Metatranscriptomic identification of novel RNA viruses from raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) feces in Japan.

The raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), classified in the order Carnivora within the family Canidae, is native to East Asia and widely distributed throughout Japan due to its adaptability to various environments. Despite the close relationship between raccoon dogs and other animals, viruses infecting raccoon dogs have not been thoroughly investigated in Japan. In this study, we performed metatranscriptomic analyses using fecal samples collected from latrines of wild raccoon dogs in two locations on mainland Japan.

Surveillance and genetic diversity of bovine viral diarrhea virus in dairy herds across Taiwan.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) significantly impacts cattle worldwide, causing respiratory, gastrointestinal, and reproductive disorders that lead to substantial economic losses. Despite its high global prevalence and various genotypes, the infection status of BVDV in Taiwan has not been reported. This study conducted large-scale surveillance in 2014, analyzing 460 bovine serum samples collected from 49 dairy herds across Taiwan.

Development of Dembo-PCR for cattle in accordance with Japanese livestock quarantine guidelines.

Detection of microorganisms from bovine using real-time PCR (Dembo-PCR) is a comprehensive detection technique that was developed to detect pathogens causing bovine diseases. In Japan, the definitive tests for monitored infectious diseases, which are defined by law, are carried out at government agencies. On the other hand, the existence of pathogens other than monitored infectious diseases are not well understood.

Isolation and genetic characterization of novel bovine parechoviruses from Japanese black cattle.

Novel bovine parechoviruses (Bo ParVs) were isolated from the feces of Japanese black cattle. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the novel Bo ParVs formed an independent cluster, exhibiting 72.2-75.

Pathogenicity of genotype 2.1 classical swine fever virus isolated from Japan in 2019 in pigs.

Classical swine fever (CSF) re-emerged in Japan in 2018 for the first time in 26 years. The disease has been known to be caused by a moderately pathogenic virus, rather than the highly pathogenic virus that had occurred in the past. However, the underlying pathophysiology remains unknown.

Non-Glycosylated SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5 Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) with a Native-like Conformation Induces a Robust Immune Response with Potent Neutralization in a Mouse Model.

The Omicron BA.5 variant of SARS-CoV-2 is known for its high transmissibility and its capacity to evade immunity provided by vaccine protection against the (original) Wuhan strain. In our prior research, we successfully produced the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in an expression system.

Systemic AL kappa chain amyloidosis in a captive Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus).

Systemic amyloid light-chain (AL) amyloidosis is an infrequent disease in which amyloid fibrils derived from the immunoglobulin light chain are deposited in systemic organs, resulting in functional impairment. This disease has been notably uncommon in animals, and nonhuman primates have not been reported to develop it. In this study, we identified the systemic AL kappa chain amyloidosis in a captive Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) and analyzed its pathogenesis.

Genomic diversity of group A rotaviruses from wild boars and domestic pigs in Japan: wide prevalence of NSP5 carrying the H2 genotype.

Group A rotavirus (RVA) sequences were detected in 10.8% (23/212) and 20.7% (87/421) of fecal samples collected in 2017-2022 from wild boars and domestic pigs, using next-generation sequencing.

Potent immunogenicity and neutralization of recombinant adeno-associated virus expressing the glycoprotein of severe fever with thrombocytopenia virus.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an infectious disease caused by a tick-borne virus called severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV). In recent years, human infections through contact with ticks and through contact with the bodily fluids of infected dogs and cats have been reported; however, no vaccine is currently available. SFTSV has two glycoproteins (Gn and Gc) on its envelope, which are vaccine-target antigens involved in immunogenicity.

Natto extract inhibits infection caused by the Aujeszky's disease virus in mice.

Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV), also known as Suid alphaherpesvirus 1, which mainly infects swine, causes life-threatening neurological disorders. This disease is a serious global risk factor for economic losses in the swine industry. The development of new anti-ADV drugs is highly anticipated and required.

Antisera Produced Using an -Expressed SARS-CoV-2 RBD and Complemented with a Minimal Dose of Mammalian-Cell-Expressed S1 Subunit of the Spike Protein Exhibits Improved Neutralization.

-expressed proteins could provide a rapid, cost-effective, and safe antigen for subunit vaccines, provided we can produce them in a properly folded form inducing neutralizing antibodies. Here, we use an -expressed SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein as a model to examine whether it yields neutralizing antisera with effects comparable to those generated by the S1 subunit of the spike protein (S1 or S1 subunit, thereafter) expressed in mammalian cells. We immunized 5-week-old Jcl-ICR female mice by injecting RBD (30 µg) and S1 subunit (5 µg) according to four schemes: two injections 8 weeks apart with RBD (RBD/RBD), two injections with S1 (S1/S1), one injection with RBD, and the second one with S1 (RBD/S1), and vice versa (S1/RBD).

Novel ollusvirus detected in a solitary wild bee species (Osmia taurus) in Japan.

Pathogens of wild bees in Japan remain largely unknown. We examined viruses harbored by solitary wild Osmia bees, including Osmia cornifrons and Osmia taurus. Interestingly, the full-length genome of a novel virus (designated as "Osmia-associated bee chuvirus", OABV) was identified in three Osmia taurus bees collected in Fukushima prefecture.

Development of a one-run real-time PCR detection system for pathogens associated with poultry infectious diseases.

Infectious diseases are an important issue in the poultry industry, requiring early diagnosis and countermeasures. To address this, we present a system based on TaqMan real-time PCR to detect pathogen genome in specimens collected from chickens. We designed 12 primer-probe sets for pathogens causing respiratory or systemic symptoms.

Prevalence and genetic diversity in bovine parechovirus infecting Japanese cattle.

The first bovine parechovirus (Bo_ParV) was reported in 2021, and currently, only two nearly complete genome sequences of Bo_ParV are available. In this study, we detected Bo_ParVs in 10 out of 158 bovine fecal samples tested using real-time RT-PCR, and Bo_ParVs were isolated from three of these samples using MA104 cells. Analysis of the P1 region revealed that Bo_ParVs shared high pairwise amino acid sequence similarity (≥ 95.

An Expressed Multi-Disulfide Bonded SARS-CoV-2 RBD Shows Native-like Biophysical Properties and Elicits Neutralizing Antisera in a Mouse Model.

A large-scale () production of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 could yield a versatile and low-cost antigen for a subunit vaccine. Appropriately folded antigens can potentially elicit the production of neutralizing antisera providing immune protection against the virus. However, expression using a standard protocol produces RBDs with aberrant disulfide bonds among the RBD's eight cysteines resulting in the expression of insoluble and non-native RBDs.

Novel recombinant porcine enterovirus G viruses lacking structural proteins are maintained in pig farms in Japan.

Type 1 recombinant enterovirus G (EV-G), which carries the papain-like cysteine protease (PLCP) gene of torovirus between its 2C/3A regions, and type 2 recombinant EV-G, which carries the torovirus PLCP gene with its flanking regions having non-EV-G sequences in place of the viral structural genes, have been detected in pig farms in several countries. In a previous study, we collected 222 fecal samples from 77 pig farms from 2104 to 2016 and detected one type 2 recombinant EV-G genome by metagenomics sequencing. In this study, we reanalyzed the metagenomic data and detected 11 type 2 recombinant EV-G genomes.

Development of a new quantification method of Sarcocystis cruzi through detection of the acetyl-CoA synthetase gene.

Sarcocystis cruzi is a member of the genus Sarcocystis, infecting bovine animals such as cattle and bison as intermediate hosts, and canids such as dogs and raccoon dogs as definitive hosts. Acute sarcocystosis of S. cruzi causes occasional symptoms in cattle, including weight loss, reduced milk production, abortions, and death, and similar to other Sarcocystis species can potentially cause food poisoning in humans when raw or undercooked infected cattle meat is consumed.

Genomic diversity and intragenic recombination of species C rotaviruses.

Rotavirus C (RVC) is a major cause of diarrhoea in swine, cattle, and humans worldwide. RVC exhibits sequence diversity in all 11 genes, especially in VP4 and VP7, and all segment-based genotyping has been performed similar to rotavirus A. To date, recombination events have been reported in rotavirus A and B.

First isolation and genomic characterization of bovine parechovirus from faecal samples of cattle in Japan.

A novel picornavirus was isolated from the faeces of a diarrhoeic cow using MA-104 cells at the third blind passage. This virus, named Den1/2021/JPN, was completely sequenced using total RNA from the cell culture supernatant by deep sequencing. The genome of Den1/2021/JPN had a standard picornavirus genome organisation with conserved picornaviral motifs.

Validation of the usefulness of 26S rDNA D1/D2, internal transcribed spacer, and intergenic spacer 1 for molecular epidemiological analysis of Macrorhabdus ornithogaster.

Macrorhabdus ornithogaster (MO) is an infectious fungus that causes gastric damage in birds. In this study, we established nested and seminested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods that specifically amplify the domain D1/D2 region (D1/D2) of 26S ribosomal DNA (rDNA), internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of rDNA, and intergenic spacer (IGS) 1 region from avian feces. Phylogenetic analysis of MO collected from Japanese pet birds showed little genetic variation; analysis based on these regions did not distinguish between host species order, differences in MO shape, or host gastrointestinal symptoms.

African pygmy hedgehog adenovirus: Virus replication, virus-induced cytopathogenesis and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways in infected MDCK cells.

We examined several aspects of African hedgehog adenovirus (AhAdv-1) that was isolated from an African pygmy hedgehog, including: replication kinetics of, virus-induced cytopathic effect (CPE), activation status of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways, and possible roles of these signaling pathways in virus replication and virus-induced CPE in MDCK cells. AhAdv-1 efficiently replicated and induced CPE in infected cells and caused accumulation of cleaved caspase-3 at 24 h post-infection (p.i.