The expressions of Toll-like receptor (TLR) -2, -4 and -9 were immunohistochemically investigated in the follicle-associated epithelium (FAE), and epithelia of the follicle-associated intestinal villus (FAIV) and ordinary intestinal villus (IV) in rat Peyer’s patch regions with no bacterial colonies on the mucous membranes. TLR-2 was expressed in the striated borders of microvillous columnar epithelial cells (MV) in both FAIV and IV except in the apices. However, TLR-2 expression in the striated borders was weaker in the epithelium of the follicular side of FAIV (f-FAIV) than in epithelia of IV and the anti-follicular side of FAIV. TLR-4 and -9 were not expressed in the FAIV and IV. In the FAE, TLR-2, -4 and -9 were not expressed in the striated borders of MV, but the roofs of some typical M-cells were immunopositive for all TLRs. Especially, no TLR-positive MV were found at the FAE sites where M-cells appeared most frequently. In the follicle-associated intestinal crypt (FAIC), immunopositivity for all TLRs was observed in the striated borders of MV and the luminal substances. In conclusion, the lower levels of TLR-2 in both FAE and the epithelium of f-FAIV probably reduce recognition of indigenous bacteria. TLR-2, -4 and -9 appear not to participate directly in differentiation of MV into M-cells, because TLRs were not expressed in any MV in the upstream region of M-cells in FAE with no settlement of indigenous bacteria in the rat Peyer’s patches.

A multiplex PCR (m-PCR) with primers targeting the 16S rRNA, Rv3873 and a 12.7-kb fragment in the genomes of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex was designed for the differential diagnosis of M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. bovis BCG and non-tuberculosis Mycobacterium (NTM). The specificity of this assay was 100%, and the detection limit was 15 pg of genomic DNA. Of the 206 blinded clinical samples, the detection rate of M. bovis infection by m-PCR was lower than that of the interferon gamma (IFN-γ) release assay; however, the false-positive rate by the tuberculin skin test and false-negative samples in the IFN-γ release assay were reduced. Our findings indicated that our m-PCR method is a useful tool for complementation to differentiate M. bovis from M. tuberculosis and NTM species.

Various chemotherapies and radiation therapies are useful for killing cancer cells mainly by inducing DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Uncovering the molecular mechanisms of DSB repair processes is crucial for developing next-generation radiotherapies and chemotherapeutics for human and animal cancers. XRCC4 plays a critical role in Ku-dependent nonhomologous DNA-end joining (NHEJ) in human cells, and is one of the core NHEJ factors. The localization of core NHEJ factors, such as human Ku70 and Ku80, might play a crucial role in regulating NHEJ activity. Recently, companion animals, such as canines, have been proposed to be a good model in many aspects of cancer research. However, the localization and regulation mechanisms of core NHEJ factors in canine cells have not been elucidated. Here, we show that the expression and subcellular localization of canine XRCC4 changes dynamically during the cell cycle. Furthermore, EYFP-canine XRCC4 accumulates quickly at laser-microirradiated DSB sites. The structure of a putative human XRCC4 nuclear localization signal (NLS) is highly conserved in canine, chimpanzee and mouse XRCC4. However, the amino acid residue corresponding to the human XRCC4 K210, thought to be important for nuclear localization, is not conserved in canine XRCC4. Our findings might be useful for the study of the molecular mechanisms of Ku-dependent NHEJ in canine cells and the development of new radiosensitizers that target XRCC4.

Neurological signs and serum acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChR-Ab) levels before and after thymectomy were monitored in a 6-year-old male cat with acquired Myasthenia Gravis (MG) as a paraneoplastic syndrome of thymoma. Soon after surgery, the neurological symptoms relapsed, and the cholinesterase inhibitor was administered to control them. The AChR-Ab levels increased postoperatively until 90 days after surgery. This is the first report on long term measurements of serum AChR-Ab levels in a cat with MG. Although thymectomy is valuable for the removal of thymoma, it may not resolve MG symptoms, neurological signs and serum AChR-Ab levels, without medication early after surgery. Also, this case report indicates that the AChR-Ab level might be a guide to detect a deterioration of MG symptoms.

Helminth-induced type 2 cytokines increase the number of regulatory T cells and alternatively activated macrophages, resulting in modulation of the host–immune system. Studies on these parasite-induced immunoregulatory mechanisms might contribute to the development of new therapies for inflammatory diseases, including type 2 diabetes (T2D). Previous studies have suggested that progression of obesity-associated metabolic abnormalities is under pathophysiological control of CD4+ T cells. Glucose absorption through the intestinal epithelium reduced after infection in a STAT-6-dependent manner. In this study, we investigated whether infection with the gastrointestinal nematode parasite Heligmosomoides polygyrus (Hp) can modulate T2D-associated pathology in a mouse model (KK-Ay/TaJcl). KK-Ay/TaJcl mice were inoculated with infective third-stage Hp larvae and studied at Day 8 following infection. Uninfected KK-Ay/TaJcl mice showed high blood glucose levels even 120 min after administration of glucose by IP injection. However, it was significantly improved in the infected group. HOMA-IR, fat accumulation and FAS gene expression in the liver were significantly decreased by Hp infection. GLUT2 gene expression in this group was significantly lower than that in the uninfected diabetic mice, which might be related to the decrease in glucose absorption in the parasite-infected intestine. In conclusion, helminth-induced type 2 immune responses might contribute to T2D disease control.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) of the hepatic vein can assess intrahepatic hemodynamic changes and has been studied as a noninvasive method to assess the severity of portal hypertension and hepatic fibrosis in humans. However, few reports have described its usefulness in veterinary medicine. The purpose of this study was to characterize CEUS findings of the hepatic vein in normal dogs and assess the repeatability of this method both in a conscious group (n=6) and a sedated group (n=6). Sonazoid^® (0.01 ml/kg) was used as a contrast agent, and scanning of the hepatic vein was performed for 2 min. Time-intensity curves were generated from regions of interest in the hepatic vein. Four perfusion parameters were measured for quantitative analysis: hepatic vein arrival time (HVAT), time to peak (TTP), time to peak phase (TTPP) and wash-out ratio (WR). CEUS examinations were performed three times in each dog. The median (range) values of HVAT, TTP, TTPP and WR in the conscious group were 13.5 sec (9–22 sec), 12.5 sec (6–24 sec), 8 sec (6–13 sec) and 78.0% (60.7–91.7%), respectively. Median (range) values of HVAT, TTP, TTPP and WR in the sedated group were 12 sec (8–17 sec), 12.5 sec (9–17 sec), 9 sec (7–13 sec) and 84.1% (63.0–94.4%), respectively. The coefficients of variation of these parameters in the conscious and sedated groups were 7.6–29.7% and 11.8–14.8%, respectively.

Kidney size may be altered in renal diseases, and the detection of kidney size alteration has diagnostic and prognostic values. We hypothesized that radiographic kidney size, the kidney length to the second lumbar vertebra (L2) length ratio, in normal Miniature Schnauzer dogs may be overestimated due to their shorter vertebral length. This study was conducted to evaluate radiographic and ultrasonographic kidney size and L2 length in clinically normal Miniature Schnauzers and other dog breeds to evaluate the effect of vertebral length on radiographic kidney size and to reestablish radiographic kidney size in normal Miniature Schnauzers. Abdominal radiographs and ultrasonograms from 49 Miniature Schnauzers and 54 other breeds without clinical evidence of renal disease and lumbar vertebral abnormality were retrospectively evaluated. Radiographic kidney size, in the Miniature Schnauzer (3.31 ± 0.26) was significantly larger than that in other breeds (2.94 ± 0.27). Relative L2 length, the L2 length to width ratio, in the Miniature Schnauzer (1.11 ± 0.06) was significantly shorter than that in other breeds (1.21 ± 0.09). However, ultrasonographic kidney sizes, kidney length to aorta diameter ratios, were within or very close to normal range both in the Miniature Schnauzer (6.75 ± 0.67) and other breeds (7.16 ± 1.01). Thus, Miniature Schnauzer dogs have breed-specific short vertebrae and consequently a larger radiographic kidney size, which was greater than standard reference in normal adult dogs. Care should be taken when evaluating radiographic kidney size in Miniature Schnauzers to prevent falsely diagnosed renomegaly.

Proliferative and necrotising otitis externa (PNOE) is a very rare disease affecting the ear canals and concave pinnae of kittens. This report describes a 5-month-old cat with PNOE. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis. Treatment was initiated with local injection of methylprednisolone acetate into the lesions. The cat was subsequently treated with clobetasol propionate cream, a potent topical glucocorticoid ointment. The cat showed marked improvement. While topical treatment with tacrolimus, an immunosuppressive agent, is reported to be an effective therapy, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to treat PNOE with local corticosteroid therapy.

Our previous study suggested that the highly toxic α,β-unsaturated aldehyde acrolein, a byproduct of oxidative stress, plays a major role in acetaminophen-induced liver injury. In this study, to determine the involvement of acrolein in the liver injury and to identify novel therapeutic options for the liver damage, we examined two putative acrolein scavengers, a thiol compound cysteamine and a hydroxylamine N-benzylhydroxylamine, in cell culture and in mice. Our results showed that cysteamine and N-benzylhydroxylamine effectively prevented the cell toxicity of acrolein in vitro and acetaminophen-induced liver injury in vivo, which suggested that acrolein is involved in the liver damage, and these two drugs can be potential therapeutic options for this condition.

Gastrointestinal zoonotic helminths of dogs and cats have a public health concern worldwide. We investigated the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths of zoonotic significance in dogs and cats in lower Northern Thailand and utilized molecular tools for species identification of hookworms and Opisthorchis viverrini. Fecal samples of 197 dogs and 180 cats were collected. Overall prevalence of infection using microscopy was 40.1% in dogs and 33.9% in cats. Helminth infection found in both dogs and cats included hookworms, Spirometra spp., Taenia spp., Toxocara spp., O. viverrini, Strongyloides spp. and Trichuris spp. Hookworms were the most common helminth in dogs, while Spirometra spp. were the most prevalent in cats. Among hookworm infection in dogs and cats, Ancylostoma ceylanicum was the most prevalent hookworm, being 82.1% in hookworm infected dogs and 95.8% in hookworm infected cats. Mixed-infection due to hookworms and Spirometra spp. was the most dominant in both dogs and cats. Our finding showed that zoonotic helminth infection is highly prevalent in dogs and cats in the lower Northern area of Thailand.

We screened cattle and goats from the districts of Chama, Monze and Mumbwa in Zambia for animal African trypanosomes, Babesia bigemina and Theileria parva using PCRs; 38.1% of the samples tested positive for at least one of the parasite species. The most common parasite was Trypanosoma vivax (19.8%). Its incidence was significantly higher in goats than in cattle, (P<0.05). B. bigemina was found in samples from all the three areas, making it the most widespread of the parasites in Zambia. Among the tested samples, 12.0% of the positive samples were mixed infections. There were significant differences in the infection rates of T. vivax (Mumbwa had a significantly higher infection rate [39.6%, P<0.0001]), Th. parva (Monze had the only cases [P<0.0004]) and B. bigemina (Monze had a significantly higher infection rate [40.5%, P<0.0001]). According to the hematocrit values, the packed cell volume (%) among the cattle with mixed infections was significantly lower than that of the other cattle. The presence of multiple parasite species and mixed infections among the Zambian cattle and goat populations is of both clinical and economic importance to livestock farming. The absence of trypanosomosis among the samples from Monze can be attributed to tsetse eradication efforts that took place around Lake Kariba. This shows that the prevention and control of these parasitic diseases can have a significant impact on the disease status, which can translate directly into the improvement of the livestock sector in Zambia.

Considering the scarce information on occurrences of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in domestic animals from Turkey, the aim of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of these parasite infections in cattle, horses, sheep, goats and dogs in Turkey. The specific antibodies against T. gondii and N. caninum were detected by iELISAs based on the recombinant TgSAG2 or NcSAG1 in a total of 2,039 serum samples from eleven provinces. The seroprevalence of T. gondii infections was 46.3%, 4.0%, 20.0%, 12.9% and 19.8%, that of N. caninum infections was 0.3%, 7.4%, 2.1%, 3.2% and 16.6% in the horses, cattle, sheep, goats and dogs, respectively. These results indicated that T. gondii and N. caninum infections are prevalent in Turkish domestic animals.

A new rumen escapable tool is presented for cattle in prospect of developing medical treatment or supplementing trace elements for disease prevention. This tool consists of a three-layered capsule that dissolves in the lower digestive tract, but not in the rumen. The capsule was manufactured by capsule-forming techniques through the use of liquid surface tension. This method does not involve high-temperature treatment, so the capsule can contain not only lipophilic substances but also hydrophilic or heat-sensitive substances. Furthermore, the capsule has a specific gravity of 1.3 and diameter of 6.0 mm, which were previously shown to be appropriate to avoid rumination. The objective of this study was to confirm the effectiveness of the capsule pertinent to rumen escaping. In order to validate rumen escape, capsules containing 30 g of water-soluble vitamin (thiamine hydrochloride) per head were administered to four lactating cows assigned in a crossover trial. In the group administered encapsulated thiamine hydrochloride, blood thiamine levels increased from 12.4 ± 1.03 ng/ml before administration to 54.8 ± 2.21 ng/ml at 6 hr following administration, whereas the level remained at 13.3 ± 2.05 ng/ml in the control group administered via aqueous solution. This indicates that the three-layered capsules passed through the rumen and dissolved in the lower digestive tract, thus functioning as a rumen escapable tool.

Though Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) system-dependent apoptosis is considered to be the primary form of cell death in regressing corpus luteum (CL), the cellular identity and regulation of expression of the ligand and receptor molecules are not fully understood. Here, we focused on immunohistochemical determination of Fas expression during natural regression with comparison of three different types of rat CLs. Detected Fas was in good spatial association with cleaved caspase-3 and FasL proteins and with macrophages and neutrophils. In CLs of the cycle and pseudopregnancy, Fas-positive cell types included large and small luteal (steroidogenic) cells and capillary endothelial cells mainly, and blood-derived immune cells occasionally. Fas signals were abundant at multiple focal inflammatory-like sites. In contrast, Fas signals in CL of pregnancy did not localize in steroidogenic cells, but almost exclusively in endothelial cells and granulocytes. The signals scattered evenly throughout the CL tissue as phagocytes also did. In all CLs types, the numbers of Fas-expressing cells increased transiently after functional inactivation and at the early phase of structural regression. This observation revealed spatio-temporally regulated expression of Fas that was highly associated with apoptotic and phagocytotic systems and type-dependent differences in Fas expression and phagocytes dynamics in naturally regressing CL of rats.

Resistance to antimicrobials was measured in 73 isolates of Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) and 121 isolates of Campylobacter coli (C. coli) from chicken and swine feces and carcasses in Korea. Both bacterial species showed the highest resistance to (fluoro) quinolones (ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid) out of the nine antimicrobials tested. Erythromycin resistance was much higher in C. coli (19.0%, 23/121) than in C. jejuni (6.8%, 5/73). The mutation in the 23S rRNA gene was primarily responsible for macrolide resistance in Campylobacter isolates. Several amino acid substitutions in the L4 and L22 ribosomal proteins may play a role in the mechanism of resistance, but the role requires further evaluation. A total of eight virulence genes were detected in 28 erythromycin-resistant Campylobacter isolates. All C. jejuni isolates carried more than four such genes, while C. coli isolates carried fewer than three such genes. The high rate of resistance highlights the need to employ more prudent use of critically important antimicrobials, such as fluoroquinolones and macrolides, in swine and poultry production, and to more carefully monitor antimicrobial resistance in Campylobacter isolates in food animals.

Pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) is widely used for listeriosis surveillance. Although this technique is effective for epidemiology, the data among laboratories are inconsistent. We previously reported a method for Listeria monocytogenes subtyping combined with sequence analysis of partial iap and whole genome restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) using XbaI, ClaI (BanIII) and PstI. However, distinguishing subtypes was challenging, because the output comprised complicated fragment patterns. In this study, we aimed to establish a simple genotyping method that does not depend on visual observation, rather it focuses on multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) using three genes, iap, sigB and actA. Sixty-eight strains of L. monocytogenes including EGD-e as a reference strain were investigated to ensure consistency with previous data on the genetic characterization. All strains were grouped into 29 types by both analyses. Although there are some differences in classification, major clades included the same strains. Simpson’s indices of diversity (SID) by MLST and iap-RFLP-based typing were 0.967 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.955/0.978) and 0.967 (95% CI: 0.955/0.979), respectively. The discriminatory power of both methods can be considered almost identical. Compared with the results of 38 selected strains, the strains within the MLST clusters in this study coincided with those obtained using PFGE. Thus, the MLST strategy could help differentiate among L. monocytogenes isolates during epidemiological studies.

A Corriedale ewe was confirmed as the first atypical scrapie case during an active surveillance program for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies in small ruminants in Japan. The animal was homozygous for the AF₁₄₁RQ haplotype of PRNP. The animal showed clinical neurological signs possibly due to listeriosis before culling. Western blot analysis showed an unusual multiple banded pattern with a low-molecular fragment at ~7 kDa. Histopathology revealed suppurative meningoencephalitis caused by listeriosis in the brainstem. Fine granular to globular immunostaining of disease-associated prion proteins was mainly detected in the neuropil of the spinal tract of the trigeminal nerve and in the white matter of the spinocerebellar tract. Based on these results, this case was conclusively diagnosed as atypical scrapie with encephalitic listeriosis.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the protein expression pattern and the in vivo trichogenicity of dermal papilla-like tissues (DPLTs) made from canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) in athymic nude mice. Canine ASCs were isolated and cultured from adipose tissue, and differentiation was induced by culturing ASCs in dermal papilla forming media. DPLTs were embedded in collagen gel, and their structural characteristics and protein expression were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin stain and immunohistochemistry. Athymic nude mice were divided into two groups (control and DPLTs groups), and DPLTs were injected in skin wounds of mice in the DPLTs group. The trichogenicity of DPLTs was assessed by gross and histological evaluations for 30 days. The fate and the growth factor-secretion effect of DPLTs were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. DPLTs have a compact aggregated structure, form extracellular matrix and highly express the protein specific for dermal papillae, including ALP and versican. New hair follicle formation was remarkable in nude mice of the DPLTs group in gross findings and H&E stain. Vascularization was increased in the DPLTs group, which was the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor secreted by DPLTs in vitro and in vivo. These data suggest that engineered canine DPLTs have characteristics of dermal papillae and have a positive effect on hair regeneration by secreting growth factors.

Propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol), being used as an intravenous sedative and anesthetic agent, influences not only upon nervous system but also for host inflammatory response through modulating neutrophil functions. This study is designed to evaluate the modulating effects of propofol and its lipid carrier administration at clinically relevant rate on canine neutrophil functions. Clinically healthy beagle dogs were received propofol (8.8 mg/kg) from cephalic vein and maintained with propofol dropping infusion (26.4 mg/kg/hr). Blood samples were collected from the dogs before infusion and 30 min after the start of propofol administration, and neutrophil functions were evaluated. The dogs were also administered lipid carrier, and neutrophil functions were evaluated in the same manner as propofol administration. Peripheral white blood cell and neutrophil counts decreased after the propofol or lipid carrier administration. The administration of propofol or lipid carrier significantly reduced neutrophil adherence ability. The superoxide production of neutrophils was measured by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence response using with opsonized zymosan. Peak height of neutrophil chemiluminescence curve was reduced by propofol and lipid carrier administration, on the contrary, peak time of neutrophil chemiluminescence curve was delayed. Administration of propofol or lipid carrier also reduced neutrophil adherence ability to nylon fibers. In the present study, we showed the modulating effects of propofol and its lipid carrier on canine neutrophil functions. However, there was no significant difference in the modulating effects between propofol group and lipid carrier group. Therefore, the modulating effects observed here were deeply concerned in lipid carrier administration.

We evaluated comparatively the mechanical strength in three kinds of surgical fixation techniques for canine atlantoaxial joint. Atlantoaxial plate fixation (APF), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) fixation (PMF) and transarticular fixation (TAF) were applied to the atlas and axis harvested from healthy beagle dogs, and then, the specimens were tested. The PMF group had significantly higher resistance to flexion than the APF group (P=0.030) and the TAF group (P=0.004). There were no significant differences in resistance to torsion between the APF group and the PMF group, while the APF group had significantly higher resistance to torsion than the TAF group (P=0.037). Considering the possible drawbacks of using PMMA, the APF method is proposed as an alternative to the PMF method.

A 1-year-old healthy female cross-breed dog, weighing 4.5 kg, was scheduled for elective neutering. Fentanyl (5 µg/kg) and propofol (4 mg/kg) were administered intravenously (IV) to induce anesthesia, which was maintained with isoflurane and a constant fentanyl infusion rate (10 µg/kg/hr). During the recovery from the anesthesia, the presence of bilateral dense submandibular masses was recognized, as was the excessive secretion of saliva. An ultrasound examination was performed and revealed bilateral abnormally-diffused enlargement of the submandibular salivary glands. A cytology examination was conducted, and no signs of abnormality were found. The size of the swellings subsequently diminished, completely subsiding after 2 hr, as did the hyper-salivation. To the authors’ knowledge, this represents the first case report of an acute transient swelling of submandibular glands after general anesthesia in a dog.

Canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC) viruses have been detected in dogs with respiratory illness. Canine influenza virus (CIV), canine parainfluenza virus (CPIV), canine distemper virus (CDV), canine respiratory coronavirus (CRCoV), canine adenovirus type 2 (CAdV-2) and canine herpesvirus 1 (CaHV-1), are all associated with the CIRDC. To allow diagnosis, two conventional multiplex polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were developed to simultaneously identify four RNA and two DNA viruses associated with CIRDC. The two multiplex PCR assays were then validated on 102 respiratory samples collected from 51 dogs with respiratory illness by sensitivity and specificity determination in comparison to conventional simplex PCR and a rapid three-antigen test kit. All six viruses were detected in either individual or multiple infections. The developed multiplex PCR assays had a >87% sensitivity and 100% specificity compared to their simplex counterpart. Compared to the three-antigen test kit, the multiplex PCR assays yielded 100% sensitivity and more than 83% specificity for detection of CAdV-2 and CDV, but not for CIV. Therefore, the developed multiplex PCR modalities were able to simultaneously diagnose a panel of CIRDC viruses and facilitated specimen collection through being suitable for use of nasal or oral samples.

To determine the occurrence and genetic diversity of Sapelovirus A (SV-A) in diarrhea and non-diarrhea feces of Korean pigs, 110 specimens from different age groups of pigs in the same farm were analyzed by RT-nested PCR. SV-As were detected in 60% of both diarrhea and non-diarrhea specimens regardless of age groups with primer pairs for 2C region, in which all diarrhea samples were co-infected by other enteric pathogens. Phylogenetical analysis of partial VP1 region showed that our strains and several other Korean strains belonged to cluster I, distinct from some strains reported in Korea and other countries. These data indicate that genetically distinct SV-As are frequently detected in Korean pigs irrespective of diarrhea and age.

Ultrasonographic measurements of kidney size are useful in the practical diagnosis of kidney diseases in animals. In tigers, there is a lack of information regarding the ultrasonography methods used to measure the kidney size of the tiger. Thirty-three healthy captive tigers (Panthera tigris) were placed in lateral recumbency for ultrasonography. The measurements obtained from the ultrasonography were computed, and the results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between genders in terms of body weight and renal length. The length of the right kidney was significantly different from that of the left kidney (10.23 ± 0.76 cm in males versus 9.94 ± 0.80 cm in females; P<0.05). Interestingly, this study demonstrated that kidney length was statistically significantly associated with the body weight, and it also had a positive linear relationship with the body weight. Therefore, ultrasonographic renal dimensions could prove to be beneficial and modality for use in the evaluation of kidneys in unconscious tigers. However, kidney size evaluation must be performed using not only ultrasound but other clinical forms of technology and parameters.

To clarify the reproductive cycle of female Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis), the fecal concentrations of progesterone and 17β-estradiol metabolites were measured. Fecal samples were collected on a weekly basis for one year (between October, 2012 and September, 2013) from five healthy adult hinds in Thailand. At the beginning of the study, three hinds were pregnant. Two hinds delivered one healthy offspring, and one hind delivered a stillborn calf. The mating period of Rusa hinds in Thailand is from November to April. In pregnant hinds, fecal progesterone metabolite concentration was high in late pregnancy and abruptly declined to the baseline around parturition, suggesting that the placenta secretes a large amount of progesterone. Fecal 17β-estradiol metabolite concentration remained elevated around the day of parturition. Both concentrations of fecal progesterone and 17β-estradiol metabolites in non-lactating hinds were significantly higher than those in lactating hinds, indicating that ovarian activity of lactating hinds is suppressed by the suckling stimulus of fawn during lactation. The present study demonstrated that monitoring of fecal steroid hormones is useful method for assessing ovarian function in this species.

Orf virus infection has been prevalent continuously in the population of wild Japanese serows (Capricornis crispus), goat-like grazing cloven-hoofed mammal species that live mainly in mountainous areas of Japan. Currently, definitive diagnosis of infection requires time-consuming laboratory work. To diagnose rapidly on-site, we developed a field-friendly procedure for the detection of orf virus from oral cavity lesions. DNA was extracted from goat saliva spiked with orf virus as a proxy for Japanese serows by a commercial kit without the use of electricity, and the quality of the extracted DNA was evaluated by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Extracted DNA was amenable to DNA amplification, the same as when extracted in a laboratory. Next, to find optimal conditions for DNA amplification by loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), Bst and Csa DNA polymerases and 3 colorimetric indicators for visual diagnosis, hydroxy naphthol blue (HNB), malachite green and D-QUICK, were compared using a portable cordless incubator. The combination of Bst or Csa DNA polymerase with HNB was found to be easiest for visual diagnosis by the naked eye, and viral DNA was successfully amplified from all orf virus strains used. These results suggest that the procedure established here can work completely on-site and can be useful for definitive diagnosis and differentiation of orf virus infection in Japanese serows in remote mountainous areas.

Capillaria hepatica is a zoonotic nematode that uses rodents and other mammals as hosts, especially rats and mice, and causes hepatic granuloma and eventually fibrosis/cirrhosis. However, C. hepatica infection in nutria, a large semiaquatic rodent, has rarely been reported, and histopathologic features of the infection have not been described in detail. We conducted necropsy on 36 wild nutrias. Some animals were found to have milky spots, parasitic eggs and worms within hepatic microgranuloma involving central calcification with cell debris, macrophages, eosinophils and multinucleated giant cells (MGCs). Interestingly, the eggs were closely surrounded by MGCs and appeared to be destroyed without inducing further chronic changes. Based on microscopical examination, C. hepatica infection was diagnosed, and we describe its histopathological characteristics in wild nutrias.