ABSTRACT. To determine the distribution of Babesia gibsoni infection in dogs in the eastern part of Japan, an epidemiological survey of dogs suspected of having B. gibsoni infection was attempted using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Thirty-five of 115 such dogs (30.4%) were positive by PCR and/or ELISA. The 35 positive dogs consisted of 28 Tosa dogs, 4 American Pit Bull Terriers, and 3 mongrel dogs in Aomori, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Gunma, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Nagano Prefectures. The positive dogs had a significantly lower rate of tick exposure and a higher rate of bites by other dogs. Twentytwo of 35 B. gibsoni-positive dogs were infected with hemoplasma, and the rate of infection was significantly higher than that of B. gibsoni-negative dogs.

The Noma horse is a Japanese breed from the Noma region of Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture. To obtain reference hematological and biochemical values, we performed examinations in 39 clinically healthy, mature Noma horses managed at the Imabari public ranch. Hematological and biochemical results of Noma horses were close to the normal ranges of horses in the U.S.A. The erythrocyte parameters and hepatobiliary enzyme levels in Noma and Kiso horses were lower than those in Japanese racehorses. Noma horses showed higher erythrocyte parameters and triglyceride concentrations and a lower creatinine concentration compared with those in Kiso horses. These data represent the first report of reference values for Noma horses and may be useful to improve their management.

ABSTRACT. DNA fragments of 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum', a feline heamobartonella pathogen, were detected from unfed Ixodes ovatus collected from vegetation in Hokkaido, Fukushima and Yamaguchi Prefectures, and unfed Haemaphysalis flava in Yamaguchi Prefecture. This finding suggests that ixodid tick is a possible vector of 'C. Mycoplasma haemominutum'. Spiroplasma DNA was also detected from unfed I. ovatus in Hokkaido, Fukushima and Yamaguchi Prefectures. The analysis of nucleotides sequence suggested that this Spiroplasma was distinct from registered species.

ABSTRACT. We evaluated the usefulness of polymerase chain reaction for antigen receptor gene rearrangement analysis (PARR) of endoscopic biopsy specimens for diagnosis of canine alimentary lymphoma. Two endoscopic biopsy specimens were obtained from each lesion in 78 dogs with gastrointestinal symptoms. One specimen was histopathologically examined by a pathologist, and the other was analyzed by PARR. All samples were categorized into three groups [lymphoma (n=4), adenocarcinoma (n=5) and enteritis groups (n=69)] based on the histopathological diagnosis. In the lymphoma group, one case was IgH major-positive, and three cases were TCR-positive, representing clonal expansion of B-and T-cells, respectively. PARR produced negative results for all cases in the adenocarcinoma group. In the enteritis group, six cases were TCR-positive. Two of the six TCR-positive enteritis cases were cytologically diagnosed as lymphoma by fine needle aspiration during a laparotomy. In the enteritis group, the survival times were compared between the TCR-positive and TCR-negative cases. The overall survival time of the TCR-positive enteritis cases was significantly shorter than that of the TCR-negative enteritis cases according to a log-rank test (p<0.0001). With regard to other factors, such as age, clinical signs and the serum albumin concentration, there were no significant differences between the TCR-positive and TCR-negative enteritis cases. In conclusion, PARR is capable of detecting alimentary lymphoma and latent alimentary lymphoma, which cannot be histopathologically diagnosed using endoscopic biopsy specimens. Furthermore, a TCR-positive result in PARR may imply a poor prognosis.

ABSTRACT:The Iriomote cat (IC; Prionailurus iriomotensis) and the Tsushima leopard cat (TLC; Prionailurus bengalensis euptilura) are endangered wild felids in Japan. As a part of ongoing conservation activities, we conducted a molecular, epidemiologic survey of Bartonella, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma infections in wild IC and TLC populations. Blood samples (47 from 33 individual IC; 22 from 13 TLC) were collected between August 2002 and January 2011. Using PCR analysis, we confirmed the presence of Bartonella henselae in ICs and Bartonella clarridgeiae in TLCs, with prevalences of 6% and 8%, respectively. Using PCR and basic local alignment search tool analyses, we identified Ehrlichia canis in both cats and Anaplasma bovis in TLCs. The prevalence of E. canis was 12% in ICs and 8% in TLCs, and the prevalence of A. bovis was 15% in TLCs. This is the first report, to our knowledge, of B. henselae, B. clarridgeiae, E. canis, and A. bovis infections in these two endangered species. Continuous monitoring of these pathogens is needed for their conservation.