Journal of Veterinary Medical Science
Online ISSN : 1347-7439
Print ISSN : 0916-7250
ISSN-L : 0916-7250
Volume 77, Issue 4
April
Displaying 1-20 of 20 articles from this issue
Anatomy
  • Ei-ichirou TAKAHARA, Hideto YUASA, Miho NISHIDA, Youhei MANTANI, Kanka ...
    2015 Volume 77 Issue 4 Pages 387-393
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: May 01, 2015
    Advance online publication: December 11, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    A portion of the minute chylomicrons less than 75 nm in diameter are transcytosed from the extravascular tissue into the subepithelial blood capillaries (sBC) in the villous apices of the rat jejunum. However, the details of the transportation mechanism have not been clarified. In this study, the endothelial receptor involved in the transportation of minute chylomicrons into the sBC’s lumina was immunohistochemically and histoplanimetrically examined in intestinal villi of the rat jejunum. Immunopositivity for very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) receptor was detected on the luminal and basal surfaces of the endothelial cells of sBC in approximately 68% of those apices of jejunal villi that possessed numerous chylomicrons in the lamina propria, while VLDL receptor was detected on the endothelial cells of sBC in only approximately 8% of intestinal villi that possessed few or no chylomicrons in the lamina propria. No immunopositivity for LDL receptor was detected in the sBC of all intestinal villi. These findings suggest that VLDL receptor is expressed by the endothelial cells of the sBC in conjunction with the filling of the lamina propria of jejunal villi with many chylomicrons produced by the villous columnar epithelial cells and that the VLDL receptor mediates the transportation of minute chylomicrons, maybe VLDL, into the subepithelial portal blood from the extravascular tissue of the rat jejunal villi.
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Bacteriology
  • Hiroya ITO, Masuo SUEYOSHI
    2015 Volume 77 Issue 4 Pages 483-486
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: May 01, 2015
    Advance online publication: December 14, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Nucleotide sequence determination and analysis of the cps gene involved in the capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 15 revealed the presence of three open reading frames, designated as cps15ABC genes. At the protein level, Cps15A and Cps15B showed considerably high homology to CpsA (67.0 to 68.7%) and CpsB (31.7 to 36.8%), respectively, of A. pleuropneumoniae serotypes 1, 4 and 12, revealing the common genetic organization of the cps among serotypes 1, 4, 12 and 15. However, Cps15C showed no homology to any proteins of A. pleuropneumoniae serotypes, indicating that cps15C may be specific to serotype 15. This study will provide the basic molecular knowledge necessary for the development of diagnostics and a vaccine for A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 15.
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Biochemistry
  • Hao YU, Lili ZHU, Chongjie LI, Defeng SHA, Hai PAN, Ning WANG, Shuai M ...
    2015 Volume 77 Issue 4 Pages 427-432
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: May 01, 2015
    Advance online publication: January 07, 2015
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    After peripheral nerve injury, Wallerian degeneration (WD) occurs in the distal nerve segment. During the process of degeneration, Schwann cells (SCs) dedifferentiate, proliferate and migrate to align in “bands of Büngner”, providing structural guidance and growth-promoting substrates to regenerating axons. The molecular signals that trigger SCs migration remain unclear. Here, we explored the molecular characteristics of the migration of cultured SCs prepared from rat sciatic nerves that had degenerated. The results revealed that elevated p-ERK1/2 was coupled with the migration of SCs, activated either by nerve degeneration or the addition of placenta growth factor. However, the inhibition of ERK1/2 activity, which activated the PI3K pathway, did not show a significant negative effect on SC migratory potential. Combined inhibition of ERK1/2 and AKT activity resulted in a significant decrease in SCs motility. These molecular characteristics suggest that both the ERK1/2 and AKT signals are involved in the migratory potential of SCs. It may be helpful to understand the process of nerve regeneration and perspective on promoting peripheral nerve regeneration.
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Immunology
  • Md. Masudur RAHMAN, Erdenebelig UYANGAA, Young Woo HAN, Jin HUR, Sang- ...
    2015 Volume 77 Issue 4 Pages 395-403
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: May 01, 2015
    Advance online publication: December 11, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Newcastle disease (ND) is a highly contagious disease of chickens causing significant economic losses worldwide. Due to limitations in the efficacy against currently circulating ND viruses, existing vaccination strategies require improvements, and incorporating immunomodulatory cytokines with existing vaccines might be a novel approach. Here, we investigated the systemic and mucosal immunomodulatory properties of oral co-administration of chicken interleukin-18 (chIL-18) and chicken interferon-α (chIFN-α) using attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium on an inactivated ND vaccine. Our results demonstrate that oral administration of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium expressing chIL-18 or chIFN-α provided enhanced systemic and mucosal immune responses, as determined by serum hemagglutination inhibition antibody and NDV Ag-specific IgG as well as NDV Ag-specific IgA in lung and duodenal lavages of chickens immunized with inactivated ND vaccine via the intramuscular or intranasal route. Notably, combined oral administration of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium expressing chIL-18 and chIFN-α significantly enhanced systemic and mucosal immunity in ND-vaccinated chickens, compared to single administration of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium expressing chIL-18 or chIFN-α. In addition, oral co-administration of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium expressing chIL-18 and chIFN-α provided enhanced NDV Ag-specific proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and Th1-biased cell-mediated immunity, compared to single administration of either construct. Therefore, our results provide valuable insight into the modulation of systemic and mucosal immunity by incorporation of immunomodulatory chIL-18 and chIFN-α using Salmonella vaccines into existing ND vaccines.
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  • Yuhui ZHAO, Xiurong WANG, Pucheng CHEN, Xianying ZENG, Hongmei BAO, Yu ...
    2015 Volume 77 Issue 4 Pages 413-419
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: May 01, 2015
    Advance online publication: December 19, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Avian influenza (AI) is an infectious disease caused by avian influenza viruses (AIVs) which belong to the influenza virus A group. AI causes tremendous economic losses in poultry industry and pose great threatens to human health. Active serologic surveillance is necessary to prevent and control the spread of AI. In this study, a protein microarray using nucleoprotein (NP) of H5N1 AIV expressed in insect cells was developed to detect antibodies against AIV NP protein. The protein microarray was used to test Newcastle disease virus (NDV), infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), AIV positive and negative sera. The results indicated that the protein microarray could hybridize specifically with antibodies against AIV with strong signals and without cross-hybridization. Moreover, 76 field serum samples were detected by microarray, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and hemagglutination inhibition test (HI). The positive rate was 92.1% (70/76), 93.4% (71/76) and 89.4% (68/76) by protein microarray, ELISA and HI test, respectively. Compared with ELISA, the microarray showed 100% (20/20) agreement ratio in chicken and 98.2% (55/56) in ornamental bird. In conclusion, this method provides an alternative serological diagnosis for influenza antibody screening and will provide a basis for the development of protein microarrays that can be used to respectively detect antibodies of different AIV subtypes and other pathogens.
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Internal Medicine
  • Yoshiki YAMAYA, Toshihiro WATARI
    2015 Volume 77 Issue 4 Pages 421-425
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: May 01, 2015
    Advance online publication: December 19, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Canine chronic rhinitis (CR) and bronchitis (CB) are suspected to be allergic diseases. The present study tested whether dogs diagnosed with CR or CB present an atopic predisposition based on the ratio of CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4)-positive cells among peripheral blood CD4-positive cells (CCR4/CD4) and the serum levels of allergen-specific IgE antibodies. We found that most dogs with CR and CB have a possibility of atopic predisposition, and macrolide therapy constitutes an alternative to corticosteroid therapy in controlling the clinical signs.
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  • Tadahisa MASHITA, Hiroaki KAMISHINA, Yuya NAKAMOTO, Yosuke AKAGI, Atar ...
    2015 Volume 77 Issue 4 Pages 433-438
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: May 01, 2015
    Advance online publication: December 19, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of concurrent measurement of serum phosphorylated neurofilament heavy subunit (pNF-H) concentration and intramedullary T2W hyperintensity in paraplegic to paraplegic dogs. Our hypothesis was that concurrent measurement of these would provide a more accurate prediction of functional outcome in dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH). A prospective case-control clinical study was designed using 94 dogs with acute onset of thoracolumbar IVDH. The association of serum pNF-H concentration, T2W hyperintensity on sagittal MRI (T2H/L2), deep pain perception and surgical outcome were evaluated with logistic regression analysis after three months for all 94 surgically treated dogs. Sensitivity to predict non-ambulatory outcome was compared among pNF-H and T2H/L2 and combination of both. Logistic regression analysis indicated that serum pNF-H concentration and T2H/L2 were significantly correlated with surgical outcome (P<0.05); however, deep pain perception was not (P=0.41). The results of logistic regression analysis indicated that the odds ratios of unsuccessful long-term outcome were 2.6 for serum pNF-H concentration, 1.9 for T2H/L2 and 2.3 for deep pain sensation. The sensitivity and specificity to predict non-ambulatory outcome for using serum parameter pNF-H>2.6 ng/ml, using T2H/L2 value of>0.84 and using both serum pNF-H and T2H/L2, were 95% and 75.7%, 65% and 86.5%, and 90.0% and 97.5%, respectively. Therefore, combined measurements of serum pNF-H and T2H/L2 might be useful for predicting long-term outcome in dogs with thoracolumbar IVDH.
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  • Hirotaka IGARASHI, Koichi OHNO, Aki FUJIWARA-IGARASHI, Hideyuki KANEMO ...
    2015 Volume 77 Issue 4 Pages 439-447
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: May 01, 2015
    Advance online publication: December 20, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Inflammatory colorectal polyps (ICRPs) frequently occur in miniature dachshunds (MDs) in Japan. MDs with ICRPs develop multiple polyps with severe neutrophil infiltration that respond to immunosuppressive therapy. Therefore, ICRPs are thought to constitute a novel, breed-specific form of canine inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) play a key role in the distinction of pathogens from commensal bacteria and food antigens. Dysfunction resulting from genetic disorders of PRRs have been linked to human and canine IBD. Therefore, we analyzed the reactivity of PRRs in MDs with ICRPs. Twenty-six MDs with ICRPs and 16 control MDs were recruited. Peripheral blood-derived monocytes were obtained from each dog and then stimulated with PRR ligands for 6 and 24 hr; subsequently, messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels and protein secretion of IL-1β were quantified using quantitative real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively. The levels of IL-1β mRNA and protein secretion after stimulation with a nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) ligand were significantly greater in monocytes from ICRP-affected MDs than in those from control MDs. In addition, IL-1β protein secretion induced by toll-like receptor (TLR) 1/2, TLR2 and TLR2/6 stimulation was also significantly greater in ICRP-affected MDs. These results suggest that reactivity against NOD2, TLR1/2, TLR2 and TLR2/6 signals is enhanced in ICRP-affected MDs and may play a role in the pathogenesis of ICRPs in MDs. Additional studies of the genetic background of these PRRs should be performed.
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  • Kazuhiko OKAI, Sadao TAHARAGUCHI, Yasuhiro ORITA, Hiroshi YOKOTA, Hiro ...
    2015 Volume 77 Issue 4 Pages 449-453
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: May 01, 2015
    Advance online publication: January 15, 2015
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    To contribute to early diagnosis and treatment of gastric ulcer of foals, we examined the gastric mucosa of healthy and affected foals using an endoscope. In healthy foals, the characteristic changes in the development of the squamous mucosa were seen mainly in the squamous mucosa, and maturation of the squamous mucosa in the greater curvature (GC-S) occurred more slowly than that of the squamous mucosa in the lesser curvature (LC-S). Epithelial desquamation in the LC-S and GC-S was observed between 6 and 90 days but was not observed in the LC-S at about 60 days, whereas it was observed in the GC-S until 90 days old. These findings suggest that there is a difference in the development of the gastric mucosa by region and that desquamation continues over a term longer than studies have reported in the past. In the affected foals, the minimum age at which gastric ulcer was observed was 4 days old. Gastric ulcers formed predominantly in the squamous mucosa (LC-S and GC-S) of foals with an immature mucosa before the weaning period, and the peak incidence occurred between 61 and 90 days old. The differences in the ulceration sites were considered to depend on the difference in the development (maturation) stage of the squamous mucosa. The grading score of the gastric ulcer increased with the growth of the affected foals. The gastric ulcer might be enhanced greatly by stress in the weaning period.
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  • Takuma AOKI, Hiroshi SUNAHARA, Keisuke SUGIMOTO, Tetsuro ITO, Eiichi K ...
    2015 Volume 77 Issue 4 Pages 487-491
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: May 01, 2015
    Advance online publication: December 19, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Case 1 involved a 4-month-old intact male Somali cat in which peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis (PPS) was recognized after a cardiac murmur remained following patent ductus arteriosus ligation. Case 2, which involved a 1-year-old neutered male Norwegian Forest cat, and Case 3, which involved a 6-month-old intact female American Curl cat, were referred, because of cardiac murmurs. Grades III to IV/VI systolic heart murmurs were auscultated at the left heart base in all 3 cats. All cases showed bilateral pulmonary artery stenosis, although there were no associated clinical signs. In Cases 1 and 2, the pressure gradient through the stenosis decreased after treatment with atenolol.
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  • Joohyun JUNG, Mincheol CHOI
    2015 Volume 77 Issue 4 Pages 499-502
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: May 01, 2015
    Advance online publication: December 27, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    A one-year-old, castrated male domestic short hair cat was admitted with a history of anorexia, regurgitation and pyrexia for two days. Fever and leukocytosis were identified. There were a large soft tissue density oval mass in the caudal mediastinum on thoracic radiographs, a fluid-filled oval mass in the caudal mediastinum on ultrasonography, and left-sided and ventrally displaced and compressed esophagus on esophagram. On esophageal endoscopy, there were no esophageal abnormalities. CT findings with a fluid filled mass with rim enhancement indicated a caudal mediastinal paraesophageal abscess. The patient was treated with oral antibiotics, because the owner declined percutaneous drainage and surgery. The patient was admitted on emergency with severe respiratory distress; and ruptured abscess and deteriorated pleuropneumonia were suspected. With intensive hospitalization care and additional antibiotic therapy, the patient had full recovery.
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  • Toyokazu KOBAYASHI, Hiroshi KOIE, Arisa WATANABE, Arisa INO, Kazuya WA ...
    2015 Volume 77 Issue 4 Pages 503-506
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: May 01, 2015
    Advance online publication: January 31, 2015
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    We examined the effects of chicken egg hydrolysate (also known as “bone peptide” or BP) on bone metabolism in 5- to 8-month-old orchidectomized dogs. The bone formation marker serum bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and the bone resorption marker urine deoxypyridinoline (DPD) were used as indicators to measure changes in bone metabolism. The following results were observed that Serum BAP was higher in dogs fed BP-enriched food throughout the clinical investigation. Serum BAP was statistically significantly higher in dogs fed BP-enriched food than in dogs fed non-BP-enriched food at 2 months after orchidectomy. This suggests that BP promoted bone formation immediately after orchidectomy.
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  • Yoshiro ENDO, Seiji HOBO, Kenji KOROSUE, Kenji OOTSUKA, Akira KITAUCHI ...
    2015 Volume 77 Issue 4 Pages 507-509
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: May 01, 2015
    Advance online publication: January 19, 2015
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    The present study evaluated the effects of single-dose filgrastim on hematology in 16 healthy horses after long-distance transportation. Horses were assigned to receive filgrastim (0.23 µg/kg, SC, once; G-CSF group; n=8) or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (0.3 ml, SC, once; control group; n=8) ≤ 1 hr before transportation. Horses were transported 2,530 km using commercial vans over the course of approximately 44 hr. Clinical examinations and hematologic analyses were performed on all horses before and after transportation. Because the post-transportation white blood cell counts and bacillary neutrophil to segmented neutrophil ratio were significantly higher in the G-CSF group, filgrastim may have promoted the mobilization of neutrophils from marrow. Filgrastim deserves a further study for efficacy in preventing horse shipping fever.
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Pathology
  • Takeshi YUI, Tetsuo OHMACHI, Kazuya MATSUDA, Minoru OKAMOTO, Hiroyuki ...
    2015 Volume 77 Issue 4 Pages 467-473
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: May 01, 2015
    Advance online publication: January 08, 2015
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Chordomas of the tip of the tail in 6 ferrets were examined using histopathological, histochemical and immunohistochemical procedures. Histopathologically, round neoplastic cells containing numerous cytoplasmic vacuoles of varying sizes, categorized as “physaliphorous cells”, were observed in the amorphous eosinophilic or pale basophilic myxoid stroma. Physaliphorous cells were arranged in lobules and in a “chordoid” or “cobblestone” manner. The neoplasms were diagnosed as benign chordoma without local invasion and metastasis. Histochemically, the cytoplasm of small neoplastic cells was positive for periodic acid-Schiff stain and alcian blue (AB) pH 2.5 and pH 1.0 stains, but negative for hyaluronidase digestion-AB pH 2.5 stain. All neoplastic cells were strongly stained with colloidal ion, negative for high iron diamine AB pH 2.5 and toluidine blue pH 2.5 stains, and positive for Mayer’s mucicarmine stain. Immunohistochemistry using antibodies directed against low-molecular-weight cytokeratins (CK18, CK19 and CK20), vimentin and mucin core protein (MUC5AC) revealed that neoplastic cells had both epithelial and mesenchymal elements. The expression of low-molecular-weight cytokeratins suggests that neoplastic cells acquired the properties of glandular epithelial cells and produced epithelial mucus. Furthermore, the expression of cytokeratins, vimentin, S100 protein, brachyury and epithelial membrane antigen indicates that the neoplasms were equivalent to the classic type of human chordoma. Therefore, immunohistochemistry using these antibodies can be useful for the characterization of ferret chordoma.
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  • Diana BINANTI, Davide Danilo ZANI
    2015 Volume 77 Issue 4 Pages 479-482
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: May 01, 2015
    Advance online publication: January 02, 2015
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    An 11-year-old cat with a 4-month history of lethargy, inappetence, dysphagia, partial mandibular paralysis and weight loss, was euthanized due to the rapid deterioration of his condition. Post-mortem radiographic examination revealed severe bone lysis of the left zygomatic arch, temporal and parietal bones. Magnetic resonance imaging of the head showed a large isointense mass of the left side of the skull associated with extensive lysis of the parietal and temporal bones and destruction of the adjacent tympanic bulla. Gross and histological examinations revealed a pulmonary adenosquamous carcinoma of the left lung, with metastases to the spleen, liver, mesenteric lymph nodes, mesentery, diaphragm, abdominal aorta, left orbit and calvaria. No limb or digit metastases were detected.
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Surgery
  • Jury KIM, Jiseong HEO, Dongbeom JI, Min-Su KIM
    2015 Volume 77 Issue 4 Pages 475-478
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: May 01, 2015
    Advance online publication: December 25, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    The purpose of this study was to quantitatively assess the pupillary light reflex (PLR) in normal and anesthetized dogs using a pupillometer. Eleven dogs (20 eyes) of various breeds were included. PLRs were measured with a handheld pupillometer in dim light before and during anesthesia. Anesthesia was conducted with atropine, xylazine and ketamine. Parameters of pupillometry included neurological pupil index (NPi), pupil size, percent of change (%CH), latency (LAT), constriction velocity (CV), maximum constriction velocity (MCV) and dilation velocity (DV). NPi,%CH, CV and MCV were significantly decreased during anesthesia compared with the pre-anesthesia data. The results suggest that atropine-xylazine-ketamine combination anesthesia depresses the PLR. Additionally, this study demonstrates the feasibility of the use of a pupillometer in dogs.
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  • Juyeon OH, Ju-Hwan LEE, Kyoung-Oh CHO, Jihye CHOI
    2015 Volume 77 Issue 4 Pages 493-497
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: May 01, 2015
    Advance online publication: January 10, 2015
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    This report described radiographic and CT features of atypical diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis in a 5 year-old, female Shih-tzu showing marked proliferative bone lesions in the appendicular skeleton with minor spinal changes. Continuous or flowing bony bridge formation of vertebrae is used as the gold standard for diagnosing diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis. However, this criterion seems not to be suitable for appendicular type diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, as in the present case. Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis is a progressive skeletal disease, and thus, enthesophytosis and the multiple bony proliferations at insertion sites of ligaments and tendons to appendicular bones in a lamellar or trabecular pattern were considered diagnostic features of the appendicular type of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis.
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Virology
  • Hiroyuki MORI, Tetsuya TANAKA, Masami MOCHIZUKI
    2015 Volume 77 Issue 4 Pages 405-411
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: May 01, 2015
    Advance online publication: December 19, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Ticks are known to transmit various pathogens, radically threatening humans and animals. Despite the close contact between ticks and viruses, our understanding on their interaction and biology is still lacking. The aim of this study was to experimentally assess the interaction between canine parvovirus (CPV) and a widely distributed hard tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, in laboratory condition. After inoculation of CPV into the hemocoel of the ticks, polymerase chain reaction assay revealed that CPV persisted in inoculated unfed adult female ticks for 28 days. Canine parvovirus was recovered from the inoculated ticks using a cell culture, indicating that the virus retained intact in the ticks after inoculation, but significant positive reaction indicating virus infection was not detected in the tick organs by immunofluorescence antibody test using a monoclonal antibody. In the case of ticks inoculated with feline leukemia virus, the virus had shorter persistence in the ticks compared to CPV. These findings provide significant important information on the characteristic interaction of tick with non-tick-borne virus.
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  • Tsuyoshi NIWA, Hiroaki SHIRAFUJI, Kazufumi IKEMIYAGI, Yoshiki NITTA, M ...
    2015 Volume 77 Issue 4 Pages 455-460
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: May 01, 2015
    Advance online publication: December 28, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    In September 2012, several cows and a calf showed decreased activity, anorexia and fever on Ishigaki Island, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, and the cases were diagnosed as bovine ephemeral fever (BEF). We isolated BEF virus (BEFV) from one of the affected cows and then determined the complete genome sequence of the G gene, which encodes a class I transmembrane glycoprotein of BEFV. The BEFV isolate in this case, ON-3/E/12, was sorted into the same cluster as other BEFV isolates in Japan, Taiwan and China obtained in 1996−2004 and was most closely related to a 2002 Chinese isolate, JT02L, according to the phylogenetic analysis of the complete G gene. Since inactivated vaccines for BEF available in Japan are considered effective against the ON-3/E/12 isolate as well as other isolates in East Asia from 1996−2004, annual vaccination should be conducted to prevent BEF in Okinawa. Additionally, in this study, we developed an RT-PCR assay to detect the BEFV gene in Japan and neighboring countries. Our assay was able to amplify target sequences in all of the tested BEFV isolates, including 18 isolates in Japan and another isolate in Australia. The assay was found to be useful also for testing RNA samples extracted from bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and the detection limit of the assay was 10 copies per tube. We believe that our assay would be an important tool for the screening of BEFV infection and the diagnosis of BEF.
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  • Takeo SAKAI, Ayako ISHII, Takao SEGAWA, Yukihiko TAKAGI, Yuki KOBAYASH ...
    2015 Volume 77 Issue 4 Pages 461-465
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: May 01, 2015
    Advance online publication: December 27, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    The Flinders Technology Associates filter paper cards (FTA® cards) can be used to store nucleic acid from various samples and are easily portable. However, RNA is physicochemically unstable compared with DNA, and appropriate methods have not been established for storage and extraction of RNA from FTA® cards. The present study investigated the optimum conditions for storage and elution of viral RNA (vRNA) using rabies virus (RABV) applied to FTA® cards. When TE buffer was used, the elution rates of vRNA increased with the length of the elution time. When the cards were stored at −80°C or −20°C, vRNA was stable over 3 months. Degradation of vRNAs occurred following storage at 4°C and room temperature, suggesting that RNA should be extracted from cards as soon as possible if no freezer is available. When we tried to amplify vRNA from RABV-infected animal brains applied to FTA® cards and stored at −80°C for 6 months, we did not detect any amplified products with the primer set for 964 bp of RABV N gene. However, we were able to detect amplified products by increasing the elution time of vRNA from FTA® cards from 30 min to 24 hr or by changing the primer sets to amplify 290 bp of N gene. Thus, we recommend extending the elution time for damaged or low concentration samples in FTA® cards.
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