Analysis of the VP2 protein gene of canine parvovirus strains from affected dogs in Japan.

To clarify the evolution of canine parvovirus 2 (CPV-2) that has recently been epidemic in Japan, VP2 gene sequences at positions 3556-4166 were analyzed in 107 CPV-2 strains obtained from rectal swabs of diarrheic dogs from 2009 to 2011. CPV-2b (95 strains) was more frequently detected than CPV-2a (nine strains), while CPV-2c was not detected. Remaining three strains were identified as the original type CPV-2, which should be derived from vaccines.

Biology of fowl adenovirus type 1 infection of heterologous cells.

The JM1/1 strain of fowl adenovirus (FAV) serotype 1 isolated from gizzard erosion was used to investigate the biology of FAV in homologous (susceptible) and heterologous cells. The FAV JM1/1 strain is capable of efficient multiplication in primary chicken kidney (CK) cells, but not in Crandell-Rees feline kidney (CRFK) cells or Vero cells. FAV adsorption in heterologous cells was slightly higher than in CK cells.

Suppression of feline calicivirus replication using small interfering RNA targeted to its polymerase gene.

Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a pathogenic microorganism that causes upper respiratory diseases in cats. Recently, an FCV infection with a high mortality rate has been confirmed, and there is need to develop a treatment for cases of acute infection. We evaluated whether the replication of FCV could be prevented by RNA interference.

Prevalence of feline coronavirus antibodies in Japanese domestic cats during the past decade.

From 2001 to 2010, 17,392 Japanese cats were examined for feline coronavirus (FCoV) antibodies. The seroprevalence of purebreds (66.7%) was higher than that of random breds (31.

Anti pseudorabies virus activity of kumazasa extract.

Sasa veitchii or "kumazasa" has been used for the preservation of food, or preventing bacterial activity. However, the antiviral activity of kumazasa is poorly understood. In the present study, the antiviral activity of kumazasa extract (KE) was assessed by the plaque reduction assay for the pseudorabies virus (PRV).

Detection and genotyping of canine coronavirus RNA in diarrheic dogs in Japan.

To clarify the prevalence of canine coronavirus (CCoV) infection in Japan, faecal samples from 109 dogs with diarrhoea were examined for CCoV RNA together with canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) DNA. The detection rates of CCoV and CPV-2 for dogs aged less than 1 year were 66.3% and 43.

Identification of Legionella londiniensis isolated from hot spring water samples in Shizuoka, Japan, and cytotoxicity of isolates.

As part of an epidemiological study on legionellosis, we attempted to isolate Legionella spp. from hot spring water and were able to isolate L. londiniensis HYKF-90505 (=JCM 16338), confirming that L.

Powder infant formula milk contaminated with Enterobacter sakazakii.

To clarify the route and source of Enterobacter sakazakii infection in a basic study, we analyzed powder infant formula milk (PIF), which may be an important source of infantile infection, regarding contamination with Enterobacteriaceae including this type of bacteria, and conducted drug sensitivity tests with various antimicrobial agents. Enterobacteriaceae was isolated 36 (24.2%) of 149 PIF samples.

Identification of pink-pigmented bacteria isolated from environmental water samples and their biofilm formation abilities.

Sixty-seven strains of pink-pigmented bacteria, which were isolated from environmental water samples collected nationwide, were identified by partial 16S rDNA sequence analysis. In addition, the biofilm formation ability of the isolates was experimentally investigated. We could identify only 2 strains at the species level: Pedobacter roseus HS-38 and Runella slithyformis HS-77.

Sensitivity of FCV to recombinant feline interferon (rFeIFN).

Feline calicivirus cause feline respiratory diseases, and inactivated and attenuated vaccines are available for its prevention. Moreover, the presence of vaccine breakdown strains (VBS) is problematic. In Japan, feline recombinant interferon (rFeIFN) has been used for its treatment.

FCV-VBS isolated from cats with typical symptoms caused VSD in experimental cats.

Commercially available vaccines have been used widely to prevent feline calicivirus infection (FCI). However, with their widespread use, field strains, which are weakly cross-reactive with the live-virus vaccine strain F9, have posed the problem of vaccine breakdown. Recently the existence of FCV--associated virulent systemic disease (VSD) has been published.

[Drug sensitivity test of Campylobacter jejuni strains isolated from human diarrheal stools, chicken meat, and chicken feces, and gene mutation of quinolone-resistant strains].

In basic studies on campylobacteriosis, we tested 53 strains from human diarrhea stools and 102 strains from chicken meat and feces obtained between 2002 and 2006 for drug sensitivity to different drugs and gene mutation in quinolone-resistant strains. 1) Of 15 drugs tested, all were resistant to one or more of the following 10 drugs: CEX, 99.4%: ABPC, 59.

Identification of yellow-pigmented bacteria isolated from hospital tap water in Japan and their chlorine resistance.

Twenty-five yellow chromogenic strains isolated from hospital tap water samples collected nationwide were identified by partial 16S rDNA sequencing. In addition, the chlorine resistance of the isolates was experimentally investigated. The results showed that of the strains tested, 12 strains (48.

Characteristics of a pink-pigmented bacterium isolated from biofilm in a cooling tower in Tokyo, Japan.

Strain K-20, a Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming and strictly aerobic rod, which produces a pale pink pigment, was isolated from biofilm in a cooling tower in Tokyo, Japan. The taxonomic feature of the strain was studied using phenotypic tests and phylogenetic analysis. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain was related to Roseomonas gilardii subsp.

[Effects of hand hygiene on feline calicivirus inactivation and removal as norovirus surrogate treated with antiseptic hand rubbing, wet wipes, and functional water].

As a preventive action plan against gastroenteritis caused by the Norovirus (NV), we studied hand hygiene effects using with three hand rubbing products, four wet wipe products, and two functional water types using Feline Calicivirus as a Norovirus surrogate. After treatment using antiseptic hand rubbing products containing chlorhexidine, quaternary ammonium, and povidone-iodine, high inactivation detected by TCID50 was observed compared to products containing povidone-iodine, although no difference was seen in viral removal measured by the amount of viral genome copies in real-time-PCR. Among wet wipes soaked in chlorhexidine, quaternary ammonium, benzoic acid and PHMB, two groups showed viral inactivation and removal.

[Studies on Vibrio vulnificus infection: molecular epidemiology of environment-derived strains and clinical isolates].

To clarify the route and source of Vibrio vulnificus infection, we conducted molecular epidemiological investigation by DNA analysis of 355 environmental isolates (seawater-derived strain: 86, sea mud-derived strain:36, and oyster-derived strain: 233) and 65 human clinical isolates, for a total of 420 isolates, using pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), with the following results. 1. When DNA was cleaved with 2 enzymes, Not I and Sfi I, and subjected to PFGE, Not I DNA interpretation was 76.

[Effects of handwashing on Feline Calicivirus removal as Norovirus surrogate].

Viral gastroenteritis caused by Norovirus (NV) mainly appears during the winter season. In fact, outbreaks and patients with NV gastroenteritis are the major cause of community disease in the winter. Strategies to avoid gastroenteritis caused by NV are thus needed.

Isolation and identification of methylobacterium species from the tap water in hospitals in Japan and their antibiotic susceptibility.

Contamination of tap water by Methylobacterium species has become a serious concern in hospitals. This study was planned to examine the distribution of Methylobacterium species inhabiting tap water used in Japanese hospitals and antibiotic sensitivity of the isolates in 2004. Species identification of 58 isolates was performed based on the homology of a partial sequence of 16S rDNA.

[Drug sensitivity of vero toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 (VTEC O157:H7) isolated from human diarrhea and healthy cows].

As a part of studies on the source of infection of Vero toxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC), O157:H7 strains isolated from human infectious enteritis between 1986 and 1995 and O157:H7 strains isolated from feces of milk cows between 2001 and 2003 were subjected to drug sensitivity test with drugs widely used as therapeutic drugs for various infectious diseases in humans and animals, and the following results were obtained. 1) Drug sensitivity tests with 20 drugs were performed in 52 strains derived human from diarrhea and 100 strains derived from milk cows, and resistance was noted in 115 strains (75.7%): 36 of the 52 human diarrhea-derived strains (69.

[Distribution of Legionella spp. in hot spring baths in Japan].

We investigated the inhabitation of Legionella spp. in hot spring water in various regions in Japan. The following results were obtained.

[A basic study of Vibrio vulnificus infection: serotyping and drug sensitivity test of environment-derived strains and human clinical isolates].

In attempt to elucidate the route and source of Vibrio vulnificus infection. serotyping and drug sensitivity tests of environment-derived strains and human clinical isolates were performed. 1) Serotyping of isolates from the two types of source were determined.

[Isolation and serotyping of Vero toxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) from pig].

As a part of basic studies to elucidate the source of infection of Verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) infectious disease, fresh feces were collected from pigs raised in Kanto District (A and B Prefectures) and Kyushu District (C and D Prefectures) between April and October in 2000, and isolation, serotyping, toxin typing, and drug sensitivity test of VTEC were performed. 1) Of 411 fecal samples tested, VTEC was isolated from 44 samples (10.7%), consisting of 12 of 112 samples (10.

[Fundamental studies on legionellosis--the growth with in Acanthamoeba sp. and antibiotics susceptibility of Legionella spp. isolated from soil samples in Japan].

As part of an epidemiological study of legionellosis, we investigated the growth within Acanthamoeba sp. and antibiotic susceptibility of 62 strains of Legionella spp. isolated from surface soils nationwide in 2001.