Oligospermia occurred at five years of age in a Holstein bull after four years waiting in a progeny testing program. Libido, erection ability and ejaculation were normal, but sperm concentration, total sperm output, sperm motility and sperm viability in ejaculates decreased dramatically, and the abnormal sperm morphology rate increased. The basal concentration of circulating testosterone was at a normal level, and the pattern of testosterone secretion from the testes in response to a single intravenous administration of human chorionic gonadotropin showed a normal reaction. The size and weight of the testes were remarkably small as compared with normal bulls. Thinning of the convoluted seminiferous tubule in the curved seminal vesicle, thickening of the curved refined duct wall, and undulation of the elastic fibers were observed. Increased collagen fibrils, small vessel proliferation, lymphocytes and plasma cell aggregation were observed in the testicular stroma. In the right epididymis testicular export tube, stenosis and obstruction due to fibrous granulation were confirmed to a limited extent. These results suggest that this case was suffering from a slow hematogenous exudative flame, mainly composed of testicular interstitium, causing testicular atrophy and oligospermia.

Since there are weak correlations (correlation coefficients: dogs 0.11, cats 0.27) between blood creatinine and UP/C (urinary protein/urinary creatinine ratio) in 62 dogs and 40 cats with suspected renal disease, UP/C is an independent index from blood creatinine. In addition, since blood creatinine was below the reference value (dogs 1.4mg/dl, cats 1.6mg/dl ) and indicated proteinuria in 24 dogs (38.7%) and 4 cats (10.0%), it was thought that the early stage and potential kidney disease that cannot be caught by blood creatinine could be detected by UP/C. Furthermore, since there were strong correlations (match rate within one rank: dogs 95.2%, cats 90.0%) between the quantitative method and the semi-quantitative method using a dipstick, it was considered that the rapid, simple measurement of UP/C in the hospital is effective by making use of the features of the dipstick method.

Verrucous endocarditis and miliary nodules in and around the inner wall of the pulmonary artery were observed in a slaughtered pig that showed decreased growth, emaciation and cyanosis at an abattoir in Nagasaki prefecture, Japan in December 2017. Petechiae in the lung and kidney, hepatic congestion and splenomalacia were also recognized. Bacteriologically, only Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serovar 8 was isolated from the vegetation, heart, kidney and spleen. Histopathologically, suppurative necrotizing inflammation with oat cells was observed in the vegetation and the nodules of the pulmonary artery, and gram-negative bacteria were observed in necrotic areas. A. pleuropneumoniae serovar 8 antigens were detected in the necrotic areas by immunohistochemistry using antiserum raised against A. pleuropneumoniae serovar 8. The present case was finally diagnosed as verrucous endocarditis and pulmonary arteritis caused by A. pleuropneumoniae serovar 8.